Lake of Sorrows

Expectations aren't meant to be broken

 “Morning Isabella it's time to get up, mother is dying to finally meet you” Marcus announced as he walked into my room the next morning. “Marcus it is 5 am why must I get up so early, it is not fair!” I grumbled under my blanket, why couldn't I be like a cat, cats make nice pets they get to be lazy and sleep whenever they want.  “Isabella today will be the first day you leave my room. We have got to get you ready, Amanda will be here in ten minutes to start preparing you.” “ But Marcus, can't I just throw something on and go with you? I don't need to be dressed fancy, I'll behave, doesn't that count for something?” Marcus chuckled at me,” I wish it was that simple Lil one as a royal pet you are going to have to act a certain way and I figured Amanda would be able to explain this more since she belongs to Jacob and lives the life.” I don't know why, but it blew my mind to know there were more human pets in the castle.

 It shouldn't have been so exciting to see more pets because that meant there were even more slaves but right at that moment I didn't care, I just wanted to see a new face. "Marcus, how many pets are actually in the castle? Do I get to meet them, or does everyone hide us ?” ” Well, Isabella, you'll soon see that the castle is quite big. It houses over a hundred vampires from my father's court, his warriors, their mates, then we have all the slaves that either came from war or packs selling members off to pay the debt they collected. The only ones here in the castle that are allowed to have pets are the higher-up Vamps. We choose not to allow the warriors not because the warriors are gone often but more to protect the humans in the village. Our warriors, I'm sad to say, don't have very much control over their blood lust, meaning if they were to keep pets and drain them just to replace them with another from the village, no one would be left. So really it is just safer to not allow it.” 

 There was a knock on Marcus's door so I went to answer. I couldn't believe my eyes,” Marcus there is a freaking Fairy at the door, you didn't tell me you had fairies as slaves, I thought only wolves.” I couldn't help but shout that the little fairy was just too cute. I turned my back to ask Marcus something else out of excitement, when I turned back the fairy was gone and what seemed to be a human was in her place. The fairy seemed to stare deeply at me, Wait huh, umm how did you just, I mean you were just. “ I was confused. “Hi, Isabella right? I am Amanda, Prince Jacob told me that Prince Marcus needed my help in getting you ready, ok?” Amanda spoke. Marcus slapped his hands together Well that's my cue to disappear while you get ready I will be back shortly, Amanda you know where everything is.” Amanda just nodded as he left the room.

 I said bye to Marcus then turned around to officially meet Amanda who was once again just staring at me. “ Are you ok Amanda, do I umm have something on my face?” I ask. “ Oh sorry s**t I mean shoot I mean sorry I didn't mean to stare, you just look so familiar but can't place from where. Jacob says you have only been here a few days. So I have no clue where I would even know you from, Isabella since I don't really ever leave Jacobs's side.” Amanda said.” How long have you actually been here Amanda, maybe we have seen each other in town? I'm not actually from here, I only moved here a little over six months ago when my parents passed.” Amanda begins to get flustered “Oh no you wouldn't have seen me in town, Jacob doesn't like it in the village so I've never been. He says the noise and the smells make it unappetizing to go, but I have been with Jacob for the last ten years, he found me passed out in the woods in my younger years and well that is an entirely different story for another day.

 Why don't we start getting you ready and going over some basic rules for you? A lot of them you will just learn as you go. Prince Marcus is going to have to come up with his own version of a few, since what works for one pet doesn't mean it will for the next. So Isabella pointed me to your closet, let's start talking about your outfits since it's the first thing everyone will see of you. For pets, we are to look clean at all times, perfection is required or it could cause embarrassment to your owner. Your collar is to match the outfit at all times. Females are to dress properly when weather permits, but since we don't get to leave the castle this will be basically your everyday look.”

It doesn’t take long before Amanda has pulled out several sundresses that I could swear came right out of a 50s commercial, Oh hell Amanda is that a petticoat? There is no way you got to be kidding me.” Amanda, do they really require us to look like a 1950s Barbie doll! This is too much, I can't even walk in flats, there is no way I will be able to do these heels. I will break my neck.” I say with a laugh, I was surprised that Amanda wasn't laughing with me.” Did I say something wrong Amanda I'm seriously sorry I'm just well not used to all this?”

 Amanda looked at me gloomily, I hate it as I do, but the quickest way to be sent to the red room is by not following the dress codes, I've seen pets come then go by just tripping or their shoes being untied. You are required to be dressed like this, the best advice is to walk real slow.” I just nod, I'm scared if I speak that my voice will tremble and reveal how scared I really am right now. I have no clue what the red room is, but if it's as bad as it sounds I pray I never mess up bad enough that I get sent there. “Alright let us work on this thick strawberry blonde hair of yours, after today it will be up to you to get up early enough to do this my master won't let me come after today to help. The Royals like our hair to be put half in a ballerina bun, with the other half cascading down our backs in curls. It is important that your hair is grown out, you will only be allowed to trim the dead ends from now. Your hair is always neat and never out of place. We aren't allowed to use hair spray because of the smell, we are given a honey lemon mixture that is cooked in the kitchen. We are required to do it this way due to the Royals are sensitive to all smells. 

Just ignoring this one rule could mean life or death for you, so I need you to listen. They do have amazing control over their bloodlust, but that doesn't mean a person of the court isn't having a bad day and there will be times even Prince Marcus can't save you. “ This is so much information to take in, which causes me to become overwhelmed. I turn to glance at myself in the mirror when I look at myself in the mirror. My makeup is lightly done to not take away from my natural features, I feel beyond silly. Amanda continues to explain that it is more important to not draw more attention to yourself than what is already put on us. We can't make eye contact unless our owner tells us to, we can't speak unless told to the more she talks, the more I want to just cry. 

The reality of the situation sinks in. I am a freaking pet. How did I make myself believe this would be easy, I am about to be surrounded by blood-sucking beasts. Before I can stop myself, tears begin to fall, I become nauseous like I am about to puke. “Isabella get it out now because in a moment Prince Marcus will be back when you leave this room. Emotions must not show. Do you understand?” Amanda is speaking gently to me, ” Here let me help you put on your collar, this is not to be removed until Prince Marcus removes it for you.” The collar is uncomfortable and rubs my neck if I move it too much, I can't help but to sniffle more. “Isabella, it will become easier to wear, I promise. Just move slowly and when he removes it tonight remember to add ointment, the collars just have to be broken in Hun. “

 Marcus enters the room. “ Thank you, Amanda, you did great, I will take it from here.” Amanda nods and leaves without a goodbye. “Come here Isabella let me take a look at you then we will be on our way.” I approach Marcus, still too upset to really speak. “My lil pet you look breathtaking, and your scent has changed, what is it?” Marcus asks. Amanda wasn't kidding when she told me they have sensitive noses. Amanda said we have to use some type of honey spray on our hair, I hope it's not too much. Do I need to start over? I mumble to Marcus. “My dear Bella, I thought you smelled sweet before but that honey just makes you smell even more intoxicating,” he spoke as he smelt my hair. The jester caused shivers to go down my spine, but I remained silent.” 

What's wrong Bella?” Concern written on Marcus’s face. “Marcus, I don't think I am ready to leave this room. I am going to fall, or misspeak, I am going to embarrass you. Wouldn't it be easier to just stay here?" Marcus grinned My dear Bella you are going to do fine, just walk one step behind me, keep your head lowered and you remember I am right here no one will hurt you as long as I am present. Ok?"  I took a deep breath and nodded. Marcus clapped his hands together " Very well let us get going before we are late.”

 The ride down the elevator was a long one, I wasn't aware until just now how high Marcus's room was. The elevator pinged, signaling that we had made it to the correct floor, Marcus began to exit with me following quickly behind him. I refuse to get left behind just to end up lost somewhere away from Marcus where I could potentially get hurt. No, I was going to stay as near to him as possible. I would gladly climb in his lap if that meant I would be safer. Marcus leads us to our seat he pulls out the chair next to him and signals for me to sit down, I quickly do and lower my head, in the process I was able to see Amanda made it here before I did, I couldn't help but find comfort that I at least knew one other person at the table.

 The food begins to come out, and a slave asks me what I would like to drink, I ignore the request keeping my eyes pointed down. Marcus swoops in to save the day seeing me struggle with such a simple task, “She prefers orange juice Andrew Thank you,” He says before leaning towards me. “ Bella you are allowed to speak to any slave they are beneath you so no one will second guess you when you answer about your meal, we need to make sure you get everything you would need. Understand?” I nod, then lower my eyes again. 

I was startled when this beautiful redhead swooped me up out of my chair, Oh my Marcus you did pick a beauty! I see now why you are so smitten over her. Sweety do a turn, I must see how your outfit fits you. Marcus she's so tiny, maybe we need to send the tailor up to take in her clothes at her waist. What do you think?” I cut my eyes at Marcus, not knowing who or what I am supposed to do. “Isabella this is my Mother Elanor you can do as she asks without any fears, she will cause no harm to you, I promise.” I stay silent and answer with just a nod and turn like the Queen requested, taking minimal steps so I don't trip over these heels. “You really do look amazing Isabella. I hope you are around for a really long time, so I can get to know you, my dear. “ She spoke gently to me. “Yes, ma'am, I hope so too.”  I curtsy, then take my seat once again. Marcus smiles when he hears the breath I have been holding. “ You did great Bella now eat and I will get you out of here.” 

Breakfast went somewhat smoothly, for the most part, I was ignored, which was fine by me. The less attention the better. I didn't want to embarrass Marcus on the first day in front of his family. I could do this, or at least I thought I could. Marcus signaled that it was time to go. So I rose, not paying attention. I caused my chair to go out too quickly. Which caused it to push into a slave carrying a tray filled with dirty dishes, the dishes came crashing down around me. I froze and at that moment my heart seemed to quit beating. How did I just cause such a mess, I looked at Marcus to find out what to do, his eyes met mine and I saw the red start to form in his pupils, oh s**t I am in trouble. The room has gone silent, I slowly turn to see every set of vampire's eyes on me.” Isabella dear, get closer to Marcus now you are bleeding Love.” Queen Elanor spoke, her voice boomed across the dining hall.” You all will stay seated as Prince Marcus takes his pet out of the dining hall, the pet has had an accident. I will only say this once she is not to be harmed. This will be cleaned up in a moment and we will return to our meal. Do I make myself clear?” Queen Elanor turned to us, “Now Marcus pick her up and go I will check on her in a bit.”

 Marcus scooped me up and ran, it seemed before I could blink Marcus had slammed his door and set me on his bathroom counter. “ Marcus I'm so sorry I didn't mean to, please don't send me to the red room it won't happen again I promise! It was an accident.” I can't help but cry out that I didn't care that I was bleeding, honestly I couldn't feel the gaping cut on my leg. I just didn't want to find out about the damn red room so soon. I begin to hiccup in between the sobs. “Isabella I told you wouldn't be sent there, calm down and let me get you cleaned up, the cut looks really deep love, you might end up having to stay in the room a few extra days until you heal due to the scent that is coming off of you. Bella, I don't know what it is, but I have never smelled human blood like yours. Your blood will be the death of me, my dear.”