02  A Little Mercy And A Little Pain

Camila

I was allowed to go and change into clothes, and then my mother and I were told to report to General Sergey's study, where he spent most of his time. We entered the room and immediately dropped to our knees. 

My mother was crying, tears streaming down her face. She kept asking why this had happened, but I had no answers. My mind was a fog, and the thought that this was my first time, and I had no memory of it, hurt my soul deeply but I kept that part to myself. No one cared about the emotions and turmoils of a slave.

"I took you in, Glenda. I gave you a home, a job, and protection. I never harassed you. You were never uncomfortable in my home. I was kind to you, even though you are from that wicked country. I didn't visit the sins of your government on you as my colleagues would have…” 

“...I clothed you, gave you shelter, fed you, and provided you with a job. I welcomed your daughter into the world and gave her a home, and this is how you repay me," General Sergey said, his voice filled with pain. My mother was pleading and begging him for mercy.

I was crying, feeling utterly defenceless. "Today, I regret it. What were you thinking, Camila? Do you know what your actions have caused?" he asked me. I dared not look into his eyes. I kept my head bowed, tears falling freely.

"I have no memory of it, master," I sobbed, and there was a heavy silence in the room.

"Ronan, tell me how it happened," General Sergey asked his son.

"I have no recollection. Camila served me and my friends last night. That is all I can remember," Ronan said, his voice uncertain.

"So you got drunk and took advantage of her?" General Sergey asked Ronan.

"No, Sir. I wouldn't dare. You know me. I wouldn't," Ronan insisted. He always referred to his father as Sir because of their military background.

"Sergey, what is the meaning of this?" Madam Melania asked, her voice sharp.

"Camila is only nineteen, the same age her mother was when we found her at the gate. The girl was born here. She has been with our family all her life; she has never tried to seduce anyone. Her mother has never tried to seduce anyone. I find it strange that this would happen now, and yet she and Ronan have no recollection of the event that transpired. It's too coincidental for me," Master Sergey said thoughtfully. 

For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't be thrown out. There was no guarantee my mother and I would survive in a world that hated our people. Remaining with the Morosovs was our only chance at survival. It meant we were spoken for. A slave without a master was likely to be captured and sold or killed.

"I had always known she had intentions, Sergey. She is lying," Madam Melania said angrily. I looked up with tears in my eyes and shook my head.

"And what would be her gain? She is a slave," General Sergey asked Madam Melania, his voice calm but firm.

"So, what are you trying to say?" Madam Melania asked, her tone sharp and challenging.

"Anyone who can't control his liquor is weak," General Sergey said, directing his anger at his son. I didn't remember Ronan ever getting drunk. He rarely drank much, but I dared not speak. My words wouldn't matter in this situation.

"He should bear the consequences of his actions. If Leah won’t find a reason to forgive his mistake, then so be it,"  General Sergey declared.

"And the slave whore?" Madam Melania asked, her voice filled with contempt. General Sergey chuckled softly.

"What should I do, Melania? Kill her for warming Ronan's bed? What did she do wrong? In fact, we know what would have happened if she wasn't a slave. It is best you leave it alone, Melania. What has happened has happened. Ronan should learn from his mistakes."

"Sergey, this is our son! He is supposed to get married today," she protested.

"Is he dead? Did she poison him? Hurt him, betray him? No, Melania. Look at her and her poor mother. I think punishing helpless people is extreme. This is Ronan's mess. He should clean it up. No one asked him to get drunk and end up in bed with the slave assigned to serve him. He should have known better," General Sergey said firmly. 

I looked at Ronan. He was so angry. I wanted to tell him I didn't do it, but there was no point.

"This is not an issue as far as I am concerned. Ronan should sort himself out with Leah," General Sergey said, and I was in shock.

"What! How can you say that? How can allow slaves to set our son up like this? How? Sergey, it is wrong. She should be punished," Madam Melania argued.

"For what," General Sergey replied, and Melania growled in frustration.

"Don't be heartless, Melania. No one will touch her now. You know the rules. I think that is punishment enough!" General Sergey said firmly.

"Then send her away," Melania demanded.

"I will do no such thing!" General Sergey said, rising to his feet. 

Before he walked out of his study, he told my mother and me to resume our work. I didn't know what had just happened, but I believed my life had just taken a terrible turn. 

My heart was heavy with fear and uncertainty as I wondered what the future would hold for my mother and me.