Put me down

Sylphina's heart raced as she trudged through the castle gardens, her mind spiraling into panic. Tears blurred her vision, and she didn't bother wiping them away. What was the point? She'd heard every word, every cruel dismissal Valeria had uttered about her.

"She wants me to suffer," Sylphina whispered to herself, her voice trembling. The knot in her stomach tightened as she tried to find an empty corner of the estate where she could be alone.

How could I have been so foolish? She thought back to the shared dinner, to the fleeting moments when Valeria seemed almost... kind. It was all a trick a calculated move to make the inevitable torment worse.

Her mind raced with horrifying possibilities. What will she do to me? Starve me? Whip me? Humiliate me in front of the entire court?

Her breath hitched, and she stumbled forward, clutching a low stone wall for support. A dark thought took root, and she shuddered at its weight. Wouldn't it be better to end things myself? Before she has the chance to destroy me completely?

The idea lingered like a poisonous whisper, and Sylphina clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She gritted her teeth, frustration and despair bubbling over. "This is all his fault," she spat, her voice breaking.

Her father's face flashed in her mind, stern and unyielding."because of your arrogance, my life is ruined."

She kicked a small stone by her foot, but instead of flying across the path, it barely budged. Pain shot through her toes, sharp and unforgiving. "Ow!" she cried, hopping on one foot. The sudden sting broke her composure entirely, and she crumpled to the ground, sobbing.

The sound of approaching footsteps snapped her out of her despair. She looked up and froze. Valeria.

The Empress's figure loomed in the distance, her dark uniform pristine against the fading light. Sylphina's chest tightened as Valeria's sharp voice rang out. "Sylphina!"

Panic seized her. She couldn't let Valeria see her like this weak, vulnerable. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the ache in her foot, and turned to run. But her escape was short-lived.

Her ankle twisted on the uneven ground, and she tumbled forward with a yelp, landing hard on her hands and knees. Pain radiated up her leg, and when she glanced down, her stomach churned. Blood trickled from a shallow gash on her shin, staining the hem of her dress.

She tried to move, but her injured leg refused to cooperate. The dull thud of Valeria's boots grew louder, each step a hammer blow to Sylphina's fraying nerves.

This is it, she thought, tears streaming down her face. She's going to laugh at me. Mock me for my weakness.

But when Valeria finally reached her, she did none of those things. Instead, she crouched down beside Sylphina, her face impassive save for a flicker of something concern? in her piercing gaze.

"Are you alright?" Valeria asked, her tone cold but not unkind.

Sylphina couldn't bring herself to answer. Her throat tightened, and she averted her gaze, fresh tears spilling onto her cheeks.

Valeria sighed, the sound heavy with exasperation. For a moment, Sylphina dared to hope that the Empress might simply leave her there. But then she felt Valeria's arms slide beneath her, lifting her with ease.

"W-What are you doing? Put me down!" Sylphina stammered, her face flushing as her hands instinctively shot to Valeria's shoulders for balance.

"Stop squirming," Valeria replied curtly, ignoring her protests.

Sylphina's panic surged as a faint citrusy scent enveloped her mandarin, fresh and sharp, mingled with the clean, subtle fragrance of soap. It was oddly calming, and for a fleeting moment, her racing heart slowed. But the reprieve was short-lived.

"I mean it! Put me down!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch.

Valeria didn't respond. Instead, a dark aura began to shimmer around them, tendrils of shadow coiling in the air like living smoke. Sylphina's breath hitched as her surroundings blurred, the world melting into inky blackness.

When the darkness receded, they were no longer in the garden. Sylphina blinked, disoriented, as the familiar opulence of Valeria's chambers came into focus.

Her panic returned tenfold. Why did she bring me here? What is she planning to do?

Valeria laid her gently on the edge of the massive bed, her movements uncharacteristically careful. Sylphina's instincts screamed at her to act, to do something before it was too late.

As Valeria straightened, she reached out, her gloved hand moving toward Sylphina's injured leg.

No.

Before she could think, Sylphina lunged forward, sinking her teeth into Valeria's wrist with as much force as she could muster.

Valeria recoiled, a sharp hiss escaping her lips. For a moment, the room was silent save for the faint rustle of fabric as they stared at each other.

Sylphina's chest heaved, her pulse pounding in her ears. She didn't regret her actions, not yet. If this was the end, she would at least go down fighting.