The black sludge was in her bloodstream already. It singed her singed her cells and blood. Making it feel like tiny ants were eating her insides. Lucy observes the changes in her body, seeing it damage her. This sludge was definitely poison. Lucy pouts. Will I die again? I haven't even gotten to see the sunset yet.
Seconds later, Lucy feels herself being picked up. Lucy slowly comes out of her trance, feigning sleep. Lucy cracks her eyelids open. She was in a feast hall, the scents of food making her mentally drool. I want meat, too! Lucy catches sight of Father, as the maid walks through the crowd. Lucy looks up eyes cold at the maid. The same one who fed her that vial. Lucy takes a deep breath, and SCREAMS!
The shrill wail cut through the air, as silence fell in the hall. Lucy jerks away from the maid tears streaming down her face, as she clutched her leg. The maid stumbles to a stop, staring stunned at Lucy. A clang cut through the air, Father's wine creating a puddle, reminiscent of the wet nurse's blood the night Lucy was born. His steps make a ringing sound, as he comes over.
Father grabs Lucy, embracing her. The maid stepping back, fear on her face. Lucy snuggles into his chest, allowing her scream to fade into sniffles, and muffled sobs. Father gently moves Lucy's hands, and skirt to reveal an ugly blossoming bruise. His head snaps up. "How dare you!" The air turns cutting, and the maid's throat opens like a sliced watermelon. Warm blood hit Lucy's blanket, as the maid's body falls to the floor. Lucy blinks. She's dead. For a moment, Lucy feels bad but remembering how the woman had almost suffocated her to death. Lucy loses the pity. The bitch deserved it. Gosh, I'm becoming bloodthirsty, aren't I?
"Brother, what happened? Is little Lucinda hurt?" A lady comes up, concern on her face. The face that looked like a mirror of Imperial Grandmother. Father purses his lips. "That maid bruised the Third Miss," Father says, his eyes cold. The woman sucks in a breath, catching sight of the bruise. Fury suddenly overtook her face, her lips turning white.
Father pats her head. "Never mind, Lee. Meet your niece." Father says, turning away from the body. The woman sighs. "Fine. Be stubborn." She says. Her eyes soften when they turn to Lucy. "I'm your Imperial Aunt Lee. You're the newest member of my Rimes Family" Imperial Aunt smiles stroking Lucy's head. "I bet you were bored during this Acknowledgement Ceremony. Soon, you have to do this again for your Rimes Family. Still, the paternal side had to be done first." Imperial Aunt imparted in a confiding tone. "Little Sister, Lucy doesn't understand you," Father says, exasperated. No. Don't stop. I'm getting important information here! Imperial Aunt just shrugs. "Babes are comforted by voices they trust. It's never too early to share this information. After all, Rimes Lucinda is the daughter of my Rimes Family." Imperial Aunt says. Are the women of the Imperial clan part of the Rimes Family? This is so strange!
Before Lucy can think more Imperial Grandmother comes up. Her gaze on Lucy's bruise. "Go get liniment the Sung family sent me for the Young Miss's leg." Imperial grandmother orders a maidservant by her side.
Imperial Grandmother glances at the body. "String up her body and whip it. Sell the women of her family as pleasure slaves. Execute the rest." Imperial Grandmother orders, almost idly. Lucy blinks. Hmm, I'm still not as bloodthirsty as Grandma, though.