Man is wolf to man
~Platus, Asinaria (circa 200 BCE)
***
"You there," a voice barked, earning Ravenna's attention away from the pit. Her face was wrapped in dirt, and not even her dress was spared.
It was yet another morning in the capital, Ebonridge, and at the castle as the scourge. Thankfully, the soup from last night helped strengthen a few sullen muscles of hers and eliminated the fever. Nonetheless, she was still attacked by the slight pang of headache.
Ravenna arrived at dawn, earlier than her usual time shift, and was met with tons of dirty places. The pit was worse than how she'd left it.
Maybe this was her retribution, she thought. It was better off than facing the Ashwraithe's. However, she arrived a few minutes ago only to be distracted by a male's hoarse voice.
But the next sentence added a weight on her chest, one she dreaded most. "Lady Alethea and Princess Sophia summon you. Now."
Ravenna blinked, and her heart stuttered wildly when he informed her. Deep down, she prayed to escape their preying eyes and was convinced luck was on her side when the morning moved smoothly as usual, yet, a displeased voice shattered her wishful thinking.
"Me?" She rasped, wiping her hands on her apron, though it did little to clean them.
"Yes, you. See to yourself," His voice sounded displeased like this was the last place he wanted to be.
She stood quickly, brushing dust and soap from her skirts, and her shoulders instinctively hunched.
Ravenna reached for the ragged shawl that hung from a nearby hook and wrapped it tight around her shoulders. It was an old habit, though it offered no real protection.
Concluding her duty and reorganizing herself, she followed suit.
The guard had already turned, his armor glinting bright at the cast of sunlight, striding ahead without offering further explanation. She hurried to follow, her steps echoing softly behind his heavier ones. However, his robust build made her feel tiny and almost invisible.
They passed through the Servants' Wing first, before the east courtyard and into the covered colonnade where the sunlight dappled through arched stonework into mosaic tiles.
Noblewomen in silks passed without sparing her a glance but she could feel their disgust the moment she passed by. It almost made her crawl, and if not for the summoning which felt like the death penalty, Ravenna would've disappeared.
She simply kept her gaze on the floor.
The path led them to a vast garden, where the flowers bloom like heaven and the fragrance smelled like grace. It was a lovely sight, all serene with the aura of highborns.
It was a place few servants saw for long, although only the privileged were permitted beyond the lower hedge, and as for Ravenna, she couldn't help but gasp at its beauty for the first time.
Butterflies dispersed the garden like moths, and the insect's music replenished the air. For the second time, it looked like heaven.
The feeling made her feel 'not among the world' and unconsciously, she brought her nose to her armpit, taking note of the intoxicating smell oozing from her.
Her face scrunched at her body odor. Urgh, she needed a bath.
Finally, they stopped but the guard waved her forward, and Ravenna stepped into a world soaked in amber light and perfumed air.
Lady Alethea, in her frost-laced gray gown, sat like a statue of pale marble, her chin lifted and expression razor-thin. Beside her, seated upon an iron bench carved with dragons, was Princess Sophia. Her golden hair was coiled like sunlit snakes and her eyes were sharp and amused. She was younger than her cousin Alethea but far crueler.
Beside Princess Sophia, seated a man dressed in his finely tailored robe. She recognized him. It was Lord Archibald. Rumors have it that he has been ogling Princess Sophia since day one, and even plans on courting her. But others say he was referred to as their 'puppet'.
Even seated, one would notice how tall and good-looking he was. Endowed with clean platinum blonde almost covers most of his face, enchanting brown eyes, and a mischievous smile one might mistake for gentleness.
Once or twice, Ravenna caught a vein pop in his forehead as his jaw ticked unconsciously, only to vanish the next second. If one looked closer, one would notice the slight discomfort emanating from the young Lord. Whatever the Lady and the Princess talked about bored him and his facade was almost slipping. Ravenna wondered how long he would cope before crashing out.
"-previous balls. He is quite an outstanding young man, however, I might have caught a thing or two from the wind that he's got gold buried under his alcove," Lady Alethea spoke in enthusiasm, occasionally giggling at every word.
"Who knows? It's only rumors but I'm very aware of how wealthy he is and sometimes do wonder where exactly his wealth is kept," Princess Sophia reacted. "Didn't you mention he asked you out?"
"He did," A blush crept up her face when she mentioned. "There were several outstanding women at the ball yesterday. You needed to see how his eyes were on mine the whole time. I might have gotten a few jealous birds when he took me to the dance floor,"
Ravenna wanted to roll her eyes.
Princess Sophia chuckled softly. "A few or many? Lady Bridget almost choked when she saw you both. A typical reaction for a fat human waiting for her Prince Charming to pick her up,"
Lady Alethea made an ugly face before putting up the ugliest one. To Ravenna, of course. "She's such an irony. In her wildest dream would she think Lord Belingham would spare her a glance with her pot belly," and she scoffed. "I do wonder what to unravel for my date tomorrow. The golden? Ivory? Black? Red? Pale blue?" None, Ravenna thought. Then her eyes widened at her what-sypposed-to-be an innocuous thought. "I hear he fancies red. Do you think I'll look good on Red, Lord Archibald,"
Oh please, Ravenna scoffed inwardly.
At the mention of his name, the young Lord feigned a charming smile. "You look good in everything, milady. He's such a perfect match for your aesthetic. If I may, from the sound of it, you both would make a perfect couple,"
Was it just her or did that sound like a practiced speech? Ravenna! She scolded herself. Laughter almost squirmed up her throat and she quickly composed herself.
As expected, Lady Alethea's cheek turned pink. "That's very kind of you, Lord Archibald," she said. "I'll leave it to red then. And oh…" Her voice rose a bit as it seemed she remembered something. "I'll need to get the seamstress working on my dress right away… What's that smell?"
Ravenna seized a breath when she noticed her gaze shift towards her direction and seemed to attract the others' attention too.
Neither rose as she froze in position, quickly lowering her gaze but their intimidating stare peered through her skin raising all the hairs in her body.
"Well," Lady Alethea said, inspecting her nails. "The castle's thief arrives. Or should I say, the traitor's breed. How quaint."
Ravenna bowed her head in courtesy before speaking. "You summoned me, my lady." Her voice was soft and unharmed, yet one could notice the crack in it.
"I did," Princess Sophia said, as all traces of the once-kind and amused princess faded into thin air. What was left was a distaste for one girl. "And yet you look as though you crawled out of a midden heap. Gods, do you always smell of lye and pig's fat?"
Lady Alethea fanned her face with a sour expression. "She smells worse than that. Servants find it displeasing to use cleanliness and abhor minor deodorants. Look at that. I can't stand this smell. Shoo," She flicked her hand, a sign Ravenna acknowledged and she moved back. Although, she already kept a clean amount of distance from them.
A flicker of something, perhaps hurt or defiance, passed through Ravenna's chest, but she only whispered, "Forgive me, Highness. I was scrubbing the floor."
Lady Alethea gave a false gasp. "Scrubbing? How appropriate. That suits your blood better than silk or scent."
"She wouldn't know what to do with silk if you wrapped her in it," Princess Sophia added with a laugh. "But seems more professional in picking dirt and licking shit. I heard from Martha that you skipped your duty for a week,"
Ravenna's heart drummed furiously against her chest, retaining a demure posture but her pulse drummed like a warning bell in her ears. "This lowly one apologizes for her tardiness. I was unwell and-" Ravenna was interrupted before another word left her mouth.
And it was no other than Lady Alethea. "When aren't you sick, you pig. When you can't even take a proper bath and wash off your ugly face. Yet you dare give a lame excuse just so you can escape your duty for the second time."
"Second time?" It was Princess Sophia's turn to question, glancing between the servant and her cousin. "How don't I know about this?"
With a soft voice, "I didn't want to bother you, Sophia," and then she glared fire and ice at the poor girl. "I had things under control,"
Ravenna could taste the hatred like a bitter leaf in her mouth and she swallowed what tasted like salt down her throat.
"Forgive me, Your Highness-"
"Father should know about this. I'll go inform mother," Princess Sophia's words held resolution and finality that Ravenna paled but Lady Alethea cut in.
"This should be the least of their problems, Sophia. You wouldn't want to bother the King and Her Grace with a worthless piece of information," Lady Alethea spoke sense, eyeing Ravenna from head to toe. "We handle this one,"
Princess Sophia's heated gaze bored deep holes in Ravenna's skin and she cowered slightly in dread.
"I'm sure scrubbing the castle's most filthy area is one of your favorite things to do, and so, I have another I trust you'd love," There was no trace of warmth in her words, nor smile on her face when she said.
Ravenna dared not look above. Here it comes.
"Lord Archibald," Princess Sophia called, gaining the Lord's attention.
His eyes were as bright as the stars when she mustered. "Yes, milady," He answered with all the warmth and love one would ever wish for. But not the Princess.
"What do you suggest we do about the stain on your shoe?"
The sudden question confused the young man's eyes, and his brows knitted in puzzlement.
Peering below, he noticed the dried dirt stained at his left shoe and his face soured in embarrassment. Must've been the road, he thought. "M-My apologies, Milady. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable with one of your nemesis. I'll get it cleaned right away,"
"How about you let the rag here do the honor of preening your shoe. I'm sure you'll find that convenient than returning to Velmora,"
Lord Archibald turned speechless, but regained his voice the next second. He wasn't planning on returning to Velmora to get his shoe cleaned when he could do that here.
But the Princess didn't expect that, and suggested a far better option. Whatever would gain her attention, he thought.
His eyes fell on Ravenna and frowned. "Sure, Milady. It'd be convenient enough,"
"But I'm afraid her smell might overwhelm you. I hope you wouldn't mind covering your nose for a moment," She looked at him with a smile too good to be real and he returned an opposite gesture.
"You worry too much about my well-being which warms my heart, Milady, and I am grateful for. Whatever pleases you, pleases me," he said, almost in the same practised speech Ravenna presumed.
How long did he have to cram all those?
Ravenna felt a cold bucket of water splashing her body the moment Princess Sophia issued an order.
"Since you have no idea what excuses to pull off with, wipe the stain off his shoe, rag. Don't keep my guest waiting," the warmth in her tone withered into coldness as she warned.
Ravenna moved forward almost immediately, falling to her knees before him. All eyes focused on her, both from the passerby servants and the spectators present.
It would've been embarrassing if it were the first time, but Ravenna had experienced worse than this in her entire life. Deep down, she prayed this would be the end but all her hope was far gone.
She had long accepted that her fate was sealed here. At their disposal.
Lord Archibald stared at the servant before him, and he made use of the kerchief in his pocket, before stretching his left leg, bearing his polished shoe foisted by a mere stain.
This would cost quite a fortune, a voice rang out inside her head and she blinked, shaking the thought off her.
She was met with its fine appearance glinting in the sunlight before her. Common sense already whispered the warning of 'DO NOT TOUCH', locking another wave of thought.
Dragging the hem of her dress, she fetched it towards his shoe only to be stopped by a stern voice.
"Not your rag," Lady Alethea frowned, her words punctuating the disgust. "Make use of your tongue,"
***