His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 7

A noble woman, with bright white hair and white markings smiles fondly as her carriage pulls up to the metal gates of a large castle. She breath-taking, with her bright white hair, and white skin markings on her tan skin. She has air of serenity to her, especially with her soft features and her permanent serene expression.

Standing at the gates, is none other than the man who will eventually be the ruler of the said castle she had just arrived to, He watched her carriage stop with cold, disinterested eyes.

"Well, don't look too excited to see me," she scoffs, though her tone suggests she is joking.

"Lady Yeke Uzui, I'm glad to see you arrived safely," he greets back stiffly.

"Thank you, I'm happy to see you're in good health, Lord Marcillian Verdinin." Yeke curtsies slightly.

The two creatures stare at one another for a moment, before they both let out a grin.

"Its been a long time, you will have to catch me up on everything," Yeke smiles.

My hair drips heavily along my back as I hurry to masters room. He ordered me to bathe before I arrived this morning. I'm sure what the reason was as to why he ordered me to do that (though it did make me feel self-concious for a moment), but I wasn't going to complain. I rarely got to clean myself before I was sold.

Once I enter master's room, I find that he isn’t alone for once. A noble, female creature is with him, an elemental of some kind from what I can tell with her skin markings and hair. Though unlike my previous master, her markings are a stark white, with beautiful white hair to match.

“Master, my lady."

“Welcome Bunny, you came right at right moment. This is Lady Yeke Uzui. She’s here to take your measurements.” I frown slightly, measurements? Master must have picked up on my confusion because he chuckles and pats my head like a pet. “Allow me to explain, in a few days, Silvonya will be holding a ball which is large party of people, in honor of Pearlinarity Day, “The Pearl Eves Ball.” You will be attending, of course , and as such need something to wear. Yeke here is one of the best seamstresses around and she will be designing you and I an outfit to wear. To do that, she needs measurements of your body.”

That makes sense, I nod. “Yes master.”

“Come, step up here, Bunny, and we’ll get started,” Yeke taps her foot in front of the mirror and I do as she’s instructs. “You’re going to have to take off your clothes for this, you can leave on your underwear but you’ll have to take the rest off.” My cheeks heat up; no, no way! I am not about to undress in front of them! It’s so humiliating and I didn’t want to expose hidden scarred body.

Seeing my hesitation, master grows impatient.

“Bunny, do as Yeke instructs. It’s only your underwear, we won’t see anything. Now, follow Yekes orders as you would mine,” master orders in a hard tone, but I can’t seem to get my body to move. I wanted to cry, I wanted to plea to master to not make me do this.

Master suddenly stands, and turns me around roughly to face him. “Slave, I said, do as she says,” he snaps. I realize then I pushed master too far, and my mind screams at my muscles to move.

With shaky fingers, I slowly ease off my clothes, barely holding back tears. With a deep breath, willing any strength I have left, I heft over my dress. The air is cool and sharp against my skin as I stand bare except my underwear in front of Yeke and master. I hear a tiny gasp from Yeke, but not a single sound from master. I avoid the urge to curl in on myself.

After a long, tense moment, as I try to pretend I’m somewhere else, completely far away from here, Yeke thankfully starts to take my measurements.

I follow her orders blindly and emotionlessly the whole time. It’s quiet for a long time, but eventually Yeke breaks the silence. “So, Marcel, who are you taking to the ball?” She asks softly, like her words might shatter the tense air.

“Must I take someone to go to a ball?” He raises his eyebrows at her with an unimpressed expression.

“Well no, but people usually do. I was just wondering who you were taking?” Yeke answers with a concentrated frown.

“Like I care what people usually do,” he sniffs, “ but to answer your question no, I won’t be. Besides, my cute, little slave here is coming along with me, three is a crowd.” Master shrugs. “Are you taking anyone Yeke?”

“Well… I was thinking about taking Heo for a bit, but then I heard the news…” Yeke sounds saddened for a moment before she shakes the look away. “I’m very happy for him though! I’ve been thinking of taking this pixie I met not too long ago, she’s very sweet but strong too. I’m planning to pursue her seriously after the ball if it all goes well; I… really like her so far.”

“Oh? Tell me more,” master asks gently, shockingly indulging Yeke; it seems they have a good friendship and it also kind of seems like master enjoys the girl talk. I find it humorous considering he liked to act so uncaring but also attractive-no.

I can’t think that; don’t think that again.

“I believe you know her sister, Peta Norin?” Yeke questions.

“Unfortunately, yes I do,” master grumbles in irritation. “This mystery pixie wouldn’t happen to be Peta’s older sister Pria Norin?” I watch subtlety through the mirror as Yekes cheeks speckle red; guess master was spot on.

“You always could see right though me,” Peta states with a small smile, “you could always see right though anyone. It seems no one can ever surprise you; you’re always ahead of everybody.” I feel like eyes are piercing my neck; I decide to finally look up into the mirror towards master and with only a small amount of shock I see master staring at me dead-back in the mirror. There’s an unreadable expression in his aloof eyes.

“Yes, it’s like everyone is transparent to me,” he hums back as he and I continue our staring contest. Something in his eyes tell me that wasn’t all he meant to say. “Anyways, a pixie from the Norin family? I know it’s early but, how is that going to play out? You know I don’t care, and most people don’t, but the Norin family have always held a certain hatred for any kingdom that stayed neutral in the war, including Oxitopia. And while I hear Pria has always different from her family and she doesn’t care either, I do believe I remember Peta telling me that she is single black sheep in their family for her beliefs. Would your parents still be happy with your union if Pria’s family take her nobleship from her?”

“Psh, Marcel you know Oxitopia isn’t like Silvonya,” Yeke huffs jokingly. “My parents won’t care; in fact they preach that you shouldn’t care. You know how Oxitopia is; they’re all about equality, freedom and kindness. It wouldn’t be exactly kind, equal, or a free place if people judge, and if there were laws keeping creatures from marrying each other no matter what species, class, religion, or gender, and my parents are the head of those beliefs. So no, they wouldn’t care, so maybe I’ll swoop down and be Pria’s knight in shining armor,” Yeke smiles wistfully, as she takes measurements of my wrist measurements of my wrist. I like Yeke so far, she seems really sweet and the passion in her voice as she talks about her love interest is touching.

“How sweet,” master drawls dryly, though clearly joking. Yeke shoots his a half hearted glare then glances up at me with a small smile.

“You’re all ready to dress again, sorry to ask you to do that, I’m getting yours completely fitted,” she sends me a small, apologizing smile before looking back at master. “By the way, did you really e*****e this girl Marcel?!” Yeke demands sharply, placing her hands on her hips.

Master just rolls his eyes. “She was already enslaved before we met, when I took her to my uncle he offered her as a slave to me. You know my uncle, if I didn’t take her he would have just eaten her as a way to kill her and dispose of her. And even though s*****y is illegal is Silvonya, the law was made after humans were thought to be extinct so humans are not technically classified as a creature protected under the abolition act. Since she’s a rare type, my uncle didn’t want to kill her, but since she’s a human he didn’t want to allow her to freely roam, so in a way, she’s under my watch.”

“That’s horrible! I know everyone once thought of humans as monsters and threats, but all shes ever known is life as a slave, how could she possibly be labeled a monster or threat? In fact, he should have awarded her her freedom to gain her loyalty to the kingdom.” Yeke asserts in a hard tone, which sounds icy with her soft voice. I blush and try hard not to smile at her passion.

“I agree, I would’ve done the same,” master agrees, much to my shock. He would’ve freed me too? Is he just saying that to try to gain my complete loyalty; does he even sense he doesn’t have my complete loyalty? What if he actually means it?

I feel soft, warm fingers touch my chin and I find Yeke forcing eye contact with me. Her eyes are icy blue framed by long, white lashes filled with a warm kindness. How are all these creatures so stunning looking and I’m so… different.

“I’m sorry for all you’ve had to go through, that must have been hard, especially as a child. Because it’s unsafe, we can’t be too friendly in public, but just know I see each other as equals and whenever we are alone I will treat you like my equal. So, let’s be friends! I’m Yeke and you are,” Yeke chirps with a smile.

I hesitantly smile. “I’m Charity.”

“You’re not even going to make sure I’m okay with it first?” Master cuts in with a half hearted drawl. .

“I know you are because of the way you treat her,” when he goes to open his mouth, likely to retort, Yeke is quick to cut him off with an eye roll. “Yes you treat her like a slave, but at least you don’t treat her like scum; you treat her more like how you would treat a prized pet. Any master would buy their slave a new outfit for when they accompany them to an event, but no master would buy one as extravagant as you did. And while I wish you would treat her more like an equal, I understand that could put her in a dangerous position with your uncle if you got caught. But if you thought she was scum you wouldn’t have out so much thought into her safety.” Yeke points out and master sighs. He runs his temple tiredly.

“I don’t believe in the whole “humans are scum;” it’s very speciesist, but I do have to keep appearances.”

“Also your name-“Yeke starts to say to me before master interrupts.

“Not this time Yeke,” master commands swiftly and it’s the first time I’ve heard him speak that way to her. Yeke doesn’t look spooked but she does comply with a small nod.

“Sorry um-Charity but is it alright if I call you bunny with Marcel too? I don’t wish to talk about it in depth right now, but your name it’s sort of rude…” the elemental trails off, rubbing the back of her neck. She seems really hesitant and I don’t want to push it.

“I… guess that’s fine,” I’m not sure how to feel about being stuck with the name “Bunny,” but if my name doesn’t mean something good it’s better than being associated with that.

I glance up at the clock; it’s masters lunchtime. “Master, since I’m done being fitted may I be excused to grab your lunch?” I ask. Master smirks like he just thought of something funny.

“Sure,” master says with a small wave of his hand.

“I’ll start fitting you while Bunny grabs your lunch,” Yeke says to master.

I close the door and head towards the kitchens. As I walk down the stairwell, I hear soft footsteps and to my luck I soon see Lady Peta Norin coming up from the other side of the stairs. I continue walking, hoping she won’t say anything, but it just isn’t my day.

“Oooo Bunny, is it?” Peta hums, stepping right in front of me. I’m unsure what to do, if I should defy her for master or if I have to follow her orders too because she’s a noble.

Unsure of what to do, I simply answer, “Yes.”

“Hm, you don’t look like much.” The noblewoman hums, looking me up and down. “A rare human? Please! All because of your purple eyes; tell me is it true that purple eyed humans can see peoples auras? Or that they’re witches that cast spells? Can tell when someone is lying?”

“Er-no, at least I can’t.” What is this stuff she’s talking about about? I think about trying to walk around her and continue like nothing happened.

“Pathetic. What use is there for you then huh?” Peta snaps. “You have no special powers and your creature is ugly; like what’s with your wet hair? You look like a drowned rat.” I involuntarily touch my hair; it is still pretty damp. I guess the fitting wasn’t as long as it felt.

Realizing I was going to be stuck for a while if I didn’t get myself out, I decide to try to get around Peta. “May I pass by? I must-“

“What? You must what? Don’t talk to me that way! As if I’m you equal!”

Hearing her fury and fed up with her pestering, I step around her. Shes oddly silent as she lets me pass but, once my back is to her I know I made a mistake because I feel a hand push against my back and my feet are flying out from under me.