Chapter 3

Psy-Vamps.

I couldn’t sleep well that night. My dreams were filled with images of suffering. Josiah and his family were the ones suffering. Their filthy house, the ragged clothes. It was too much for a sheltered mind However, I fell asleep soon after, though my mind was buzzing with gruesome images.

As the Sun rose, though the Ghoul Realm couldn’t see it through the thick clouds, the maid, a Psy-Vamp girl named Hester, strolled through the halls of the Noble Palace. She knocked on the wooden door. “It’s almost time for breakfast,” She called out.

I got out of bed and leafed through my closet, looking for something decent to wear. I picked out a brown dress and laid it on my bed. I slowly slipped on my corset, lacing it as tightly as possible, but not as much as Beatrice did. I wanted a little room to breathe. Then I slipped on the brown dress, put on my stockings, and then my shoes. I exited my room for the dining room.

I passed Nathaniel in the hallway. “Well, we already have a date for your wedding,” he remarked. I felt like I was going to throw up. “In three weeks.” I felt even more nauseous. I utterly despised Benedict and I didn’t want to end up with him for the rest of my existence. I entered the dining room and glanced at the bowl of porridge placed in front of my usual spot. I sat down and picked up my spoon. The cook, a Psy-Vamp, caught the count’s eye. “Well, Martha, you and Hester may go now. There’s a few peasants I want you to torture. The Jones family.”

“As you wish, my lord,” Martha said. She and Hester exited the palace, off to carry out the count’s demands.

I silently ate my porridge, too miserable for words. They already arranged the date and in a few days, I’ll come face to face with my future husband, a man I haven’t even approved of. These were circumstances beyond my control. It was tradition to arrange marriages for Aristocratic youth. My parents were big into following tradition.

Elizabeth stood against the doorway, arms crossed. “What is the status of the building project in the Helot village? I hope it is finished soon.” She asked her husband. I dropped my spoon into my bowl discreetly. I couldn’t let Elizabeth know about what Josiah told me.

“Well, the chief architect told me yesterday that the construction is going as planned,” Nathaniel replied, tying his long brown hair in a ponytail. “Don’t worry, my dear, you’ll get your gift soon.”

Elizabeth smiled, which was rare for a woman of her personality. “Excellent.” She gave a slight giggle. I had to tell Josiah when I had the chance. He had to know that Elizabeth ordered the construction of that mysterious building. What purpose was the building? Why did Elizabeth want it so badly? I restarted my porridge, but the information was too much for my mind. I knew Elizabeth was a sadist. She often had her servants kidnap Helots for her torturing pleasure. Her husband also joined in the sessions. I wasn’t present, but I had the unfortunate luck of sleeping in the room directly above their torture chamber. The screaming and the mad laughing gave me horrible nightmares.

I finished my breakfast, trying my best to be courteous. I lay my spoon inside the bowl and exited, anxious to tell Josiah. I ran down the mountain steps, gasping for breath. Wearing a corset wasn’t helping a bit. My lungs needed more air. When I finally made it, I spotted Hester and Martha torturing a thin Helot woman with red hair hidden under a white scarf. She wore a ragged gray dress with multiple patches. “Resistance movement, eh?” Hester asked, raising a black eyebrow. “Sorry, Bess, but there’ll be no rebellion.”

“Surely you jest!” Bess replied. “I had nothing to do with them.” She backed away, her back brushing against a brick wall. “Please, don’t hurt me.”

“We want evidence!” Hester replied, extending her hand. “Give it up or we’ll torch your house.” She produced a book of matches.

From where I was standing, I could see the beads of sweat trickle down Bess’s face. Bess was a strong woman; I admired her resilience after her husband died. She took over his shoemaking business, though it didn’t really make any money because no Favored or Aristocrat would dare buy anything made by Helot hands. Here she was, fearing for her life.

Bess gave Hester a slip of paper. “Here! Just don’t damage my home.” The two Psy-Vamps left. Bess gave a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness they’re gone” Only then did she notice my presence. “Mercy, you here to visit Josiah again?” I nodded, remembering my manners.

“I have information for him about the construction of the mysterious building,” I replied.

“Just tell me and I’ll relay it to him,” Bess suggested.

I took a deep breath and revealed the information. “Countess Elizabeth is involved in the construction. I think her husband intends it as a gift for her.”

Bess gasped, raising a hand to her mouth. “Really?” I nodded.