Chapter 7 BOUNTIFUL

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW

Agatha woke up light headed. Her throat ran dry and it hurts every time she swallows “ugh..” she whimpers her way up, holding her aching head, she found herself aloft a soft cushion.

After a minute of massaging her temples, she finally got the strength to open her eyes. Her mouth opened wide out of surprise, a comfortable futon and a soft blanket covering her lower body greeted her open eyes, she straightened her back to take a peek of her surroundings. “are you hurting?” his voice ringed her ears, she looked straight ahead and there he was, sitting in a loveseat with his face wearing that cold expression.

Agatha immediately knew what she had to do, she smiled “I’m f- “she stopped mid-word as she realized she’s still bounded, the chains cuffing her left hand clanged as she lifts it up.

“just making sure” she looked back at him in defeat, she sighed in her head but acted enthusiastically. I’m fine b-but…”

She held her head, caressing her temple to show her pain. She glanced secretly, his expression didn’t change but he stood up. She smiled at the back of her head, he’s enticed and she can tell. What’s the reason? She doesn’t know but it’s a reason to be hopeful.

He walked towards the door and went outside. Her eyes followed as he shuts it close and that’s when her whereabouts fully registered in her mind. She’s in a lavish room, evidently his, as it was bigger than the room she entered before. She scanned her eyes around, the gold and white lining of the walls was elegant and screams classic, it was in contrast of the sophisticated furniture and it showed his exquisite taste for contrivances.

The large window illuminated the room, the sun shines subtly on one part and the heat it emits was hitting her face just enough to for her to know that it’s already noon. She faced the sofa set, and she noticed the mirror that hangs by the side. For the first time in a couple of days, she saw herself.

Her breathing resembles a continuous gasp, her eyes were as hollow as her face, it reeks of exhaustion. She still had the same dress, ‘how many days has passed?’ she thought eyeing the stain of blood coating her tattered dress. Out of nowhere, the door opened and he appeared holding a tray of “food…”

“I’m surprised you can hold out that long” Viscount Claude commented as he placed it carefully in front of her. She furrowed her brows, ‘is he fattening his dinner?’ she thought.

She swallowed the lump of anxiousness forming in her throat, the Beef Wellington was inviting, but the fear of receiving it from him took over. He pushed the tray towards her “eat…” he said.

Baffled, she refused to dive in immediately. Questions formed in her head.

‘Did I get him?’

‘What is the purpose of this?’

‘Why am I still alive?’

‘Will he let me go?’

Agatha faked a smile, “I don’t have an appetite Viscount” she said to see how’d he react. She doesn’t know how long it’s been, but she’s used to being deprived of sustenance, there were times where she’ll have no fill for a week but she turned out fine.

“It’s not an offer, it’s a command” his tone appalled her, Agatha nodded as she extended her hand to reach the utensil. It’s a first for her to be served like this, a full course meal sat on that tray.

Viscount Claude went back to his seat, watching her every movement with an expression showing triviality. Agatha’s hand shook, that piercing stare is up to no good. The slab of what seems to be meat sat in the middle. She took it and was about to have a bite when it hit her mind. She stopped midway with a frightened look.

The memories of that night came rushing in, she wanted to hide her expression but it was evident. The pile of bodies she saw that night just came out of nowhere, it was as if that meat resembled what she saw. The red hue of the dish reminded her of the bloodied bodies piled up in that room.

She was completely frozen as it sinks into her one by one. Suddenly, Lady Irene popped in her mind, that drained look her body had brought her near to tears.

“Cannibalism is often frowned upon, in fact, it is illegal in this state” his voice snapped her back, her eyes widened. “Do not worry, you’re not committing a crime. It’s just beef wellington, or perhaps you low-life haven’t heard of it before?”

Agatha hauled, keeping herself together. She should show no fear to at least counter his intimidation. She nodded, slicing it thinly and bringing it in her mouth. Her slow chewing irks him, but it was amusing to see her expression change from fearful to a mongering covetous beast.

She dug the food in minutes, he thought she’d be weakly inhaling that but there she was, obviously deprived of such bounty.

She sat for a moment after finishing, feeling mildly satisfied as she finally got her fill after god knows how many days. “how’s it?” the Viscount asked. Agatha wiped her mouth using the back of her hand, she smiled not knowing of the mess that meal created on her face.

“It was great Viscount, I feel honored-“

“Does your master taste great?”

His words startled her consciousness, she held her mouth with wide eyes. A gut-wrenching feeling took her over making her almost throw up if it weren’t for his demonic laughter interrupting. She coughed, trying to belch everything out. “I was jesting” he repeatedly said but she wouldn’t stop pounding her chest. He stood up, walked towards her and held her wrist.

Their eyes met and a flickering electricity hit them both in the gut. Agatha was catching her breath, fearing what she’d done.

“I was kidding” Viscount Claude repeated once more hoping it’ll get to her. Agatha heaved, despite his assurance, the thought of trusting him scared her. She went off her way for a moment.

They stared at each other until she came to tranquil. Agatha put on her brave mask back, she bit her lips trying her best to fight the urge to scream. His face was way too close, it reminded her of the time she kissed him more than the time she saw that same lips covered in the blood of her master.

“I apologize for acting rudely, my lord…” she said, bowing her head to rid of that scary image. The Viscount rolled his eyes, “you no longer have to put an act” he blurted out. Agatha furrowed her brows, she looked up to him “pardon?”

“I’m not going to kill you…” his words shone a glimmer of hope upon her “yet” he added.