MARRY ME, ADELAIDE

Chapter 20: CELEBRATIONS

The familiar walls of the castle greet Adelaide as she trails behind her master and Grayson who are dressed to their level of perfection. One cannot even hear their own voice when entering, the bodies of other masters careful to avoid being soiled by that of the slaves.

Clarice hides her smile as she lifts up her head every now and then to get a glimpse of the castle.

The clear difference between the well-to-dos, royals, and commoners are clear. The horses that drag the expensive carriages don't look out at all for people arriving on foot, as they trod into the castle at the center while the rest are forced to be by the sides.

"Foolish men. I knew they wanted people like us here just to flaunt their status," Grayson hisses as he drags the chains of the two slaves following him.

"Unlock the chains of the slaves upon entrance!" A loud voice repeats at the castle walls. People are in shock when they hear this, are their slaves going to be on their level?

Philomena hits Grayson's shoulder, signaling for him to unlock their chains. Adelaide and Clarice who are used to being in chains when they leave their prison with Grayson, sigh in relief when Philomena instructs her son to do as the guards have said.

He reluctantly unlocks them, Adelaide now free to adjust the sack of grain on her back to prevent body aches. They stand in line to be searched before entry, the carriages getting priority over the commoners despite the time they arrive. After a few hours, they finally get to the actual gate sandwiched by the grand walls.

"Invitation?" A man in armour says, his voice just as intimidating as his body size. Adelaide and Clarice make sure to keep their head down, staring at their bare feet.

Philomena hands him the letter, and he nods, handing it back to them before moving to search the bags hanging on the back of the slaves. Adelaide struggles to hold the bag against her back as the guard roughly searches thoroughly, another guard doing the same to Clarice. The young slave inhales sharply when she feels his hand on her rear. Isn't he supposed to be searching the bag and not her?

She moves a bit in discomfort but he grips her shoulder, "Hold still," he commands as he appears to be searching through the bag, but under the load is his hand finding his way under her gown, gripping her thigh, his large frame blocking people from behind to actually see what's going on. The young woman feels her legs shaking in fear, a few tears quietly escaping her eyes as her heart pounds against her chest.

"WHAT'S HOLDING UP THE LINE!" A loud and grumpy voice yells, the hand leaving her dress before it could come in contact with her bare core.

"Clear!" she hears from behind her, making the poor girl flinch.

"Come on you two!" Grayson says, annoyingly, walking into the castle. Adelaide's hands are shaking when she wipes away her tears, bowing her head to avoid Clarice from running her mouth with questions.

They get into the castle, walking towards the big grassland that has a golden canopy with four seats, to the right corner is another canopy with a great number of seats, obviously for the wealthy. The opposite end of the grassland has booths with seats for the commoners, with tables of assorted meals to the right. Grayson and Philomena take their stand to be at the very front edge, where he can get spotted by any Lady in search of a husband. Adelaide and Clarice stand out of the booth, by the edge, so as to be on their master's beck and call.

A few more hours of waiting, brings nothing but pure pain to Adelaide and Clarice, together with the other slaves.

The young woman feels her feet getting numb from the air. Although the cold is leaving as they ease into the year, the time they had gotten there was pretty cool, their bare feet and light clothing not helping at all.