THE REIGN OF WOMEN

S1 EP11: Bloodshot

502 AD, Nightfall, Eternos

  The Days were short when satisfaction was great. Sapphira wished the days were prolonged, so her victories would be savored further, but she could not win all. Victories would come and go, eventually. She had many more to come.

On the morning of the 1st day of the 7th moon, the Directress Nunzia showed her face in vain to the Servant Quarters. Sapphira—"

Grinning, Sapphira casually strolled over to Directress Nunzia and curtsied to her, "Directress,"

Holding out a pouch, Directress Nunzia drops it into Sapphira's open hand, "Your pay,"

The Directress had never been humiliated this way before. Never before had any Slave caused this much trouble in less than 5 moons. Her strong presence was felt from afar. She knew how to leave a mark. "Thank you."

"You might have seen victory this time but not for long." Directress Nunzia says.

"Victory is temporary, but then comes another."

"Watch your tongue and remember your position. You are a slave with no rank, and you speak wrongfully." Sapphira's smile dropped, and her seriousness took over. She could not accept the constant reminder of her taking and her status.

She did not become a slave for House Stark because she chose to. Her choice was taken from her as it has been for all women for centuries.

"As are you. You may be a Directress but you and I came from the same gutter, do not forget that. We are one, whether you like it or not." Sapphira felt the need to defend herself by using what was used against her every so often. She wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine.

"You only benefit this Household because you are willing to do the Queen Mother's dirty work for her. Eventually, she will no longer need you or your daughter and discard you as she did everyone else."

Many stories were circulating in the Servant Quarters about the Queen Mother. She was ruthless. She felt no empathy for people below her rank.

Whoever defended the Queen Mother, was an enemy of Sapphira. "Your loyalties lie on the wrong side. I am not your enemy, but if I have to choose between my life or yours— I will show you no mercy."

At the other end of the Palace, Overseer Considia visited her lover, the Prince. Curtsying to His Royal Highness, Overseer Considia confidently approaches him as she has not seen him in long.

Overseer Considia did not acknowledge it, but the reason Prince Remus had no time for her was that he had spent that time with Sapphira. "Overseer Considia,"

Settling her hand on his chest, Overseer Considia says, "You have not called for me in long."

Stepping a foot back, Prince Remus responds,
"I have been busy, Overseer Considia."

Indeed, he has. Other than politics, Prince Remus had been busy admiring the woman Sapphira was. The kind of woman, Overseer Considia would never be. "With that slave girl, Sapphira?"

Taking a seat at his Work Desk, Prince Remus proceeded the cutting of his red Diamond. "No. I have duties, as have you."

Once more proving herself to be unworthy of the Prince's affection, she desperately tells him, "If you need me to relieve some of that pressure, call for me. Day and Night."

Though believing herself to be worthy of his affection, Overseer Considia offered herself to him as she had many times before.

Her desperate ways of earning affection only drove her further from her lover. "Make way! Her Royal Highness, Princess Gaia Stark!"