Chapter 6

The sun lurked around the clouds as it dimmed its light and was about to settle down. Marie grunted and raised her head slightly to notice Lucy whose back was also bent, with a spade in her hand, packing horse dung into a bucket and disposing of them in another spot a long distance away from where they were. 

They'd been there for hours as the guard who ordered them to follow him decided to punish them both for disobeying his command. 

Marie had been taking a brief look at Lucy but she wasn't looking her way and didn't notice her. Marie had been waiting for an opportunity to speak with Lucy but couldn't find the right time as Lucy was busy all through without even making a sound. 

Marie stood upright and yawned her back behind her back, stretching herself. She whimpered as she felt a slight pain right in her lower back. 

She stared at Lucy who wouldn't even raise her head and take a break from working endlessly for hours. She took a few steps towards Lucy but discontinued when she sighted the shadow of a guard who was coming her way. 

She bent down with immediate effect and continued with her work, picking up the spade she threw on the ground but watched as Lucy dug it right into the hip of the dung that was piled up together. 

"She doesn't even have her wolf… how come she didn't get tired," She whispered and eyed as she pulled backward, the spade so that she carried with it the dung, and without a waste of time, she transferred it into the bucket that was beside her.  

"I was told I will find you here," Isabella said with a high-pitched sound. Marie was the first to respond to the voice she heard. She bowed her head immediately at the sight of Isabella. 

She sat still on a white horse. The horse was beautified with a mask on her face and the tail was also a lengthy one. She held the rope that was used to fasten the neck of the horse. The horse neighed and dangled its leg around on a spot. 

A guard stood right in front of the horse, holding onto the rope around the horse's neck like he was directing it. 

Lucy turned and took a glance at her without bowing her head. She acted as if she didn't see her. She carried the bucket of dung she already packed and walked away but got back in no time.

She got to the site where the dung was piled up together and went on with digging up the dung and migrating them to the bucket. 

"You're hurt," Isabella mocked, still on her horse. 

Marie stood idle, hoping that Lucy won't have to get punished for her attitude. Isabella eventually jumped down from her horse and wandered around the field like he was circling them. 

"Marie, Lucy's anger should be kindled towards you," She laughed. 

"You're the reason she's in this state… Am I wrong," She questioned, standing so very close to Marie. 

Marie could not bring herself to look into her eyes, not even a glimpse. 

"You answer me whenever I'm talking to you," She yelled 

"I was only obeying your command," Marie responded immediately. 

"Is that true… I overheard you once talking about Leo, remember that night," She smiled devilishly and turned to face Lucy. 

Lucy bent down on her knees but wasn't looking her way. Her eyes were closed as she was infuriated by the words of Isabella. 

"Everyone loves Leo, and so does your best friend, Marie… Anyone would do anything to have him all by themselves," Lucy said with all seriousness. 

"And I'll do the same… He is mine and mine alone," She paused and took a few steps forward closer to Lucy but halted when she noticed her fist was firm enough to cause pain if she were to land it on her. 

"Well, you can't have him anymore… He made that clear," She said and was about to turn around but was startled when she noticed the presence of Leo. 

"Leo," She muttered. 

"Why are you here… You shouldn't be here," He stared at her with a frown encroaching on his forehead. 

"I was only passing by and decided to oversee them," She debated. 

"You can go… You have other things to do," He ordered. 

He raised his head to sight Lucy but Lucy wasn't looking at him as her back was turned against him. Though she heard his voice, she could no longer face him. 

She closed her eyes as the sound of his voice brought back old memories of him. She grinned, still on her knees. 

Isabella grunted as she observed his gaze on Lucy. Leo was started by her sound. He nodded his head and held Isabella's hand so they left together. He helped her climb on her horse and instructed the guard to take her back to her apartment. 

"Hey you," He said, referring to the guard that oversees them. 

"Relieve them both in the next few minutes," He whispered so that no one else could hear his words. He soon strolled away with the guard like he have something else to say to him. 

Marie glanced through and could no longer notice the presence of the guard and Leo. She stopped what she was doing and stood upright. She folded her lips, rubbing her eyes with her fingers. 

"Lucy, I'm sorry… I don't know what else to say," She paused and then continued

"I was only following orders," She sighed and dared to get closer to her. 

"Don't, don't you dare," She yelled, her eyes reddened. 

Marie was surprised to see tears roll down her eyes. 

"That's the reason you didn't get tired… you're angered and it's kept you going, " She uttered her words with certainty.  

"You're dangerous, Lucy,"

"And you'll make me unleash my wrath on you if you keep on talking," She roared, smashing her spade Into the ground. 

Marie grinned, swallowing her spit down her gut. She shivered and took a few steps backward away from Lucy. 

"Lucy, your eyes, they weren't the same, … I, I… I mean you kind of shift your eyes, the color, " she stammered pointing her finger and struck with fear.