“What's a slave?” Sphinx asked with innocent curiosity.
Myuri grimaced at the question. Seated on a wooden terrace at the summit of Log-a-rhythm, her feet dangling in the void, the young woman pondered for a mont.
“It's when you have to do what others want and not what you want to do yourself,” she finally replied.
It was that and so much worse. It was the threat of blows when a task was not well executed. It was the pain of the whip when she found herself in the wrong place at the wrong ti. It was the deprivation of sleep, food, and freedom. It was cleaning the bloodstains from the sheets of a prince who had set his sights on one of her stepsisters, trembling at the thought of being the next chosen…
A ow brought Myuri back to reality. Blinking, she looked down at the mythical creature nestled in her arms.
“Sorry,” Myuri murmured, resuming her head scratches on Sphinx.
A purr of contentnt later, Sphinx resud her series of questions.
“But why stay a slave? It sounds la.”
Myuri let out a small laugh. Sphinx was an incredible creature—she had learned Empyrean in just a few hours—but the animal was a feline. Myuri had already seen such beasts in the Palace's nagerie, and these wonderful beings detested obligations. Myuri admired them for that.
“Because we don't really have a choice. It's either that or great pain. In the end, everyone obeys.”
Or they die.
“Didn't.”
“Excuse ?”
“Didn't, not don't,” Sphinx corrected. “You're no longer a slave.”
Myuri opened her mouth and then hesitated. She looked in all directions but couldn't find the princess’ rival.
“Around n, I will always be a slave. I've just changed masters, that's all.”
Sphinx shook her head vigorously. “Priam doesn't see you as a slave! He doesn't see anyone that way.”
Yet, Myuri had seen how he treated the other woman. Not with brutality, but he clearly gave her orders, and she feared him. The forr slave opened her mouth to respond before closing it. Sphinx looked like an adorable creature, but she had a master too. Even if she’s cute, trusting anyone is folly…
“Well, that's good then,” she lied, smiling.
Sphinx sniffed as she stood up. She locked her eyes with Myuri.
“You don't seem convinced, but it will co! In the anti, I'll teach you French. If you're a good student, you'll have the privilege of petting .”
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