*ABUSE WARNING*
Zarah and Iris were knelt in front of the Madam, whose gaze could pierce through the most solid of materials.
Their heads were down as they didn't dare to look at the Madam.
The Madam was practically combusting with rage. On any other occasion she would have beaten both the girls to death, but that currently was not an available option.
When the two girls had been brought into the Madam's chambers, she had slapped Zarah so hard that the young girl's cheek had started bleeding.
She had intended to have both the girls whipped, but Jennifer interfered and informed her that all the girls from Zarah's batch had escaped, leaving only three behind – Celine, Iris and Zarah herself — If the Madam were to kill the latter two then only one flower maiden would be produced the year they were to come of age.
That would neither be profitable for her nor beneficial for the Imperial palace. The Madam decided to not kill them off but punish them severely, she had made them kneel in front of her as she pondered what punishment to give them.
Zarah didn't look up but she felt the Madam's cold glare on her as the hairs on her back stood up.
The silence was more frightening than the Madam's insults and harsh words. She wanted to make sure Iris was okay, but she knew better than to turn her head and look her way.
'At least Miss Jennifer didn't back out on her word, she actually pleaded to make our punishment less,' Zarah thought while taking a shaky breath, 'She kept her end of the deal, I will keep mine – her secret will stay buried with me.'
"So," The Madam began, her voice dripping with venom, "Zarah was the mastermind and Iris her partner in crime?"
Her gaze swept across the room and fixed on Iris's kneeling form.
"Lock Iris in the dark chamber. No food is to be supplied — only one cup of water every other day. She will remain there for two weeks," the Madam commanded.
Iris felt her throat go dry; her body was already trembling at the thought of being in the dark room.
There were no windows in the dark room, not a single stream of light could pass through its thick walls – hence the name.
Iris feared the dark, she wanted to cry out and beg at the Madam's feet – anything to stop this punishment. Then a thought hit her, if she begged for mercy they would serve her the blade to kill herself with. She gulped, swallowing the lump of fear in her throat, she didn't want to, so she squeezed her eyes shut. She accepted the punishment.
With a flick of the Madam's wrist the guards moved forward towards Iris, hauling her up harshly by her arms.
Zarah bit down on her lips as she felt the guards drag Iris out towards the dark room. She felt helpless, her heart beating loudly in her own ears. She wanted to get up and chase after them to help Iris, instead she clenched her hands into fists tighter.
She wouldn't react – she wouldn't give the Madam the satisfaction of making it worse.
Zarah's fingernails had dug crescents into her palms. Her own punishment was left — she had to hold on, she had to live. She still had to save Empress Ines and shut this brothel down; she couldn't die without meeting Ines and issuing the brothel's demise.
She hadn't realized the Madam was standing in front of her until she felt a sharp tug of pain, the Madam had yanked Zarah's head up, her grip on Zarah's hair iron clad.
"Prepare a large tray of burning coal and bring my whip," the Madam said, a sadistic smile curving her lips, "I know how to deal with brats who forget their place and plan escapes."
Zarah felt her skin crawl with dread, her heart lurching. 'What punishment did the Madam plan on giving her?' she thought as her face went pale in fear. Yet she didn't open her mouth to beg; she knew that would only fuel the Madam's anger.
The guards themselves had physically paled, as if they knew what the cruel punishment was. At the Madam's words they immediately started making the arrangements she had asked.
Jennifer tried to protest, much to Zarah's surprise – she hadn't expected that much from her, no matter the deal.
"Madam, she's the best contender for the flower maiden candidates, and with such a limited number of girls in this batch, we have no choice but to make them candidates and later flower—" Jennifer's words were cut short as the Madam slapped her across the cheek.
"Did I ask your opinion, Jennifer?" The Madam hissed in anger.
Jennifer lowered her head stepping back, "No, Mistress, forgive me, for I have spoken out of line," her voice cracked; her hands neatly folded in front of her.
The Madam smirked, satisfied at the obedience, "Good girl, Jennifer," she purred.
One of the guards stepped forward and interrupted. They had already arranged for the burning tray of coal and brought the Madam's whip.
The Madam grinned widely as she dragged Zarah forward by her hair.
Zarah felt the pain spread through her scalp, the sting of her nails biting into her skin as she fought the scream rising in her throat.
The Madam threw Zarah forward as she stumbled to keep her balance and barely survived landing face-first into the burning tray of coal.
"What are you waiting for, brat? Step inside it," the Madam snarled.
Zarah's head twisted towards the Madam faster than ever as she looked at her in shock. Her body froze, trying to register what the Madam had asked her to do.
"What?" That was the first word Zarah had spoken in front of the Madam since they were brought in.
The Madam was handed her whip by one of the guards, "You heard me, do I need to repeat myself, Zarah?" Her voice was cold, colder than ice itself.
Zarah's mouth was dry, her head pounding, heart aching before she quietly nodded and stepped inside the tray of burning coal.
She screamed out in agony, no longer able to contain her pain.
The whip in the Madam's hand slashed through the air and landed on Zarah's back as she screamed out, the pain, the hurt, the burn running through her body as her feet burned.
The whips kept landing as Zarah stood on the tray of burning coal. Her feet were on fire, her screams tearing from her throat — and with each scream, the Madam struck harder. Zarah's vision blurred, tears springing to her eyes as the world began to fade.