REALMS OF DISCORD

Ritual

Sato rose from her bathtub, water droplets cascading down her body. The steam enveloped the room, making it difficult to see, while the fragrance of sweet flowers and fruits filled the air. Stepping onto a waiting towel, one of her attendants draped another around her raised hands and wrapped it snugly around her body. A third towel was placed on her head as she was guided out of the bathroom.

Entering the familiar chambers, a drawn curtain concealed the balcony, and the room's decor exuded a somber emptiness that she despised. Dismissing her helpers with a wave of her hand, she found herself standing alone in the center of the room. She walked over and perched on the edge of her bed, her gaze falling upon the sheer green outfit carefully laid out for her. Letting out a deep sigh, she regarded her reflection in the darkened window with a sense of resignation. This was her life now, and she would do whatever it took to ensure her family's ambitions were realized. Slipping into the dress, she made her way to her favorite full-length mirror, tilting her head to the side and admiring the woman gazing back at her.

A knock on the door interrupted her reverie.

"Yes," she replied, clearing her throat. She knew what time it was.

"They are ready for you, ma'am," a voice answered from the other side.

"How many?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of self-effacement.

"Only two, Lord Kori sent two," the voice responded.

"Send them in," she said, spraying a hint of perfume on her neck. Returning to her bed, she assumed a position she had grown accustomed to. Lying on her back, her gaze fixated on the ceiling, she placed her hands on her abdomen. The door swung open, and she caught a whiff of their scent. Despite the thorough cleaning, the iron bloods still carried the lingering odor of the sewer. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her cheeks as she felt the dampness in her hands. She contemplated why she was subjecting herself to this, why she was willing to endure such hardships. Her mother would be proud of her, perhaps, but she might also label her a failure. Sato yearned for an heir, and although Gara was next in line, she knew the challenges he would face ruling in a society that marginalized men.

"I trust you were briefed on what needs to be done?" she asked, keeping her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"Yes," one of the men responded in a dull tone. The bed shifted as someone approached her side, drawing nearer. Her body sank slightly in that direction, but her eyes remained fixed above. The man seated next to her exposed her bare chest, and a cold breeze brushed against her skin. His cool hand gently cupped her neck, causing her to blink rapidly. The other man tugged at her legs, spreading them apart. Just then, the curtains leading to the balcony parted, revealing a small crowd. It was the first time since she lay down that Sato turned her gaze, observing the five individuals seated, their hands resting on their laps. Clad in black robes that concealed their gender, they wore wooden masks with a curved design, resembling makeup, particularly around the eyes.

Sato sat up in her bathtub, water droplets trickling down her body. The steam filled the room, obscuring her vision, and the scent of sweet flowers and fruits lingered in the air. She stepped out of the tub onto a waiting towel, and a helper wrapped another around her body, while a third towel was placed on her head. Leaving the bathroom, she entered the familiar chambers. The room was dimly lit, with a curtain drawn to conceal the balcony. Sato couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain whenever she entered this room. Dismissing her helpers with a wave, she stood alone in the middle of the room. Walking over, she sat on the edge of her bed, her gaze falling upon the sheer green outfit laid out for her. Letting out a deep sigh, she glanced at her reflection in the darkened window, her spirit defeated. This was her life now; she had to do whatever it took to ensure her family's goals were achieved. Slipping into the dress, she made her way to her favorite full-length mirror, tilting her head to the side as she admired the woman staring back at her.