Kicking her feet with excitement, Ferina rode on the back of Apathia through the streets of Merphol, heading to the Yerst home.
"Ehe.... I can't wait to get there!! Would you hurry it up already? You're going to slow."
"I'm..... doing my best."
Doing her best.
Yes, that was exactly what she was doing.
Yet her best was never enough.
Apathia was already well beyond the limits of her own body.
And so, she collapsed.
"Ugh...."
Her arms and legs buckled and the girl on top of her fell off, tumbling to the ground as well.
"Why you..... there's a scuff mark on my dress now!!! I can't believe you're taking a break even at this time!!"
Standing up, Ferina was beyond irritated with Apathia.
"Pathetic. You can't even handle this. Fine then. I guess I'll have to give up on riding you into the party. Hmph."
With beads of sweat falling from her forehead, Apathia frantically wiped herself off.
Her back wounds had likely opened up, and the sheet she wore underneath her newly made dress was likely soaked in blood at this point.
Her hands were covered in bandages as a result of an attempt to cover up her numerous wounds, and the girl found it difficult to even attempt to stand.
"Huff.... huff.... urgh....."
"Oh stop being such a baby. Get up already. You've already had so much time to rest."
How much did Apathia want to jump up and punch this girl?
Yet she didn't even have the energy nor the guts to do so.
Standing up, Apathia wobbled forth.
"Finally."
And with that the two were off.
As if she were a dog on a leash, Apathia was led forth by the girl who played as her owner.
"Hurry up already. We're gonna be late! Although.... perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to show up just a bit late? Hahaha...."
----
"Nowhere.... nowhere..... nowhere!!!"
Urphar frantically scrambled through his room, searching everywhere.
"They're nowhere!!! I can't find the tickets!!!"
Holding his head, the boy ran through his memories to try and figure out where he last left them.
"They.... should have been on the desk. Right here. Why were they missing? Mom!! Did you come into my room?"
"Why would I do that? Perhaps that little devil moved them when she was cleaning the house."
Shouting across the house to his mother, the boy then began to search through the house.
"Apathia! Where are you? I need to know where you put those tickets!!"
However, there was no response.
"Ehh.... did she go out at a time like this!?! I have to find them now..... she's never around when you need her to do something. Tch...."
With that, the boy returned to his room to continue searching.
Yet he would not find the tickets, for they were not in this room.
"Nowhere.... nowhere.... they're really nowhere."
Coming to this conclusion, the boy bit his lip in anger.
"If I'm unable to find them in the next hour.... then I'll be forced to tell her that I lost them.... and if that happens...."
Scenes of being rejected, called out, and insulted played within the mind of the boy.
"I can't believe you can't even keep track of your own stuff!"
"Who would want a boyfriend like that?"
"This was supposed to be a big night and now I'm missing out on it because of your incompetence?"
As these scenes played in his mind, the boy became serious with fervor.
"I absolutely can't let that happen."
And the search continued.
----
Coming across a very large home, Apathia and Ferina now stood before it.
It was by all means a mansion. Even if there were no nobles in this city of Merphol, the family which owned this home might as well have been.
There was a gate at the front which people were lined up behind where their tickets would be checked before they were permitted entry to the party.
Ferina was humming to herself, in a good mood.
"Hmm hmm hmm...."
While she was off in her own fantasy land however, Apathia looked around at the people surrounding them.
The two clearly didn't belong.
A slave girl and a middle schooler at a party meant for high schoolers.
'Is she an idiot? Why did she drag me here? Why couldn't I have just stayed home and done my duties.... we probably won't even be let in! Wait a minute....'
Apathia smiled as she suddenly came to a realization.
'If we aren't let in.... then I'll be able to return home. If I can return home, then I suppose I'll still be punished, but I might be able to still finish everything.....'
Despite her own pains and exhaustion, Apathia had not given up.
And so, she hoped.
'Please don't let us in.'
'I don't belong here.'
'Surely you won't let a slave into your fancy party, right?'
'Right!?'
"Madam. Please present your ticket."
The two had finally reached the front of the line, coming across a bouncer.
"I have two tickets right here."
"Very well. But is that a slave by your side?"
"Yes, this is my slave. What of it?"
Apathia looked up in hope.
'Please..... please.... say I'm not allowed in!!! Say I'm worthless!!! Say I'm filth!!! I don't care!!! Just don't let me in!!! I don't want to have to go to this party!!'
"Well, if she is with you then slaves do not need a ticket to enter. After all, they are nothing more than property. Is there anyone you would like to give this extra ticket to?"
And with this statement everything which Apathia hoped for had been destroyed.
"Eh? I didn't know that.... I would have asked brother to come if I had.... well, if Urphar Kranst shows up then use that ticket to let him in."
"Urphar Kranst.... understood."
The man nodded and the two were allowed passage.
When they entered the courtyard, the first thing they saw was an elaborate venue.
Lanterns were hung all around and people were gathered at many small tables.
Servants who held platters of drinks and snacks were all around and many people were chatting in groups among one another.
Everyone was well dressed in expensive outfits, and of course Ferina was among them.
There were a few people as well who had brought their own slaves, who were running around to serve their masters.
"Wow.... so this is a party..."
Ferina looked around with excitement at all the different things and people to see.
"This is great! Come on, Apathia. I've gotto find that guy and talk to him."
Still overcome by the despair of having been allowed in, Apathia was now blank eyed.
"Oi. Snap out of it. We're in public, so you'd better not make me look bad.", Ferina whispered.
At this, Apathia came back to reality.
"Ah.... alright."
And so the girl dragged her along, walking around the area before something happened.
On the front doors of the mansion, lights were shone. The doors began to slide open, revealing a certain dragonic man.
His hair was styled perfectly, gelled up in a way that matched his own classy suit. He walked forth with confidence, taking the attention of all.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. My name is Marcelius Yerst, and I am the host of this banquet. I hope you all are enjoying the venue thus far, and I would like to extend my gratitude to all who have come at my invitation. I look forward to meeting you all, but first I would like to lead a toast."
A slave rushed up to the man with a drink on a platter, which Marcelius took into his hand.
"To another prosperous year here within the city of Merphol."
Raising his glass, the crowds followed the man's lead as they raised their own glasses back to the man.
"To prosperity."
"To cooperation."
"To success."
And so, the party begun.
----
"Come on. We're going to talk to him."
Dragging Apathia forth, Ferina shot straight for the host, immediately heading for him.
She was not the only one, however.
Many women at the party took the same idea, quickly making their way to the host.
As such, Ferina was blocked off from her path.
"Tch.... looks like those other girls had the same idea. I guess I'll have to wait until he's alone to pounce on him."
"Um.... can I go home?"
Apathia, having run out of ideas, finally decided to speak for herself.
She looked around awkwardly, clearly not fitting in among the people. While slaves were not uncommon, most of the slaves who were present were diligently serving their masters as if they had been prepared for such a thing.
"What is your problem? You wanna head back so you can sit around and do nothing? Enough of that. Tonight is a big night. It's my chance."
'Your chance for what? To meet with that pompous guy over there who is surrounded by women? What, he's going to choose you over a bunch of girls his age?'
Apathia wanted to roll her eyes yet she restrained herself.
'I'm going to get in trouble because of this spoiled girl and her delusions..... agh..... agh.... what do I do??? Should I..... bring her to reality?'
Apathia then got an idea.
"Hey.... don't you think you should be a bit more.... assertive?"
"Hah?"
"I mean.... all those girls around him might steal him before you even have a chance to speak with him. Don't you think you should try a bit harder? You'll never catch something if you don't have the juiciest bait.... or something like that."
"Ah.... you..... finally said something decent. You're right. I can't just sit here and let those 2nd rate whores slurp him up."
With this, Ferina stood forward with confidence.
Approaching the man, she ignored the women who he was conversing with.
"Good afternoon. My name is Ferina Kranst. Pleased to meet you."
The women surrounding the man watched as the girl curtseyed, introducing herself boldly.
"I am the first daughter of the Kranst family, and I am currently single. My father would likely be willing to marry me off to someone of your caliber, so why don't we step aside and talk for a bit?"
Apathia couldn't help but want to laugh at the girl, who was now being glared at by almost every woman in the area.
'Hah..... well, if I'm going to get punished anyways..... I might as well drag you down with me.'
The host, Marcelius, stepped forth with a smile.
"Good afternoon, miss. Unfortunately, I am not currently in the market for a wife, therefore I will have to pass on the offer.", the man said in jest.
This provoked a laugh from all around, at the expense of the foolish girl who had made such an arrogant statement.
Humiliated, Ferina stepped back as she noticed the mocking eyes of the girls around her.
"Is that a middle schooler?"
"What is someone like that doing here?"
"Pfft...."
"To think that she would approach Marcelius...."
"Hahaha...."
However, the man was not finished. Stepping forth he took a look at Apathia.
"May I ask who this is?"
"That is my slave.", Ferina responded quickly, trying to redeem herself. "Although, she is quite lazy. While most of the other slaves around here seem to be properly trained, she is very slow. Hey, why don't you go and get me a drink, will you?"
Nodding, Apathia stepped away and begun to walk off, however she was stopped by the words of the host.
"Wait just a minute. Those bandages on your fingers.... are you injured?"
Apathia stopped in her tracks, unsure what to say or whether she should respond at all.
She was beyond tired, and didn't really feel like interacting with someone else right now. She truly just wanted to get home, however that didn't seem like it was going to happen anytime soon.
"Ah, she's just always sleeping on the job. She was cutting vegetables while half asleep and ended up cutting her hands. She really is lazy, you know. How did you get your slaves to work so well?", Ferina asked.
"By treating them with dignity. You are exhausted, are you not? Even right now, are you not about to topple over?"
At this question, Apathia began to shiver.
"Is.... that how it looks?"
Turning around with horror, Apathia began to sweat.
"No no, I.... I'm fine..... I'm fine.... I can still work... I.... need to go get my master her drink...."
Apathia escaped the conversation, quickly heading off, however she could tell that Ferina had been irritated at the interaction.
'Ah.. ah.... no.... she's going to be mad at me as well..... everyone..... is going to be mad..... I won't be able to sleep at all tonight.'
Grabbing a drink from one of the waiters with platters, Apathia began to tremble, almost spilling the drink.
'Again?'
'Am I going to stay up all night again working?'
'I..... just.... want.... to...'
'Sleep.'
Spilling a drop of the liquid onto her own dress, Apathia came back to reality, realizing her current situation.
She was beginning to fade in and out more and more often.
'What if I were to just pass out in exhaustion?'
'What..... would happen to me?'
However, as Apathia approached the group once more, she overheard the words of the host as he spoke to Ferina.
"I'd never take a woman for my wife after seeing her slave in such a state. For the way you treat your property shows the type of person you are."
With this statement the host walked off, followed by his posse.
Apathia watched as Ferina was filled with humiliation, rage, and sadness all at once.
However, she was too exhausted to laugh or feel bad.
It was at that moment that Apathia collapsed.
Falling to the ground, the drink spilled in front of her, and the girl went unconscious.
She had been pushed far beyond her limits, and all the stress and exhaustion had hit at once.
However, just before she went unconscious, she saw a hazy figure approach her, standing above her.
In disgusted tone, the choked up voice of a girl could be heard.
"You..... truly are good for nothing, aren't you?"
----
Apathia found herself awoken with the splashing of water.
Right now they were in the middle of the streets, headed home from the party.
Before Apathia, Ferina stood with frustration covering her face.
"Why..... was he so interested in you? In the way I treated you..... you're a slave..... and a shitty one at that!! You don't get anything done..... you just sit there all day..... and yet.... and yet.... why...."
The girl was tearing up as she spoke, looking down at Apathia with immense hatred.
"Why did he act like you were worth more than me?"
Apathia was then met with a kick to the face.
"You're ragged, you can't even hold yourself up or stay awake, and you're not worth anything!!!"
Falling to the ground, Apathia began to tear up as well.
"I..... just.... UGH!"
Met with another kick, Ferina stopped Apathia from speaking.
"AGH!!!!! SHUT UP!!!! Let's just.... go home."
Grabbing the slave by her hair, Ferina dragged the girl off, half dead.
"Ugh.... it hurts.... please.... stop pulling my hair....."
"Shut up! shut up! shut up!!!"
'I..... just want to..... ugh... urgh!! I just want to rest!!! Just let me rest!!! Just leave me here!!!'
It was at that moment that Apathia gained a sudden bout of courage.
"LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!!!!"
She shouted out to her master, the one who had absolute control over her fate.
And as soon as she shouted this, Apathia immediately knew.
She had messed up.
In her frazzled state, she had made a major mistake.
One which she would come to regret beyond belief.
"Er.... no.... I....."
Shivering with terror, the girl before her thinned her eyes.
"I see. So you've finally gone and become rebellious."
Holding Apathia up by her hair, Ferina nodded.
"Then..... I suppose I'll treat you as such."
"No... wait.... please..... stop....."
Apathia was dragged home, barely able to move due to the immense exhaustion and injury, and eventually the two arrived back.
It was now late night at this point and the guests which had arrived for dinner earlier had already left.
Ferina dropped Apathia to the ground, allowing her head to slam onto the concrete steps.
Blood began to pool around her ear, where her head hit.
Knocking on the door, the girl was met by three people.
All three of them were furious, and the girl who stood at the door was teary eyed.
"Mom.... dad.... brother..... Apathia.... forced me to do a horrible thing."
The mother quickly rushed forth, hugging her own child.
"Thank goodness.... you're alright..... but....."
Looking at Apathia, who laid on the steps without moving, the glares of all four focused on her, piercing through her with immense hatred.
"I..... Apathia wanted to go to that party, so she forced me to steal the tickets from brother..... ugh..... I was too scared to disobey....."
"Ah.... my baby..... I can't believe her....."
"I.... can't believe her.... you little bitch....."
Urphar looked at Apathia with rage, maddened at the fact that he had been unable to meet with his date that night.
The father shook with fury, irritated for a number of reasons.
"She slacks off on her duties.... deceives my precious daughter.... goes off to have fun on her own at the expense of my son..... and as a result of her slacking off, we were embarrassed in front of the guests tonight....."
That night, the cooking which was supposed to be performed by Apathia had been prepared yet was not cooked.
The mother, who had never done a single piece of work in her life, was forced to attempt to finish off the cooking.
This resulted in a burnt disaster.
Unable to feed their guests, they had been shortly sent home.
It was an embarrassment and a failure as a family.
"To think that due to this girl's laziness I would be forced to attempt to do something so out of my expertise...."
The mother looked down on Apathia with disgust as well.
"And yet.... you have the guts to just lay there, lazing off as we are all suffering like this?"
As the four looked down on Apathia, the exhausted girl lifted her bloodied head, gritting her teeth and grimacing back at them.
Weakly, she spit out a set of words which she had wanted to say all her life.
"Leave.... me... alone."