"Crazy Master" (1)
I am a peasant's daughter, born in poverty and raised in poverty. My family is so poor that I can barely afford a piece of food.
Earn money every day so as not to die of hunger. This is what my existence is about.
It's funny, but I also had four children - my brothers and sisters - to take care of.
Unable to bear the heartbreaking poverty, my mother ran away alone, and the surviving father beat the children every day when he got drunk.
It was with his hands that the fifth child was beaten to death, the fourth died of starvation, the second was sold to a brothel, and the third, because of her beauty, was raised to be pretty and neat, in order to later be married off to a rich family or sold at a profit for a high price.
And they kept me, the ugly, older one, with them because I knew how to run a house well.
Cooking, washing, cleaning, taking care of my sister - everything was on me. During the day I worked at Uncle Mark's bakery in the city, and at night my father beat me.
It was a hard life without a single silver lining.
This caused my ugly face to swell, making it even uglier, and my legs, broken while growing up, stunted my growth.
Ugly dwarf.
That's what the neighborhood kids called me.
I thought that if there was a hell, this is it. I envied my sister, who became more and more beautiful every day, and did not have to endure my father’s cruelty. Many times I wanted to hang myself, but each time I was unlucky: either my father caught me, or a passer-by on the street, or the rope broke right before I was about to jump to my death.
This was my prison, and I was a prisoner who was being punished without even knowing about his crime. No, I'd rather be in a real prison.
My father didn't sell me to a brothel just because he needed someone to run the house. It turns out that in fact this is not the main reason. From neighborhood gossip I learned that it was all about my ugliness. Instead of selling it and making a pittance, he decided to teach me how to do housework.
My mother called him the devil's bastard, and I followed her example and called him the same. My life was under the control of this devilish bastard.
If not a tragedy, then what is it?
But God did not leave me until the very end.
***
Just when my short stature miraculously increased an inch and my shaggy bangs began to cover my ugly face, an elderly gentleman came to town. We did not know why this gentleman, dressed from head to toe in luxurious clothes, came to our small village on the outskirts.
He was just wandering around the village and one day, passing by, he turned to my father.
-I would like to hire your daughter.
The older gentleman politely offered a bag of gold coins. Fascinated by the gold, the father swallowed dryly. His vile mind came into motion when he saw a man in front of him and a bag of gold coins on the table.
The father's hands clenched into fists, wanting to get the coins, and the expression on his face became hard.
“Sir, my modest daughter was able to attract your attention, but she still has a lot of inexperience, I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”
- Do not worry about it. Even if I don’t like it, I won’t ask you to return the money later.
Answering calmly, the elderly gentleman pushed a wad of gold coins towards him. After these words, my father, who was trying to restrain the smile appearing on his face, looked at me sitting next to me. I got goosebumps. His gaze was as if he was looking at his beloved daughter.
- My dear, I will accept any decision you make. Money is good, but it is not as important as you. Don't be shy to express your opinion.
Then he grabbed my skinny wrist with his huge hand. The grip was so strong that my bones ached. His face showed concern for his precious daughter, but his eyes, thinking only of gold coins, sparkled fiercely.
The gentleman waited silently for my answer. If I say no, he will leave to look for another girl, and my father will beat me to death, punishing me for my disobedience.
- I'll go.
- My daughter.
My father’s face shone with joy, his voice was choked with tears, he hugged me, his hand lazily stroked my back, and I had to be patient not to shake it off.
Having collected my things, I followed the man. All I had was one bag. No clothes, no things to take away. The only difference was that instead of the dusty rags I wore every day, I was wearing a dress with beautiful flowers embroidered on it.
- Goodbye. Be careful.
My father patted me on the shoulder, walking me to the door. There was a desire to be like a gentleman in his touch.
Alicia, the third daughter standing next to him, looked at me and smiled.
- Goodbye, sister. Go away forever.
Don't come back. “Don’t ever come back,” Alicia added. But when I didn’t answer, she wiped the smile off her face and pouted.
I turned to her and just said:
- Take care of this sweet face. That's all you have.
- What?!
I turned around and walked away, leaving Alicia frowning.
I followed the gentleman to a mansion so large that my eyes widened in surprise. It was much larger and grander than the mansion of the richest lord in my village.
"Wow!"
I let out a delighted exclamation and followed the older man inside.
- Welcome!
A neatly dressed middle-aged woman greeted the old gentleman. He nodded and took off his felt hat.
Noticing me behind him, she asked.
-Who is this child?
- This child will serve the master from now on.
- Mister?
I looked questioningly at the old gentleman and he motioned for me to come forward. The middle-aged woman looked at me appraisingly, I swallowed nervously and began to wait patiently.
- It's clear.
The woman nodded and turned away, apparently I passed her assessment. The elderly gentleman also turned around and walked in the other direction. I took turns watching them as they dispersed, and then I followed the woman.