Bound By A Ritual

"You have been going for several training sessions for a very long time, Ava, and I still don't understand why a girl like you needs so much training, especially those sword fights you involve yourself in, all in the name of training," my mother complains.

I let out a sigh, used to hearing her objections. "You know very well, mother. I need to find a job to help support our household, but I also feel this strong urge to train myself and become stronger. It's not just for me, but for my future as well."

She shakes her head disapprovingly. "You don't need that, Ava. What you need is to find a man who is strong enough to protect you."

"But mother, I can protect myself. Why should I rely on a man to do the job for me? Why do mothers think that their daughters are weak creatures who always need a man's protection?" I grab an apple and take a bite. "And please, stop worrying about me. I'll find a job tomorrow if that will make you happy and stop you from nagging me."

"That's more like it, my dear. Oh, and speaking of jobs, I was passing by the Anderson's house this afternoon and saw this posted on their gate." She stretches a piece of paper toward me. I take it from her, curious to see what it is.

"It's a maid job," I say with a frown.

"Yes, I know it's not what you expected, Ava, but we need the money. Your brother's school fees will be due soon and I could use your help in paying for it. I had an argument with my boss and things escalated, so I had to quit. Please try to understand, my child. I love you and your brother, and I would never want you both to go hungry."

"It's okay, mother. You don't have to explain yourself to me. I trust you, and I know you did the right thing. I'll work there for three months and then I'll find a better job for myself."

"Yes, Mother, I accept your decision. That money should be enough. I've heard that they pay a significant amount for that job," I reply, trying not to let my worries show.

Ever since our father passed away, my mother has taken on the burden of supporting our family. She works multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and now that I'm done with high school, it's my turn to lend a hand. I need to save up for college and relieve some of the strain on my mother. Despite her youthful appearance, she's getting older and shouldn't have to continue with such demanding work.

"Well, I better check out the workplace then. I don't want anyone else stealing that job from us," I quickly inform her.

"Thank you, Ava," she smiles gratefully as I grab my bag and head out the door. "Keep dinner for me, mother!"

Rushing to the bus station, I find a seat and wait for the next bus to arrive. As I sit there, something catches my attention. The area seems strangely quiet, almost unsettlingly so. It feels like there's something off like there might be someone fighting nearby...

Dropping my bag, I stand up and take a closer look, but there's nothing to see. It must have been my imagination, playing tricks on me. How could people be fighting when there's no one around?

The bus arrives before I can dwell on it further, and I board, mumbling my destination to the driver. I choose a seat close to the window, and as we pass by the Anderson's residence, I witness something that leaves me speechless.

A man suddenly appears out of nowhere, his body covered in blood. "Alex, are you okay?" Someone else appears, and as they start talking, I catch a glimpse of fangs in the second person's mouth. I frantically question my senses. Why am I seeing things that can't possibly be real?

The bus starts moving, leaving me with little time to continue staring at that man. His brown, wavy hair and those enchanting red eyes-something was captivating about him. But it couldn't be real. Normal humans don't have red eyes.

I quickly avert my gaze, feeling my heart race in my chest. "Oh my god," I whisper to myself, trying to regain my composure. What just happened? For a brief moment, he looked at me as if he knew me. But that couldn't be possible. After a few seconds, he disappears from view entirely.

"Anderson's residence!" the bus driver announces.

"I'm getting out," I declare, grabbing my bag and hopping off the bus. The sun is beginning to set, so I need to hurry if I want to make it to this job on time. My mother would be so disappointed and angry with me if I didn't.

Standing outside the gate, I start knocking, hoping for someone to let me in. "Hello?" I call out, growing impatient as no one responds.

"You're here for the job?" a voice speaks up from behind me, causing me to jump in surprise.

"Did I scare you?" the old lady chuckles, flashing a kind smile. "Come in. I'm glad you arrived before 6 PM. Your mother has already filled in the necessary details. I just need to show you around."

"Does that mean I'm hired?" I ask, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"Oh no, my dear. I don't do the hiring. The master does."

"Master?" I echo, intrigued.

"Yes. He prefers to be called that, but his real name is Damon Anderson the fifth."

Damon... what a nice name. Following her inside the mansion, I can't help but feel amazed by its grandeur.

"This is the library. No one is permitted here except when you're on duty to clean," the old lady explains, gesturing towards a door.

Nodding, I take in the sight before us. As we descend the stairs, we enter an empty room. It seems odd that there's no living room.

She leads me to the left, opening a huge door. "And this is the living room," she announces. I take note of the single couch, the cozy fireplace, and the large television. It appears that they don't use it very often.

"Follow me," she instructs

We step out of the mansion and move towards another house, still quite large but not as grand as where he stays.

"Every maid arrives here as early as six to change into their working uniform. The master is a general in the army. He values punctuality, neatness, and accuracy, so keep that in mind," she informs me.

Taking a look around the room, I notice that there are no other servants present. Before I can ask, she beats me to it. "The servants are having their evening meal in the servants' dining room. Afterward, they change back into their regular clothes. Those who wish to return home do so, while others who wish to sleep here can also do that."

"The master doesn't complain?" I ask, a hint of curiosity evident in my voice.

"He hardly notices," the woman smiles. "Now, come. The master must see you to determine if he wants you to work here."

"You mean now?" I ask, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Yes, now. Hurry up, and I'll show you the way to the kitchen on our way there," she replies. I nod, trying to take in everything and commit it to memory as we move through the mansion. I'm surprised to find an elevator; this guy lives in luxury.

"The fifth floor is his room, the first floor is his study, and the second floor is his punishment room," the old lady explains.

"Punishment room?" I repeat, feeling a bit unsettled.

"Yes, he punishes maids who disobey his orders. As I mentioned earlier, he's a general, and you know how generals value respect," she exhales. "We're heading to the third floor, the hiring room."

"What about the fourth floor?" I inquire.

"Nobody goes there. It's off-limits. Don't forget that, okay?"

"Okay," I reply, determined to remember the rules. The elevator doors open, and the only room on this floor looks quite large. The hiring room, huh?

The old woman knocks three times before nodding at me. "Go in now."

"What? You mean I should go in there alone?" I ask, feeling a little nervous.

"Go in," she urges me, her voice steady and firm.

Blinking rapidly, I push the door open, step inside, and close it gently behind me. The room is spacious, with a table and two chairs.

As I entered the spacious room, my gaze immediately landed on the man standing before me. He was dressed impeccably in a sleek black shirt and trousers, and his dark hair added to his overall allure.

"Please, have a seat," he mumbled, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine, though it was more of anticipation than fear.

"Thank you, master," I replied, quickly taking a seat and trying to collect myself. Overwhelmed by the situation, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Master huh? Looks like Lady Martha did her job well," he remarked, turning around to face me. The sight of him made me catch my breath – he was undeniably handsome, with piercing black eyes that had an almost hypnotic quality.

"Let's focus on the matter at hand," he said, stepping closer and pulling out a chair to sit. His unwavering gaze remained fixed on mine, and in a moment of distraction, my eyes inadvertently drifted downward to his lips. Suddenly, his next words took me completely by surprise.

"You want to kiss me?" he asked, his tone laced with intrigue.

Startled by his sudden comment, I couldn't help but let out an exclamation. "What!?"

My outburst seemed to amuse him, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He stood up and approached me, placing his hand under my chin to lift my face and meet his gaze. Then, he smiled.

"I find it intriguing that you came to me yourself," he remarked, his words puzzling me. "You're hired. Report for duty tomorrow and meet with Lady Martha before you leave. She'll provide you with the necessary guidelines."

I watched as he moved back to the window, his demeanor shifting.

"You may leave my presence now," he said abruptly.

"Yes, of course, master," I stammered, quickly exiting the room. As I hurried away, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. What had I gotten myself into? The thought echoed in my mind. It seemed like I had stepped into a dangerous path. However, I needed to inform my mother about my new job and prepare for tomorrow's work. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I felt an undeniable excitement. Finally, I had something beyond archery and sword fighting practice to focus on. I would find a way to balance my training while dedicating myself to this new role. With a skip in my step, I made my way to Lady Martha's office to collect the rule book before heading home.