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Chapter 12 - The market

She enjoyed the most soothing bathe she had experienced in a long time. Time drifted leisurely and soon darkness enveloped the room. Sitting on the bed, she felt its softness, bored.

Her thoughts drifted to Margaret and Mrs. Smith at Brokley. Mrs. Smith was likely enjoying precious moments with her little granddaughter while Margaret was probably sharing a meal with her family.

A soft knock echoed through the room, and the door creaked open to reveal a maid. Leila recognized her as one of the maids who had whispered about her earlier, a flicker of unease passing through her.

With her gaze cast downwards, the maid spoke quickly, "Your presence is being requested by the master. Please allow me to escort you to the dining room."

Leila followed the maid, who moved briskly ahead, her footsteps quick and purposeful. In contrast, Leila maintained a leisurely pace, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. As they made their way to the dining room, the air felt thick with anticipation, and Leila couldn't help but wonder what awaited her.

Upon entering the dining room, the maid bowed slightly and announced, "I have brought Miss Leila."

At the long, elegantly set table sat Jack and his family. "Come quickly and sit down," Jack beckoned, his tone warm yet commanding. "Nelly, you can leave us now."

As Nelly stepped back, Leila felt a flutter of nerves. She approached the table, acutely aware of the eyes upon her.

A stunning woman, exuding a gentle grace and an air of nobility, sat next to Jack. With a warm, inviting smile, she rose from her seat and approached Leila, enveloping her in a friendly embrace.

"You must be Leila! We are so delighted to finally meet you dear. Come, sit here," she said, her voice soothing.

Leila was genuinely taken aback when the woman helped her pull out her chair. It was a gesture of kindness she hadn't expected. "Don't be nervous! We are all family here," the woman reassured her, her tone filled with warmth and sincerity.

As Leila settled into her chair, she couldn't help but feel that this was the most heartfelt welcome she had received since her arrival. The woman returned to her seat, and Leila glanced around the table, taking in the faces of those gathered.

"It's one thing to take in some stray lowlife, but now we have to sit at the same table with her?! Absolutely not!" Juliana who seemed quiet and reserved until now suddenly stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

She fixed a fierce glare on Leila, who met her gaze with an innocent expression, seemingly unfazed by the outburst. Without another word, Juliana stormed off.

"Juliana, come back here this instant!" Lady Helen commanded, her voice firm, but her plea fell on deaf ears. What kind of kindness was this? Clearly, this girl was nothing more than a spoiled brat.

As dinner was served, an uncomfortable silence settled over the table, the tension thick after Juliana's hasty exit. Lady Helen, visibly embarrassed, spoke up, "I sincerely apologize for Juliana's rude behavior. She can be quite difficult at times, but I assure you, she isn't always like this."

Leila was not the least bit offended. Instead, she took a moment to relish the exquisite food before her, savoring each bite with unabashed delight.

"Is your room to your liking?" Lady Helen inquired, trying to steer the conversation back to more pleasant topics.

Leila nodded enthusiastically, a smile lighting up her face. "It's perfect, truly."

"I'm so glad to hear that," Lady Helen replied, her own smile returning.

After dinner, Lady Helen graciously escorted Leila to her room. "If there's anything you might need, please don't hesitate to let me know," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Leila couldn't help but wonder if Lady Helen was aware of how the servants treated her. The contrast between Lady Helen's kindness and the hostility from the servants made her puzzled.

"Yes, of course," Leila replied with a bright smile.

"Good," Lady Helen beamed back, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. "Welcome to the family."

* * *

As the days turned into a week, Leila gradually got used to her new surroundings. She took the time to observe the family and listen to the gossip that circulated in the household, collecting some information.

Lady Helen was gentle, noble, and strikingly beautiful, appearing much younger than her years suggested. In contrast, Juliana was renowned in the town for her beauty, intelligence, and supposed kindness.

She had a long line of suitors from prestigious families vying for her attention. However, what Leila witnessed was far from the image of a kind young woman; instead, she saw a spoiled girl who seemed to care for little beyond her own appearance and social standing.

Little Elsie, with her angelic appearance was in reality, a little devil in disguise. All the servants in the household lived in constant fear of her mischievous antics. She harbored an intense dislike for anyone who dared to approach her, and the nannies hired to care for her rarely lasted more than a few weeks before quitting in exasperation.

Elsie delighted in pulling all sorts of pranks, her favorite pastime being to scare off anyone who tried to get too close. Leila, acutely aware of Elsie's reputation, made a concerted effort to stay out of her sight. The way Elsie eyed her made it clear that she was always on the lookout for her next target, ready to pounce at any moment.

Jack worked in the council and was seldom seen at home. His presence was typically limited to the quiet moments of early morning or late evening.

Today, Leila was leisurely strolling along the winding paths and admiring the vibrant flowers in full bloom in the garden. The sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, and she felt a sense of peace enveloping her.

Suddenly, Lady Helen's voice broke through her moment of tranquility. "Juliana, go out and show Leila around the market," she commanded, her tone firm yet encouraging.

Juliana who was just passing by widened her eyes in surprise, and Leila felt uncomfortable at the thought of spending time with her. She couldn't shake the feeling that this outing might lead to more unexpected encounters, especially with someone as unpredictable as Juliana.

"Why can't we just have a maid do it?" Juliana complained. "Or she can just go by herself, she has her own legs, after all!" She crossed her arms, her expression sulky.

Lady Helen's expression turned stern, her eyes flashing with a hint of annoyance. "I want you to start getting along with Leila, and that means you'll accompany her to the market. That's final, Juliana." Her tone brokered no argument, and Juliana wilted under her mother's firm gaze.

Lady Helen turned to Leila, her expression softening into a gentle smile. She handed Leila a pouch full of coins, the soft clink of metal on metal filling the air. "Here, you can buy anything you like at the market. Treat yourself to something special."

Leila's eyes widened in gratitude as she accepted the pouch. She bowed her head, her dark hair falling forward like a curtain. "Thank you, Lady Helen. I appreciate your kindness."

Lady Helen waved her hand, her smile warm. "Just call me Auntie Helen or Helen. Now off you go! Enjoy your trip to the market."

Juliana reluctantly trailed behind Leila as they made their way to the carriage. The ride to the market was silent, Juliana pointedly ignoring Leila, treating her like a ghost. Leila didn't mind, lost in her own thoughts as she gazed out the window.

When the carriage finally stopped, Juliana was the first to alight, her skirts rustling as she stepped down onto the cobblestone street. Leila followed, her eyes widening as she took in the sights and sounds of the bustling market. The buildings towered above her, their stone façades gleaming in the sunlight.

As she gazed around, awestruck, Juliana strode ahead, her back stiff with disdain. Leila trailed behind, her eyes drinking in the wonders of the market, her heart filled with a sense of excitement and possibility.

"Wait for us here," Juliana instructed the coachman, her voice firm and authoritative.

"Yes, my lady," the coachman replied, tipping his hat in obedience. Juliana turned to Leila. "Come along, peasant," she commanded. "We don't have all day to waste."

With that, Juliana swept away, her head held high like a proud peacock, her elegant gown rustling as she moved. Leila watched her go, shaking her head in dismay. She was speechless, unsure of how to respond to Juliana's haughty behavior. With a sigh, she followed Juliana, like a lowly servant trailing behind her mistress.

As they walked through the market, Leila felt like a fish out of water. The bustling streets were filled with people dressed in fine, expensive clothing, their noble bearing and confident stride, making Leila's cheap, worn clothes feel even more shabby by comparison.

A few heads turned to stare at her appearance, their gazes lingering on her worn out clothing.

However, it was not just the stares and whispers that unsettled Leila. As she scanned the crowded market, her eyes fell upon a sight that made her blood run cold.

Some of the nobles milling about were holding collars, attached to which were slaves who were being dragged around like nothing more than useless toys. The slaves' eyes were downcast, their shoulders slumped in defeat, as if they had lost all sense of dignity and purpose.

Leila's gaze wandered to the cages that lined the market stalls, where slaves were locked in, put on display like animals. They looked pitiful and lost, their eyes vacant.

The market, which had initially seemed so vibrant and full of life, now appeared to Leila as a twisted and cruel place, where the wealthy and powerful preyed upon the weak and vulnerable.

She knew slavery existed though it was not a common sight in Brokley but here... It seemed like perfectly normal. These slaves were people just like them... Why?

Juliana noticed that she was no longer following, turned to reprimand her. "What are you dilly dallying about?"

She followed Leila's gaze and said in disdain, "Lowly peasants like you are meant to be groveling at the wealthy's feet, pleasing them. You should be grateful for the opportunity to be in our presence. Now let's go!"

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