I didn't meet Lin the next morning. That could either be good news or bad news. Good news in that she would have rushed to her room after meeting with Lucas. Bad news would be if Lucas wanted nothing to do with her, or someone found out somehow. I paced a path on the carpeted floor of my room as I pondered over each possibility, each one worse than the last.
Nothing could go wrong. If something had happened, I would have heard about it. I'm just overreacting.
Ms Angel came into my room, as bubbly as ever. I was already dresses up for breakfast when she came to get me, so I let her drag me away as she fixed up my hair and clothes. I never really look in the mirror, which is why I need a matron to make sure I'm presentable.
Midas wasn't at the table. It was the first thing I noticed when I arrived. There were a few other empty seats that should have been occupied by Northerners. I was about to go to my usual seat when I found Lucas looking my way. He didn't look his usual grumpy way. I felt the itch to sit by him overcoming my goal to be well-behaved. So I took the empty seat next to me and didn't look up to see my mother's reaction.
"Good morning," I chimed. "Sleep well?"
He shook his head with a smirk but didn't say anything. So his moodiness didn't really go away even when he was happy.
"Does this mean you have to follow me around everywhere?" he asked instead.
"Not at all. Just when its necessary. Are you guys doing anything fun today?" I said.
"We're touring the town. We have been looking for a guide outside of this house but we can't trust anyone," Lucas told me.
"i could do it," I offered, raising my hand slightly. "For a reasonable fee or course."
"I don't think so. If I recall correctly, I heard that you aren't allowed to leave this house ever and I'm sure your parents wouldn't agree," he mentioned.
I pouted. "im a big girl. I can make decisions for myself. And anyway, did you really think I would live twenty one years without going out? That's impossible. And anyway, Aimee will come too. Mother won't say no."
"Fine, whatever," he dismissed.
"so, Lin..."
"we're not talking about her."
"fine."
The rest of breakfast was uneventful. I poked my eggs until I could leave. Aimee sought me out afterwards to ask about last night. I felt glum when I remembered what Midas had said to me. However, I assured Aimee that I hadn't done anything stupid.
"i talked to one of the Northerners today. He said they were looking for a tour guide. I suggested you," I lied.
"why would you do that, Amaya?" Aimee asked.
"i just thought it was a hospitable thing to do," I reasoned with a shrug. "but I can go and cancel with them.
"it's fine," she said, sighing with exhaustion.
"Great. I'm going to get changed," I said, skipping away.
"wear something decent," Aimee showed after me but I ignored her.
I pulled out some jeans and a pale pink t-shirt. I tied my hair up, something my mother hates for some unknown reason. I contemplated on going to see Lin first but realised I was going to be late.
Aimee was chatting with the Northerners when I arrived. Midas was there as well, surprisingly. However, I decided to ignore him. Just for today. I found Lucas speaking to some people and he introduced me to a couple of them. It was nice. I was now in his good books. If I stuck around for longer, i I'd get along with most of them, and even Midas. I want sure what my plan with him was, but I wanted him badly.
We left the house after Mother came to bid is goodbye. I was surprised that she didn't stop me from going, especially with what I was wearing. We took there cars to town. I was next to Aimee, where she could keep an eye on me. The also meant I was in the same car as Midas. I ignored his heated gazed and stared out the window instead. This was my first time getting permission to leave the house. I was taking everything in like a little child. I had escaped the safety of our home a couple of times just to see what it was like, mostly at night. This was different. I wasn'aFraid of my mother finding out I wasn't home. I had an entire day to revel in my freedom. I was still on a leash, Aimee being the one holding it but this was good enough for me.
Growing up, I had come to terms with the fact that I wouldn't have much of a life. I would be locked in my parents' home until I got married to a man and get locked up in his home. I would force myself to be happy, to have his children and force them into this life. It was a cycle I couldn't escape. I hated it.
"Its impressive how you managed to take some time out of your busy schedule to spend time in out small town. I know it will never measure up to the North but we call this home," Aimee said, gesturing to the shabby metal and plastic houses that filled most of the town. A few were made of bricks but those were probably for well off people.
"its important that I spend some time with my people. Plus, I need to know what it is your father is so passionate about and how I can help," he explained.
"Why bother?" I asked, still staring out the window. "You could have stay up North and left us here to die. You're a politician, after all."
"Politicians aren't heartless. And something that affects you affects us up North. We might also require some assistance from you. It was an initiative we all decided on. If we can help, then why don't we?" he explained.
"That's nonsense. You don't just go out of your way like that. After all you also have your people to look after who can use the extra resources that you are giving us," I pointed out.
"You're right. But like I said, we will help where we can. And you need this more than my people," he said.
"Shouldn't you be thanking Mr Midas instead?" Aimee asked, pinching my thigh.
"i could be thanking him for colonising us. We can never be really sure," I shrugged, much to Aimee's annoyance.
"is there anywhere in particular you wanted to see?" Aimee asked Midas, diverting the conversation.
"Not really. Why don't you surprise us?" he replied.
I wanted to laugh. There wasn't much to see, except for the scrap tower. Someone thought it would be a good idea to make sculptures out of scrap. It was the best we had and the animals and figures were made big enough to be something. But maybe there could be more. Since this was my first time, i was looking forward to this just a little bit.
I was disappointed and exhausted five hours later. The bareness of the town was depressing and I felt embarrassed to be living here. It might sound snobbish of me but there was so much poverty here that it reeked, figuratively and literally. On the bright side, I made friends with a couple of Northerners, especially the odd Madeline. She stuck to my side like glue and when I tried to get rid of her, she came right back like a yo-yo. I was sure that she had mental issues. Sometimes, she just started laughing by herself or talking to the air next to her. It was really weird but I just ignored her.
"We'll have a late lunch when we get back to the manor," Aimee announced as we began walking back to the cars.
I bumped into Lucas but the man is a freaking wall that I ended up stumbling instead. "You really won't tell me about how it went with Lin?"
"Why should I?" Lucas said instead.
"Duh! I'm the one who pulled the strings here!" I reasoned. "i deserve to know."
"that wasn't part of the deal," he said. "you only saidto tag along. I don't have to tell you anything."
"Ugh, I hate you," I grumbled.
I jumped when I heard Madeline's voice in my ear. "I think I know your little secret."
"It isn't much of a secret, Maddy. Or at least it won't be for long," Lucas said whilst I was recovering from the shock of having a particular wild-eyed girl grinning next to me.
"But you have a lot of secrets. Don't you, Amaya?" Madeline said, tipping her head to the side, her untamed and probably unwashed hair covering half her face.
"Um.. yes," I said, hoping to just get the conversation over with. "I have to find Aimee or I won't get a ride from here. See you later guys."
I find Aimee and Midas deep in a conversation by the car. Midas is the first to notice me before Aimee does. She flashes me a smile and turns to the chauffeur who opens the door for her. I slip in next to her and sigh as the car drives me back to my personal prison. The car ride was surprisingly silent with Aimee mostly on her phone.
When we arrived, my mind was set on finding Lin and asking if anyone had seen her. Before I could escape, though, Lucas grabbed my hand and pulled me back. Madeline was waiting close by, a soft smile on her face.
"Can I see her again?" Lucas asked.
"im not sure. I'll have to ask her this time around," I replied.
"i know it might not seem like it but I'm really grateful for what you've done," he said.
I chuckled. "Youre trying to be nice because you want t meet her again. Fine, I get it. I'll do my best."
Lucas grinned. "Thanks Amaya."
I shook my head as I watched him jog to the manor. Madeline kept standing there, however, and it was creepy.
"Sometimes.." she started, her brows drawn together over her forehead. "Sometimes you only have the best interest at heart but bad things happen don't allow others to see it. But I see it. You need to be strong, Amaya."
She walked away, leaving me confused. What did that even mean? I brushed it off and went to search for Lin. I first went to change out of my clothes and freshen up. I decided to get a snack first before findin Lin. She would probably in the kitchen.
She wasn't, neither was half the kitchen staff and that left me wondering.
"where is everyone?" I asked Macy, one of the kitchen helpers.
She sighed. "Something big happened. You know Lin, right? She was caught sneaking out of a Northerner's to this morning. A lot of the girls have been told to go and watch her being punished."
My heart dropped to my stomach. "what?"
"its pretty shocking. I never thought Lin would did that. She seemed pretty innocent. We never expected her to seduce someone like that. The Lady was not happy when she found out about it. Lin is also shameless about it. It's like she's a different person. She's not even apologetic..."
I frowned her out as the words sunk in. "Where is she now?"
"i don't think you want to go out there. It's not a pretty sight. The girls had to be forced to watch. I couldn't stay there for five more minutes," Macy said.
"Where is she?!" I repeated, slamming the counter as my legs trembled
Macy gave me an odd look and pointed the door that led to the backyard. "Outside. But you really shouldn't go- !"
I stormed out of the kitchen, hoping this was just a bad dream as tears stung my eyes. The worst thing I feared had happened and now Lin was being punished for my mistakes. If only I hadn't left. Maybe I would have protected her.
I tripped on my own feet when I found her. She was on her knees, slouching forward as Cool rained down lashes onto her back. Lin was crying, her hair sticking to her sweaty skin as she bore with the lashes. She held on to the material of her dress against her chest, most of it torn now from the whip Cook was using. There were other girls forming a semicircle around her. I identified some kitchen helps and handmaid's who stuck close together as they witnessed the gruesome sight. Standing a few feet in front of Lin was my mother, Ms Angel and Aimee.
Something clicked in my head that sent me running forward. No one was fast enough to stop me as I shielded Lin from the next lash with my body. Cook was thrown off guard and didn't stop in time so I felt the biting pain of the whip across my shoulder and back. How long did Lin have to bear with this pain? Just thinking about that made my heart clench in pain.
"What do you think you are doing, Amaya?" my mother softly said even though I could pick out the anger behind her words.
"I was about to ask the same thing," I hissed, ignoring my pain as Lin rested her body against me.
My teeth clenched as my hand hovered over her bloody back and exhausted form. She could barely keep her eyes open nor hold herself up. This was my fault. I sniffed as tears ran down my Sheela and I held the bloodied girl close to me.
"if you didn't know what was going on, why did you interfere?" Mother asked, glaring down at me.
"What kind of fool would I be to let such inhumanity to occur?" I yelled.
"Amaya, you need to get up from there and let Cool finish," Aimee spoke before my mother could. "lets talk about it instead."
My lip trembled. "You too, Aimee? You're letting this happen?"
"She knows why she has to be punished in this manner. And you will too after I explain it to you," she said.
I scoffed. "Why don't you give it a try and see if it'll make sense then I'll pretend to be blind and heartless."
Lin whimpered but I tucked her head in my neck, hoping to stop this madness. Aimee, andmy mother, did not look too pleased by this. Well, neither was I.
"In fact, we should let her get some rest before you continue with this," I said.
"She seduced one of the guests and slept in his bed," Aimee explained. "that sort of behaviour is intolerable and needs to be dealt with."
"Isnt this too much?" I asked. "Shes bleeding, Aimee! Are you trying to kill her?"
"We questioned her and her attitude was rude and disrespectful. She even confessed to doing it again when given the chance!" Aimee argued.
Did she really do that? And how did Aimee know if she went with me and the guests?
"Yeah? Then you need to punish me as well. I helped her to do this!" I said, holding her closer to me.
Mother decided to budge in. "Take her away from here. She won't see a morsel of food or a drop of water until she leaves."
Leave? Was Lin leaving? Did Mother fire her? Could she do that? I would deal with that later. For now, she just had to be okay. As two girls helped Lin and carried her away, Mother dismissed the girls. As they dispersed, I saw Lucas rushing towards Lin before she had been taken to her room. He took her away from the girls that held her and cradled her in his arms. I was both relieved and sad. Lucas shouldn't have seen this. But then again, maybe he can help her.
"Lucas!" Midas's voice bored from the kitchen door, his face frighteningly angry. "Let go of the girl."
"Alpha-"
"NOW!"
I watched with an aching heart as Lucas fought against himself but allowed the girls to take Lin away from him. Lin whimpered as she was half dragged away and I watched on helplessly. Why didn't Lucas fight for her? With clenched fists, Lucas walked over to Midas. They got into a short heated argument before they disappeared into the manor.
"I asked Midas not to let his people interfere," I heard Aimee tell Mother.
This was all messed up. I had so much to do but I went to meet Lucas first. I found him in the kitchen, talking to Midas with Madeline hovering close by. Before I could approach him, Cook tugged my hand backward.
"How could you do that to her?" she asked, hands trembling and eyes red from crying.
"What-?"
"You set up this trap for her, didn't you? You lured her and told your mother, didn't you? There was no way Lin was going to be able to do that on her own. She is such a nice and quiet girl! She's never done anything to you!" she screamed in my face.
"I didnt-"
It took me a second to register the sting in my cheek after Cook slapped me. I was stunned to silence. Everyone around me shared the look Cook had. They thought I did this.
"Why do you have think that..? I would never-!"
"Maybe you should return to your room, Lady Amaya. We have a lot of work to do and it would be best if you left," Cook said before she turned to her pots, dismissing me coldly.
I caught Lucas's unbelieving eyes next, wide with anger and pain. He must have believed what Cook had said. I tried to follow him when he began to leave but Midas stopped me.
"I think that you should leave him for a while," he said before he left.
Madeline squeezed my hand gently and gave me a smile before she followed Midas. Everyone is under the impression that I could be cruel enough to do this to Lin. I wish I could explain this. Furious, I went to confront my mother in her salon where Aimee also was.
"Can you please explain to me what just happened?" I asked, tapping my foot impatiently.
"i don't have to explain myself to you," Mother simply said, barely looking at me. "How I run my household has nothing to do with you."
"Last time I checked, I live in this household," I point out.
"Yes, thanks to your father and I. However, you're just a spectator and a child who does what she is told without question," Mother said, looking up to glare at me. "Not help the maids seduce our guests!"
"Mother!"
"Someone saw you walking with Lin to the south wing, which is reserved only for the guests. How about you explain that to me?" she said and I bit my tongue.
"i did. So it's my fault. Punish me instead. Not Lin, she did nothing wrong. She didn't even know about this until I talked her into it!" I yelled in frustration.
"Amaya," Aimee interrupted softly. "im helping mother run the household. Well cut down on Lin's punishment. Is that better?"
I slowly deflated, looking at my sister hopefully. "Yes."
"But I'm afraid youll also have to be punished for what you've done. You know that, right?" she said.
I looked down to the carpet sombrely. "Yes."
"Then it's all settled then. Just don't do anything like that again, please?" Aimee asked me and I nodded.
"Just be grateful that Aimee is too nice for her own good," Mother stated. "You should try to be like her for once in your life. If it had been up to me, I would have had that girl sold off somewhere, probably a brothel where her talents can be put to good use."
My eyes widened in horror. "Youre not going to do that, are you?"
"No, she's not," Aimee said firmly. "Lin will still work for this family."
I caught the meaning behind those words but decided to not to say anything. There was only s much I could do. So I simply nodded, accepting how I had brought this cruel fate upon an innocent girl. I hate myself.
"You'll stay in your room for a week unless your presence is requested. Please don't make any more trouble, at least until the guests leave," Aimee told me. "And Amaya, I'd prefer it if I didn't see you with any of the Northerners again."
I left after my dismissal, feeling a storm of emotions. I was desperate to help Lin out and on the other hand, I probably would not see Midas again. That though made my heart squeeze painfully, making me clutch my chest and hiss. I felt physical pain at the possibility of not being able to see him again. What was wrong with me?