Only Yours

Chapter III

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Marcus Aurelius

The young woman was lying in peace. Tears dry, now, stained her face.

'She was aghast when she saw the bloody head, rest at her feet. Her bloodshot eyes, mouth wide begging for air, and trembling skeleton were an attraction. Her eyes of shock froze to fear at my sight with the sword adorned with blood. My approach petrified her and her fragility was exposed to me, both, in her eyes and body. She suffered breathlessness yet would stand to herself as long as fit. Blood was capable of killing her.' He thought.

'My Lord, she will be fine after a while's rest. She shouldn't tense a lot. I've done the required.' Said the Hippocrates.

'Alright. You shall leave.'

The doctor was leaving and Marcus rose from where he sat and ordered his servants to leave by the power of his hand.

The doors shut leaving the two alone. Innocence and wilderness.

He walked to the bedside where she lay, characterizing her, identifying her, making an effort to know her if he could. Woman, she was, wearing a mask of iron although it might be weakness on the inside. Hairs black and wavy, face sunset fairness, eyes calligraphed with long eyelashes, eyebrows thick but silk, and lips dead pink to fresh below, a beautiful blend approved of beauty.

Her parted lips, wanted him to kiss. Looking at her face becoming hard every moment passing.

Angry and defeated he walked out taking long strides, whereas Rhea lay on the bed, unaware.

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Time had certainly passed. Hours, maybe days. I was oblivious yet certain for long hours of unconsciousness as my body ached of lassitude. My eyes opened to a warmly illuminated room engraved with art on the walls. The area was quite large, occupied by beautifully carved chairs, tables, and the huge bed on which I lay. Drapes hung down the walls, beautifying and meeting royal standards. The bed was no ordinary, it was large and warm, the headboard was carved intricately and the sheets were thickly woven by Royal thread.

Thoughts of that very day of ruin encouraged me to conclude the worst. Have I been sleeping alongside a Royal Roman? Have I been defiled and disgraced? I searched my body, but how was I to recognize it? I was clothed with not one I recognized. My heart was not still, it hit hard on my chest. I ran off the bed going for the door, attempting to open the door unnoticed but to my fate like all the other times, the door was locked. My family would be in twice the pain against mine. And I was the cause. Maybe I was worthy of pain, but have I to pull my parents into the well I fell? Tears, that was all that could be done now. Tears of pain and regret unable to erase the stains. Who knows what my family must be going through?

I walked to the balcony attached to the room, extending outwards into the air. The calm sky opposed my soul with still clouds on the move and the moon looking down. My tears streamed their way down my cheeks heating my face whilst my heart was burning, with the wind assuring me companion by blowing my tears away.

It was the palace I was in. Guards surrounded every wall; torches of fire were lighted to fight the dark. There was peace around me.

I knelt down on the floor, holding my body

Holding my body, an act of protecting myself without arms and without hope. It was better to be dragged away without reason than with, as having a reason makes you a part of the crime. The crime of helping, leading me to the penultimate end of being a sex slave. I would not mind encountering death but losing my honor was the worst reality to live with.

I was sitting on the ground knees close to my body shedding drops of sadness when I heard the door locks turn. The door opened and came in the fierce man whom I feared. He entered and the doors closed after him. His eyes scrutinized the room to find me in the corner, adjacent to the bed. The man walked towards me and lowered himself to the ground eyes on mine.

'How do you feel?' he asked, his gaze and presence burning me.

I nodded with fear and hatred within, pushing myself further into the wall, holding myself closer to me.

He gasped as he rose and said, 'You need not fear me.'