I - Knight In Shining Armor

Warning: This chapter contains mature content such as violence, sexual assault, abuse, and foul words and major graphic descriptions not advisable for minor readers and people with a traumatic experience.

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Claudine's Point of View

I'm cleaning the storage room when suddenly, Sierra entered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked when she stepped on my hand. It made my lips move in pain.

“How awful of me. I didn't see your hand, does it hurt?” She fakes a smile while looking down at me.

“Get straight to the point. What are you scheming this time?” I repeated and stood to level her face.

“I want to offer my help. I know how hard it is to clean this room by yourself,” Sierra mocked and walked to get the mop.

I replied, “State the truth, Sierra. That's not like you.”

This style of hers is always similar when she is trying to make a mischievous plan.

“Oh. I just really want to help my lovely friend but, if you don't want to accept it, then, I will help you to start all over again,” She stated and kicked the bucket which made the water spill on the floor.

“You're really—” Before I could finish talking, Sierra cut me off and walked to my right side.

Sierra whispered, “Miss Brigitta wants me to deliver a very important message, if you didn't show up before lunch, Zariyah and Josiah will be punished in your stead.”

“Isn't that good? Both of them will be punished. Therefore, you don't need to stake your beautiful face,” She added and held my chin tightly.

“Shut up, Sierra. I don't need your opinion,” I angrily answered and slapped her hand.

Sierra sneered, “Oh, well. I'm just concerned about your face. That's the only weapon you have as a slave but, you're so dumb. Why are you trying so hard to sacrifice yourself for them? As if, you're blood-related.”

I shouted, trying to control my temper, “They are my family, so shut your mouth!” 

“Oh my. I didn't mean to offend you, Claudine. I know how hard it is for you to lose your mother at such a young age,” Sierra stated, holding the left side of her chest like she is sympathizing with me.

“It gives you trauma, right? But, who's fault is that?” She grinned while holding both of my shoulders.

Sierra jeered, “Leaving her daughter ten years ago at the inn and disappearing without a trace. She didn't even bother to think about you so, blame her. Blame your mother for being worthless!” 

I gritted my teeth, “What do you want to express, Sierra?”

Sierra replied, “Stop sacrificing yourself to your so-called family. If your mother has the guts to leave you behind to save herself then, how about those idiots who aren't really your true family?” 

“Don't concern yourself in my personal life,” I fumed.

“You were hoping until now, huh. Why not accept the reality? That your mother will never come back. She abandoned you, Claudine.” Sierra yelled which made my veins pop out in my neck.

“My mother will come back, she promised me so, shut up!” I growled.

“It's been ten years since she left you. If your mother loves you, she will not leave you here in the first place!” She hissed.

“You didn't know anything!” I thundered and grabbed her neck.

“So, you want to kill me because I'm stating a fact?” Sierra's ridiculed.

I released my hand as soon as my eyes became blurry.

This overflowing heat in my body is starting again.

“Ah,” I screamed in agony when my head hurt like hell.

“What a sight. This situation suits you more,” Sierra stated and bent to hold my face.

The corner of her mouth quirked up.

“Those green eyes remind me of a monster,” She added while her eyes were full of anger.

“G....G-Go away,” I said before my eyelids closed.

When I woke up, the first thing that I saw was the roof of the storage room.

Sierra is trying to push me to my limits, but I still don't understand what she is planning.

As soon as my eyes flickered with the window, I hurriedly stood up and ran into the kitchen.

What time is it? Am I late?

Honestly, I didn't intend to go, however, I can't sacrifice Zariyah and Josiah's safety because of my mistake.

“Looks like, someone will be beaten again,” Mea mocked.

“You're really a fool. Did you think that no one would see you stealing a piece of bread?” She added, and poke my shoulder hard.

Could she blame me? I only did that for Josiah. They didn't give him any food or water for five days because he punched the man who tried to harass Zariyah.

“Somehow, I pity you, Claudine. Having that kind of face is a curse when you're a slave because you're born to be a past time of a disgusting nobleman,” Mea stated and walked away.

Her words are harsh but true.

Many people are praising me because of the beauty that I inherited from my mother but, little did they know that I'm hating my existence.

This thing only brings me a lot of misfortune.

When I opened the door, all of the maids turned their gaze at me.

“Miss Brigitta, have you called for me?” I asked nervously.

“Impudent bitch. How dare you address me in my name?” Brigitta yelled and slapped my face which made me fall to the floor.

“I'm sorry, Ma’am,” I apologized while wiping the blood that comes from my lips.

My cheeks felt numb.

This will happen even, I address her correctly.

Brigitta is the kind of person who will always look for mistakes, therefore, she can harm someone.

“Is that all you can say? I called you two hours ago but you didn't bother to go here earlier,” Brigitta hissed while a line appeared between her brows.

“I'm sorry, Ma’am, but there are so many orders that I need to follow before I can go here,” I stated. Did Sierra tell her that I passed out?

“I didn't give you any permission to speak back to me!” She growled and pulled my hair which made me close my eyes because of the pain.

“I'm just explaining--” I uttered but she cut me off.

“Shut up! A bitch like you should know her place. I'm being kind to you yet, you're making me mad,” Brigitta added while slapping both of my cheeks.

This is the only thing that she wants.

Seeing me screaming in pain makes her happy.

“S….S-Someone help me,” I uttered but, all of them just stared at me blankly.

As I thought.

No one here will defend me.

Brigitta jeered, “Ha! As if someone will dare to help you here. They want to see you being punished because it's so nice to witness.”

I want to cry but there is something inside me that is holding it back.

Don't cry in front of other people. They will use it as an advantage to defeat you.

My mother always told me before that I shouldn't shed a tear.

But, what have I done wrong to deserve all of these treatments?

The only thing that I desire is to live.

“Urgh,” I groaned when Brigitta punched me in my stomach which made me puke blood.

“That face of yours is the reason why Romeo left me. If you didn't seduce him then, we are now happily married. You're a hoe!” Brigitta raged and pushed me on the floor to beat my knees with a broom.

“You stole my fiancè from me! If your face was bruised, no one would try to look at it. Isn't that good? I'm just doing you a huge favor therefore, other women will not be mad at you anymore,” She added while the corner of her mouth turned up.

I want to scream but there is no voice coming out from me.

The pain is too much.

I can't endure it anymore.

This woman really wishes for me to die.

Suddenly, Louise entered, “Ma’am Brigitta, someone is calling you.”

Brigitta said, “Is that an important person? If it's not, I will punish you like this bitch.”

“Yes. It's the Madam,” Louise answered while keeping her head lower to avoid eye contact with Brigitta because it would anger her.

Finally, my punishment will be over.

“You're lucky for now. I will punish you next time, I didn't forget that you're the one who stole bread in the stocks,” Brigitta uttered and stopped what she was doing.

“Stop acting, Claudine. Serve the soup to the new customers upstairs,” Louise said which made me nod.

I can't speak because of the wounds on my lips.

When the two of them are gone, I try my best to stand up, but I can't help losing balance.

My knees hurt so much.

I tore a piece of fabric in my upper cloth and tied it to my wounds.

“Your face looks awful. Oh, never mind. Deliver this well if you don't want to be punished,” Rose stated while handing me a bowl of soup.

“Ma’am Rose, can I have a piece of fabric? It's very hot,” I asked, but she just rolled her eyes.

“Use your own clothes,” She answered.

“How about those gloves over there?” I queried, hoping that I can get at least one.

She replied, “Probably not. The gloves are so expensive in the market, even your salary for one year wasn't enough to pay for it.”

“But, my hands—” I stated, but she cut my words.

Rose said, “Is that really important? You're not even a noble, so don't be bothered by such simple things.”

I know but the bowl will burn my hands.

“I'm sorry for that, Ma’am. I will deliver this soup now,” I mumbled.

“Wait. You shouldn't waste time so, deliver two of the soup at the same time,” She stated and gave me another bowl.

She grinned, “You can go now. Don't ever try to spill it or there is no food for you this evening.”

When I left the kitchen, I couldn't help but bite my lips, so I would not feel the pain.

“Good day, I'm the one who was assigned to deliver your soup. Can I come in?” I asked while knocking on the door.

“Come in,” He commanded.

As I entered the room, I saw an obese man reading a newspaper while he was half-naked.

“Enjoy your soup, sir,” I said and put one of the soups on his table.

“Then, I will be leaving now,” I added and bowed when suddenly he grabbed my wrist.

“I didn't expect that this Inn would have a woman with incredible beauty,” He stated as soon as he saw my face.

“Thank you for the compliment, sir. I'll excuse myself now,” I responded while pulling my wrist from him.

“How about spending your night with me?” He whispered in my ears which made me shiver in fear.

“I'm sorry. I can't do that,” I replied.

He said, “I can give you a huge amount.”

“I would still refuse your offer. I'm not that kind of woman, sir,” I stated.

“Fuck. Why are you so persistent to refuse me? You're lucky that I want to spend my night with someone lowly like you,” He growled and gripped my wrist.

“Please, let go of my wrist, sir,” I uttered calmly.

“How can a mere slave like you give an order to me? I know that you're just trying to be hard to get,” He said and started to kiss my neck.

“That's not true,” I replied, but this man didn't know how to stop.

He pushed me against the wall while still kissing my neck.

He smiled mischievously, “This will not last long and, besides, you should be thankful to me. I can reward you with a huge amount of money that you can use to escape here in the Inn.”

“I told you to stop!” I yelled and, this time my mind was filled with anger.

I hit his head with the bowl of soup in my other hand that caused bleeding.

I will escape from him.

“Do you think that someone like you could escape from me?” He roared which made me flinch.

How could he still move even, I hit him on the head?

I shouted, “Is there anyone outside? Help me, please! This man is harassing me!”

“Shut up, bitch. I'm a known customer here, no one will dare to help you because they are afraid to lose their job,” He grinned and threw me in the bed.

“Why are you staring at me like that? As if, you're still pure,” He added while going to my top.

I hissed, “Get off me, you rascal.”

“I said, stop struggling. This will not last long besides, I'm sure that you will like it,” He raged and started to undress my clothes.

I can't help but pray that someone will come to save me.

Will my purity be gone now? 

How will I face my destined mate without it? I don't have anything to offer him.

I don't even have a high status.

Suddenly, I heard a loud bang.

When I opened both of my eyes, I saw the obese man lying on the floor while someone was standing in front of me.

Who is he? 

Did he hear me calling for help?

As soon as he offered his hand, I couldn't help but feel glad that he helped me.

He has coffee brown hooded eyes, thick eyebrows, medium-length black hair that suits his diamond face shape. He also has tanned skin and a masculine body.

I can say that he is strong because of the aura that is coming from him.

It's immensely overflowing.

“C….C-Carmela?” He stuttered which left me confused.

“Is that you, Carmela? I'm glad to see you after all these years,” He added and pulled me in his arms to hug me tightly.

How does he know the name of my mother?

What is their relationship?