You can almost always identify the smell of blood, it's a strong scent and usually the result of a violent aftermath. Sounds of screams or disbelief followed by the empty wounds that pierce more than flesh. Blood embeds in the soul, thicker than water and a reminder of the pain that caused it. I'm lucky not to feel the pain so often but other people aren't, people like my father breathe in the word like air. The dark-colored liquid made more wounds than he could call out; for my mother, it was the perfect ingredient for her wine. Not literally of course but more so in a metaphorical way.
This "tea" however is not metaphorical, there is some type of blood in this cup, whether animal or human it's thick and leaking with a retched smell and they want me to drink it. "Lady. Victoria, please-" I lift the cup up to my lips, every fiber in my stomach screaming at me as the pungent lemon hits my nostrils, old and mixed with the iron, I gulp taking a deep breath.
An eager smile brewing on the three faces as I tilt the cup back, regretting all my choices. I wish I could put this cup down, to tell them no and wipe that smile off their faces but that isn't my reality. The truth is I always listen to what I'm told to do, even if it kills me, I would drink poison if they told me to and beg for the antidote if given the option.
So regardless if I know this liquid is probably toxic, I will have to drink it to avoid an even worse punishment. So as the liquid inches closer, I wonder how this mystery substance will make me sick and how I'm going to force it down. I close my eyes and stop short, peeking one open as the smell starts to spin in my skull, it's rotten, it's more than old lemons there is something actually wrong with this liquid and not just by scent but I think it might be some form of poison.
I glance up at Mr.Gerald nearly shaking, "There is some type of lemon and it smells iron, almost like blood." "Drink it." "It is a thick liquid, that-" "Lady. Victoria, I admire your observations but that still isn't an answer. Not to mention the fact you didn't even take a sip of tea." "This doesn't look like tea.." I mumble in a low voice and Mr.Gerald walks up closer along with Alice, Abigail not saying a word. "What did you say?"
I glance at the tablecloth with my words seeming to leave me, feeling strangled by my own tongue, my throat going dry. I wasn't bold like this before, even claiming I would drink poison if they told me to, so what made me stop? The smell of rotten flesh? Of dead meat? That's what it reminds me of but I couldn't tell them that. they would have my blood in this very cup if I dared to mutter a thought of that.
Alice leans down to my face, stopping right before my ginger hair., "You know this stalling isn't like you, and we heard word of your poor reading habit Lady. Victoria, don't tell me something is wrong again.
After all the work the lady of the house does for you, you pay her back by being disobedient." "N- No ma'am." I start to stutter and Alice takes my face tilting it up, "Is this how you were like at Teatime too? Looking at the tablecloth? You are the future lady of this house, will you let the competition beat you because you don't want to drink a single cup of tea?!"
Her voice heightens and I hold my tears back, the cup shaking in my hand and she steadies it. Backing a few paces away and keeping her smile on her face, "Drink the Tea, it is not that hard, this is the final cup you don't want to make me sad do you?" Her lip twitches and I feel the sting in my eye getting heavier, "Yes, ma'am."
My voice is quieter and I lift the cup up to my mouth, bringing the cup closer, I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this. The scent returns to my nose the smell of death bringing sweat to my skin.
The door swings open and I drop the cup onto my dress, "Excuse me, I need to borrow Lady.Victoria." It's Charles, two tears roll down my cheek as I smile at the fact I'm saved, at least for now. A different voice speaks up this time and I'm surprised by who it is, "Excuse me, but we are in the middle of a Tea Tasting, it is rude to-" "You are Miss. Abigail right?" Charles asks and Miss. Abigail nods, "Yes I am, why do you?" Charles holds his hand up, "Sorry for the interruption, but it is important per the request of the Lady of the house." "Lady.Acres?" He gives a stern nod, "Yes, she must come with me to give her opinion on the color of this new gown, if you have a problem with this then I suggest-" "No, no I fully understand." Miss. Abigail pardons herself to Mr.Gerald and Miss. Alice going to pull my chair out, ignoring the wanted tea on my dress.
"Thos Tea Tasting will be cut short, per request of the Lady of the House, please be respectful to Mr.Dickson, Lady. Victoria." I nod, trying not to show to much excitement, "Yes ma'am." I get out of my seat about to hurry off until Miss. Alice says, "Also, don't forget to clean that stain off your dress, you would almost think it's blood with the color of it." She tilts her head with a smile and I try not to look bothered by it, going over to Charles.
"Yes, ma'am" Charles holds the door for me and closes it once he's out giving me a soft smile, "Are you okay?" I don't say anything just staring at him for a while making his face soften more, "I'll take that as a no, come, let's go to my office."
Charles saved me just as things started to go wrong, the rabbit finding me instead of the other way around and instead of drinking the blood, it fell on me. What divine timing.