Finally, the twisting dark tunnel opens up into a well furnished room from behind a wall length painting. I am dumped on the bed. Immediately, I throw myself toward the visible door but find myself instead being flung back onto the bed. Pulling out the gag so that it is easier to breathe, I fight a losing fight. The gag cloth is stuffed back in my mouth the moment I start to scream. My useless gown is torn from me and strips of it are used to tie each limb to each corner of the bed. One at a time. My angry tears are useless. My strength too small. My chest heaves for breath and I am exhausted already.
It can't be. I have to fight. I have to keep fighting.
What do I do?
What can I do?
"Now we can pick up where we left off," the Prince says, pulling out my beautiful apricot blossom hairpin and examining it closely. My hair loosens onto the bed, while I stare wide eyed and still panting. "My brother doesn't know, but I've tamed almost all his consorts already. I humbled them. Watching them struggle and fight, only to surrender beneath me has been so much fun. You, however, have been the hardest to get a hold of. You are so weak if you're tired already. You know, he truly values you and keeps a close watch on your safety. Why though, I don't understand. What use is a broken doll like you? Looks like all my hard work is about to pay off. It's only a matter of time now, before I take his throne. You should be happy after all he's done to you. It's time that selfish, arrogant tyrant gets what he deserves. I've never liked him."
I struggle and cry and scream through the cloth, but the sound is muffled and the knots around my wrists and ankles only tighten until I feel my hands and feet swell, tingling.
The Prince chuckles and caresses me. He slowly pulls the torn cloth away. Finishes tearing the dress completely open. Yanks my underclothes from me and when they won't come, cuts them off with a sharp knife.
"He really should have listened to me from the beginning and just given you to me. But no, he had to fight me for you and take you by force. When you rejected him, he had to break you over and over to spite me - you - us. You didn't know? You're useless now. He doesn't actually love you. You're just a pet to him. A game. A toy to play with. A way to get back at me. Or you. Nobody had ever refused him before and now, nobody but that arrogant bastard is ever going to want you now. He wanted you to be fully reliant on him and to know no one and nothing else beside him. He's such a sore loser. Once I've had my way with you and I'm tired of you, I'll send you back to him piece by piece. Let's see how he likes having his things taken and broken. None of his consorts dare to face him. That's why they're all committing suicide and he had to have a banquet to show off and pretend everything is all right. What? Why that look? You didn't know. I suppose you wouldn't. Who would bother keeping the crazy, simpleton consort informed? You probably didn't even know you've been trapped in a prison. I have to admit, getting rid of all his children is becoming a bit tedious now. There are so many of them and so many have already been sent into hiding. It's hilarious watching him rush around trying to find out why all his consorts are dying. Why his children are dying. Who is attacking him. Trying to protect his favourite pet. I've got you now."
Revenge burns so hot in the man that I feel like I am being singed by the flames.
"Why did Father choose him over me? It should have been me. I was meant to be Emperor. I only made one little mistake and I lost everything. Everything. But him? His mistakes were proclaimed genius or covered up. It wasn't fair. This is his fault. Don't you look at me with those judging eyes. I didn't have any other choice. You hear me? I didn't want to do any of this but he decided to kill me out of the blue. If I don't try to protect myself, who will?
His hands slide up my thighs and I close my eyes, attempting to submerge my consciousness into a place where I will not have to be witness to what is coming. Now would be a good time for the madness to take over but all I have is this sharp clarity. I am tied down. I can't escape. I have no strength. There is no way to call for help. I hear a rustle as he fiddles with his clothes and I sob through the cloth in my mouth.
His lips and hands dirty my skin. Through the dusty cloth, I can taste the metallic blood and bitterness of fear. I can taste the salt water of my tears.