“There’s no harm in smiling just a little when you’re surrounded by your sisters, dear.” A woman in her early thirties, said to be one of the Lord’s oldest mistresses gently brushed Envy’s shoulder.
The woman was adorned in the finest of silks, and was of medium height with a charming smile, but the most alluring aspect was her voice. She would read stories to the Lord at night, carrying him off to sleep in her tender embrace, and that allowed her to maintain the position of ‘first among mistresses’.
“I don’t know why you bother. The stuck up leech thinks she's better than us, just because the Lord showers her with gifts.” One of the other slaves commented. The delicate alabaster skinned woman hadn’t been called upon for two months and was beginning to grow desperate – for good reason.
“Don’t be such a soursprout dear... I’m sure the master will call for you this evening, or tomorrow at the latest.” A chubby woman with soft genial features comforted the delicate woman with a warm hug.
Their master was a noble of considerable standing who owned a swathe of fertile farmland to the east of Ark. He was a man of varying tastes, keen to travel and explore, and never dwelling too long on a particular vice or interest.
There were eight slaves currently housed in the dormitories attached to the mansion, it was a paradise as much as it was a gilded cage. Several armed guards stood on the other side of the entrance overlooking the vast communal area filled with baths, bookcases and readily available platters of fruit and baked goods.
To most, it was a luxury they had never dreamt of and considered the cost of maintenance insignificant, compared to the comfort and benefits they could reap.
That was why the delicate alabaster skinned woman, who hadn't been called on for two months was so bitter about her predicament. There were only eight rooms in the complex and all were at capacity. If she wasn’t called upon soon, there was a likelihood she would be resold... and there was no guarantee her new owner wouldn’t be a sadistic pile of crap.
As Masters go, their owner was the best a slave could possibly hope for. Strict, fair, detached, and most importantly – frequently out on their travels. Even Envy was grateful for this, but not to the point of fawning over the man as some of the other slaves wont to do.
She was shaken out of her thoughts when the double doors opened abruptly, slammed wide in unison by the guards standing on the other side.
“How have my girls been doing!” An energetic man in his mid-thirties powered into the common room and beamed positively at the gathered women. Throwing off his cloak, he approached the first mistress, and awarded her with a quick peck on the cheek.
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“I’ll see you later tonight dear. Right now, I’m in the mood for something more… delicate.” He gently caressed the older woman and moved further down the line.
“Envy! My gorgeous beauty, imagine how much brighter the world would be if you just smiled.” He brushed her crimson hair aside, “And where is that ruby hairpin I gave you? I chose it because it matches your eyes, but it appears it wasn’t to your taste.”
Envy endured the hard glares from the first mistress and the other assembled slaves. To be gifted something precious by their Master was a benediction, a symbol of his favour. By rejecting it she had undermined the system and hierarchy upon which they operated.
“Not to worry, I’ll give you something more fabulous next time.” The Lord winked at her, then turned away to lay his eyes on the delicate alabaster skinned woman who hadn’t been called on for two months. He gestured with one hand for her to step forward.
“Oh… my precious dear, don’t cry! Did you think I forgot about you?” He quickly embraced the tearful woman who was overcome with emotion.
Envy tried her utmost to keep the sneer from triggering her lips. There was nothing more pathetic, or pitiful, than a slave begging for their master’s attention. Her amber-red eyes scanned the room, capturing the jealousy adorning the faces of those assembled. What was scariest of all was the awful brainwashing involved.
‘I will never end up like them.’ She silently swore to herself.
***
Envy awoke with a snarl and swiftly looked around, comforted by the ‘Lost Memories’ poster hanging on the wall. It was not often she dreamt of her time at the Lord’s mansion.
It was a lesser nightmare compared to the horrors she had experienced, but something must have triggered memories of that place.
It was still dark outside, and the hint of morning rays over the horizon pushed back the all-encompassing twilight. She went downstairs and checked the windows remained latched, and with hand hovering over the partitioned door, opened it with a measure a reluctance.
Tsarra was sleeping peacefully on her side, cradling the disfigured claw with her intact hand.
A sombre smile crossed the Vampire’s lips. The dwarf was a nice girl, eager to please. There were many parallels that could be drawn between her and Luna, except Tsarra wasn’t trying to constantly manipulate her master like that horny elf-maiden. That put the dwarf in her good books.
Closing the door softly, she went to check on Exill. As expected, he had tossed and turned throughout the night and his tousled hair was slick with sweat. The beautiful murderess gently brushed his damp hair aside.
“Why do you make things so difficult for me?” she whispered accusingly to his vulnerable form.
Envy had promised she would never end up like the female slaves in her past, putting down other slaves, and competing for their master’s affection. In spite of this, whenever she saw him tenderly check on Tsarra, or share meals with her - an unfamiliar sprout of jealousy had taken root in her heart.
Envy hated this person she was transforming into, and found herself lashing out, most frequently at the Witchdoctor – who was the object of her torment. ‘The man who had promised everything, and asked for so little in return.’
Sighing softly, she stood up and closed the door. It was time for her morning workouts. There were much more productive ways to direct her anger, such as hunting monsters in the Labyrinth.
And today... she looked forward to another bountiful harvest.