Part 1 is complete! I hope you like it. It's a little sort, mind. I'm just so happy to be sharing my whump writing for the first time. None of it could have happened without the help of my amazing beta reader @eunice-12 !!!
I step into the Great Hall, my calloused hands hidden in the deep pockets of my dress. The room is decorated with golden banners and rare flowers, the kind one can only find in Faerieland. Three large wooden tables stand in the back, forming a half circle. In the middle, I can see Lords and Ladies of the Gentry swaying to the cheerful melodies of the fae and human instruments both. They all look as magical as they probably are, with detailed, velvet suits and huge expensive dresses made from the finest silks. I look back down to my own dress, an elegant dark blue gown with gold lining worthy of the night sky. I can hardly believe I'm wearing something so beautiful. It's nothing like the tattered, brown dresses and aprons I' m used to wearing, the same as all the other slave girls. But I am no longer a slave, I am now celebrated as a worthy member of the Imperial council. Now that the Folk can choose their own leaders, instead of all the power concentrated on the High King alone, the Imperial Council has been formed. Lord Roiben and Lady Aurelia from the Seliee court, Lilith and Lord Alef from the Unseelie court , as well as Generals Xandria and Phonos from the Comonfolk , and...me, a human.
Grateful as I am, I still don’t understand why I was chosen. I’ve been a slave, spy then a medic, but none of them prepared me for this. Stolen from my human family as an infant and raised in the High King’s palace, I spent my childhood scrubbing floors and carrying trays. Later, I served in far harsher ways under Prince Ferian, the youngest of the royal children. Despite being young, he was the former king's favourite and the one who would inherit the throne, which gave him the freedom and power to hurt me uncontrolled. Even now, memories of those years surface uninvited, sharp as broken glass.
"Lobelia!" It's Lord Alef, in his extravagant green suit with silver sequences that contrast with his orange hair. He is an interesting person, and although we always disagree during council meetings, he is really friendly and fun to be around, if just a little blunt. "How are you, my dear? Are you enjoying the ball? It can't compare to the parties we have at the Unseelie court, of course, but even I have to admit Lady Aurelia knows how to throw a celebration! "
Before I can respond, he continues, " But, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about! I've gotten you a gift you'll surely enjoy!"
He giggles, clear as a river, and guides me to a side room. When I open the door, a dark green one with bronze adornments, I can't believe my eyes. A name hits my mind like a blow. For a heartbeat, I’m twelve again, scrubbing blood from marble floors while he laughs behind me.
It's Ferian. But not the Ferian I remember. Instead of glossy, blonde curls that softly frame his face, I see dirty, slimy stands. Instead of layers of beautiful makeup, golden powders and red lipstick, his face is littered with scars, cuts and bruises in various stages of healing. Instead of red silks, capes and extravagant shirts, with golden jewellery and rubies, he is wearing a simple black tunic, that leaves his battered chest exposed, and a tight iron colar. He is kneeling on the hard wooden floor, red eyes fixed on my boots, in a display of submission that I can't fathom seeing in someone so arrogant. As much as I hate him, I feel a pang of pity in my heart. Ferian looks broken.
Lord Alef notices me staring and, with a giggle, asks if I recognize the prisoner. Of course I do. No matter how many years have passed I could have never forgotten the face that had hurt me, humiliated me and killed my best friend. I smile and try to suppress the tears falling under my eyelids. I can't appear weak. Lord Alef smiles back, "Well, I'll let you to it! He's yours to keep obviously. I know you have some... personal history with him! Please, if you're ever thinking of punishing him publicly, send me a messenger!"