《The Seukine Estate》


 0. COVER

    The new cover of The Seukine Estate featuring our protagonist Phirynei. If you are a former reader of this story there have been some changes to the story and names of the characters. I will be reposting all the chapters after I edit them. The plot remains the same but there will probably be additional chapters added for more detail to the story. Feel free to reread or wait for the new chapters. Thanks for taking the time to read this story and I hope you enjoy.


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 1. Crimson Gates

    The beautiful crimson and gold gates of Seukine opened and a small young woman couldn''t keep the excitement from her eyes. She dutifully traveled behind a large entourage. Her head pivoted back and forth in astonishment and awe. She heard that Seukine could rival the Holy Palace of Vahnain and Phirynei believed the rumors the moment she reached the first gate. She had never seen such a magnificent estate.


    Asila, her home estate was beautiful in its own right, but couldn''t begin to compare to the splendor of Seukine. Unlike Asila, Seukine even had outer and inner gates. A testament to its enormous size.


    They had not even entered the inner gates and already they were surrounded by rows of blooming cherry blossom trees. They scored the path to the second gate. The roadway was a distinctive white stone that was like marble and clear of any blemishes. Unusual pink crystals also lined the edge of the path. The soft glow was a reminder that Seukine was a special estate. Phirynei wondered where they came from since Vahnaine didn''t have many crystal deposits. They seemed kind of familiar to her but she couldn''t remember where she had seen them. Her thought was interrupted abruptly as her threadbare shoes touched the cold stone. It was uncomfortable to walk on but manageable.


    "Danu Phi if you continue to dawdle, you will be left behind." Guard Gi was a fairly tall man with ordinary looks. Brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was to guard the last attendants in line as part of the Outer Guard. His was to keep them safe since they were the furthest from the Estate Master''s personal guards.


    He frowned at her and she lowered her head quickening her pace. Apologizing sincerely she continued with her eyes toward the ground. If she were to make an excuse, this was her first time outside of Asila. Since she arrived there as a child she had not seen the world outside of its gates. It was hard for her to not feel amazed at the elegance around her. Everything seemed so much brighter and lively at Seukine and they had not yet even entered the main gates. Asila''s colors were always darker tones but seeing Seukine''s bright red and white made her wonder if life there was the same.


    "Guard Ro Gi, where is Danu Phi? Our Master has called for her several times already." Guard Ji Eriseni stormed over to the other guard and invaded his personal space. Ji Eriseni was the Captain of the Outer Guard and of the first rank. He was a huge hulking man who was well into his forties and made Guard Gi look average in size. The younger man stepped back to regain some space but the man''s imposing size was still suffocating.


    "Danu Ro, Phirynei is h-here," she stepped forward quickly not wanting to get the sixth-rank guard in trouble. Ji Eriseni was already soured by having to travel so far back for her, so when he grabbed her arm she was not surprised by the strong grasp.


    She didn''t dare to speak out or voice her pain as he started back towards the front of the line. Being almost three heads taller than her, she was nearly running to keep up with his long strides. Even if she briefly slowed down she feared she would risk being dragged.


    "Master ''dea has called your rank and name several times already and you refuse to answer. If you were my slave I''d have already killed you."


    "I am sorry. I am not allowed to travel near our master closer than eighty paces and as we are traveling with an attendant line, I am not allowed to be in front of anyone. I truly could not hear the call of our Master," she stumbled unable to keep up as he pulled her along.


    "I do not want to hear your excuses," Ji Eriseni yanked her forward and her stumble turned into a fall. She tried to stop herself but it was useless as the guard didn''t break his stride. Phirynei tried to get her footing but she came down hard on her right knee and was dragged.


    It took her three tries to get on her feet and on the third one she only managed because they were close to the leading carriage. The guard had slowed down and Phirynei realized that they were now at the second gate.


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    She had never seen the Holy Palace gates of Vahnain but seeing the gates of Seukine made her feel like she was seeing a glimpse of them. They were crimson like the outer gate but the huge pillars on each side of the gate entrance had golden flowers sculptures wrapped around the pillar from top to bottom. The walls around the estate were made from the same pristine white stone that paved the walkway.


    She walked passed the pillars and saw the very fine details painted neatly at the base of the pillar. She would''ve loved to take a closer look, but that wasn''t allowed and even if she could the foreboding feelings growing in the pit of her stomach would have stopped her.


    The Estate Master calling her to the front of the line was strange. She should be the last to enter the gates. She would earn the contempt of the attendants for the slight. Why he would do that was a mystery to her. She waited silently at the side of the attendant line. She grasped tightly to the scratchy fabric of her apron and glanced up to the carriage.


    The Estate Master Fhain''dea Lashir stepped down out of the carriage. He was a tall man with a regal appearance. Every strand of hair was in place and secured in a low ponytail by a deep green hair tie. The man was handsome and had a strong imposing physique that was fitting since Lashir was a General of the Vahnain Military. He was three years short of his third walk of life and already had a main wife and several concubines. Phirynei had heard how stunning he was and seeing him up close for the first time confirmed it. He *was* the portrait of masculinity.


    She had heard from gossiping attendants that he considered his eyes one of his most valued assets. She couldn''t help but take a look due to curiosity.


    He was right, he had deep dark forest-green eyes that would draw in onlookers and leave them wanting to peer deeper into the cloudy depths. Their eyes met and she dropped her head and bowed low almost folding herself in half. She could get in trouble staring at him.


    Lashir had smirked at her when their eyes met. She didn''t feel any humor or comfort from his smile. Instead, she remembered his reputation that everyone knew. He was just as beautiful as he was cruel.


    "Danu Ro." He called her by her estate class and rank.


    Phirynei felt her heart skip a beat. She had never been so close to the Estate Master nor did she ever want to be. She vaguely thought about how her apron would be wrinkled by her grip and tried to make a conscious effort to let go.


    "Master." She kept her head down as she acknowledged him.


    "As we enter Seukine you are to remain at my side. The steps you know in the law will be disregarded for the duration of this stay."


    "M-master ?" Phirynei looked at him. As a Danu Ro, Phirynei was not ignorant of her class. She was a sixth-ranked servant and a slave. She was the lowest person in all of the estate. Then she was also an unclean Danu because her duties involved the cleaning of the latrines and taking care of the animals. Being near the Estate Master was considered a crime and yet he told her to stay close. It made no sense.


    "You must remember my order Danu," Master Lashir said turning back to the carriage to aid his main wife down. As the main wife, she had the title of Mune the third-highest title in an estate. Phirynei quickly moved back to the appropriate space to avoid insulting Mune Lashir.


    Lashir picked up the tiny woman and sat her down. They both wore matching black and green attire. He wore an expensive black suit with a deep green collared shirt. His black cloak was embroidered with a silver design. While the Mune wore a slightly puffy black dress with emerald jewelry. The dominant color black brought out Mune Lashir fair skin.


    The woman was the perfect match for Lashir. She was as beautiful as he was handsome. Her doe eyes were a deep brown that made her look like a doll. Her blonde hair was rare and indicated her foreign background. Her hair was done in an intricate style that was the current fashion. She glanced at Phirynei and then looked up at her husband.


    "Ai''dea?" she spoke using a term of endearment reserved only for the main wife.


    "Ai''han, bear with her. No indignity will fall upon you as long as I am by your side." The man''s sweet words smoothed over his wife''s concern.


    The small woman inclined her head to her husband, and he took her hand gently to guide her forward to the opening gates. Phirynei was unsure of how she was to proceed. There would undoubtedly be many servants inside and Asila servants were an issue as well. She was in an impossible situation that was putting her life in danger. Still, she had no choice but to obey his commands. He was her owner and his words were law.


    Phirynei''s hands search for the hem of the black tattered apron. Grasping it tightly she followed as far back from the couple as she could but with enough space to avoid being too close to the attendants. She was unsure how she would even make it through the day when moving around had become so tedious and attention-consuming. The ill feeling in her stomach began to change into a gnawing that only seemed to worsen as they entered the gates.

 2. The Master of Seukine

    Ienia felt it was time to get up hours ago but forced himself to continue resting. After yesterday''s preparation he was still drained. His Rini, Eu?ya, had let him sleep longer. Likely to allow him to mentally prepare for the day ahead, but he was no longer sleepy, only tired.


    He knew he had to get up and face the day. He let his hand wander across his pillow before bracing himself for the cool air of a spring morning. Slowly the Estate Master of Seukine rose to a sitting position not bothering to open eyes. He could hear his Rini moved from his sitting position.


    ¡°You are up earlier than I expected,¡± Eu?ya''s stride was a little less confident sounding than usual. There was a heaviness to the foot fall that couldn''t be hidden behind a chipper voice. The young man had become his special servant and was given the title of Rini eleven years ago. The youngest special servant in all of Seukine history. He started at just eight years old and since then Eu?ya had remained loyal to him even after he became disabled.


    The young man was nearing him as he sensed the Rini''s presence become stronger. Eu?ya''s hand touched his shoulder gently to let him know how close he was then he began combing through his hair from the ends to the root. It was a pleasant feeling and sound that years ago he wouldn''t have even thought about. Taking a deep breath he relaxed his tense shoulders. He was more anxious than he initially thought.


    "Did you sleep comfortably?" Nimble finger pulled his hair from his face. The question was just small talk meant to distract him.


    Ienia gave a curt nod. He didn''t remember any dream he may have had and that was generally for the best. A few seconds passed and he heard Eu?ya shift his weight. The Rini was about to start an unfavorable conversation.


    ¡°General Lashir''s group has already passed the first gate. All first-rank attendants have been gathered at the main gate. His time of arrival should be in the next thirty minutes.¡± the report was made succinct and to the point.


    He let a soft sigh escape him as Eu?ya stopped combing his hair in favor of brushing it. The thought of meeting Fhain''dea Lashir after so many years was daunting for him. He honestly didn''t think the man would be so bold as to show himself before him ever again, but the man never did know restraint. His Rini finished brushing and began to braid his hair and pulled it high up on his head. He then tied it with one of his many hair ties to keep it in place.


    As his special attendant did this he listened closely to his birds that were singing in his private garden. He had long ago learned how to tune out the voices of the attendant who worked in his personal residence.


    The next thing Euiya did was place the thin chained circlet securely on his head so that the crimson tear-shaped jewel rested on his forehead. The circlet was a beautiful golden that he still had in his memory. The circlet was passed to each Estate Master of Seukine as an indicator of the right to control the estate, but his was different. It not only signified that but made it easier for him to convey his orders and instructions to others since he could not speak. He didn''t need the circlet only to touch a person''s skin, but the items helped ease the stress on his body when he did use his ability.


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    After finishing, Ienia assisted his Rini in moving him to his wheelchair. From there he went to his bathing chamber and was clean by his attendants.


    Even though the water was warm and comfortable he hated to bathe. He gripped the edge of the pool with one hand and an attendant''s hand with the other as the other servants cleaned his body. It had been years and he still couldn''t stop the fear he had of drowning.


    Once they were done with him he let go of his attendant''s hand and held out his hand for Eu?ya to take. The Rini grabbed his hand and instantaneously his message was relayed to his servant.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Eu?ya acknowledged him. He listened as the Rini gave the message to a second-rank servant who would then take the message to its destination. He had ordered the Women of Seukine to remain in their courtyard until further notice was given. He would meet General Lashir with only his trusted attendants and Rini to greet the man. He did not need or want those women to be there.


    Once out of the tub, Ienia was ready to get dressed for the day. He had picked an outfit out yesterday with Eu?ya''s help so he knew what it looked like. The Seulnine family colors were red, white, and gold. As such he wore those colors constantly, very rarely ever deviating.


    Eu?ya''s helped him put on a white high-collared sleeveless shirt. It was trimmed with a gold hem. On top of that, he wore an elegant deep red cross-collared robe with an asymmetrical strip of golden flowers. The motif was on the left side reaching just below his pectoral muscle. He finished the look with matching deep red wide-leg pants that cinched at the ankle.


    After that came the white cloak decorated with red orchid flowers on the inside. Eu?ya slowly helped Ienia into the black mahogany wheelchair that was sculpted by a skilled artisan. Ienia righted his legs and fixed his specially made cloak that had slits in the sides so that he could fit his arms through. Doing so prevented the cloak from looking odd while sitting and allowed it to flow out over his legs.


    Eu?ya then put his socks on and then he placed on the deep crimson shoes and finished with a thick light brown fox fur throw over his legs, allowing only the red of his shoes to peek out on the black pedals of the wheelchair. Seukine was one of the few families to stay with the former style of dress rather than the newer fashion for nobles.


    ¡°Is everything comfortable? Does anything need to be changed or moved?¡± Eu?ya asked as he moved around him making sure everything was in order. Ienia shook his head at the question and listened closely to the sound of the young man''s footsteps. They were reassuring to him. He could always trust his Rini to take care of his appearance. Eu?ya was the only person he trusted to understand what he needed and wanted in the current situation.


    The meeting with General Lashir was prepared by the Emperor but he thought his former friend would send someone in his place. It was a surprise when he received the message that the general would be coming himself. The issue was over the new soldiers that were being added to the army from the eastern region under the rule of the Empress family. it was not an issue that needed to be discussed between the two of them. In truth, none of it concerned him as he was no longer a part of the military. He was only doing it as a favor to the emperor.


    They were to plan how to add the soldiers without issue to the hierarchy of command. The meeting was prepared by the Emperor but pushed by the Empress. He relented and agreed even though he generally didn''t do anything outside of caring for his estate anymore.


    ¡°Should we go to the South Entrance now?¡± Eu?ya asked him and he motioned for him to go ahead.


    ¡°Sevi De Dija,¡± Eu?ya called out. The second rank servant entered the room hesitantly. Her steps were quick and unsure. She was nervous about something.


    ¡°Yes, Rini Eui.¡±


    ¡°Master wants the guests brought to Selenia Garden. Have the kitchen prepare lightly flavored tea and small snacks as our Master has not eaten yet. Be quick about it.¡± Euiya''s was stern with the servant but Ienia knew it was needed. Euiya was still very young to be a Rini and many of his subordinates were much older than him. It was necessary to have a strong appearance.


    ¡°Yes Rini, I will be swift in completing Master''s orders,¡± the woman named Dija answered and gave a proper bow to him before the Rini. He could hear her shifting to lower herself but she didn''t leave instead she lingered and continued, ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°No Rini but Nu Ul''a has inquired of Master''s order for the women to remain in their courtyard.¡±


    ¡°Has she,¡± Eu?ya voice conveyed a response without actually saying it.


    ¡°I will reply with the order of the Master again, forgive my mistake.¡± Eu?ya dismissed her and Ienia kept an expression of apathy. He took a quiet breath and tried to control the unintended movement of his eyes. He would deal with Ul''a at a later time. He couldn''t let his attention be divided.


    ¡°We should continue,¡± Eu?ya said pushing the wheelchair at a steady pace. "It will be a very long day, so we should start it now."

 3. The Pawns Mistake

    Master Lashir had ordered her to stay at the courtyard entrance almost an hour ago. Phirynei thought she would have to stay with him the entire time, but she was left in the guest courtyard called Hyacinth, with the rest of the attendants as soon as they arrived.


    The Hyacinth guesthouse was large with floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor and a balcony on the second floor. Phirynei could tell the building was older from the brickwork style that resembled some in Asila. Still, it was taken care of with very little wear visible. There were only a few chipped bricks here and there. The roof had a large overhang to protect the porch with sturdy support beams on each side. Those also seem designed to be decorative and functional, but not detract from the regal beauty of the whole house.


    While they prepared the guest house for their master, she stood admiring the flowers in the garden within the guest courtyard. She wouldn''t be allowed to step inside unless Master Lashir said she could.


    "Why is Master Lashir favoring that Danu?"


    "Do you think he wants to raise her status?"


    "Of course not. Master Lashir only chooses the most noble of women in Vahnaine. That girl is a foreigner but nothing like our mistress. Look at her, she''s dirty and can''t even get a proper apron without holes in it. Do you really think our noble Master wants to raise that thing up?"


    Their whispers were loud enough that Phirynei could make out every word, but now that she thought about it she wondered as well why she was there. She was ordered to go at the last minute with no preparation. Her mother had to give her one of her uniforms that wasn''t as torn up because hers were all threadbare and unpresentable in a public setting like going to another Estate. She spent the night with her mother going over the uniform making sure there were no obvious holes or anything that would reflect badly on Asila but they were still considered tattered. Her mother was very apprehensive about her going but they didn''t have a choice. She hadn''t even been told what she would be doing there. She wasn''t allowed to cook or touch food for anyone but her mother and cleaning was out of the question as well. She had no purpose for being there.


    Absentmindedly, her fingers played with the green jewel at the nape of her neck. Lashir had gone so far as to remove the yellow jewel indicator that indicated her status as an impure Danu. It made her more suspicious of her master and that made her much more nervous. It was deceptive and could get her killed. Still, the second indicator of her true status the bracelet of red cloudy beads could not be removed. She pulled down her puffy gray sleeve over the bracelet.


    She was deceiving the people of Seukine and anyone from Asila who didn''t know her, but she had to obey her estate master. It was the law even if Fhain''dea Lashir was technically not the true master of Asila. He was a stand-in since his father was still alive, but away from Asila for an extended period. Meaning she could not go against his will even if it was adverse for her. Going against him was certain death, especially for a slave. Servants could at least be let go, but Danus were considered property.


    Sighing she clutched at her sleeves, peering down at the lake full of pink flowers blossoms. They were flowers she had seen before in Asila but along with them were white flowers of a peculiar shape. They were like enormous snowflakes drifting across the water in different sizes and shapes. The flowers were only the size of a normal flower but that was huge for a snowflake. The scent they gave off reminded her of winter nights. She stepped closer to the edge of the white wooden bridge. She had never seen such clear water in a lake like this. There were even fish moving about in the crystal-clear depths. Seukine was certainly different from Asila.


    While she waited she missed the sound of the approaching footsteps on the bridge. She was so deep in thought she didn''t realize what was happening until she was shoved into the water below. It was unsurprisingly freezing and a shock to her body, yet she was able to hold her breath as she realized what was happening. Phirynei stood up immediately and was in chest-deep water. She looked up but saw no one on the bridge. Her heart was pounding and her stomach turned.


    She started toward the an area where she could climb out She bit her lip and swallowed down how she felt. It wasn''t the first time that she had been pranked. At the very least she wasn''t injured this time around. She waded to the edge of the lake and crawled out calmly. Rubbing her eyes first she cleared her vision and then immediately checked her Danu cap making sure it was still secure. Sighing in relief, she looked around her surroundings. She was soaked but didn''t dare look for help. Instead, she was looking for anyone to let them know she needed to change her clothes. Strangely no one was around, but they had been earlier. Lashir was a strict master. He told her to wait so no matter the circumstances she had to stay there.


    She needed permission if she could not find an attendant to alert. She was about to head back to the bridge when a figure caught her eyes. A man clothed in all black was standing a few feet from her. He was wearing a smooth black mask over his face and he was imposing. A huge man who could probably kill her without really trying. A physique she had seen many times. She already knew this was the man that had pushed her.


    Stepping back cautiously she began to move away from him. He said nothing but suddenly sprinted toward her. She turned and fled from the man knowing that she was in danger. There were no attendants around even though they were supposed to be getting the guest house ready.


    She moved across the bridge trying to get away from the man. He was chasing her like a hunting dog and it was easy because two of her strides were one of his. She glanced back to see how close he was and saw the large man lunging at her. She prepared herself as the weight of the man crashed into her.


    Her head hit the wooden plank of the bridge hard. She saw stars and darkness for a millisecond before a wave of nausea overtook her and then the crushing weight of her attacker was on top of her.


    She had no time to recover as the man started tearing at her uniform. Fortunately, it laced in the back and was one piece but he was strong. Her collar was torn off and the stitching was pulled apart exposing her shoulders. She attempted to scream but received a quick blow to her cheek that stunned her into silence as her mouth filled with a metallic taste.


    The sound of her heart thundering in her ears deafened her as her vision blurred considerably. She was terrified and without any real thought, she started pushing at the attacker who was trying to remove her clothes. He punched her again relentlessly as she tried to stop him. Her movements were uncoordinated as she did whatever she could to fight back. She knocked off his mask in the struggle and revealed the face she knew would be behind it.


    Ji Eriseni stared down at her. His brown eyes were full of rage. He grabbed her neck and she clawed at his hands that closed off her throat. She panicked as she realized he was going to kill her. He leaned forward and whispered to her but she couldn''t hear anything over her blood rushing in her ears. Her hands grabbed at anything on his face. She found his eyes and she dug her thumbs in. He was forced to let go of her throat and went for her wrist to stop her but she dug in more. Her right thumb sunk in deeper than it should and the man let out a howl of pain. It was only then that she let go.


    He tried to swallow the howl of pain as he clutched at his face, blood was gushing down his cheeks. Phirynei didn''t wait around to find out if he still had an eye. She crawled from under him and away until she could run but it was mostly a stumbling gait.


    She didn''t know where she was going but she could hear him yelling at her to come back. She didn''t dare stop. She looked back several times and saw him running while holding his hand over his bloody left eye. If she stopped she was sure he was going to kill her.


    She escaped through the entrance of the guest courtyard out into the rest of the Seukine Estate. The ground was a smooth stone path leading to a greenhouse in front of her and turning off to the right and left. She took the left and saw what looked like the servant hall. It was only familiar because it was similar to the one built in Asila. She hurried to the back of the building to hide. She noticed how hard it was to breathe and that every breath hurt her chest but that was the least of her concerns.


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    She wasn''t sure if Ji Eriseni was looking for her but continued to move away from the guest house. She traveled a small path between the servant hall and behind another large building. Once she got from between the two she saw an entrance to a garden. Her pace was slowing as it was becoming harder to breathe. She didn''t know where she was going to go but she knew she could hide in the garden. She stumbled into the entrance of the huge garden.


    When she stepped in she was greeted by a soft floral scent. The garden had a large fountain in the center and a variety of flowers were planted in rows around the fountain. Around the garden were trees that were in bloom with the same pink flowers she saw on her way to the entrance gate to the estate. The trees formed a protective barrier. She stood near the trees on the white stone pathway that led through and around the garden.


    She stepped forward hesitantly wondering if she should go back. Before she could make a choice she heard footsteps approaching quickly. She thought she had lost him but she was wrong. She looked back to see another man coming toward her running. He was wearing the same black outfit but was shorter and smaller than the other. Whoever he was she could not fight him off.


    "Please¡ª" the words that she was going to say died in her throat as she escaped deeper into the garden. She had desperately wanted to call out for help but knew no one would answer her. If she caused trouble in Seukine she would be beaten to death. Asila had a reputation that was to be upheld no matter what situation occurred, even if her life was in danger. If someone from Seukine came to her aid it would only bring embarrassment to the Lashir family and embarrassment meant death for her. So she continued to go with her first plan to hide somewhere because making noise would be the least desirable option.


    She found her way into a large hedged path that led to a sprawling second garden full of beautiful exotic flowers and grand pathways with arches. The second garden had a small crystal-clear lake in the middle and a pavilion that sat in the center of the lake. It reminded her of a birdcage with its shape and golden accents. She moved slowly towards the pavilion ahead. She could hide in if she could just make it there. No one was calling her name and she looked back a few more times to see that the man wasn''t there anymore. She didn''t know why, but she didn''t dwell on it. She just needed to hide until she could figure out what was going on.


    She looked back once more to see if she was still being pursued as she stepped in backward. Doing so she misjudged her footing and tripped on the top step into the pavilion. As she stumbled, her momentum took her backward and she tried to stop herself from falling but it was in vain and she only stopped when she landed on something.


    She gasped, the left side of her torso was jostled as she fell onto what she now realized was not something but rather someone. She was in the lap of someone from the Seukine household. Her dirty, smelly, wet uniform was ruining the pristine white cloak and the fur throw of the man that was sitting. She hurried to get up but the bracelet on her wrist had snagged in between the intricate blossom and vine designs on the wheel of their wheelchair.


    She looked up to the person whose lap she was in. It was a man with a face that remained impassive. Not even a hint of emotion was revealed on his face. His eyes stayed closed even though she had fallen onto him. It didn''t seem like he was even startled by her.


    "I-I...." Whatever she had wanted to say left her as she couldn''t help but stare at this person. Unlike her master, this man was quite androgynous. His pale skin seemed unnatural in the shade of the pavilion. It gave off an ethereal impression that almost seemed to glow to her. Generous pale pink lips were pressed into a tight line now and she had forgotten she was supposed to be getting her wrist free of the chair. She was caught up in his enchantment. He was more beautiful than handsome.


    His nose was straight and a bit long, but the tip-tilted upward just a bit and could be considered cute. Her eyes traveled up to his brow which was slightly strong with immaculate eyebrows that were just a bit thick. She could clearly see he was a male but he also had very feminine features.


    It was a strange mixture. Master Lashir was handsome with a trickster''s smile, but this man was like the paintings older attendants spoke about being in the palace. This person was the kind of beauty that represented the high noble class or even royalty. Though his eyes were closed, Phirynei felt that if they were opened they would be as crystal-clear as the water in the lake they were sitting on.


    Except for the tiniest dusting of light brown and red freckles on the bridge of his nose, he was the perfect epitome of elegance. He had an otherworldly grace and beauty made her feel like she was in front of an emperor, which was even more reason to get off of him. He wasn''t even speaking. He sat silently and Phirynei struggled with her bracelet as the steel wire bit into her flesh.


    She wanted to get away from the man because he was obviously very important and she had just defiled him. "I am sorry, I am sorry, please forgive me."


    "You dare!"


    She jumped at the sound of the voice and looked over to her left. It was a young man who was well-dressed and in soft grays and white. The attendant came closer with a swiftness that she didn''t expect. "You wretched woman!"


    She tried to explain but before she could open her mouth, she was slapped. It stung but was nothing to the punch she had taken earlier. She grabbed her cheek with her free hand as tears finally found freedom. She had been so busy running for her life that the slap was what broke her. It wasn''t her fault that any of this happened. She tried to get up and explain but fell back into the man''s lap because of her caught bracelet and how close the attendant had gotten to her.


    "You dare touch the master. You lowly slut¡ª" It was at that exact moment that the attendant, whom Phirynei realized belatedly was a Rini, must have seen the bracelet trapped in the wheelchair.


    "You! You unclean whore!" the next attack was a closed fist that hit her cheek knocking her backward onto the floor. Blood was in her mouth again. She held in her whimpers and swallowed the blood that filled her mouth. The Rini grabbed her free arm and flipped her over then forced her face to the ground. His gloved fingers biting into her neck and her wrist was still trapped by the bracelet.


    "You dare hide your status as impure and you are so bold that you touched the Master of Seukine. You will die for this,"


    Phirynei shook her head as her face was forced against the floor. Words alluded her due to the fear gripping her throat. She had no idea the man was the Master of the Estate, but now it made sense.


    "I am sorry. I did not mean to. Please let me explain¡ª" She knew her words would fall on deaf ears. There was no way that they would listen to her since she was a slave. Her death seemed imminent.


    "I had no idea I had such a brazen Danu. To scheme something so vile. What did you hope to accomplish Danu Ro?" Master Lashir cut her off and as soon as she heard his voice she knew that everything that happened had been a part of his scheme. He had used her to insult the Estate Master of Seukine. A crime that she would never knowingly commit. She wasn''t surprised at his actions. He was known for his cruelty and using her was the easiest way to insult someone. She was considered the most disgusting person in the Asila estate.


    She wanted to scream and cry out at the injustice but her words were dying before they could pass her lips. Going against her home estate was certainly death for not only her but her mother.


    "Honored Estate Master Seulnine you have my apologies. I have overlooked such a shameful woman for too long. I only ask that you do not hold this against Asila. This indecent act must not be revealed. It will dishonor both of our families."


    The Seukine attendant let go of her and stepped to the side of the Estate Master then took off his glove. He rested his hand palm up on the armrest of the wheelchair. The man touched the center of the Rini''s palm.


    Phirynei watched the display before her. It was her first time seeing what everyone called a Child of the Golden Lights, Kren. It was said those with that title had mastery over a special type of energy known as Kren. The energy was found in certain people born during certain time periods. Those with mastery could control what was naturally in their body to some extent. Making them stronger, faster, and sometimes even smarter than the average person. There were even whispers of greater feats that could be performed. Displays of power that were much more than the ability to convey messages through touch, but most of what she knew about the Golden Lights came from rumors around Asila, which were never that trustworthy.


    Regardless, Phirynei thought that if the Estate Master of Seukine couldn''t control Kren his duties would be even more difficult. From what she could infer he could not speak nor did he have sight. He was also unable to walk and in their society, people would be seen as worthless if they couldn''t contribute anything meaningful. However, the master of the estate was able to convey his thoughts to his Rini because of his mastery. That gave him value when others in the same situation would be shunned. This fact only made her situation worse. It looked like she took advantage of him because he was disabled.


    "Master states, ''General Lashir, your Danu has committed an act of indecency toward me and all of Seukine. It is an act deserving of death. Yet, you ask that I bury this affair to leave both our reputations intact. It is agreeable to me that this act is never revealed, but the Danu must be punished." The Rini said.


    "Death would be the most deserved punishment for an impure Danu that has acted so heinously. I believe you agree with me," The General was out of sight for Phirynei but she could hear the glee in his voice.


    He wanted her dead. It was clear to her from the events of the day, but the reason for his malice toward her was a mystery. She rarely ever saw him in Asila. Whatever the reason she wasn''t going to allow him to do what he pleased when her life was in danger.


    "Danu Ro did not mean to commit this act. I am simple and foolish. Please do not kill Danu Ro, Estate Master of the Esteem Seukine please, I beg of you not to end my life like this," She didn''t know if her words had reached him but she had tried. If only to stay alive to keep her promise to her mother.


    It happened on a night when things looked grim for the two of them. She was unsure either one of them would make it through the night, but her mother begged her to stay awake and she promised her mother repeatedly through the night to never give up. Not until she fulfilled their wish. If she didn''t return to Asila she knew her mother would die of heartbreak.


    "You will remain quiet!" The Rini walked over to her and stepped onto the shoulder blade of her trapped arm. Phirynei bit her bottom lip to stop any sound from spilling out. She learned that any sound even the smallest of whimpers counted as a sound in Asila. The Seukine Master didn''t move but he did turn his head slightly toward the Rini, who immediately went back to his position. It was an unspoken command that she was thankful for.


    The man took the Rini''s hand, "Master states, ''You agree that she must die. Then it will be carried out now."


    The Rini then turned toward a servant, "Call the executioner. Let him come and administer justice."


    Phirynei felt an icy chill creep up from her toes to the crown of her head. She knew she was going to die. As a Danu she knew had done something unforgivable, but she wondered if it was worthy of a punishment with such finality. It was a mistake but to them, none of that mattered. She had touched the purest person in the household, the Master of the Estate and one blessed with strange abilities. She could never pay for her crime with anything but her life. Something that her estate master knew well. He trapped her with no escape. She thought he must have despised her but then again people like him didn''t need a reason to be cruel.


    She lay listless on her belly with her arm still in an awkward position. Her mind raced with thoughts of her mother. All the woman''s efforts to protect her would be worthless. Everything would be for nothing if she died the pawn in some scheme.


    She couldn''t stand still hoping she would be spared. Something had to be done and she would need to be the one to do it.

 4. Mercy

    Ienia was surprised that she didn¡¯t make more of a commotion as the executioner cut the steel wire to her bracelet and dragged her out of the pavilion onto the wooden bridge. He could still hear the beads rolling around on the wooden floor. No one else had spoken a word since the executioner''s arrival.


    ¡°She is to be beaten to death for her crime against the Estate Master,¡± Eu?ya said still standing by his side. His Rini had always been protective over him, but more so now that he was less than he was before. The fact that an unclean slave touched him was driving the servant¡¯s rage.


    Eu?ya must have felt like he failed him and nothing he could say would abate the guilt. Ienia didn¡¯t even attempt to do so. It was understandable, but something was off with the situation. A nagging thought stayed in the back of his mind. He wanted to ignore it but of course, he couldn¡¯t. Something was blatantly wrong with the events of the past hour. The whole situation was beginning to aggravate him the longer he analyzed it.


    If the girl was so shameless why choose to enact her plan now when there were so few to witness it? If she was trying to seduce him, she was failing as he was blind and couldn¡¯t see her appearance. If she wanted to be caught, there were too few around. The garden attendants were spread farther apart when he was in the garden to keep them from disturbing him. They also wouldn''t know she was in the pavilion from where they were working.


    She would likely be killed before the news of what happened reached fourth-rank attendants, let alone outside the walls of Seukine. Then there was the fact that the girl didn¡¯t speak at all to him other than to beg for mercy after being caught. She didn¡¯t try to spew seductive words or touch him inappropriately other than sitting in his lap which seemed like a mistake. It was more of a sudden fall into his lap than a purposeful perch. She was obtaining nothing from insulting him other than death. None of her actions made sense when he thought over the situation.


    If she wasn¡¯t an Impure Danu then at the very least she could claim he fancied her, but as he was disabled this incident was more of an assault on him rather than her. There were blaring issues with the poorly conceived scheme. It reeked to him of that bastard, Fhain''dea. Although his schemes were not this tacky usually.


    It was clear that the man was plotting something but he couldn¡¯t figure out what the result was supposed to be. The sound of cloth ripping alerted Ienia to the girl¡¯s clothes being ripped apart to expose her family crest on her back. To their society exposing the crest to a rod or whip was a dishonor to her family. Still, it was also the only way for her family to regain dignity. Unfortunately, her death would give them back their honor.


    Suddenly, there was a noticeable change in the atmosphere. Something was revealed and even the executioner wavered to act. An audible gasp escaped even Eu?ya. There were very few things that could cause that type of reaction, so he reached out to his right and touched the young man¡¯s hand.


    ''What happened?'' He communicated with the young man. Eu?ya moved to lean down and whispered to him,


    ¡°The Danu¡¯s family crest is scarred from years of whippings. Not only that but the crest is large, covering most of her back and containing at least thirteen generations. It appears very noble and from an old clan.¡±


    ¡°Please have m-mercy-¡± the girl cried out suddenly as the beating began. The executioner had decided to disregard the crest and continued his duty.


    Ienia let go of Eu?ya¡¯s hand. He started to replay the events that had happened since Fhain''dea¡¯s arrival. They had met in the pavilion to talk about the coming war with the country of Nivalia and the additional soldiers they were receiving, but the general had found a way to change the subject to him. Fhain''dea taunted him for his weakness and reliance on others. Pointing out how useless his input was on the matter and lastly insinuating impotence in such a crude way that his female attendants were probably blushing.


    Fortunately, he was able to control his temper and respond with poise and respect to the traitor. After the meeting, he sent the other attendants away so that he could continue to regain his composure. Fhain''dea always knew how to drag a person through the mud. He had asked Eu?ya to retrieve some water for him. It was during that time that the girl showed up.


    He was shocked when she landed in his lap, only retaining his calmness through sheer will. She had somehow entered his Ring of Awareness without him knowing, though he had been daydreaming. It scared him to have someone suddenly in his lap without sensing their arrival in the garden far beforehand. Thinking back, he remembered she was soaked. He could feel the water seeping through his clothes and reaching his stomach and thighs as she sat in his lap.


    She had fallen into one of the small lakes or ponds. She smelt earthy as well probably from a potted plant or tilled dirt. Her breathing was distressed with breaths that came in short and fast puffs. Her heart had been thundering in her chest and his sensitive ears picked it up easily. She was fearful, anxious, and shivering violently when she landed in his lap. She even struggled desperately with her bracelet trapped in the carved floral designs of his chair. It was clear that she had been running away from someone who assaulted her and unintentionally fled to his garden.


    Though afraid and frightened she had paused when seeing him. He felt her staring at him intensely. She inspected him carefully as if she were seeing a life-sized doll. He had heard what others said about him behind his back. His appearance had taken on a very effeminate look since he poisoned. No doubt another gift from the empress and Fhain''dea. When she realized she was gawking, she tried to move but Eu?ya had already returned, giving her no time to explain.


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    His servant''s anger prevented her from saying anything to defend herself and then there was the arrival of Fhain''dea. He had silenced her the moment he arrived even though she tried to explain the situation, but with his interference, she couldn¡¯t do anything. Speaking against her master was an offense. Not only that but the girl had received extensive beatings and had a family crest that almost covered her entire back. He had no choice but to wonder who the girl was that would be used by his enemy.


    There was more to the picture than he could perceive. Fhain''dea wanted her dead for a reason and the general wanted her dead by his hand. General Lashir didn¡¯t need his help to kill anyone, especially not a lowly slave. Then the situation Fhain''dea used to trap her left him well within his right to kill her. No one would question his decision since she committed such a crime against him. So why did he want the girl killed by the Seulnine family?


    ¡°Have mercy. Please have mercy on my mother! I am all she has left in the world and I would *never* do this of my own free will,¡± she screamed out. She was fading fast but still begged not to save her life for herself but for her mother¡¯s sake. Not only that she was confirming something that was nagging him. Ienia took Eu?ya''s hand and with the aid of the circlet, he was able to borrow Eu?ya''s eyes as his own. He needed to see the girl. Something was missing from all of this and her plea was a clue.


    Eu?ya''s first reaction was wrong when he saw the girl. Why not react with rage right away? She was stretched out on the wooden bridge with a bloody back. Her blood was leaving splatter marks with each hit. Ienia quickly observed her and the green glimmer from the jewel on her cap gave him everything he needed. No slave could change their jewel. They didn¡¯t have the tools required to release the jewel from the lock. Even if they could, what Danu would willingly swap with an impure slave? It was clear, she was forced to wear the jewel to deceive others but Fhain''dea couldn''t remove the bracelet as he wasn''t the true Estate Master of Asila. Eu?ya had seen the green jewel first and his reaction was lighter until he saw the bracelet.


    He let go of Eu?ya¡¯s hand since he was reaching his limit and he''d rather not be in pain for the rest of the day. Truthfully, it was a moment of foolishness, but he needed to see the whole picture.


    ¡°Master?¡± Eu?ya whispered. Ienia shook his head and took the Rini''s hand again. He took a deep breath before speaking through the Rini, another ability that would normally drain him extensively without the circlet he wore.


    ¡°Cease the punishment!¡± Eu?ya spoke suddenly and Ienia heard the man stop his attack. He could feel his eyes on him so he nodded in agreement and then punishment ended.


    ¡°My Master is kindhearted and does not wish to take the life of this pitiful slave. She had clearly made this mistake by accident.¡± Ienia could hear the girl gasping and thanking him for his mercy. She was an innocent person used in Fhain''dea¡¯s deadly scheme.


    ¡°A more fitting payment has been decided for this impure slave. Since she is strong and young, she is desirable as a slave concubine to bear offspring. She will be taken as his Fanu Re.¡±


    Ienia spoke in the third person through Eu?ya to keep the fa?ade that he could only relay messages. He couldn¡¯t allow anyone to know the extent of his power or what he was truly capable of even if it was supported by the circlet.


    ¡°How¡­how noble of you.¡± There was disbelief in Fhain''dea¡¯s voice as he spoke but there wasn¡¯t any disappointment. From his reaction, things were still going according to plan for the general. Ienia was sure there would be more traps ahead. He knew Eu?ya was confused about his choice but didn¡¯t protest openly as it was disrespectful.


    ¡°This is agreeable. She is young and strong. She very well may produce a child for you. Since she is impure, she should be purified in Asila. It is her home after all. She should be returned to Seukine for the debut and wedding.¡± The general spoke his voice coming from the area near the slave girl.


    Ienia knew Fhain''dea well, he knew without sight the man was staring down at the girl¡¯s injuries. Admiring them like they were freshly plucked roses. What was strange was how he wanted to take her away immediately after trying to have her killed. He couldn''t let that happen. Since he was too tired to continue speaking through Eu?ya he gave the message to the Rini to relay.


    ¡°Your offer has been declined. She committed a crime against the Seulnine family she must remain in Seukine. She will be cleansed here and she will never be allowed to step outside of Seukine until permitted.¡± Eu?ya had a hint of smugness in his voice.


    ¡°That is rather cruel of you Mir ¡®fea.¡± The general spoke his affectionate name lowly. Ienia grabbed the armrest of his wheelchair, his mouth opening for a harsh reprimand that couldn''t be heard but Eu?ya answered.


    ¡°General Lashir you should only use proper titles when speaking to Master Seulnine. As you are not of the same class nor do you share friendly relations with our Master. Therefore you are being disrespectful to the Estate Master of Seukine. Please learn your place quickly to not add another insult to the one you have already given us. It is already shameful that you cannot control your attendants.¡± Eu?ya footsteps let him know the man left his side and was going closer to where Fhain''dea was standing.


    ¡°Ah, yes I must have forgotten myself. Estate Master, this Danu¡¯s mother is still in Asila. Though she is a slave like her daughter do you begrudge her the opportunity to see her daughter given away?¡± The general asked. His attempt to keep the girl was not quite blatant.


    ¡°Then she should have raised her better. That slave would have been killed if not for the mercy of Master Seulnine. She has committed a crime worthy of a painful death, yet you lament over her mother. Are we offending her? Should Master Seulnine apologize to the mother of a slave as well?¡± Eu?ya was as sharp as always and even Fhain''dea was not expecting such a response. The general played it off with a chuckle, though there was something in the laugh that made Ienia take notice.


    ¡°She should rejoice that Seukine is so merciful to spare her unclean child,¡± Eu?ya must have motioned to the executioner because his heavy footsteps came close to the pavilion.


    ¡°Take her to the physician. Clean her and allow her to rest then send her to Master Seulnine''s private courtyard." The young Rini went back toward him and grabbed the handles of his wheelchair.


    ¡°My Estate Master has grown tired from this ordeal. May General Lashir return to the guest courtyard. The matter of the Danu will be handled by Seukine. Consider that Danu no longer the property of Asila. As of today, you have given her into the care of Seukine¡± Eu?ya said as he headed for the ramp that warped around the back of the pavilion and led to the bridge. The man agreed but didn''t say much else.


    When they were finally alone Eu?ya spoke dropping all formality, ¡°What are you thinking taking in an Impure Danu as your first slave concubine? Your mother is going to kill me and then you.¡±


    Ienia didn¡¯t communicate anything to the servant or even acknowledge the question. He simply relaxed when Fhain''dea was outside of his ring of awareness. He trusted his first-rank attendants and noble guards to keep the General in his place. For now, he¡¯d rather rest than talk to Eu?ya. He''d deal with the Danu later after she was cleaned up and rested. There was much to be discussed with the girl who passed through his ring of awareness undetected.

 5. Proposal I

    Phirynei slowly opened her eyes. She was on a soft bed under a chunky fur cover. The first thing she did was check her cap. It was still secure on her head, and she felt relieved, although it was slightly damp on the outside, the inside was dry. Her mother made it waterproof and she was thankful for the woman''s forethought. Her back was bandaged tightly, but the pain was bearable. She assumed they gave her some medicine. Asila didn''t waste medicine on slaves unless the illness was life-threatening and even then it was a rare occasion. They had to be worth it to save. She was an unclean slave, but the Estate Master of Seukine thought she had value.


    "Ah, you are awake." A man''s voice startled her, and she sat up. A terrible mistake as she flinched in pain and froze. Her ribs and back hurt so much that every muscle in her body was tense. She was afraid to move back into a resting position, stuck between sitting up and lying down. The man spoke again, "Rest, you¡¯re safe now."


    Slowly lying back down she tried to relax. She was alive which was a good thing, but at what cost? She knew what she had said was toeing the line of disloyalty to Asila, but Phirynei had spent her entire life at the mercy of others and she had long ago grown tired of it. If she didn''t speak then she would have died as a criminal. Taking a slow deep breath she forced herself to sit up despite the pain. She felt her cap one more time, surprised that the man didn''t at least try to take it off.


    The room she was in was different from the infirmary in Asila. The room was warmer and with fewer beds than her home estate but it seemed to be fully equipped to care for almost any ailments or injuries. Against the wall was a cubby bookcase dedicated to what looked like medical books. It was so tall that it almost reached the ceiling.


    She looked at the warm source of light coming from the bedside. It was a Light Orb. The glow it gave off was pleasant and the heat warmed her completely with being too strong. Asila had them as well, but she wasn¡¯t allowed to have one. She had to use candles for light and heat. When she was a child, she used to watch the maintenance servants heat them in blazing fires, until the light was almost blinding. The heat and light would last for hours until the sun rose again. Now the orbs lasted for days before needing to be reheated.


    "You are a stubborn one," a voice brought her from her musings. She looked up from the bedside table to the person. "You fought to keep it on even half-conscious,"


    She realized that he spoke of her hat and she fought the need to check if it was still on her head correctly. The man turned away from his desk to look at her now. Honey-colored eyes stared blankly at her as she tried to get off the bed, "And you are at it again, You have fractured ribs and a severely lacerated back. It would help you and me if you would listen and relax?"


    "Danu Ro is foolish, forgive her," she said using the speech meant for slaves. She stopped her struggle to get off the bed and instead lowered her head. She still couldn''t believe she had fought with him over her hat, while semi-conscious. It made sense to her since she was told by her mother never to take it off.


    However, the physician didn''t seem angry instead he was more annoyed that she wouldn''t lie down. Still, she was wary of the tall man. He walked over to her and the laugh that escaped him only made her want to retreat. He had a deeper voice than what he spoke with earlier. It was probably because he wanted to calm her.


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean to scare you but I have news for you." The man began as he grasped her upper arms and pushed her back to the bed gently. She noticed his eyes were a soft golden color that was close to being the closer of honey. It was hard not to stare at his eyes since he was so close to her. She thought it was a fitting color for him. Eventually, she averted her eyes as soon as she realized she was probably being extremely rude to be a slave.


    "First, I am your doctor. You may call me Physician Sa or Ion. My name is Kii''ion Seulnine. Second, you are in my infirmary and will listen to me as I am here to help you heal and recover. Third you are to be very careful after such a beating. It took me several hours to stop the bleeding and your ribs are not so good right now. Moving around without thought is not a good idea and I would appreciate it if you do not give me more work than I already have. Fourth, you are now Fanu Re. You may not refer to yourself as anything below that. You have climbed up to such a notable position in such a short time, you should be thankful," Physician Ion said pushing the girl under the warm furs.


    "Dan- Fanu¡­ Fanu Phi?" Phirynei tested the new status title. She didn''t like it. However, she was spared because of it, so she would learn to live with it. She thought Ion would hate her for taking advantage of the Estate Master, but his voice held no animosity. It was strange but she didn¡¯t think it would last. It was probably a pretense that would end eventually. There was no way he didn''t resent her for sullying his Master.


    "Phi? What is your given name?" He asked walking back over to his large desk that was cluttered with books and paperwork. A light orb sat with a faint glow on the left side of the desk. It wouldn¡¯t be long before the energy was used up. The man sat down and began organizing the desk.


    He must have been closely related to the Master of Seukine as they shared similar features. Dark black hair and pale skin with thicker eyebrows, though Physician Ion was less intimidating. He bolsters a calm and relaxed demeanor. His clothes were also the color of Seukine but his dress was like Lashir¡¯s with a button-up shirt and fitting pants. He stuck out and she wondered if it was only when he was working in the infirmary.


    While the doctor was working she noticed his sleeves were rolled back to his forearms. He has strong muscles in his forearms which was odd to Phirynei. All the physicians of Asila were old, weak men. They didn''t look anything like this man. She almost didn''t believe he was a doctor but a soldier with his physique.


    "This one is known as Phirynei," she said confused about whether she should get up and greet him formally. He had told her to stay seated but he had to be someone important to the family. If she showed disrespect after being shown mercy she would be showing a lack of gratitude, which could end with her back in her former predicament of imminent death.


    "Phirynei? A foreign name," The man said sitting down and leaning back in the chair. "No wonder Mir''fea has decided to keep you. You don¡¯t have to be formal here. Slave speech is distasteful to me."


    Phirynei was taken aback by his wanting her to speak informally. She also assumed that Mir''fea was the Master of Seukine''s affectionate name, thus proving that the doctor before her was a relative. A relative with a close relationship. A passing thought came to her, that the Master of Seukine was now her master. She was no longer a part of the Asila Estate. Everything that happened felt unreal to her and left her unsure if it was a good development. Master Lashir had wanted her dead and she wasn''t. There was no way he would let her just leave.


    "Is she awake?" The young man from earlier entered the infirmary without asking. He was shorter than the physician but a lot taller than her. He was the Rini or noble servant of the Estate Master. A personal servant who was above all other servants in the Estate and even had the authority to command the guards of the estate.


    "Rini Eu?ya you are just in time. The Fanu is awake. Probably very sore but that will fade with time and rest." The doctor stood up, "I will take my leave. Tell Mir''fea his taste in women has gotten better. You see to it that he takes care of this Fanu. It is good to see him finding interest in women again."


    Eu?ya scoffed at the request before fixing his expression. His cold black eyes turned to her. She had never seen such dark eyes. It was as if he had no distinguishing difference from his irises and pupils. She sat up despite her pain and got down on the floor onto her knees. She then lowered her head to the floor. "This F-fanu apologizes--"


    "Am I your master?" He cut her off irritated. Phirynei shook her head unsure what to do. The man was angry at her but didn''t want her to apologize. It was confusing. Asila had a strict hierarchy and she always knew how to appease those over her.


    "Master has explained," he turned his dark glare elsewhere. "I think you are simple and stupid to be used in such a way but you are innocent. Let us start over. You must get up. You must not bow to me. My status is below yours now."


    She hadn''t even thought of that. As a Fanu, she was above all attendants and servants, even the Rini. She could not command the Rini since he could only be controlled by the Estate Master, but she could not bow to him and he could command her to do things. It was complicated but she understood her new place.


    She knew he was watching her reaction as he said that, but she did not react. There was a difference in her status now, but she was unsure how she should feel because she didn''t know how she felt. Eu?ya helped her back to the bed, and she remained quiet afraid she might anger him a second time.


    "I am Eu?ya. You may call me Rini Re or Rini Eui. What is your name?"


    "Phirynei," she said barely above a whisper.


    "What an odd name. Were you born here in Vahnaine?"


    "I do not know," She placed her hands on her lap.


    He had touched her without shunning her. It was a surreal moment. She couldn''t help but stare at his hands. He was young and seemed to be near her age maybe a little younger but his hands indicated he used them a lot. There were no visible calluses, but they were the hands of a hard worker. They were clean with a few scars. He caught her looking at him. She noticed he glanced at his own hands for a second then back at her. She felt embarrassed, so she hung her head.


    "You are still an impure slave, but that will change soon enough. I will not take offense. I will purify my hands before we meet with our master. She nodded, and he took a seat in a chair next to her bed. "You have been asleep since yesterday. Your former master is pestering our Master Seulnine to see you, though I''m sure the reason is less than noble."


    "Must I see him?" Phirynei whispered. Lashir was frightened when enraged and she was sure she had ruined his plan. Even alluded to being used by him in the scheme, but she found herself now a part of Seukine at the very least. Still, she surely wouldn''t escape his wrath in the end.


    "Yes, he still has that right but you must meet our Master first. Come I will have a Sha Sevi assist you into your garments." The Rini said getting up to assist the small girl.


    <hr>


    The female attendant didn''t speak much to her as she helped her dress. She didn''t even look at her like she was a person. The woman simply did her job and stayed in the room until the Rini returned.


    Traveling from the infirmary to her new master¡¯s courtyard made Phirynei realize how big Seukine was. The master¡¯s courtyard had two gates that were guarded. Between the two gates was a garden that was sprawling. It looked even better than the one with the pavilion in the lake.


    Seukine was nothing like Asila. Very few courtyards in Asila had small gates. The ones that did have them didn¡¯t have such a luxurious design. Even the uniforms for the Danus were different. While Asila uniforms were one-piece made of thin cotton, canvas, or burlap for lower-ranking Danus, Seukine¡¯s Danus had much more prestige. The uniform was the best fabric she ever had against her skin.


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    The undergarment dress she was given was made of soft lightweight cotton. Then there was the full dress on top that was made of a linen fabric that was a mute burgundy. It kept her warmer than any of her Asila uniforms. There was a simple white flower design on it but nothing eye-catching. She had heard that Seukine was one of the few families that still chose the older noble fashion. The style had become a staple for families that were considered part of the Old Clans. Asila was one of those families, even though it was smaller than most, but when Fhain''dea Lashir took over he had changed to the modern style of attire.


    However, she thought the older attire was beautiful. Unlike Asila, Seukine had the tradition of women wearing half dresses which was the practice of high-ranked nobles. Even the attendants and slaves wore half dresses over their full dresses as they were servants of a noble family. Even the half-dress she wore was a fabric that wasn''t completely silk but more than half was. Danu¡¯s were truly of a different cut in Seukine. Her shoes were fitted with a good amount of cushion and looked to be made to last. It was strange for her to wear such expensive clothes.


    ¡°Fanu Phi,¡± Eu?ya¡¯s voice broke her train of thought, ¡°You must not dawdle.¡±


    Phirynei nodded jerkily and hurried her pace behind the young man. An uneasy feeling was building in the pit of her stomach again as she stepped into the office. She could hear the trickling of water from a fountain within the room. The soft scent of cypress and a touch of cedar hung in the air. It was a calming scent but Phirynei felt no relief. Hearing the double doors close behind her caused her to flinch, and she looked to Eu?ya. The Rini glanced at her before guiding her to the master¡¯s workspace. The man was in the motion of putting down a teacup gently.


    Eu?ya hurried to his side and stood on his left. Before anything could begin Phirynei went to her knees, ¡°Master of Seukine your benevolence and mercy for this one is a debt that can never be repaid. Please forgive me for only having words of gratitude. Thank you, I am undeserving of such kindness. I am undeserving of the life you have given me. Thank you for showing my mother mercy in saving my life.¡±


    She lowered her body to the floor and placed her face on the ground. A display of complete humility and vulnerability. A sincere bow of this nature was rarely ever seen, even Danus found it to be degrading. She didn''t care how it made her look. Pride was never an issue for her.


    ¡°Rise,¡± Eu?ya said. She did as she was told and slowly rose. Her ribs ached and her back still felt raw but she knew what she owed the man before her. Getting to her feet she lowered herself one more time but not like before. She kept her head low as a sign of respect.


    ¡°Master states, You have been spared from death because you are innocent.¡± Phirynei didn¡¯t understand what was meant by the statement. She was guilty of touching him, but Eu?ya continued, ¡°You committed a mistake out of fear, not with malicious intent, and were a pawn in someone else game. You will be considered innocent in the matter."


    She could only be grateful that the Master of Seukine was indeed very intelligent. Seeing through the scheme would not have been easy, especially if he was enraged by the crime committed against him. She would have been dead if not for the man before her.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Seulnine.¡± She dropped into a third bow not knowing how else to express her gratitude.


    ¡°Master Seulnine now wishes to know what happened before you came into the Seria garden?¡± Eu?ya questioned her. Phirynei hesitated to answer. She had been instilled with the laws of Asila for years. Speaking of matters between the master, wives, and even servants was prohibited. Even though she had been sold to Seukine she still hesitated to speak for fear of retribution against her mother.


    ¡°Speak Fanu,¡± Eu?ya said forcefully. His black eyes became piercing the longer he stared.


    ¡°I- I¡­¡± she began but trailed off, eventually giving up. Eu?ya turned his attention to their master and then nodded.


    ¡°You belong to Seukine. Your loyalty to Asila has been made void. You belong to Mir¡®fea, as a Fanu you must obey his commands. You went so far as to insinuate that you were not a willing party to the incident. Why do you hold back?¡± Phirynei was taken aback by the rini''s use of the affectionate name and looked up at the man in red. His elegant demeanor never changed. He was sitting stiffly with a passive look on his face. He exuded grace without speaking. Just his posture was a testament to his rank.


    Though his eyes were closed, she felt that he was staring at her. It was such a strange feeling to know his attention was completely on her. It felt like he was reading her thoughts and knew exactly how she felt. Even some of his messages that came through Eu?ya were spoken as if they came directly from him rather than the Rini. She decided she needed to give in. He was right she was no longer a part of Asila and she did forget her loyalty to hint at the truth of the matter.


    ¡°I- I was attacked on the bridge of the guest courtyard, Hyacinth. I ended up in the Master¡¯s garden because I blindly ran from the attacker. I only wanted to hide in the pavilion.¡± She explained quietly with her hand clasped in front of her. Her palms were becoming sweaty the longer she stood there, before another question could be asked, she spoke, "I never meant to harm you. It was never my intention to even meet you."


    ¡°The jewel of your status, how was it changed,¡± Eu?ya asked. She didn¡¯t think she would have to explain since it had been figured out already. She assumed he wanted to hear the truth from her. She wondered if it was a test. Would she lie for her former master? The former laws of Asila lingered in the back of her mind. Death would typically be the outcome for one with a loose tongue, but the General wanted to kill her either way and her mother was still in danger of being harmed or worse.


    ¡°Mast- General Lashir changed my status jewel. He ordered me to stay at his side. I did not want to deceive you or your attendants, but I had no other choice. I did not touch anyone other than the Master.¡± She spoke without formal servant speech. She had been an unwitting pawn in Lashir¡¯s schemes against an innocent man. She couldn''t keep her mouth closed because of fear.


    ¡°You must not hold love for your home estate any longer. Asila has traded you away to retain their dignity, your loyalty was betrayed, and you were left in Seukine¡¯s hands. Lashir does not value your life or your mother¡¯s. So it is time for you to leave that person behind.¡±


    Phirynei nodded as the words only confirmed what she already knew. It was not a harsh truth for her. She understood for a long time what her value was to Asila. It was engraved on her heart from a young age. Tightening her grip on the edges of her half-dress she took a silent deep breath. Eu?ya motioned for her to sit. She did so, thankful that she didn¡¯t have to remain standing since her back was aching at a stronger intensity and breathing was becoming harder. As she sat down, she was surprised that Master Seulnine¡¯s head turned in her direction. It felt odd. It was like he was looking at her, though it was impossible. She quickly turned her attention elsewhere, so as not to be rude. She took in the regal appearance of his office instead.


    It was filled with many potted plants and flowers but they were neatly arranged on a long medium size shelf with many compartments to store the plant. The shelving had no back to it so it was completely opened like the cubby bookcase. It sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that formed a semi-circle around the office area of the room. His large desk was filled with paperwork and maps. There were light orbs that were set up for use possibly for the Rini to read over paperwork. A large tapestry was hanging behind him of the Seulnine family crest. Everything in the room displayed the family''s wealth.


    Even the leather of the chair she was asked to sit on was too comfortable. She absentmindedly squeezed the seat of the chair. The padding was soft and broad. She had never been on something that made her want to curl up and sleep. The difference between Seukine and Asila was more than obvious.


    However, it was strange to her that the room had potted plants and comfortable chairs. Now that she had formally met the Estate Master, he felt cold and distant like a lifeless doll. Yet his courtyard was full of beautiful flowers and the house he lived in had so much care put into it that it contrasted his demeanor. Everything seemed to be picked out with the utmost care.


    ¡°Master wishes to know your name.¡± Eu?ya¡¯s voice broke through her drifting thoughts and she jumped to attention.


    ¡°Fanu Phi''s given name is Phirynei,¡± she said, returning to the proper speech for a servant. She stared down at the uniform she wore again. The half-dress suddenly grabbed her attention with its white flower motif. She pulled at the silk fabric as nervousness settled on her.


    ¡°All of your name Fanu.¡± Eu?ya clarified with annoyance. Phirynei didn¡¯t speak right away, which drew a stare from Eu?ya and fed his annoyance. ¡°Master wants to know why you hesitate?¡±


    ¡°Fanu Phi''s mother made her promise a vow. I- Phirynei can not reveal my surname. I can not break the oath or she will disown me. I could not bear it as she is all I have left of my family,¡± Those in Asila didn''t even know what her surname was. Her mother warned that it needed to remain hidden and forgotten.


    ¡°It is more than I could ever bear but if Master must seek the answer then please do what must be done. Fanu Fi will accept any punishment but I will not speak my family name or rank." She forced the words from her lips knowing that refusing to answer the question would mean a strong punishment. She knew she would be beaten for her disobedience.


    It was so simple to answer but Phirynei valued her mother more than herself. She didn¡¯t know why but the weight of her last name would cause chaos. Her mother told her that repeatedly. The Master of Seukine would surely take offense but there was nothing she could do to placate his oncoming anger. She dipped her head low figuring it was all she could do. She could tell Eu?ya held back from speaking, but his annoyance seemed to fade away to pity.


    "Master spares you this time. But there will be a time when you must let go of your oath as it is inappropriate. Our Master will be your husband and you will be his Fanu. Your loyalty must remain his above all else. You owe him your loyalty for your life.¡±


    Phirynei nodded, knowing that the Estate Master was being very lenient with her. She was thankful he was nothing like General Lashir.


    ¡°Now let us meet with the General. The arrangement for your marriage must be done right away.¡± Eu?ya said moving behind the master and moving him back from the desk. Phirynei got to her feet slowly and looked back at the comfy chair. She felt bad knowing that the lovely chair would be burned because she sat in it, but she couldn¡¯t refuse to sit.


    Once she was standing, she bowed and dutifully followed behind them at the correct amount of paces. Although her status title changed, she was still technically a Danu until after the purification, but the Rini didn¡¯t look at her like the others did. He didn¡¯t look at her like she was disgusting or didn''t exist. It was a strange feeling that caught her and she realized how nice it was to be looked at as a normal person.

 6. Proposal II

    The Onyx chamber hadn¡¯t been used since Ienia had returned home with a broken body. There was no use for it once all his military acquaintances, subordinates and friends abandoned him. Since he had become a person who no longer could protect or challenge others he was essentially useless in their society.


    The people he used to trust implicitly showed him their true faces once they knew he wouldn¡¯t die. Once it was clear that he would survive the pity turned into resentment and disgust. If he had died the Royal Tactician title could have been given to another, however, he didn¡¯t die.


    He lived and his position was retired. There would never be another Royal Tactician only the title of High Tactician would be given. It was a mercy from the Emperor but it didn¡¯t matter because if he had died he would have been honored rather than the way he was treated now with a retired title. His ego was crushed during those days.


    He had not only lost the battle in the Deuha region but he was injured critically by someone he trusted like a brother. The culprit was his former best friend Fhain''dea Lashir. The very person that was scheming against him now.


    Fhain¡¯dea had the backing of the imperial family, most notably the Empress. It wasn¡¯t hard for Ienia to conclude after reviewing everything that happened during the year leading up to his defeat. Fhain¡¯dea couldn¡¯t do half of the things he did without the help of someone with a great reach.


    The Empress never hid her distaste for him or his family, but the reason why she would join hands with Fhain¡¯dea was beyond him.


    At the moment none of that mattered since he had to fight off the current scheme. He didn¡¯t have time to dwell on the past.


    Unfortunately, the very room he was in reminded him of the past. It was a strong reminder of everything that was taken from him. He went from the Royal Tactician to a blind, mute, and crippled man relying on others for help.


    He would have drunk the Belladonna tea that the Empress sent to him days after the incident if not for Eu?ya, his mother and sister. The three of them begged him not to leave them. Their sobs had broken his resolve to die. He could not leave them to fend for themselves. Even if he was physically broken, his mind was sharp and his position as the heir to Seukine was the only way to protect his precious ones. He didn''t hesitate to become the Estate Master even with his disadvantages because protecting them was what was more important.


    As they entered, he could hear the girl''s breath hitch. The court was truly something to behold. Though he had not seen it in years, his memory of it was bright and clear. He had spent many evenings concocting plans of action for the emperor. In his memories of the room it was large and imposing with a round table in the center that sat nineteen people comfortably. Above the table was a circular skylight that allowed for natural light to enter the room during the day. A map of the empire was engraved into the table and there were figurines representing their forces and enemy forces. The Onyx room held too many memories for him, good and bad.


    Entering the room after so long only stoked the fire burning in his heart. Eu?ya pushed him at a steady pace as they moved toward the head of the round table. The floral scent in the room was from the attendants cleaning it routinely. It was well taken care of though no one used the room regularly. He had ordered the attendants to care for the room and court regularly.


    The soft hesitating footsteps of the young woman caught his attention. She hadn¡¯t the faintest idea where she was to go. Her footsteps earlier were almost silent and each step was taken with care. The woman did everything in her power to prevent attention from shifting to her, but his hearing had become so sensitive that her attempts were in vain. Though it was an admirable trait for a slave, it was utterly useless for a concubine. Concubines fought for the attention of their husband. She was unfit for the position he gave her.


    He still had time to send her away or to her death. Death, however, was not an option he was willing to take, but sending her away was something that stuck in his mind. Allowing her to be his concubine would lead to her suffering for the position he bestowed upon her, but sending her away would also lead to troubles. She would be unprotected from Fhain''dea and whatever the general had in mind involved hurting or killing the girl.


    It was something he could not allow, even if taking her in this way could backfire and cause his reputation to suffer. Who had ever heard of an Estate Master taking in an impure Danu Ro as a woman of his own? A sixth rank Danu was the lowest person in an Estate, but it was far too late to backtrack now. There was also the matter of the girl¡¯s identity and why Fhain''dea wanted her dead. Her response to stating her family name and rank was unexpected.


    Her pulse had quickened, and the hesitation was very telling. Whoever her family was would caused her to be ridiculed. The crest and the withholding of her family name only meant she was of a noble house that had fallen. That was normal if the clan had angered the Emperor. Yet, it was more than that.


    She entered his ring of awareness without alerting him. She was a Child of the Golden Lights as he was, but of the few that he had met none was as young as her, nor could they perform such a feat as she had. It was impossible and inconceivable for one to be born outside of the time frame, but he experienced her sudden presence for himself. If she was not one of the children then what was she?


    ¡°You must not stand. You have become a Fanu, so you must sit. You are still a slave of sorts but with a certain amount of importance given to you.¡± Eu?ya explained it to her gently. The Rini moved away from him probably to guide her to a seat. Funnily his attendant was ready to beat her to death yesterday but now he took the time to explain things to her.


    Ienia found his change of heart humorous. Eu?ya was a fierce servant with a mouth like a whip but a heart softer than a down pillow. He listened as the girl apologized and sat in the seat on his right. He figured she was a quarter of the table away as her voice was neither far nor close to him. It was where she should be. It didn¡¯t take long for the General to appear with his two attendants.


    ¡°Not a speck of dust to be found. Your attendants surely worked their fingers to the bone cleaning this unused court for their Estate Master. Though it is a shame that the sight of this room is unseen by so many.¡± Fhain''dea boldly taunted.


    Eu?ya exhaled stiffly before speaking, ¡°May General Lashir make haste as the noon meal must be served punctually. We have little time.¡±


    ¡°A Rini with such a bold mouth. I do not know of another like you.¡± The general said taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. Fhain¡¯dea hated to be bossed around by those he saw beneath him. It was a flaw that Ienia still remembered.


    ¡°Rini Rei would never attempt boldness. Rini only wishes to convey concern for my Estate Master¡¯s health.¡± Ienia felt Eu?ya¡¯s stance shift. Most likely he lowered his head in a facade of humility, especially with the use of formal servant speech.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Today, the arrangement of Fanu Phi will be settled,¡± Eu?ya said as he rested his hand on the wheelchair armrest.


    ¡°Yes, we should not procrastinate on such an important matter.¡± Fhain¡¯dea had a smile in his voice as he spoke.


    ¡°Master wishes to arrange the wedding for the next week. It must be done then as it allows for a smooth transition into Seukine. The longer the wait the more Fanu Phi will suffer as the matter cannot be hidden for long.¡±


    ¡°I do not agree with the rushing of this matter. Danu Phi is leaving Asila. Her home for all of her life. Should she be stuffed into a box and brought in under the cover of night? Surely your beautiful wives will find fault with this method.¡± The general purposely misspoke to remind them what Phirynei was. It was a disgusting blow to him but Ienia would not fall for the bait. The general tapped on the edge of the table with something metallic impatient for an answer. The sound was irritating to Ienia''s superb sense of hearing but he had to ignore that as well. Eu?ya kept still only after a quick word from him. He didn¡¯t need another pavilion scene.


    ¡°My master does not wish to hide anything, only to protect the reputation of Seukine. You certainly understand the weight of reputation and dignity. Though General is only acting Estate Master of Asila you must understand Master Seulnine¡¯s priorities in this matter.¡± Eu?ya said with such care that Ienia had to stop himself from making an expression and laughing.


    The tapping of the metal item stopped.


    Ienia kept his face passive even though he smiled inside. An acting Estate Master was a high position but only a figurehead in the long run. Fhain''dea felt the sting of Eu?ya''s words.


    ¡°Such an intelligent Rini. Studying the laws and matters of the estates out of concern for the master, right? Surely you must covet what is beyond your birth? If that is not so, then Seulnine you must honor such a loyal companion and helpful servant. He clearly holds you above all else.¡± Before the Rini could fire off another scathing retort, Ienia shifted in his chair. The Rini took notice of his heftier warning and quieted himself before becoming too unruly. Eu?ya''s loyalty to him made the Rini avoid bringing him embarrassment.


    The small girl had not spoken once, not that Ienia thought she would. She barely moved a muscle, seemingly not existing in the room. A trait that could be helpful in many situations. Taking Eu?ya''s hand Ienia thought to end the arrangement meeting quickly for the girl¡¯s sake. She was innocent in all of this but was rapidly becoming stuck in the center of a silent war.


    ¡°Master wishes to know what General Lashir wants of this arrangement?¡±


    ¡°I simply want Danu Ro to have a wedding fit for someone ascending. The wedding should be announced as an alliance between our houses.¡± The man explained.


    ¡°Surely you jest,¡± Eu?ya scoffed, ¡°Impossible. The Danu¡¯s origin would come to light. That is something unacceptable. Should that happen Seukine will drag down Asila. What will others think once they know that she came from the famed Asila known for obedience and loyalty?¡±


    ¡°Is she to come into Seukine with her head hanging low? No matter the circumstance she should be given some dignity.¡± The General said with a smile in his voice. His voice was directed at Phirynei. The girl''s heartbeat skipped in fear and Ienia quickly came up with a solution for the girl¡¯s sake. Fhain''dea wanted to make a joke out of her.


    ¡°Master will allow for an introduction to the Estate but to no one else outside these walls. She will not be known to others outside lest you wish to explain Asila¡¯s hand in this marriage. Others will conclude what has happened on their own.¡± Eu?ya was loud and clear on the matter.


    ¡°Does the Estate Master of Seulnine not see this as an opportunity to ally with Asila? You must see the need as you and your Seukine are not as protected since that terrible incident.¡± The words caused a terrible ache in Ienia''s chest. Reflections of his memories cropped up at the edge of his mind. His screams echoed loudly in the memories.


    ¡°Master states, the alliance between the two would be considered a joke. As the chosen wife is an impure slave. Asila will be seen as sending an inferior representative for marriage. Asila will become laughable and dishonorable. General¡¯s honorable father could not bear such a taint. In addition, Seukine would take some blame for accepting someone so low. It is unacceptable. Fanu Phi was sold by Asila, there will be no alliance for both families'' sake.¡± Eu?ya spoke so promptly and precisely that the general was grasping for another response once he finished. Ienia was thankful the Rini was so quick to respond since his mind was slightly chaotic. The general''s words opened wounds, but Ienia did not dwell as these matters were more important.


    ¡°W-well something must be done other than the debut. This child¡¯s mother would be the laughingstock of Asila. Tongues will wag about how she came into Seulnine¡¯s favor.¡± The second threat didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    ¡°Master states that there will be a small announcement of her home estate but nothing more will be mentioned, nor will a name be divulged. That is all that the master can offer the Fanu¡¯s mother. If she is still unsatisfied, she can be sold to Seukine or gifted as part of her dowry so that she can remain at her side.¡± Ienia heard Phirynei''s movement at the offer. She wanted to say something but was afraid to speak in front of her superiors. He prompted Eu?ya to ask her.


    ¡°Fanu Phi what do you wish to say? Speak now and clearly as this may be your only chance.¡± Eu?ya said.


    The girl''s voice came slow and shaky as she spoke, ¡°F-fanu Phi wishes to have her mother as a dowry. Please allow this former master. My mother is sick and can no longer do much of the work given to her. Please let her rest here by my side until her days are gone. I only ask this of you former master. Nothing more.¡± Her voice quivered, and she was on the verge of tears but Ienia knew Fhain''dea. He would not give her what she begged for no matter what she did. If she was a pawn, then surely her mother was as well.


    ¡°Your mother was brought by Asila she cannot be owned by you, since you are a slave. Thus she can not be given as your dowry as she was brought by Asila.¡± Phirynei was holding in her sobs and Ienia didn¡¯t need to see her to know there were tears on her face.


    ¡°Do not fret little slave girl. Your mother is well taken care of and your dowry will be provided. As your former estate master, I must see to it that you are respected and given honor in your marriage.¡± The enjoyment in Fhain''dea¡¯s voice was almost enough to send the girl over the edge into a wail but she somehow contained it. Ienia heard the deep ragged breaths she took in trying to remain silent as a slave should.


    ¡°The cleansing will take place four days from now. The introductions will take place three weeks from today and the wedding on the last day of the month.¡±


    ¡°All fair arrangements. Only she has no one to accompany her. As a woman of Seukine can she toil about like a slave anymore?¡± Fhain''dea said ignoring the girl now.


    ¡°An attendant will be provided for her if you don¡¯t have one,¡± Eu?ya answered.


    ¡°Why not let us both provide her a companion and gifts as a part of her dowry? It is fitting then that we both pay for her dowry. She has no one else to provide for her. As her soon-to-be husband and I, her former master, it is only right that we do so.¡± Fhain''dea actually proposed he pay for the girl¡¯s dowry. A dowry that would go to him once they were married.


    He was to pay himself. The man knew nothing but how to be shameless, but this also alerted Ienia to the fact that Fhain''dea could not pay for a dowry for her without it becoming known to the real Estate Master of Asila. If the real Estate Master of Asila found out what was happening Fhain¡¯dea would be punished severely.


    ¡°Master finds this sufficient. Asila must lack funds to provide a dowry for a simple slave. Our Seukine will provide for the one who will become one of ours.¡± Eu?ya said without a hint of mockery or sarcasm. Attacking with such swiftness that Ienia was sure the young man was waiting for an opening.


    Fhain''dea chuckled, ¡°Then I agree--¡±


    ¡°But since we must pay ourselves, then you must at the least provide the Fanu¡¯s mother as part of your payment. Master does not wish to have a sulking Fanu and pay himself a dowry owed to him by Asila. Allow her mother to come here and live her days out with her daughter. If not then we have no choice but to announce this wedding for what it is. Honorable ¡®dea Lashir could not bear the embarrassment and though Seukine will suffer, Asila will as well. We both know what this is. If you wish to dirty Seukine, we will drag your Asila into the mud with us.¡± Ienia expressed through Eu?ya, making clear what was on the line.


    Fhain''dea''s laughter died immediately as his plan backfired, ¡°Seulnine you are so noble for the comfort of a slave. Her mother will be sent with the dowry.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, former master. Your mercy is too great for this slave,¡± Phirynei''s voice almost broke as she spoke but the relief Ienia heard from her gave him a sense of relief. He detested seeing innocent ones suffer.


    ¡°Yes, well a threat will do that to one,¡± Fhain''dea said with an edge of annoyance. ¡°Since we are finished this meeting, then I wish to exercise my last right as the former master to speak encouraging words to this Fanu before I leave her in your care.¡±


    ¡°Master has agreed,¡± Eu?ya said as Ienia had no choice but to allow the private meeting. He didn¡¯t trust the man, but it was within his right to speak to Phirynei before she was married.


    ¡°Let us say our farewells then,¡± the general said as he accompanied the girl out of the room. Ienia pinpointed the moment fear swallowed the girl again. Her heartbeat accelerated with each step away from his and Eu?ya''s presence. She was frightened by the man. Understandable since she ruined his first plan, but Ienia doubted Fhain''dea would kill her now especially since she was his Fanu. That was a price not even with all the assets of Asila, Fhain''dea could afford to pay. For now, he figured the general wanted something else from the girl or wanted her to do something. Either way, if she continued with innocence and learned loyalty to him, he would protect her with everything he had. If not she would be killed in such a way that being beaten to death was the better of the two.