Chapter 3 Three

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MAYA

I rose from the cotton bed where I had passed out, this time there wasn't much aching like before. I got up, occupied with anguish about the incident of yesterday and more that would happen to me.

I saw it in his eyes, his Berserk was the one reigning his body, but at the end, it was only after his desires. Is this what the castigation entailed?

Why would he do this to someone he loathed, he could hit and scourge me, but this...why this?

Why not prick me with needles all day! He is meant to be exasperated at me, derided with my appearance and body.

I didn't think craving would still overshadow his loathing, is this how men were? Did they direct all of their anger to this?

I laid back sensing the need to sooth my body against the soft surface once again, the feeling of the pillow against my head brought me relaxation and I managed to close my eyes once more.

In my eyes I tried to picture something, but I could only evoke the redness of his eyes.

Tainted like blood.

Once upon a time, a Sadin called Sage absconded with a Berserk, ended up betraying him and leaking the clandestine of the Berserks.

The surreptitious of how they were capable of surmounting more than hundreds of men in minutes.

"Nations led spies, while others delved into the reason for their strange agility but to no avail."

"Some said it was sorcery, another said it was an unusual remedy made from three preternatural components of the world, and others said it was inevitable in the genes of the Berserk." A female was sent sooner than later, they fell in affection and he told her the groundwork of his powers and then, she betrayed him, causing the demise of many others with him.

Sage was never seen again by the waters of the earth or the clouds that surrounded it, but her story was very much alive. In the heart of the our clan, she did it for the defense of our tribe but in the facade of people, she betrayed her lover to his ruthless enemies.

The unscathed replica of Sage I was, but only in appearance. I was distraught when I found out that he was bounding us together, it was quite perplexing to fathom where his requite was heading to, but now I could comprehend it. This was the type of revenge he wanted, that kind that would break me slowly.

I was alerted by the sound of forthcoming footsteps and I sat up immediately. My heart thumped, palms fretting as I tried to hide my misery when the door opened, his company occupying the room.

He marched boldly into the room, sat beside me on the bed, leaning into my pale figure and placing his hand over my forehead.

"Hmm... I really anticipated your death this time but since you are thriving it means you still want to live long, maybe for those imprudent girls? He asked with an arched brow."

Don't you know a question when you hear one? Answer me! He said with vehement and I shuddered, not able to push forth the words. I was scared, very frightened.

The more I tried to communicate, the tougher it was! I was sweltering profusely and my lips were trembling at his scrutiny. He merely judged me with disgust.

"You are not even a morsel like her or are you just pretending? He said through gritted teeth."

My eyes were beginning to water, but I stayed put, consenting him to read me like an opened book.

"Master Red." A person called from outside, but his face lingered on mine for more seconds before he turned away.

"Come in, he said." The man walked into the room, closing the door behind him before he gave a quiet bow.

"Master Eros is here, and would like to see you immediately." The man said to him, whose cynical glare barely shifted to a comfortable one.

"Show the lady the kitchen so she can help herself." He instructed the man beside him before he took his leave.

The man observed me before granting me a needless sign of respect which was unexpected.

"I'm Savage, Master Red's personal guard and also the head of all the other guards working in the red manor."

I'm at your service, my lady. I nodded faintly, though I didn't expect him to call me a lady.

"Please call me Maya. You really do not need the formal courtesy. I'm far from that approach. I said, recognizing the sound of my own voice, so strange to my ears."

"Anybody who lives in Master Red's shelter is also my master." Lady Maya. Now he made it worse.... "

Shall I show you where foodstuffs are being prepared, he asked."

Yes. I replied, upright up from the bed and permitting him to lead me out.

Please wait, he told me before leaving the room, soon, he came back with a pair of shoes for my bare feet and they were the perfect sizes once I tried them on.

"You are benign, thank you."

"It is my duty, Lady Maya." Savage directed me out of the room and as soon as my eyes met the break of day, I pushed my painful thoughts at a side, even if it were just a moment.

Ubiquitously, the morning zephyr sailed around the vast Manor making the thin curtains that were desiccating in the area breathe in with breeze and swards, worshipping.

It all looked so elusive and heartwarming that I didn't know how to act.

"So, this is what it felt like to be under the sky." I was astonished by the immaculate blue water that the surrounding conveyed. There was an extensive river in the middle of the Manor that was fashioned like a route where pint-sized fishes moved about at liberty.

A spectacle of some girls doing laundry and wallowing water on themselves reminded me of my sisters, red petals in the midst of the thorny greens were appeasing to my eyes, scent of morning dew as I read about, back in my Island where justified.

The day was flawless like the sapphire waters, sky flourishing, beholding like an angel was going to befall and make the sky divide.

My heart swayed, an irrepressible kind of happiness occupied in me, I felt like a child who could run about the surrounding and dance all around like I've never done before. I wanted to twirl until my eyes were dizzy but was it even plausible? I continued to follow Savage until we got into a room jam-packed with people who were cutting, frying, steaming and all other cooking conducts.

They halted their activities when we marched inside. Savage commanded them to continue with their activities, and they did immediately. He stepped aside for me and I looked around once more. I will be fine; you can take your leave."

Savage hunched again before exiting the room and immediately he left, I began to see different kinds of smirk emergent on each person's face.

They were mostly women, old and young in every corner of the room. I picked up a ceramic plate that lay just near the table, and then, moved to the already cooked dishes arranged with side dishes to it.

"And, what makes you think you can just stretch forth for the food, you scheming fox." A woman snarled.

I gazed at her not sure whether to listen to what she said or just leave the premises but I was so hungry. I couldn't take another day without having something to eat.

So, I went ahead, reached for the spoon but she slapped my hand and I withdrew.

Are you heedless? She yelled, alongside her were two other women who stood behind, exercising their power."

"If you are so famished, you generational whore, then why don't you cook it yourself."

Don't think I would consent you to lay your hands on any of these dishes. "You think because you have become Master Red's wife you now have some claim?

She laughed in disgust." You have none, get out before I steam you, and call it an accident. Am I right girls? She said facing the other females who had cheered her on.

Leave!

She shrieked again and I rushed out of the room without anything to say.

It's not like I had someone who I could grumble to. I was on my own. I left the cooking room, and just outdoor, I saw a bag of spuds lying outside of the room. I dug my hands into the misty and oily crops, excitement covered my face when I saw some carrots deep in the midst of the slimy greens, I reached for it.

"And what is a pretty female doing, digging her hands in waste." Someone behind me said causing me to flinch and drop the carrot which I already grasped. I turned in annoyance to an almost facsimile of Red.

He was medium-sized compared to Red but the features were still there. He had the same grey eyes, but the icy frosts in the eyes were missing.

His, were quite warm looking with a shorter hair than Reds'. I was able to detect only these because they were the features of Red that I had seen clearly. I couldn't say I'd seen his face confidently.

"Who are you? I asked."

✰⍣✰

You are Red's Sadin, are you not? The man said taking a step nearer while she took one in arrears.

Are you not? Maya turned, and tried to walk away before he pulled her. Inigo had heard about Sadins while growing, he learnt that they were women of unexpressed splendors but now that he saw one, he was dumbstruck with the words to use to define her image.

The shade of her skin was as honey, glimmering, as the sun made her glisten like gold.

Her thick eyelashes curled up giving the perfect etiquette to her bright, innocent, puppy eyes.

Her nose in a simple and proud format, it arched high, accompanied by her red swollen lips that looked strawberry.

"As if that wasn't enough, her cheekbones smoldered, granting her an esteemed image."

Her black locks swept graciously over her smooth skin as he pulled her, allowing him to feel the smoothness of her honey-comb skin, satisfying the air with the scent of vanilla.

"Oh, wait she's my brother's wife..." Reality reminded him.

Let me go.

Maya snatched her hand away from his grasp, the thought of another man's hand on her skin made her sensitive and insecure.

She glared at him in anger before but after seeing whom he looked like, curiosity grasped her mind.

Why did he look so much like Red?

"You are my brother's wife, welcome to the Red manor." He said to lure her attention but she didn't stop walking.

Why were you digging out of the waste? Don't tell me you were looking for something to eat, because that is not the way to the scullery.

Maya stopped, and faced him, her eyes dissolving to a calmer expression.

Did you say food? She asked tucking an invisible hair behind her ear.

"Yes, I said food. He replied her cheekily; glad he had caught her attention."

Actually, I'm going to have some now. Do you want to tag along? The Sadin shook and he turned to lead her forward.

Along the way, he noticed that she halted, nonplussed about her attitude. Aren't you hungry anymore?

"They don't give food to folks like me in this place; she answered him, ready to leave."

What! Inigo shrieked, he couldn't believe it.The servants dared to send her away with an empty stomach.

"Follow me."

He told her, but she didn't budge. The Sadin shook her head, she didn't belong here and so she didn't fault with those women.

"Becoming a plaything of their master, how did she expect them to treat her?" Like a thing, obviously. Inigo saw that she was bent on leaving, so he grabbed her hand and dragged her back to the scullery.

She was human before being a Sadin and no matter the stories put out there; he believed she had the right to live like one. The moment he opened the door, the workers all bowed and most of them tried to contain their gasps when they saw Maya with him.

"Which of you didn't permit this Sadin to have something to eat?"

There were gasps of truth among each one of the workers and he presumed who it was, as their eyes were all pointed at the criminal.

No one required to confess who it was. He challenged the short woman in front whom was the prime suspect and then leaned downwards, so she could understand the magnitude his words held.

"Master Red sees all people under his fortification as same to him but then you ventured to talk to his wife like you would to those under your ranks?"

He growled silently. "From now on you will serve her food anytime of the day as a servant is supposed to and you shall be leveled to the last rank of the workers."

The woman gasped in shock but her eyes were still narrowed down. "And this goes to every single person in this room." Inigo said pointing towards them.

After seeing the impact he made on the workers, he shifted his attention back to the Sadin whom was already serving herself.

✰⍣✰

RED.

I drew near to the exposed room that was constructed at the midpoint of a river garden in the Red Manor where Eros was expecting my arrival.

He stood in front with his hands held behind his back while he stared at the scenery. The presence of the Sadin had already started to fascinate people to the Red Manor and Eros was here, representing their curious interest, who else would be fearless enough to question my intentions.

And to what do I owe your visit brother? I strode in using a finger to illustrate where the servants should position the tea and he turned after hearing my voice. I visited, because you wouldn't.

He said approaching the globular table where side dishes and scented tea were served. "And also, the influx of the foxes, especially the one you kept in your Manor made me come earlier." He paused and I grinned seeing my guesstimate was right.

"What do you plan on doing and why have you bonded with that woman even when you know it's improper?

First of all, she is a traitor of this Kingdom and second, a marriage in scroll? You are not just a warrior, but a prince, your marriage is meant to be ceremonial and grand."

Too many questions for a day brother, don't you think? I asked in annoyance before dismissing the standby servants away. The king conferred a woman to you before you left and now you bring a mystical creature with you? He said as his voice grew louder.

"Especially one who killed you in your past life as the prophecy says. Why don't you just strike her and render her dead already?

"Too easy, I said fully relaxing on the seat and gazing at my reflection inside the tea cup in front of me."

"Maybe it's because you still feel excess hunger for her even after your past life." He said in resentment. I must have given you this advice back then, right? You ought to remember, but no, it's just the woman you can input in that head of yours. Eros hissed.

"Your mistress must be waiting for you by now; shouldn't you take your leave? I said displaying undeviating irritation towards his presence and advice."

What do you plan to do with her sisters?

Perhaps, grant them to the king's nobles according to their works? I didn't reply to what he inquired, mostly because I didn't know either and I didn't feel the need to clarify anything to them.

I was the only one who knew this Sadin well, why should they impede?

Red!

What do you want me to say Eros? I shouted immediately.

"Whatever befalls has to do with the Red manor, it's not your place to interfere."

This is my destiny! What do you think? He asked resting emphasis on each word.

"You take the prophecy blithely, what if she gets her way into learning our secret like she did before, how would you answer to our people?"

"Very soon, the king will interfere." A fall of a berserk, do you even understand the implications that it would bring on the lives of our people?

The whole kingdom is likely to, and you of all people should know that because it has happened before. The more you think that it is about you, it isn't! It's far more than you can imagine, of course you've seen it yourself.

You do not have to imagine it.

"Get rid of her before someone else does! He said, gulping the now cold tea that lay in the cup." And make sure to see the king, you don't expect him to come down here like me now.

Do you?

We will talk again in court tomorrow, he said before rising and leaving the premises.

Get rid of her?

"Of course, she did it to me once, why can't I do it back? I have to cause her pain just like how she did to me in the past, when I was at my last breath; she uttered those cold words that were the final push to my near death."

I wanted to satisfy everything she feigned that she would be to me. They still haunted me with every blink of an eye.

Getting rid of her would be the best but then, it was too easy. The image of me pounding into her was not how I intended to punish her.

Somehow I couldn't decipher what provoked me, never has my berserk's agility once disobeyed my intention and I remembered becoming a....whatever I was.

It was almost like it had been longing for intimacy in the depths of all my desires.

"Guilt, I felt, but apology, I could never do." After all it was my destiny to punish her, nothing could stop me!