"Because they know it is you," she answered me as she sat her hands delicately in her lap, sitting in the far corner of the carriage and I frowned at that.
She was not just a servant, and she was not just my lady in waiting, she was my only friend.
"Lydia, what have I told you?" I warned her, and she scooted out of the corner, immediately relaxing against the plush soft seats.
"Are you not nervous, Aphrodite?" she asked me and I looked back outside, watching the children run along the side of the carriage until they could not keep up.
"Being nervous is a positive thing," I responded, "I shall do my best to-night, as I always do. I shall sing from the deepest depths of my soul and make Master Abigor proud."
Lydia smiled at me, pushing her wild hair behind her ear, "you have the most wonderful voice I have ever heard in my life," she complimented me and I smiled.
She tells me this whenever I am about to sing.
"Thank you, Lydia," I said delicately as I looked down at my lap and thought of what I would perform.
It was hours later when we arrived at the theatre and I looked out of the window, in awe of the big beautiful building. My nerves had kicked in, no matter how many times I sang, I still got nervous to stand under all of those lights and be looked at by hundreds of wealthy people.
I nervously played with my fingers as Lydia rushed to make sure I looked perfect and not a single strand of hair was out of the neat hairstyle that she had made for me.
I waited patiently for the door of my carriage to be opened for me. It was always like this. I sat and waited for master to come open the door, then he will guide me backstage and help me up the stairs as I am introduced and the crowd cheers.
I shot Lydia one final smile before the door opened and there stood, Master Abigor, but I couldn't see his face. I just saw his silhouette under the moonlight.
He extended his hand for me to accept and courteously, I accepted his hand and let him help me out of the carriage before I stood on the ground and I finally met his eyes but only for a quick second. I was much too afraid to look at him for long.
His features were striking, and his eyes were captivating but I had to remember that I was his slave. No matter how well he treated me, he was still my master.
"Master Abigor," I greeted him, as we both started to walk towards the theatre.
"You look ethereal, Aphrodite," he complimented like he always does as he leads me backstage.
"I thank you, Master Abigor," I said in my most ladylike voice, "I am ready to perform to-night," I paused, "I shall make you very proud, Master."
He did not say anything else but I did not expect him to. We were standing behind the curtains, waiting for them to roll open so I could see the crowds.
I only had an hour.
I could hear the chatter on the other side and I knew it was full. It always was.
I straightened up even more, throwing my hair over my shoulder and standing at such a stance that when those curtains opened, I would look phenomenal with my exposed leg.
The familiar rush of excitement coursed through my veins as I held onto Master Abigor's steady and muscled arm. I was not allowed to smile, neither was I allowed to make eye contact. I had to look above the heads of the people.
There were a lot of rules, but I obeyed each and every single one of them.
I was ready to perform. I was always ready to perform.
When the curtains opened and the bright lines shined brightly upon me, Master Abigor was long gone and it was just myself. I heard the hush over the crowd as they watched me, I stood in that particular position, holding my head high before I walked towards the mic placed right in the centre, in front of the orchestra that would perform behind me.
I took my time, swaying my hips and walking as confidently as I always do before I reached the mic.
I was Aphrodite, and I would make sure the audience got the performance they paid plenty for.
~~~
It was like every other performance of mine. I could feel Master Abigor's eyes on me as I sang and by the time I hit the final note of my final song, the entire audience was at their feet, clapping loudly and praising me.
I simply smiled before I turned around and walked off the stage. That is what I do, I perform and when I am done, I get off the stage and straight into my carriage that is usually always waiting at the exit. I climb into my carriage and go home where I rest and drink medicine for my throat.
The curtains closed behind me as I walked down the dark staircase, taking my time and being careful with my high shoes.
"Oh, my," I gasped in surprise as I reached the final step and a man appeared.
Instead of saying anything he just stood there and looked at me, and I stared up at him as well. Unsure about what I was supposed to say or do. I have never interacted with any other persons besides my teachers, servants, Lydia and my Master.
My eyes wandered over his youthful features, he was most definitely younger than my teachers and younger than Master. There was something in his green eyes that was mischievous and rebellious, his hair seemed like it had started out neatly at the beginning of the night but now, he had run his hand through it plentiful times.
His jawline was one that was very defined, I believe they call it a square jaw. Everything about him seemed...unfamiliar to me.
"I have never seen such beauty," he breathed out in awe as he looked down at me. I tried to step around him when I snapped out of my surprise.
"I mus-" I tried to excuse myself but he stepped in front of me, stopping me.
He took off his little hat that was hanging on the back of his head, before he placed it to his chest, bowing in front of me as he took my hand in his and placed his lips on the back of my palm, "my name is Sebastian Harrington," he introduced himself before he straightened up.
"I know I should not be here," he paused, seeming all over the place as his eyes scanned every inch of my face and my body, "but, on the name of all that is dear to me, Madam Aphrodite you are even more beautiful and unreal up close," he let out in a rushed dazed talk.
"I must leave," I said more certainly, taking my hand back from him, ignoring the nervous butterflies in my stomach.
"I know, I know, I apologize, I'm just- I'm such a fan," he said with a wide grin and I started to walk but he walked besides me.
"What is a fan?" I asked him, stopping in my steps and looked to him.
"A supporter," he reached into his pockets, "before you leave, Madam Aphrodite," he pulled out a single daffodil.
"A daffodil?" I asked him as he gave it to me, a red tint to his cheeks.
"If I had known you would actually spare me some attention, I would have been better prepared."
I looked at the flower, before I looked up at him, "I thank you, Sebastian," I said, still in surprise before I turned back to the exit, "I must leave."
"Good night!" he yelled after me as I walked away.
~~~
"You need to rest," Lydia told me kindly as she tucked me into my bed and I sighed, enjoying the feel of the thick sheets around me that gave me warmth, "sleep well," she wished and I watched as she walked out of my chambers and closed the door behind her.When I was sure that she would not come back, I took my hands out from under the blanket, revealing the daffodil I still held in my hand.I felt a smile slowly grow as I looked at the slowly wilting flower, thinking of the messy brown haired green eyed mischievous boy.Sebastian, he said his name was.I put the daffodil to my nose, taking in the smell. It is the first gift I have ever received from any man or person besides Master Abigor.I did not have any friends nor any admirers so my heart skipped a beat as I thought of the good looking youthful gentleman who had gifted me this flower. I
"God has truly favoured me," Sebastien said as I emerged from behind the curtain, but this time I did not jump from surprise. This time, I looked up at him, fighting a smile."Do you make it a habit to sneak from behind curtains in theatres, Sebastian?" I asked him, watching as he took off his hat once again. His hat covered his face for a second before he slid it down to his chest, but between his teeth was a single red rose.I smiled, unable to contain it as he removed the rose from his teeth and then looked at me, handing it to me with an over dramatic bow, "for the Goddess," he told me as I took the rose from him."I thank you, Sebastian," I said kindly as I held the rose, smiling down at it, "but I must get going," I said to him, afraid of getting into trouble with Lydia since she had seemed displeased when she found the daffodil.
I was frozen and still in shock about what happened the previous night. I could feel Master's terrifyingly cold hand wrapped around my neck. It was almost as though he had not stopped choking me and with each breath, I flinched in fear.I sat in the tub, letting Lydia wash me. She was silent, not bothering to ask what the matter could be. She most probably has an inkling about what happened, either that or she suspects that something went terribly wrong with Master the previous night. Whatever the case may be, I am relieved that she has not asked me what had occurred.I wanted to keep what happened to myself.I was also fearful; had I angered Master that much? Will he sell me off? Whip me like so many masters do to their slaves? I know what the world is like outside these mansion walls that Master Abigor has kept me protected in. The realization
After the performance, at the sound of the outrageous applause I made my way backstage. I walked down the stairs and as I turned the corner, Master Abigor was awaiting me. I walked up to him and accepted his arm, resting my hand casually and as ladylike as I could. My heart pounded against my chest and I feared that he could hear it and it might anger him."Master Abigor," I paused as I looked up at him but he did not stop walking, he gently pulled me along and I glided on the ground, almost as though my feet were not touching it, "I must apologize for what happened. I seek your forgiveness, Master."He slowly turned his neck, his face looking down at me and I sucked in a breath, forgetting how enchanting his eyes really were. They sucked me into a deep and dark world, "you are to ride with me to-night," he simply responded, And when I looked to the carriage, I noticed that it was not my carriage. My carriage was a gold, led by white S
I have seen the garden plentiful times, I just have not ever cared to delve deeper into the flowers. I found them beautiful, yes, I enjoyed looking at them and then getting lost in thought. I felt as though I were walking around in heaven.Master Abigor's manor spans out as wide as the eye can see and around the Victorian styled mansion covered in green vines growing on the stone walls, was the gardens and beautifully green grass.There were flowers of every colour and every kind. It was breath taking. It was late at night and I was supposed to be in bed at this time, getting what Lydia called, beauty sleep. Yet I was outside, walking around the gardens looking at each flower. I did not see flowers that I was used to. There was not a single daffodil, there were only flowers that I could not name.These flowers had to be rare, I was certain of it.They were almost daunting to look at, looking at
I was shaken up following my conversation with my Master. I could still feel his hands on my thigh. The tight grip of his cold hand on my warm and dark thigh was driving me insane. My stomach tightened into knots as I remembered what he had growled so savagely into my ear. There was a strange feeling in between my legs, one that I did not understand, but it came as a result of his words.Master Abigor was sinful. That, I stand by. The man was made of sin, he was covered in sin- he was sin, that is all that I can say."Are you relieved that you have no more singing concerts for the rest of this month?" Lydia asked me, snapping me out of my thoughts.She along with my ladies in waiting were dressing me and getting me ready for the day. To-day was only supposed to be a day of relaxation but Master Abigor wished me to attend some special occasion, so
When I arrived, the first face that my eyes laid upon was Master Abigor's. He held out his hand for me to accept and I gladly accepted it, as I always do. I stepped down and he stepped back, creating distance between us because of the big dress.His eyes looked me over, "you look glamorous, Aphrodite," he told me and I smiled at the compliment."Only the best for you, Master Abigor," I responded as I looked around. A red carpet was stretched out from my carriage leading to the inside of the castle like mansion that I was sure belonged to a royal. There were several carriages lined up, "what are we attending, Master?" I asked him.I do not usually ask him such, but because I feel much more acquainted with him, I hope he does not mind the question."Duke Barclay is having a birthday celebration," Master answered me, as we neared the huge doors that were heavily guarded, "you know the rules, Aphro
"Master, he was the one who touched me," I stammered out nervously as Master Abigor was walking me back to my carriage. I had spent the remainder of the ngiht sitting anxiously with clammy hands and a heart beating 100 beats a minute because I was so fearful of what would happen when I was alone again with Master Abigor, "there was no way I could have stopped it," I rushed out as we approached my carriage and the door was held open by my coachman.Master Abigor had my hand placed in the crook of his arm as he casually guided me to the carriage. Even though his face gave nothing away, I could not help but feel that something was unsettling.I was certain he was upset with me, "hush," he huskily whispered into my ear, causing goosebumps to appear on my arms. He placed his index finger on my lips, silencing me, "if you say one more word, I will not hesitate to punish you even more."A lump formed in my throat and I wa