Page 14 of The Dark Elf's Secret Twins

Casting a glance over my shoulder, I spot Lykan beside the VIP table, looking down at the ground as if in shame. I’d given him shit in the past for coming to my aid when I didn't need it, but by the gods I wish now more than ever there was something he could have done to stop all this. Alas, even a security guard is powerless in this equation.

Benshobe doesn’t even have the guts to look at me, turning the other way. It all

happened so quickly, all of course without me having a say in the matter. It’s no surprise. After all, I’m only a human woman. Rights for me here on Protheka are virtually non-existent.

The doors to the club close behind me with a thud. Nasthyn grabs my arm and points to a large carriage parked ahead, led in front by a pair of equus.

“Into the carriage you go,” he says, then turns to his gang. “I’ll meet you all back at the estate.”

The others climb into a separate carriage of their own. Nasthyn opens the door, gesturing for me to get in. Unenthusiastically, I obey. We settle inside as the equus begin trotting. I turn around in my seat, looking out the rear window as I watch Le Lazurt grows smaller in the distance.

What the fuck am I in for?

The carriage rides on for some time. The whole journey through the city is made without a word muttered from Nasthyn though I can feel his stares. The bastard is probably thinking what he can do with me. I sit there twiddling my thumbs, occasionally looking out the window.

Even the moon seems somber tonight, its pearlescent white shape lonesome against a black night sky with no clouds for company. The thought of jumping out and escaping crosses my mind but I know I wouldn’t get far. If anything, it would only yield me a worse punishment.

Eventually, we pull into what is admittedly a glorious estate. It’s far greater than the residences of even the most talented chivdouyu. Leading up to Nasthyn’s mansion is a long cobblestoned pathway, columns with intricate designs lined on either side.

Lying over the columns are a gigantic lush garden, almost kaleidoscopic with its wide array of colors. It’s so beautiful at night time that I’m excited to see what it may look like during the day.

I return my gaze to Nasthyn, the sight of him instantly snapping me back to reality. As the carriage pulls up to the entrance, I’m overcome with so many emotions that I don’t quite know how to feel. All at once, I’m angry to work for those who snatched away my freedom, sad to possibly never see my friends again, and scared because it feels as though I’ve been reset all the way back to square one.

A zagfer servant approaches the carriage and opens the door. Nasthyn steps out with myself following thereafter. Even in the light of the moon, I can see all that Nasthyn’s mansion has to offer in terms of its exterior.

It’s white in color with windows lined up symmetrically on both floors. It stretches wide, easily fitting what I guess to be at least four rooms in the front section of the first floor. I’m already dreading just how many rooms I’m going to have to clean. Statuettes depicting miou mounted atop maraka line the rooftop. The door itself is intimidating, stretching fifteen feet tall and dark brown in color.

“Zanath!” calls Nasthyn. “Let’s head inside.”

His gang joins us, led by the one he just named. It’s the dark elf who suggested I be taken as a servant. The zagfer open the doors. We step into a large main hall.

Running from the entrance is a dark red carpet that continues straight up a wide set of stairs leading to the second floor. Doorways sit to our left and right with two smaller sets of doors sitting between them and the staircase. Paintings of important dark elf figures hang on the walls, beneath them sitting vases that stand upon columns.

Hanging overhead is a chandelier, upon which sit carvings of worgs glaring down at the entrance. They look so real that I expect them to pounce at any moment.

“Welcome to your new home,” says Nasthyn.

Home? Far from it.

“This is the main hall. To the right lays the dining hall. To the left is a library. The servant’s quarters is in through that doorway just to the right of the staircase. There’s a free bed already available as well as basic toiletries. Should you need anything else, don’t be afraid to ask.”

“How about getting my freedom back?” I snap.

“Watch your mouth when you’re talking to Nasthyn,” barks Zanath.

“It’s quite alright Zanath,” says the miou calmly. “She just needs some getting used to with this place. Your day starts at seven each morning. You’ll receive breakfast before starting duties for the day at eight thirty.”

As he speaks, I’m standing there with my arms crossed as I stare at the ground. Though I think the mansion is beautiful and gives me the chance to live somewhere nicer than in the human residences of Vhoig, no amount of beauty was going to make me happy. I feel further from home than ever.

“Your second meal is at two in the afternoon, and your final meal is at eight. Duties for the day will be divided up between you and the rest of the servants. Lights out at eleven. Do I make myself clear?”

Without answering, I storm off. I hear Zanath curse me out, being held back as I go through the door to the servant’s quarters. There, I find the other maids already asleep, tiptoeing past them as I spot a free bed down at the back of the room. Taking a seat on the edge, I peer out the window. I already hate my new life.

* * *

A few days have passed.I’ve always had a good work ethic so it doesn’t take long for me to settle into my new schedule. I’ve had the chance to talk with some of the other human servants working here but the truth is that I just miss my friends down at Le Lazurt.

Oddly enough, I find myself missing Lykan. He and I were never the greatest of friends, or even friends at all for that matter, yet at least I felt safe around him. I’ve already had to slap away the hands of an unruly zagfer. They think they can do whatever they want with us given the fact we’re human.

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