Summary: Scaramouche's first meeting with the reader was not what he was expecting.
CW: Misandry, Matriarchial society, reverse harem, war prizes (selling men), implied abuse towards Scaramouche, Ei and Yae Miko are not good people. Is reader actually being kind or is she doing what needs to be done(?). Point of view is mainly from Scaramouche and what he see's so the reader is basically called stranger/guest because she is not known to Scaramouche yet. Some politics (not very good politics FYI), one line mentions uncomfortable/nonconsensual touching (not from reader), men needing to be pure or clean (mentioned once near the end). Reader is implied to be taller than Scaramouche.
He thought that it was going to be like any other day. He was rudely woken up by the servants and basically forced to be washed and dressed. His clothes picked out for him, his hair and makeup done without any say from him. He never understood why he had to go through this basically every day. He was rarely allowed to leave his room as it was, so no one ever really saw him. The only thing different on the days that he was allowed to leave was the clothing. Out in public, he had to wear a specific collar, indicating his status. He did not have his face covered like the consorts or concubines were supposed to which made sense, since he was neither. It was to signify his position as a war prize.
Seeing the gleam of the bronze collar on the table, he realized that today he was required to be out in public. For what, he did not know, but one thing he was sure on was that it wasn't going to be an easy day.
"The collar?" He hushed out, trying to get an answer from the bustling servants. He wasn't surprised to have been met with silence. He knew how they see him. Lesser, pitiful, ungrateful towards their master who has so graciously taken him in when he was just a starving and forgotten child. Except he wasn't taken in, he was stolen and forced to serve. From his former negligent master to a cruel master, he was switched as if he was nothing more than piece of meat for the strongest to fight over.
He kept quiet as everyone moved around him. He let them maneuver his head, offering no resistance. Let them slide whatever clothing they wanted onto him. It wasn't until he heard the unclasping of the collar that he shuddered. It was a miniscule movement but he couldn't escape the glares sent his way, as if daring him to try and struggle.
It wasn't the first time it was put on him, but the chill of the collar closing in around his neck caused him to shiver. He squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth, trying to suppress the need to jerk away from their touch. It was pulled behind his neck and tightened to where there was a constant pressure around his throat. He most likely would struggle just drinking. Eating was out of the question entirely, unless he wanted to choke himself - something that has happened to him before. As it was clasped together, he was biting his tongue hard enough to draw blood. The metallic taste filling his mouth but he just swallowed it down.
After the collar was clasped on, the majority of the servants left the room. Only two individuals were left in the room, one another servant and the other caused him to sit up straighter. The pink hair and sly chuckle that filled the air left him to suppress the dread and uncertainty growing in his body.
"Preparation's done?"
The attendant bowed to Yae Miko as she came and stood in front of Scaramouche, her purple eyes assessing him. He kept his head down, the proper procedure having been engrained in him long ago.
"Yes, mi'lady."
Yae Miko let out a small hum of approval. It was after the attendants left and when it was just the two of them left alone in the room that she showed her displeasure. However, what was odd, was that it wasn't directed to Scaramouche. Instead she seemed to be contemplating something. Whether it was about him or something else that was bothering her, Scaramouche couldn't say.
"I just cannot figure out why she requested to see you." It was obvious Yae Miko wasn't referring the Ei. The clear distain in her voice would never had been voiced towards Ei. He knew first hand how deep her loyalty to the eldest imperial sister goes.
"Well... actually I can imagine one reason but she wouldn't do something as brazen - as disrespectful - as that." She, essentially, spat the word out.
It was obvious that she wasn't talking to Scaramouche nor was she expecting an answer. He knew that she felt comfortable talking freely because he wouldn't be able to tell anyone what he had heard.
He was unsure who she was talking about. There had been whispers in the halls about a guest who was visiting. However, it wasn't hard to tell that whoever this mystery person was, they were not on good terms with Ei. He can't imagine why such tensions would be running rampant. As far as he knew, there was no one who stood as an actual threat to Ei.
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In front of him the servants hand hesitated. He could see their hand shake and the dampness on their palms. As the door was finally push open, Scaramouche eyes squeezed shut as a gust of air hit him and his hands unconsciously clenched at his clothing. The tension was basically seeping out of the room and he couldn't imagine how much worse it would be in the room.
As he stepped into the room, he noted how even some of Ei council women were wearing fearful and hesitant looks. Ei stood out in her noticeable purple clothing and the crown on her head. She was showing off her power. Ei rarely wore the golden crown unless she wanted to emphasize her position or intimidate someone in submission - something he experienced first hand.
He couldn't see the person opposite of Ei, but even the sitting arrangement was meant to infer the superiority of Ei and the inferiority of the other person. There were not many people. At Ei's side stood Yae Miko. Along the walls were Ei's best soldiers. He recognized a few of them and immediately diverted his attention away from them. He situated himself, moving as if to shake off invisible hands gripping his body.
He then noticed a few unfamiliar faces. There were two women, one with long light blue hair that was tied back and she was wearing a black outfit with a golden cape. However, his eyes were easily drawn to the large claymore strapped to her side. The other women has similar white-blue hair but was much shorter and had a hair pin pulling back her bangs. She also wore lighter, more feminine clothes. At her side, a smaller sword rested. The third figure caused scaramouche's eyes to widen. It wasn't another female but rather a male. He was fairly tall and even under his clothes, Scaramouche could tell he was well-built. What was the most odd, wasn't the polearm at his side or the fact that he was wearing conservative and what looked like protective clothing but that he wasn't kneeling in the room.
As Scaramouche was ushered into the room, he followed through with the proper procedure. He formally greeted Ei, bowed to her and wait for her to acknowledge him so that he may once more stand up. He could feel eyes on him. He was used to Ei's and her guards eyes but this time he could feel the scrutiny of the guests. He didn't even have to face them to know they were assessing him, looking him over head to toe. It was stifling. He felt like the air was getting thinner around him as he felt eyes on him from every angle.
Scaramouche was expecting to be dismissed not soon after but to his surprise he was dragged from his position on the floor to next to Ei's chair. He didn't resist as hands on his shoulders forced him to kneel down on the marble ground. The chill of the cold floor against his skin left goosebumps forming.
It was silent. No one seemed to want to make the first move.
"I suppose congratulations are in order." Ei broke the silence in the room. Her voice nonchalant as she ran the tip of her thumb over a dagger she had resting on her lap.
Scaramouche felt he could read Ei quite easily - he could read most women without any problems. A habit he long ago picked up in order to ensure his own safety.
Ei was on guard, that much was obvious. But there was still a amusement in her tone as she stared at the women sitting across from her. As well as not to subtly hidden mockery. When it came to the stranger, Scaramouche wasn't able to read her at all. It was unnerving. He could tell everyone else in the room felt the same - well except for Yae Miko and the people that the stranger brought with her.
"Come now," Ei didn't give an time for the guest to speak.
"Don't be so shocked," Ei shrugged gently. Her eyes dropping to the dagger in her hand. "Signoria's downfall spread far and wide. I'd be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't hear about it. Especially considering the fact that the one who killed her was her own sister - back from the dead with a vengeance." Her words were sharp even under the relaxed tone. Multiple of the guards flinched and some seemed to curl into themselves. No doubt wishing to be anywhere except in this room. Scaramouche shared the sentiment.
The stranger didn't reply for a long while. Scaramouche guessed she was staring at Ei but it was hard to tell. Finally the stranger let out a sigh and shook her head.
"You misunderstand,"
Her voice was much softer, Scaramouche noted. She was straight to the point and firm but there was no underly cruelty or superiority to it. However, he wouldn't go so far as to call her tone kind. There was no kindness in her voice or her body language.
"I didn't come for congratulations." Scaramouche watched as the woman relaxed back against the seat.
"Oh?" Ei quirked an eyebrow. "Then why come here? Thought because you defeated our sister's pathetic attempts of a war, you'd be strong enough to fight me?"
Scaramouche watched as the stranger yet again shook her head. Not really one for words, he thought.
"I didn't come for a fight. There is no reason to anyways." The implications in your tone were not lost on Ei. Even if you were half way across the world, the crown is yours by blood right. However, Ei knows that even if you stood in front of every kingdom and pronounced your right to the crown, very few would be willing to follow you as you are right now. However, that doesn't mean things can change in the future.
"So you've traveled all this way for what? To gloat?" A small smirk formed on Ei's lips. "Or is it for petty childish revenge." Ei shrugged, like she couldn't give a damn. "We were all kids then, there is no use to clinging to past actions."
You suppresses a sound of indignation. You were five years old when she was fifteen. You both knew that Ei was well aware of the actions she took towards you. You can feel the scars on your hands and legs ache and sting as you remember how you got them. You remember watching through your tear filled vision, Ei hiding her amusement behind a carefully placed fan to hide her laughter.
"The past is in the past for a reason." Ei spoke and Scaramouche watched as her eyes narrowed at the woman across from her.
"If you would let me speak," the stranger cleared their throat and there was a subtle shift in the air. No one spoke to Ei like that. Not unless they were signing a death sentence. "I can tell you why I traveled all this way."
Ei stilled. Her hand drop the dagger to his lap. "Then why did you?"
"Simple," the stranger shrugged. "A truce."
"… Truce?" This was the first time Scaramouche ever saw Ei stunned.
Ei let out a bark of laughter. "And here I thought you might have been able to grasp some semblance of intelligence. Seems your father's lessons didn't stick as well as he had hoped."
There was a scrap against the ground. The sound of metal scratching at the marble, leaving a distinct mark on the ground. It wasn't the stranger who moved, it was the male standing next to her. Scaramouche watched as his grip tightened around the length of his polearm, digging it into the floor, the marble cracking due to the pressure. There was a slight tremble in his body but Scaramouche highly doubted it was due to fear.
No, it was anger being suppressed; Scaramouche knows better than anyone what that feels like.
Scaramouche's eyes darted back towards the woman who didn't so much as shift her weight at Ei's words.
"Let me ask you this," The stranger held a hand up and Scaramouche watched as the previously tense male was quickly placated. "How are you going to feed your people, stop the diseases running rampant in the villages on the boarders of your lands. Whether or not you care about them is of no concern to me. But, you go to war over the littlest thing - it is what you're best at - you think you can support an army with how little care goes to anyone who isn't at the head of your army or council?"
"You're here to offer me advice?" Ei's voice tightened, her body straightening in her seat.
A small, breathy laugh left the stranger. "No. I'm simply stating facts. I have no desire to go to war against anyone anytime soon - even more so with someone as… experienced as you. And let's face it. I'm of no threat to you, nor do I plan to be - "
" - you expect me to believe that?" Ei cut the stranger off.
"Still," you didn't even seem to care that Ei spoke. "You have a strong army. Strong generals. Strong abilities. There is no doubt about that. But you lack medicine. You lack food and agriculture for your people. I can help with that."
"Get on with. What do you truly want. Protection?"
The stranger smiled, the corner of their lips quirking up as if they just heard something funny. "No. No protection. More of a safety precaution. I own Signoria's lands now which are right next to yours. We may not have seen each other for over a decade but I know how you work. I know that second I started putting my people there, you would make a move. I am asking that you don't. In return I will grant you the medicine you need, I have very skilled physicians and alchemists. I will also give the villages under you that are suffering a portion of crops and grains - at least until they can survive on their own."
Scaramouche tensed at the underhanded insults the stranger spoke to Ei. It didn't take a scholar to hear the shortcomings that were being pointed out about Ei's rule.
"So this is why you came? You move people to neighboring lands and only ask of me not to attack them in exchange for food and grains." Ei let out her own chuckle. "You expect me to believe that is all."
Ei wasn't going to agree. Scaramouche could tell. But other seems to realize this as well when some of Ei's court officials stepped forward, albeit very hesitantly, and whispered to her. A hushed conversation took place and Scaramouche focused on the stranger and the people next to her. None of you moved or so much as look perturbed. If anything, there was still a small smirk on the stranger's face as she watched the exchange.
Scaramouche silently went over everything you and Ei said and even he could see that you're offer was good - great even. You were basically asking for nothing in return. Just that Ei doesn't attack but its not like you were asking for army personnel, food, supplies, agriculture, or anything that he knows other nobles have asked of Ei.
A throat was cleared and the people around Ei disbursed back into their previous positions. "My council believes it would be worthwhile considering your offer." Ei's reluctance was apparent in her tone. "I will withhold attacking your lands as long as you abide by the rules given and our people and lands do not interact unless allowed."
"Seems fair."
The tension in the air was still oppressive, baring down on everyone there but there was also a subtle sigh of relief. Although, not from Ei, Yae Miko, or the stranger and her company.
The silence stretched on.
The stranger cleared her throat, her hands moving to rest on her knees as she leaned forward. "Truces are usually signified by the signing or giving of something. However, since I am the only one giving your kingdom something, I believe it is only fair that I am given something in return, in order to make sure that you keep your word. That is proper procedure, is it not?"
That wasn't really a question.
"I suppose that is only fair." Ei replied, her eyes scrutinizing the woman across from her. "Though it seems like you've already got an idea of what you want. Spit it out then."
A hum left the strangers voice and Scaramouche felt himself tense. He wasn't sure why but he could have swore that the stranger turned her attention to him. Even with her eyes covered, there came a heaviness with her gaze - an almost suffocating pressure fell onto his shoulders.
"What about him?" The stranger's voice dropped, any amusement she had previously held had quickly disappeared.
There was an outrage from Ei's side.
"How dare you!"
"The arrogance - "
"Should be killed for being so brazen."
The stranger looked completely calm. Not so much as shifting as spews of hate and anger was directed towards her. For a brief moment Scaramouche could have sworn the stranger was enjoying the reactions. The three individuals who came with the stranger didn't seem shocked at the proposition but Scaramouche watched as they tensed up, their hands coming to cling to their weapons and how they positioned themselves more defensively.
Ei remained deceptively silent.
You don't ask for a previous war-prize, not after someone has already claimed him like Ei did from his previous masters. Its undermining Ei. It was not so subtly showing your own superiority over Ei. If Scaramouche wasn't so focused on the uncomfortable clenching in his stomach and the burning sensation crawling painfully up his throat, he would have found this situation hilarious but because he was basically in the center of the sisters' tug-of-war, he felt like he was going to collapse.
Finally Ei raised a hand and the chatter and insults quieted down.
"You claim to be here to help," Ei spits out the word. "Yet you do something as bold as ask for my prize."
Scaramouche used to flinch when he was called a prize. It should have been a complement. The word synonymous with treasure, valued, and yet it is used to humiliate him and show that he belongs to someone and that that is his only worth.
"Please," the stranger make a small sound in the back of her throat. "We both know you have no use for him. If anything I would suspect that the only ones who do are your advisors and court officials."
Scaramouche chose to ignore the implication of your words. Despite the fact that he wanted to refute and say nothing like that ever happened. Sure, some people have let their hands linger on him but he's still clean and he took an uncomfortable amount of pride in that - though he'd never let anyone know. He knows that would change if this information got out.
"He's not your only war prize and he wont be the last. He's not even your most valued one."
Scaramouche was able to tell that you had collected a lot of intel on Ei. Ei seemed to also realize that the stranger wasn't the same kid she tortured all those years ago.
The stranger continued, "Is the loss of one man really worth the lives of all the people in your villages if they don't get the grains and food I promised?"
Scaramouche dug his nails into his palm, the sting of pain comforting him as he forced back the burning of tears behind his eyes. They weren't from sadness or even despair. He knows he doesn't have a choice. He never did and it is so frustrating to know his voice and opinions and feelings don't matter.
"…. Very well." Ei seemed to concede, her back leaning against her chair. There were soft sounds of protest but no one paid any mind to it.
Scaramouche doubts that Ei will leave this insult alone. She won't strike back today, or tomorrow, or even a year from now. But the day will come when Ei will make the stranger pay.
"He belongs to you." Ei motioned one of her hands towards Scaramouche and one of her guards came to where he was still kneeling on the floor and grabbed his arm, roughly tugging him onto his feet.
Scaramouche stumbled, his knees and feet numb from kneeling for almost twenty minutes. He felt pins and needles crawl up his legs as he was pushed forward and he sprawled back onto the floor. He could ignore the pinpricks of humiliation at his display but what he couldn't ignore was the way that one of the guards on the stranger's side move to offer him her hand. It was the more feminine woman, who had pins in her hair.
Scaramouche glared at it - at her and pushed himself off the floor without any help. He wanted to yell and tear his hair out as he saw the pity in the woman's eyes but she just moved back to the stranger's side, allowing him to get up on his own.
"I think this conversation is over," the stranger broke the silence as she moved to stand up from her chair. She was taller than Scaramouche expected. The top of his head reached about her chin.
"Agreed," Ei stood up as well. Neither of them made any move to shake hands. "I'll be keeping an eye out for your promised materials."
The stranger just hummed. She took a step closer to Scaramouche and he forced his body not to move. The air around her felt different in a way he couldn't explain. It felt like air he was breathing in was scorching his lungs. She stepped about a foot away from Scaramouche and lifted one hand up. He squeezed his eyes shut on instinct, expecting something cruel but to his surprise all he felt was a slight warmth around his neck.
His eyes shot open and one of his hands lifted to his neck unconsciously. He felt a slight sting of heat against the skin of his neck but then when he pulled his hand away from his neck, he saw something dark and ashy in his hands. It was dust. The collar around his neck was no longer constricting him. It was in his hand and on the floor as the stranger disintegrated it in front of everyone.
He stared at the stranger with wide-eyes.
The stranger didn't offer him any words or do anything else. Instead she just turned her back and started to walk out the door. The male at her side followed her but the two guards the stranger brought with her waited and motioned for him to follow the stranger. It was only after he hesitantly took one step and then another until he was basically scurrying out of the room that the two women followed.