I was sent back to the living quarters to get ready to meet the official slave master for the new ones like myself. I walked to my corner with Lily behind me showing me what to wear to meet the slave master and what was required of me to do so I didn't dare offend any master in the castle.
Lily handed me a simple grey dress made with a coarse fabric but it felt oddly comforting. I was sent to wash up to remove all the dirt and grim from my body and to look okay enough to be presented as well. I put on my new attire which felt heavy on my skin because I was used to wearing light clothes during the time of my captivity. The dress was way better than any clothes I was able to secure before being sold and it hung on my body loosely as to not send out any wrong message to other people in the castle or it was just that I couldn't fill out into the dress adequately. I was all bones and little flesh and that was pretty much obvious in my new uniform.
She hurried me along stating that our handler was waiting to see me then submit me to the Master in charge of the new slaves. I had so many questions on my mind but I couldn't bring myself to ask, scared of the answers I would be given. Dressed and ready to meet whoever was in charge I followed Lily through another unfamiliar walkway thinking of how hard it would be to remember all these routes when I started working for my Master.
The sounds of our feet echoed through the empty space as we hurried along. Our feet came to a halt when lily motioned for me to be quiet as we stood beyond a heavy looking door with an old brass knocker. She extended her hand to bang the knocker against the door and we both waited in silence for a response. I couldn't help but wring the bottom of my dress in my hands as my nerves shook me to the core. Lily gently slapped my hand away just in time as the door was opened by a young man dressed in the male version of our attire.
"You can come in" he said, opening the door wider for us to walk through and we did. My eyes restlessly move around the room to be certain of my new surroundings. "Good day mistress" lily greeting with her head low, arms clasped in front of her as she did a little curtsy. I looked at her wondering if I should follow her move but as I was unsure, I just stood there with my head down and eyes cast to my feet.
"yes ..yes. You may stand" she told Lily, who then stood still, eyes cast to the ground. Then the mistress turned to me and gave me a one over, looking at me from my head down to my toes, analysing my figure.
"Who is your friend, slave?" she asked, her voice icy as she looked at me over and over again.
"Mistress, she's a new slave brought in today buy Master Lucian" lily said, keeping her answers on point to avoid trouble I figured.
"King Lucien?!" the mistress repeated like she could not believe her ears and Lily nodded her head to affirm her question. "Well, well that's something you don't hear everyday" she mumbled tongue slipping out to run over her lips slowly giving a glimpse of her abnormally sharp canines. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I took my eyes off her.
"Tell me about yourself, young slave," she demanded but there was really nothing to tell. What on earth did she want to know? "Mistress, my name is R-Rose. I'm seventeen." I said. That was all I had to say, that was who I was and all I was nothing more than that. She gave me one over again and just nodded her head, taking a sip of the blood red liquor in the glass before her. Her eyes told me she was not satisfied with my answer and I guessed it was because of the master that had bought me from the slave market. But it didn't feel any different to me anyway because I was still left in the care of the other slaves so why should she even be bothered?
"Never mind all that girl, let me warn you to not cross me or any other superior if you know what is good for you." She told me as her finger ran over the rim of her glass.
"Yes ma'am"I said nodding and still keeping my eyes fixated on the ground. I had to know my place.
"very well, you will work in the kitchen for now. Your fellow slave will tell you your duties." Was all she said and then we knew we were dismissed. So following Lily we walked and into the hallway we came through.
As expected Lily let me know the most basic rules of the castle as she led me down to the kitchen where I would work with her. Then I asked myself if she worked in the kitchen why would she be called specifically to take me under her wing. It was all a mess the way the hierarchy worked in the castle here but I guess I was still new so nothing would really make sense though. the basic rules were pretty much simple-
1.Never look a master in the eye.
2.Don't talk back.
3.Don't speak unless you are spoken to.
4.Never question a command.
5.Don't be late.
6.Never deny any superior access to whatever they want whether it is to your benefit or not.
7.Don't pursue any relationship with a superior-know your place.
8.Never breach the dress code.
9.You are to be available at all times.
10.Stay in your given station unless otherwise commanded by any one of the masters.
11.Unless chosen, never serve the King personally.