The Battle of Knowledge and Love

-Bella-

Holding a makeshift bag in one hand, I made my way into the stables. My horse, closest to the entrance, let out a little sound in greeting. I walked closer, stroking the front of his head, my eyes scanning the rest of the stables in the meantime.

They landed on a figure at the other end, using a pitchfork to throw hay to one of the horses. Trying to be quiet, I walked closer and closer. Coming up behind him, I used my free hand to cover his eyes. He froze.

“Guess who,” I teased.

I could sense the smile rather than see it, the energy light and joyful. Lucas reached up, grasping my wrist and pulling it down as he turned around. His dark eyes met mine, smoldering with desire.

“You didn’t guess. Now I will have to eat this food alone,” I said, holding up the little bag, which was made from fabric I had folded together at the top.

“I already ate,” he said, letting the pitchfork drop to the ground with a loud clang.

“Oh?”

“Us servants get up early, my lady,” he teased before his hands came to rest on my waist.

“And here I was trying to do something nice,” I jested, letting the bag drop so the food fell onto the floor before I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“You can do something else for me,” he murmured, his voice lowering.

I already knew what he was thinking. Looking around to ensure we were alone, I pulled him with me into a clean stall that wasn’t occupied by a horse. Letting myself drop onto the soft bedding, I pulled him with me.

His lips found mine, his hands sliding over my body, igniting that familiar warm flame inside me. His hand slid lower, grasping the bottom of my dress. He pulled it higher and higher while our lips moved passionately against each other.

His hand dipped inside, sliding up my inner thigh. The excitement made me pull away, needing air, while his lips moved down my neck.

“My lady!”

Lucas halted, his hand so close to its target, while his head rose, looking toward the sound. I pressed my lips together, keeping quiet.

“My lady! My lady!”

I could hear someone coming closer. Pushing Lucas away, I rose to my feet, finding a familiar face.

“Rose,” I said, seeing one of my personal attendants moving toward me.

“There you are, my lady.”

“Here I am!” I exclaimed, stepping out of the stall, ensuring Rose didn’t get too close.

“I have been looking for you. You—what happened to you?”

Rose looked me over, causing me to glance down. I saw how filthy I was and quickly began brushing off the dust and horse bedding.

“Oh, I just tripped,” I said, knowing it was a horrible lie.

Rose gave me a look that told me she didn’t believe me at all. I bit down on my lip.

“Don’t tell my aunt?” I pleaded.

She let out a sigh.

“You know I never would, but you better come up with a better lie because it’s your aunt who is looking for you.”

“Why?”

“She didn’t say, only that it was important and that I had to fetch you.”

“Then you better see what Her Ladyship wants.”

I looked over my shoulder, seeing Lucas leaning with his arms on the stall wall.

“Do not worry, I will be right here when you get back,” he vowed, winking at me.

I felt a rush of heat go through me, but when I turned to Rose, seeing the scolding look she gave me, her arms crossed over her chest, it felt like I was being doused with cold water.

“I was just…”

“Yes, I’m sure,” she said before wrapping an arm around me, guiding me away from the stables.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Lucas had gone back to work but was throwing a glance my way before focusing on his job. I already couldn’t wait to get back to him, but I forced myself to focus on why my aunt had requested my presence.

Making my way back to the large house in the distance, I stopped in front of the front door, trying to clean myself up as best I could with Rose’s help. Then I entered.

“Your aunt is in her private living room,” she explained.

“Thank you.”

I was never allowed in there, yet for some reason, she was now expecting me there? It all felt highly odd, especially considering the fact that my aunt had requested to see me. She never wanted to see me. If I could stay out of sight all the time, it was preferable.

Making my way over to the door leading into her private room, I took a deep breath.

I knocked.

“Aunt Glinda?”

“Enter.”

I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Poking my head inside, I found my aunt sitting on a couch, a cup in one hand and a letter in the other. Her eyes were running down the letter before slowly moving upward, focusing on me.

“Well, don’t just stand there, silly girl. When I say enter, you enter!”

I hurried inside, slamming the door shut behind me, only to see my aunt close her eyes in annoyance.

“A lady doesn’t slam doors,” she scolded.

“I-I’m sorry, Aunt Glinda,” I murmured.

Not a lot of things made me nervous, but my aunt… she made me tremble.

“Come over here, girl.”

I was shocked when she requested me near her. Still, I did as she ordered, taking a few steps forward.

“Closer.”

She wanted me closer?

I felt frozen for a moment before taking a large step, coming up to the little table in front of my aunt. She lowered the letter, placing it on the table. I glanced at it, seeing a seal had been placed at the bottom, marking it as something important. But I didn’t get time to inspect it. I didn’t want my aunt to think I was snooping, so I hurried to lower my eyes, keeping my head bowed and my hands in front of me.

I waited for her to speak, but the silence stretched on, making me shift my weight a little before glancing upward. My aunt was scanning me with her eyes, letting those dark orbs slowly run down my body and up again. When her gaze found mine, I lowered it again.

“You certainly will work,” she murmured.

Work?

“Bella?”

“Yes, Aunt Glinda?”

“Remind me how many years you have been here.”

“Oh, um… I came here when I was… four, and I’m twenty-four now, so… twenty years,” I replied.

“And in those twenty years, I have ensured you wanted for nothing, correct?”

I didn’t like where this was going. Usually, when my aunt reminded me of “all the good” she had done for me, it was often followed by a harsh scolding, maybe even some physical reprimanding. Feeling my throat tighten, I swallowed to get my voice working again.

“Y-yes, you have been very generous, Aunt Glinda,” I replied.

“I have. Without me, you would have been nothing but a street child who would probably have grown up selling herself.”

I tried not to interject, reminding her I was only here because my father had ordered it. I hadn’t been taken in out of the goodness of her heart. Instead, I bit down on my lip to hold back my attitude.

“I have even provided you with an education and the promise of a good future, haven’t I?”

“Y-yes, I am most grateful for all you have done for me.”

“As you should be.”

Once more, I had to bite my lip, feeling the words filled with attitude about to rise. I had always had a hard time controlling them, and I knew it was paramount they didn’t burst out now in my aunt’s presence.

“And I have never asked for anything in return, have I?”

“N-no, Aunt Glinda.”

“Well,” she began, choosing to pause.

I looked up, seeing her take a sip of her drink, her red lips pursing afterward before she brushed a strand of dark hair away from her face.

“Now I have something you need to do for not just me, but this family.”

I had feared I would walk out of this room with a sore cheek or hair that had been pulled at the roots, but instead, something entirely different had been put on the table. It stunned me for a moment before I noticed the expectant expression on my aunt’s face.

“What do I need to do?”