Morning light filtered through the large windows of Virgil's study, casting long beams of sunlight across the room. Akita stood near the center, clutching the heavy book Virgil had given her to read. Her heart beat nervously, yet with a steady pulse of determination.
Her reading skills had improved, she knew that much. But in Virgil's presence, she always felt the tension of his unpredictable temperament. One wrong move, and she could easily be reprimanded.
Virgil, sitting behind his mahogany desk, looked at her with those cold, calculating eyes, the same ones that always seemed to pierce through her every thought. "Start reading," he ordered, his voice low but commanding.
Akita swallowed her fear, opened the book to the marked page, and began. Her voice, at first hesitant, grew stronger as she navigated the unfamiliar words. The story flowed from her lips—one of a forbidden love between a human and a vampire, both torn between desire and the peril that came with their different worlds.
As the sunlight poured onto her dark, melanin-rich skin, Virgil observed her silently. She had come a long way since the first time he ordered her to read. Though he wasn't fond of her learning—knowledge in the hands of a slave was dangerous—he found himself, for reasons he couldn't quite name, curious to see how much she could improve.
Suddenly, he raised his hand. "Stop."
Akita's voice halted mid-sentence, her heart sinking with disappointment. She had been engrossed in the tale, lost in the forbidden romance of the characters, so far removed from the harsh realities of her own life. But now, her master's sharp command brought her back to the cold room where her freedom was still just a distant dream.
Virgil stood up from his chair and slowly walked over to her. His tall figure loomed over her, his presence always imposing, a shadow of dominance she could never escape. She lowered her gaze as he circled her, inspecting her in silence.
"I'm impressed," he finally said, his tone surprising her. "You managed to read for this long. Perhaps your skill isn't as lacking as I thought." He paused, studying her face as if searching for something deeper beneath the surface. "Perhaps… I'll let you read more of this in my room later tonight. By the evening, I expect you to remember every detail."
Akita, feeling the weight of his words, nodded slightly. "Yes, Master."
"Good," Virgil said, his voice hardening again. "Now leave my study and get back to your duties, Kitten."
Without another word, Akita bowed her head in obedience and swiftly exited the room. Her mind raced as she walked toward the kitchen to begin her chores. There was something unsettling about Virgil's praise. He wasn't a patient man, and she knew better than to let herself believe that she had truly impressed him. But still, there was a flicker of pride within her, one that she tried to push down. She couldn't afford such emotions—not in this place.
The day dragged on, filled with endless tasks that left her exhausted. By nightfall, she barely had the energy to stand. The maids had bathed her again, scrubbing her skin roughly, only to put her back into the same torn gown she had worn for what felt like an eternity. It was a constant reminder of her status—never to be elevated, always kept in the dirt.
When she entered Virgil's room, he was already there, sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her as if it were a normal routine. He gestured toward the floor where she was expected to kneel, the cold stone beneath her skin a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed she would never touch.
"Tell me what the book was about," Virgil commanded, not even looking at her as he yawned. "And be quick about it. I'm tired."
Akita quickly recited the story she had read earlier, summarizing the forbidden love between the human girl and the vampire, the struggles they faced, and the sacrifices made in the name of a doomed romance. Her voice didn't waver, but there was a quiet sadness in it—a reflection of how she saw her own life, trapped in a similar impossible situation.
When she finished, Virgil smirked lazily, his eyes half-closed. "So, that's what it was about. How quaint," he remarked. "Forbidden love… How predictable."
Akita bowed her head, not daring to say more. She knew better than to engage with his sarcastic remarks. Virgil stretched and stood up, casting her a sidelong glance. "We have much work to do tomorrow, Akita. Be prepared. You're not here to read love stories—you're here to serve. Don't forget that."
"Yes, Master," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
With that, he dismissed her, and she moved toward her usual spot on the floor, next to his bed. The small, ripped blanket they gave her provided little warmth against the cold night air. She curled up as tightly as she could, trying to trap whatever heat remained in her body. Her thoughts drifted back to the book, to the love story that seemed so distant from her own reality.
But even as she lay there, freezing, tired, and bruised, she couldn't help but feel that spark of defiance still burning inside her. She would survive this. She had to. Her warrior spirit had carried her through worse before, and it would carry her through again.
As she drifted into a restless sleep, she reminded herself of one thing: she had to keep fighting. Just a little longer.
Tomorrow would bring another test, but her spirit—though battered—was still unbroken.