The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Twenty-Five

I sigh, staring at the almost empty tub of ointment, tearing up.
My heart aches as I think of Magnolia.

"She's so young... She doesn't deserve this." I whisper to myself.
I stand up, pacing around my room as I wait for her.

Hours continue to pass as I wait for her to return from doing the laundry.
Each minute that passes, uneasiness continues to grow until it takes a hold of me. Hastily leaving my room, I pray and hope that this uneasy feeling is simply just my anxiety getting the best of me.

Taking a step off the staircase, a loud voice hits my ears.
As if I was submerged in cold water, the confirmation to my worries causes a tremble to rush through my body.

"You stupid little girl! You showed your face? I warned you about others seeing you!"
A voice shouts, followed by a loud smack.

I run around the corner to see Renesha with other ladies of the harem, surrounding Magnolia.
Maids hold Magnolia still as she cries after being hit with a metal rod.
The concubines all whisper, some even snickering at the sight. One look at Renesha's expression causes my blood to boil.
A look of crazed amusement on her face, resembling the same look my parents would wear.

"How dare you!"
A shout escapes my throat, my ears burning hot with anger, and the frustration I unknowingly carried for years finally coming to light.

The ladies turn, noticing me.
Pushing the maids off Magnolia, I stand in front of her. A mix of emotions boil inside of me as I look back at Renesha's cold expression.

"She's just a child! How could you lay a hand on her?" I shout.

"My lady..." Magnolia calls out.
I turn to see her crying and trembling. Her shaking hands reaching out to the skirt of my gown.
The memory of reaching to my mother for help comes to mind. A sick feeling grows in my stomach as I look at the small child before me, questioning how someone could ruthlessly harm such a small being.
"I-I'm so sorry... They said they'd hurt you if I didn't do as they said."
I'm taken aback as I watch tears drip down her bruised, bleeding face.
"M-My lady, I'm so sorry. P-Please forgive me."
My eyes well up with tears, watching Magnolia apologize when she's done nothing to wrong me.
I pause, the realization dawning on me.
"They were the ones hurting you... It wasn't the emperor, was it?" I question, my mind a mess.
Magnolia sobs, her body evidently weak, she gives a pained nod.
My body almost numbed from all the emotions I feel, I turn to see the group's expression of malice and coldness.

"Why? Why did you do this?"
"You've been a whore, hogging the emperor all to yourself. I'm the only one who can wear that crown, yet you're getting in the way." Renesha grits her teeth, her eyes dilating sharply as they look back at me.
"I never wanted the crown!" I shout, "How could you hurt a child, based off your assumptions of me?"

"You didn't need to say it." Another concubine speaks.

One look at the ladies, it hits me.
From the moment I entered this palace, I've been seen as an intruder. All of them hold contempt towards me.
Their eyes seem more clear now. Behind those welcoming friendly eyes, have always been a look of hatred and disgust.

"The poor emperor was tricked by you." A lady speaks, her eyes cold, "How could we stand by when you're hoarding the emperor for yourself?"
"I didn't do anything to him." I reply, my hands trembling as I face the group of them.
"How coy. Do you think we don't see it?" Another girl speaks.
"What do you see? See what?" I exclaim.
"Kingdom Avris." Renesha simply chuckles.
At the sound of the kingdom's name, a shiver runs down my spine. My heart begins to beat as I anticipate her next words.
"You were promised the throne, weren't you?"
My jaw drops as the fear hits harder.
"The poor princess, promised to rule her kingdom, only to be captured by the emperor." Renesha hums, her eyes sharply terrifying, "You couldn't stay in your place. You ruined everything. You wanted my crown, you want my throne, you wanted my husband!"