The next morning, Aurora was summoned to breakfast by a servant. She walked into the grand dining hall with a heavy heart, her body sore and her mind racing with thoughts of escape. The room was filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon, but she had no appetite. The other girls eyed her with a mix of pity and envy, whispering about the night she had spent with Damian. Aurora felt their gazes like a thousand tiny knives, each one slicing through the fragile barrier she had built around herself.
But then Lily appeared, her eyes blazing with a fury that seemed out of place in the opulent setting. She stormed over to Aurora, her fists clenched at her sides. “What did he do to you?” she demanded, her voice a harsh whisper that echoed in the cavernous room. Aurora’s cheeks burned with a mix of shame and anger.
“It’s none of your business,” Aurora snapped, her voice hoarse from the previous night’s screams.
Lily’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer. “You think I don’t know what happens here? You think I’m blind to the way he looks at you?”
Aurora felt a jolt of fear. Had Damian’s interest in her already become common knowledge among the girls? She took a step back, trying to put some distance between them. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice shaky.
Lily stepped closer, her eyes filled with accusation. “You think you’re special because he fucked you?” she spat. “You’re just like the rest of us, a whore he bought to satisfy his needs.”
Aurora’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, the sting of Lily’s words piercing through her. But she knew the other girl was just lashing out, feeling the sting of rejection and the fear that came with it. “I didn’t seduce him,” Aurora replied, her voice low and steady. “He took what he wanted.”
Lily scoffed, her eyes flashing with something that looked almost like jealousy. “You think that makes you better than us?” she hissed. “You’re just a naive little slut who thinks she can play the game.”
Aurora felt a spark of anger ignite within her. Despite the pain and fear, she knew she couldn’t let Lily belittle her. “I’m not playing any game,” she said, her voice firm. “With that she slapped Lily hard across the face, the sound echoing through the room. The other girls gasped, their eyes wide with shock. Lily stumbled back, a hand flying to her cheek, her eyes watering with pain.
For a moment, the room was silent, all eyes on Aurora. Then, she turned away from Lily, walking over to the table to sit down. She could feel the tension in the air, the other girls watching her every move. But she ignored them, focusing instead on the food in front of her. She had to keep up her strength, had to keep fighting.
The door to the dining hall opened, and in walked Madam Elena. Her eyes swept over the room, and when they landed on Aurora, a cold smile spread across her lips. She knew what had happened last night, Aurora was sure of it. The woman who had sold her to this hell had probably enjoyed every moment of her pain.
“Good morning, Aurora,” Madam Elena said sweetly, her voice a stark contrast to the anger that still simmered between her and Lily. “I trust you had a… pleasurable evening with our esteemed master”
Aurora’s grip on her fork tightened, but she didn’t respond. She focused on her breakfast, pushing food around her plate, her stomach in knots. Madam Elena’s knowing smile only fueled the rage within her, but she knew better than to give in to it.
“Luna isn’t here,” she said instead, her voice devoid of emotion. “Where is she?”
Madam Elena’s smile grew colder. “Ah, your little protector,” she said, her eyes glittering. “She’s been reassigned. Don’t worry, she’ll be well taken care of.”
Aurora’s heart sank. Reassigned? What did that mean? Was Luna safe? Her mind raced with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. “Where is she?” she demanded, her voice shaking with fear.
Madam Elena’s smile grew even more sinister. “Wherever Damian decides she’s needed,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with malice. “He’s quite taken with her, you know. It seems she’s found a… new role within the mansion.”