Hunger robs the spirit and the body. Food and drink come before feelin' or thinking. When ye're starving, the brain jus' switches off. And that's what I need now. To not think.
A triangle-shaped white bread cucumber sandwich rests in my left hand, and a raspberry jam one in my right. I shove them inside me with an impressive speed, eyeing watermelon slices laid out on the small table in my bedchamber.
Even if abundant, none of the delectable food leaves any impression. I'm so nervous, I could be eatin' junkyard scraps and I wouldn't notice.
"I see that this morning meal is to your liking," Sophie says.
"Ya think?" I mumble with my mouth full.
Sophie taps the orifice of her right eye, adjusting the tiny clock. A shadow of a smile crosses her face. "I am pleased to inform you that today's lunch starts off with rich slices of mutton pie. I will follow this appetizer with two kinds of soup: a mushroom barley and roasted acorn squash. To complete the meal, there shall be a cold roast chicken with hard-boiled eggs and buttered rolls. The dessert will comprise..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Sophie." I wipe my face with my fleece nightgown sleeve. "Hold yer horses. Let's see if I make it out alive till lunch, huh?"
"You should not be saying such things, Madame Igglesden." Sophie's features soften. She dabs at the corner of her left eye with an embroidered handkerchief.
"Jus' bein realistic. Do you know the other guy, the one I'm fighting today?" I sigh.
Sophie nods and lowers her head. "The... The Demolisher."
"Aye. I'm up against the Demolisher. No one who faced 'im so far survived. Well, except L, but that's because his daddy-o protected 'im, so..."
A question mark forms in her irises at the letter "L," but the Head of the Maids of the Lighthaven Castle knows how to keep her discretion.
"I have to admit, I am so glad that my daughter did not have to fight that man."
"Oh, the Puncher and I go waay back. He has a personal beef with me, so expect gruesome limb tearing."
Trying to maintain the cheery tone, and putting on a brave face isn't working. I slept three or four hours after striking the bargain with the Duke. Haven't even had the chance to patch up ExoBoots and me ray gun. I can only use it on "stun" option, because I made a stupid promise to the posh Lighthaven leader.
Might as well jus' walk out into the fighting pit, lay on the ground and die without making a fuss.
"I am so sorry, Madam Igglesden. No one deserves such fate, and especially not you. Not after your mother..." The Head of Maids bites her tongue.
My mother? Sure, Sophie mus' ave heard my Pa was brought to "justice," and is locked up inna Brig, but.... Did she mean Ma or...
Her two mechanical arms sprout from her uniform sleeves and she wrings her metallic hands. "I apologize, Madam Igglesden. I spoke out of turn."
"That's fine, Sophie. Did you know my Ma?"
"I am not sure if I should..."
"Please." I put a hand on her shoulder.
Sophie takes a deep breath. "I knew your real mother. Lady Mileva Volta. I was her personal chambermaid. One of the finest women I have had a pleasure to make acquaintance. The Grand Duchess Wilhelmina and Lady Mileva were inseparable, just like the Grand Duke Lucius and Lord Albert."
An almost physical bruise forms on my heart. Is this why Sophie has been nice to me?
"When you were born, with that tuft of burning flame on the top of your head... There was no lovelier babe."
YOU ARE READING
Gaslight Trials | The Wattys2023 Shortlister ✔️
Science Fiction| 𝟳𝘅 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗 ·|| HUNGER GAMES x CINDER || ONC 2023 Honorable Mention Amidst the escalating unrest between the windborne utopian city of Lighthaven and its seedy, oppressed underbelly Fumedge, the Grand Duke of Lighthaven, Lucius Sextus, c...
