4 Isolation

In a harem a wife's worth lay in how much her husband favored her. The more favored you were the more power you wielded within the harem and the more privileges you had. So in Ayan and the other wives' case, it was a competition to see who could get General Kang to spend the most time with them.

All five wives were chosen for the General at the same time. They were a gift from the emperor for all his achievements in the military when he was appointed general 2 years ago. Five beautiful women of marriageable age were chosen for him. our ages ranged from 21 to 24. Ayan was 23. Despite being chosen at the same time there was an order in which the wives were picked. Ayan was the fifth and last wife to be picked before they were all handed to Kang which is why she was sometimes called the fifth wife.

As it hadn't been long since they had married and the General didn't have any children yet. they were all rushing to be the first to give the general a child. The wife that gave him a wife would receive many gifts and their family awarded a great sum of money. Which is why they were in a rush t get the General's attention.

Ayan was once one of General Kang's favorite wives up until a few months ago. He spent the most time with her. There was even a point where everyone was convinced she would give birth to his first child. Then he suddenly lost interest in her. He stopped seeing her as much as she used to. His current favorites from the looks of it were Laika and Maris. He called for them the most and had them accompany him to events. And you would receive perks like being his chosen partner when going out to a ball or party. As there were five of us he couldn't take all of us to an event so he only took 1 or two of his favorite wives.

I saw it all in Ayan's memories and felt all the feelings she felt. Ayan loved the general very much and was deeply hurt by the sudden lack of affection. She tried so hard to get his attention back. She was desperate she would go to the extent where she tried to see him at every chance she could. She would try to sabotage the other wives out of jealousy. I was literally cringing from the secondhand embarrassment I felt for her. Failed attempt after failed attempt of trying to get his attention. Ayana really and truly loved the general. Or perhaps it was an obssession? One thing I saw over and oShe really wanted to have his first child

Couldn't say the same for me though. Although, he was handsome the idea of him spending time with another woman then coming to me was disgusting to me. Which is why I was kind of happy that Ayan had been placed in the smallest house. A house the Lord never visited which meant I didn't have to worry about having to spend the night with him.

When I woke the next morning and still found myself in this 'world' I let out an exhausted sigh. I guess part of me was hoping this was all some wild dream. However, I didn't know if I actually wanted to go back to my old reality.

I had somehow become this Ayan person. But the question was, if I was in her body what happened to Ayan? How was I able to see her memories as well as feelings and thoughts. And what had happened to my body in my 'world'? I wish there was someone I could ask but there wasn't anyone. There wasn't anyone who could help me who would believe me if I told them their lady Ayan was gone and someone else was possessing her.

The only thing I'd seen in Ayans memories that could tell me where I was; was that I lived in an empire called Turk. This was concerning because it was awfully similar to an empire I'd learned about in high school. The empire of Turk was an empire that existed 300 years before my country was born. Had I traveled back in time? No that couldn't be. But even the emperor that is ruling is the same I learned about, Emperor Arsen. Even the system of harems was exactly the same as what I'd learned. But why?

However, the more I thought about it did I want to go back to my world? Or perhaps I should say my time? My mother had died, I was in debt, I had no other family that I knew and I didn't have a stable nor had I gone to college. I really didn't have uch to return to. I will admit despite the fact that I was in the most deplorable situation a harem of all things. Atleast here despite the harsh punishment Ayan had received I was still fed 3 delicious meals a day, had a house to I didn't have to pay rent for, I got g to wear expensive clothing, and I had servants. Not to mention my new curvacious body.

The fact that all I had to do was behave a certain way inorder to live comfortably in this harem seemed a lot easier. Here I didn't have to overwork myself with part time jobs that barely paid much.

Once I was done with my meal I thought I would rest and continue to collect my I was still seeing memories of Ayan random memories and so I still trying to piece together how this world worked. I was confined to this house for the next month anyway so I intended to rest well and relax.

As I was about to take rest, I suddenly heard a voice yelling from outside. What was going on early in the morning like this? I stood up and went to the front door of the house and opened it. Outside were all my servants who had served me at Ayans old house the day before, they were lined up in the little garden of the house. Reeka stood in front of them telling them something.

"What's going on here Reeka?"

Reeka turned round to look at me with her usual cold stare. "My lady." She said with a small bow of her head. "The Lord gave the order to have your servants reduced to 5 so I am now deciding who should go and who should stay."

I averted my gaze back to the servants, there were roughly about 15 of them from the looks of it. I looked at their faces for a moment taking in their expressions.

"If thats the case let me handle this." I said an idea coming to mind.

"My lady?" Reeka asked in confusion.

"To make this easier those of you who don't like Aya-I mean me, for those of you that don't like me and hate serving me, you can leave." I said bluntly to them.

"Huh?" "What?" Some of them said amongst themselves. Looks of surprise and pure befuddlement were on their faces at my sudden outburst.

"My lady?" Reeka asked

From Ayans' memories, I could see that she didn't treat others well especially her servants. The hatred she received from others was well deserved. The only person she was kind to in this estate was the Lord. She yelled at her servants constantly whilst they attended to her Typically picking on them for petty things. "I don't want my makeup done like this!" "I need to perfect for the lord I can't wear this!" "Why are you all so useless!"

Those were just some of the things she'd said to them. In other words, these servants must have detested her. I understood that she was in love with the general but would it have killed her to be a little nicer?

I saw in the servants' faces as Reeka was talking to them that none of them seemed eager to stay working for Ayan. It was like they all wanted to leave, to be honest. There was no point in having servants that didn't want to serve you. Their growing frustration and resentment could eventually lead them to plot something to harm Ayan. It would be a better idea to let them go. As for what I planned to do if they all decided to leave... call me crazy but I was going to do all the work myself.

This house was only slightly larger than the apartment I lived in, in my previous life. I cleaned and organized that apartment all by myself I was sure I could do the same in this home. From Ayans memories I saw how the servants did things I was sure I could manage.

"It's alright. I won't punish you." I continued to the servants. "I know many of you don't like me so if don't wish to serve me anymore it's alright with me. This your chance to leave and be stationed elsewhere."

The servants continued to stare at me, still in shock. They looked as if they couldn't tell if this was a joke or not. However, I maintained my serious expression to let them know I wasn't joking. It was after another moment that one servant turned around left through the gate. After seeing her leave then several servants followed after her. One by one they left.

"Honestly, what is going on with the madam?" I heard one of them ask as they made their exit.

I felt a little hurt watching them leave. Even though it wasn't me they hated, it was Ayan, it still hurt being openly rejected like that. Expecting all of them to leave, to my surprise there were two servants that remained. I really thought they would all would have left.

Reeka who still standing next to me then spoke up."My lady I don't understand why you would do that. You are supposed to remain with five servants but you've let them all go."

"The Lord said I shouldn't have more than five. If I have less then it shouldn't be a problem either way." From the way the General spoke to me, it told me if anything, that he didn't care about Ayan.

"Then who will dress you up and make." She asked.

"It's a small house there won't be much to do and for the next month, I'll be confined in this home. And I highly doubt the lord will call for me when the month has ended nor will he ever visit this home like he does the other wives. Simply put I've fallen out of his favor. There won't be a lot of work for the servants to prepare me for." I explained to her.

Reeka only looked at unable to respond. She knew I was right.

"And you, you can go as well Reeka"

"What?"

"I know you don't enjoy working for me so please go

I then turned to the two servants that had remained.

" Then if it's just the two of you please continue to serve me." I told them.

"Yes, my lady." They both replied. The two servants looked similar perhaps they were related? One had a very friendly and optimistic-looking face whilst the other seemed a bit cold and emotionless.

" Are you two related?"

"

"My lady." Then I remembered something.