Floor 3: Bloodied

The pair of hands clasp down before pulling back at my words.

"What did you just..?"

An embellished plate is thrown at the startled nanny. Her face covered in rotting food and one sweet potato. I turn to face the old crone. My face a chilling display of amusement. She panics flailing her spindly arms up to clear her vision.

"You little rat!" A mix of spit and food flying into the air.

I causally walk over to the nearest vase and wait. Catherine now able to see once more sets her punishing gaze on the cause. Bits of mashed sweet potato splatting on the marble floor. She starts her approach, the system warning me of her harmful intent.

"Oh Catherine. You really should rethink this." She lifts a hand ready to slap my pristine cheeks.

"Not a word! You little rat! You dare not eat what is given to you! You dare disrespect me!" A resounding slapping sound fills the monochrome room. "You are nothing without the church, without me!" Another slap to the other cheek. I embrace it, not a flinch.

She flaunts her wrath. A slap to side of the body, a slap to the head. My body stays stiff, feeling the full brunt of it.

"Do you have nothing to say little rat? Do you have no fear?!"

She continues to berate me and leaves me to tend to my bruises alone. Her need to clean herself far more pressing than a mere punching bag. She leaves the room continuing her rant.

"You will not eat tomorrow either! Learn your lesson rat!"

Her vocabulary is rather limited much like her brain. Waiting for a bit longer, till the hall outside is quiet. I shuffle my pained body to push the vase over. The pieces shatter scattering on the floor. The flowers still blooming, all white, blending in the floor. Purposefully, a piece of vase is dug into my cheek. A nasty red drips down my face.

Mustering up my most vacant expression. I exit the cage on my own, stepping on the shards below for further evidence. The pain causes me to wince and tear up. Nothing, not even cut up soles can compare to the hell in my future. A bloody path of footsteps leads out the room and down the hall. Passing servants shout their shock to the palace, one particularly weak maid manages to faint. The useless staff avoids me like the plague. No would dare help the worthless little sacrifice. That is until I enter the Enperor's section of the palace.

The change from white to gaudy gold causes my eyes to squint. Royal guards surround me. Faces full of nerves. Best not to have a mess on these royal halls. One lifts me up into his arms, rushing me to the sucker in charge. The staff practically jump out of his way.

"What happened to the saint?!"

"Who could of done this?!"

One would have to wonder if their words are socially obligatory. The trained expressions required for working in the palace. Political motives, allies, and enemies, all must be accounted for any response.

At last the guards reach the center of the empire.

The enormous doors to the throne room. A giant lion on either door in solid gold. A red sun made of carefully carved ruby behind the beasts. Two guards push with flexing muscles for the royal hall to accessed. The doors are heavy despite being in the way of such an important room. Lords and ladies of the highest ranks file either side of a golden runway, presenting themselves. The rest of the floor coated in bloodied red marble. Centerstage the emperor sits upon his pride and joy a gem-smothered throne. Three smaller and less extravagant thrones next to him are occupied by his brides. His favorite on his right. To his left, a sold princess. The furthest from him, the last priestess. My predecessor.

Her face numb and forcing a smile. Skin aged beyond herself. Worn and outdated gown and jewels. The sold animal that has long been slaughtered for the church's bottom line.

"What happened to the saint?!"

The emperor's imposing presence is only outdone by his commanding voice. He also holds quite the lovely expession. I almost pity poor Catherine who will soon witness it for herself.

I crawl into myself, shaking. After a few moments of a pathetic display, I'm greeted by a gentle hand to soothe me. Tears mix in with blood from my cheek wound. My voice a cracking delicate glass.

"Great emperor…" my hand reaches out to him, eyes pleading. "Please don't make me go back."

"Tell me what happened child. I will help you." His face full of worry for the child before him.

"My nanny..." A shaky voice and trembling body sell my lies. The emperor offers a reassuring clasp of my hand. "She hurt me." My words a stuttering mess. "She got upset. I refused to eat the food she gave me." I add panic to my repertoire. "I'm sorry! The food just was… I couldn't eat something so fowl! Please don't be mad at me!" Countless tears fell to the guard's arms, the emperor's hand. "I won't do it again!"

Wait for it…

I'm swept up into the emperor's embrace. He cradles me like a newborn.

"Bring forth this child's nanny! I will discover what has occurred at once!"

As expected the emperor has always been weak to children. I was never found of tricking someone to this extent, even causing self harm. Still, the tower gave me a green light. I'll enjoy every second of vengeance.

…

It had been a few days since the potato incident. Unfortunately, children were not permitted to see most things, but I heard plenty. The staff have loose lips. Catherine was brought before the emperor as I was treated by the royal doctor.

She was questioned. Catherine in her desperation used the ridiculous story that a ten year old child planned this whole event. The disrespect, the beating, all to put the blame on her. Not surprisingly no one believed Catherine. She will be put to death, by guilitene for attacking a future member of the crown. I will be kept near the emperor while I recover.

Giving me plenty of time and opportunity to plot against little Red.