Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 10

When morning finally arrived Charlotte woke up feeling very confused by the dream she had. Had it merely been just a dream and nothing else? Or did it mean something more? Who was that woman from her dream? And why did she imply that Charlotte had not been happy with her home life? She was certain that she had always been content caring for her father and sister. There was nothing else that could possibly satisfy her. Right?

Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door. Charlotte became stiff with fear and pulled the covers to her chest. For five minutes she remained perfectly still and silent until she heard the knock come a second time.

"Who...Who is it?"

"It is Niffty my lady, the housekeeper." A sweet voice answered from the other side. "May I please come in?"

"I...I...I suppose."

The door was opened by itself and in walked one of the funniest living creatures Charlotte had ever be held. It was short, dwarf-like, with ears like a door mouse and a tail like squirrel. It's movements were like a little scurry. But what made it all the more funny looking was that it could stand up right and wore human clothes like a work dress and apron.

"Good morning my lady." It spoke in a rather cheerful manner. "I do hope you slept pleasantly and I do hope that you're hungry because I have your breakfast right here."

Charlotte turned her gaze to the silver tray that the funny creature called Niffty carried. On the tray was silver ware, a cloth napkin, a plate of buttered bread and bits of cheese, a small bowl of strawberries, and a cup of hot tea.

"The bread just came fresh out of the oven and the strawberries were plucked right from the garden so they should taste delicious." Niffty said. "Of course if you would prefer something else then I will happily take this back to the kitchen and fix you a different meal."

"No." Charlotte said. "No it's fine."

"Wonderful." She placed the tray on the nightstand. "Now you just stay right in bed and enjoy your breakfast while I get your bath ready."

"My bath?"

"Oh not that you stink my lady but I find that a nice hot bath is the best way to really wake up in the morning. Now would you prefer lavender water or rose water in your bath? I myself would take both but maybe that's too much for someone like you."

Charlotte looked at her completely confused.

"I'm dreadfully sorry but I don't have the slightest idea of what's going on here." The blonde said.

"Well as the maid and cook here it's my job to prepare all meals, clean the castle, and tend to the needs of all the guests. So far you're the only guest here therefore I must tend to your needs."

"I'm a guest here?"

"Yes."

"So I'm not going to die? He's...He's actually going to let me live?"

"Mmm-hmm." She nodded.

So the woman from her dreams was right. This Alastor person wasn't going to eat her. But if that was the case why else was she being held her? What other possible reason could he have for her if not to destroy her?

Wait a minute...The fine gowns and jewels, the elegant bedroom, a bath. Oh God in heaven, he was going to have his way with her. He had changed his mind about killing her because he had decided to make her some kind of concubine instead. She heard many terrible stories about young women being given to rich masters to spend the rest of their lives as slaves of lust and pleasure. Oh this was worst than death and cannibalism. All her life she had hoped to one day give up her virtue on her wedding night and to her husband whom she loved. Not some awful mad man with a taste for human flesh. At that moment she felt too sick to her stomach to even consider eating breakfast.