Sold For My Body

Chapter 1.0: Death of the Count

Chapter 1

The room is very silent. Anxiety can be felt in the air. I can hear their small gasps between gossips. Their eyes are always looking at me as if I were something filthy, like I did something bad to them even though I did my best to lay low and not cause trouble all these years. I was there. I am sitting on the corner of this dull, gloomy room, wishing for all of this to end soon. I clenched my hand into fist. I hate them all. 

The door flung open and the butler hurriedly came in with a grim expression. “The count is dead.” He declared, and the room began to fill with annoying acts of concern towards my father. 

The day that I feared so much has come. I feel like breaking down right here, but I know that it will not do anything. My father, the count, was diagnosed with an incurable disease. It happened a few years ago and this thing was expected right from the start. He was a rather busy man but he definitely acted like a father when I needed him. His death will create a big impact in my life now because I was the only living child he had. Normally I would have become the head of this house but, it’s not the case here. There’s a high chance that I will get kicked out.

“This is very bad news, indeed. Please return to your rooms for now. I’ll handle the situation from here.” My aunt’s voice echoed across the room and everyone else started to make their exits. She stepped forward and grinned at me. She hates me. She hated my whole existence.

I stood up to follow our relatives and servants who were also going out when she called out to me, “Sheena, don’t leave your room until I said so.” She ordered. I nodded and walked out.

She is my Aunt Petunia Meadow. She was my relative but she has never treated me like I am one. I couldn’t blame her since I was an illegitimate child. I am a daughter of the Count to one of her servants. After giving birth to me, my biological mother was executed and I was raised by my Nanny. Everything was clear to me ever since I was just a child. The count had other children before, too, but they died one by one from an unknown disease. There are rumors circulating saying that this house is cursed.

I opened the door to my room and slid under the covers. The softness of my bed felt  nice and comforting. Since my father died, what’s going to happen to me now? I clutched the pillow to my arms and cried. “I’m all alone now.” 

Even though the truth is hard for a fifteen year old to swallow… I must accept this fate. To be honest, I want to live. I want to live well and have a normal life. But until now, that dream is still too far from reality. The truth is, my aunt will definitely not let me stay here. I am sure that she will just marry me off into another family and take my place as the head of this household. 

A knock from the door came and I peeked to see who it was. It was a servant. “I have come to give you your dinner, Lady Sheena.” She said with a curt tone and she put the tray beside my bed.

“Thank you.” I replied.  She then proceeded to help me eat my food.

“Please eat well, my lady.” She said and I nodded in response. I believe her name is Amy, she has always been kind to me despite my aunt’s rude behavior towards me.

“Say, Amy, will I ever be happy?” I asked with an empty smile, causing her to look at me with sad eyes.

“My lady, please listen to this.” She said and then held my hand. I looked at her and she smiled at me, “Happiness will surely come to you, Lady Sheena. Your life has not even started yet. I have always admired the fact that you’re very brave and strong at such a young age.  And I believe that someday, you will achieve the genuine happiness that you’ve always been wishing for.” She said with a determined tone, causing me to look down.

“Can I really have that?” Doubt was very evident in my question. She put her hand on my chin and slightly pushed my head up to make me look at her eyes.

“Yes. That’s why until then… Please try to live on. I was a friend of your mother and I know that she wishes for your happiness too, wherever she might be right now. You look just as beautiful as she is.” She spoke those words with loving eyes and I couldn’t help but cry after hearing them.

“Live on. Keep on living your life and find your purpose. Soon, you will find people who will make your life worth living for. People worth protecting and spending your time with. So until then…Live, Lady Sheena.” She said with a stern expression as she hugged me.

My tears began to flow once more. “Thank you for saying that, Amy. I will.” I replied with a shaky voice. After that night, I made a promise to myself. I will make sure that someday, I will have everything that I’ve ever wanted. Even if that means I will have to undergo many obstacles and experience pain to get them. 

I remembered everything that night. After the night of my father’s death, Amy and I never met again. She was tasked to work on another part of the manor. I knew that it was my aunt’s decision to keep us apart to make me feel dejected. I was able to that night thanks to her holding my hand. I give all my thanks to Amy. I think it will actually be a good thing that we are now separated, since everything that’s good for me will be taken away anyway. She will continue to get bad treatment from the other servants, especially my aunt, just because she was treating me nicely. My Aunt Petunia never wants me to feel loved. She wants me to keep on suffering, until I cry tears of blood.

Well, haven’t I suffered enough?