The Monocle's Eye

Chapter 13

 The next two nights was similar in nature, except significantly less eventful. We saw a couple pairs of people, who typically spoke in Chinese or another language, but rarely english. I had little time to talk to Master, and even less to think of myself, before we were back in the carriage and headed home. I awoke the following week in my room back in the castle, alone. I let out a long sigh and returned to my books, but scarcely an hour into my reading there was a knock on my door. Assuming it someone calling me to Master, I went to the door in my usual pajamas, and opened it swiftly. However, I imitiatly regretted this decision, as it was neither a maid nor another slave, but Heather Morbum who stood at my door.

She was in a big white cloak, her hood drawn over her long silky red hair, and a shocked smile on her freckled face. "Oh, I'm sorry," I stammered out, "I though it was a maid calling me, please excuse me a moment." I shut the door again and cursed myself for my failed forethought, and the scrambled through my drawers to find a suitable outfit. I slipped into a navy blue dress and hurried back to the door, opening it to find Heather in the exact same position, but slightly redder than originally.

"Please don't apologize," She replied, "I was thoughtless and came unannounced, and to your door, it's no surprise you'd be unprepared."

"No, I was thoughtless." I said, but was interrupted by the opening of the door to the left.

"Do you have to go?" I heard Ebony's high voice ask, her exaggerated whine echoing down the marble of the hall.

"I've been called for court," Diamond replied, slipping out with Ebony still tightening his tye. She slipped onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek, before shoving him down the hallway towards the door.

"Fine, but hurry back," She called after him, "Do you're best." It was then she turned to see both Heather and I staring at her, and with her usual habit of not wearing anything above her waistline, she scurried back inside, calling an apology after her.

"See," Heather said, turning back to me, "I shouldn't be here."

"No," I replied quickly, "I'm glad to have the company, honestly. I just didn't expect it. It's simply the hallway, if you're still willing to visit we could go to the drawing room, I'de hate to have you come out here just to return home without what you came for." At this she seemed happier, and so we went to the Slave's drawing room and seated in the chairs. I hadn't been in the room before, but now I saw it was hardly any less extravagant that Master's drawing room, and the only significant difference was the slightly smaller room and more lighthearted color choice.

"I wouldn't have come so suddenly if I had no reason, but I cannot say my reson justifies completely my actions. In truth, I may have exagerated them in hopes of seeing you, for I had such a wonderful time last visit, I did greatly hope to recreate such again, and as I had been particularly idle as of late, I thought of you often, and since you had returned from your trip to China, I thought it a wonderful opportunity to ask for a recount of you're tales." She said, settling into the chair across from me.

"Well, I hope not to disappoint, but in truth I cannot tell much of what it was I heard in China." I replied, watching as her face screwed up slightly in a disappointed pout.

"I suppose it would be classified, I'm sorry for pressing." she interrupted, looking slightly hurt.

"No," I said quickly, "It's not classified, and I do not wish to withhold anything from you, I quite simply, though it might sound stupid or strange, do not know much of what went on myself. This is because most of the altercations went on entirely or mostly in Chinese, which is a language I regretfully, do not know. All I know of all visitors but one is their names, and for some of the guests I know not even their names." She looked relieved at this, and assured me she also didn't know Chinese, and therefore was of little better position in the matter.