Beyond the Rabbit Hole

The First

A young, handsome man sat on an ornate wooden chair in the corner of the wide bedroom. Slung over the man's shoulder was a golden half-cape with the sigil of a goat on its hind feet. Behind the raised indigo curtain hanging over the bed was a woman and a young girl in her arms. Their silk dresses were woven with golden flowers laced throughout the fabric. A knock on the door caused a sigh to escape from the young man's lips.

"Enter," the young man commanded.

Ashreya entered the room wearing a cerulean dress that carefully covered her back. "Your majesty." She bowed slightly.

"You disappoint me, Ashreya Mantin." The emperor spoke coldly. "You returned later than instructed, failed to collect Herongrand's debt, and left a broken city with wavering loyalty in your wake."

Ashreya's lips quivered. "I. . . I'm sorry, your majesty, I-"

"I didn't permit you to speak." The emperor said.

"Henri, is this necessary?" The woman on the bed spoke up. "Henrietta is here too."

The emperor shot a cold glare toward the bed, and the woman went silent. He turned his scorn back to Ashreya. "At least you managed to eliminate that eyesore, Isaaik. Of course, I doubt you accomplished such a thing intentionally, but I'll allow you to take the credit for this. It will save your head for now. Be grateful for my mercy."

Ash felt a shiver run up her spine. "Thank you for your generosity, your majesty," she said meekly. Despite the emperor's words, a cold sweat moistened her brow.

Emperor Henri gave a slight nod and turned around.

A sigh of relief escaped from the emissary's lips.

"Did you think we were done here?" Henri spat. "After another failure?"

"N-no your majesty, of course not. I must face a fitting punishment for my incompetence."

"Yes. . ." The emperor chuckled. "For once, you're right about something." He slowly pulled a golden scepter from the bedside dresser.

Ashreya felt the blood in her face grow cold as her eyes locked on to the blood dried upon the scepter's dragon-shaped blades.

When the woman sitting on the bedside watched the emperor pick up the bloodied scepter, she quickly grabbed the child and left the room with a face twisted with fear.

Ashreya's breaths grew heavy as her body shuddered.

Henri turned around, his face still cold and indifferent. "Take it off."

Ashreya reluctantly nodded and slowly slid the cerulean dress off her shoulders until it fell to the floor. She shivered as her skin was laid bare, and her hands gripped her arms tightly as she forced herself to not cover up.

The emperor examined her body for several seconds before letting out a slight sigh and shaking his head. "Turn around."

Ashreya silently obeyed, failing to suppress the tears from welling up in her eyes and streaming down her face.

"Better," the emperor said softly. He stepped forward and placed a finger on Ash's back. He slowly ran the tip of his finger along Ash's back, tracing her scars with an admiring gaze. "You're beautiful." Sadistic cruelty curved the corners of his lips as he took a step back.

Ashreya bit her lip and closed her eyes as the emperor raised the scepter above his head.

Ashreya closed the door behind her. Her arms shivered as she staggered down the corridor. A sanguine stain spread across the back of her dress, turning heads and pulling silent gazes. Ash left the palace without anyone speaking to her. She leaned forward to keep her back from touching the carriage seat on her way to the Mantin family estate. Ash struggled to retain her composure as the guards opened the gate for her with pained expressions. She made her way through the garden and opened the door. Voices slipped from the other side.