Coinquinatus (Tale of South Demosthan)

Chapter 7

Madam Esther paid her another visit the next day. "You again?" Ciara scowled angrily.

"Don't be snarky around me."

"And you are going to kill me if I am?"

Maritha came, banging the door loudly. "M-Madam Esther!"

"Presumptuous! Didn't I tell you to wait outside until I finish educating your lady?"

Maritha bowed. "Madam, please. She is a tribute from another country. His Majesty likes her. My lady is hard-headed but she can be reasoned out with. There is no need to use harsh methods to instruct her—"

"Who do you think you are?! You," she pointed at a young maid. "Take this maid away and make her receive ten beatings!" Maritha paled but she didn't complain nor beg for forgiveness.

"I have no energy to interact with you." Ciara stood up.

"Really?" The old woman smirked. "Are we going to repeat the scenario yesterday, young lady?"

"Go to the lower world, old woman."

Esther approached her and grabbed her hair. She struggled for a bit before she received a hard slap. She couldn't believe it. This was the second time someone slapped her, and the one who did so was the same person.

She straightened her back and attempted to slap her back, but Esther caught her steadily and slapped her for the the third time.

Ciara felt like crying in anger.

"First, you must learn how to conceal your hatred towards me, Bed Attendant Ciara. Do you know that I have the power to make your life as hard as it shouldn't be if only you behave? One report from His Majesty from me and it could ruin your entire life."

Ciara pressed her eyes shut, feeling the burning sensation on her cheeks. She would remember this day. She would remember how deeply humiliated and hurt she had been emotionally, because of the people who deliberately made it hard for her.

"Second, His Majesty instructed
me to train you for weeks. Since we are going to be together for quite some time, don't you think it's wiser to flatter me and go along with His Majesty's will?"

"I will never—"

"Look, I know. It's the noble lady's pride. Do you think you're the first case here?"

"Your family is dead. Your kingdom has been subordinated. Your people have abandoned you. Seriously, what's your pride for? Why are you so stubborn?"

Ciara felt like those statements hurt more than the strike. She couldn't process it. She didn't want to.

"You are currently residing in His Majesty's palace, with several consorts and concubines to compete with, numerous who are eyeing you intently, and many who would like to be in your position."

With a snap of her fingers, a maid came delivering a small piece of cloth. "You want to make me suffer as well? For that to happen you'd have to be more powerful than me. And for you to be more powerful than me, you'd have to attain a higher position. Which you will only get if you can attract His Majesty." She grabbed Ciara's face and gently pressed the cloth on her eyes. Madam Esther was wiping her tears. Ciara herself did not even notice not until the other party made her aware of it.

"Resisting openly will only get you killed, whatever your goal is."

Ciara looked at her patronizing gaze. She consciously and slowly broke out into a loud sob. How she wished she could stop herself from falling apart in front of a woman who probably did not care if she died or not tomorrow. Yet she couldn't.