“The Princess is fatigued and requires rest.” 

Eh? But I’m not tired. 

“I understand, I will let the Duke know.” replied Mervin on the doctor’s diagnosis. 

“Well then, Your highness, please rest comfortably.” and both men left my room immediately. They were in such a hurry that it made me all the more curious to meet the Duke, someone whom they fear to such an extent. 

But then again, I would rather delay my death as far as possible. We’ll see how much time these excuses will buy for me. 

………

It’s already the fourth day in Duke Vincent’s manor and I have yet to properly meet him. 

My life as the lady is fairly mundane. I never have time to myself and all the workers in the manor are keeping a close watch on me. 

Elise, Lucy and Mona rotate their shifts so that there’s someone ready to attend to me at all times. However there was something I noticed in their recent behaviour. They seem to be awfully protective of me. Their duties only require attending to small tasks except they do a lot more than just that. 

At first I thought it was just the butler that wanted me to avoid meeting the Duke, but these three have been giving me the same impression as of lately. For breakfast, this morning I asked them if the Duke was willing to have breakfast with me and they instantly rejected the idea. They had horrified looks on their faces clearly showing how bad of an idea it was to dine with the Duke. 

Since I haven’t met him yet, I’ve been incredibly curious about this great source of fear the workers have for him. 

Had I known earlier, I would have never even considered it. 

……..

The only enjoyable thing to do in the estate was taking a walk around the estate gardens. Despite the chilling atmosphere in the main house, the gardens were the only place that radiated peace. Around the main house, there are four gardens, one on each side of the house. The gardens are all different. The front of the house has open lawns and a small circular flower bed with a statue in the middle. 

My favourite is the garden behind the house. There’s a large maze garden filled with flowers of all kinds. Getting lost in the large bushes makes me feel safe from the dangers of the mansion. 

Sob. Sob. 

Is someone crying? 

I walked around the maze and found a maid sitting on the ground with her hands around her knees. Is she lost- I couldn’t believe my eyes! She had large whip wounds all over her arms and dark bruises over her legs as well. It looked like she was beaten for days straight. The leaves ruffled from my dress and the maid instantly got on her feet. She bent into a perfect bow and greeted me, “Blessings upon your highness the Second Princess of Hestia.” Her legs were shaking vigorously and yet she maintained her flawless bow with no signs of pain. 

She was hiding it so well that it hurt me instead. 

“It’s alright, instead can I ask why you were crying?” 

The girl slowly rose from her bow and flashed a grim expression on my question. 

“That- I’m sorry but- I don’t think-” 

“Ruby! It’s time for your shift!” Another maid walked in from the opposite side. 

“AH! I apologise! Your highness, please forgive me. I did not know you were here with Ruby.” 

The servants of this house have an uncomfortable habit of keeping flawless bows. Even as a princess, my bows can be clumsy but these people show no sign of a single mistake. 

“It’s alright!” 

“Thank you very much, your highness!” 

The maids walked away from and disappeared into the maze. 

Again! That girl with the amount of bruises on her legs, she shouldn’t even have been able to walk, but she walked away without a flinch. 

It’s seriously ridiculous! 

But it didn’t end there… 

………

Late into the night, after the entire house went to sleep, I felt my throat was a bit parched only to find that there was no water in the room. I put on a shawl and headed down to the kitchen. On my way, I saw that the lights of the kitchen were still on. Someone was there! 

“Aah… ouch- owwwwwww! IT HURTS!” 

“Shhhhh! You have to be quiet! Just bear with it for a bit!” 

Is someone hurt? 

I walked up to the door and peeked in to see what was happening. 

GASP!

“The Duke has finally started to lose it. I was wondering how long it was going to take.” 

Four maids were inside the kitchen, one of them was bandaging a horrible slash wound on the other. It was a horrendous injury, which cut the poor maid’s arm from her elbow to her wrist. The cut was so deep that her bone was visible. The maid had a gag in her mouth to prevent her from screaming and her eyes were bloodshot from her tears. Her mouth was cut up from the rigorous biting she did to handle the pain. 

Who would do such a thing? The Duke? He really is a lunatic!? 

“How long do you think the lady will last?” asked one the other maids standing on the side. 

“I’m more surprised that the king allowed such an engagement. He is aware of the Duke’s temper and also the fate of his previous partners. Yet he still sent his own daughter to this monster! Is he even a father!?” Her words hurt me deep in my soul. 

He’s not. That’s why I’m here. 

“If anything we’ll find out tomorrow.” 

“Right! Tomorrow is Day 5, the day it all begins.” 

What begins? What are they talking about? The maids were heading towards the door. I found a small table to hide behind and watched as they all headed back to the servant’s quarters. I walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. While drinking I found something red sitting in the trash beside me. A large bundle of bandages soaked in blood laid on top dripping the blood into the trash. 

How could I forget!? All because I hadn’t met him yet I assumed he wasn’t as he was told in the rumours. I’m such an idiot. 

He’s not like the rumours. 

He is a monster.