Death-Bound

Pride

Chapter Three

I was whipped for a hundred times. Margaritta cried on every strike. But I showed every one that I could bear it. Not a single drop of tears was flowing from my eyes nor a single whimper escaped from my lips. All of my Master’s mistresses were there to witness the punishment of his beloved treasure, for I was that one woman who can converse with the master without anyone minding. They all smiled in chorus every time the whipping-rod collided with my skin. The woman that they all envied was being punished for disobeying our Master’s wishes. I did what I am suppose to do. However, in doing so, I defied my Master himself.

“Ninety-nine!” the tired soldier shouted as the whiplash hit my back causing much more discolorations. “One-hundred!” alas the last strike! I was then removed from the whipping post where I was held. Rave came to my immediate assistance. I was about to pass out yet before I fell on his arms I got a hold of myself.

“I’m alright.” I whispered to him.

“But you look terrible.” He said on a low tone. “Let me help you.”

“I don’t need any of your help. I can stand on my own.” I could stand up, yes, but I am weak. I walked towards my Master’s seat and bowed to him as if accepting all of the unjust punishment I had suffered that he had made me receive. I then turned showing him all the wounds that he made me suffer. His eyes widen upon witnessing it all. I could sense his uneasiness as people were whispering within themselves.

I walked with my head held high with pride showing off the wounds that had been inflicted to me by our lord. But As I entered my chambers I could sense the coming darkness that would devour me. I passed out after finally being inside my private quarters. I heard Margaritta shouting and then everything was blank. Darkness claimed me as if I was its own.

“It has been two weeks Rave…she is still asleep.” I heard Margaritta whispering. “Did the Master send you?”

“No.” he answered in a deep solemn voice. “I just wanted to see her. She had been very strong…I can’t believe that the Master would punish her like that.” He looked at me with care not realizing that I am awake. “It’s just unfair and petty.”

“Would you do me a favor, Rave?”

“Yes, of course, Margaritta.”

“Please do watch my Jem for me, it’s just for a moment.” She said as if trying to settle little things in the room. “I just have to do something. Could you do this for me?”

“Yes, that’s not a problem.” He answered her softly as if talking to his own mother.

“Oh thank you very much Rave.” Margaritta said a few more moments and she left the room.

Rave sat beside my bed on the chair that Margaritta placed there. He looked at me once again not noticing that I am awake. “The Master wanted to see you…I could say that cause his eyes were longing for you, you know. He would always have that forlorn look in him when he asks about you. But you know our Master. His pride is ruining every thing.”

“Pride is the cause of what he had become. If it wasn’t for his pride, this empire would have vanished into mid-air.” I said softly trying to adjust from the sudden use of my voice. Rave looked at me with such frightened eyes. His face got so pale that you could mistake him for a ghost. “I did this to myself." I tried sitting up to talk with him better. "By disobeying our Master, I hurt his pride.”

“Well, yes…perhaps.” He muttered helping me settle on my bed adjusting a pillow behind my back “Are you alright?” I just nodded in agreement. “Margaritta told me that your wounds and bruises were healed right in front of her while cleaning you that day.”

“That is the curse of being a death-bound.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are the Master’s most trusted servant yet you do not know,” I sighed in my unbelief of the situation. “A death-bound slave is non-like any other slaves, Rave. A death-bound could feel the pain even worse than death yet one cannot die…unless that death-bound’s master wishes it or one has been killed by another death-bound. That is our cruel fate.” I carefully stretched out my hand observing all the healed little scars that had been left with all the assassination I've done. “You’re so young Rave. Why are you in our Master’s service?”

“My Father sent me to our Master when I was just eleven. After that I was trained and now I’m here.” He said. “My Father did what was right to protect me and our blood-line.”

“A noble…” I said finally having sense of his situation. A sad truth of young rulers in their land.

“My Uncle stole my throne.” He said sadly. “But wait till seven harvest pass…I’ll claim what is mine.” I could sense the passion in his voice. He will succeed and I know it.

“Why wait?”

“I’m only twenty.” he sighed. “And to take my throne and challenge my uncle I have to be on the proper age. I have to wait for seven years to be twenty seven.”

“Good for you.” I looked away, trying to remember my last days at my home—the Gem of the Desert.

“Why is that?” he asked.

“I have to wait until our Master’s death before I can see my home.” I said looking away longingly.

“How come?” He asked. “You’ve done so many things for our Master. Why can’t you go home? That’s just not fair!” he put a stress to those last words.

“You don’t know what is fair, Rave.” I shrugged still in awe of how childish his ideals were, there is no such thing as fair in this world. “What is fair to you maybe at the extremes of others. You should tame your tongue for you don’t know me.”

“Who are you, Jem?” He asked with trouble in his voice. “Who were you before you became the Master’s death-bound? I won’t know you unless you tell me.”

“I am someone you need not know.” I said giving him a black look. “Go! Do your own business! Get out!”

“But Mar—”

“Go! I can take care of myself!” I cut his words by saying that. With annoyance, he went out of my chambers. I looked down and muttered, “I did that for almost twelve years.” My home…although I cannot remember most of it  due to me locking up my old memories to save my sanity, I do know that it’s in an oasis within seven deserts which surrounds it. It’s called the Gem of the Desert. And I was the Gem of our kingdom.

I was already watering my plants when Margaritta entered my chamber. She ran towards me at first sight. She was subbing when she embraced me as if I was her own. “Oh…my child! My Jem!” she cried to me. “I was deeply worried.” She then wiped her tears.

“I’m alright Margaritta.” I said with a smile. “I’m fine so don’t worry.”

“You smile as if nothing happened! You almost died! You were beaten so much that you suffered internal bleeding. It was a miracle that you’re here with me today.” She said.

“I cannot die Margaritta, not with those things, unless the Master wishes it.” I said. “Tell me how long was I been asleep?”

“Two weeks and a day…” she said. “Do you want to eat?”

“Give me a light meal.”

“Alright!” she said and she went out of my chambers with delight. But then before she got far I heard her in a high tune. “You can’t take her! She has just wakened up! Please.” Soldiers entered my chamber with there spears aimed at me. “Please Sir. Let me just take care of her.” She pleaded.

“Quiet you!” said one and slapped Margaritta causing her to stumble down. “You’re just a servant!”

“And what are you?” I asked putting my blade upon his throat. “I promised myself that this won’t spill the blood of a low ranked official like you.” A death-bound’s mask is only worn if one is about to kill…and I was wearing it that moment. “Are you alright Margaritta?”

“Y-yes I am.” She answered. I saw the fright in her eyes seeing me for the first time armed and ready to kill.

I then turned to the soldier and asked, “What do you want?!”

“The Master wanted to see you.” He said in a very nervous tune while looking at me with terror. “Please don’t kill me."

“Why? Did you listen to her when she was begging you?” I asked before killing the soldier by beheading. I walked towards the Master’s chamber with the head of the soldier still in my hands. His blood was spilling all over the floor. All the soldiers pointed their spears at me, insuring their safety, following me until I reached my Master’s chamber.

Its doors opened upon my arrival. Two women ran out from his bed with fright and terror because I threw the soldier’s head on the marbled floor. The Master looked at me and signed every one to leave us. He stood up only wearing his robe. “Are you not afraid? I can kill you and claim my freedom. It would be so easy.”

“Should I be?” he asked. Grinning and looking at me from head to foot knowing well enough that I am not able to do so.

“You better teach your men some manners. They might end up all dead!” I said looking at the soldier’s head. “What do want from me?!”

“I want an heir!” he shouted, his voice filled with anguish.

“You can have as many as you want with all of the women you have!” I said my voice now more calm. “Is that what this was all about, an heir? Forgive me Geoffrey; I cannot give you that…” I looked away. “I’m not fit to do so any more.” I muttered looking down on my feet.

“Why?” he asked. His voice was filled with agony—such agony that I’ve been feeling all my life. “Don’t you love me anymore?” he sound like a whining child trying to ask for care from his mother.

“There’s no room for love in my heart…only hatred. I can never love anymore. Hyacinth’s dead my lord.” I said matter fact. “And no matter what you do she is not coming back.”

“You promised, Hyacinth! And I’m waiting for the day that you’d give that promise to me.” he’s almost in tears and I could feel every word he said was meant.

“What about your promise?” I asked him being petty of what had happened. I know I shouldn't feel this emotions for I locked it deep within me a long-long time ago.  His eyes widen and he drew a step back. “Where were you when I needed you? You don’t know how I longed to die every time I remember what happened to me!” behind my mask I was crying, tears that has been kept for years. Tears that I myself didn’t want to have. Tear that show that even death-bounds can have their emotion in tact! “You weren’t there when I was exploited each and every night. Now you’re asking me to fulfill my promise, when you didn’t even bother to do yours?” He sat down on the marbled floor, crying like a child with deep sorrow in every sob. I know how his guilt must have had haunted him the years that I was still not found. “You can have your heir. Some of your mistresses are from noble families.” I took off my mask and looked at him. “You’re a good man. You’ll be blessed with an heir.” I smiled at him as he looked back at me.

He sighed as if wanting to tell me something I didn't know about us. and then he asked. “Can we just talk? I haven’t spoken to any one who really knew me for almost twelve years.” But I remained silent. “Do you still remember when we first met? I thought you were a boy since most of the students were boys and most of the noble girls would study in an all girl school. You also wore boys uniform which was odd but typical cause some nobles are against what your family was practicing. I was seven, I didn’t know any better. But when we talked your voice was different.” He smiled in remembrance. “I even asked you if you have a sore throat. And you answered, ‘Are you dumb enough not to notice that I’m a girl?’ After that day I really had a crush on you.”

“You don’t have to do this.” I commented, hating the memories of those happy times. “I know it’s hurting you to remember ‘us’.” But was it me whose hurting?

“No…I’m not hurt. Those memories…they kept me going…they gave me that hope of seeing you.” He sighed. “Do you remember my fourteenth birthday? All of our classmates envied me, because you only danced with me the whole night. You were with me and with me alone. That day was also the beginning of our engagement. You even protested saying ‘I can’t marry a guy who squeals louder than a girl, and he can’t even beat me in chess!’”

“Your father was sick then…and they’re preparing you, your marriage, your coronation…everything,” I said “Too bad Hyacinth died before your wedding.”

My Master took a deep breath and sighed. He knows what nobles can do to protect themselves. We can use blood magic to protect ourselves. I chose sealing her away. “She would have been so beautiful.” He looked at me. “Can I show you something?” our eyes met when I looked at him. “Come follow me.” I followed him to a walk-in closet in his room. He opened a wardrobe that is made of Nara and adorned with all sorts of beautiful carvings. “She should have worn this.” He showed me a gown. It was white in color and has been ornamented with gems and crystals of all sorts. A gown that could only be worn by a fourteen year old bride. He then looked at me with such care that I almost wanted to feel his warmth…he was my hope…hope that made me alive up to this time. I wanted him to feel that…but I am a mere death-bound to my master…I am nothing to him. He made that clear to me as he subjected me to his every whim. “I kept this you know…in the hope that one day we’ll be together.” 

Hope…that echoed in my mind…how can he play with my feelings? As a death-bound I am abhorred with such…to have emotions…yet now, even I myself am confused of what my master wants me to do…everything in me obey one man and one man alone…HIM.