Mathilde was crouched by the fire pot, stirring a long wooden spoon about as wafts of her curry rose and spread like a fog over the enclosed kitchen.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNBFBOCKsf
The past few days had been silent, peacefully so. And though she missed her master with idle reluctance, the emptiness was welcome. She moved about her business dutifully, cleaning, washing, scrubbing, cooking— and sometimes she would catch herself glancing up at the clock overhead.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9WZKdUq4t
Waiting for master’s arrival.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9uDoeGlx5
Word of his return arrived a day in advance and she spent it in elation, gliding about the mansion cleaning every room, though no one but him resided within.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk99hFlFAN
She polished the silver and dusted the ancient library. Tore down the curtains and replaced them with clean heavy dark drapes. Rolled out the Persian carpets and beat them in the back with a club until all dust vanished.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7eYH3fgKp
Last but not least, Mathilde prepared a bouquet of his favourite meal. It was hard to pinpoint which her master favoured, considering he ate with a neutral expression.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bkqr20VaO
However, having lived with him for over a decade, she learned to pick up the subtlest of gestures from her master. The slight tilt of his full flushed lips as he bit into a soft vanilla loaf, the pleasant hum in his baritone throat as he lifted the fork of tenderized Wagyu beef to his mouth.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYudRpTtb8
Yes, Master may have been a closed book, but sometimes the outer covers told enough of the story.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡT122kbx3Os
Mathilde spent her day kneading dough, chopping vegetables, soaking rice, hammering meat until tender— then the preparations began. She chopped and diced, tossed and glazed. Everything was finally coming in order.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWlG8xyCgs
Brazed lamb, tenderized beef wrapped in sizzling bacon, freshly churned cheese, warm baked bread still soft from the oven, charred vegetables, mushroom and pea soup and finally a bottle of chilled Chateau Lafitte.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4ZC0mTUY7
The long dining table was set and she hurriedly scrubbed herself clean before dawning the white dress he preferred her to wear. The collar was high and hem swept well past her worn-out ankles.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6R08EzAHH
Mathilde thoroughly brushed her hair and held it up into a severe ponytail, as he always liked, then pinched her cheeks to bring out a rosy colour on her otherwise pale complexion.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD5EngwLyl
She glanced at the clock then moved towards the mansion’s entrance, slowly lowering herself onto her knees.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdqAcS4iSI
Mathilde waited.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡstuNnIWBxm
An hour or so later, she heard the rush of a piercing scream. It was so loud, Mathilde leapt up, startled. Reaching for a lamp, she made to descend the front steps but held steady.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL3kouuAcF
Master did not permit her to leave his confines. And so she stepped back, resorting to anxiously peer at the dark leering trees.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSTcbKgjaZ
The scream came again, this time closer. Rushing towards one end, Mathilde clutched the wooden beam and held the lamp high as a silhouette formed in the distance.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WYvkof2ZD
“Master,” she whispered, stomach awash with relief. Her smile halted then dissolved, eyebrows pinching at the realization that he held something that was thrashing violently against his laps.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ixjnhS65e
Or someone.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡraiwUKnkM7
“Help me!” It was a girl’s voice.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaqYdFM2iP
Mathilde tensed as her master fluidly leapt off the horse, his grip tightened on the nape of a girl’s neck. She was small and rather petite, barely reaching his upper chest, and wore a dress stained with dirt and blood.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX4IdIsks2
The girl’s face was ordinary, much to Mathilde’s relief, heart-shaped, muddy brown eyes now red from crying and her hair a mess. At the sight of her, the girl wailed even wilder— “Help me! He’s the beast! The monster!”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdWzURUqvC
Perhaps it was the mere audacity to yell, let alone accuse her master of being something, that had her flinching away. Mathilde felt a dull flicker of anger and pity for the girl.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT1x6A4nvK
She would be punished, severely so.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfJlDaKFoN
Mathilde quickly dropped to her knees, hands poised over upper thighs, head lowered in deference and submission. “My master,” she whispered as he climbed the front steps and brushed past her with the screaming girl.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoNlW7nXi3
Mathilde quickly rose and followed suit, halting by the entrance as he released the girl and dismissively shoved her. She tripped and fell clumsily, doe-like eyes rising to the man.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL0GApcOB4
Pointedly ignoring her, he moved towards the small glass table and twisted a bottle of whiskey, pouring himself a substantial amount along with three ice cubes.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSblFehEdm
She watched him drink— the powerful rise and fall of his throat, muscular jaw ticking as ice cubes crushed between his teeth patiently. All was silent save for him.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9sPl88TgV
Eventually, he set the glass down and for the first time, regarded Mathilde.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CRUvBjLKX
“Have her showered and sent to my chambers.”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTWXWUplQ
With those final words, he walked out.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4OoRRtB2n
Mathilde blinked after his retreating figure, then with a substantial amount of effort, dragged her eyes to the girl who still sat on the carpet. Stunned.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAkulReuUc
Mathilde’s mouth twisted down furiously. “Get up,” she snapped, “your filth is ruining the carpet.” Which was true. The girl had smudged her dirt and stained what took three days to wash.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡspigqP84gQ
When she didn’t move, clearly still in shock, Mathilde stormed towards her and stooped low. Fortunately for her, she was larger than the girl. A good inches tall and heavy set. Grabbing her bicep, Mathilde hauled her upright, ignoring the girl’s pained cry.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF22SNl2iH
“Quiet yourself,” Mathilde hissed, dragging her down the long hallway towards the servants quarters.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzghXn7lq3
The mansion was large, eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a parlour, library, dining room, kitchen and art room. The servants quarters were located away from the mansion, joined by a small trap door.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKtQh7dBqC
Despite the size, it had been Mathilde and master for ten years. Alone.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYBAc98P8t
Now they had a third. A girl.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkXZJ51aNL
“Rid yourself of those clothes,” she released the girl and shoved her into the bathroom where a large bucket and hard soap was placed.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXJrYIxMD7
The girl stared wide-eyed at the wall, then drew her eyes towards Mathilde, still terror streaked. “I want to go home.” She whispered, broken.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiaqMcunl2
Mathilde snorted, “enough rubbish talk, strip.” When the girl didn’t move, Mathilde reached for her dress and swiftly spin her, yanking the zip down.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7xs0X7D1V
The girl gasped, hands rising to hold up the dress but Mathilde was lightning first. She tugged it down to her ankles and forced each foot out before pressing her into the small cubicle.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LlsHKGeEL
Dipping a cup into the bucket, Mathilde scooped then splashed it on the girl. The water was cold, and she allowed herself a small knowing smile as the girl gasped, scrambling into the corner futilely.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOKixIn7EJ
“Wait—!”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTdbIrDbmZ
Ignoring her, Mathilde reached for the soap and rough cloth, quickly lathering it she yanked the girl closer and like a child, proceeded to scrub her raw and clean. “Shut up.” She snapped at her whimpers, “if I so much as hear you make another sound—”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT7ZXunJDE
She threatened some more until the sounds died. Mathilde sunk lower, rubbing away the mud and dirt from her hands, stomach, back, thighs, using a rock to scrub under her foot. She was excessive forceful but hardly cared.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXw15XVEdH
Perhaps this was her way of relieving the frustration of knowing he brought someone else. A female.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1c73Oex1c
Once done, she dumped the whole bucket on the girl and dragged her out, quickly wiping her down with a thin towel. She was still shivering when Mathilde left and returned with a clean gown.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7ctyE4GXx
“Wear this.” She commanded and the girl timidly reached for it.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtEfh9fVJm
Afterwards, she brushed her hair, scowling at the thick, soft texture.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKaKadic2q
“Where are you taking me?” The girl whispered as Mathilde guided her down the hallway. “Please, I have to—”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXK7GBzUsY
Mathilde whirled around violently then, pressing up against the girl’s trembling figure. “Never speak to me or him unless instructed to do so. If you dare try and escape, he will have you chained to a tree and whipped mercilessly. Do you understand?”copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTZVB8IKl8
The girl blinked then nodded but failed to speak.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFoHcZ32Mu
Growling, she led her back into the mansion, towards the east wing where his room lay at the end of the hall.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55e10loU8S
Shoving her forward, Mathilde softly knocked on the door before opening it. Her eyes lowered instantly, knowing it was disrespectful to stare.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhCwk7GqxX
Nudging the girl inside, Mathilde shut the door and stepped away.copyright protection14ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBxwHLzoNq
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