Cruel Beauty

"I'm Pregnant"

You stay by her side not knowing what to do you fidget nervously pacing back and forth. The door opens, the Baroness flinches, and you immediately stand in front of her. You needn't have bothered it's only John, you sigh with relief. 'The door is open.' He comes over to lift her again but she holds up a hand. 'Thank you but I no longer require assistance.' She brings herself into a sitting position with a pained groan She gathers the blanket around her to protect her modesty and gets up her movements are slow. John steps aside as commanded luckily you are not as obedient. 'Baroness.' you announce yourself before you wrap an arm around her and then gently take her hand clutching the blanket. She's too ashamed to make eye contact with you. You escort her to her room John follows behind and when you get to the bed she lets go of your hand. You walk over to John who watches with concern. 'What shall we do? We have to call the police.' he shakes his head. 'The Baron is friends with the chief they'd make it worse for her.' You feel helpless. 'Then an ambulance?' John shakes his head. 'I have arranged for Doctor Abbott to come by tomorrow, he knows the situation well, and he will be here first thing.' Your eyes widen. 'This has happened before?' you look over as your boss goes back into a fetal position on her bed.

'Can't we at least help her get cleaned up?' John sighs. 'She has everything she needs she wouldn't appreciate the company during this time she prefers solitude.' You roll your eyes this is a carry-on. 'Baroness.' You walk over to her bedside. 'Why don't I help clean you up a little?' The older woman doesn't turn to you. 'Leave.' You step closer. 'I could just sit with you if you wanted?' 'I SAID LEAVE!' you jump not having expected the roar. John grabs your wrist pulling you out of the danger zone. 'Come on yn, it's for the best, it's late, we could all do with some sleep.' you look troubled as you are escorted from the room seeing that the woman is beginning to shake from sobbing. The door closes. 'How can you just leave her in there like that?!' you pull from his grip. 'Because it is what she desires and I think her ladyship has had enough of being forced to do what she doesn't to for one night.' That shuts you up. 'The aftermath of what happened at the ball will need attention tomorrow. During these times the Baroness remains in her chambers as I'm sure the girl's told you at your last little party.' You are confused and then feel sick to your stomach. 'Are you saying that the last time...that he....' John nods solemnly. You swallow to keep from vomiting. 'As I was saying I will be busy and not always around for her ladyships needs, I would appreciate your help.' You nod quickly. 'Of course.'

That night you can't sleep and a fear creeps into your chest that he will visit her room again so after you are ready for bed you pad back along to her room. Listening against the door you hear a few soft sobs but he's definitely not in there. You pace back and forth and eventually slump against her room door. 'Yn?' John pats your arm and you groan straightening your back. 'Did you sleep here all night?' he holds out a hand helping you to your feet. 'Yeah, I was worried he came back.' You yawn and stretch again. 'Time is it.' John checks his pocket watch. '4.30, the doctor is on his way up, the baroness will have her morning tea soon if you could bring it to her. Don't worry about the Baron he always leaves for another holiday break after an attack. I think it soothes his guilt if he has any.' At that, a grim-looking older man is led forward by a maid. 'John.' he acknowledges and knocks twice then enters. You and John go your separate ways to arrange today's tasks.

You get changed and fetch her tea after the doctor leaves she lies with her back to you, you want to say something but you can't there are no words. You leave, and lunch time you come back collecting the tray and leaving one holding her lunch if you can consider lunch to be leaves on bread. You come back and it hasn't been touched. The same thing happens after dinner, the tea is always gone but she never touches the food. 'John, she's not eaten a thing I've given her all day.' The valet is in his office stressfully running a hand through his already thinning hair. 'Sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't, I like to keep trying so she at least has the option without needing to ask.' You sigh and nod. The next day you bring lunch she is sitting up and her eyes immediately go to you. 'What are you doing here? Where is John? John serves me.' She sounds accusatory like you'd kidnapped her loyal valet and stuffed him in a cupboard somewhere. 'John is dealing with the events of last night.' The Baroness seems no less annoyed. 'And you eagerly stepped in to help, that must've been quite enjoyable for you last night seeing...seeing me so debased. Is everyone having a good laugh at my expense?' she spits with venom. You sit the tray down on her bedside table. 'No one else knows.' The Baroness scoffs. 'Oh, I'm sure you made sure...Oh, I see, extortion.' She rips open the drawer of her nightstand stand tossing out the contents.

'Baroness?' her hands shaking she finds it, her checkbook, she rips it out scribbling her signature. 'There, whatever amount you see fit, then I no longer wish to see you in this house.' She brandishes the cheque at you. 'How often has this happened?' You ask softly and sit at the foot of the bed. The Baroness studies you her chest rising and falling. 'If it's not money what do you damn well want!' she shrieks. During her tantrum her blanket moves and you see some bruising on her legs. Following your eyes she immediately grabs the blanket to hide the marks. 'Heaven's sake!' she grabs your wrist forcing the balled-up cheque into your hand. You look at it, smooth it out, and place it back on the bedside table sitting a little closer beside her. 'The bruises on your throat that day... that was him too, wasn't it?' Victoria inhales and looks away the back of her hand accidentally brushes the back of yours, she's refusing to look at you. You look down at her open hand and gently cover it with yours. 'No one else needs to know what happened last night.' She immediately snaps around her eyes on your hand waiting for you to pull the rug, to say something cruel. You both look at each other at the same time sharing a look.

The next day when you visit her she is sitting at her vanity, with difficulty she tries to style her hair, but her ribs ache. 'Baroness.' You bow and sit down her tray of tea. 'Damn it!' she hisses in frustration dropping her arms and holding her ribs. 'May I?' she turns slightly seeing you behind her then with a sigh of defeat she nods at the brush. You run it through her hair then style it the way she likes. 'You should grow it out, your hair, you suit it long.' The Baroness studies you intently unsure what to make of you. You head back downstairs when you see the door to the Baron's study is open, he's scribbling down notes, and he stops having a drink of whisky. Getting up he walks over to the balcony taking another drink as he observes his glorious kingdom, he is god here, and he makes all the decisions. You move closer and closer to him, raising your hands it'd be so easy, one little push. The Baron was known to like a drink who would suspect that he didn't merely just...fall? Before you can complete your task, you both are startled by the screams from upstairs, the banging causing dust to fall from the walls. Thankfully you'd dropped your hands and the Baron doesn't seem to acknowledge your assistance as he runs up the stairs.

The noise is coming from the Baroness's chambers you are hot on his heels, both to check she is okay and because if he tries to lay a finger on her you will kill him. The Baron without knocking throws the door open and looks stunned the room is destroyed, it looks like it's been turned over by several men but Victoria stands alone in the mess. Feathers from a burst pillow flutter all around her and she looks deranged. You and the Baron share a look of confusion as you stare at her. The Baroness turns and seeing the Baron flinches but immediately plasters on a fake smile. 'I'm pregnant.' she smiles through gritted teeth. It's such a contrast for her looking at you both, his delight, and your horror. The Baron slowly walks towards her, she freezes, you are ready to pounce, he takes her into his arms and hugs her tightly. The affection is unusual and unwelcome but she reciprocates the embrace looking at you over his shoulder you can see the tears already threatening to fall, the look of disgust and hatred. Whilst he celebrates his triumph in raping her and securing an heir. You want him to leave. You need to talk to her because you can see she's terrified.