The Ruby Empire

Nadeem the Gnoll

Female Reader x Male Monster

As a child you were blinded by sickness, you've also been weak since then, but you still tried your best to work on your family's farm. You shucked corn and stringed beans, helping in the kitchen and learning as much as you could. That was, until one day your family's home was sieged. There was an attack on the village, the Gnolls had come. You had heard stories about them. They destroyed homes and communities, burning and pillaging, taking what treasure they wanted and stealing people into their slave trade.

Now, they were at your front door. Your family tried to run and when that failed they tried to hide you. They knew that when the Gnolls found you that they would take you and kill you. So, your parents hid you, and they ran, leading the Gnolls away from you so there was a chance you could survive on your own.

"You may be weak, but you are stronger than us," your mother whispered to you as she cried. "You are too smart. Use it for something other than vegetables!" She closes the trunk they've placed you in.

You cower there for what feels like hours, your body starts to ache, and your throat goes sore. You're so hungry. You sit up and push away the lid of the chest. You smell smoke, and you hear crackling in the distance. As you rise from the chest, you hear footsteps behind you. Before you have a chance to duck, you're grabbed by the nape of your neck.

You scream in terror as you're pulled from the chest.

"It seems we missed somebody," a dark voice growls. He turns you around, and he gasps softly. "What is wrong with your eyes?"

You whimper and cry, kicking and struggling as they hold you in the air.

"Blind?" He asks. "Is that why you were hiding?" He sets you down but keeps a tight hold of you.

You fight against his arm, beating it and kicking your legs, hoping to find a shin you could crack.

"Answer me," he gives you a harsh shake.

You go still and grip tight onto his arm, which is covered in coarse fur. "Yes," you whisper. "My parents hid me," you continue. "Because they knew I wouldn't be of use to you."

The gnoll huffs. "Love will make you do desperate things." He tugs at you, making you walk with him.

"Lord Nadeem, did you find something?"

"I did. But do not touch it. This one belongs to me."

You whimper, too afraid to struggle now. You feel there is no hope in it. You might as well do as he says until you meet your fate. Tears flow down your face, and you try to keep from making any sound.

"You are lucky I found you," he growls close to your ear. "They others will call me soft, but I can see the promise in you." You hear a door close. He releases your hands and he circles around you. "Do you know what you look like?"

You duck your head and shake it.

"You're beautiful," Nadeem snarls.

You shake your head again.

"Do you not believe me?" He slips his hand under your chin and makes you raise your head. "I guess you wouldn't believe a man who just destroyed your home." He pets your cheek. "That is alright. I will keep you as my little pet, regardless. I could use the company. So why not someone who cannot see me and call me hideous?"

You frown and take a step back. "Don't touch me."

"I had a cat once who did not like me petting it either." You hear him uncork a bottle a pour something. "It was a little feral, I admit. But soon, I earned its trust as well." He places a cold glass in your hands. "How long were you hiding, my pet?"