Taming the Cursed Beast

"Women are not allowed to work!" Sigh. "Women are not allowed to own things. Women are meant to be owned." The loud hiss punctured by a heavy, almost suffocating breathing was the only thing audible in the tiny room. "You don't say." "If you want to be rich, go snag yourself some wealthy male." The primp and proper Madam Lucy all but shrieked, betraying her image, as a shoe came flying at the unbothered girl patched by the window. The girl easily dodge the poor attempt to smack her head with a sly grin gracing her red lips. It was way off it's mark. "Maids are workers." She pointed out smartly. "They are not women! They are servants, and servants have no say. They live and die for their masters. And they don't owned properties, they are owned." She stressed. "If you know what's good for you, you would get yourself a man." Oh I do, but it has nothing to do with a flat chested, hairy faced organism. I rather take my chances with the wolves. "Even if he's the same age as my father?" The girl, Weal said finally looking up to tease the woman further. She enjoys ruffling up her smooth feathers. "Even if he's the age of your grandfather, you... you insufferable, old hag. What have I say about talking back to your elders?" "I'm only sixteen." Tori deadpaned, paying more attention to the unique creation in her hand than the now hysterical madam. "I heard that!" Gasp, I thought you were deaf! "You are supposed to be married at fifteen. Not sixteen. All your mates are already married and expecting babies at the moment. But look wher you are now." Madam Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose and reigned back her rage back. Right where I want to be? "If you put even a fraction of the effort you put into making those.. those monstrosities you make daily," she gestured towards the ball of yarn at the girl's lap, "into finding yourself a man, I'm sure even you could find someone average." Weal rolled her forest green eyes at that and like the more matured one between the two, chose to let the comment slide. "Victoria Wealthy Dufus! Don't you dare roll your eyes at me." Her attempt at keeping her anger in check all but flew out the window by the girl's gesture. She shook in rage as her screams rattled throughout the old house. Her white powdered face turning a nice shade of red that Tori half expected steam to start coming out of her ears. "My goodness, where have I went wrong with your upbringing. Your lack of manners will not only ruin your attempt to capture a man's heart, at this point it'll damage the reputation of your younger sis.... Oh well, I just need to be off with you before that happens." After a few seconds of talking to herself and catching her breath, she turned to her step daughter and eldest child of the Duffus family whose attention was solely on the dark woolen stuff she was making. "Get yourself into this dress and make yourself presentable." Madam Lucy sighed. "Mr Callum is coming over in fifteen minutes to see you. Victoria, I want you to be at your best behavior, even though it's not much to begin with. It's the last thing you can do for your family. If you meet his choice of standards, we'll arrange your marriage in nothing shy of two weeks." She whispered the last part settling a dress on the chair opposite Weal and walked out muttering stuffs about how she got the dress on loan from how expensive it was and she dared not ruin it for her. He wouldn't be satisfied, she'll make sure of it. Weal vowed. She heaved a sigh at the return of her peace and was about to return back to the task at hand when another voice interrupt her. "I think it's best if you do as the Madam says at the moment Miss Weal, she's getting desperate with the twins coming off age and would do anything in her power to achieve her goal." The maid, who had excelled in the act of becoming one with the wall, shifted on her legs as she whispered softly emerging from a dark corner. Her white, innocent eyes are now red and glistening with unshed tears. "Ha! They wouldn't be until after 6 months. What's there to rush?" "Exactly miss, but they couldn't be married unless you are." Weal waved her precious 'socks' in air and huffed in annoyance. "They are both welcomed to be off before me. I'm not chained to anybody. If they have someone they are interested in should speak up." The maid has no reason to upset about this on her behalf. The little maid open her mouth but close it on a second thought, but Weal could already guess what she was about to say. Things about bloody traditions. Weal had no interest in getting married now. She isn't sure if she wants to be married ever. But she knew better than to defy a determined Madam, since she couldn't punish her directly, she would punish her maids in her stead if she dare mess up her plan. She dropped the crochets items on the sofa and allowed Lilly to help dress her into the frilly, bright yellow monstrosity she wanted to be far away from. But judging from the twinkle in the maid's eye, she probably didn't share her opinion. She stepped on the hem serveral times almost toppling over if not for the maid's help. "Miss, I'll do your hair next." Lilly said running her hands along the tied strings at the back one more time. "My hair is fine the way it is." "But.. but you haven't even tame your hair since the start of the day." Her eyes widened as she took in the mop of curly nest on the eldest Missy's hair. "What difference would it make apart from the splitting headache left in it's wake? Please, I rather not." The maid bristled, clearly wanting to argue but Tori would have none of it. The poor maid was on the verge of tears again, giving her the best puppy eyes she could muster. Ha! She's not falling for that. The torturous dress is already making her life misareble, she's not about to top it up with a headache. When Lilly realize there was no hope, she resigned to her fate and grabbed the shoes by the drawer. The eldest Miss is very beautiful, her emerald eyes shone beautiful against her pale skin and her red lips complimented her eyes. She had a beautiful, voluminous red curls that framed her small face and extend down the length of her back in a messy curls. If only she'd tame them, they'd shine and maintain a beautiful bounce completing the young lady's unparallel allure. But no, her mistress didn't care one bit about that. It's not that she wasn't beautiful per se. Just not so... Feminine? Elegant? Graceful? But she'd never say that to her face. "Yuck, so ugly. I look like bubbly Bella in the coop." Weal made a face at her reflection in the mirror and turned around, careful not to trip grinning wildly. Lily choked suppressing the abrupt laughter that was wrenched out of her gut. Madam Lucy would flip if she hear her expensive dress being compared with the feathers of a dirty hen. But she had to agree, with her red messy hair and yellow dress, she looked like their golden buff orpington that was closer to yellow than brown and her bright red head. "Smile, Lilly." Weal clapped the maid's shoulder bringing her attention back. "I would be fine as long as I didn't meet his standards. Just smile and believe." "Well, and pray for me." She added after a second thought. Yes, she would need that. Time to scare off the next victim and hope he has a rise in blood pressure by the end of the day. She had succeeded in doing that so far, well apart from the high blood pressure, all she had to do is repeat that again and perhaps even take it up a notch. Only this time, the victim isn't as simple as the previous ones with his nasty reputation. Do not meet his standards Weal, do not meet his standards. Only then would both you and your dream be fine. * Weal skipped down the wooden stairs that creaked loudly under slight additional weight holding her dress up, bidding good bye to the maid looking at her with teary eyes. Heavy knocks rattled on the front doors as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Tch. She really, really did not want to go on blind dates. She did not want to meet strangers, in fact, she would rather not step out of their house unless it is something urgent and personal. The poor doors shrieked loudly followed by the nasally voice of their old butler answering the door although she couldn't quite make out what he was saying. Can't wait to pounce on his next victim, can he? A minute later the old wrinkly bald man rounded the corner stopping when he ran into her. "Good morning, Miss Victoria." He cleared his throat and scratch his comically shaped grey mustache that hovered on top of his upper lip as he dipped into a painful bow. The stubborn mull, how many times did she stop him from bowing to her? Weal smiled winching at his pain and nod her head. "Morning grampa Steve, hope you slept well." One day when he finally snapped his pelvic bone, he would only have himself to blame. "Been better eldest miss, your guest has arrived." His mustache vibrated in what Weal had come to know as his smile. "I see. I shall be off then. Thank you." Not. She has an endless list of what she would have done with the time she'd waste roaming around the street smiling and pretending to be primp and proper- as primp and proper as a lady with a birdnest like hair would be, in front of a man twice her age, height and weight. Hateful traditions. But oh well. She'd just make sure she squash every thought he'd harboured about her in the future. The sheer mention of her family should be send shivers down his spine. She'll make sure of that. With another forced smile, she round the corner to great her guest. God, she had be doing this awfully alot today and it's only past eleven! * "Long time no see, lady Victoria. What a lovely feast for the eyes this early morning." Weal was greeted with a stinky breath coming from the yellow teeth of the overweight man blocking the entrance as he squeezed his pot belly in an attempt to bow. "Morning Mr Callum." She flashed a bright smile of her own to mask her displeasure. "I came here straight from the town square after taking care of an issue, hope it's not too early for you?" "Not one bit, it's fine." "Good." His black beard bristled, as if expecting that response. "I'm Mr Callum, an acquittance of Madam Lucy. I believe we met couple of years ago." "Yes, Mr Callum. It's been ... a while." She vaguely remember his face from one of the balls she was forced to attend when she was younger. The only thing that caught her attention was the unlimited food and drinks there. But with a face like his and the rumours surrounding him, he isn't hard to recall. Not that they had ever talked. "Hmm." His beady black eyes roamed all over her body as if he was accessing a fat piece of chicken. Her forced grin threatened to slip the longer she stayed in his presence. "Ahem, shall we?" She offered when he didn't say another word. She didn't have all day and would rather get it over with. "Certainly." He yanked her gloved left hand and placed his fat, hair covered lips on the back of her hand as a kiss and led the way. The hairs on her back stood erect at cringe worthy gesture, but stopped herself from yanking it back and let him lead her to his ride. Thank you Lilly, I owe you for these gloves. * The shabby brown carriage led by two dark, ill fed horses left their courtyard and into the bustling streets.The dark brown beaded curtain hanging off the tiny windows on either side of the carriage shook violently with each bump, taking her along with it. Sliding closer and closer to the fat tree trunks legs of Mr Callum before she force herself back to the wooden walls. The tiny compack interior of the carriage had barely enough space for two, now it felt incredibly so due to the owner's size. Weal squeezed the white cloth in her hands to keep her distracted, wishing it was the neck of a certain giant. The world would be better off without him in it. He is close, way too close and out of her comfort zone. It has only been less than a few minutes since they met and she was already bored and violated beyond words. Breath Weal, breath, this is only the start of a long, torturous day. "You haven't changed over the years, Miss Victoria. As beautiful and elegant as you as always." Weal jerked at the voice glancing to her right. Her 'suitor' has shifted so that he was facing her now. Probably bored with whatever he was looking at through the tiny window. His eyes staying longer than necessary on her hair. "Thank you, Mr Callum." Lier. He clearly didn't think so. She didn't change much, but she is certainly not elegant. After all, Miss Weal have a reputation to uphold. "No need to be polite, lady Victoria, I'm only stating the obvious." I see, it's safe to assume your sight is faulty. Mr Callum tried to uphold serveral conversation with her as they carried on they approach their destination, wherever that is. Keyword, tried. Because it wasn't working. Weal rather watch the dirty chickens roaming around the street chased by street kids than chanced piquing the male's interest. "... previous competition." "Pardon?" "The previous embroidery competition? I heard you came second place." "Ah, yes. Believe me, it's nothing but a streak of luck." Weal chuckled waving the white cloth as if it was nothing. She knew it was a bad idea to participate in that bloody competition. It was bad for her reputation. Do not meet his standards. Do meet his standard! Too bad, her humble gesture of waving the handkerchief caught his attention. She watch as his beady black eyes zoomed in on the tiny yellow rose embroidered on the edge. It was tiny and well well hidden at the corner! Is this man a hawk or something. "Please, don't down play your talent. It is an honor and a title befitting for the woman of my household." Bloody hell! She didn't just pique his interest. Women of his household? Really? The ones in the grave? Interesting. Outwardly, Weal coughed to stop herself from swearing. "Look, sweets!" She jabbed her fingers out toward a fancy street vendor displaying red assorted sweets as they pass by. "Can we check that out?" "Certainly. It is after all, a shop befitting for a woman of my household." Weal stumbled on her way down the carriage in haste. Did she offend some deity this morning to be cursed with this bad luck? How comes everything she did was befitting for a woman of his bloody household?! She beginning to doubt if he had any standards to begin with. Seems like her dinner with the wolves would occur rather sooner than intended. It was death either way. In fact, there's a fat chance she'd survive outside, with the bugs, wolves and all than in his household.