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the Brilliant Duchess

Author: AJKline
Fantasy
Ongoing · 1K Views
  • 4 Chs
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Chapter 1Prologue

A little maid with cotton

candy pink hair skips along as she carries a basket of laundry to clean. She

makes it to where the washing stone is. It uses mana to activate it and touches

it to get it started. As she waits for the water to fill up the washing bin,

she wipes the sweat off her brow and stares out over the city that lays at the

foot of the hill where she works. After being distracted too long from the

view, the bin she was filling started to overflow onto the floor and she

frantically tried to fix her mistake as everyone who could see her chuckled at

the sight.

 The kingdom of

Ostreyia, where this all takes place, lies on the South of the Main Continent.

On its west to south coasts lays a large shoreline filled with many trade-posts

for exports to work through. While the North side borders the dukedom of

LaRaiya, known for its harsh cold climates, houses an impressive army along

with a monstrous duke family filled with strong warriors. To the East there is

a multitude of smaller kingdoms that cooperate as a federation of sorts.

Inside the kingdom of Ostreyia lives a tyrannical king

and a ruthless queen. They take pleasure in unforgivable acts at every turn. On

one hand the King sleeps with many different women and disposing any that

become pregnant with his offspring. On the other hand, you have the Queen who

enjoys torturing different servants whenever one dies from too much of her

'play time'. As if it was a plague all the other nobles in this kingdom

divulged in all sorts of crimes as if it were only right.

While all the nobles in this kingdom pleasure themselves

in these evil and demonic things, the ones who suffer the most are the

commoners. Whenever a noble or royal is done using one of their servants into

the ground, they just take in more commoners as if they were nothing more than

livestock. Because, to them, they are an expendable resource to be exploited.

Whether it be increasing taxes to pay off their own debts, starting fight clubs

pinning commoner against commoner, taking narcotics to the point of permanently

being in a stupor, or raping commoners only to enslave or kill them. The

kingdom is in such a dire state that all other kingdoms have started to worry

about Ostreyias' commoners.

In the face of all this demonic chaos there is a little

girl named Jael who works as a maid in training in

the royal palace. Even though the kingdom around her is falling apart she works

her hardest to provide for her family. It was only her and her parents who were

left after her older sister was disposed of by the king. This all happened when

she was really young, so she doesn't really remember her. Her father would

normally be the provider as he was once a respected butler, but he lost one of

his arms due to the queen gaining interest in him and playing a 'little' too

roughly. Jaels' mom stays at home to take care of father while also hiding from

the king in fear of ending up like her deceased daughter. With Jael only being

eight years old she is seen as old enough to work in this kingdom, while also

not worrying about getting into the eyesight of the lustful king.

During her work she mostly does the laundry and cleans

the rooms that aren't normally in use. For the longest of times, with the help

of the other servants, she was able to fly under the royals' radar. Sadly, it

was not forever since the Queen caught sight of her when she was out in the

garden tending to the sheets she had just washed.

The Queen, now interested in Jael, transferred her to

work under her as to keep her in arms reach, so that she may toy with her at

any time she pleased. At first it wasn't that bad for Jael since she was able

to earn more money for her family. The queen also treated her kindly when she

was attending to her, giving Jael a sense of peace at work. That was until the

queen was starting to get bored of her little mundane charade. What used to be

a gentle smile on her face, now has a face that could only be described as sinister.

It was a cold afternoon where you could even see your own

breath in the air, Jael was preparing tea for the queen, when suddenly she was

ordered to hasten by the head maid. As she walked

through the chilly cobbled hallways, she noticed the head maid looking down at her with eyes filled with pity.

The head maid guided her through the queen's door

chambers after receiving permission. As soon as Jael stepped into the room the

doors behind her started to close.

"I'm sorry. Never forgive me." The head maid muttered as

she closed the doors behind Jael.

Remembering what happened to her father. Jael started to

tremble at the sight of the queen in her chair at the other side of the room.

The queen is wearing something akin to horse riding clothes that consist of

dark brown leather pants and a white fabric shirt paired with a forest green

vest. In her hand, was a riding crop whip that was as dark as the night sky.

The chambers, though normally well lit, had only a few candles

flickering as if trying to set a mood. The queen's chair was made by the finest

artisan in the kingdom. Next to it was a table where Jael would normally set

the tea for her and behind those were a balcony sitting between two doors. One

door goes to her majesties bed while the other is

her bathroom.

The Queen, noticing Jael tremble, smiled as she normally

would at her, but instead of comforting, it only made her tremble more. Fear

began to suffocate Jael as the queen got up and started her approach. She laid

her hand on Jael's shoulder and grabbed tightly. The Queens long nails started

to dig into her skin causing Jael to yelp in pain.

*whip*

Jael went silent with shock as her cheek slowly started

to sting. Over time the pain started to build causing her eyes to water. Before

she could cry though the queen struck her again.

*whip*

This time the crop smacked Jael in her neck instead of

the face causing her to fall on her knees as she choked on both air and spit in

her throat. While gasping for air the queen continued to look down at Jael

struggling for air smiling all the while. The queen leaned forward as she

started to speak to Jael.

"A master must discipline their servant when the step out

of line." she said as she tightened her grip on the riding crop.

Jael looked up to the queen only for her head to be

forced back down by the queen's heel.

*slam*

"First don't look directly at your mistress in the eyes."

the queen said in a playful tone.

Still trying to catch her breath, with her face flat

against the ground, Jael's head started to throb from the weight of the Queens'

heel.

"Second, answer whenever your mistress speaks to you."

she said as she struck Jael's back with the crop.

*whip*

The pain burned as tears poured out of Jael's eyes. She

tried to hold her cries in her throat, so she didn't anger the queen any more

than she already did.

*whip*

"Lastly, don't show your emotions in front of your mistress."

the queen said as she bore down on Jael's small back one more time.

Unable to hold back the cries in her throat she began to

wail as her back throbbed and burned in pain. The queen relished the little

girls' scream as her smile grew into the shape of a crescent moon.

"It seems that you wish to disobey your mistress. If that

is the case, then I must train you properly." she said in a teasing, playful

tone.

*whip*

*whip*

*whip*

The queen started to whip Jael's back relentlessly. As

she struck at her over and over and over again, Jael could only lie on the

ground as her back was torn apart by the queen's whip. Jael's screams were soon

drowned out by the gleeful cheers of the Queen whose face was the epitome of

ecstasy as she continued to strike at the hopeless little girl.

This all resumed until the little girl didn't even flinch

from being struck by the demon queen's crop. Now satisfied, the queen summoned

her head attendant to clean up her mess. Upon entering the chambers, the head

maids' eyes widened in disgust and sorrow as she saw what remained of the

little girl, she brought here only moments ago. Swallowing the gasp that was

making its way up her throat, she went over to the battered and bloody body

that lied on the floor. As she was picking her up, she could still hear the

little girl struggling to breathe.

Is she still alive after all of that?

The head maid was surprised

by the tenacity this little girl was showing trying to hold on to life by any

and all means.

"What would you like me to do with her, Your Highness?"

The head maid asked as she was holding Jael who was

bleeding out in her arms.

"I don't care dispose of her as you seem fit." Replied

the queen as she wore a smile of complete satisfaction.

She is the devil!

The head maid instructed the

other attendants to clean up the blood and flesh scattered across the chambers.

Once everything was situated, she made haste to the healing quarters and

summoned one of the healers. An older female healer answered the door. Her eyes

still foggy as she wiped them with her hand. Her other hand is holding a lamp

that is embedded with a fire stone which is lighting the old wooden doorway.

"Why are you here at this hour can't you see..." The

Healer started to complain, but the head maid cut

her off immediately since time was of the essence.

"Grab all your healing potions and scrolls. We need to

hurry if we wish to save Jael." she commanded.

Now that the haze started to drift from her eyes the

healer noticed, what could only be called a tragedy, in the head maids' arms.

She reached out and felt a pulse coming from the girls' neck. She then felt the

little girl's forehead and noticed a fever started to fester as her head was

running on warm borderline hot.

"You're right we must heal her immediately before it's

too late." the healer said as she ran back in to grab everything they needed.

"No, we have to take her back to where her family lives

in the servant quarters. The queen would never find her if she were there." the

head maid said as she started to make her way down

the hallway again.

"Hurry and grab everything you need." She commanded the

healer.

They both made their way through the attendant halls as

they tried to avoid any knights that were on patrol. All while this was going

on Jael's breath started to become unsteady as they continued towards her

family. They eventually made it to her family's residence as they were waiting

outside for their daughter to come home.

 When her mother

saw her arm dangle from the head maids' arms, she let out a scream of pain that

took hold of everyone's hearts as they heard a mother cry for her child. While

this was going on, the father ran to the two women with tears welling up inside

his eyes along with a fire of rage burning brightly. Once he got in arms reach

of them the head maid began to brace herself of

what was to come as she felt responsible for not being able to protect Jael.

"She is still alive. We have come to heal her in a safe

space, but we must hurry she doesn't have much time left." The healer said

rushing past Jael's father and heading into their residence without any

hesitance.

The fathers steps faltered before he straightened his

back and proceeded to aid as much as he could even

with his limited ability due to missing an arm. Jael's mother, who was still

sobbing, went to grab cleanish clothes and warm water from their kitchen. Her

father used his arm to abruptly clear the table and ushered the head maid to lay her down. The clatter of everything

falling lasted only a moment as the sounds of hurried steps filled the room. They

first laid a clean sheet across the table then placed Jael on her side so they

could get to work.

"Wet the clothe so that we can first wipe off all the

blood and detached skin then we can try to begin the healing process." The

healer said as she started giving orders.

Once all of the blood and flesh was wiped away from her

back, we were able to begin healing. The gashes on her back were so deep that

you could even see bone.

What kind of monster would do this to a

little girl?

That thought filled everyone's minds as they continued to

try and save her.

As the healer started pouring healing potion after

healing potion the backs flesh began to slowly heal. While this was happening,

Jael's father looked over at his little girls back as his clenched his fist to

the point it began to draw blood. His teeth grinding as he stared at the gashes

on her back being healed.

"I will stand this no more." He said as he festered in

his rage.

"What will you do?" The head maid

asked.

"I will send theirs and all the other nobles' crimes to

the duke of LaRaiye. Along with all the countries secrets that I learned as one

of the head butlers. They shall be exorcised like the demons they are." He

declared. Everyone in the room sat in silence as they too no longer wanted to

live like this anymore.

Jael's wound was finally sealed, but the scars on her

back could not be healed any further. Her mother began to thank the healer for

saving her daughter only to be stopped with a raised hand.

"We are not out of the woods yet. We have only sealed her

wound so far. She has lost a lot of blood and has a blistering fever that is

only increasing. We need to replace the lost blood and then hope that she

continues to fight on." The healer said as she prepared the blood transfer

scrolls.

"Now which one of you can transfer blood?" she asked.

"I will." the mother interjected as she stopped sobbing

and stroked her little girl's hair, tears still hanging on her cheeks.

"I wasn't able to be a proper mother due to my fear of

the king, but I will give her every last drop if that's what it takes." she

declared as she sat in a chair next to the table.

Jael's father went to stop his wife but was stopped as

she shot a look towards him and shook her head.

"Someone needs to stand at the ready in case my blood

isn't enough or have to stop someone from entering." she said as she rolled up

her sleeve.

Understanding his role Jael's father went and stood in

front of the door after he went and grabbed his sword. The healer set the two

blood-transfer scrolls in place and activated them. The head maid then went to Jael's father since she had nothing

she could do to help with Jael's condition.

"Let me transcribe your letter to the duke while we are

waiting." she asked him as he stood at attention.

His eyes widened in shock as he looked over to his old

colleague. He shook his head and then smiled at the head maid.

"I would greatly appreciate that." he said.

The head maid nodded her head

as she prepared everything for the letter. Everyone in this room is ready for

the fall of this kingdom due to all of them losing someone they loved to the

royals. The healer lost her son as he was murdered by the king so he could

sleep with his wife and then killed her afterward. Her daughter in-law was

Jael's older sister. Who was also a co-worker in the same field. While the head

maid lost her husband who was killed by the queen

when she was in one of her 'playful' moods. He was Jael's uncle from her father's

side. Meaning everyone in this room was also family.

As they all waited in batted breath trying to devise the

fall of the kingdom. Their prayers were all focused on a single little girl who

is fighting for her life.

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