ARIA.
As early as three in the morning, I was awoken by Daneesha who reminded me that I had duties to carry out before the servants' quarters awakened. I thanked her before pushing to my feet and slipping a dress over my body.
I was slightly thankful for the fact that I had slept really well at the cabin where Alpha Lyall took me too, against my own will.

Tiffany was waiting at the entrance of the kitchen when I arrived, a strict look on her face as she gestured towards the stack of plates that piled on the sink. "Wash it before an hour elapses. There's a lot for you to do," she mentioned as she walked into the kitchen. "There are drums to fill with water before the maids arrive and you will be taking a twenty-minute break before you join back in. I realized it would have been harsh for me to ask you to join them immediately. I don't want you fainting and resting for the whole day. Get to work."
As soon as she left, I started washing the dishes. The pile was higher than the mountains in the Himalayas and all messed up. I wondered why these hadn't been washed last night as it usually are.
It was easier for everyone to focus on more important duties if plates were washed and the kitchen was properly cleaned.
Sighing, I got to work, cleaning and drying the dishes and rearranging them in direct order and by the time I was done, I could barely feel my arms.
I leaned against the sink and raked my fingers through my hair, blowing a breath out before turning and cleaning the dirt off and throwing the trash outside. By the time I returned, the kitchen was looking far better than before but the candle was dying out as the skies slowly started to brighten.
I started out, brushing the floors and making sure it was sparkling clean by the time I was done. Tiffany was right in time to appear when I returned the brush to its usual position.

Her eyes scanned the room and she slowly walked in, taking in the area before her and touching the counter for any dirt. She picked a few plates and scrutinized it before returning it and then she checked the floors for any dirt. I stood at the side, watching and waiting for her to finally finish checking out and when she did, she turned to look at me, an unreadable gaze in her eyes.
"Grand," she nodded in approval. "Grand. You did well. Beyond my expectations."
I sighed in relief, expecting that she cut my work short or give me extra time for a break so I could sleep before joining everyone to work.
"The barrels are empty," She continued, stopping before me. "Thirty of them. You are to fill it before everyone wakes up so that's two hours. After that, you can rest for twenty-five minutes."

"Twenty-five minutes?" I gaped, my eyes wide in surprise. She only added five minutes to my time? That was ridiculous! I wished there was a way I could say it to her but I kept my words to myself.
She raised a stern brow in askance. "Do you have an issue with that?"
I shook my head immediately, forcing a smile as I grabbed the empty cans of water. "Of course not. You are the kindest I have ever met."
"Good." She nodded. "Get to work. I will be back at an interval of thirty minutes to check in on you. Good luck."
"Good luck." I mimicked, going over to the well. "She wishes me good luck but she asks me to fill thirty barrels like it's nothing. She wishes me death."
I filled the cans with water before picking the first one and carrying it over to the first barrel. It takes five cans to fill this and when I multiply it by thirty, I nearly fall to my knees in tears.
On my tenth fetch, I crumpled to the ground, breathing heavily. My dress was wet with sweat and water from the well and the area was already muddied from me constantly stepping on water.
I rose to my feet, breathing heavily as I weakly grabbed an empty can. Just before I got to the well, I heard a rustling in the bushes and immediately stopped, turning in the direction the sound came from and wondering if someone was out already.
It wasn't dawn yet so I wasn't expecting anyone out. Hell, no servants were going to be out now. Everyone valued their sleep more than anything as we were made to work like mules.
When I did not see anyone, I continued on my way to the well and continued to fetch, stopping immediately when I felt a presence behind me.
I turned immediately to see a guard standing behind me. Raising my brow, I slowly dropped my can. "May I help you?"
"You must come with me," He spoke, his voice riddled with resolve.
Raising my brows, I cocked my head to the side. "And why should I?"
"I don't think I have an answer to that question."
"Well, as you can see, I am really busy. Today is going to be a hectic one for me. I am undergoing punishment from yesterday and would sincerely love to be left alone," I replied and turned back to the well. "Except you want to be of help to me. I would really appreciate that. I have twenty-seven more—"
I was gripped by the arm and pulled roughly. My eyes were wide in shock as I turned to the guard. What was he about to do? Rape me or what?
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"You must come with me!" He hissed. "I will only apply force if you refuse."
"You already are!" I cried. "Are you trying to rape me? You pervert!"
"No, I am not trying to." He hissed and before I could throw out a blow, he caught me by the waist and pulled me off the ground before hauling me away from the servants' quarters.