Our Little Secret (The Reborn)

The slave

The slave!

Xavier rode to the slave's court where his family had gathered round. He walked in less energetically, all eyes were lifted see the man of valour. He stood before his father then prostrated respectfully.

  "Father, you sent for me?! What shall i do?" Xavier asked

  "Yes my son! Come now, sit!" Jim hithered with his hand. Xavier did as instructed, he sat. Mariah and Nathan sat abreast while the the lord Preston and his wife, Jenna, sat adjacent. Jim patted Xavier on the shoulder lightly with a boastful smile. "Look here Preston, what do you think of my son?" He asked. Preston smiled, took a sip from the wine cup. 

  "Fine breed!" They laughed "Oh Xavier! I heard of your return from Lesner province, stories will not stop parading our ears, your spectacular acts has long proven you to be more eligible. My friend here, Jim, would not have to think twice about you becoming the next lord, still amongst the three families of the Saxton's province. Im proud of you my boy!" Preston complimented. Xavier beamed without a word. Jim was full of pride over his son, Xavier.

  "We will have dinner at your house tonight just as promised. Right Jim?" Preston inquired

  "Of course, my friend!" Jim affirmed.

  "Darling? I think we need a slave in respect of Saxton's day, what do you say?" Mariah inquired with a tight smile.

They turned to the slaves that were displayed for preferences. 

A few poor maidens were brought in before the Preston's and Salvador's, they stared intensely. Ursula was part of the girls brought forward, Xavier was not in support of the slave trade but there was nothing he could do more. He didn't expect to see Ursula as a part of the displayed slaves. Ursula stood in a skin crop top and pants, her hair was ruined with the patches of mud extending her face and chest as well. Xavier couldn't stop staring at her, he didn't want her to be a part of them for what ever reasons he wasn't sure of.

  "I'll take the girl in the middle, she'd make a perfect slave to wash my feet!" Mariah blurted, everyone laughed except Xavier.

  "Yes my lady!" The slave trader answered without hesitations.

  "Of course mother, this urchin would make a good slave..." Marie added in mockery then Xavier stood up to leave. 

  "But Xavier, the party has just begun! We have got alot of trifling slaves to prey on.

The party was over. The Salvador's rode back home in their cart. The door was opened for them by a servant, they walked in majestically because you could tell that their ego was before any other recognition. 

  "Lena?" Mariah called out sitting on the chair while another maid messaged her toes. She sipped on her wine. 

Lena approached hurriedly and bored her head instantly, one mistake could cost her life not just her job.

  "Yes my lady!"

  "Hmm!" Mariah shrugged giving her a daunting look. "This is my new shipping, Ursula! Luckily, she earned my favor on our special day, Saxton's day. I call it a day of redemption but you all call it a day of mysery and mischief....that's what you all are made for!" She fired. "I have taken my time to explain how important it is for this day to work out so I've decided to add a hand. She'd manage my chambers specifically....and you could assign some duties to her as well." Mariah instructed

  "Yes my lady." Lena affirmed

  "And one more thing..." Mariah's right Index finger that was decorated in a golden ring hung in the air then she continued. "...The Preston's will be here for dinner and you know what that is. I do not want any abnormalities as well, my husband may be merciful enough to kill you with his rifle but i would slit your throat instead. Is that understood?"

  "Yes my lady!" Lena said

  "Now shoo!" Mariah dismissed with her fingers. Ursula followed Lena behind that led to the slave quarters. She was shown around while she cried out silently.

Earlier on, while Ursula and Kim were on their way home, some men who worked for the slave traders captured young girls on the way. It was a question from the high positioned wealthy men at the slaves' court. She did not have the chance to tell her mother goodbye for the last time. She couldn't take erase the memory bombarding her mind. She curled up on the bed with her head between her legs, her long hair had covered her face and beneath in a room that was barely used, only slaves experience such ill treatment.

She washed herself then wore the slave uniform proposed lying on her bed. She wrapped her into a ponytail staring at her reflection in the half broken mirror which she had to wipe off the dust on it. Some tear drops rushed down her cheek until there were none, she finally wiped her tears with the back of her hand and tried to brace up.

  "Since i can not reach out for my mother this instant then I'd have to find a way to break out of this mansion! Maybe i could offend the lady herself." She thought inside "Oh no! I overheard her threats towards Miss Lena, i can not do that and i can not stay here forever!" She finalised, suddenly a knock interrupted her thoughts. 

  "Ursula?" 

It sounded like her new madam not the lady, the lady would never stroll down the slave quarters. She rushed to the door and opened it. Ms Lena was standing with a fierce look and spatula on the left hand.

  "Did you not hear me call you severally? I cannot use my extra toes to make dinner, can i? To the kitchen! Now!" Lena  inquired

  "Yes ma'am!" Ursula strode out of the room in a hurry.

They were over female maids in the mansion but Ursula wondered why Lena had to make such helpless statement instead asking for a hand in the kitchen.

Mariah assigned Marie to supervise the cooking for the special guests that were coming for dinner. She always has a special way of walking around the mansion, her special guard and a maid with the feeling of royalty in her mind. Lord Jim would add up to her ego placing so many securities to watch over her like a princess as he'd always call refer to her. More reasons why Nathan felt differently because of the preferential treatment but nonetheless, he's always seen with high regards and respect. She stormed into the kitchen as her maid held into the edge of her gown.

Everyone in the kitchen turned their gazes to her followed by a bow. Marie sighted Ursula suddenly

  "And what are you doing here, urchin?" He smirked holding her hands abreast below her chest. He ego was despicable to the servants but all these thoughts could only be burried under the minds. She turned to Lena the chief servant and asked "Why's she here?"

  "The lady assigned her to the kitchen earlier..." Lena said

  "...That's not enough!" She almost jabbered "I'll speak to the lady for a more tedious job. I mean..." She scoffed with a chuckle "...She doesn't enjoy much pleasure as this at her cottage, am i correct so?! Anyways, you all would prepare a special delicacy for our special guests, its way too important. I'd keep an eye just in case you intend to poison the entire household! That's exactly what slaves do, rebel against their masters!" Marie smirked. 

A clean chair was brought to her as she watched the activities go on. 

  "Urchin?" Marie called but Ursula intentionally ignored. In her terms, why would Marie reference to her as an urchin, a name that would never come across her mother's mouth. Ursula was silent, she washed the dishes Instead. Marie called again assuming Ursula didn't hear her call. "Urchin?" There was silence, the servants turned wondering who was called an urchin. "Ur-chin!" Marie groaned in anger. She rise uo from her chair then headed for the boiling soup, she dipped a bowl into it and patted Ursula on the shoulder. As soon as she turned abruptly, Marie splashed the hot soup on her body, luckily for Ursula, she covered her face in time. Ursula screamed in intense pain. She tried to stop tears from rolling but thery had the mind of their own.

  "Urchin?" Marie called with a wicked laugh. Ursula raised her head up to meet Marie's distasteful gaze. Marie cupped Ursula's jaws forcing her nails to dip her skin, Ursula was hurt and she had no right to complain. "I guess you are yet to recognize your place as a slave in this mansion. You were bought a daunting price so don't think you've got any importance. How dare you ignore my call hmm?" She jerked her face closer

  "I am am not an urchin!" Ursula blurted in resilience that she tried to hide. Marie felt insulted so she rendered a slap on her cheeks instead.

  "Gutter guts huh?!" Marie mocked. "Don't mess with me, urchin!" Marie walked out of the kitchen instantly.

Ursula fell to the ground swimming in her own tears.

  "That's how you learn to live like a slave, Ursula. Please them to live another day!" Lena blurted then turned to the food she had been mixing.

A girl about Ursula's ago came forth with a piece of brown clothes like the ones they wore, she handed it to them. She helped Ursula up to her feet.

  "Are you hurt?" She asked. Ursula was silent bombarding her tears instead. "I'm Tess! You've got to be careful with the madam around here. She comes around most times so you should expect more of her. You were lucky that she only splashed a bowl of soup on you, she poured hot oil on me, look at the scars. Be strong my friend!" She encouraged after showing her the scars on her legs and few spots on her hands. Ursula braced up with a friendly nod again as they continued working.

                                   ∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

The Preston's had arrived already and dinner was served, everyone was present including Ruby who was proposed as a preferable choice. She was a pretty blonde lady with green eyes who was well accustomed to Saxton's laws as well.

  "I am delighted to have you all here!" Mariah began. They smiled in accordance to her compliments. "Ursula?" Mariah called out since Ursula had been appointed you stay close for possible errands. "Could you serve the wine? Thank you!" Mariah turned away. She did as she was instructed, when it was  Marie's turn, Marie placed her foot to obstruct Ursula. The wine splashed on Xavier who was adjacent Marie. 

  "What did you just do, Ursula?" Mariah inquired groaning angrily. 

  "I swear to you my lady, i did not mean it. I stumbled..."

  "...shut up, you're despicable." Mariah countered. Ursula struggled to wipe off the stains but he held her hand gently. Their gaze met and it was overwhelming Ursula. Marie pulled Ursula by the hair then she landed on the ground.

  "Marie!" Xavier called out almost angrily. She turned to him

  "Marie is right! How could this thing disrespect in that manner?" Mariah scolded

  "Mother i spoke to you about clumsy slaves as this, they would embarrass your efforts!" Nathan added reluctantly

  "Of course! They never ever learn how to coordinate their vices, scoundrels!" Jenna added

  "I don't think slaves should be a reason why we can not enjoy this evening!" Preston added too.

  "That was unacceptable what she did to Xavier. That's a man of valour for crying out loud!" Ruby added, everyone concurred except Xavier who silent as always. Marie continued pulling Ursula by the hair until they were out of sight. Xavier was unhappy at his sisters' brute, if he dared interfere with Saxton's laws then its war against him.  Few minutes passed and he could hear Ursula cry out in pain. She was lashed by the guards while Marie smiled in content at every stroke. The families laughed comfortable discussing political welfares. Ruby had been staring at Xavier's expression because she she could tell that he was totally out of concentration. Discussions like this attracted his attention because he was perfect bet for it. 

  "Are you okay?" Ruby asked in concerned.

  "Of...of course Ruby. I just need a moment to refresh. I'll be back!" He beamed. He walked oit of sight nyrtbshe couldn't stop admiring this masculine beauty, it was divine.

He was compelled to interrupt Marie's punishment.

  "Everyone out!" He ordered. The guards bowed and obeyed. Marie remained being dismayed and discontented at his orders. Ursula was lying helplessly on the ground, her clothes were stuck to her skin due to the open wounds she had acquired. 

  "Oh brother!" Marie rolled her eyes. She was pissed at him already "Why are you interrupting this session? I am basically doing the right thing!" She said defiantly

  "I'll take it from here! Leave us!" He instructed. A smile rested on her lips.

  "I love the sound of that already!" She said then he beamed and watched her walk out. He turned to her slowly, she was startled and scared to look into his dark eyes. He stood still like a ghost on the hunt, he was staring at her intensely and fiercely then he spoke 

  "Go clean up and rest!" 

He left immediately without turning back. He saved her again from his witch sister and still did not get the chance to thank him.