§LÄVÈ

S L A V E ~ 9

Catalina

You don't need water to feel like you're drowning, do you?
I guess not, because even though I stood on land, no where near the ocean, I felt as if I was six feet under.

"uggh" I winced out in pain as I felt my back sting from the impact of the heavy leather. The tears filled my eyes uncontrollably, suddenly becoming too weak in my knees as I fell to the grass beneath me. I slowly lifted my head and looked up as the person towered over me with no remorse in his eyes.
I was too shocked by the hit I had received and my body pained too much for words to escape my lips. For a second there, I was completely confused as to why I was being man handled and beaten by the man who wore a uniform; simply signifying that he is a guard.

Before this point, I only remember being in the ... pier, with the prince. Everything since then has been a bit unclear to say the least. What had I done to be treated this way?
I watched as the man smirked, walking closer to me as I tried to slowly back away, groaning in agony in the process. Looking around, my eyes searched for someone to help me but no one seemed to notice, or care — or simply could not find the courage to do something. In the corner of my eye, I was a bit surprised to see Anna and Lucy by the entrance of the home, looking at what was being done to me and laughed as they stood there. That, undoubtedly hurt me. That, broke my heart.

"Filthy bitch" I heard the man mutter, causing me to immediately turn my gaze to him once more only to see him raise the old leather whip he held — as if to hit me again — and with instinct, I weakly shielded my face. I awaited the impact, but it never came — which caused me to remove my hands from my face to see the man looking off into the distance,

"Ronald!" My eyes followed his gaze to see Mrs. Bieber strutting towards us both. The man – Ronald, I presume his name is – lowered his hands to his sides and stood straight, giving his full attention to the Queen. I sighed in relief and slowly wiped the tears from my eyes. "What is the meaning of this?!" The queen demanded as soon as she was close enough.

"Your majesty, I found her sleeping on the grass" Ronald said nonchalantly with a slight frown, as if he was doing nothing wrong. "That does not give you the right to administer punishment without consulting with my husband and I first" She said sternly. "You have violated so many rules by doing this — first being, hitting this slave in the open where anyone can see" She clenched her jaw and hissed with a glare, there was no doubt that she was upset.
  Immediately, Ronald cowered and took a step back as if in fear, "I-I am very sorry your majesty" he apologized with a small nod. "Get lost before you experience what it is like to be punished" She said. Without another word, he walked away and now the Queens gaze was on me, "Get up now because you have a lot of explain to do" she stated before walking away completely and into her home.

I sat there, on the grass forcing myself to hold in my sobs that begged to escape my lips. I could almost feel the mark that the whip left in my back even though my body started to feel numb and even so .. I could feel the blood flowing down my back, dripping onto the grass as it soaked through my uniform. I slowly forced myself to stand, ignoring the pain that I felt, "mmhm" I groaned as I turned, ready to walk towards the house — but Celeste, blocked my way. She had a frown on her face and she looked worried and upset. "What happened? why were you on the grass?" She threw her questions at me. I shook my head, "I went to the pier—"

"the pier?! what were you doing there?" she interrupted me. I frowned, "The Queen sent me ... to retrieve some boxes"

"To get some boxes?" She raised her eyebrows, looking down at me, "I don't believe I see any boxes in your possession" she continued. With a tilt in my head, I stared at her for moment before opening my mouth to respond, "I-I believe I fell sick"
   "Sick? then what on earth are you doing on the grass?" she had questioning eyes, "Were you even at the pier by your lonesome?"