anwhile, Back at Dimitri’s Palace...
Sorayah had already been awake since the break of dawn....such was the rule for those in the imperial harem. Despite the lingering pain from her injuries, she had no choice but to obey protocol. As a concubine, even one still healing, it was mandatory to present herself before Empress Luna.
Once fully dressed in a modest peach gown that clung lightly to her figure, Sorayah made her way through the silent palace corridors toward the Harem Hall. The room was already occupied by other concubines of the late emperor, and a heavy tension lingered in the air as they all waited for the Empress’s arrival.
A sharp, mocking voice suddenly cut through the murmuring silence.
"A human as a concubine in the royal palace?" one of the won scoffed, letting out a cold smirk as she flicked an imaginary speck of dust from her richly embroidered sleeve. "Unbelievable."
"I even heard she’s being favoured by the new emperor," another sneered, her lips curling into a bitter smile.
"Oh, that’s nothing used goods," a third added, eyes glinting with malice. "Word is, she used to be a sex slave. Imagine that....a slave who sohow climbed her way up to concubine status. And if the rumors are true, she even got pregnant for the current emperor... but was forced to abort it. Now that the Beta Lord sits on the throne, I fear that little slut might actually be allowed to keep any bastard she conceives."
"Used goods, huh?" another voice snapped, this ti with venom and barely concealed rage. One of the consorts rose to her feet, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "If anyone here is used goods, it’s you. Didn’t the late emperor favour you every night? Yet you never conceived. Rumor has it, you were his personal whore and still, you couldn’t even give him a child. You’re nothing but an empty basket that can’t hold water."
The accused woman leapt to her feet, face flushed with rage. "And what about you?" she shouted. "You were favoured at the sa ti! Why didn’t you get pregnant either? Or are you also a useless basket, just like ?!"
Before the escalating fight could continue, a loud voice rang through the chamber.
"All hail Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Luna!"
The voice belonged to one of the eunuchs, and at once, the hall fell into dead silence. Every concubine stiffened, eyes trained on the entrance as Empress llisa glided into the room. One hand was elegantly placed on her gently rounded stomach.
She walked with calm, calculated grace toward the throne-like chair at the head of the room. She then lowered herself onto the seat, a cold smirk lingering on her lips.
Her gaze swept over the kneeling concubines.
"You may all sit," she said at last.
"Thank you, Your Highness," the won replied in unison, their tones subdued as they quietly took their seats.
llisa’s smile widened as she leaned forward ever so slightly. "We all know that the throne has changed hands," she began, her tone laced with amusent. "A new emperor now sits in power. And with a new reign... cos new rules."
She turned slightly, her gaze settling on the assembled eunuchs. Then, she gave a single, deliberate nod.
"Drag them down."
The command, though softly spoken, exploded in the hall like thunder.
Several eunuchs stepped forward at once, their boots thudding against the marble floor. Without hesitation, they seized the startled concubines and forced them to their knees...all except Sorayah and Mira.
"What is the aning of this?!" one of the won cried, struggling in vain against the grip of two eunuchs. "How dare you lay your hands on ! Do you wish to die?!"
Another woman’s voice quivered with panic. "Your Highness... what have we done? Why are we being treated this way?"
llisa lifted her tea cup and took a slow, delicate sip. Then she set it down with a soft clink before speaking again...her voice smooth, but dripping with venom.
"I heard your little conversation earlier," she said, her gaze narrowing. "All that talk about ’used goods’... about how the late emperor bedded you but none of you ever got pregnant. Empty baskets, was it? Well then....why should we keep such useless vessels in the palace?"
"What?!" several of the concubines cried out, their faces blanching in horror.
llisa’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, hard stare.
"Drag them to the late emperor’s tomb," she commanded, her voice sharp. "Behead them there. Let their useless bodies rot before the man they failed in life. Let them accompany the emperor in death since they were of no value in his lifeti."
"You can’t do this to us, Your Highness!" one of the concubines cried out, her voice cracking under the weight of fear and desperation. She fell to her knees, trembling as tears stread down her cheeks in uncontrollable waves. "My father served the pack loyally for many years. Just because we didn’t conceive for the late Alpha Emperor doesn’t an we’re barren! We may yet give the new emperor an heir. You can’t just end our lives like this!"
"Oh, but I can," llisa snapped, her voice sharp, each word heavy with cruel satisfaction. Her eyes blazed with authority, and a wicked smirk danced on her lips. "We can’t afford to let used goods serve the new Alpha Emperor. That would be a disgrace to him and to the throne."
The empress let her words hang over their heads before continuing, her voice now colder, deadlier. "Hence, you all have to die."
The won gasped in horror.
llisa took a deep breath and leaned back into her throne-like chair, savoring the look of horror on their faces. "Just so you know," she added, her tone suddenly nonchalant, "two new concubines have already been selected. These fresh flowers will serve the emperor as they’ve proven their worth."
She gently placed a hand on her stomach, a silent reminder of her unique power. "And since I am with child, the number of concubines permitted in the harem must be reduced. Quality over quantity, ladies."
"No! No, please!" several concubines cried out at once, terror etched into every syllable of their pleas. "You can’t do this...please, we’ll do anything! Anything!"
Sorayah’s heart pounded in her chest. Her fingers clutched the sides of her gown so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
’She’s not just punishing them,’ Sorayah realized with growing dread. ’She’s sending a ssage. A brutal, bloody ssage to and Mira as well as the cincubines they will be joining.’
’She ruined their wombs. That’s why they never conceived. She made sure they couldn’t. And now that the emperor is gone, she’s tying up loose ends, removing the evidence and wiping the slate clean with their blood.’
"Drag them out!" llisa commanded sharply, rising to her feet. "Bring in the new concubines. I am the head of the harem. I do not ask...I command."
The eunuchs moved swiftly, each grabbing a concubine by the arms and hauling them away. Their sobs echoed down the corridor, filling the harem with the sounds of desperation and impending death. Their weeping pleas faded only when the grand doors closed behind them.
Monts later, the heavy doors opened again...this ti with an air of ceremony. Two young won stepped in, their steps graceful, their clothes dazzling in shades of gold and ivory. Their jewelry sparkled in the morning light as they bowed deeply before llisa.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness, Empress Luna," they chorused in practiced unison, warm smiles fixed upon their flawless faces.
"Introduce yourselves," llisa ordered with a casual wave of her hand, her gaze appraising.
"I am Celine, Your Highness," the blonde one replied sweetly, lowering her gaze respectfully. Her voice was light and musical. "My father is a renowned warrior. His elite soldiers serve under the emperor in tis of war."
llisa nodded faintly.
"I am Rose, Your Highness," the red-haired one said with a deep bow. "My father is a rchant.. our family is responsible for producing all the fine garnts worn within the palace."
"Very well. Have a seat," llisa said with a lazy wave of her fingers.
The two new concubines stepped forward and took their seats just as four palace maids entered, each carrying a tray with a black ceramic bowl. Steam rose from the dark liquid within.
"You are to report here every morning to take this tonic," llisa declared. "It promotes good health and of course, enhances fertility. We must ensure your wombs are... properly prepared."
The young won bowed their heads in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness," they said in perfect harmony before picking up their bowls and drinking the tonic in one gulp.
Sorayah watched from the sidelines, a bitter scoff escaping her lips.
Fools, she thought, her eyes narrowing. Whether it promotes fertility or ensures infertility is another matter.Destroying the wombs of cincubines is common in the harem.
As the tonic bowls were collected by the maids, llisa’s eyes swept over the room. Her gaze locked onto Sorayah and Mirabel.
"Why aren’t you two taking the tonic?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm but laced with quiet nace.
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