Chapter 7 : In Her Father's Stead: Brittany's Silent Debt
“It seems that Mr. Mason has arrived.”
Mary muttered as she looked out the window, her hands hastening to complete Brittany’s adornment.
Brittany assumed this visitor, whoever he may be, had nothing to do with her, so she quietly yielded to Mary’s assistance.
But her assumptions were mistaken.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I’m Richard Mason, the palace physician.”
“Hello.”
Brittany responded in a faint voice.
The man who introduced himself as the doctor appeared to be in his forties, with short brown hair streaked with white. He wore thick glasses, though he didn’t seem visually impaired, and he gave off a calm and gentle impression overall.
‘Why is he here? Is Mary unwell?’
“Then, I’ll begin.”
“……!”
When he knelt before her, Brittany recoiled in panic, hiding her legs behind the chair. But it was in vain—he gently took hold of her ankle, the one injured yesterday when her father had yanked her by the wrist, and began to examine it with the precision of a man fulfilling his professional duty.
“It’s quite swollen. It must’ve been painful to walk.”
“No, it’s fine!”
She tried to hide her bare ankle behind the chair leg, unwilling to expose it before a strange man, but he was already applying arnica cream and wrapping it in gauze.
She hadn’t realized she was injured. With so many bruises and aches, she’d stopped feeling them individually. But now, under his attentive care, a subtle pain emerged.
The doctor glanced at the bruises on her legs, then looked up at her.
“The master mentioned you might have injuries inside your mouth. May I take a look?”
‘He saw.’ Brittany clamped her lips shut like a sealed oyster, contrary to the doctor’s gentle request.
The fact that he had seen her being struck, had witnessed her pitiful state… These were things she never wanted anyone to see.
And yet, this creditor had unveiled all her carefully hidden wounds in less than a day. The shame was unbearable.
The doctor repeated calmly:
“May I see the inside of your mouth?”
Brittany shook off her thoughts and slowly opened her mouth. Dr. Mason cleaned the scratches on the inside of her cheek with gauze and applied ointment.
A thick taste filled her mouth as he did, making swallowing difficult.
It was unpleasant, but she didn’t completely hate it.
“Your ankle will need to be monitored for two weeks—no running. Also, take this medicine for a week. This ointment will help the bruises fade faster.”
He finished the treatment and handed her a jar of cream and a paper packet of pills.
“Alright…”
Brittany fiddled with the medicine pouch, her gaze fixed downward. The soft crinkle of paper echoed in the quiet room.
“If you feel any discomfort, let me know anytime.”
He bowed politely and left.
Mary returned with a glass of water and began clearing away the breakfast dishes.
Brittany swallowed the medicine with the water, then turned her gaze to the window.
The lace curtains danced in the breeze, casting leafy shadows across the floor. Drawn by the beauty outside, she approached.
As she neared, a fresh breeze carrying the scent of grass brushed her cheeks. Gripping the window frame, she peered out, squinting against the brilliant sunlight.
Her room overlooked a sprawling garden that merged with a wild grove filled with elm, fir, and thorn trees, all bathed in radiant midday light. It was a pristine summer scene.
“The weather is so sunny today, isn’t it?”
Mary spoke cheerfully as Brittany watched the wind play with the leaves. Brittany nodded in reply.
“Would you like to go for a walk?”
“Am… am I allowed to walk around freely?”
“Of course! Staying cooped up in this weather is a waste!”
“But if I wander around freely and end up getting hit…”
“He may look intimidating at first glance, but he’s not that kind of man. Unlike other cruel lords, he’s never struck anyone—not once. Well… I did hear a rumor he hit someone who didn’t repay a debt, but…”
“That’s just a rumor, right? He just seems a bit cold, that’s all.”
Mary added, though her words barely reached Brittany’s ears.
Mary was trying to defend her master, but shadows clouded Brittany’s face as her thoughts returned to her own reality.
Mary spoke with the proud affection of a mother praising her child, then lightly slapped her own mouth as if rebuking herself.
“I’m sorry if I was too pushy. Your ankle’s hurt, and I got ahead of myself!”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Seeing Mary’s sorrowful expression, Brittany shook her head quickly. Mary smiled innocently in return.
“Then, let’s go out together. And please, speak to me comfortably.”
‘You might become the lady of the manor someday…’ Mary felt awkward hearing such formal speech from her.
Unaware of Mary’s swallowed words, Brittany decided to address her as if she were someone older.
“Alright.”
Mary began humming softly as she led the way.
Brittany followed quietly, cautiously.
They exited the room into the corridor, descending the staircase into a rectangular hall.
The columns surrounding the interior courtyard formed a dome-like structure, adorned with elegant curved carvings.
Between the pillars, an orderly courtyard was filled with lush greenery shaped into squares and circles.
The scent of damp earth rose from the dewy grass.
As they stepped onto the stone path, statues with intricately sculpted musculature and flowing garments came into view, surrounded by heather, carnations, lip narcissus, and grape hyacinths, all interwoven with rich fragrance.
Though Brittany had glimpsed the garden yesterday, it felt wholly different in daylight.
“We brought this statue two years ago, but it freezes in the winter, so you should admire it before the season changes.”
Mary chattered away, giving Brittany a tour of the garden.
She pointed toward a fountain gushing with clear water.
As Brittany walked toward it, gazing at the cascading flow, she didn’t notice Mary had stopped, and gently bumped into her back.
Raising her head, she saw Mary bowing respectfully. In front of her stood the master—perhaps now Brittany’s master too.
He was dressed in a classic, refined suit.
His slicked-back hair, styled with pomade like yesterday, complemented his icy features.
At the sight of his flawless face, Brittany remembered the incident in the carriage and his parting words from the night before.
“I was just about to look for you. It’s good we met.”
“Ah… Hello.”
“Come with me.”
Klein nodded toward Brittany, who greeted him hesitantly, then began walking as Mary stepped back.
Brittany followed in silence, her eyes fixed on the back of the man who had bought her for a debt.
His back was broad.
His strong shoulders gave the impression of a soldier. Even beneath his clothes, it was clear his muscles were well-toned, like someone who exercised regularly.
Looking at him, Brittany recalled her father—thin, scrawny, no muscles, the same height as her.
And yet his beatings left bruises, blood, and pain. If this man were to strike her—someone a full head taller…
‘I might die.’
Her head swam; she feared she might faint.
Terror gripped her.
She was used to being hit, but that familiarity only deepened her dread. The more she followed him, the colder her heart grew.
‘Perhaps he called the doctor today so I would live longer… as a doll for his rage.’
Theories had flooded her mind since last night, all ending in the same conclusion: he would beat her.
At last, the man opened the door to the annex overlooking the garden.
Brittany squeezed her eyes shut tightly and thought:
Now he’ll turn and strike me, just like Father did.
But contrary to her fears, the man did not raise his hand.
Instead, he commanded in a voice low and calm—yet brimming with the weight of a thunderclap on a stormy night:
“Draw.”
