Chapter 5
Weeks ended, and soon after, months. Time felt as though it was flying by; every day was the same as the one before, with little variation. The same routine: wake up in a cold sweat at dawn, take breakfast and tea to the mistress, do chores, go to the market, and help make dinner. It was considerably simpler compared to the life I had led before, with a lot less violence to start the list.
The city lulled itself into a new day as the sunlight flooded the skyline. Running a hand through my (H/c) hair, I sat up and yawned. I slipped my brown dress over my head, securing my white apron around my waist, and bent down to slip my shoes onto my feet. I lifted my foot from the floor, only to wobble onto the ground from a lack of balance. The chains hit the floor with a sharp thud. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. On the cold floor, I slid the black shoes onto my heavy feet, attempting to simply be grateful I had been provided them in the first place.
I swayed around the kitchen, my left foot crossing over my right. I had just finished up the leftover dishes from breakfast and was now making Cordelia her teatime snack. After cleaning a platter, I set down a cutting board and twirled a knife in my fingers. Humming along to the song in my head, I began to chop away at the fruit left by the door by the delivery man. I sliced and diced, placing a vast array of produce onto the silver tray. My knife skillfully cut through the vibrant fruit, pushing it aside to cut more. I quietly sang the few words I remembered from my childhood tune.
It was the song of my mother; a song of my people. She had taught it to me when I was a child. We'd sit together under the tree by our home and sing it together. There were more words to it, but as time moved on, they were left behind. I smiled at the memory, focusing on the tune rather than the forgotten lyrics. I continued to balter, 'Oh, how I wish I could dance without these chains . . .'
I continued my task, lost in thought. "I've never heard a tune quite like that." A sharp voice spoke behind my ear. I whipped around at animalistic speed, my ankles twisting into each other. I squeaked in surprise, finding the haughty face of an amused Dolus Zenon.
"I— Sir!" I dropped my head and bowed sloppily, my heart jumping out of my chest.
He chuckled, "Where did you learn that song? I've never heard anything like it."
I rose, hesitantly answering his question, "It is a song my mother taught me when I was little," I stammered, "I have long forgotten most of the words, and the title eludes me." I felt my head begin to pound with anxiety. "It is a very old song of my people, sir."
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched his hand rise as I spoke. My feet shuffled back anticipatedly, and I felt my back meet the counter. Flinching and bracing for impact, he reached past me and picked up a mango slice, popping it into his mouth with a hum of delight, "Interesting," He chuckled, "How exotic."
Watching as he walked away, I shook off our encounter and finished tea-time preparations. I walked down the hall alongside a few other servants carrying my tray. We entered an outdoor garden with large trees and bright flowers. Vines crept up the walls and stone adornments, amongst the leaves fluttered a spare few insects.
Walking to the table, I set down the tray, attempting to keep out of Cordelia's conversation with Dolus. I shuffled away quickly, anxiously waiting for permission to leave.
"Thank you, (Y/n). Now off with you." Cordelia commented, waving her hand while grabbing a few strawberry slices with her other hand. I walked out of the garden, but upon hearing my name and a deep chuckle from Dolus, I hid behind the door and listened.
"-Ah, yes. She has been very useful here;" Cordelia's bright voice spoke, "Thank you." She paused, "So, why exactly are you here, Father?"
He laughed, leaning his chin on his palm, "Can't a father be allowed to visit his daughter?"

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Escaping Fate - Ja'far X Reader
Fanfiction(Y/n) (L/n) has been a slave her whole life. She is a citizen of (C/n), who are known to be extremely light and can run up to extremely high speeds. One day after her master beats her to the brink of death, she is sold to a man in the Leam Empire...