Trapped With The Devil's Spawn

CHAPTER 3

TIARA THORNELLS

I walked past her without a word and made my way toward the well. Even the other servants froze, clearly startled by how I was acting.

Tiara was truly being bullied by the other servants.

“Y-You better make sure all of that’s done by the time we get back, Tiara!” the woman who had slapped me earlier shouted again. I turned to look at her, my expression was calm.

“My body’s only just started to recover. Weren’t you all saying this place was short on servants? That’s why the Knight summoned me here... because the manor was experiencing a labor shortage. I’m still not feeling great... so if you insist that I do this entire mountain of laundry by myself, I’ll probably collapse again and be sent back to my village to rest... or worse, I might just die here. And then people might start blaming you. So, to avoid any complications... just help me."

Not a single stammer. My voice was steady and composed, which left them all staring at me, stunned. As if they were suddenly unsure of who I was.

They just stood there, watching me. “Doing laundry in this era... it requires so much physical effort. There’s no way I can manage all of this alone," I whispered.

“Why do you keep whining?! Isn’t this what we’ve always made you do?!” another woman snapped. I shifted my gaze to her.

“That was then. This is now. Instead of wasting time arguing here, why don’t we just work? At least that way, we would be doing something useful.”

I didn’t wait for their response. I went straight to my pile of laundry. Most of it consisted of corset gowns and undergarments. Bulky, heavy fabrics. I stuffed them into a wooden basin. With a rope and bucket system attached to the well, I lowered the bucket deep into the dark shaft. I filled it with water and hauled it up with force. Once full, I poured it into the basin, repeating the process until the basin brimmed with water.

Thankfully, they at least had some laundry equipment here. There was soap, too, although it was too organic to be very effective. Still, I got to work, scrubbing the thick cloth as best I could.

I had assumed the servants would just stand around watching me suffer, but to my surprise, one by one, they started returning to their stations. The woman who had slapped me looked like she was burning with rage silently in the corner. My cheek still stung from the impact, it felt numb. I wouldn’t be surprised if her handprint was still visible there.

It seemed what I said earlier had shaken them. Not one of them left the indoor well until we finished. In just three hours, we had managed to rinse and wash all of the laundry.

That’s when they left, just like that. They all disappeared, leaving me standing alone.

“I have to hang all of this by myself?” I muttered, staring at the line of wooden basins neatly placed across the stone floor. I put my hands on my hips and shook my head with a sigh.

“Oh well... we finished faster than I expected. I can handle this part on my own!”

I carefully rolled up the half sleeves of my simple dress and began by lifting one of the heavy laundry tubs. As I made my way down the hallway, sweat already forming on my brow, I noticed a man approaching from the opposite direction.

“Excuse me, Sir?” I called out politely.

As he passed by, I came to a stop and turned around to face him. He also stopped and slowly turned back to look at me.

I observed him closely. What immediately caught my attention was his noble-looking attire, he looked like a knight. My eyes caught a glimpse of the sword hanging from the weapon belt wrapped securely around his waist.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you please tell me where the laundry drying area is?” I asked respectfully.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave me a long, assessing look.

“Outside the mansion, near the stream. You’ll find a wide shelter there,” he replied in a formal tone.

I smiled brightly in response. “Thank you, Sir,” I said, bowing slightly. “I’ll go ahead now.”

With that, I turned and quickly headed outside the mansion. It didn’t take long before I found the laundry drying area. As I walked toward it, a strong wind blew against me, tugging at my skirt and hair. At least with the wind like this, the laundry would dry in no time.

I made several trips back and forth to the indoor well, hauling out five large tubs in total.

“This is so tiring… I’m really not used to working this heavily,” I murmured softly to myself. Slowly, I sat down on the grass and leaned back against the trunk of a nearby tree. From where I sat, I could see the laundry shelter in the distance, with the freshly washed clothes fluttering in the wind.

I could feel the dull ache in my back, so I started massaging it gently. What would’ve happened if I hadn’t convinced the other servants to help me with the laundry? My body might have already collapsed. I never imagined Tiara had endured this kind of hard labor for so long. And I knew laundry wasn’t her only responsibility in the manor. She also had to deal with those bullying servants and that strict senior maid.

I placed a hand over my stomach when I felt it growl. I decided to rest for a while before going back to the indoor well. I had left my things there, including the packed meal Grandpa Alfred had given me.

“Are you alright?”

My forehead creased upon hearing the familiar voice. I turned and was surprised to see the same knight I had spoken to earlier.

“Oh… it’s you, Sir,” I said, quickly getting to my feet and facing him politely.

“You don’t have to stand. I can see you’re tired,” he said gently.

“It’s okay, Sir… I’m not that tired,” I replied, trying to sound strong even though my body ached with fatigue

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You look quite different since the last time I saw you,” he said, his eyes studying me closely.

My throat tightened and I swallowed hard. “W-When was the last time we met?”

“I think that was five months ago,” he replied thoughtfully. "Just before I began my knight training.”

So I was right, he is a knight.

“May I know your name?” he asked, his voice gentle but curious.

Relief washed over me. It seemed he didn’t know Tiara from her past life after all. He was only asking my name now. That meant this really was our first proper meeting. “I am—”

“Tiara Thornells! What foolishness are you up to?! Why are you talking to Lord Edmund?!”

I flinched at the sudden, angry voice of Mrs. Cora. I looked up and saw her striding quickly toward us, her expression dark with fury.

I bit my lower lip, bracing myself. Here we go again, another scolding. She came to a halt right in front of us, sparing a respectful glance toward the knight.

“Lord Edmund, the Duke requests your presence at the mansion,” she said with a bow of her head, her tone now overly polite.

Lord Edmund didn’t respond. Instead, he looked at me one last time.

“It was nice to meet you, Tiara,” he said softly before turning to leave.

“Tiara! You are not supposed to be speaking with the Duke’s son!” Mrs. Cora’s voice snapped my attention back to her. “Do you want to be beaten with a cane until your flesh breaks?! You could be severely punished for what you just did! You must not speak to, or even look at him especially since you are nothing more than a lowly servant!”

I lowered my head a little in defiance mixed with caution. “He approached me first, Mrs. Cora.”

“That doesn’t matter!” she shouted.

“Even if he was the one who spoke to me? Am I supposed to ignore him? Wouldn’t that be more disrespectful? I’d understand if I had gone up to him on my own, but it was Lord Edmund who—”

“Enough! Go back to your work!” she barked, cutting me off and turning on her heel.

I stood up straight, watching as Mrs. Cora walked away. I couldn’t understand these ridiculous rules. Why were the boundaries so strict? Why was basic human decency punished so harshly?

I stayed outside for a little longer to finish my short break before heading back into the mansion. It was just about time for our lunch break but it was already late. Three in the afternoon. Far too late for a proper meal.

I simply followed the other servants as we made our way to the servant’s dining hall. One by one, we each took a stainless steel tray and lined up in front of the person distributing the food.

When it was my turn, a bowl was placed on top of the tray next to mine. The bowl contained porridge, but there seemed to be more broth than rice, with just a few small pieces of sliced meat.

The bowl was fairly large, but the

porridge was watery. It was served with only two pieces of stale bread.

I kept my mouth shut and went straight to an empty seat. I set my tray down on the wooden table, grabbed the spoon, and scooped some porridge. I blew gently on the steaming broth before taking a bite. “It has no taste at all...” I whispered, hoping no one else could hear.

I glanced around the room.

Some servants were already seated, quietly eating. It looks like they are used to the taste, watery food, and the old, stale bread that looks as if it might be moldy. I couldn’t help but compare their meals to the homemade dishes I ate back in the village.

The Hawkins family was wealthy, they could afford to provide better food, but they clearly did not feed their servants properly. It was almost as if they were serving pig feed instead of proper meals.

Still, I couldn’t waste the food. No matter how bad it tasted, I finished everything to gain some strength. “This might be the first time I’ve seen you finish everything in your bowl, Tiara,” said a voice I didn’t recognize.

I looked up to see a servant woman who had stopped in front of my table. “You’re a picky eater, yet you finished it all,” she said, her tone sounding almost mocking, and she laughed.

“I’m not picky. It’s just that the food really tastes awful,” I replied softly. She raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“What if the chef hears your comment?” she teased.

I smiled back. “You, on the other hand, didn’t finish your food.” I glanced at her bowl, which was barely half empty, and even her bread was soaked in broth, clear signs that she didn’t want it and planned to throw it away.

“Even though I admit the food tastes bad, I still ate it all. While you... you are making it obvious you don’t like it by just planning to throw it away... So really, what’s the difference between us?” I said calmly. She pursed her lips but said nothing.

I picked up my tray and left my seat. I understood now why Tiara was losing weight.

She wasn’t eating well here, she only managed to recover when she was back in the village.

The problem was, that it took months before she could go home again.

I wouldn’t fail Grandpa Alfred, I would survive here.

I wasn’t going to let myself become weak or crippled from malnutrition.

When night fell, I was still lying on my small, hard bed, so narrow that a single wrong move would send me tumbling to the floor.

My room inside the servant’s shelter was no bigger than a jail cell. The walls were so close that it felt like I was trapped in a box.

The rooms here were crammed side by side, separated only by thin wall partitions. I had turned it over several times, but I couldn't sleep. My body ached all over.

“Tiara? Open this door.”

Then came a voice that broke the silence.

I sat up immediately upon hearing the voice of a woman outside.

I walked to the closed door and slowly opened it. The first thing that greeted me was the dim, flickering light of a gas lamp she held.

It was just another servant.

“What do you need?” I asked in a quiet, tired voice.

“Lady Edna’s cat is missing,” she told me. “They say it got out of the mansion… and you’ve been ordered to go find it.”

I looked at her with narrowed eyes, skeptical. “Am I really the one who was ordered, or was it you?”

She stiffened and cleared her throat. “Y-You, of course! And even if I were the one ordered, I’d make someone go with me. What if a vampire suddenly shows up? You know they roam at night!”

I let out a long breath. “Fine. Give me the lamp.”

I reached out my hand, and she looked startled, like she wasn’t expecting me to agree so easily.

“You’re really going out?” she whispered.

“I thought I was being ordered to,” I replied plainly.

“Y-Yes… but aren’t you scared?”

“Of course I am. But I’d rather face a vampire than be punished. The sting of the cane is worse than a vampire’s bite.”

“You talk like you’ve already been bitten,” she said, her voice a mix of sarcasm and concern. “And a bite might be the least of your worries. They could drain every last drop of your blood until you’re dead. You should take someone with you. Vampires tend to back off when there’s more than one person. Besides, if something does happen, at least there’d be a witness. Vampires can be punished too... if their masters find out. That’s part of their law. But not all of them follow it…”

“Do you really think anyone would go with me?” I asked.

“As long as it’s not me,” she said flatly.

I let out a deep sigh.

"I’ll go alone."

I took the lamp from her hand without waiting for a reply and stepped out into the night.

The moment my foot touched the dewy grass, the darkness seemed to wrap itself around me.

I instinctively tilted my head back to look at the sky. Thick, brooding clouds cloaked the full moon, plunging the grounds into near-total darkness. I could barely see anything ahead of me.

Only the warm, flickering glow from the oil lamp lit the path before my feet.

Because the servants’ shelter stood apart from the main mansion, I had no choice but to walk the distance alone.

The silence was thick and undisturbed, broken only by the soft crunch of grass beneath my shoes.

I had already walked quite a long way when I suddenly remembered.

I hadn’t asked for the cat’s name. How would I even call that cat now?

With a groan, I pressed my palm against my forehead and glanced behind me. The shelter was far in the distance now, little more than a dark shape in the shadows. There was no point in turning back. I was already nearing the steep rear face of the mansion.

I let out a deep sigh and continued walking until I found myself in the vast front yard of the estate. The space stretched out endlessly in the dim light, and I stood there for a moment, unsure where to begin.

"Here, kitty-kitty..." I called gently, letting my voice float into the night air. A tender sound meant to coax a small creature out of hiding.

I repeated the call again and again, but before long, I realized just how far I had wandered. I had passed the yard, drifted through the garden, and now stood close in front of the forest, the edge of the woods where the grounds grew darker and more tangled.

Shivering, I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, trying to fight off the cold. The chill had been settling into my bones since I left the shelter. The hairs on my arms were standing on end, and a growing unease pricked at the back of my neck.

I should have worn a cloak. Anything to guard against this cold.

Just as I was about to step into the denser part of the woods, I froze mid-step.

There... something flickered in the dark.

Eyes.

Two small, glowing eyes reflected the lamp’s light from between the trees. I blinked and they vanished.

I swallowed hard, my throat dried out.

A breeze passed through the trees, stirring the branches and rustling the leaves above me.

The sound of creaking wood echoed faintly in the stillness. I didn’t move. I didn’t dare take my eyes off the shadows.

I was just beginning to feel the weight of fear when something leaped down from the trees with a soft thud.

"Meow..."

I let out a breath.

"There you are!"

It felt like a thorn had been pulled from my throat, such a relief to see the cat.

"Come here, sweet little kitty..."

I crouched down slowly, keeping my voice light and warm so it wouldn’t be afraid. I extended a hand gently, waiting for the cat to come to me. I knew better than to rush. If you approach too quickly, the cat will run away.

"You really scared me," I murmured with a soft laugh. "I thought I saw something terrifying with glowing eyes... and it was just you all along."

The cat stepped forward, tail curled, eyes bright, and for a moment

He purred softly as he rubbed his body against my palm, a familiar warmth and affection in his gesture.

“Your mistress has been looking all over for you…” I said gently. “Come on, let’s go.”

I lifted the cat carefully into my arms and turned away, ready to return to the mansion.

Just as I was about to take a step, I froze.

My forehead creased in alertness as a faint, distinct sound reached my ears, the unmistakable crack of a twig breaking underfoot.

Someone was there. Someone had stepped on a branch.

Cautiously, I turned around, my heart beginning to race.

A man stood a short distance away, barely visible in the dim glow of the gas lamp I held.

My eyes widened in shock. I nearly dropped the lamp from my trembling hands. For a moment, I couldn’t move my legs felt heavy, frozen in place like stone.

“W-Who are you?” I asked in a trembling voice.

Judging by his attire, his coat was finely made, his posture dignified. He looked every bit like a nobleman.

“I was just passing by, young lady,” he said smoothly, his voice deep but calm.

“O-Oh… I see.”

“But what is a young woman like you doing outside alone, this late at night?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, eyes curious yet composed.

“I was only looking for Lady Edna’s missing cat,” I replied politely, hugging the cat a little closer to my chest. Then I asked hesitantly. “Are… are you a knight, by any chance, Sir?”

He gave a faint smile. “No. I am the son of a duke.”

I knew it. He really is a nobleman.

“Do you know Lord Edmund?” I asked.

“Yes. I’ve attended a gathering once at the Hawkins family estate,” he said.

As we talked, I began to feel just a bit more at ease. He didn’t seem threatening, just oddly out of place. Still, the way he had appeared so suddenly... it had nearly given me a mini heart attack.

He seemed like a normal man.

“Now that you’ve found the cat, I suggest you return to the mansion quickly,” he said, his expression unreadable. “Mortals shouldn’t be wandering outside at this hour." His voice took on a different tone more serious, almost commanding.

And what did he say?

Mortals?

That word echoed in my head.

“Yes, my Lord. I’ll be going now,” I said hastily, bowing slightly. I turned around and began walking.

But after only a few steps, something tugged at me.

A strange urge, almost instinctual pushed me to look back.

I did.

And there he was, still standing in the distance.

But this time, his eyes… they were glowing. Faintly, but unmistakably shining in the darkness.

My heart pounded louder, faster. I tightened my grip on the cat and quickened my pace.

Now it made sense, his odd phrasing, the way he said “mortals.”

He wasn’t just a nobleman.

He wasn’t human.

I think I just spoke with a vampire.

When I finally returned to my small room, that was when the heavy dread truly settled in.

But with so much hard work awaiting me in the morning, I decided to push the fear aside and just sleep.

The Next foggy morning, woke up in a way far more effective than any alarm clock.

I fell off the bed.

“O-Ouch...” I winced as my body hit the cold, hard floor.

“Meow…”

I slowly pushed myself up and glanced toward the cat stretching and yawning lazily at the far end of the bed. I’d been too scared last night to return him to her owner, so I let him stay.

I thought I’d overslept, but when I glanced at the small window above the headboard, it was still quite dark outside. Probably around four in the morning.

“Tiara? Open this door.”

My body stiffened at the sound of Mrs. Cora’s strict voice just outside my door.

I scrambled to my feet and rushed to open it.

“A servant told me you were the one ordered to find Lady Edna’s cat,” she said without delay.

“Yes, Mrs. Cora. I was just about to return him now, but… I don’t know where Lady Edna’s room is. If it’s alright, could you take me there?” I asked politely.

She didn’t respond immediately. She simply turned her back to me.

“Follow me,” she said in her usual formal tone.

I picked up the cat and hurried after her.

“Oh, Cayden! You worried me so much! I couldn't sleep properly because I was waiting for you!”

I had just handed the cat back to Lady Edna. I stood at the side of her bed, and Mrs. Cora stood silently behind me.

Lady Edna hugged the cat close, her face full of joy and relief.

“How did you find him?” she asked as she looked at me.

“In... the woods, my lady,” I replied quietly.

She blinked, surprised by my answer. “That far? That’s really where you found Cayden?”

I nodded.

“Were you with anyone? I thought he only wandered around the garden. How did he end up in a place like that?”

“I was alone, my lady.” I noticed the astonishment on her face.

“You went into such a creepy place by yourself? You weren’t scared at all?”

Honestly, the more they talked about it, the more I felt I should have been scared.

“How brave of you… I really ought to reward you,” she said with admiration.

“You’re too kind, my lady...” I murmured.

“Cora, give her ten silver coins.”

“Yes, my lady.” Mrs. Cora followed the command and handed me a small pouch filled with coins.

“Thank you very much, my lady.” I bowed before Mrs. Cora motioned for me to leave.

“And Cora, prepare a hot bath," she ordered.

As I stepped out of the room, I was caught off guard by the sight that awaited me, three servants standing just outside, as if they had been expecting something. Their eyes were sharp, filled with a knowing look. From their expressions, it was obvious they had been listening to the conversation that had just taken place inside.

“Liar,” hissed the servant standing in the center of the group. “There’s no way you made it to the forest.”

“I don’t need to prove anything to you,” I replied, my voice steady.

The servant let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. “Of course not. Because it never happened. You just made up the story to get a reward.”

“I’m not expecting any kind of reward,” I said quietly, keeping my tone calm and controlled.

“You’re just trying to show off. No one can go into that forest and come back—”

“Tiara is telling the truth.”

Everyone’s attention snapped toward the voice that interrupted. It was Lord Edmund, and the moment his presence filled the hallway, the servants fell silent.

“L-Lord Edmund!” they stammered in unison, quickly bowing their heads.

He approached us, his steps confident and unwavering, until he stopped right in front of me. “Thank you,” he said softly. “For finding my sister’s beloved cat.”

“It’s my duty, my Lord,” I replied with a respectful nod.

“Grover told me he saw you in the forest,” he continued.

“Grover?” I echoed in a low voice. “You mean the Duke’s son?” He nodded in confirmation.

“Everyone, leave. I want to speak to Tiara alone,” he said firmly.

The servants hesitated for only a moment before scattering, though the bitterness and envy in their expressions lingered in the air.

“Tiara?” Lord Edmund said again, and I found myself looking up at him. His tone now carried something deeper, an unspoken concern, perhaps.

I frowned slightly as he suddenly stepped closer, so close, only a few inches separated us. “What’s wrong, my Lord?” I asked, confused by the intensity of his gaze.

But instead of answering, he reached out without a word and brushed aside the loose strands of hair that had fallen over my chest.

His eyes narrowed as they focused on my neck, inspecting it, as if checking for something.

I immediately understood his intentions. “Lord Grover didn’t bite me,” I said.

He cleared his throat, clearly trying to maintain composure, and straightened his posture.

“So, you know that he’s a vampire?” he asked.

I nodded.

His expression turned serious. “I don’t want any vampire causing trouble under my roof.”

I gave him a faint smile. “Then maybe you should also pay more attention to the abusive staff in your manor, not just the vampires.”

“Why?” he asked. “Are they abusing you?”

“Yes. They have been for a long time. But I guess you didn’t know.”

“I was told... you were often ill, that you were too weak to do much. I’ve been busy with other matters, so I haven’t been aware of what’s been happening here.”

“Then maybe it’s time you used your position to fix what’s broken in this household. Especially the behavior of the bullying servants. I’m sure I’m not the only one they’ve been mistreating,” I said respectfully.

He gave a slow nod. “I’ll call a gathering of the staff later today. They all need to hear a warning.”

“Please do, my lord,” I said, bowing before him. “And… one more thing.”

His eyebrows rose slightly in curiosity. “Continue.”

“Could you tell me where the market is? I’d like to buy a few things.”

“Of course,” he said. “I’ll have you taken there by carriage so you won’t get lost.”

I thanked Lord Edmund, and with the weight of silver coins clinking gently in the pouch tied at my waist, I took my leave. Grateful for the change, and ready for what came next.​