Light and Shadow - Chapter 6

The carriage, which covered a long distance, stopped at a monastery deep into the mountains. Head bowed down, Edna silently listened to Anna.

“Understood? If you don’t comprehend even after I put it this simply, then you’re a full-fledged moron. It goes without saying that, no matter what you do, you won’t be able to imitate my noble air, but if you don’t learn properly, I’ll have you whipped so rack your brains to learn it all, got it? It’s an opportunity for you too, you know? You’ll never be born a noble like me even if you reincarnate, so when will you come by this luxury again?” Satisfied with her words, Anna gave a cold, jeering smile. Edna nodded meekly an indication that she understood.

“That’s right, I’m offering you a chance, so you have to learn with all your might. Bear in mind that I’ll catch and sell you off to a brothel should you pull off something stupid like running away!” With that terrifying threat, Anna turned her gaze toward the window. “Now then, Edna. It’s time for us to do this together.”

Only then did Edna raise her head, swallowing dry saliva, and escort Anna out of the carriage.

* * *

Anna raised her cold blue eyes and shot them at Edna, who was seated at the table. Truly, it was of no use no matter how much she taught her. Anna’s already limited patience had reached rock bottom only two days after she came to the monastery. Assuming that she’d leave dressing up and styling her hair to a maid, Anna could not bring Edna to fix her pig-like habit of rushing head-first into her food.

“Why can’t you just quit it? What did I tell you? Eat slowly. How else are you going to use your fork and knife? Oh my world, you’re a maid alright… You’ll get caught at once if you go about your meal in that manner. What would become of you then? You’ll die right on the spot. Did you hear the rumors about Eli? He’s notorious for his cruelty. If you don’t want to die as soon as you reach him, try again slowly.” Anna roared, hitting Edna on the back of her hand with a whip.

Anna opened her eyes wide and glared at the terrified Edna whose shoulders hunched as Anna’s whip charged audibly through the air. Edna carefully picked up the meat on the plate with her fork and pushed it into her mouth. Although it was bland and tough, she took the opportunity and chewed the meat she hadn’t had in a long while, risking a glance at Anna’s face.

“Don’t even look at me like that. The daughter of a viscount never seeks approval from others.” Anna spat out coldly, standing next to Edna, staring at her head and chewing on her lip. The red at the end of her hair was truly hideous. The mere sight of what she had done to her head was appalling. She wanted to cut it all off, but couldn’t recklessly put scissors to use lest she ends up looking like a man.

Anna’s irritation had reached new heights. At first, she thought this to be a spectacular idea, yet, it turned out to be a harder feat to see through. Anna lowered her head with a livid expression on her face and stared at Edna, who was busy learning to use a knife and fork.

It was all due to Viscount William choosing the wrong side. She got needlessly caught in such a headache-inducing situation all thanks to William’s own failure to predict that Ducaine III would be defeated.

‘Should Eli ever catch on and tattle to the king, then I’m going to confess that I did it because father made me. What is there to hide? I can just tell the truth as it is.’ Anna thought to herself, stroking her beautifully flowing golden hair. This was a very instinctive thought for someone as selfish as her. Anna kept stroking her beautiful stretch of golden hair, this time thinking about Eli.