Our Little Secret (The Reborn)

The Dungeon

Two days had gone by, the lamp's oil had run dry and no one visited neither did she hear footsteps or distant chatters. She was weak and pale, any time she tries to lift herself up, she falls to the ground suddenly. She couldn't shout nor scream, no one would hear and even if they did, they'd fall a deaf ear.

All she could do was hope for a miracle to happen. The dark room was cold which made her shiver, her torn linen uniform was not a good a cover yet there wasn't a blanket.

Her tears rolled down until it rolled no more, her back leaned on the wall, she curled up sinking her face between her legs holding unto them tightly. Her silky hair had rumpled which fell over, she couldn't differentiate between day and night, the mosquitoes and unrecognisable insects that roamed about also leeched on her pale skin, she took ill.

Marie walked into the kitchen while her hand servants followed from behind. A chair was dragged forth, she sat elegantly with a smirk. The servants stood still to acknowledge her presence including Tess and Donna.

 "Privacy!" She instructed, they walked out scurrying "Donna and Tess?!" She called out then stopped. Their hearts beats fidgeted. They turned to her instantly.

 "I have noticed that you..." She pointed at Tess with her right index finger adorned with a golden ring. "...disagreed with my mother's judgement, haven't you?" She asked sternly

 "No Madam, i would never Interfere..." Tess said almost defensively. Marie raised her hand in objection for silence.

 "...Do not speak while i speak, have you forgotten?" She reminded as Tess nodded abruptly. "You think that I would not find out? Nothing goes wrong under my nose which means i place and displace!" 

Marie stood up from the chair and the servants adjusted the edges of Marie's gown. Marie walked to the pack of knives arranged, she picked a medium sized knife then walked towards Tess. She stopped while Tess quivered trying to be in composure. Marie rubbed the knife with her fingers then place the knife around Tess's neck. Tess's face was engulfed in abject fear while Marie tilted hers towards Tess a bit.

 "With this blade, i could slit your throat into the tiniest pieces the next time you think of going against my mother." She turned away immediately. "She belongs to hell and you might be a friend in deed!" Marie finalised laughing out hysterically.

Marie walked out as the other servants rushed in to tend to their duties. Donna stood before Tess whose face was almost buried.

 "Did you try to sneak in?" 

 "I did not, ma'am!" She almost jabbered

 "Well, the madam would not lie about that, would she?" Donna interrupted almost yelling. "You pathetic ingrate, do you have any idea about what you have just done?" She scolded almost yelling.

 "Ursula is suffering...She would die!" Tess countered defensively, her eyes welled up.

 "...Who are you to interfere, Tess? Are you trying to save a thief?" Donna asked

 "Ursula could never steal, Ms Donna?" Tess defended. Donna landed Tess a slap on her face. Tess held her face on shock, Ms Donna had never laid a finger on her, Tess reasoned within her.

 "If you ever try to cause more harm than good then I'd poison you myself. We are bought at a daunting price, lots were casted, they gambled until they laughed out in content...it does make any difference and does not matter what happens to us, they'd never care! Don't you forget!" Donna warned sternly, she turned away finally. Tess was still not satisfied with Donna's negligence and allegations towards Ursula, was certain that Ursula would never still even if she had not known her over a lengthy period.

Nathan knocked on Marie's door at her chamber, the door was opened immediately. He walked in abruptly demanding urgent privacy. Marie turned to him keeping down a book she had been reading from.

 "What is the uncertainty all about, Nathan?" She asked. He sat on the edge of her bed with a long face.

 "You told me that buying Nigel's clubhouse would submerse..." He spoke quirky in a manner as she interrupted

 "...Bla Bla Bla, Nathan! You speak like a child! Oh i forgot, you are indeed a child!" She daunted

 "Don't insult me, Marie! You suggested this and all you do is laugh about it. If father or mother...or Xavier..."

 "And who is Xavier?!" She chuckled then her face turned serious and firm suddenly "Are you comfortable about Xavier's excellence?"

Nathan's face developed bumps of fury, he hated to be challenged.

 "You are slowly drifted away from the family's heritage! You are invisible when it comes to handling the businesses and fulfilling the Saxton's laws and brought to light when it comes parties and women...sluts...whores name it..." She scolded calmly yet sarcastically. He was angered just like she expected and wanted. "Go to war if you have to Nathan, the clubhouse had never been an inheritance, its a game changer brother! Don't run to me when it gets dark, be a man. Prove to lord Jim that you can beat his favorite son, favourably or not?" She stopped

Her advice had sunk into his mind, he was contented. 

 "You are right, Marie but..."

 "No buts, Nathan! Prove your self esteem and i'd support you no matter what happens!" She added 

 "You would not mind if i draw a line between you and Nigel, would you?" He asked. This question sounded sensitive to her. All she wants is to render Nigel helpless running back to her since she felt otherwise.

 "I have been betrayed and anyone who tries to betray me would contend with me first!" She added. She turned to her book to read. He was somewhat anxious but he gave little attention to her threats against Nigel, all he aspired was to be Xavier instead.

Hours had gone by. 

Jim had returned from an appointment with district personalities. His coat was taken up by a maid who stood next to him, they were all gathered for dinner. Few moments later, a guard handed a later to lord Jim.

He didn't hesitate to read through. They all noticed that his face had changed, Jim groaned in anger suddenly.

 "Mariah dear!" He called "Did you visit the Cunningham's earlier today?"

 "Oh no, darling! I only had few word with Fiona at the town's hall. Why?" Mariah said. Marie and Nathan glanced at each other swiftly then turned to Jim whose eyes were fixated on his children.

 "Who's attempting to own a clubhouse without my consent?"

 They were silent, he banged on the table with his fist, they were startled.

 "I am, father!" Marie blurted

 "Unbelievable!" He groaned

 "I was thinking if we could acquire the clubhouse, it would send out a better message..."

 "Like what?" Mariah asked trying to understand

 "Er...uh...since Nigel had bought the clubhouse under the Cunningham's, i would like us to have it under our name!" She stopped, her idea sounded pointless to her parents.

 "We could have any property at any time without cost!" Jim stated correctly. "That does not explain why you are buying the clubhouse. We are building a relationship and all you do is sit back while we crumble!" Jim scolded firmly

 "Father?..." Marie tried to defend herself but he didn't let her 

 "I'd make it easier! Do not interfere with such businesses Marie! Xavier would handle such while you focus on legal courses, cleared?" He warned

 "Can i not be Xavier if he's not here?" Nathan stirred up. "Everything boiles down to Xavier not me." He said almost furiously

 "You can never be Xavier! You could attain the clubhouse if you can. Prove your worth, Nathan!" Jim instructed.

 "Darling, we should take it out on him steadily...he'd be better at the mansion..." Mariah opted instead

 "No mother! I would attain the clubhouse, just let me do this!" Nathan assured. He walked away angrily, his father had never done a good job being nice to him. Marie was msmiled tightly.

 "Father! Xavier has practically done everything so can we not give a hand?" Marie asked

 "You are partly delinquent sometimes, Beautiful, but i wouldn't let you work harder than usual. Delegate as much as you can, everyone is answerable to you too my child!" Jim explained but she still not satisfied. Mariah smoked

 "Lord Austin from Lesner to give account of the taxes collected for the first quarter." Mariah stirred Instead

 "Xavier would handle that specifically!" He added. Marie's face changed into a sad one. Every recognisable responsibility was given to Xavier and not her nor her brother. 

 "But father? Xavier does not have to do everything...Nathan and i are here." She tried to coax

 "Focus on your legal courses, Marie!" Jim finalised

No one uttered a word again even after dinner.

                     ∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Nicholas had been thinking about Ursula who had been locked up in the dungeon without food or water. He was the chief guard so he could only think of exercising his powers. He ordered the guards to leave immediately that he had an important thing to do around. They obeyed without hesitations while he strode down the aisle that led to the door where she was locked. He took out the bunch of keys that hung around his waist and a bottle of water on the other side, he tucked in and opened the door.

He picked up the lamp beside him, he searched the dark room and found Ursula lying almost lifeless next to the wall at the corner.

He dropped the lamp gently squatting then tapped her arms softly, her eyes opened slowly. The brightness that she had not seen for roughly two days made her eyes blinded yet she couldn't recognize the figure behind it.

She sat upright abruptly, consumed in fear while she panted almost breathlessly. Her eyes were dim yet she tried to be confident. He took up the lamp towards his face to force a recognition, she calmed finally but not completely because she was not sure if she was going to survive anymore punishment and threats.

 "Calm now, its me Nicholas!" He stated placing his hand on hers slowly. "Here! Drink some water!" He offered, turning left to right to ensure their secrecy. She didn't hesitate to accept, that was what she needed at the moment. She gulped down hastily to her satisfaction. She leaned on the wall slowly then he smiled. He could explain the joy that had accumulated on her face. It made him feel contented.

 "Are you here to kill me? Am going to die finally?" She asked In a cold tone almost whispering.

 "No Ursula, i snuck in to see you! You must be drenched, hungry and thirsty right now. I'll speak to the lady about your release at dawn as soon i leave here!" He explains almost whispering.

 "Then you should leave as soon as possible, you might fall into much bigger trouble because of me, Nicholas!" 

 "I took the risk to see you...i...i just had to see you." He held her face tenderly and asked "Are you ok?" 

She nodded gently in affirmation.

 "I'd convince the lady to let you go, alright!" He assured.

 "Yes, thank you!" She said. "Er...How about Tess, she must be the worried about me i guess..." Ursula pointed out

 "She is! The last time she attempted to see you, Madam Marie almost slit her throat!" 

 "Oh no!" Ursula was worried and remorseful.

 "I should leave before someone notices my absence! I shall see you at dawn, i promise to do well in your favor!" Nicholas assured, he stood up to leave then she called 

 "Nicholas? Thank you for risking your life for me!"

 "Its my pleasure! Be strong for the night!" He reminded. He dimmed the lamp and headed out silently, the next ting she heard was the slam of the door.

She laid in the ground curling up. She had long wanted to ask about the man of valour, Xavier, but it wouldn't make any sense. She had been thinking about him lately, she couldn't stop reminiscing on the first day he spoke to her at the well, his darkened eyes was indeed intimidating and dangerous yet she couldn't help but think about his quirky niceness towards her. Her mind traveled back to the moment she sighted his upper body in his chamber, it was crazy how she thought about him even in the midst her mischief.