The forest

"Inferno lash!" Bianca who is the oldest shouted that spell and immediately a small whip that looked more like a red string materialized on her hand and she swung it towards my unguarded back. Making a sound will earn me more of those so I suppressed whatever sound I wanted to make. " Humph! You're lucky that we're in a good mood today or else I would've continued!" Bianca's treatment is far worse than her mother's, her mother never harms me with her magic but these two are the worst. Especially her, but I could do nothing but bow my head and apologize for still cleaning the floor and for making her waste her magic on me.

After being done with preparing food for lunch that made me bleed in the inside because of the amount of pots and plates I'll have to clean afterwards. I took the list of potion ingredients that I have to go look for in the forest, there were eleven things that I had to find and I know they didn't need these things. They even have some of them but because they live to see me suffer...

1.Moonflower Petals- unique white flowers that bloom at night, used for spells of clarity and intuition.

2 .Wolfsbane - A potent plant that can guard against evil spirits, often used in protection potions.

3 .Star Moss - Soft, luminescent moss that helps enhance dreams and visions when brewed.

4 .Crimson Fern Fronds - Leaves of a rare fern that boost courage and strength in potion brews.

5 .Elderwood Bark - The bark from ancient elder trees, used to create elixirs for healing.

6 . Frost Blossom - A rare flower that blooms in winter, ideal for potions of tranquility and peace.

7 .Enchanted Willow Sap - Glimmering sap from willow trees that can be used for binding spells.

8 .Silverleaf - Leaves with a shimmering silver hue, great for enhancing psychic abilities.

9 . Glimmering Dew Drops - Collected at dawn, these dew drops hold the essence of the forest’s magic.

10 .Venomous Ivy - A rare vine that, when properly purified, can be used to create powerful protective shields.

11 .Quartz Crystal Shard - Clear crystals that amplify energy and intention in any potion.

I'm no fool when it comes to potions and know how to make them, they think just because I can't perform spells then I am unable to make potions. I've learnt and practiced in secret and went as far as stealing an old magic bracelet that has a storage to store things. When searching for ingredients for them I am no fool to not take some for myself. The bracelet was old and ugly so I knew they wouldn't care to remember it but it's room was quite big. I have been storing some ingredients for a long time now and don't plan to stop. With a life like mine you never know what's the worst that could happen because there are endless things that may happen. I just want to be ready when that time comes.

I took a worn out leader bag that had a funny smell because of the rainy days it has endured and never dried properly. It's not like I had the luxury to care. When hearing their footsteps approaching I didn't dare linger, they'll think I wanted to steal the food that I made for them. It's funny how they can mistreat someone who is the one that cooks and does everything for them without the fear of being poisoned. I have thought about it too many times but I knew it wouldn't be worth being killed in the end.

Stepping out of the house I took in how their exaggerated buildings ruined the enchanted forest's beauty. I'm sure just like me it sees them as a nuisance, they don't care if they're exhausting it or not. All they know is to take but never give, for so many years it has been used. Sigh...no point being emotional about it, I quickly went to find the ingredients. I'm aware that I won't be able to find number 1, 6 and 9. Moonflower petals are from a unique white flower that blooms at night and are also required to be collected at night. Frost Blossom is a rare flower that blooms in winter and it's not winter right now. Glimmering dew drops can only be collected at dawn so it was pretty dumb of them to include these three on the list. Yet I'm glad they did because that lessens the work.

While walking I heard a faint sound coming from my stomach yet I ignored it. I don't need a sound to remind me that I'm hungry because I've been feeling that way the entire day. I'm allowed only one meal a day and sometimes as punishment I don't eat at all. I'm only allowed to eat after all the work is done and when in a good mood they'd give me yesterday's left overs.

As soon as I was out of sight I saw one of the trees extend their branches towards me. The moment the rough branch grazed my skin I felt cleansed and the pain that was on my back disappeared. This was not something new, I know it's weird but this forest is quite fond of me as it helps me every time I'm hurt and wounded. Not only removing the pain but the appearance of scars. I'm smart enough to know that I shouldn't tell anyone about it. As hard as life is for me, the forest always heals me in any way it can. I just wish I could do something for it in return but it's useless, as much as I feel close to it I also feel like I don't belong here. Every time that thought comes to mind my heart always reacts on its own, beats faster as if daring me to continue enquiring...

1 hour later

Ahhh finally got them all except for the three, I quickly made my way back to the house with a better mood only to find Bianca waiting for me" Where are the other three and why did it take you this long to come back!". 'This long?' those things were very hard to find! I bet she'd have such a hard time and I returned faster than I usually do. " I am sorry that I took too long to return but no matter how hard I looked I couldn't find them" her face turned red from anger and then

Pah!

She slapped me across the face. "Who said you could talk back to me!" The hell? Wasn't she the one who asked why I didn't come back with some ingredients and why I took too long. No I shouldn't be angry, at least I shouldn't show so like a weak servant I bowed my head not daring to look at her eyes.

Pah!

Another one followed but because I had my head down it connected with my ear. Not the worst I've taken but it was still painful. " You dare not answer me!"

"...?"

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