Chapter 14: A Reckless Act of Kindness

The scorching soup drenched Lulona, sending her stumbling to the ground.

She landed in a heap on the floor, her head bowed pitiably. Not a single whimper of pain escaped her lips; she merely began gathering the scattered utensils in silence, as if nothing untoward had occurred.

My heart felt as though it had been sharply pierced by a needle, and my eyes widened.

My gaze fell upon the child’s tender, pale skin, which was already inflamed from the scalding liquid.

Meanwhile, Miss Cassina, the perpetrator of this incident, had already turned her back and resumed complaining to the Lady of the Manor. Not a hint of remorse flickered in her demeanor.

Spoiled and arrogant, she seemed to be transforming into a mirror image of her parents, equally disdainful of those beneath her.

A surge of emotion, erupting from the depths of my heart, prevented me from remaining rooted to the spot. I disregarded the Lord’s previous command and walked directly to Lulona’s side, taking hold of her small hand as she tidied.

“Stop tidying, let’s go.”

My voice was urgent, imbued with an undeniable authority.

Lulona looked up, her expression bewildered and deeply troubled.

“But my work isn’t finished yet—”

“Forget this damn work!”

I didn’t allow her to finish speaking, nor did I suppress my emotions. I simply pulled her by the hand and headed straight for the door.

Perhaps my voice was too sudden, for I heard Miss Cassina’s startled gasp behind me. This was immediately followed by the Lady of the Manor’s familiar, all too familiar, reprimand.

“Hey! What impudent wretch dares to be so disrespectful! Did I give you permission to leave?”

Surprisingly, I ignored her completely, treating the woman’s words as mere background noise.

By the time I had stepped out of the room, the Lady of the Manor’s furious shouts had erupted into a roar behind me.

“Get back here! I told you to get back here!”

The instinct of my body urged me to submit to her authority, but at that moment, an inner strength compelled me to bravely continue leading Lulona away.

I did not look back, not even for a moment.

“Does it still hurt?”

I brought Lulona to my room and patiently rinsed her scalded skin. Then, with meticulous care, I applied burn cream to the reddened area.

Fortunately, that bowl of hot soup wasn’t boiling water. Although the child’s skin was delicate, the burns were not overly severe.

Once the scabs healed, her adorable face would surely be preserved.

Lulona didn’t cry or fuss; she simply watched me with wide eyes, occasionally asking curious questions.

“Sister, did you know Lulona before? I think this is the first time I’ve seen you.”

“I… I’m a new maid at Coldwind Manor, just like everyone else. The Lord bought me as well.”

“Oh, I see… Then, Sister, why did you take me away just now?”

“Because burns must be treated as early as possible. Any delay, and your wound might not heal properly.”

“But it’s just a small injury. Besides… the Lady of the Manor didn’t allow us to leave. Aren’t you afraid of her punishment?”

“I am afraid, but I couldn’t help it. Sometimes, even if you’re scared, you have to step forward.”

“But the Lady will definitely retaliate against you. She’ll punish you for your transgression. I’ve seen many sisters get whipped unconscious with a riding crop for just a small mistake…”

Lulona looked at me with clear, animal-like eyes, her expression filled with pity, as if she already foresaw my fate.

“Will you also be whipped unconscious, Sister? And what about me?”

My heart tightened, and a familiar dread once again spread through my body. The non-existent scars on my back seemed to throb with a faint ache.

Yet, facing this child, I would not, under any circumstances, reveal my weakness.

“It’s alright.”

I pressed her small hand against my cheek, warming her skin with my own.

“I will plead with the Lord.”

“Plead?”

Lord Axas sneered continuously as he looked at me, kneeling on the ground.

“Isn’t it a bit late? My wife became even more furious than Cassina after you left. She whipped three maids unconscious before finally cursing and departing, vowing to find you, that wretched s*ave, and whip you to death.”

“And of course, your precious daughter, Lulona.”

I could vividly imagine Lady Kachel’s rage, like a roaring lion, and the image sent a shiver down my spine.

But for the sake of that child, I had no choice but to bow my head as low as it could go.

“Please, my Lord… if you would only speak up and spare that child, then let the Lady whip me to death.”

Lord Axas responded with cold indifference.

“Defying my orders, suffering punishment, and implicating your daughter—isn’t that what you deserve?”

“Without a few lashes, perhaps you people won’t understand your place.”

“I see no reason to stop my wife. It’s perfectly reasonable for her to occasionally discipline the servants on my behalf.”

Emotions surged within me, almost impossible to suppress. They threatened to shatter some invisible restraint, to erupt into a scream.

‘But isn’t this your daughter’s fault? Your daughter’s unwarranted capriciousness led to Lulona’s injury, and her mother’s barbarity is utterly baseless! You are no different, an unworthy superior; retribution will come for you sooner or later!’

I longed to shout at him, to clarify the situation, to throw this humiliation back in his face.

But I knew I couldn’t. In this cruel world, a small person like me could not reason with someone of his stature.

The consequence of enraging him would be far worse than anything Lady Kachel could inflict!

So, I took a deep breath and pleaded in an utterly humble voice.

“If you are willing to speak up, I will… be even more devoted to your plan.”

“Oh?”

Lord Axas’s voice sounded as if it held a tiny spark of interest, but it was merely an “oh.” It implied that if I failed to give him a satisfactory answer, he would ruthlessly cast me aside, leaving me no room for redemption.

This might be my last chance.

“My Lord, I still remember your guidance from this morning. You said I indeed possess a beautiful facade, but I am not yet base enough. If I wish to be a good harlot, I need to learn from Miss Aisha.”

My voice was humble and sincere, utterly flawless. Raising my eyes slightly, I saw Lord Axas’s thoughtful expression.

“Oh? So that woman is Aisha… And?”

“So…”

My mouth had become somewhat stiff at this point, but I forced myself to continue.

“So I will learn from her…”

My voice was faint, but Lord Axas clearly heard me. A deeply malicious smile slowly spread across his face.

“Learn? What will you learn?”

The conversation should have been almost complete here, after all, what could one possibly learn from such a lewd woman? That smile clearly understood the implication of my words, but those in power seemed to naturally delight in bullying the weak.

I had to be cross-examined, had to be utterly stripped bare and humble, unable to cloak myself in even a shred of shame or dignity.

“Learn…”

I opened my mouth several times, yet each time, I found myself unable to continue. My body’s instincts and sense of ethics made me nauseous, my skin crawling.

I saw the smile at the corner of the man’s mouth gradually vanish, as if he were about to lose interest in showing any pity. I had to earn his pity, not for myself, but for that child.

Finally, I spoke.

“Learn… the techniques of serving men!”

Closing my eyes, I could no longer see the man’s expression, but his piercing laughter echoed unrestrained in my ears. That laughter was familiar. Lord Axas had laughed like that when the court jester performed at the manor. But this time, he laughed louder, and for longer.

I suddenly felt like a bird stripped of its feathers, trapped in a cage, naked, scrutinized and mocked by a malicious crowd. But I had no other choice…

Eventually, the Lord granted my request not to implicate Lulona. However, for me, a whipping from the Lady was still in store.

To this, I could only reply, “Thank you for your mercy.”

As I left, Lord Axas patted me, saying playfully, “Learn well, and use it well on the Lord of Moon Island! Hahaha…”

My expression had frozen, unable to even conjure my usual flattering smile. As his silhouette disappeared into the council hall, I felt as if all my strength had been instantly drained, and I sank weakly to my knees. The humiliation suppressed for years seemed to surge forth at that moment, overwhelming my will and transforming into something called ‘tears,’ which streamed from my eyes.

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