The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the stone floors of the manor. Akita sat on a small stool in the corner of the library, surrounded by towering shelves filled with dusty tomes and leather-bound volumes. She had grown accustomed to the solitude of the room, finding comfort in the scent of aged paper and ink, even if she couldn't read the words within.
Virgil entered the library, his presence instantly filling the space with an air of authority. He approached her with purpose, his dark eyes narrowing as he took in her quiet demeanor.
"Read a page from this book," he commanded, thrusting a worn volume towards her.
Akita looked up, her heart racing. "I can't," she said firmly, shaking her head. The words felt like a rebellion against her circumstances, a declaration of her limitations.
Virgil's patience was thin, and he stepped closer, invading her personal space. Akita instinctively backed up until her back hit the cold stone wall, the chill seeping through her thin clothing. Virgil's fist punched the wall next to her head with a resounding thud, the force of it echoing in the quiet room.
Her gaze flicked to the wall, where a small hole was left from previous confrontations, a stark reminder of his temper. She swallowed hard, feeling trapped between his towering figure and the unforgiving wall behind her.
"Why won't you do as I say, kitten?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "What's wrong? Can't you read?" His tone dripped with a mixture of frustration and something akin to curiosity.
Akita felt a flush of anger and shame rise to her cheeks. The truth of her education hit her like a cold wave. She had spent most of her years in the slave estate, where learning was a privilege afforded only to those deemed worthy. Women, especially those of her background, were rarely given the opportunity for proper education. The weight of her inadequacy pressed heavily on her, making her feel small and vulnerable under his gaze.
Virgil leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming as he loomed over her small frame. The heat radiated from him, and Akita felt a mix of fear and defiance stirring within her. She met his gaze, trying to convey her strength even as her heart raced in her chest.
Suddenly, Virgil reached out, his hand grabbing hers and intertwining their fingers. Akita's breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him, her pulse quickening. His face was inches away from hers, the intensity of his gaze making it hard to breathe.
His lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine as he whispered, "Your blood smells like rosebud."
Before she could process the weight of his words, he continued, "You have a lot to learn, Akita. Your ignorance will bite back at you if you don't change." The seriousness in his tone made her heart pound harder.
Akita's anger bubbled up, but she struggled to find her voice. "You don't understand—" she began, but Virgil interrupted her.
"Understand what? That you've been coddled in your ignorance?" He stepped back slightly, still holding her hand but allowing her some space. "You need to realize that knowledge is power, and without it, you will always be weak."
His words resonated within her, stirring a mix of emotions. She wanted to argue, to push back against the harshness of his truth, but deep down, she knew he was right. The world around her was vast, and the lack of knowledge was a chain that bound her to her current life.
"I want to learn," she admitted finally, her voice softer than she intended. "But it's not that simple. I never had the chance—"
Virgil cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Excuses won't get you anywhere. Starting now, you will learn to read. I will teach you myself if I have to." His eyes held a fierce determination, a promise that he would not let her remain stagnant. Her making excuses only angered him, did he pick a useless slave after all.
Akita's heart raced at the thought of being taught by him. She wanted to argue, to push against the reality of her situation, but the sincerity in his gaze held her captive. Maybe this was an opportunity she couldn't afford to reject. Though in the back of her mind she had to be strong one slip up and he could take advantage of her. Right now she was nothing more than a slave but out in the forest she was a warrior a tribal girl who longed to go home to where she belonged
"Alright," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try."
Virgil released her hand, stepping back but maintaining an intense gaze. "You'll do more than try, Akita. You'll succeed. I won't accept failure."
As he moved away to select a book from the shelf, Akita felt a strange mix of emotions swirling within her—fear, anger, but also a flicker of hope. Maybe this was the beginning of something new. Perhaps, under Virgil's watchful eye, she could reclaim parts of herself that had been lost for so long.
Hours passed, and Akita's fear turned to exhaustion. Her eyes burned from the strain, her voice hoarse from repeating the same lines over and over. Virgil's patience was wearing thin, his frustration evident in every curt correction and harsh rebuke.
Finally, as dawn began to break, Virgil stood up, his expression a mixture of anger and disappointment. "You're hopeless," he said coldly. "Get out of my sight."
Akita stumbled to her feet, her body aching and her spirit broken. She left the study, her mind numb from the ordeal. As she made her way back to her quarters, she couldn't shake the image of Virgil's brutal side from her mind. The man who had shown her moments of kindness was gone, replaced by a master who demanded obedience and perfection.
The journey would be difficult, filled with challenges she hadn't anticipated. But as she watched him flip through the pages of a book, she realized that the struggle would be worth it. She was determined to prove not only to Virgil but to herself that she was capable of more than she had ever believed.