SOLD TO THE DEVIL 👿

Chapter 2

Pistol was walking past when she saw Adelaide struggling to her feet. She rushed to her side and caught her as she fell unconscious into her arms. She immediately took her to the empire's physician, Maltida, Lucifer's mother.

As soon as they arrived, Maltida began examining Adelaide. "What happened to her?" she asked, her voice firm.

Pistol hesitated. "I found her bleeding in front of the boss's chamber. I think the boss must have hurt her."

Maltida's expression was unreadable. "She must be new here. I've never seen her face before."

Pistol nodded. "I think I should excuse myself."

Maltida nodded, and Pistol left her chamber. Maltida used her mother's wounds. After she finished, she left Adelaide to wake up and prepared some blood herbs for her.

MARCUS HOUSE

Nadia walked up to Blaire, who was standing in front of Adelaide's house. "Hi, Blaire," Nadia greeted.

Blaire's smile was cold. "She's gone."

Nadia's eyes lit up with excitement. "You mean she's finally sold?"

Blaire nodded. "Yes, she was sold this morning."

Meanwhile, Narmada was hiding and listening to their conversation. Her eyes blazed with anger as she heard Nadia's words.

Nadia's voice was venomous. "That's good. She's of no use anyway. She's just like her mother, thinking she can take what's rightfully mine."

Narmada's anger boiled over. "What did she take from you? Why do you hate her so much? And why are you happy she's been sold? I thought she was your best friend."

Nadia's face twisted in rage. "Best friend? She's the last person I want to see dead. She's always been the pretty one, loved by all men, including my crush. She thinks she can attract him with her pretty face, but thanks to your father for taking her to where she belongs. My crush couldn't look at me, but he couldn't take his eyes off her. He confessed to her, and she refused him, but she still talks to him behind my back. He'll give her money, and she'll take it. Who does she think she is? To men, she's an angel, but to me, she's a witch sent to destroy my destiny."

Narmada scolded, her voice laced with disgust. "Really? The men find her attractive, even your crush. Aren't you ashamed to admit it.

Adelaide woke up in a strange, large room with a design that sent shivers down her spine. "Where am I?" she muttered, her voice barely audible.

A woman stood behind her, her back turned. "You are awake," she said, her voice neutral.

Adelaide turned to face her. "How are you feeling?" the woman asked.

Adelaide sighed, memories flooding back. "I'm feeling better," she replied.

The woman's expression was unreadable. "You're going to face what life has in store for you. To last long here, you'll need blood, as yours is running low. And your blood pressure is too high. Take this herb and drink it. It will give you more blood and help regulate your blood pressure. If it remains high... sorry, dear, that's just the beginning of your sorrow."

Adelaide took the herb, her hands trembling. The woman's words sent a chill down her spine.

MARCUS HOUSE

Narmada's voice was laced with venom. "Who will you see? Nadia will call you a friend, never knowing you're an enemy."

Blaire smirked. "Does friendship even exist?"

Narmada's eyes blazed with anger. "You devil! I hate each and every one of you. Nadia, don't worry, you'll hear from me." With that, she stormed out.

Back with Adelaide

Adelaide drank the herb, the woman's words echoing in her mind: "The beginning of your sorrow." Tears rolled down her cheek.

The woman's expression softened. "This is not the time to cry, but to be strong, dear."

Just then, Pistol walked in. "Pretty, how are you feeling now?" she asked, her voice charming.

Adelaide smiled weakly. "I'm feeling better, thank you for helping me."

Pistol smiled back. "Okay, I'll see you when I return."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Going where?"

Pistol's response was brief. "To a mission."

The woman nodded. "Okay."

Pistol turned to Adelaide. "Little one—"

Adelaide cut her off. "My name is Adelaide."

Pistol chuckled. "I'm sorry, Lai. The name is too long. We'll just call you... Pist."

Adelaide raised an eyebrow. "Pist?"

Pistol laughed. "I'll see you when I come around, Lai."

As Pistol left, Adelaide's mind wandered back to Narmada.

FLASHBACK

"Adelaide, let's find a shortcut for your name. It's too long. How about Lai or Ade or Laide?" Narmada asked, smiling.

Adelaide shook her head. "I don't like any of those. What about you? I'll call you, Narma."

Narmada frowned. "I don't want to be called that. If you don't want me to shorten your name, then don't cut mine."

Adelaide chuckled. "Really?"

"I love you, Adelaide," Narmada said, her voice filled with emotion.

Adelaide's face softened. "I love you too, kiddo," she replied with a warm smile.

Narmada's eyes sparkled with hope. "Stay with me, forget everything, forever. Will you marry me?"

Adelaide's expression turned stern. "You must be insane," she snapped, her voice firm.

Narmada pouted, her face falling. "Come on, I'm sorry."

Adelaide's expression softened slightly. "Stop doing that. You know I don't like it."

Narmada's face lit up with a smile. "You look more pretty when you're angry."

FLASHBACK ENDS

Adelaide's eyes gazed blankly into the distance. "I miss her," she whispered.

A guard's voice barked, "Hey, you! Come out!"

Adelaide was jolted back to reality. "Good evening, boss," the guard greeted, his tone deferential.

Cheng, a tall, imposing figure, eyed Adelaide with interest. "Who is she?" he asked

The guard replied, "A new slave."

Cheng's gaze lingered on Adelaide's face. "A slave? She's too pretty to be a slave."

The guard's tone was neutral. "Who cares about that?"

Cheng's eyes snapped back to Adelaide. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Adelaide," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll see, brother," Cheng said, his voice trailing off.

The guard ordered Adelaide to follow him. As they walked, Adelaide's eyes widened in horror at the sight of the slaves working in the fields. They were skinny and exhausted.

The guard handed Adelaide a tool. "No time to slack off. Start working."

Adelaide's eyes dropped to the ground. "I haven't eaten since I came," she said, her voice trembling.

The guard's expression was unsympathetic. "Who cares about that? You're lucky to be here."

Adelaide swallowed hard. "No mistakes, or you'll be locked up for 24 hours without food or water. Not even a bath."

The guard's words sent a chill down Adelaide's spine. "Why are they so wicked?" she muttered to herself as she began working.

The other slaves worked tirelessly until midnight, when they were finally allowed to rest.

The guard led Adelaide to a door and knocked. A girl opened it, and they both entered. "You'll be staying here. They're your roommates," the guard said before turning to leave.

Adelaide's voice stopped him. "Hey, please... I'm really starving. Can I get some food?"

The guard's expression was unyielding. "As you can see, the slaves only eat once a day, and they serve food in the morning. You'll have to wait until tomorrow evening."

The guard walked out, leaving Adelaide with her new roommates. One of them, Tatiana, introduced herself. "Hey, I'm Tatiana. I'm Moonlight," the other girl said, her tone moody.

Tatiana added, "I'm also new here, like you."

Moonlight's voice was laced with warning. "You have to wait. We hardly eat or drink water here."

Adelaide's eyes dropped, her mind replaying the woman's ominous words: "This is the beginning of your sorrow." The voice echoed in her head, sending a shiver down her spine.