"Do you think he's going to call for me, Mother" the newly crowned Queen Hanuel asked as her maidservant, Madame Sora, removed the jeweled hair clips, brushing the long dark strands gently.
"That I can't assure you, your grace. But remember that the emperor is certainly interested in you else he won't have married you" Madame Sora said softly
Hanuel said with a small pout, "Maybe it was for political reasons," then she muttered, "Or maybe Father pleaded with him-- just to be rid of me." Sora slowed her brushing.
"You are nervous," she said kindly. "But you need not be. You are beautiful, educated, and well-mannered. You will make a wonderful wife. Even if the emperor does not love you now… he will come to eventually." Madame Sora said assuring the anxious queen who managed to show a smile though she knew that it was all a lie.
She knew the emperor had no love for her, and he would never have any eyes on her, because he was in love with the imperial consort. Not that she was so sure but she had heard the servants back at her father's castle whispered about it and whenever she and the emperor were out promenading, he never looked at her and when he did, whenever their paths crossed, his gaze passed over her as if she were invisible.
Or worse. It was with undisguised hatred. He hated her! Reasons, she had no idea about.
A knock on the door interrupted them as Hanuel wore a robe to cover her nightdress. She then motioned for Sora to open the door after which a guard spoke
"Your imperial majesty, I've come with news" he said with a bow, Hanuel rose from her dressing chair before walking closer.
"Tell me about it" she said
"His imperial majesty seeks your presence in his chambers" the guard said, at the mention of this, Hanuel's breath hitched, she turned to Sora who made no effort to hide her grin, with a quiet sigh, Hanuel nodded.
" Take me to him" she said about to go along with the guard when Sora stopped her briefly, sprayed rose fragrance over her gown. Hanuel blushed before going out.
The walk through the palace corridors was strangely unsettling or so she thought, The halls were dark, illuminated only by flickering candles that cast long shadows against the walls.
"Are you sure this is the way to..." Hanuel stopped speaking
The guard escorting her had suddenly halted.
They stood beside the royal indoor pool, its dark water reflecting the candlelight like liquid glass.
"And if it isn't the new bride"
Hanuel stiffened.
Lady Seraphina Vale stepped forward gracefully from the shadows, her smile sharp and mocking.
With a flick of her slender fingers, the guard who had escorted the queen hurried away without a word.
Hanuel felt her chest tighten much to her displeasure.
She despised Seraphina's presence. The imperial consort never bothered hiding her contempt for the empress.
"What do you wish to say, Lady Vale?" Hanuel asked, forcing calm into her voice. "If you have something to say, then say it quickly cause..."
"The emperor called onto you?" Seraphina interrupted, her tone dripping with mockery.
Hanuel frowned slightly for she didn't like where all this was going.
"I once heard you were clever so i atleast thought you would be, even if it was a little" Seraphina continued."because it was no rumor that you studied far beyond what was expected of a lady just to win your father's affection."
Her smile twisted cruelly."
"But my thoughts... If your father loved a cursed woman like your mother… then perhaps he is simply a fool." Lady Seraphina's words cut sharply, her smile twisted cruelly.
A cutting slap echoed in the corridor.
"You can hurl all your abuses on me but do not speak of my family. Never!!" Hanuel said with defiance in her eyes but it took a second for it to disappear and her to turn back to the timid girl she was.
"You Bitch!!" Seraphina cussed wiping the blood from her lips before pulling Hanuel's hair backwards
"I don't know what audacity you had to marry my love or to think he will call you out but just know the only place you will be going tonight is your end" Seraphina said then shoved Hanuel; her head struck the water.
Hanuel struggled, coughing, but Seraphina pushed again—harder.
The next shove sent Hanuel stumbling into the pool. Hanuel rose to the surface taking a gasp for air but then her eyes noticed something far away, past the pool, across the dragon arch, it was the emperor, her husband, and he was watching everything. Hanuel tried swimming out, but then Seraphina held her back, forcing her head back into the water.
Hanuel didn't fight back this time for she had lost her will to live. She was born hated and isolated by everyone except for Madame Sora whom was her mum headservant, took her in alongside her children, yura and rowan.
And now even after honing perfection to the bone she still couldn't achieve any love from anyone...
Slowly her thoughts began to fade as her eyes shut.