Back In Time *King George III X Reader*

Chapter 18: Humble Hearts

Phoebe ran away as fast as she could through the hallways with tear-stained cheeks. Finally, she broke down and let herself fall unto the cold, marble floor. She leaned her back against the lemon chiffon walls, and curled up into a ball. Phoebe quietly sobbed into her arms, regardless of whether or not someone might see her.

Suddenly, she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw a fellow slave. "Corylus.." she muttered under her breath, "what are you doing here?"

The young man shrugged. He sat beside her and delved into a satchel he always carried. He took out a sheet of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink.

Phoebe smiled as she watched her friend scribble something on the paper. She looked at what he wrote and sighed.

"Are you all right?"

"Not really, no," she said, hiding her face in her arms, "but I feel somewhat better now that you're here.."

Corylus flashed a small grin before turning back to the parchment. "May I ask why you were crying?"

"O-oh, um, it's not really important, but.." Phoebe trailed off.

She pursed her lips into a thin line. ".. Mistress Dyxsonne just.. threw me at the floor, not much of a big deal. I mean, it just hurt," she laughed, but it came out strained.

"They shouldn't treat you like that. It must've hurt your body a lot, but not as much as your feelings. No one should ever go through abuse or harrassment," Corylus wrote.

He remembered the days when he was the one being abused. He refused to dwell on the thought any longer, and just focused on the matter at hand.

"Y-yeah, I agree.. but I learned to accept it as the years go on," Phoebe sighed. "Thanks for keeping me company. I really do appreciate it, but I have to go and replace the flowers in the living room."

She bid her friend goodbye, and walked down the hallways, when she heard shouting and the breaking of glass. She hurriedly went to her destination, worried. She hid behind one of the pillars, and watched as the two Olivier's fought, throwing out statements that slowly overlapped each other.

Once Corrianne dashed into her room, Phoebe went out of her hiding spot, and stood at the doorway. "Master Olivier, is everything alright?"

"Phoebe? How long have you been standing there?" Xalvador asked, but soon just shook his head in annoyance. "You know what? Forget it. Clean the shards. Now."

"Y-yes, Master! But.. would you not like me to tend to Miss Olivier's wounds first..?"

Xalvador glared at her. "I said clean the shards. Excuse me, but who do you think is in charge around here?" he asked with his arms crossed.

"Y-you, sir," the slave replied quietly, "b-but I just thought it would be better if—"

"No one cares about your opinion! I thought we talked about this already. You are just a servant, and I am your master, so you follow my rules!" he shouted, pointing at Phoebe tauntingly. "I'm going to sell you off next week. I hope someone is willing to buy a worthless slave such as yourself.."

With that, Xalvador walked away, leaving Phoebe to drown herself in his insults and words.

"(Y/n)! Wait for me!" Eini called, trying to catch up to you. You had left her in the hallways after your encounter with Aurelia. She halted on her tracks when she heard quiet sobbing.

Eini went closer to the sound of the noise, looking sideways and under. Finally, she found Phoebe, resting against a pillar, head on her knees. "Hey.."