Chapter 16: His True Color

Chapter 16: His True Color

Lucy slammed the door to her room shut and even locked it. Her eyes burned but she didn’t want to cry. Even her chest tightened and she could feel a lump in her throat… She felt repulsed. Repulsed by his actions and everything. Why did she have to go through this? Why couldn’t she feel anything? And why did she run away? Did she even have the right to? They would get engaged soon and it was only normal that he—

She couldn’t even bring herself to think of that word. As she spent more time with him, it was like the cages around her got tightened more. The freedom she had so much wanted to have, felt just like a rarely visible light at the end of a long dark tunnel. She just wanted to burst out of this cage of sadness and compulsion and fly freely. Did she not really have a choice?

A turmoil of anger, regret, pain, and… hatred filled her heart. She didn’t want to feel those emotions. She didn’t want to hate. Especially not someone who she would be bound to forever. The tears she had so much tried to hold came trickling down and she wiped them with the back of her hand. If only there was a way.

Her eyes darted to the bag she came back with earlier and she quickly shook her head. Asking for their help was like seeking more trouble. She was already dealing with enough. She didn’t want more on her plate.

With trembling legs, she dragged herself to the bathroom.

After taking her bath and changing into her night cloth, Lucy lay curled up on the bed. No one would understand. Not her parents or even her brothers. Her best friend might. All they did was decide what they thought was best for her. She was childish and couldn’t make her own decisions.

The first time he came, she hadn’t sensed nor seen anything unusual. Was it because people were around at that time. Even now that he acted recklessly and she finally saw his true color, was it because he was intoxicated? But why did he lie that he had been working all day?

Sleep was far from her mind but she couldn’t ignore the exhaustion that overwhelmed her.

And with a heavy heart, she finally succumbed to the dreamland. However, it was nightmares that welcomed her. Of two strong hands holding her in a tight grip and giving her harsher instructions than her parents’.

The next day, Lucy woke up with a headache. A knock came from the door and Ara came in with a nervous look.

“Young miss,” She greeted, not daring to meet her gaze. “I– I hope you had a great night.”

Lucy nodded and got down from the bed. She had a chaotic night. She stood in front of the maid who cowered and she let out a sigh.

Ara was not as enthusiastic as she was always. What happened yesterday must have shocked her. She must also think she was mad at her.

Which woman wouldn’t be if their man was watching another woman? Luckily, she didn’t like him. Yes, she didn’t.

She patted the maid on the shoulder without a word and got ready for the day.

Ara also started her duties of cleaning her room. She was soon done in a flash, and she hurried away as if being chased by a monster. And without even offering to help her make her hair.

Lucy turned back to the mirror with a gloomy face. She didn’t want their relationship to be like that. All the servants loved her and amongst them, Ara was the closest to her. She didn’t want that to be taken away. She had to speak with her.

She did the best she could with her hair, by tying it into a ponytail and got out of her room.

Downstairs, when she reached the dining area, her parents were already seated, all smiles and chuckles. They seemed to be discussing something funny. Probably about her brothers’ children. Those were the only conversations they seemed to be interested in nowadays. She couldn’t blame them, her nieces and nephews were cute.

“Lucy, your father said that little Mira looks like you the most. But I think it’s little Pearl, she even got your eyes, right?”

Her mother bombarded her with talks immediately without even answering to her greeting. Maybe she didn’t hear or was too excited to discuss about her grandchildren. Right, even her nieces were not spared from the family’s great genes. And she felt greatly sorry for them.

“No, Grace. You don’t understand,” her father said with a chuckle. He seemed happier these days. “Little Mira got her clumsiness. Remember how she was everywhere and dropping things when she was little?”

“Yes, she was a disaster.” Her mother agreed and also chuckled.

Argh! Would they stop it already? Lucy pouted while eating in silence. She was already down in the dumps, to begin with. Now they had to rub salt into injury by being mean this early.

“Little Pearl is also clumsy though,” her mother added.

“Women in this family,” her father shook his head. “Fortunately, the boys her doing well.”

Her mother gave him a pointed look, and Lucy wished more than anything for them to drop the topic. Everything today was rubbing her in the wrong way. But they didn’t stop.

“That is why I want Lucy here to be properly trained. Her brothers’ wives are doing a great job with their children. I wouldn’t put it past her if she one day sets up a playhouse for herself and her children.”

Lucy’s hand trembled and she dropped her spoon.