Chapter 5: A Slave’s Fate
1165 Words
"Wake up!"
The splash of water on Diana's face jolted her from her unconscious state, bringing her body and mind back to life.
"Do you think I have time to wait for you to wake up?" The harsh voice snapped Diana out of her daze, forcing her to sit up from her resting position.
"Eillias?" Diana called out, struggling to make out the figure standing before her. Her head was spinning, but she tried to focus on the person who was glaring at her intently. She wanted to confirm if this was truly Eillias.
"Eillias, is that really you, darling?" Diana's eyes widened with hope. Yes, the tall figure in front of her resembled the man she had longed for.
"Eillias!" Diana rushed to embrace him. She held Eillias tightly, her longing for him only known to God.
"I don't know if this is a dream or reality, but I'm so happy to see you. I miss you so much," Diana cried with joy, clutching Eillias's chest.
"Crazy woman!" Diana was abruptly thrown to the floor.
"I'm not Eillias, you fool. He's been dead for a long time."
Diana lifted her head from the floor and turned it toward the man. Oh, did she mistake him for someone else? She rubbed her eyes repeatedly, trying to clear her vision. Perhaps she was dreaming. But Eillias's face was still there. Diana rubbed her eyes once more. Yet Eillias's face remained.
"Lin, I'm giving you 3 minutes to clean the cuts on this woman's legs. After that, take her to my rest room. If you're late, both of you will face the consequences," the voice commanded sternly.
The speaker left, and the door slammed, shaking both Lin and Diana.
"Come on, Diana. I'll clean your wounds," Lin said, moving toward Diana.
"Well, so you're the stepsister 'Cinderella'?" Eddie asked, studying Diana's face with one eyebrow raised. He analyzed every contour of her face.
"What kind of taste does my brother have?"
Diana was in disbelief. This was the twin of Eillias she had seen on TV. Eddie's face was strikingly similar to her beloved's. But the difference was Eddie's face always had a sneer.
"You should be grateful to me. Today, I'm the hero who saved you from the beloved princess and prince of the country," Eddie said proudly. Diana remained silent.
"But…"
"In this world, nothing comes for free. You know that," Eddie said with a knowing smile.
"So, from now on, be my slave for the rest of your life." Eddie was straightforward.
"Devote the rest of your life to being my servant in this palace. And when I say 'servant,' there will be no chance for you to leave this palace except in death," Eddie explained in detail.
"Understand?"
Eddie's proposition was met with a blank stare from Diana. Her eyes were still fixed on Eddie's face. Just seeing the face of Eillias's twin somewhat eased her longing.
"Hey, do you understand what I'm saying?!" Eddie shouted, slamming the table with force.
Diana jolted from her reverie. Her body lifted slightly from the impact of Eddie's slam.
"What?!"
"Be your slave? In this palace? For how long?" Eddie's terms began to sink into Diana's mind and ears.
"I won't be your slave in this palace. Are you crazy? I want to go home!" Diana stood up from the chair, ready to leave.
"Wow, wow, wow. Ungrateful woman. I helped you earlier, so you must repay me." Eddie grabbed Diana's arm.
"Who asked you for help? You don't even know me, so why are you so eager to help? And now you want me to 'repay' you? Sorry, but no," Diana said, pushing Eddie's hand away and continuing to leave.
"Yes, I don't know you. But my brother might know who you are," Eddie said, stopping Diana in her tracks. Diana tried to steel herself. She knew Eddie was deliberately playing with her emotions by mentioning Eillias. She continued walking, ignoring Eddie.
"Okay, if my brother's mention doesn't work, how about your mother?" Diana almost stumbled as Eddie used her mother as bait.
"Do you want your mother to die alone in that dungeon while you live with the regret of her death being your fault?" Eddie threatened.
"s**t! What do you want from me?!" Diana's anger reached a boiling point. The pain in her legs from the beating earlier was nothing compared to the hurt Eddie's threats caused. She didn't care about the harsh language when dealing with this royal family member.
"What a character you are, like a descendant of Hitler."
"Simple. Be my slave," Eddie said with a satisfied grin.
The threat and bait hit their mark.
"What will I get in return?" Diana asked, frustrated.
"Hm. What will you get?" Eddie tapped his chin, pretending to think about Diana's question.
"Oh. Your mother will live peacefully in prison," Eddie answered easily. Diana sneered.
"Free my mother from prison, and I'm yours forever." Diana tried to negotiate.
She was willing to be a slave for life if it meant her mother wouldn't suffer anymore.
"Nope. Choose now: be my slave or your mother…"
Eddie made a slashing gesture across his throat. Diana bit her lip hard. It seemed she had another person she hated added to her list. First, Aubriella's father. Second, Aubriella. And third, this Hitler-esque figure in front of her.
"Don't ever bite your lips in front of me." Eddie's gaze turned sharp. Diana released her lips. She thought about her life and her mother's fate now in Eddie's hands. Diana sighed deeply.
"It's okay, D. This is all for my mother."
"Alright, I agree," Diana said, looking down at the floor.
"The best decision ever." Eddie clapped his hands, his voice cheerful again.
"Okay. The terms of being my slave are simple. Follow my rules. Do what I say. If you try to do something I dislike, you'll face consequences. Simple." Eddie explained briefly. Diana remained silent and unmoved. She didn't want to react.
"And now, to celebrate your first day as my slave, clean this rest room. You have 30 minutes to clean everything in this room, and I don't want to see a speck of dust. Understand?" Eddie ordered.
"I'll clean it tomorrow. My legs are still sore," Diana replied nonchalantly. But her legs did hurt. The rest room was so large it could fit a whole terrace house. Cleaning it alone was almost impossible.
"I said, do as I instructed!" Eddie yelled.
"I'll do it after I get some rest," Diana answered again. Eddie's yelling didn't scare her at all. Eddie approached Diana with a flushed face. He grabbed her hair roughly. His sharp gaze didn't faze Diana's calm demeanor. In fact, Diana's vacant look and her biting her lip in pain seemed to further enrage Eddie.
"Like I said, if you try to defy me, you'll face consequences," Eddie whispered.
He kissed Diana's red lips without her consent. Diana's reaction remained empty.
Damn you, Eddie!
- Writer
