ANASTASIA
I looked on in horror as the the line in front of me reduced in length, with the loud cries becoming louder and the whips resounding in my ears.
"Next" The guard yelled
"Please, I didn't steal the pin, I have a child growing inside of me" The Pregnant slave known as mary begged "The whips will lead to the deformity of my child, Spare me, I beg of you"
The Crack of the whip sliced through the air with a resounding "snap". Each lash was punctuated by a fierce "crack", followed by the dull "thud" as the leather met flesh. Mary's cries mingled with the rentless resounding of the whips untill she eventually fell to the ground landing with a thud. Despite Mery's fainting, The royal guard continued to wield his merciless whip on the defencless woman untill he was satisifed with the amount of blood oozing out of her.
"Next" He yelled again looking directly at me, i froze in my position as mary was rolled away by another guard, realizing that it was my turn to recieve the beating
"Is this one deaf?" he said with visible anger as he approached me "Boys, It seems little servant girl here gained some balls, Unfortunately, those balls will do her no good, Seize her"
At that moment, I snapped back into reality, I had frozen due to fear many times, Howver i was finally about to get what i deserved for letting my fear take a hold of me. In all honesty, I didnt grow any balls, I was just very closed to blacking out due to fear. I had no desire to revolt or disobey, I just let it happen.
The hefty guard marched towards me on command and dragged me forward, my knees scraping against the rough stone floor. I barely had time to brace myself before the first crack of the whip seared across my back. A searing pain shot through me, tearing a cry from my throat. Each lash was a fresh wave of agony, the leather biting into my flesh with a cruel precision.
I tried to hold back my screams, but the pain was too much. Tears blurred my vision as the relentless beating continued. I could feel the blood trickling down my back, mingling with sweat and dirt. The air was thick with the sound of the whip's crack and the muffled sobs of the other servants, each one echoing my own suffering.
I forced myself to stay conscious, to not let the pain swallow me whole. I thought of the friends I had lost, and of the slim hope that kept me enduring this torment. The sorrow was a weight in my chest, heavier than any physical pain. Each strike was a reminder of our powerlessness, a testament to the cruelty we faced daily.
As the whipping finally ceased, I slumped to the ground, every nerve ending aflame. Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, I could hear the other servants' whispers, their sorrowful eyes reflecting my own torment. In that moment, we were united in our suffering, bound by the shared nightmare of our existence.
My eyes fought hard to stay open as i stumbled down to the corridors which led to the cold and damp attic bedrooms, The corridors were lined up with servants engrossed with treating their wounds obtained from the whipping session. Some whole families had been seized by the guards and forced to work as slaves to repay their loans, In that moment i spotted a mother who looked not muich older than myself tending to a young child who had just been beaten by the royal guards, My heart broke for her and the child and there was nothing i could do but shake my head in grief.
"Aye, so a golden pin vanished, Anyone could have pocketed it, Why do we have to pay the piper" (bear the consequences) The Mother who had previously cried over the whip marks on her child questioned very loudly.
Almost Immediately, A servant close to her ran to clamp her hand over her mouth
"While i understand your anger, You must be careful when expressing your anger, The guards catch a whiff of your anger and we all ave' to line up for round two" she retorted
The possibility of a second beating sent me running as i took to my feet and kept walking down the corridor, Stumbling through the dimly lit corridors, I could barely feel my legs beneath me. The pain from the whipping still pulsed through my back, each step a reminder of the punishment I'd endured. My head spun, and I leaned against the cool stone wall for support, making my way towards the kitchen. The familiar scent of bread and herbs drifted towards me, a small comfort amidst the pain.
As I approached the kitchen door, it creaked open and the warm, inviting glow of the firelight spilled out. Inside, the royal chef, a kindly man named Thomas, noticed me immediately. His eyes widened with concern as he took in my disheveled appearance.
"Over here," he whispered urgently, beckoning me towards a corner of the kitchen. He glanced around to ensure no one was watching and then slipped me a small piece of bread and cheese. "Eat this, quickly."
I took the food with trembling hands, the simple act of kindness bringing tears to my eyes. The bread was soft and fresh, and the cheese was creamy, a stark contrast to the gruel we were usually given. As I ate, Thomas kept a lookout, his kind face etched with worry.
"They've really done a number on you this time," he muttered, shaking his head. "You need to be more careful."
I nodded weakly, still chewing. The food gave me a bit of strength, enough to stand a little straighter. Thomas's kindness had always been a small light in the darkness of the palace.
"Listen," he said, leaning closer. "There's news. The Duke of Eryndor is visiting the King and Queen. He hasn't been to the palace in a long time. Everyone's buzzing with curiosity about him."
I swallowed the last bit of bread, my curiosity piqued despite my pain. The Duke of Eryndor. I had heard whispers of him, tales of his valor and the mysterious air that surrounded him. It was said that he had been away for years, dealing with matters of great importance.
"Why is he coming now?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Thomas shrugged, his eyes thoughtful. "No one knows for sure. But mark my words, his arrival will stir things up. Just be careful and stay out of sight. You don't need any more trouble."
I nodded, grateful for his advice and the small kindness he'd shown me. The news of the Duke's arrival gave me something else to think about, a distraction from the throbbing pain in my back. As I left the kitchen, I couldn't help but wonder what the Duke's visit would bring and how it might change the uneasy balance within the palace walls.