Ella’s POV
The count wasn’t around. He was on a business trip to where I didn’t know and didn’t care. All I cared about was that it was free time for everyone.
The staff and slaves in the mansion could rest as there was no one to tend to and fawn over. I wished the count would go on business trips everytime but I wouldn’t delude myself to think that wishes always came through. The house was silent and had less of the bustling activities it used to have.
It seemed like everyone had gone to bed for an afternoon rest and I couldn’t blame them. They all needed the rest, everyone except the butler.
He scowled as he walked around the house, his expression bitter. He must be missing snapping at others to work harder or faster. I wasn’t surprised as I knew already that he got high from lording himself over others which he couldn’t do now that the count wasn’t around.
He seemed like a dog on a leash who was waiting for his master to bark orders at him so he could bark at others.
I decided to go to the garden since everyone seemed to be indoor. I craved nature. I wanted to run my hand through the soil and look for possible herbs around here. I wondered if the count would stop wanting me as a sex slave if he knew how much more important I could be to him as a pharmacist.
I hadn’t been in the garden for more than five minutes when I heard voices coming towards my direction. I found a place to hide recognizing the voices. I didn’t want them to see me.
Those resigned, weak slaves were the last thing I wanted to see.
“Did you hear what happened yesterday?”
“Don’t tell me it’s about the angel again?”
“Who else would it be about? She is the only problem we have here.”
“You forgot the newcomer slave. She is going to be a pain in the ass if we don’t watch it.”
I rolled my eyes at their conversation. They were so predictable. My legs were cramped where I was and starting to go numb but I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to hear what they had to say about the angel.
“The count will soon get tired of her. You don’t have to worry. Do you know he chased her out of his bedroom barely minutes after she entered the other day?”
“Really?”
“Yes. I told you all she is no match for us.”
I scoffed at their delusion. If only they knew I was responsible for getting sent out.
“What did the angel do this time again?”
“Do you know she tried to stab the count?”
“Oh!” The others gasped.
“She did.” The narrator hissed. “Who does she think she is? She is too arrogant. The count summoned her into his bedroom yesterday and she pulled that crazy stunt instead of her to be happy he wanted her.”
“Her loss. If only she knew how good the count is in bed.”
“She thinks she is better than everyone else. She deserves to be locked up. She will eventually come to her senses if she starts to rot in jail.”
I couldn’t do this anymore. I couldn’t stay still and listen to them slander another person, someone they barely knew. I had thought these ladies were weak but they were also daft and mean.
“Don’t you think you are being too harsh with your words?” I scolded as I stepped out from where I was hiding.
“Oh! It’s the wolf no one wants.” The ringleader sneered at me.
“Does that matter?” I sneered. “Regardless of species or gender, everyone should be treated equally. We are all women oppressed by men, and we should unite instead of hurting each other.”
The cat shifters looked at me with disdain. “Snap out of it, wolf. The world is unfair. If you can make it fair, go and do that. Overthrow the rules instead of teaching us.”
I was disappointed. I had once thought that the utopian town was a fair and just society where everyone lived happily. However, it turned out to be a world of the powerful.
I left the ladies in the garden and moved back to my room. I was in a foul mood and even inhaling the sweet scent of nature didn’t do anything to help me. How could it when the ladies had ruined everything with their presence?
Back in my room, I couldn’t stop thinking of the angel. She was strong. She knew she was fighting a losing battle that no one applauded her for and yet, she refused to give up.
Two days later, the butler sent me to deliver food to the angel. I was alone and grateful that he didn’t follow me. I hoped I would have the chance to make the angel feel comfortable with me and open up. I didn’t have to rush and could take my time since the butler wasn’t waiting at the door.
I unlocked the basement door with the key and she looked at me as I stepped in. She seemed wary of my presence and my heart tightened in my chest as I wondered what the others who had been to see her had done to her.
I couldn’t put it past those crazy cat ladies to have yelled at her and called her names. I hoped she would realize quickly that I’m different and trust me. In this kind of situation, everyone needed a friend to talk to and cheer them on.
The crazy cat ladies had one another. I had Lucy but the angel didn’t have anyone. I wanted to be there for her.
“I brought your food.” I said, pushing the food tray closer to her.
She didn’t react and averted her eyes. I sighed. She planned to go hungry again.
“I heard you stabbed the count yesterday. That was impressive.”
She finally looked at me, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. If I had known that was the way to get her to react, I would have said something like that sooner.
I felt like thanking the cat ladies for gossiping where I was.
“You think?”
“Yes. That was a huge move. I want to know how you did it.”
I could tell that she was touched by my approval and continued to encourage her.
“Did you say you are a werewolf?”
“I’m glad you listened after all.” I smiled.
“I did. I just wasn’t bothered to talk.”
“Let me tell you about me then.”
She smiled. “I will tell you about my past too before I was brought here if you want to listen.”
“Of course, I will listen but you have to eat your food.”
I smiled as she picked up the plate and started eating.