Beauty and A Beast

Part 7

The next morning when Edna had brought in the groceries that were delivered to the kitchen door, Chidori tried to hide a yawn as she finished tying her hair up. The evening before she may have overstepped her lines and gotten herself fired. When she had time to think about her actions and what she has said, she really did need the well paying job to help her parents. Though her father had served in the Army, many didn't have much once they came back. Many of them had nothing to come back to and though her parents had fallen in love before the war, it was the war that had almost driven them apart.

Now because he had married and had children with the once known enemy, not many have taken to liking them and it had cause him to lose a decent amount of customers. While they owned a very small farm on the outskirts of the main town, her mother had taken a job as a seamstress to help pay for their schooling. Though her family was not mere commoners, they weren't respected in Society's class.

That was why when Chidori had time to think about her reply to her employer, she worried that she would have the job no more. Not many would hire her for her disability seemed to be more of a burden many employers thought than they were willing to handle. But that was why she prided herself on her independence but that pride may have gotten the best of her the evening before.

"Master is requesting his lunch early today." Edna said as she started to roll dough on the table and she was surprised. The Master was usually up at all hours of the night, usually sleeping in the daytime. She wondered what would cause him to start waking up earlier but that wasn't any of her concern. Now her day had an earlier start and she probably would have more free time when it came to the evenings if he'd allow it. "Also, Master would like to see you."

Chidori felt that this was it and he was finally telling her to pack her bags and leave, he no longer needed her work. She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face as she nodded and continued with making breakfast before breaking to start cleaning the linen.

It wasn't long until lunch had came around and she wasn't exactly happy when she had accompanied Edna with the cart of Master's food and they had silently walked the halls after taking the lift to the second floor.

They stopped in front of the study and Edna had knocked on the door before Chidori assumed that he must have told them to enter as they did. Mr. Brinewald was standing next to Master at his desk as he was writing logs onto parchment papers and once they entered he finished what he was writing at then put the writing tool away.

She gulped and felt her hands become clammy when it seem like his eyes fell onto her, his hard covering his side of his face just like the usual. "Leave us." Master said in which she was able to read his lips and Mr. Brineweld nodded and Edna both with her husband had exited the study leaving the two of them alone.

Chidori had her hands behind her back as she stood silently waiting for guidance or the words she was waiting to hear and read. "Serve me." He said as he watched her intently with his eye, the other half covered by his face.

She quickly had his lunch set up on the tray from the cart, moving the tray to his desk and he pulled back to let her set it down. Once it was settled, she took a step back with the tray in her arms and she stood for further instruction. Usually, they would leave until it was time for them to clean up. She was getting ready to leave when she picked up his voice. He didn't show any expression as he told her to stay and he continued with his meat stew.

Chidori wasn't used to seeing him in any other form other than night and she was surprised to find that though it may have been daytime, the blinds were shut and darkness shrouded the room like a haze. The only lights were coming from the soft glow of candlelights. Her eyes were away glancing at the same study she had caught him with his paid company and she tried to kick the thought out of her head.

"Look." He said as he had a spoonful of stew and had eaten the bite. She noticed that some had dripped from his mouth and he was chewing on one side. He went and took another bite and the same was happening as stew fell from the corner of his mouth. Chidori had never thought more when they had a paper straw set for Master and she finally understood why. When she may not have properly hear, part of his face wasn't moving and she wondered if it was the effects of his scarring. His face that was slightly covered now have food and drink dripping down his mouth and chin and though the sight wasn't pretty it made her sad.

He continued to eat his supper until there was none left and he wiped his face as his eyes went to her. There was no emotion that she could see and she went to gather the now empty plate and cup. "It's grotesque is it not?" He said and she had to glance at him to make sure she had heard him right. "Sowwy?" She attempted to say and watched him so she could read his lips at the same time. "You say that for me it's mental, but tell me. When I have my supper, does that not disgust you?" He asked and Chidori felt a pang in her chest.

Though he may have this mask of authority and nonchalance, she understood the raw pain underneath. Just like he did his scars, he hid from everyone and the world. Just like he hid from everyone in his own home and that was why he constantly switched housemaids so none stayed long enough to see him or to question or to even start rumors. Somehow the Brinewalds had their sworn loyalty that she didn't know how, but she wanted that. She wanted to understand him more.

I believe beauty is what comes from the inside. What you do is for survival, if you do not eat, you die. Why should that disgust anyone? She signed to him slowly so that he could understand her.

He shook his head as he stood up, his hair falling over his shoulders and the frequent thin shift he wore tucked into his breeches. He walked around his desk and didn't quite look at her as he said, "You say that but you don't quite know the full extent." He said as he looked at her.

Is that why you pay for company?

He shook his head as he looked away, still ashamed of what he had come to. Chidori licked her lips as her fingers shook and she knew her time in the Manor was coming to an end. She had only a matter of weeks and something about Master made her want to somehow protect him or something she couldn't understand.

"Use me." She said and it came out clearly as he furrowed his brows looking at her. You can use me. She signed to him and he shook his head. "You do not know what it is you are saying." He said as he turned to look at her and she could see the pained look on his face. I do.

I have no place to judge you for your imperfections and you do not have to worry about me.

"Why?" He asked as he stood up straighter and Chidori looked away before she looked back at him and decided she would test how much signing he knew. I will never know the love of a man. I want to know what it feels like.