Chapter 7 - Life as a prisoner

This chapter is dedicated to TechTwin2! Happy reading!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruka pov:

I hadn't moved from the floor for several minutes even after the tears had stopped falling. I was lost in my thoughts now, confused and apprehensive.

I couldn't understand why I had been brought here only to be locked up. Kichiro sama had called me his possession and instructed the maids to give me everything I wanted while I was here – but why? Why wasn't I being treated like a prisoner, locked up in a dungeon and whipped and tortured? Well, I didn't want to be treated like that but what was happening now was just so strange!

"My Lady, shall we help you get dressed now?" one of the maids asked, breaking my train of thought. I met her kind, brown eyes and felt a little better thanks to the small smile she gave me even though it merely seemed to be out of courtesy.

"I-I don't need new clothes. I'm fine with what I'm wearing," I mumbled uneasily.

"But I'm afraid these clothes aren't alright for the occasion. Let us help you get dressed in something more beautiful," she insisted.

"Occasion? What occasion?" I asked, the uneasiness increasing.

"His Majesty wishes for your presence at dinner. Please come this way, My Lady – His Majesty doesn't like to be kept waiting and we don't want to risk our lives by angering him."

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of what Kichiro sama would do if he got angry for being kept waiting. I swallowed thickly and stood to follow the maids to the bathroom that was attached to the room past the large dressing room before it. The bathroom was very spacious with a wooden bathtub two times as big as a usual bathtub. I waited awkwardly while the three maids filled the tub with hot water, rose petals and a few drops of a sweet-smelling perfume of sorts.

"Please undress, My Lady, and we'll help you bathe," the maid who had spoken to me before said.

I shifted on me feet awkwardly, "I would prefer if I could bathe alone."

The maids let out barely audible scoffs before leaving the bathroom. I locked the door and stepped to the bathtub. I dipped my hand in the water to check the temperature once before I undressed reluctantly, my eyes stinging as I remembered Tomo kun. Inhaling deeply once, I got into the water, hissing when the tender skin of my wrists and ankles burned. The ropes had chaffed against them hard enough to peel off the first layer of skin.

I soon leaned back and stared at the rose petals, brooding. I was still very unsettled about being here, especially because of all the rumors I had heard about Kichiro sama. I was yet to digest the fact that I was being considered as an object for his entertainment – that's the only thing I could assume I was considering how he had called me his possession – and the words the maid had said had only filled me with more dread.

No matter how comforting the bath was, it didn't ease my apprehension in the least. I sighed deeply and shook my head to push away the negative thoughts for the time being. I looked up at the ceiling a tune came to mind. Hoping that singing would make me feel a little better, I hummed the tune and began to sing.

Maid pov:

I stared at nothing in particular while I waited for the girl to finish her bath and summon us to help her dress. I narrowed my eyes though wondering who she was and why she had been brought here. What did His Majesty plan to do with her?

I recalled the young boy His Majesty had once brought as a prisoner a few years ago. He had been locked up the way this girl had been locked up, given everything he wanted except the freedom to leave the palace. I still remember those days like it was yesterday – the poor boy had been scared out of his wits by His Majesty, Lord Kurai, and had tried to run away on a few occasions, only to be brutally punished and locked up again. When he couldn't take it anymore, he attempted to kill His Majesty.

Enraged, His Majesty had ripped the poor boy's heart out of him with his bare hands and even killed several soldiers who had failed to watch the boy properly. That was the bloodiest day of my life, one that had scarred me and not let me sleep without nightmares for months.

I wondered if I would have to see another such incident again...

I glanced at the bathroom door, wondering if I should knock and ask the girl if she was done. His Majesty wanted her to join him for dinner and would surely get angry if she wasn't punctual. I had to make sure she was punctual because I too would be punished for being tardy if she wasn't on time.

Just before I could knock on the door though, I heard her hum a tune softly. It was a tune I wasn't familiar with and she soon began to sing words in a language I couldn't understand. She sounded so sad when she sang and I couldn't bring myself to interrupt her, all the more because she sniffled every now and then. She was crying, perhaps afraid and hurting after losing her home and family, and getting trapped in the hands of the most feared ruler that had ever ruled Nihon.

Sometimes I wondered what I had done to deserve the life of serving such a frightening and cruel man. My family was greatly indebted to him and the only way we could pay it off was by working for him. It was the only way for me, my mother, father, and younger brother to survive. I shuddered at just the thought of what would happen to my family if I rebelled in any way, the memories of the torture we had to go through before we agreed to serve him for as many generations necessary to pay back our debt still clear in my mind.

It was from this personal experience that I felt bad for the girl. She was trapped now, as His Majesty, Lord Kurai's prisoner with no way to escape.

When she stopped singing, I knocked on the door, "My Lady, you should get dressed now. You cannot be late for dinner."

"O-oh, yes," she replied. I could her shuffling before she opened the door to let me into the dressing room.

She had wrapped the towel around herself and her eyes were on the floor, a blush dusting her cheeks. She shifted on her feet seemingly embarrassed.

"Can you please take off your towel, My Lady?" I asked. Her eyes went wide and her blush darkened. I couldn't stop a smile that surfaced at that – she was just an innocent, young girl and the thought of her suffering torture at the hands of someone as dark as His Majesty sent a jabbing pain in my heart.

She hesitated for a moment but then turned around and took off her towel to reveal her flawless skin. She was perhaps a few years younger than me but was much more beautiful with a slim, delicate physique, womanly curves, and straight, silky, black hair that reached her hips. Her face was just as delicate and looking at her now, I thought of her as a porcelain doll that would break if handled roughly.

Yet again, I felt a sharp twinge in my heart. The desire to protect her innocence bubbled within me. I wished to be her personal maid and take care of her, help her adjust and stay safe even though she had to remain close to that powerful, cold-hearted man. I couldn't let her be on her own with a beast like His Majesty. I would do everything I could to make her feel welcomed and stay safe while in the lion's den.

Ruka pov:

I stood stiffly while the attendant dressed me in a beautiful kimono made from the finest quality silk I had ever seen. The cherry-blossom pink obi contrasted the light blue of the kimono and I observed it to distract myself from the embarrassment I was feeling for being unclothed in front of someone. I had never been unclothes in the presence of someone but I didn't know how to wear a kimono so I had no choice but to let this attendant dress me.

"My name is Kyoko, My Lady, though you can call me Kyo chan. I will be your personal maid from now on," the attendant said and I met her gaze. Her smile reached her eyes this time.

"Okay, thank you for helping me, Kyo chan," I responded shyly.

"I'm done with your kimono so let me do your hair and you can go to dinner," she said a bit too cheerfully for my liking.

"D-do I have to eat with him?" I asked weakly, a slight tremble coming to my body.

"I'm afraid so. Come, we have to hurry so you're not late."

I was slowly guided out of the dressing room after Kyo chan had set my hair in a simple but pretty hairstyle. The four soldiers in the room came to stand around me as if I was a prisoner who had to be escorted with high security. I felt mildly suffocated but only clenched my fists hidden in the long sleeves of my kimono in response. The doors of the room were opened after one of the soldiers ordered them to be, and we walked through the hallways to the dining hall.

I spotted Kichiro sama seated at the head of a luxurious redwood table with a wide variety of food in front of him when we stepped into the spacious dining hall. I bit the inside of my cheek while lowering my gaze when he caught me looking at him. I swallowed thickly and walked up to him, coming to a stop a few feet from where he sat.

"Sit," he instructed, motioning to the chair on his right.

I didn't think too much of the importance of the seat on his right and sat down with my fists still clenched tightly on my thighs. I eyed the food and the crockery and cutlery, realizing that the chopsticks were made of gold and food bowls were studded with precious gems. Sure, this guy was an emperor but all this luxury was...overwhelming.

The sight and aroma of the food on the table kicked my salivary glands into overdrive. I swallowed thickly, eager to dig in in my famished state but didn't move. I flinched when Kichiro sama spoke suddenly, "Eat."

I hesitated and it seemed to anger him. I noticed him tighten his hold on his chopsticks before he bellowed, "I said EAT!"

Reflexively, I reached for the chopsticks immediately, my heart in my mouth. However, even before I had a proper grip on them, they fell to the table with a clatter. I had been clumsy. Inhaling once, I reached for them again. A sharp pain went through my wrist when I gripped them and I yet again let them fall to the table with a clatter.

Holding my breath, I glimpsed at Kichiro sama to find him watching me with a narrow, angry gaze. Cringing, I retracted my hand and shut my eyes when he yet again yelled at me, "Girl, you dare to disobey me?!"

I bowed my head and curled up as much as I could in my seat, trembling violently in fear, "P-please forgive me, Kichiro sama! I-I mean no disrespect – my wrists are sore from being tied and I am unable to hold the chopsticks."

"Your Majesty, if you would allow me, I can feed her until her hands have healed enough for her to eat on her own," Kyo chan said, stepping up to the table hesitantly. I was still trembling and my eyes were prickling but I maintained composure thanks to Kyo chan stepping up to voice out help – I felt like there was at least one person I didn't have to be afraid of.

I had barely been here an hour and I was already feeling so suffocated. How was I going to survive here for as long as this man wanted to keep me??

"You may do that," Kichiro sama responded stiffly, after giving both me and Kyo chan an expression of annoyance.

I sighed softly, relief washing over me. Kyo chan reached for the chopsticks and my bowl of rice and fed me slowly while remaining standing. Kichiro sama seemed to relax a little now that I was eating but I didn't dare to look up from the finely polished table top. I barely tasted the food I ate and swallowed each bit while trying hard not to choke. When I had finished eating, Kyo chan put down the crockery and cutlery, bowed deeply and stepped back.

I waited silently until Kichiro sama finished eating. Much to my surprise, he stood up without a word and walked out of the dining hall when he was done eating, leaving me alone with Kyo chan and the other attendants. I looked around awkwardly for a moment but felt like I could finally breathe normally.

"Shall I escort you back to your room, My Lady?" Kyo chan said. I met her gaze and nodded with a halfhearted smile.

Once we reached my room, Kyo chan excused herself saying that she would return in the morning to help me bathe and get dressed. Two soldiers walked into the room while two remained outside, closing the door and locking them to make sure that I couldn't escape.

I stood in the center of the room and sighed deeply. I hadn't really observed the room before so I took the time now to look over the furniture and décor of the room from where I stood. The interiors were elegant with a large double bed in the very center, a dressing table beside the doors that led to the change room and bathroom, a study table with rolls of parchment, an ink bottle and quill, and two windows draped with expensive curtains that overlooked a beautiful, gardened courtyard.

I walked to the cupboard and opened it to reveal the numerous, expensive kimono stacked inside. I figured that I would be wearing kimonos from now on even though they weren't too comfortable to handle. Perhaps I could request Kochiro sama to allow me to wear long gowns at least and spare me from the extra-long sleeves and restricted movement of my legs. Then again, I was worried that making such a request would only anger him...

Closing the cupboard door with another sigh, I walked to the window and looked out through the grill that had been attached to it. I touched the grill and smiled bitterly – Kichiro sama sure had taken all possible precautions to keep me from escaping. I pushed away the negative thoughts for now and dragged what looked like a poufy to the window. I sat down and rested my chin on my folded arms on the sill and closed my eyes. The cool breeze that caressed my face was calming and a smile grazed my lips involuntarily. The sound of the leaves rustling too was calming and lulled me into light slumber.

I woke up with a start soon enough though, perhaps even screaming, with sweat dripping down the sides of my face and tears falling from my eyes. I was shivering and gasping like a fish out of water. I glanced around noticing that the brutality I had seen was merely a dream. I shut my eyes and covered my mouth to muffle out the soft sobs that escaped.

I heard the door of my room open followed by hurried footsteps before a hand was placed on my back gently. "My Lady, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?" Kyo chan asked and I met her sad eyes.

"I-I'll be alright, Kyo chan...it was just a bad dream..." I said, my voice weak. My words were far from the truth though – what I had seen wasn't merely a dream but memories of what had happened just yesterday. Tomo kun's and Lady Kana's bodies lying in pools of blood with Kichiro sama standing next to them with a blood soaked katana had flashed behind my closed eyes.

Kyo chan didn't press me for details and embraced me. I held her in return and closed my eyes, hoping to feel the slightest reassurance from her gesture. She patted my back gently, "I know it's hard, My Lady, but everything will be alright."

I pulled out of the embrace and exhaled while looking at the floor. I then met her eyes, "May I go out for a walk?"

"Of course," she replied, smiling. "But let's get you washed up first, hmm?"

After a quick bath and getting into an elegant half gown-half kimono, which I found to be very comfortable compared to a full kimono, we stepped out of the room with yet again four soldiers and Kyo chan as my escorts. We walked through the hallways at a comfortable pace and I looked at the early morning sky. The weather was pleasant but didn't help improve my mood in the slightest. I was dazed, my thoughts chaotic.

I was brought back to the present when we stepped down from the hallway and onto the grass in a courtyard when I heard shouts and grunts in the distance. Looking to the expanse of the courtyard besides us, I saw Kichiro sama there – he was shirtless, wearing only hakamas, with his hair tied in a high ponytail while he worked out with two katanas. I couldn't take my eyes off him for he looked very handsome and strong, each and every swing of his katanas skillful and lethal.

It was a few moments later that I noticed another man standing a few feet away from Kichiro sama wearing official robes. When he met my gaze, he gave me a respectful bow. Blushing in slight fluster for getting caught staring, I too bowed and looked away, mentally scolding myself for admiring Kichiro sama's physique as well.

I looked back at Kichiro sama when I no longer heard any shouts only to find him watching me sternly. I resisted from flinching but averted my eyes nervously. It was barely a few seconds later that I heard shuffling and grunts before someone gasped. Looking up, I saw a man who had been brought to his knees in front of Kichiro sama by two soldiers. The man was ghastly pale and looked terrified.

"Please, Your Majesty, Lord Kurai, have mercy! Please forgive me! I didn't mean for it to happen!" he begged, bowing so his forehead was touching the ground.

"You lose against that sorry excuse of an emperor and dare to show your face in front of me? You pathetic fool!" Kichiro sama spat sharply in response and I flinched. "You're a nuisance."

I felt sick to my stomach when Kichiro sama, without batting an eyelid, raised one of his katanas and sliced the man's head clean off his shoulders. I sprinted to the trees on the side, the soldiers on my heels perhaps assuming I was trying to run away but stopped and waited while I threw up behind the trees. I heaved and coughed several times until there was nothing left to exit my body. I felt dizzy and drained of energy.

I stepped away from the tree with my eyes shut and a hand on the side of my head that was throbbing. The dizziness only increased and everything around me spun. My eyes suddenly felt heavy and they rolled back, pulling me into the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruka is officially Kichiro sama's prisoner now but she doesn't know why she's been brought to the palace and what he plans to do with her. She's to be given the royal treatment...but that's rather suspicious, isn't it?

What does the future hold??

Vote!

COMMENT!!!

:D