I was mentally and physically drained as I staggered down the servant staircase. It had been hours since they drag me off to play dress-up. Not to mention, it took forever to find the hidden staircase while worrying about not being spotted. I went to the supply closet and washed my face. There wasn't a mirror around to see if I had gotten it all off. I did one more rinse before gathering my things and going back to work.
After sweeping and re-cleaning areas, I finished up the last section. My back was aching. I twisted from side to side. Hopefully, the polish would go on smoother. I was allow to use mop for that. I was halfway done when I heard the door open. I perked up and spun around. The young master entered. My chest tightened and I sunk back into the corner.
Should I leave? He didn't seem to notice that I was there.
Collin sat down at the table and rubbed his forehead. He looked rather stressed. I swallowed the lump in my throat and decided I'd wait it out. The werewolf would eat his lunch and leave. I still had time to get the floor done before dinner.
I shifted my weight to my other foot and Collin's ear flicked toward me. His eyes followed.
"What are you doing there?"
I bowed my head. "I was doing the floor, sir."
He looked around. "Oh yeah, I see. You can finish if you like. I don't mind."
"I don't want to disturb you, sir."
"You're not. Go ahead." He started looking at all the different containers.
Most of the food had been put away. I crept over to where I had left off and continued. Thankfully, I had been smart enough to do around the table first and it had enough time to dry. I made my way around the room while Collin sat quietly at the table, messing around on his tablet. Finishing, I gathered my things and headed for the kitchen.
"Done?"
I stopped and nodded. "Yes, sir."
He looked from side to side. "Looks great." His eyes landed on me. "What is on your face."
I tried to wipe at my eyes without dropping the mop. "I—I'm sorry. I thought I cleaned it all off."
"Come here." He grabbed a fabric napkin and flicked it.
After setting my things by the door, I shuffled around the table.
Collin chuckled. "It's everywhere." He pulled out a chair and motioned to it.
I glanced between him and the chair.
"Go on sit."
Doing so, I positioned myself on the edge of the seat and stared at my lap.
"You're still not going to look at me?"
"Do you want me to, sir?"
"No. Close your eyes."
I did so. He lifted my chin and felt him wipe under and around my eyes.
"My sister did this, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Even after I told her not to bother you. That girl. I'll have a word with her to make sure she leaves you alone. She gets a little excited when her friends come over."
The pressure around my eyes left. I opened them and immediately looked at the ground. "Thank you, sir."
Collin rested his elbow on his table and placed his muzzle on his palm. An awkward silence filled the room. I didn't know if I was allowed to leave or not. I smelt some of the bread Collin had been snacking on and my stomach started to growl.
"Are you hungry?"
"Dinner should be soon, sir. I'll eat then."
"Did you have lunch?"
"Miss Arianna offered, but I was too nervous." I gripped the edge of my seat. "Can I go?"
He put some jam on a slice of bread. "Yeah, if you take this into the kitchen and eat it. You're already too skinny. If you skip any more meals, I'm worried you might faint on us."
I took the piece, hoping he wouldn't notice how bad I was shaking. My eyes were locked on his clawed fingers. Taking it, I stood. "Thank you, sir." I hurried off, forcing myself to go slow enough so it wouldn't look like I was running away.
Entering the kitchen, I slid down the door and let out a deep breath.
"Milo!"
I jumped as Julie marched over to me.
"Did you steal that?!"
The other humans in the kitchen stopped what they were doing.
"I should beat you myself. I'll have to tell the young master about this. I'm not going to let a little thief work under me." She snatched the bread and tossed it on the counter. "Get up now!"
I did so and was met with a slap across my face. I clasped my cheek. "He—he said..."
"Enough. I will not listen to your excuses. I'm starting to understand why you were sold."
My eyes started to burn. "I—I didn't steal."
Julie hit me again. "Liar and a thief. The masters will see to it that you are properly punish—"
The kitchen door opened. Collin entered.
All the human quickly faced him and bowed their heads. I sunk into the wall. What if it had been a trap? He could have given it to me on purpose and sent me in here knowing how Julie would react. I wiped my face and kept my gaze pointed at my feet.
"Did you eat it?"
My chest ached. I was too scared to answer. I shook my head and glanced at the discarded bread. Jam had been smeared across the counter from the piece sliding across it.
"Why not?"
"I'm not allowed to have it, sir."
"This is my house," he directed the comment toward Julie, "and I told you to eat it. Why didn't you?"
I forced back the tears. I didn't know what he wanted me to say.
"Milo," said Collin firmly.
I let out a shaky breath. "I'm not allowed to have it." I peeked up at Julie.
Collin bared his teeth at the woman. "Are you the master of this house?"
"No, sir," said Julie. "I deeply apologize. I didn't know you have given it to him. He didn't show up for lunch, so I thought he might have stolen the food that we left out for you."
"The boy isn't even capable of looking me in the eye." Collin motioned to me. "And you thought he had the nerve to steal from me?"
"I didn't know, I swear." Julie was starting to panic herself. "He's new. I don't know him that well."
"Stupid woman," he breathed. "Clean it up!" He motioned to the counter. "The rest of you get back to work."
I sniffed and cleared my face.
Collin stood in front of me. "I didn't get it all. You have black streaks all over your face."
I wiped them with my hand.
"You're smearing it everywhere. Ari really did make a mess out of you. Julie."
"Yes, sir," she said softly.
"Take him up to my study and feed him." Collin looked over his shoulder. "I'm surprised you let one of my slaves go without food for so long. I put him in your care and look at Milo. He pale, sweating. He looks like he's going to pass out."
"I am so sorry, sir. I will keep a better eye on him."
"Prove it to me, or I might have to find someone else to oversee my household." He left the kitchen.
I finally felt like I was able to breathe. Little by little the others went back to what they were doing and the kitchen was filled with sounds of pots and pans. Julie finished cleaning up and motioned for me. Once I was in reach, she grabbed my wrist and led me to the staircase. We hurried up to the third floor.
"I have no idea what the master is thinking, but he seems to be a strange mood." She opened the door and checked the hallway. "You better be careful. He's never bothered to stand up for a slave."
We stepped into the corridor and sped walked to Collin's office. She cracked open the door and pushed me inside. "Don't touch anything. I'll have someone bring up something for you to eat." She closed the door.
I listened to her footsteps fade away. Scanning the room, I staggered back into the corner and sat down. I was hoping to spend my life going unnoticed and it didn't seem like that was going to happen.