Chapter 28

Lucien's POV:

I turned around to see who could have summoned courage to speak with so much audacity. Lo and behold, it was an unfamiliar lady.

She was putting on an Indian sari, and that got me confused the more. I stared at her in so much surprise, who is she, and why would she interfere?

The lady stepped forward, and everyone kept staring at her. I could tell that Madison herself was surprised, and confused as well.

"Who are you?" Xavier glared hard at the confident lady. She bowed at him before speaking up.

"My name is Theresa. I happened to see the slave walk into the castle, and that's why I took interest, and pity on the poor girl. So, I decided to help her out" The lady replied with a faint smile. Karl shook his head with a smirk, one could tell that he wasn't really happy.

"And you think you'll be able to bear the consequences of your actions?" Karl gritted his teeth. I didn't say a word because I didn't give out the slave willingly to them.

"I don't mind what the consequences of my action is, all I want is to help the poor girl" The lady snapped to my surprise again. Are they related on something?

Madison turned to the lady with furrowed eyebrows. I know that with the look on her face, she doesn't know who the woman is.

"Are you scared, my dear? You don't have to be scared, I'm only doing this because I want to help you. It will be tougher for you if you are alone" The lady, Theresa by name smiled sweetly at Madison.

I could see disappointment written on the faces of Xavier, Karl and Derek. It was obvious that they wanted Madison not a substitute.

"I disagree with this decision, I don't want any substitute. When I chose this maiden, I never said I wanted a substitute" Xavier shook his head in disagreement.

"I know Master. But to help the young girl, I can help satisfy your urge, she can't possibly do that alone. That's why I'm pleading with you, to please let me help her. She will lose her life if she does it alone" The lady begged. I turned to the Masters who looked so disappointed.

All eyes were on me, because I'm the only one who has the final say. They were expecting me to say that Madison should be allowed to do what she's been appointed to do.

"I refuse. I have already made my decision, and my decision is I will not have anyone else on my bed except for the slave standing right in front of me" Karl yelled angrily.

"What are you saying about this, Lucien? You have to say something to end all of this" Derek turned to me. I took a deep breath before speaking up.

Of course, I don't know who to side with this time because I was caught in the middle of it.

Mona's POV:

I held my breath praying within myself that Master Stone will actually have a soft heart even for few seconds.

I know you're all wondering why they couldn't recognize me. You must be wondering why they believed that I'm someone else, right?

Well, the old lady helped me. She had to get me to makeover, and to be honest I looked like a different person. I couldn't even believe that I'm the one standing right in front of the mirror.

FLASHBACK

I took the mirror from the kind old lady, and took a look on my face. A gasp escaped my lips, and I turned to her sharply.

"This is wonderful! I almost didn't recognize myself. Is this really me?" I could help but marvel.

"Since you're here to help your friend, I decided that I won't let you enter the courtroom with your face. If they recognize your face, I'm sure that you will be in big trouble" The old lady smiled at me.

"With this face, I don't think anyone will recognize me. I mean, I almost didn't recognize myself. Thank you so much, ma'am, I know I don't deserve to be helped, but I really appreciate your kindness" I held her hand, and she touched my cheek.

"If you really want to help this friend, you should go right into the courtroom immediately. The four Masters are ruthless, they don't care about anyone else but themselves. I know that you must love this your friend so much to think of risking your life for her" She shook her head, and I nodded my head in agreement.

"Actually, I never knew what it feels like to have a family. Ever since she was brought into the Castle, she became the family that I never had. That's why, it pains me a lot to see her suffering. I know what it feels to be a sleep because I've been one for the past years of my life" Tears circulated in my eyes.

"I really love your courage, and I'm very happy to meet someone who is willing to sacrifice her life for a friend. It's rare to meet a true friend, because there are lots of backstabbers who are posing as true friends" She said, and I hugged her tightly before she led me out of her chambers down to the back of the courtroom, and helped me sneak in.

END OF FLASHBACK

Honestly, I'm very happy that they couldn't recognize me, but what if the Masters insisted on having Madison? What if they say that they don't want a substitute?

My heart was racing so fast. I know I'm going to go through hell in their hands if I'm actually the substitute, but none of that matters. What could be more painful than losing my virginity when I was still so little? What could be more painful than knowing my biological parents sold me to a devil like Master Stone just for money.

"Let her be the substitute" Master Stone's voice smacked me out of my thoughts, and a smile escaped my lips....