Fatima: The Slave Princess

That sly wench dared to seduce Dimitriu right under my nose. It's been three weeks now both the crown prince and him have been leaving the dinner table without finishing their meals. I had them tailed, only to discover they were eating with these filthy rats every night. Now she managed to weasel her way back into this mansion by using him. I will not stand for this.

"Summon Dimitriu to the tearoom immediately."

"Yes, your grace."

"The rest of you, make haste, and take care of this mess on the floor."

I lost my temper, and broke one of my favorite tea sets, yet again. That girl will pay for this.

"As you command, madam."

+++++

According to the young master, I am to report to his study from morning to noon, and my task is to clean and organize his paperwork and bookshelves. In the little time that I began sorting the books, I already completed one whole bookshelf. I must say, I'm enjoying this far too much. It's not every day that I get to be in the presence of my two favorite things. Even though I couldn't see his face, his dazzling beauty was still shining through the pile of documents on his desk.

"Shall we take a break?"

His clear, round spectacles contoured his well-defined sunken eyes. When did he put those on? He was shocked to see how fast I had managed to finish the task while we engaged in a conversation about storybooks. Suddenly, a foolish thought emerged in my mind. What are the odds that he would fall in love with me? And how would I react if such a miracle happened between us?

"Pardon the intrusion, my Lord." announced a maid from behind the door.

"Speak!" he replied curtly.

"Her grace has requested your presence in the tearoom, my lord."

+++++

"Fatiiii! You have returned safely! How was it?" exclaimed Clover, scurrying towards me with her arms wide open.

Soon after the maid's notice, I was told to leave. I had hoped to spend a little more time with him, but I suppose it can't be helped.

"Have you seen Sir Nate? I haven't run into him all day."

"His hi-I mean he hasn't been here all morning. We thought he was with you and the young master the entire time." pondered Ivy.

Where could he possibly be?

"Have you two eaten? Come, I brought you some treats I received from a secret friend." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around their necks.

As expected, they were hungry. Ever since Sir Nate started to bring us groceries out of the blue, we've stopped eating the spoiled food they normally send us. We still have some leftover groceries so we should be fine for the time being.

+++++

 "I don't understand, mother."

"I believe you heard me loud and clear, Dimitriu. That thing is never to set foot inside this mansion ever again. If you require assistance that badly, I will take it upon myself to find you the best aid in the region. Understood?"

Duchess Gwendolynn Kartier, formerly known as Gwendolynn Hertzman, eldest sister of Marquis Victor Hertzman. She was the spoiled daughter of the Hertzman household from birth. As a result of her charismatic and ebullient personality, high society placed her on a pedestal at a very young age. And as she grew older, so widened her influence in all of Alkaraz.

My mother passed away right after giving birth to me, which left my father devastated. As a result, he took it upon himself to raise me on his own. However, a few years later, rumors of my father's involvement with an illegitimate daughter of count Thomas began to circulate the empire. They have been seen together on various occasions, which would always end up in the tabloids because of my father's position as the prime heir of the Kartier duchy.

However, six months later, his love interest suddenly disappeared without a trace. My father, who was on the verge of proposing to her, was yet again left heartbroken until a marriage proposal was suddenly brought up by my late grandfather. With his position as the only successive heir, he was forced to marry Gwendolynn, the eldest daughter of count Hertzman, who was three years older than him at the time.

"Dimitriu! Are you listening to me?" she scowled while raising her teacup to her lips.

"Yes, mother, you have my full attention."

"Will you do as you're told for once?"

"That I cannot do, mother, as I am in dire need of assistance and cannot wait for the entire process of hiring an aide." I replied nonchalantly as I continued to sip the tea.

"What else can an illiterate slave do for you besides cleaning?"

She thinks Fati is illiterate?

"Fair point mother, but you do not get to decide who I choose to help me. However, you may lay your worries to rest, mother. I will personally ensure that she does not interfere in your affairs while she frequents this mansion." I responded calmly as I rose from my seat.

Though she was seething in anger, she swallowed her pride and drew a smile on her face. As I left the tearoom, I could hear the clattering noises of teacups being shattered against the door behind me. My dear stepmother must be furious since she's used to dealing with nitwits and pushovers who lack the backbone to defy her. I was one of those too until I realized who I was dealing with. That charismatic, fun, and virtuous personality of hers was nothing more than a persona she herself devised to hide her true nature.

~Five Days Later

I've endured so much these past few days that I'm no longer motivated to report to duty in the young master's study. As pleasant as it is to be around him are all the more painful the consequences.

"What's the matter, princess? Why are you screaming this early in the morning?"

One day, a diamond necklace suddenly went missing from the young mistress' jewelry box…

"My diamond necklace has disappeared! Mother, my precious necklace is gone! Whatever shall I do? That necklace cost a fortune!"

By the commotion they made, one would think she lost a limb. A search was promptly conducted and within the day, the necklace was miraculously found inside my bed sheets in the stables. As such, it was decided that two of my fingers were to be severed as punishment. However, the young master intercepted just in time, thus, my penalty was reduced to thirty flogs on my bare back. When I attempted to defend myself, I was chastised even more and am now labeled as a thief. No one believed me when I retorted that I didn't steal anything. That is, no one besides the young masters and my friends Ivy and Clover.

"I'm sorry Fati, I failed to protect you."

That night, I wept and fell asleep in young master Dimitriu's arms as he tried to console me. I suppose one good thing came out of this horrible ordeal. Since my healing had become even stronger, the wounds on my back disappeared that same night. However, I had to feign sickness to keep it a secret. It's enough that Sir Nate is now aware of my healing abilities.

Speaking of which, Sir Nate has been gone without a single word for five days now. For some odd reason, we keep receiving groceries every day, like clockwork. When I asked the young master, he simply shrugged and said he did not know where he went. How is he unaware of his own employee's whereabouts?

"'Little Bird by the Window'" I mumbled to myself as I picked up a small book from the shelf.

"What did you just say?" queried a familiar voice from behind me.

I let out a loud gasp as the book slipped from my grasp and fell with a loud thud. When I turned my head, Sir Nate was standing there with his hands tucked into his pockets. Did he hear me read that out loud? Moreover, what is that book doing here, of all places?

"Pick it up!" he scowled icily.

"P-pardon?"

Pick up what? What's he so upset about this time? Did he come all the way to the library to pick a fight with me?

"You dropped my book. So, pick it up."

Oh, that's what he meant.

"Ah yes, my apologies Sir Nate-wait what?! This book is yours?" I jolted while frantically scooping the book off the floor.

Where did he procure such a book. If my memory serves me, only ten copies were distributed since its initial launch. And that was years ago.

"Welcome back Sir Nate." I grinned awkwardly as I extended the book over to him.

Asking him about the book now would probably lead to something else. He doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk to anyone right now.

"I see you've been doing well despite the recent events."

News travels fast in this mansion I see…

"The young master has now allowed me to roam his entire quarters at my leisure. He also took it upon himself to be my escort every day, therefore, I can't complain."

If you keep smiling like that, I might accidentally snap his neck in two during our sparring session today. The ordeal you went through under his watch isn't something you can simply brush off. You may have been able to heal your physical wounds but, what will you do about the psychological burden that was imposed on you? Countless nights I found myself lying restless listening to your agonizing groans as you wake from yet another nightmare.

"What are you doing?"

"Lower your head, will you? You are needlessly tall for my liking. You're even taller than the young master. Good grief!"

The sight of her flailing to reach my head was oddly satisfying to behold. How cute…

"Did you just whack my forehead?"

"Keep frowning like that and your face will turn into an old wrinkly potato."

Now that I think about it, a scowling old and wrinkly potato with blazing red hair sounds quite hilarious. As I pictured it in my head, I could not stop myself from laughing. Sir Nate was perplexedly staring at me, bewildered by my brash actions.

My heart suddenly felt light as a feather for some reason.

+++++

"Y-your grace! Her highness Princess Emilia has just been spotted in the city. It seems she's heading this way."

"What?!"