Mia's hands were dry and cracked. Submerging them into the sudsy water bucket next to her was practically torture. Throbbing aches shot through her thighs with every movement as she knelt on the hard flooring of the estate, scrubbing the floors with an old, tattered cloth. Normally, she'd be using a proper brush and would have a few of the other maids there to assist her, but she was all alone this time. It's what Telna called, 'training'.
According to the duchess, teamwork was a privilege that Mia had not yet earned. In order for her to appreciate working in such a wealthy household, Mia needed to see how the 'real world' worked. The more she struggled scrubbing with less efficient (and dare Mia say, even counterproductive) tools, the happier she would be when given the proper equipment. Working by herself would have her feeling absolutely blessed when she got to have assistance. That was how Telna thought of it, although Mia knew it was just a way of brainwashing and manipulating the staff.
Scuff marks refused to come up and dirt remained adamantly in between the floorboards. How desperately she wished she had a Swiffen Mop from her own time right now. If only she was back at home, mopping the floors with a modern appliance, instead of stuck here with painful knees that she was almost positive would fall off the moment she stood up. In a way, Mia had already learned the basic idea of Telna's 'lesson' although Telna would never be able to know it.
Mia paused a moment and balled her hands into fists, smacking her shoulders and her neck with them before moving onto her knees. Her arms and shoulders were beginning to ache now thanks to the constant motion of scubbing with such a pitiful tool. She'd never done so much physical labor in her life.
"Did I say that you could take a break? It seems you would like another punishment." Telna's voice echoed through the empty hallway as she slowly approached.
Mia sighed and got back to work with a quiet, "No ma'am."
"I'm sorry, what did you call me?" Telna's voice was full of irritation, Mia didn't even need to look up to see the look on her face.
"No, your grace." Mia stated louder with a tinge of annoyance.
Telna smirked, "Good." Then, with one step, Telna dropped to the floor a full tea set filled with tea. The crashes and shattering of glass caused Mia to quickly shield her ears as she watched in horror at the broken shards flying across the floor and the tea flowing across the floor she'd spent so long to clean.
"What did you do that for?!" Mia had reached her limit and she glared up at the duchess with such hatred and fire in her eyes.
Telna crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, "Maybe if you had done your job and didn't constantly take unscheduled breaks you would be done already, and I wouldn't have slipped on the wet floors and dropped the tray," Telna sighed in disappointment, "I hope you're aware those were expensive. You know you'll have to pay to replace them."
Mia tried to stand. Her legs wobbled and the circulation that had apparently cut off a while ago (judging by the brick-like feeling that replaced what should be her calves) brought her back down to her knees. She gritted her teeth, grabbed the disgusting, piece of trash rag that she was forced to scrub with and threw it at Telna's face. It landed, right where Mia had aimed, with a loud 'PLOP' ringing through the air.
The slimy, soapy cloth slid down Telna's face and landed on the floor at her feet, revealing a look of both rage and disgust. She took a deep breath and wiped the wet grime off of her face, flicking it to the sides. "How dare you," initially, her tone was calm, but it escalated as she continued to speak, "Know your place! You're NOTHING in this household! Dirt is more valuable than you are because it at least grows things that provide us with food and beauty, but you bring us nothing of value! You're an eyesore and vixen who only causes misfortune for everyone else!"
Her long slender fingers reached out and grabbed Mia by the hair. Her grip was tight, and she flailed Mia around as she yelled. Mia grabbed at Telna's hands and squeezed her eyes tight, crying out in pain with each yank.
Yelling and screaming caused so much commotion that other staff had come to see what all the ruckus was about. There was so much chaos that no one paid any attention to the footsteps that were ascending up the grand staircase and onto the floor which the hallway resided.
There stood Atlier watching the two women fight. He began marching forward, causing surprised gasps from the staff he passed on the way. He didn't approve of Telna treating staff in such a way. Then, Telna pulled up on Mia's hair, revealing Mia's face to Atlier. He rushed over in complete anger and tightly grabbed onto Telna's wrist. "Release her. Right. Now." He commanded, staring deep into Telna's eyes, his jaw tightened.
Her eyes widened in fear and she immediately let go, resulting in Mia falling to the floor sobbing. Atlier gently pushed Telna to the side and knelt down by Mia's side, wrapping his arm around her back. It was then that he saw the blisters, cuts and broken nails on her hands. He glanced around at the staff standing by, "Resume your work. NOW!" They scrambled about, not expecting to see him so angry, but quickly dispersed.
"As for you," he looked up at Telna, "I want you out of here immediately. Someone like you will never become a Montz."
Telna scoffed, "It's not up to you. Your parents have decided it and they sent me here to be rid of this little problem," She motioned to Mia before crossing her arms, "I'm going to become your wife whether you like it or not and this harlot will be taken care of by that time. I've already found a buyer for her, he's rich, she'll be fine there. I've just been training her until they're ready to come get her."
Atlier picked Mia up, "Then you'll have to inform them that you've made a mistake. She goes with no one. If my parents believe that you are someone fit to join our household and are okay with you sullying our name with your awful deeds and personality, then a Montz I do not wish to be. I will revoke my title. Until then, you are not to lay a hand on her head. I'll be taking her as my personal assistant."
Telna stared after him, shocked as he turned his heel and carried Mia down the hallway and into his bedroom. She snapped her fingers, and her own personal assistant quickly ran over from where she hid nearby. "I want you to send a letter to the duke's parents….."