Chapter 41 Feasting on Fear
Chapter 41 Feasting on Fear
Third Person's POV
"Tomorrow will be the welcome party for the girls. You are totally gonna be there. You're a maid,"
"Maid during the day. A wife at night." Lila continued and showed her smug smile. Gertrude just rolled her eyes, yet her lips are hiding her grin. She wore her sweater and wrapped her head with a bandana. The two are off to the town market to get some groceries and supplies for tomorrow's big event. It is nearly sunset so Gertrude do not mind being exposed since it would not be crowded at this hour. "Grab a basket." Lila instructed.
"I thought Lord Constantine would not allow you to step a foot outside." she murmured.
"Well, he cannot control me for the rest of my life. I have my ways," Trudy tighten her scarf and grabbed a woven basket. "And besides, it's my duty as a maid. Tsk, a freaking maid." she retorted.
"Deja vu. It's always like this... pretty, happy girls, tea parties, celebration, then one bloody night of massacre. Poor girls. They don't know what they got into." Lila heaved a sigh.
They went down the manor, all the way to the dock to see the boatman waiting. "Tough day?" the man greeted.
"You could say that." Lila answered while Trudy slowly went aboard, balancing herself. "Woah, careful, miss. Can't let a pretty face get wounded." the man grabbed her by the hand and assisted her until she settled on her seat.
"Uh, thanks." she avoided his eye contact.
Trudy heard Lila fighting herself not to burst into giggles. "Off to the town, shall we?" the man started paddling through the calm waves.
The blazing orange and sad blue hues of the skies are reflecting on the water, indicating that the day is near to its ending. "So, the manor's got new students, eh?" the man asked the ladies, but his eyes are stealing glances to just one, and no other than the quiet Gertrude.
"Yeah, been crowded enough." And as usual, Lila was the one who answered again.
"You ladies are servants?" he asked again.
"We are." Lila just keep on answering out of politeness. She brushes her arm on Trudy and gave her a meaningful look.
"You look too young to be maids. Pretty ones too."
Lila was unable to suffice his needs to converse. They both got silent and waited for the boat to board. "What are your names?" he asked. The more questions he ask, the more the boat gets slower.
CAW! CAW! CAW!
Gertrude smiled upon hearing the black raven, soaring up above, racing them. "Obsidian!" she called him.
The bird plays just above the head of the man, distracting him. "Shoo! Get away, you little shit! Shoo!" he swatted it using the oars.
The raven flew away, just watching them with predatory eyes until they reached the town. "We're here, ladies." the man tied the boat on the deck and shifted his attention to Trudy. His eyes landed on her bottom as the thin fabrics of her skirt wraps around her curvy hips. "You still haven't mentioned your names." he bit his lips.
"Well, uh, I'm Tru---" she hesitated but was cut off by Lila.
"Listen, mister. We appreciate the service but we are in a hurry. Come on, Trudy." she held her arms dragged her along the port.
Gertrude could not catch up on her feet. "Forgive me for the disrespect, Miss Trudy but, what were you thinking? Telling your name to a stranger?" Lila scolded her.
"Hey, I was just being polite..." she defended herself.
"Yeah, well try to convince the Lord that. The raven show everything."
"He would not mind. It's not a big deal, I promise. I am not selling myself to that man. He was annoying, but so what, aren't they all?" Gertrude crossed her arms.
"Even Constantine?" Lila teased. Gertrude rolled her eyes, irritated. "No, of course. He is an exception." she answered with a genuine smile.
They walked to the nearest dry market, Trudy still hasn't shut herself up about his husband. "Fill your basket with strawberries. Miss Freya specifically told me she needs them for her stamina."
"What does she do?"
"She is a good swimmer."
"Ooh, talented one." she remarked and grabbed some fresh berries from the wooden box.
"Gertrude..." she titled her head no, brows furrowed. "What?! A little busy here, Lila." she answered without even looking up.
"Trudy, why did you left the manor? Are you not afraid?" the voice lingers until it was the only thing that she hears. She raised her head, she could not believe her eyes to see that she is all alone in the market. No Lila. No other people. The basket that she filled with strawberries is now empty.
"Lila?! W-Where are you?" her voice began to tremble.
"I'm here beside you. You cannot see me, Gertrude..." it was the voice of Lila but it felt like something more terrible. A pretender.
"... but I am just here." she shrieked when the voice changed. It became hollow and as if it came back from the dead.
She closed her eyes, praying that it will all end. She wishes that she is back in the mansion, safe in the arms of her one true love. "Why are you doing this to me?! You sick! You evil!" she cursed at him. The creature laughed, a menacing and disturbing one. It echoes until the sound gets closer and closer to her ears. She looked at her peripheral vision, only to see his true form right before her eyes. "Please, don't..." she pleaded and was not able to move nor to think of another way to escape.
She whimpers, her eyes dripping with tears. "You should not have left his sight, Gertrude. Now, you are more vulnerable. I can see you more. I can see you closer." Guillaume whispered.
"I am more than what you think, you freak!" she spat at him.
"But I can smell your fear. You are living with fear. You should be." he sneered.
His manner of speaking is elegant yet humiliating. "I still live. You are not. And it will kill you every fucking day because you are not real. Y-You are not here..." Trudy had troubled breathing and gulping her saliva. Her mouth and throat dried up, yet, she tried to survive the moment. If this is a dream, she prays to all the God to wake her up. If this is the reality, she just want to be given a chance to open her eyes and mind to the truth... until she heard another sound. A sound of safety and familiarity.
CAW! CAW! CAW!