When someone hits you, hit back.
That's what my aunt once said after I got yelled at by the family in the house. It wasn't the best advice an adult could give to a child, but at the time, it made me feel better. I used to imagine scenarios where I hit someone back—hard. Of course, that was the kind of thinking that could make someone cruel, but I hadn't known that then.
Now I'd been hit by the second son of the Eboncrest family, and I couldn't even get up to defend myself, let alone hit back.
I felt my stiff body press weakly against something hard. For a moment, it almost felt like I was back in my servant's room. I had been assigned to deliver breakfast to the lord—had I? No… I hadn't. Instead, I'd triggered something in him, and he'd snapped. He beat me. I was probably going to be thrown out of the manor. Not that it mattered anymore. After that beating, I was done anyway.
I opened my eyes, but the pain made me shut them again. I had forgotten that he hit my left eye too. Was he going to do this every time I was around him? I could barely breathe after the punches. I parted my lips to take a deep breath, but only a groan came out.
No... it felt like I was lying on something—or someone.
"Why?" I struggled to speak. "You hit me?" I asked, almost like I'd dreamed it. "Why?"
I wanted to know if it was because I'd done something wrong or if he simply detested the sight of me. People didn't just hurt others without a reason—unless they were beasts. He certainly acted like one. But I still wanted to know why.
I groaned again. It didn't matter. He wasn't normal.
I got up slowly, holding onto anything I could to stay upright. My clothes were stained with blood. My cheek was swollen, my back ached, and my legs were limp. My stomach tightened as I finally sat up. I wiped the blood from my lips and the tears from my throbbing eye.
"You haven't answered me, my lord," I said, keeping my tone formal despite everything. I wasn't the type to give up so easily. I had to try.
I noticed the tray lying on the same spot I'd dropped it. Don't leave the room with untouched food, got it. Some of it still looked okay. Might as well make use of it. I crawled toward the food and picked it up.
No—I was definitely not going to let this bastard hit me again without a fight. If he wasn't going to obey, I'd make him.
"You didn't want to eat it, did you?" I asked without looking at him. I wasn't someone who threw food away just because I didn't feel like eating. I was sure I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
"I see… I'm sorry I persisted too much, huh? I'll try to stop. But feeding you is my duty, so I can't help but force you to eat."
I got up with a grunt as my body stung with every movement. I sat right in front of him to show I wasn't afraid anymore.
"Eat," I said. I handed him the plate. It felt cold now. The croissant that had once looked golden and delicious was now unappetizing.
"It's super good, I promise!" I insisted. "Here, let me show you. Mmm, it's good." I took a bite. "Now your turn," I pressed, almost shoving the food at him.
He hesitated.
That's when I noticed how pale he looked. His blue eyes were bright but lifeless. He bit his bottom lip and clutched the hem of his shirt, eyes avoiding mine.
"Open your hand," I ordered. He didn't move. Stubborn as ever.
I leaned closer, and his eyes widened. He scooted back. "I said, open your hand," I repeated. I couldn't believe it—after all that beating, I was still trying to make him eat like nothing had happened.
I must've been out of my mind.
If it were anyone else, they would've left already. I gently grabbed his hand, trying not to provoke him again. He clenched it tightly, but I eventually managed to pry it open.
"Now eat it," I said, brushing his hair from his gorgeous, hidden face.
His puppy-like eyes stared back at me, glassy and full of something I couldn't name. My heart ached. Maybe I was being too pushy. But he was the one who beat me, who bruised my eye—there was no room for pity.
"See? It wasn't that bad, was it?" I asked.
He nodded and quickly covered his face again.
Still, I was glad I got him to eat—if only a little.
"You know, it would be great if you talked to me, my lord. Even just a bit, so I wouldn't feel like I'm talking to a wall." I laughed without humor.
Maybe he didn't like talking to people he just met, or maybe he wasn't sociable.
Four bites now.
I'd probably broken the record of how much anyone had gotten him to eat. I smiled at the thought—until pain wiped it off my face.
He chewed while looking down, then reached into my hand and took the food himself. I had hoped he'd eat like a normal person, but crumbs fell everywhere.
I gently wiped the corner of his mouth with my thumb, but he flinched. I pulled my hand back immediately.
"My apologies, my lord."
That might've been why he stopped eating. Either way, I couldn't make him eat more now. I stood up and made my way out.
As I shut the door, I glanced back one last time. He didn't move. Didn't blink. I couldn't even tell if he was breathing.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea. My god, look what he did to her!" Rael said hours later. After finishing his duties, like every other servant, he'd gotten ready to head to the quarters.
I'd spent the whole day with Lisa. The moment she saw me, she made me lie down and rest. She even had someone else take my place caring for Lord Caelvorn. I didn't complain. I made myself comfortable. After what happened, I didn't want to go back to that room.
"You thought?" I asked.
"Yes!" Rael shot back. "Weren't you the one who told Orin I broke a plate?"
In fact, Rael had been the one who made sure I got punished on my first day.
"Yeah, you were. And now you feel guilty? Since when did you start thinking it wasn't a good idea, huh?"
My mouth moved, but I winced from the pain in my lip.
Rael winced too, then gently covered my mouth, which only made it worse. I mumbled into his hand.
Flustered, he quickly pulled it away like it burned him.
He coughed. "As I was saying… I told Orin to punish you, yes. But I never suggested he put you with him."
I admired that about Rael—he still had respect for people in higher positions, even when they didn't deserve it.
"Even if you didn't, I still got punished because you opened your mouth," I muttered.
He looked hurt, then calmed. "Fine, blame me all you like."
Suddenly, he took my hand and wrapped it in his. He buried his face in my stomach and stayed there.
"You think you can just do that and I'll forgive you?" I asked.
He didn't reply. He just squeezed my hand tighter.
How could he still be so gentle and caring when I looked like a complete mess?
My stomach grumbled. I hadn't eaten since morning.
Rael chuckled. "You're hungry, Eva."
"No, really," I said dryly.
He looked up. "You're getting too comfortable with me. It's kind of weird," I teased.
"Funny, I thought you liked it when I'm like this."
I cringed. "Keep talking, and I'll punch you."
He laughed louder. "You? Punch me? With those bruised arms? Maybe, sweetheart. You should just let me stay like this."
He rested his head again, and somehow, his presence made the pain dull.
"You have a big head. My body hurts even more now."
"My bad. I'll get up. You smell like herbs."
I sniffed my clothes. He was right.
Lisa stood at the door with a tray of green tea and who knew what other herbs. She was the closest thing to a doctor in this manor.
She froze at the sight of Rael resting against me. Her knuckles turned white around the tray.
Rael looked up, and his expression shifted too. He straightened his uniform quickly.
The air turned heavy.
"Hey," I said, trying to ease the tension.
"I brought you some tea," she said, breaking eye contact with Rael and looking at me.
"Thank you, Lis," I smiled awkwardly.
"I should… get going." Rael quickly passed her and shut the door behind him.
Lisa looked down and sighed.
"You should drink, eat, and head to your room before the sun goes down," she said with a forced smile.
"I see. I'll go now then."
She nodded, but before she left, she looked at me and said, "Oh, and good job."
"Huh? Good job on what?"
"You were the only one who got him to eat anything."
So I had broken the record. Though I wasn't sure if that success meant anything.
"And about that," she pointed to my swollen cheek, then the other bruises. "I spoke to Orin. You'll get a week to rest before going back to Lord Caelvorn."
That was at least something.
"Sorry about your first day. We weren't expecting Lord Caelvorn to… do that."
"It wasn't your fault. And he's not normal," I replied.
"Neither are you," she said softly, then left.
Somehow, it felt like I was getting somewhere. Even if it was just my first day.
The night air felt cool as I opened the kitchen door. Like ice against my bruises. I limped along the path to the servant quarters. By now, even Rael would be asleep. I grabbed a lantern and headed to my room—my safe space.
No lights in the manor. No lights in his room.
I didn't care. I just needed rest.
Then I heard something from the room I'd been in earlier.
Another restless night for Lord Caelvorn.
How many days had he gone without sleep? Without food? Without warmth?
When was the last time he saw his family?
Too many questions.
Not enough answers.