Ella’s POV
I settled into life in the castle as a maid quickly. I needed to pretend like I’ve been tamed if I wanted to escape from here. I thought well and decided that it wouldn’t help me if I caused trouble.
I wanted them all to trust me so they wouldn’t suspect that I was planning to escape. By the time they figure out what I was up to, I would be long gone.
Moreover, I didn’t want to be beaten. I had heard a lot about what was done to slaves who caused troubles for the count. I shuddered in distaste and shook my head. As if having multiple tedious rules wasn’t bad enough.
“Put your muscles into dough.” The chef snapped at me.
I swiped away the sweat on my forehead as I worked on the dough. I was going to endure it all till I found a way to escape.
I sighed as we finished making breakfast and sagged against the sink in the kitchen. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to have a bath and get some sleep.
“You can go, slave.”
I nodded at the chef and moved to my bedroom. I sighed as I heard a knock on the door barely two minutes after I got in.
“Who is that?”
“The count wants you to sit with him at the dining table.” The unmistakable voice of the butler was clear through the door.
“I just finished cooking. I-”
He must have realized that I was trying to come up with excuses as he interrupted me immediately. “You don’t ask questions, slave. Forgotten the rules so soon?”
I rolled my eyes. The darned rules. “I will shower and dress up.”
“You have five minutes. The count’s breakfast mustn’t get cold.”
I wanted to yell at him. It was always about the count. How did he expect me to get ready in five minutes? I rushed my bath and was out, not surprised to see him waiting outside my bedroom.
“You used eight minutes. The count will be annoyed.”
As if I cared. I kept quiet and followed him to the dining hall. I met six ladies surrounding him at the breakfast banquet and knew without a doubt they were the other slaves. They were cat shifters and looked very sexy I was awed by their beauty.
“Come sit beside me.” The count said as I walked in, pointing at the chair beside him.
Gasps echoed in the hall and I understood why. I glanced at the butler and saw the shock on his face. The count was meant to be angry I had used more than five minutes so his attitude right now must be strange.
I sat beside the count, noting how the other ladies narrowed their eyes at me, their gazes filled with hatred.
“Eat.” The count ordered, scooping food on a plate for me.
I could barely eat in that tense atmosphere, knowing the ladies had their eyes on me. I didn’t doubt that they would like to sink their claws into my skin as well. I was too nervous to eat but I had to force myself to, remembering the rules.
“You look so handsome today, count. I can’t believe we saw you yesterday.” One of the ladies smiled.
“I thought I was the only one who noticed how much he glowed.” Another added.
Compliments flew around the table, all directed at the count who seemed pleased and chuckled. I guessed the rule to not talk until the count asked you to didn’t apply when it came to compliments.
I was disgusted with how the ladies were trying to suck up to the count and shook my head, feeling pity at how they had easily accepted to live as slaves.
I couldn’t wait for the meal to be over so I could run to my bedroom. I hadn’t been here for more than two days and I was already sick of how crazy they all were. I had to leave. I didn’t think I could stay here forever.
“Let the new slave serve my lunch.” The count glanced at the butler.
“Yes, sir.”
“Prepare to eat alone with me this afternoon.” The count turned to me, smiling.
“Uhn?” I gasped in shock.
“You are meant to show your gratitude, you rude slave.” The butler snapped at me.
“Thank you, sir.” I mumbled awkwardly.
“Don’t worry. She will learn.” The count said, rubbing my head with his hand fondly.
I sagged in my chair in relief when breakfast was finally over and the count left the room. I stood up seconds after he did. It wasn’t that I could eat anymore. I wanted to escape to my room.
The other ladies stood up and cornered me, blocking my path.
“Slut,” One of them hissed at me. She was the first to start the compliments earlier and I assumed that she was the ringleader of the group.
“Don’t feel too important because he seems to like you. He is always like that when he sees new toys.”
“Yes. He did exactly that with us.”
“You know what? We’ve been with him for long and know what he likes. He will come back running to us when he is eventually done with you.”
I sighed, listening to all their taunts and insults without a word. I wanted to tell them that I wasn’t interested in competing for the count’s attention and they didn’t need to be bitches about it but I kept mute.
I slept off the minute I got to my room, dreaming of home and Kevin. I wished could see him. I would feel better and be able to cope in this awful situation.
I let out a snort. Who was I kidding? If Kevin was here, I wouldn’t have to be the count’s slave. Maybe I would, I thought as I remembered the slave mark on my skin. As long as I had that, I couldn’t get freedom in here.
In the evening after helping with dinner, the butler pushed a tray of food in my arms and asked me to follow him. We went down into the basement and I knew that we were going there to feed another slave, probably one of those who threw a tantrum.
I was glad I didn’t have one. I shuddered as we kept on moving.
With the butler accompanying me, I entered the basement and saw a stunning woman. She was a winged angel covered in bloodstains. I was stunned and paused in my tracks.
This place was strange. It was not only modern and prosperous but also gathered species I had never seen before. Then a place came to my mind that Zachary had mentioned– Utopia town!
I was trapped in it!