It takes me three hours and fifteen minutes, but I finally get the last of the dragon scale out of my back. I soak myself in the healing mixture so the aching reduces. I have an hour to relax before I have to help master with the accounts, and I make good use of it. I soak in a rose and lavender bath with sandalwood oil candles around.
The soothing aroma envelops me, and I feel the tension slowly ebb away. As the warmth of the water cradles my tired body, my thoughts drift to the events of the day. The dragon scale removal was arduous, but the relief I feel now is worth every painstaking moment. I close my eyes, letting the gentle flicker of candlelight dance across my eyelids, and savor the tranquility.
Eventually, the need to attend to my duties nudges me back to reality. With a reluctant sigh, I rise from the bath, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the accounts. Master relies on my meticulous attention to detail, and I take pride in ensuring everything is in order. In a way, I find it quite entertaining too. As I dress, I mentally prepare for the task ahead, not from the tediousness of the task itself but from the stress of facing Master again. One look at me, and he would see right through my act, and if not, the high turtle neck, long sleeve shirt and long skirt would give me away.
I take a deep breath, hoping the lingering scent of lavender clings to me, providing a sense of calm as I walk towards the study. I knock on the heavy doors. He said come in but I struggled to open the door, my body feels better but it's still too weak. The door opens and I come face to face with master. He takes one look at me and guilt fills his eyes, he doesn't say anything but steps aside for me to enter before closing the door behind me. I step into the familiar study lined with shelves filled with ledgers and scrolls, each one a testament to the meticulous record-keeping that Master values so highly. The large oak desk is already piled with papers, and I know that my evening will be spent sorting through them, ensuring that every transaction is accounted for.
I walk further into the room and begin sorting out the different accounts, master joins me and for hours we work in silence, the ticking of the grandfather clock on the wall and the stroke of our pens on paper being the only sound that fills the room.
"Sorry" master says. I nod preferring to avoid this conversation but master insist," I know my family is a bit eccentric especially with their treatment to slaves, so I really appreciate your patience in treating them". I smile, master never seems to stop surprising me, when I think he can't become greater in my eyes, he proves me wrong by doing things like this .
"you need not apologize for them Master", I let out a small chuckle, " I am but a slave to you and your family, I am not worth your apology". "Nonsense Feria, you are more than just a slave to me".
I blush at his statement and silence returns. A question fills my mind but I don't ask as it's not my place to ask. I bite my tongue hard to prevent the question from slipping out. I try my best to focus at the task at hand but the questions bugs me more and more.
" just ask, I won't mind"
I frown but don't ask how master knows, I have come to learn that Master is more perseptive than he lets out. " how long would they be here?"
The door flies open and lady Gemar, steps in, hands on hips she asks," how does it matter to you?"
I get up from where I'm seated, bowing my head gently as a sign of respect, " for the other slaves Mistress, since I am my master's slave, it is my responsibility to take care of the slaves while they stay under his roof, I must ensure they know the hospitality of my master while they are here"
"Kayik, you are too lenient with your slave, how can she sit on a seat" she says, I clench my jaw and tighten my hands around my skirt, to prevent myself from speaking back to her. Master must have noticed this cause he says, " Feria, could you give us a minute, I'll call you back once I'm done" . I nod and walk away, I still struggle to open the door so master gets up and helps me out.
I stand next to the door while waiting. They speak quite loudly inside, especially the mistress so I overhear everything she says.
" This is another reason you need a lady in this house, what would people think if they see your slave sitting beside you like some equal" she starts,
"that's why this is my private study, mother, and can you please not bring up this issue again, I thought we already decided things "
"I have to son, I have to if you refuse to take me seriously, this house is clearly lacking something, and we both know it's a lady "
Where is all this lady talk coming from, I'm I missing something here? Master never mentioned his intentions about getting married.
Master says something I can't hear and his mother replies with, " it's because of her, isn't it?"
"not everything leads back to Feria mother "
"Just admit it son, you love her"
I gasp. I don't hear master's reply cause all that rings in my ears are her words, " just admit it son, you love her " . I feel like laughing, so this is why she hates me so much, she thinks her son loves me. A giggle might have slipped out while I think about it, as if, it is impossible for a master to love a slave as it is impossible for a slave to feel love for her master. It's like humans falling in love with dogs, and I'm not talking about the love of an owner for a pet, I'm talking about real love.
If master's mother cannot differentiate between kindness and love them she is a bigger fool than I expected .