Chapter Three

The Contract

Beatrice lay on the sofa, eventually falling asleep.

When Vladislav returned, he stood in the doorway for a time, simply staring into the room.

She looked so peaceful.

He watched her for about a minute, thinking silently to himself, before turning and drifting away.

Beatrice woke up about an hour or so later. She opened her eyes, feeling a little confused at first. Her dreams had been vivid, and she had dreamed of being in a different place entirely. She didn’t know where she was at first. And then it gradually came back to her.

Beatrice slowly sat up.

Seconds later, Vladislav entered the room.

‘I’m glad you’re awake’ he said to her. ‘Are you feeling better?’

Beatrice stared at him silently, her eyes were wide.

She looked down at what he was holding.

It was a steaming bowl of something.

‘I made you something else to eat’ Vladislav said to her, ‘this should be easier on your stomach.’

He approached her, kneeling beside her and offering the bowl, taking the white napkin that lay across his forearm and draping it over her knees.

‘It’s rice’ Vladislav told her. ‘With chicken and carrot. The food I gave you before was far too rich. I’m sorry. This will be better for you. Something a little more bland.’

‘Oh’ Beatrice muttered, seeming not to know what else to say.

‘Have you had nothing like this before?’ Vladislav asked. ‘What would you normally eat? I mean…what did your family…. uh…hm.’ He began to emit a high-pitched whine.

‘That sound again’ Beatrice said. ‘You’re embarrassed.’

‘Even more so when you point it out so candidly.’

‘What is candidly?’

‘Ah. It means….to be blunt, honest, maybe a little sharp.’

‘Is that a bad thing?’ Beatrice asked.

‘Not at all. Well…I suppose it might be if you have particularly sensitive emotions, if you are delicate.’

‘I’m not delicate.’

‘Oh no no’ Vladislav, ‘I never meant to imply you were.’

He rose to his feet again, instantly towering over Beatrice, casting a great shadow over her form. It was like the sun had just been blocked from the world.

Beatrice could not help but shrink back from him a little.

‘Would you like a drink of water?’ he asked her.

‘I…’

Vladislav stepped away from her.

‘I’ll be right back’ he told her, his voice was soft and tender. His footsteps muffled thuds on the carpeted floor as he left her side.

Beatrice looked back down at the bowl she had been presented, placed on her lap now, she felt the warmth through her thin dress.

It was somewhat comforting, and she found solace in that, despite everything being so unfamiliar to her.

She thought that maybe, just maybe, she might like it here. She thought that maybe, she might even like her new master.

‘No’ she whispered to herself. ‘He said he wants me to be his equal.’

The bowl on her lap began to feel hot against her skin, and she took it in her hands, lifting it from her lap.

Beatrice glanced about her, wondering where she might be able to place the bowl instead.

She opted to placing it beside her, on the sofa where she sat.

Beatrice rose to her feet, wanting to stretch her legs.

She stood on her tip toes, reaching straight up towards the ceiling and groaning. It felt nice, a few of her bones in her spine and below her waist clicked. But it felt good.

Beatrice relaxed again, dropping her arms and letting out a deep sigh.

She reached down to the napkin that had fallen to the floor, picking it up and placing it on the arm of the sofa.

When she looked up again, Vladislav was standing in the doorway, a glass of water in his hand.

‘You move very quietly’ Beatrice voiced, ‘for a figure so…’

Vladislav waited for her to finish her sentence, but she never did.

He approached her, descending the single step into the room, and placing the glass on a round table beside the sofa, moving a large plant-pot out the way, placing it on the floor instead.

He then straightened up.

‘You stink.’

‘Excuse me?’ she said.

‘I’m sorry’ Vladislav dipped his head, placing a hand to his chest and giving a slight bow. ‘I wasn’t sure how else to say it.’

‘I…’ Beatrice began, ‘…think you are probably right’ she finished awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. ‘The slaves master only allowed us to be given a quick wash before the auction.’

‘I see’ Vladislav nodded. ‘Well.’ He stepped back. ‘I shall run a bath for you. Please eat at your own pace, leave whatever you don’t want to eat, and come upstairs when you are ready.’

He turned and left the room once more, quickly slipping out of sight.

He was gone, and silence instantly descended within the room.