On the carriage back home, the icy voice of the Count entered Athena's ears like thunder. "If you want to live, marry Duke Gandrie's son." He commanded whilst twirling the blade in his hand. "I will allow your actions for now."
Athena stayed silent; her head hung low.
When they finally reached the manor, Athena opened the dook and took off first. The feeling he gave her presented off a knowing aura. Although Athena love being free, when it comes to manipulating people that don't wish her well, she'd feel uncomfortable. She ran towards her bedroom and took off her heavy dress. That night, she tossed and turn but wasn't able to sleep until she saw the light of dawn.
A few hours later then, she was woken up by an agonized scream from the hallways. Athena didn't dare to see who it is or what had happened to the person. A blood-covered person isn't really what is desirable to see in the morning. She dresses herself up without calling the maid outside since the poor Tena is most likely terrified of the image. Tena is a new recruit maid. A slave, in reality. The very first time she came, she had cried her worries and bothered Athena to comfort her.
After she had changed, she left the room, and she was right. There were drops of blood on the hallway carpet. Athena gestured for the maid, Tena to follow her down and to the dining hall. Recently, she's become bolder and even dared to eat together with the Count and Countess in the same table!
When she reached it, she saw the countess's figure, her eyes puffy. She sat close to her mother, and just about when the breakfast is served, she saw the Count walking towards them, fixing his sleeves that have spots of bloodstains.
The food was served, and Athena stole glances at the two people. The countess was silent. This lack of action and affection of her caused Athena to worry. She decided to ask after much contemplation. "Mother, are you not feeling well?"
Instead of conjuring up a smile like she had always used to, the countess instead cried and stood up. Walking away from Athena. "Mother," Athena was to stand up and run after her mother, but she was stopped.
"Eat!" The voice caused her to stop in her tracks. It was her 'Father's.'
She reluctantly sat down and ate her food in silence. She could hear her mother's wailings from the upper level of the mansion. She planned to comfort her after eating but was barred access to by her father's orders. Suspicion rose tremendously in her heart. There must be something wrong happening, and considering her father's threats during the ride, is he finally making his move?
While she was reading a book in the library, she was called by the Count to his study. Athena, even with her confidence and pride, stopped before the door and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Come in." The Count's voice rang.
Athena opened the door and saw him behind documents with his secretary. The secretary, who was most likely the person to drag the bloody person to the jail on the rooftop. Looking up and seeing Athena, he stood up from his chair and walked out. Athena didn't know what she was supposed to do. She took a glance at the secretary who lifted up his hand and gestured for her to follow the Count.
She followed her father and reached the highest level, the third level of the mansion. Athena's heartbeat quickened, and sweat formed on her forehead. She could smell a pungent smell as they neared a room on the corner. Involuntarily crunching up her nose, she turned around when the door was opened, and she could smell decaying flesh.
"Come in." Her father ordered. She forced the vomit on her mouth back down and stopped the urge to leave.
On the room floor were chains holding two people captive. The two lifted up their heads, looked towards the Count and to her. Athena stiffened. She could feel the intense hatred directed to her. She didn't do anything!
Ignoring everything, The Count introduced Irene to the two people on the ground. "This is my daughter, Irene. Didn't you both badmouth her before? Well, she's here to extract revenge." he said. The two people on the ground chuckled inside their minds. This weak and sickly lady? The two were close servants of Count Wrae and know of her situation. Since she was a child, she had been eating medicine that carries small portions of poison. This was why she was sickly and frail.
Athena naturally caught the hint of their real thoughts. She was beginning to be annoyed. Recently, her condition is beginning to get better. And why was a sickly person who had done nothing wrong being badmouthed? It wasn't hard to guess what they are thinking. Foolish and a useless pawn.
"Well, since she's frail and sickly, I will be extracting revenge for her. Irene, watch from the side." He said and pulled up a knife from his pockets. Athena pursed her lips and closed her eyes as she listens to the screams of agony from the two's mouth. She pushed open the door, but it seems to be locked from outside. Athena endured the shrills and shrieks. Eventually, she opened her eyes and watched the actions of cutting a person a thousand times without allowing them to die. The other person was left alive, half dead.
The father and daughter left the room with blood on their clothes. Although Athena was careful not to get closer, some blood was still sent flying towards her. She followed him to his office and took a seat. She only sat there while the two people, The Count and his secretary, worked on their jobs.
She stands up. "If there's nothing else, then I would take my leave and not disturb any further." She proposed and walked out. Thankfully, nobody stopped her nor even spoke to her in the hallways. When she arrived at her room, her eyes caught the silhouette of a person running towards her balcony.
Oh? She smiled. Athena walked towards the place that carries her most precious earrings and jewels. It appears that nobody touched it. Nevertheless, she didn't mind if somebody stole a few of the jewels. Tena spoke about her sick mother the first time she came, it's most likely for that reason she stole from her owner. Quite convincing.
Athena walked towards one of the tables and wrote a letter to her few friends, involuntarily hinting of what happened.
That wasn't the last time she was invited to the room. And recently, it has become more frequent to the point that Athena doesn't mind the smell as much and the nightmares she's had disappeared.
Today, she was handed a knife by the Count and pushed towards the bulky man chained in the middle of the room. "Cut a piece off his face."
Without any hint of hesitation, Athena walked towards the lying man and pierced his face. Blood oozed out of the cut, dripping on the newly cleaned floor. She cut a straight line on his cheeks. The man clenched his teeth and attempted to break free, but it was to no avail. Athena's motion stopped when she felt the knife hit his teeth. She extracted the knife and handed it to the Count.
"Well, that's enough for now." He said and opened the door with his keys. It was already lunch, and Athena went to eat steak for lunch.
While eating with the Count, she's noticed something. It has been a while since she's seen the countess.