Change is Inevitable

    "Don't move." 

    Frozen on my spot, Lord Minir lifted me and let me sat on top of his desk. He pushed himself closer to me so my legs opened up a little, making him stand in the middle of my knees. His cold, calloused hands rested on my kneecaps.

    "How have you been lately?"

    "I'm fine," I answered. 

    " You don't look so fine to me, darling."

    "W-What do you mean? "

    I remembered about my sudden change of appearance and become conscious of my eyes. My eyes are blue! How could I forget?!

    "You look taller, slimmer, your skin glows better than the first time I saw you. You look mature. Like a full woman with these... " my lips parted when he slightly touched my covered breasts before moving them back to my thighs. He continued, "... and these... "

    "W-What do you mean?"

    " They grew . "

    I annoyingly rolled my eyes, " Yeah, right, master. I forgot you like girls with bigger boobs, and bigger butts. "

    " How did you know?"

    I gasped, " How? Your fiance is Lady Catherine. She's blessed with those things."

    He laughed, " Of course, she is. And so are you. "

    " But they're not as big as hers—"

    "God, woman. I'm not comparing you with any other women."

    "But—"

    " But I like yours better so stop. "

    I shrugged, " Okay. "

    He smiled, laughing at my sulking. He traced his hands to my calves, under my skirt and up to my thighs. 

    "Where should I take bite, hm?"

    "I-I don't know...master..."

    " Let me see..."

    He pulled my skirt up, revealing my full thighs and squeezed them. He grabbed the chair from behind him and sat on it. 

    "Put your leg on my shoulder." I raised my leg on his shoulder just as he told me to do so. 

    Lord Minir leaned on the side of my left calf, his lips nibbling my pale skin as his tongue caressed it, slightly giving butterfly kisses to my leg. 

    "No pain..." he whispered in the air. 

    I gasped, closing my eyes, feeling the way his fangs sunk on my skin, and the blood flowed out into his mouth. He sipped and sipped for a few seconds before his lips left me weak. 

    "Your blood...I can't get more of it..."

    I stared at him. His arms snaked under me and lifted me off the table. At first, I thought he was going to put me in the floor but I realized that he was going to the bed, laying me down. 

   I suddenly felt tired but satisfied. There wasn't any pain and I'm sure that the markings from his fangs will disappear after a few days. Lord Minir will give me a special ointment to put in his bite again. 

    When my back felt the mattress, he let go and sat on the edge of the bed. His fingers were busy caressing my arm and neck. 

    "In a few days time, I will be taking you to a ball."

    " M-Me? "

    " Yes. You will accompany me. I will also bring Atlas, and the others as guests. But you are going to be my date for that night. "

    "Really? When will that be, master?"

    " Hm, on the last full moon, I think."

    " That's nice. I've never been to parties."

    He chuckled softly, " You will be now."

    I nodded slowly as the candle lights dimmed. 

    "But you need to sleep."

    "Am I going to sleep here for tonight because my room was ruined by the fire?"

    His eyes went to the candles, " Partly, yes. "

    "I'm sorry. I should've been more careful. I forgot to—to put out the candles before sleeping—"

    " It's okay. The damage is lesser than what Gerber has been exaggerating. "

    I giggled, " I know. She always exaggerates a lot of things. "

    " Goodnight, darling. " 

    He put out the fire and left me in his chamber, in the dark, under the warm comforter all alone. I dragged myself into sleepiness, and woke up to the sound of people cheering from outside the room. I turned to the other side and found Lord Minir talking to the servants through the small opening of the door. 

     Maybe, Lord Minir was too cruel in the eyes of other people and to his servants. But he's kind enough to even welcome us here. I know each one of the people he took in were abandoned, unchosen, broken and maybe, flawed. Some of us could have betrayed him. Some of us have done so many things against him. 

     He took us in, giving us shelter and food, clothes and the education, in exchange for our service. For a while, I thought of the times when Lord Minir was scary, domineering. But some times when there is no need to be cruel, he's kind and warm, and... open.

    "Is Lady Sol in there?" I heard Gerber's voice, giggling with the other girls. 

    I sighed. Really, Gerber? 

    "Shush. She's asleep. Now go back to your chores. After all the morning chores are done, you have the whole afternoon and evening to prepare for tomorrow." 

     " Can we go out to buy the dresses, Lord Minir? "

    " Of course, ladies. You can do it after lunch. Take Lady Sol with you. "

    " Yes, yes. Thank you, Lord Minir! "

    They talked and talked for a whole while before Lord Minir left the chamber and went to his office, leaving me with Gerber who was helping me get ready for the afternoon shopping. 

    Everyone was feeling happy and ready to go. I have never seen them this energetic. They always look gloomy, tired and depressed. 

    "Once a year, Lord Minir takes all of us to the palace especially during the Moon Dance. It's a celebrated time each year. It's also the only time when Lord Minir will buy us everything we want. It's like a bonus, actually."

     " Really?"

    " Yes! And also, this is the first time that Lord Minir was in a good mood! I swear, Sol, he smiled to us this morning and asked me to gather everyone outside of his chamber so he can talk to us. I wonder why! "

    I shrugged and pondered on that,

  " He's always in a good mood to me?"

    " You're his favorite. That must be why. But to us? I don't really think so?"

    "Why not? He's the kindest person I know, Gerber."

    " Oh, no, no..." She looked at me in horror, " He was cruel, too cruel, Sol. He would yell at everybody! He's a monster. I told you that. But then you came... and everything changed. "

    I sighed, " Right. "

    " Believe me. He has changed. And I hope it would stay like this forever. "