The carriage rolled steadily along the winding road, its wheels crunching over gravel and dirt. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, filled with unspoken words and mounting dread. Akita sat across from Lord Virgil, her wrists still bound by chains, the metal biting into her skin. Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and fury. She had to find a way to escape, but how?
Her mind raced with possibilities. The carriage door was heavy and likely locked, the windows too small to crawl through. Virgil's eyes, a deep, unsettling red, never left her, making it clear that any attempt to flee would be met with swift and brutal retribution.
As if reading her thoughts, Virgil's lips curled into a cold smile. "You're thinking of escape, aren't you?" His voice was smooth, almost mocking. "I can see the hope in your eyes. It's a foolish hope, one that I will gladly crush."
Akita met his gaze, her soft brown eyes burning with defiance. For a moment, the fire in her spirit seemed to challenge the icy control in his. But as his smile widened, a chill ran down her spine. His sadistic nature was evident in every word he spoke, and every look he gave her.
"Do you know why I bought you?" Virgil leaned forward, his gaze boring into her. "Because you amuse me. That fire in you, that defiance—it's entertaining. But don't mistake my amusement for mercy. I can send you back to the auction block anytime I wish and for much less than ten thousand gold coins. That fire in you will soon diminish "
Akita clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The thought of being sold again, of enduring more humiliation and suffering, filled her with dread. She lowered her head, fighting the urge to glare at him. The chains rattled softly with her movements, a harsh reminder of her captivity.
Virgil chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "A feisty kitten, aren't you?" he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I wonder how long that spirit will last in my care. You should be grateful I even bought you to begin wtih."
She wanted to lash out, to scream and fight, but she knew it would be pointless. Instead, she kept her head bowed, her mind working furiously to find a way out of this nightmare. The landscape outside the carriage window blurred as they traveled further away from the auction grounds, the road back to her past disappearing behind them.
A flicker of irritation crossed Virgil's face, and he leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "I expect you to speak to me, Girl. Tell me what is your name..."
Akita kept her composure as she bowed her head at him " ...Akita..."
Virgil hummed as the name seemed familiar "Akita you say how lovely, I'm Virgil and I will be your master. Get used to your new life quickly kitten." Her name rolling off his tongue in a whisper.
Akita sat rigidly, her posture tense, her eyes staring resolutely out of the window. She was acutely aware of Virgil's gaze, the weight of it pressing down on her like a physical force. The dim light from the carriage lanterns cast long shadows, accentuating the sharp angles of his face. He looked every bit the part of the cruel aristocrat, a man who thrived on power and control.
The silence between them stretched on, heavy and oppressive. Finally, Virgil broke it, his voice smooth but laced with a dangerous edge. "Tell me, Akita, where do you come from? What tribe bore such a fiery creature like yourself?"
Akita's jaw clenched, her eyes flickering briefly to meet his before looking away again. She had no intention of divulging anything to him, especially not about her past. She knew that any information she gave would be used against her, twisted and manipulated to tighten his hold on her.
Virgil raised an eyebrow at her silence, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Silent treatment, is it? Do you think that will protect you? Do you think I don't already know what I need to?" His voice dropped to a whisper, cold and cutting. "I know more than you think, kitten. You can't hide from me."
Akita remained mute, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her defiance only seemed to amuse Virgil further. He chuckled softly, the sound devoid of warmth. "You have spirit, I'll give you that," he mused, his tone almost admiring. "But how long can you keep this up? How long until you break?"
The carriage jolted as it hit a bump in the road, and Akita's gaze snapped back to Virgil. His eyes were locked onto hers, a dark intensity burning within them. There was a cruel glint in his gaze, a promise of pain and punishment if she continued to defy him.
He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know, I could make this easy for you," he said casually, as if discussing the weather. "All you have to do is submit. Give up this foolish resistance, and I might be inclined to show you some mercy." His eyes darkened, the smirk fading from his lips. "But if you continue to defy me, I will break you. Slowly, painfully, until there's nothing left of that fiery spirit of yours."
Akita's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to let her fear show. She met his gaze head-on, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and defiance. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. Not now, not ever.
Virgil's expression hardened, his amusement replaced with cold fury. He leaned forward abruptly, his face inches from hers. "You will answer me, Akita," he hissed, his voice low and menacing. "Or I will make you."
For a moment, the carriage was filled with nothing but the sound of their breathing, the tension between them palpable. Then, without warning, Virgil grabbed Akita's chin, forcing her to look at him. His grip was firm, his fingers digging into her skin. She winced but refused to look away.
"You think you're strong," he whispered, his voice dangerously soft. "You think you can resist me. But you don't know who you're dealing with. I will break you, kitten, and I will enjoy every moment of it."
With a sudden, vicious shove, he released her, sending her stumbling back against the carriage wall. Akita gasped, her hand flying to her chin where his fingers had left red marks. She glared at him, her eyes filled with hatred. But Virgil only smirked, pleased with the reaction he had elicited.
He settled back into his seat, the smirk never leaving his face. "You have a choice, Akita," he said, his tone almost bored. "You can continue this futile resistance, and I will make your life a living hell. Or you can submit and save yourself a great deal of pain."
Akita said nothing, her chest heaving with anger and fear. She knew what he wanted, but she wouldn't give it to him. Not yet. She had to bide her time, find a way to escape. But the longer she stayed silent, the more dangerous Virgil became.
He sighed, as if disappointed. "Very well," he said, his voice cold. "Have it your way. But know this, Akita—I am not a patient man. You will submit, one way or another. And when you do, it will be on my terms, not yours."
Hours passed, the silence in the carriage growing heavy. Akita's thoughts were a chaotic swirl of fear, anger, and desperation. She knew she had to bide her time, to wait for the right moment. Virgil's manor lay ahead, a place she knew nothing about. But whatever awaited her there, she would face it with the same unyielding strength that had kept her alive this long.
Virgil watched her with a predatory gleam in his eyes, his expression unreadable. He seemed to take pleasure in her suffering, in the knowledge that he held her fate in his hands. "Do you understand your place now?" he asked, his tone deceptively gentle. "You belong to me. And you will learn to obey, one way or another."
Akita remained silent, her mind screaming in protest even as her lips stayed pressed together. She would not give him the satisfaction of hearing her voice quiver with fear. She would endure, she would survive, and when the time was right, she would escape.
The carriage ride seemed endless, the landscape shifting from rolling hills to dense forests. Virgil's mansion loomed ahead, an imposing fortress against the darkening sky. As they approached the gates, Akita's heart sank. This place, this prison, would be her home for now. But she would not let it break her. From what she can tell his home was farther out, almost in the middle of no where. There was no kingdoms nor villages near by at all.
Virgil leaned back, his eyes never leaving her. "Welcome to your new home, Akita. I hope you enjoy your stay."
The carriage came to a stop, and the doors were flung open. Guards stood ready, their eyes cold and impassive. Akita was roughly pulled from the carriage, her chains clinking with every step. She glanced back at Virgil, his smug smile a reminder of the battle she faced.
As she was led through the gates, Akita's resolve hardened. She would endure whatever came next. She would find allies, gather her strength, and seize any opportunity for freedom. No matter how long it took, she would escape this place and reclaim her life. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but Akita was no stranger to adversity. Her spirit remained unbroken, her will as strong as steel. And one day, she would make Virgil pay for his arrogance.