Heidi arrived at Annica's room a few hours later, carrying various medications she had obtained from the household healer.
She was five years older than Annica and had been working for the Milly family since she was young. Both of her parents died when a plague struck their village, so as the eldest daughter in her family, she automatically became the breadwinner for her grandmother and younger siblings.
Annica reminded her of one of her siblings at home, with her petite body and blonde hair. Because of this, Heidi always felt sympathy for Annica and tried her best to look out for the girl when they were working.
Heidi didn't know the full story of how Annica ended up in that house or why Mrs. Ruth called her a traitor's child. She only knew that Annica was once part of a wealthy family before losing everything and being forced to live as Diggory's slave.
"Oh... dear God... Annica! Are you okay?" Heidi exclaimed as soon as she saw Annica curled up on the floor with glass shards scattered around her.
Quickly, Heidi placed the medications on a small table near the entrance and approached Annica cautiously, stepping over the glass shards to avoid stepping on them.
"What happened here, Annica?" Heidi asked while helping Annica back onto the bed. Heidi laid Annica's limp body on the bed.
"Ann, are you okay?" Heidi asked again.
But Annica only turned her body away from Heidi. After a few moments, a response finally came from Annica's lips, "Leave me alone, Heidi."
Heidi fell silent, observing Annica's body. There were marks of someone's grip on Annica's wrists and arms, which Heidi couldn't determine the origin of. It might be from the servants who held Annica's arms earlier, or perhaps from someone else. However, seeing the sticky smears on Annica's thighs, along with torn underwear lying on the floor, Heidi could guess what happened in the room.
"Oh, Annica...," Heidi sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.
She didn't know what to say to comfort her friend.
It was no secret that their master had an obsession with Annica. Like someone who was addicted, Diggory couldn't control himself whenever he was near her. There had been countless bruises and injuries Heidi had seen on Annica's body every time Diggory visited her. It's no wonder Annica complained about wanting to skip her household chores every day.
But Heidi knew it was better to be protected in the lion's den than to defend oneself outside. A young and beautiful girl like Annica wouldn't last long living alone out there. Someone would do something worse to Annica than if she stayed with Diggory. Even Annica knew that. That's what kept Annica going so far. When your world is surrounded by sharp shards of glass, there's no better option than to stop in place.
Heidi stood up and walked to the corner of the room to grab a broom. As she began to sweep up the shattered glass on the floor, she tried to divert Annica's attention with a story she had heard at the healer's house.
"You won't believe who I met at Elwyn's healer house, Annica," Heidi began.
There was no response from Annica.
But Heidi didn't mind. She continued, "Do you remember Tenisa? The maid who used to work here before being fired for ruining one of Mrs. Ruth's dresses? Well, her! And guess why she went to the healer's house?"
Heidi paused and waited.
Still no response from Annica, but Heidi knew Annica was listening. So, while sweeping, she continued.
"It turns out Tenisa is now married and two months pregnant. But that's not what surprised me. Can you guess who her husband is? Yep, the junk dealer. Who would have thought that Tenisa finally managed to catch the eye of that handsome junk dealer."
Heidi laughed at the end of the story.
Her cheerful voice and infectious laughter made the darkness in Annica's chest fade a little. She turned her body around and looked back.
"Tenisa married Efan?" Annica asked softly.
"Yes," Heidi answered enthusiastically. "Apparently, they've been involved since Tenisa was still working here. No wonder they were often seen whispering at the gate."
Annica wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and struggled to sit up.
"I always liked Tenisa," Annica replied. "She often bought me cute hairpins from Efan."
Heidi gathered the glass shards in the corner of the room before walking back to the small table where she had placed the bag of medications. She took out the medicines one by one.
"Well... now we know why Tenisa always got a discount from Efan when I had to pay full price," Heidi said to Annica, who now joined in a small laughter.
"I bought you medicines, Ann," Heidi continued. "There's medicine for your headache, and some creams for the bruises on your body. Healer Elwyn said these are the best creams he has."
Heidi brought the bottles and containers to the bed and handed them to Annica along with a glass of water.
"I also bought you the contraceptive medicine you asked for."
Annica grabbed the items Heidi gave while nodding.
"Thank you, Heidi," Annica forced her lips to smile. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Heidi's eyes sparkled with her friend's praise. She nodded and walked back to the edge of the room where Annica had placed her small towel. She picked up the towel and dipped it into a basin of clean water nearby. Squeezing the towel, Heidi continued.
"Oh, and the story about Tenisa isn't even the biggest gossip I heard today at Healer Elwyn's house. Do you know who's coming to visit our area?"
Annica sipped the medicine that Heidi bought before shaking her head.
Of course, Annica wouldn't know. In the five years living in Diggory's house, the man never allowed her to leave. How could she know who would visit their area for the annual harvest festival?
"No. Who?"
"Well... Do you know why Mr. Diggory has been looking busier lately?" Heidi asked excitedly.
"I thought it's because he's preparing for the annual harvest festival?" Annica replied as Heidi walked back towards the bed, starting to clean Annica's thighs with the towel in her hand.
Wiping away the traces of Diggory's foul release from the crevices of Annica, Heidi continued her response.
"That too. But rumor has it there will be a special guest from the palace coming here soon."
"A special guest?" Annica asked, her forehead furrowed.
"Yes. It's rumored that the High General himself will come here, Annica. Can you imagine? Our small town will have such an important guest? It seems the rumor that he is the illegitimate son of the Emperor is true. If not, there's no way such a high and important position would be given to a young man like Daemon Sand. There are even rumors that Emperor Gustav intends to make General Daemon his successor. If that's true..."
Heidi's voice slowly faded from Annica's ears. She no longer heard what Heidi was saying once that name was mentioned.
Daemon Sand.
The Monster.
That Monster was coming to Savo?
Annica's entire body trembled with anger, her head throbbing. She had to place the glass she was holding on the table to prevent it from falling because her hands were shaking so much.
This is what she had been waiting for. An opportunity. Daemon Sand would come to Savo. Finally, the man would be within her reach.
"H-how long will the High General stay?" Annica asked, interrupting Heidi's chatter.
"Uh... I don't know. Maybe a few weeks until his task is done?" the woman answered, unaware of the tension in Annica's voice.
"And... and where will he stay while here?"
Heidi, beginning to sense the peculiarity of Annica's questions, furrowed her brow.
"I think he'll stay at the royal guesthouse," Heidi answered. "You know, the grand residence in the middle of the town used only for guests coming from the palace."
Ah, of course. The palace always had a house in each region used by the Emperor when visiting. Of course, the Monster would stay at the royal guesthouse. But this was her chance.
The pain that Annica had been feeling suddenly disappeared. Whether it was because of the medicine she had taken or the newfound spirit she felt realizing that she would have a chance to seek revenge.
"Why are you asking, Annica?"
Heidi's question diverted Annica's attention. She turned and looked at her friend, who was now staring at her with concern.
Quickly, Annica composed her expression. Heidi couldn't know what she was planning, or the woman would try to prevent it. Annica didn't want Heidi involved in her plans. No one could know what she was going to do.
"No. Nothing, really," Annica shook her head. "I was just thinking... they must need a woman to serve him while he's here."
"Um... I don't know about that. I heard Mrs. Ruth will handle everything."
Annica's eyes widened.
There it was!
Mrs. Ruth!
Her opportunity!
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