UnShaekable (FFXII)

XX) Preparation to Leave

~12 years before~

I wring the water from the ragged rough-spun dress in my small, pale hands. Sighing, I sit back on the heels of my tight wooden shoes and peek up at the round old woman hobbling around the laundry room.

"Fraun, my hands hurt."

"Finish up that basket and we'll balm them," the woman replies with a gruff voice, glancing at me with a gentle, sad smile. "We don't want to risk a punishment, now do we?"

"I suppose not," I reply softly, flexing my raw fingers. My skin is dry, cracked, stinging. Tiny hands never meant for the labor of servanthood. Rosa tells me my blood keeps me from being the best laborer I can be. Whatever that means. "Rosa, are you done hanging the sheets yet?"

A slim girl of sixteen peers out from behind a damp, dangling sheet pinned to a clothesline. A smile plays on her rosy lips and her blue eyes sparkle as she shakes her head.

"Unfortunately not, Shera. You'll have to complete your duties on your own today."

"But...!" Pouting, I drop the dress back into the soapy water, biting down hard on my lip when the water stings my cuts. I jump with a small cry of surprise when the door flings open and a guard marches into the room.

"It's time, Fraun," comes a man's voice, muffled by the thick helmet over his face. "The emperor has requested to see her."

"Now?" The old woman turns and stares at me. Frowning, I stand, my heart hammering in my chest. The emperor? What does he want? "Dearest, come," Fraun calls, motioning me to her side. I obey, wrapping my thin arms around her broad waist. "We'll be waiting should you need us."

"What's happening?" I ask, fear overcoming me as the guard reaches out toward me impatiently.

"It'll be alright," Rosa reassures me, prying me from Fraun's side and nudging me away. "I promise."

Shuddering, I take the guard's hand and let him drag me from the room. His steps are long and fast, and I nearly have to run to keep up. Servants and noble people and Judges alike hardly spare me as glance as I hurry past, careful not to bump anyone. We come to a stop before two broad doors I never dared to pass, warned by the others to stay away. The guard stoops down, resting one armored hand on my shoulder.

"Be on your best behavior. Emperor Gramis is not known for his kindness."

With that, he pushes the door open and shoves me into the wide room before shutting me in like a caged rodent. The floor is wide, lined with decorative carpets and broad windows. Straight ahead sits a man with hair as white as the clouds, a glittering crown resting on top. The ruler stands, eyeing me as curiously as I eye him. Slowly but steadily, he walks toward me, adorned with robes twice his size and jewelry ten times my life's worth. Heart hammering in my chest, I throw myself on all fours, bowing as low as I can for fear of breathing my last breaths in this very room.

"Arise, my child. Do not fear me."

I squeak when a cool hand rests on my back, another pushing me to my rather unimpressive height. The emperor himself kneels before me, his pale blue eyes looking over me cautiously. His face is pressed with the hard lines of difficult decisions and hardships aplenty. A slight smile tugs at his lips and he rests one wrinkled hand on my head.

"You resemble your mother so clearly," he murmurs. "In the highest reaches of power, there are many secrets. One is to be revealed to you today. Tell me, child, what is your name?"