{Music Recommendation: Suga's Interlude ~ Halsey & Suga BTS}
Lady Jenna helped her wounded servants to stand up, then, making sure they were properly settled, she returned to gather her goods that weren't completely ruined.
Ignoring the ogling eyes of the crowd that was clearly judging her and whispering even to her hearing.
"She's going to leave the Merchant's town soon,"
They whispered. None offered their help, not that Jenna would have accepted if they did. She knew that for every help, there was a price, and she knew exactly how she would be paying for it. The men around her were all leeches.
Mabel and Harriet joined hands in helping their mistress separate the salts that had been mixed with sand and the ones that could be saved.
"Jenna, I think all of this is your fault. If only you had tried to pay them when they asked," a woman in the crowd spoke up, her voice filled with annoyance. "These men only asked for a tad bit of what you earn, and yet you act like you're better than the rest of us."
Jenna knew exactly who it was, the woman in charge of all merchant women. Lady Collette, with four stores filled with goods. Jenna couldn't deny that the woman was truly among those respected in the trade business.
"Just make sure you get all these sorted before the next time these men come. We don't want a sudden disruption in business all because of one person. We've had peace all this while until you came." Lady Collette warned for the last time before she turned to leave.
The crowd dispersed, their hushed gossip about Jenna feeling like she was better than others still filling the air.
Jenna clenched her fists but ignored them. She patted Percy on his back. "I've asked you not to fight them back, haven't I?" she asked in a low voice.
"We don't always have to let people step over us, my lady," Percy winced. The corner of his lips had a crack that was bleeding.
Jenna used her sleeves to wipe the blood off. "Mabel, you and Bruno take Percy back home. Harriet, get a meal ready and draw a bath for me. I'll clean the remaining with Henri."
"Yes, my lady," Mabel bowed, taking over to care for Percy.
Once everyone had left, Jenna entered her store and crashed on the chair. Another day reality had hit her. She wasn't supposed to leave a home where she had shelter and good food, warmth, and reputation to enter the roads of suffering and judgment.
No matter how many times she introduced herself, everyone raised brows when they found out her husband wasn't dead but that she had left him. And now, everything she did was linked to it.
Even if she did what other women would do, Jenna doing it became a sign of rebelliousness, the reason she had left her marriage.
"Lady Jenna," Henri said after gathering the last good bags inside the store.
"I am through here. You can return home. I will lock the store properly," the man suggested. He could see the tiredness on the face of his mistress.
Jenna forced a smile despite being tired. "It's alright, Henri. You have blood on your face too. Go home and have a good rest. I'll lock up," she suggested.
She needed a little more time to get her thoughts together before returning to her cold, empty bed.
Henri stood around the place. It was getting late, and he worried for the young woman, but he also knew when not to cross his boundary. With a swift bow, he said,
"I'll be going home now, master," Henri bowed and left.
Jenna buried her head on her knees once Henri left. All she could think about was the life she had now and the one before. There was no difference in it. She was still lost.
Like a needle in a haystack, she couldn't find herself find what she actually wanted. The moment she left home, she had continued with trading since it ran through her blood. Her father was the chief merchant, so was her father's father. It was a generational attribute, and they always succeeded.
Jenna couldn't see any success in what she was doing. She was only surviving- trying not to go hungry and also paying the people she owed, but with the way things were moving, she would be losing everything soon. Standing up from her position, Jenna counted the bags she had, and it wasn't even enough to sustain her and her servants for the next season.
"I'm tired," Jenna muttered, hitting the bag of salt.
To make it worse, the salt ripped with one hit and spilled everywhere in the room.
Jenna opened her mouth, then closed it. Frustration and annoyance boiled in her throat. To vent properly, she kicked the bag and hit it more, scattering the salt all over the place.
"I hate this place! I hate my life! I should die! Die!" Jenna cursed angrily, kicking every other bag stacked in her store.
Exhausted and unable to do anything else, she crashed on the ground. Her knees raised to her face, she buried her face and sobbed softly.
"I'm scared...I'm really tired of being strong," Jenna sobbed, alone in the dark with her destroyed goods. The thought of returning home crossed her mind. At the moment, even hell sounded better.
At home, she was respected, and things worked out well as long as her husband wasn't home, which was rare because he was always at home. And at home, he would hit her.
Jenna raised her face, eyes filled with tears. She stared at the blank space, wondering why her life was just mundane and unhappy. People always had it easy.
Love. Marriage. Children. Successful trades. Her father had it easy, and so did her mother. Why was hers so different?
"Hmm..." Jenna released a tired sigh and stood up. Done with crying, she began sweeping the mess she had made in the room.
After cleaning, she locked the store and made her way back home. Jenna had lost track of time while crying in the store. When she stepped out and was kissed by darkness and silence, she became scared.
The roads were now empty. People had closed for the day, all returned to their homes.
Jenna passed the home of Lady Collette. She noticed the light in the woman's house was still on. She could hear women's voices laughing and chattering.
They always had good times and never invited her. She stood there watching the house for a moment but shook her head and returned to walking.
Jenna had only taken two steps when she noticed a shadow. Someone was following her. She shrugged it off as her being paradnoid, the road wasn't hers, and anyone could walk if they wanted.
To be on the safe side, Jenna quickened her steps, and so did the shadow. Fear crept in, and Jenna tried to run but was caught.
"Ahh!" She shrieked, ready to throw a punch, but her hand was held in the air. She turned around and saw the tall young man she had saved.
"Oh," Jenna touched her chest and fell down, her chest rising only to fall. She had almost forgotten about him after seeing him with Beth earlier. Things had been so hectic for her.
Rhane knelt beside his mistress, wiping the salt off her hair and face, now soaked with sweat.
"Anne...what..." Jenna shuddered, exhaling sharply when his long fingers touched her face. She was too tired to protest or even say anything.
After cleaning her face, Rhane turned around, showing his back to Jenna.
"I'll take Master home."
Jenna could really do with a piggyback. Her legs felt weak, and so did her body. Tiredly, she raised her hand, wrapping it around Rhane's neck.
Rhane stood up, holding Jenna's legs on his waist. He started walking quietly.
Jenna sniffed his body. There was a distinct smell on him. She couldn't quite tell what it was. "Are you hurt somewhere?"
"No, master," he replied calmly.
Jenna nodded. She didn't drag her arguement, she was too tired to even do that. Resting her head on his shoulder, she watched the night sky get wrapped with little glittering stars.
"Anne..."
Rhane turned his head to the side. "Yes, master?"
"Do you enjoy when other women touch you?" she asked, her voice becoming low.
"No, master," Rhane replied.
Jenna hummed. "But...you don't shout...you just stayed, and she...." her voice trailed.
"She said she would scream, and Master would get in trouble," Rhane replied, his brooding eyes staring ahead.
Jenna mumbled in her sleep, turning her head to the side.
"And my name is Rhane," he muttered, his steps steady as he took Jenna back home.