I did not have much expectations for my future.
Others might say that I was pessimistic, but I consider myself realistic.
And that's why I did not break down in tears and beg for mercy when Lady Calthorpe told me that I was to be sold away. Not as a regular slave but a blood slave to one of the most prominent, pure-blooded vampire families in the land, the Blackwood Family.
"You should consider yourself lucky, Charmaine."
I winced when the redwood comb was stabbed into my scalp and pulled along my unkempt knots of hair.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt the pain of several strands of hair being uprooted at once.
But instead of crying out from pain, I bit into my lower lip and kept my eyes trained to the mirror.
I would never allow her to discern the depth of my pain or anguish.
"Our Calthorpe family has raised you, a bastard, for seventeen whole years. Now it's time for you to repay your debts. It is your duty, nay, honor, to take Clementine's place to serve the Blackwood family as their blood slave.
You don't even have to do anything. Just let them suck your blood until they tire of you. I heard that they get bored rather quickly."
I almost scoffed at her words.
Indeed, the vampires were prone to becoming easily bored. There was always a more appealing source of blood when one observed, but they never permitted their blood slaves to depart and lead joyful lives after their release.
No, the blood slaves were to be given to the lesser vampires --- usually their loyal subordinates --- and have their blood sucked by the brutes to death.
That was the ill fate that awaited all those who became blood slaves.
I knew that much.
Lady Calthorpe sent my elder sister away as a blood slave ten years ago.
No one had ever seen or heard of her again.
Lady Calthorpe was a sick woman. She enjoyed taunting her subjects. She especially enjoyed their fearful cries and terrified sobs.
Hence, as I did not make even a single sound, she quickly lost interest in me.
"Wear this, quick. We don't have much time."
Random clothing items, one finer than the last, were tossed in my direction.
Combing my unkempt hair was a ride through hell compared to dressing me.
Soon, I was clad in a golden, satiny dress that highlighted my narrow waist. The revealed section at the front showcased my long legs, adorned with white, silky stockings.
When I looked into the mirror, I could barely recognize myself. I almost looked like a child from a noble family.
A matron tugged at the loose section of the neckline and grumbled in displeasure.
"You aren't that unattractive after a good polishing, girl, but you lack volume in the chest region. Men prefer large breasts."
Well, that wasn't exactly my fault, I thought to myself. How much breasts could I grow with the small servings of moldy bread and spoiled dishes that they forced me to eat day by day?
"Oh, it's not that important," Lady Calthorpe said while brandishing her wicked smile. "As long as her neck is enticing enough, the rest of her barely matters."
The matrons retreated once they were done with their jobs, leaving me and Lady Calthorpe alone in the room. This scene evoked memories of the past, ones where I was punished over and over again by the lady of the house for the tiniest transgressions.
Spilling a cup of tea.
Failing to scrub the dirt at the corner of a hall.
Or simply for existing in the Calthorpe House.
Lady Calthorpe must be swimming in the same pool of memories, because I could see the perverted delight rippling in her eyes.
"Well then, Charmaine."
She reached out with a hand and tipped my chin upward so we would look into each other's eyes.
"Don't look so scared now, or you will reap the consequences of your failure. Now, call me Mother."
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Author's note :
Hello everyone, nice to meet you. Charmaine is going to meet her master in the next chapter, do wish her a lot of luck!