Re-loved

CHAPTER SIX: RUN

THEO POV.

As I reclined on my bedding, I could hear the revelry from downstairs, the music permeating through the walls, the shrieks and the cheers to their delight.

I yearned to attend since the lord requested me to but I had nothing suitable to wear. I'll simply give him an excuse of coming down with an illness, that's if he asks me. I mean who cares about a servant?

Not until I heard the loud sound that soared into the sky and awoke to see it was fireworks. I have never seen one in my life since I was always confined in the forest. I started reminiscing about my sister I left to come accomplish the one reason why I am in this part of town.

I was so elated to see one so I decided to go downstairs to observe it clearly. It was so beautiful, whoever created this thing must be joyous wherever they are.

"Well, if it isn't the palace wall peasant," a familiar voice remarked. I thought everyone was downstairs partying.

"Guys, it's the man himself. Theo, my dear boy, why aren't you downstairs?" Sir Gerald inquired.

"Sir... Sir, I was..." I stammered, contemplating whether to go with the lie I had planned to tell the Lord.

"Looks like Theo was partying all alone," Sir Levert chuckled.

"Should we join?" Wood laughed.

"Sir... sir, it's not like that. I didn't have any clothes that matched the occasion," I replied fearfully.

"Then you should have asked for mine. What are friends for?" Sir Gerald said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I gulped, trying my best not to appear scared. "Sir... I think I'll head back to my quarters."

"Come on, Theo. Play with us. You already played with Gerald during the mid-day," Sir Elijah said.

I knew what that meant—trouble. I couldn't shout or do anything now that there was a celebration going on. It seemed everyone knew what was happening but chose to look away.

"Sir... sir, please not tonight. I really haven't felt well since this evening. Please," I pleaded, holding onto Sir Gerald's legs, knowing he was the only one who might stop them.

I was slapped instantly, followed by a rain of blows. I used my hands and feet to cover the delicate parts of my body.

I kept wondering what I had done to deserve this. It's not my fault that I'm poor or a peasant. Even after leaving my hometown, I still face this kind of treatment, whether it's s****l harassment or physical abuse. I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to run downstairs, maybe even leave this place to accomplish what I needed to do.

"Now it's time for my enjoyment. Hold him up!" I heard Sir Gerald say as he removed his trousers. I knew what that meant for me. With the little strength I had left, I managed to push off the guards and ran downstairs.

"After him! He must not leave this building!" Sir Gerald ordered.

I ran as fast as I could, hearing them on my tail, until I saw a group of women in a room and decided to hide there. Nobody noticed my presence, so I knew I was safe for now. Staying in that spot, I heard the women chattering about which prince would pick them.

"Sorry, beautiful ladies, has any servant come in here?" I heard Sir Elijah ask. They all shook their heads and replied no. After he left, I knew I needed to get out of this place; otherwise, it would be over for me tonight.

"I heard the prince is here. I pray to the gods he picks me," one of the girls said.

"I hear he likes the pretty ones with all the assets. I can't wait to leave this part of town," another added.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind. It didn't make much sense, but anything to get me out of there—I didn't think I could survive any longer. Those men would kill me. As each of the ladies went out, I quickly cleaned my face, put on one of the dresses (there were plenty to choose from), and covered my face with a veil.

All the ladies left, and I was the last one to be called. "You are up next," one of the attendants told me. I nodded in response. I knew I had to use a skill to attract the lords or princes to pick me, so I chose to dance as my mother had taught my sister and me when we were little.

The princes started picking, and I prayed to the gods to be chosen until I heard my number. I was happy, but the happiness was short-lived when I heard, "Remove the veil."

I thought the veil wasn't supposed to come off until we were out of town. I knew I was in big trouble if the lord saw me, especially if Sir Gerald recognized me. The guards tried pulling off the veil, and when it finally came off, I covered my face, but they pulled my hands down. That was when I knew I was in a big mess.