Friend or Foe

4. Nadia 

I shot out my arms and grabbed the railing. The atmosphere becomes tense as Jienna locks eyes with me. She let out a short squeak before catching my other arm and hauling me back up. I landed a few feet from her, catching my racing heart.

“Holy shi-”

I tried to process what just happened. How come I didn’t sense her from behind me? I turned, my confusion peaking. Jienna stood with her arms straight at her sides, but the look in her eyes was odd. Slowly, I reached out to touch her shoulder, but she jolted from whatever she was thinking and snapped her gaze towards me.

She evaded my eyes, scratching at her arm. It was probably an accident; I reasoned.

“Um… did you hear us right now?” I ask Jienna.

“The c-onversation?”

I don’t mistake the tremor in her voice, but I nod, edging her on.

“Yeah, I did.”

It was soft. Her voice was soft. She nudged something on the ground with her toe, as if guilty for eavesdropping. My eyes hardened. It made me sweat just thinking about how this could start a rumour. I had easily forgotten that Jenna was there since she was so quiet. How effortlessly she merged with her surroundings unnerved me.

It would be risky to have people know I am Master Thelowar’s student. I looked at my reflection on the floor and met Jienna’s eyes. Geez, this day ain’t it.

“Jienna, I know what I talked about with Master Thelowar may seem weird but I need you to keep this a-,” before I can even finish talking, she cuts in.

“I know, it’s o-okay. Y-your secret is s-safe with me. I promise n-not to tell anyone. It’s the least I can do after h-having my neck s-saved,” she said.

“I’m sure you would do nothing to harm me or anyone in this mansion. But, I just want to keep this between us.” I gestured.

After seeing her slight smile, I took it as a confirmation. I changed the topic and explained how the system inside the mansion worked.

………

“Especially during the power phase of ‘the Harbinger’, a lot of the servants faced systematic abuse.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the headache to pass. Focus, Nadia.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you told Master Thelowar about all the ruckus she’s causing?” Jienna wondered.

I wiped the steps. “I see where you’re coming from, and I get why you think that’s an option. But the problem is the fact she knows too much.”

She fidgeted with her fingers, waiting for me to continue.

“No one dares to speak up. Even if it reaches the Master, how could he possibly believe that his nurturing wife would have such an attitude? That is why you shouldn’t fall for her traps and succumb to her psychotic desires. One day she’s gonna make it so you can never escape her. Never let that happen, Jienna.”

I groaned, stretching my back as my muscles ached. The distracted look in Jienna’s eyes told me she hadn’t accepted what I said yet.

“Should I leave?”

That question caught me off guard. I looked at the rag for a second before answering. Leave? How naïve. Especially considering the pay, leaving is the last of your options. I sighed as I brushed away sweat-slicked hair from her face.

“I’ve been to mansions where abuse was a great deal worse than here. I can’t guarantee you will find a better place, but you don’t have to worry since these workers are trustworthy enough to ask for help if you need it. Considering how easily she’ll get bored, and how well you are at… camouflaging, you shouldn’t have any problems slipping by undetected,” I said.

After a playful nudge, she smiled. It felt good to relieve some of the gloom that inhibited her face a second ago. We fell into a comfortable silence as we finished up the last of the cleaning.

“My shift ends now,” she looked at the sky.

I hadn’t realized what time it was until I looked at the heavy sun. It looked eager to let the moon take over, waiting to pass. I somehow shared the same sentiment with the sun. Time in this mansion, my friend, either leaves you or leaves you chasing after it.

“Leave before dark,” I advise. She snorts as if the night didn’t scare her.

It made me wonder what she ate to be immune to the dark.

“On a serious note, you may have to deal with the twins. The mental pain ain’t worth it, girl.”

She just laughed before waving goodbye and disappearing around the corner.

As she left, I smiled and looked up at the sky. After being wrapped in the sun’s rays for a second, I closed my eyes and imagined the light coming through the thicket of tree leaves. Soon, I felt a hum as a memory of a tightrope passed through my mind; I snapped my eyes open.

Now that’s a memory I do not want to unlock.

I grabbed the dirty water and made sure it didn’t slosh out the sides as I made my way to the washing station. I fisted the rags and made sure I squeezed them tight before slinging them over my shoulder. Thelowars’ study room was my next stop after I made my way down.

To sum up why I needed Master Thelowar, would take too long to cover. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying this out of romantic intentions or whatever, haha. Madame Thelowar flashed briefly through my mind as I shivered. 

Anyhow, I let my greed for what was once mine return to me. A hunger that was so powerful I wanted to have it more than my love for money, gold, and power. I promise to fulfill my duty, grandmother. With a smile on my face, my devoted heart echoed loudly in my ears. I promise.