ASCENDANCY (Feyd-Rautha)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Lady Abigail." A gentle voice stirred me from my sleep.

"What is it?" I murmured, my voice thick with haze. I opened my eyes to see Amma standing over me.

"The Baron has requested to meet with you." She spoke softly.

I sat up in my bed rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "Now?" I asked.

"Yes, he is waiting for you in his chambers." Amma replied.

"And they sent you to tell me? Do they not know you are no longer a servant?" I asked, feeling annoyance over how people continued to step on my lady in waiting.

"I do not believe they care." She replied, her voice calm and resigned.

"Right." I spoke as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The cold stone floor stung my bare feet.

"You have little time. Allow me to help you dress." Amma offered, walking over to the cabinet that held my clothes.

I watched her for a moment, appreciating her. "Thank you, Amma." I replied. I opened the knot that held my nightgown closed and let it fall to the ground. 

Amma approached me holding a white undergarment dress. She put it over my head and helped me get my arms through the holes on the sides. I pulled it over my stomach and legs as she walked back over to the closet.

"Which dress would you like to wear? Perhaps the black sleeveless one?" She suggested.

"No, I do not wish to show skin to the men here. Bring me the deep blue one, with the silk fabric and wide sleeves." I responded. She found it quickly and brought it to me. The silk glided effortlessly over my body as she slipped it over my head. "There are ribbons at the back." I told her as I turned around. Amma grabbed the strings and tied them into a neat loop. 

I sat on the edge of the bed as she fetched my stockings. She knelt before me, carefully gliding them onto my feet and pulling them all the way up to my thighs. Her touch was gentle yet firm.

"I shall brush your hair for you." She spoke softly. The first few times Amma had handled my hair, it had looked like child's play. She learned quickly though, I could not have worked it better myself at this point. I grabbed a sheer scarf and wrapped it loosely around my hair and head. Finally, I stepped into my heels. 

"Good luck." She spoke as I headed out of the room.

"Thank you, Amma." I replied, giving the girl a gentle smile.

I walked with haste towards centre of the palace, where the Baron's chambers were located. I tried to not feel sick at the thought of what he might want of me. As I turned a corner, the sight of my husband walking toward me had me startled. I was flooded with the memories of our encounter in the bathhouse, it made my legs feel weakened.

"Where might you be headed?" He spoke, acting like I was an intruder.

"Your dear uncle has requested I meet him in his chambers." I responded, walking past him hurriedly as to not agitate the Baron with my lateness.

"Whatever for?" Feyd spoke with a slight frown on his mouth. He turned to walk alongside me.

"I do not know." I replied. I strode with my head held high and my hands clasped at my waist.

"I shall walk you there. There are rapists lurking around every corner in this place."

"In the palace?" I asked, looking at him with a shocked expression.

"There are few Harkonnen guards who have never had their manhood bloodied from the untouched cunt of a servant girl." He replied.

"That is foul," I spoke, disgust in my voice. "Why do you not do anything to prevent it?" I questioned him.