I entered the enormous room that was intricately and grandly designed. Seated on a grand seat at the center of the room was a tall, large man. As I got closer to him his face came into full view. He appeared to be in his early 30s and had a hard face, a prominent jawbone, blonde hair, golden eyes, and tan skin.
He was handsome. His body was also quite muscular, his physique showing through the clothes he was wearing. 'General Kang' my thoughts came in again. He was my husband, no, Ayans' husband. He was an imperial General the highest level of command that can be achieved in the imperial army. He was famous across the empire for having achieved it at 29 the youngest ever in the empire's history to get the title. Most would get that title well into their 40s.
On either side of him were seated four beautiful women, all dressed in similar clothing to what I was wearing. 'They were his other wives.' He had five wives in total; Rina, Laika, Maris, Samira, and Ayan, all the names came to mind.
I was brought to stand in front of the general and made to kneel before him. As soon as the General's eyes landed on me a scowl appeared on his face. If eyes could kill I would be dead from the way he was staring at me. I found myself frozen in fear.
"Ayan you have once again disappointed me." The general's deep intimidating voice reverberated around the room. Shivers went down my spine as he spoke. "Due to last night's party, I couldn't deal with you, but you will now face your judgment." He said in a disappointed tone.
"Your inability to show some maturity and have patience has only caused you to fall further and further, out of my favor."
The other wives brought the long arm sleeves of their dresses to cover their mouths. They were probably snickering at me from behind.
"Your behavior for the past few months has only been getting worse and last night showed me how unhinged and perhaps even dangerous you are."
Kang then turned to look at the wife that sat closest to him. It was Lakia. As I observed her I noticed her right arm was injured and had a cast wrapped around it. Laika at the mention of her injured arm suddenly make a pitiful expression on her face. Kang placed his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. To which the other three wives gave her a jealous look. I bet Laika was exaggerating the extent of her injury to look more helpless in front of the general.
Then the memory came to mind. The day before, Ayan had injured Laika. The general had been preparing to go to a private party for nobility in the empire. He had chosen Laika and Maris to be his chosen wives to accompany him. Ayan, out of jealousy and spite caused a commotion with Laika and Maris shortly before the 3 of them were about to leave. Ayan ended up fighting with Laika and she got injured.
"After careful consideration, as a result of your actions, I have decided to take away your privileges. You will be moved into the smallest house of the estate and starting today that will be your new residence. The servants that attend to you will be reduced and you will no longer be allowed to dine in this room. "
All the other wives' eyes widened in shock at his decision. However, I don't think they were shocked because they were concerned for me, so receiving such a judgment must have been such a big deal.
The general continued, "For the next month you will be confined to your new quarters you won't be allowed to leave it. I'm hoping you'll take this time to reevaluate your actions and act accordingly..."
So basically I was under house arrest. I thought to myself. I felt like I was watching a weird period drama unfold before me. I didn't care that I was being punished I was more concerned with understanding what was going on.
"...Ayan! Do you understand?" A loud voice yelled.
Shocked out of my daze, I blinked and looked at the General who was waiting for my response. I had zoned out again. The general was the last person I wanted to anger.
"Yes, my Lord." I simply said as I bowed my head before him. I knew I was supposed to call him 'my lord'.
It was a moment before the general said anything else and I just lay there with my head down. I could hear whispering among them but I couldn't hear what they were saying.
"You are dismissed." He then finally told me.
I then got up from the floor and turned to leave the room, the servants that had brought me in taking me out. I was taken back to the house I had woken up in and made to wait in a sitting room.
Shortly afterwards Teeka came in and told me. "We've been instructed to move you out to your new quarters."
I see the general's orders were being put into action immediately. Soon multiple servants came in and began to carry Ayan's possessions out of her house.
"Let's go my Lady." She told me. As we headed towards my new quarters crossing the courtyard I noticed many of the servants of the estate once again staring at me. Some peered over the fences of the other wives' homes. Some were laughing at the situation and others had looks of satisfaction. Ayan you really weren't liked here. I thought to myself.
The eyes they were giving me reminded me of stares I would get when I walked back from school and the neighbors were gossiping about my mother and I.
As we went past the wives' homes and crossed to the main courtyard of the estate we were met with two figures approaching. two of the other wives walking in the opposite direction. It was Samira and Rina. The two women were walking to their homes I presume.
"I see you're heading out," Samira said to me. She had on a neutral expression or not so I couldn't tell if she was gloating or not.
"Finally it'll be quiet around here. Without a certain desperate nuisance. " Rina spat out at me. Well, she definitely wasn't hiding her disdain for me.
"Now now Rina," Samira told her.
I didn't respond to Rina only glared at her.
"What, you aren't going to say anything? You aren't going to give me one of your usual retorts?" She continued in a mocking tone.
She was trying to get a rise out of me.
"I heard from some servants that you've been acting strangely this morning. Even when the Lord was talking to you didn't try to argue with him. What have you finally been humbled? Serves you right." She laughed.
"That's enough Rina, let's go." Samira then grabbed Rina by the arm and they began to walk away.
I moved forward and then waited for Teeka to continue walking with me because I didn't know where I was going. When I looked back at her I noticed she was staring in the direction of the two wives. In particular, she seemed to be looking at Samira. It was a longing stare.
"Teeka." I then called for her attention. She then turned to look at me brought out of her daze. I heard her click her tongue as she continued to lead me. Again this servant really didn't like me.
From what I understood from what I was assuming were Ayans' memories. Each wife of a Harem was given a house live in outside of the main house of the husband/Lord. Each wife had to maintain and take care of her assigned house. The Lord would visit the wife of his choice at her house whenever he pleased and spend the night with her. Wives of the harem were not allowed to go into the main house unless invited by the Lord. To be invited into the main house meant you were in the Lord's favor.
Basically, Ayan was on her last straw. This home was more like a punishment home. It was the sign of a wife who wasn't in favor of their husband. It meant that he was most likely never going to visit me to spend the night with me. Honestly, I didn't mind that but it also meant I was possibly on the verge of being kicked out of the harem.