The Legend of Callistana

Chapter VII

Callistana was not able to sleep well that night. Everything that just happened in her room kept on replaying in her mind. She can't believe it. She was almost taken advantage of and Beatriz was almost killed just because of her. All of it was because of her teacher, Sir Ali.

Now, she lost all her respect and admiration for the teacher. And she doesn't know how she would interact with him knowing that Sir Ali is a very harmful person. They are not safe around him.

She woke up in the morning feeling so restless. Callistana was not feeling well but she needed to get up from the bed and do her usual routine. She needed to force herself.

Callistana stood and went in front of the mirror. She looked at herself then sighed.

In this lifetime of hers, how many people would be in danger just because of her? And in this lifetime of hers, how many times would she encounter such a dangerous situation? How many times would she be able to escape it? Would she ever be safe again?

She knew that from now on, Callistana would never feel safe again knowing that there's a bad person in the cold palace. She would stay vigilant around Sir Ali. Things would never feel the same like before.

As soon as she left her room after her morning rituals and fixing herself, Callistana looked around, searching for Beatriz among the servants. She went to the kitchen but saw another cook. Feeling nervous, she went to the sleeping quarter of her servants to look for Beatriz. And she found her lying on the bed, looking sick and unwell.

Callistana sat beside her friend who was asleep. Her face looked so tired and sick, beads of sweat were dripping from her forehead. Using the back of her hand, Lady Callistana checked Beatriz' temperature and it was hot. Her eyes stared guiltily at her friend's neck that was covered because of a wound.

"Hmmm..." Beatriz mumbled when she felt someone's presence beside her.

Callistana held her hand and caressed it gently with her thumb. "I'm here, Beatriz. Do you need something to make you feel better?" she asked her dear friend, hoping she could do something to help.

Beatriz forced a smile on her pale and dry lips. "I-I'm fine, my Lady. Anna fed me and treated my wound... I'll get well soon, don't worry..." she said in a raspy voice, her eyes were closed. "J-just stay away from him as much as you can. Don't let him be with you in a closed room, my lady..."

The lady sighed. Even her friend was sick, all she was thinking about was her. Callistana brought Beatriz's hand on her cheek and felt its warmth. "Get well soon, Beatriz. Focus on your betterment. I'll be fine. He will not do anything to me."

That morning, Callistana had no appetite but she forced herself to eat everything that was served to her as it was part of the strict diet for her. Her grip on the spoon and fork tightened when she saw in her peripheral view that Sir Ali was coming. He then sat beside her as if everything was still normal. The servants served him his food that was a completely different dish from what Callistana had.

His presence was still that mighty and arrogant.

Callistana softly wiped her mouth with the table napkin as soon as she finished and stood. Without bowing a bit to her teacher like's required to do for him, she turned his back to him. Sir Ali didn't like it. Before she could even take a step away from him, he spoke.

"Where's your manner?" he asked coldly.

The servants around them were shocked at what they saw. Their lady didn't show any respect to the teacher! That was new.

Callistana stopped but she didn't glance at him. "It's gone since last night," she said meaningfully before walking away.

The servants looked at each other but they immediately bowed their head when Sir Ali slammed the table with his hand. He clenched his jaw because of his hurt ego.

As soon as Callistana entered her room, she locked the door. She stood behind it and inhaled sharply. Her hands were shaky. She felt like her blood was rushing inside her. She can't understand what she was feeling. Was it fear? Nervousness? Excitement?

It was a mixture of different emotions for doing something new. Something she had never done.

She closed her eyes tightly but she flinched when someone slammed her door from the outside. Callistana immediately knew that it was Sir Ali. The door moved again. The knob was being twisted from the outside as he tried to open the door. Her heart was racing but she composed herself and opened the door. Before Sir Ali could even enter her room, she stepped forward and looked at him.

"What are you doing, Sir Ali?"

Through gritted teeth, he spoke. "What are you doing? You're not allowed to lock your door, you know that!" he said angrily.

Callistana's heart was thumping so loud because of this confrontation. She blinked profusely as she filled her heart with bravery. "And you're not allowed to enter my room anytime you want, Sir Ali. No one is allowed to do that. But someone did that's why I'll lock my door anytime I want, from now on. It's for my privacy and safety," she answered.

The servants that were near heard that. They immediately murmured to one another about what they heard. Someone entered the lady's room and it was a big deal for everyone!

Ali gritted his teeth. He's not appreciating the version of Callistana in front of him now. Where is she getting this audacity to stand for herself?

He stepped forward as he looked down at her. "Your manners are getting out of hand. I know that this is because of your servant named Beatriz. Talk back to me again and you will never see that bîtch again, Callistana. I promise you that," he warned her.

Callistana was taken aback. That rushing feeling immediately ended as soon as she heard his threat. Her head bowed a bit and she swallowed hard.

Ali smirked knowingly. Of course, she's that easy to manipulate because Callistana is protecting someone. Beatriz would never be her strength but only her weakness.

"Now, come with me to the study room because I have a new lesson for you," he muttered before turning his back to her.

Callistana closed her eyes tightly in disappointment. For a moment, she enjoyed the feeling that she was able to stand up for herself. But right now, she realized that she could not have that power when they all knew Ali could do everything he wanted to anyone in that palace except on touching her.

They're helpless...

She followed him in the study room. It was called a study room but it was not filled with books, journals, or any usual learning materials. Instead, it's full of the stuff that Callistana used to practice on how to serve the next emperor.

There, she was taught how to unbutton shirts, crochet, clean shoes, and other things she would do for the emperor. It was basic things that should be done by the servants but it would be her task as the empress. All the empress in the history of Ruana has been nothing but the emperor's personal servant. They were not different from the maids, they were just like in a higher position of being a slave. But still the same... slave.

"We will have an advance lesson. Next month, you will have an additional teacher and this would be your subject to her but since I care about you, I'll give you ideas..." Sir Ali started.

Callistana's eyes widened when she realized something. "Her? My next teacher would be a woman?" she asked in surprise.

Ali smirked and nodded. "Yes but your subject with is not something about academics so she's not someone who's intelligent. Don't admire her just because she's your teacher. She's just knowledgeable about the subject that's needed to be taught to you because as a woman, it's her purpose. She's an expert about it because she's a... hóe..." He laughed mockingly after saying that.

Her brows furrowed. "H-hoe?" She asked, confused about the unfamiliar word.

She was sitting on the sofa. Sir Ali stood in front of her then touched her small chin. He made her look up to him and he stared in her eyes.

"Yes. A hóe. You're lucky you won't be like her because you will be the next emperor's property but still, you will do what she does for a living. And you'll do it for free for the emperor. Every time he wants it, you will give it to him. You will satisfy him."

Callistana can't understand anything about what he's saying. She looked away to remove his hold on her chin. Ali smirked then sat on the sofa across her.

"Are you ready?" he asked slyly.

Lady Callistana just nodded.

Sir Ali crossed his arm then looked at her. "Have you ever had a wet dream?" he asked her.

She looked at him blankly. Wet dream? Callistana blinked. She has no idea about that. She never heard of that.

"Wet dream? What's that?"

Sir Ali laughed then bit his lower lip. He scanned her from head to toe then shook his head.

"You're just so innocent. The emperor would be really lucky to have you. What a feast... Lucky bástard," he mumbled.

His smirk grew wider when he thought of something.

'I'll make sure that I'll be the first one to touch and taste the sweetness of Lady Callistana.'

He then stood again. "No worries, I will teach you about the basic things you need to know. And you just have to follow everything I'll say."

Sir Ali began to remove his belt and unzip his pants. Callistana looked at him, her innocent face was full of confusion.