The Woman In Prison

Emelia groaned softly as she was thrown into the grounds behind the iron bars. The soldier gave her a laugh and walked away. She laughed back at the soldier who didn't hear it and sat on the cold ground. It was the last place she hoped to be in since it was disgusting.

The walls had cracks everywhere, ceilings covered with spider webs and droplets of water falling from the sky. Who in the world is crazy enough to live in prison?

No, the Emperor is crazy enough to throw her into prison. If that Emperor wanted her to fall in love with him, why is she in this prison but not beside him? But either way, she didn't care anymore about that game. Since the idea of loving someone is not going to ever happen.

When she thought she would be alone, a person called out for her. Emelia jumped a bit and turned her head slowly, and sees another woman by the corner.

Since when was she in this prison? Emelia didn't feel any presence coming from her. Maybe it's because there weren't much lighting around the prison except for a small opening, which was out of her reach.

"Hmm? A new prisoner, and it's a girl. So are you called a witch now?" The woman in the corner asked, still not revealing her face except a part of her ankles.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Asked Emelia while a burst of laughter came out of the woman. As the woman moved away from her spot, the chains' sounds dragging onto the ground, creating a soft screech sound as she walked. "I asked, are you a witch too?" The woman asked once more as she finally revealed herself.

Emelia didn't know what to say as she saw the woman's face. On her right cheek, there was a huge scar. Since then, Emelia knew to be wary of this person. The woman didn't look young but around her 40s. Is it because of the scar on her face and how messy her brown hair is? Most probably it was.

"Witch?" Asked Emelia as she didn't know what the woman was trying to say to her. It was her first time hearing this kind of term. The woman nodded her head and approached Emelia.

"So who did you kill?" The woman asked, making Emelia furrow her brow and look at the woman with a not so nice look. Why would she kill anyone? Doesn't this woman know who she is? Probably not since she's trapped in this prison for who knows how long.

"I didn't kill anyone," Answered Emelia as she stood still while the woman examined her looking from top to bottom and around. The woman then asked, "Then why are you here?" Emelia was right. This woman doesn't know anything. It's best not to talk about herself to a stranger.

"I see…then someone from the Redodel Empire?" Emelia shifted her eyes away from the woman. While the woman whistled and skipped around her. The woman then added, "A slave probably. But why are you in this prison?"

"Don't ask me. Ask those people," Said Emelia as she pointed towards the guards who were guarding a door, which she assumed was the way out of the prison.

"Then treat me, well roommate," The woman's laughs the went back to sit in the corner. Emelia watched the woman sit in the corner. There isn't anything she could do but sit on the cold ground and wait.

For hours she stayed quiet, sitting on the ground, and did nothing. But out of nowhere, the woman broke the silence then asked, "Why were you brought here. Asides from being a slave. From what you're wearing, it looks expensive."

Emelia looked down at her dirty and ragged clothes with holes on her pants, especially the knees. It was the fifth day since the Vivan Empire took over the Redodel Empire. Not only that, but she hasn't been able to take a bath or change her clothes. She didn't want to lie, but she smelled bad.

"It's nothing you should know," Emelia answered coldly while the woman insisted. She walked towards her and sat in front of Emelia, giving a smile mixed with sadness. She said, "I was supposed to be a mother, but my child ended up dying."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Emelia apologizes. But the story interested her, and she wanted to hear more of it. But if she asks for the woman to continue, then she might need to say hers too. But no matter what happens, she will never say it.

"Don't be pressured telling your story. I'm just telling mines since you might ask what the scar on my face is all about," The woman softly laughed, and while looking down the ground, she played with her fingers, circling them around. "My husband is a baron. But we weren't rich, which made him depressed. My child died because of him. He said it was a hassle to keep the child, but I insisted. Then he smashed the bottle of wine into shards and scraped my face. Not only that, after he killed my child. Of course, I couldn't believe what he did, and out of anger, I stabbed him to death."

Emelia couldn't say anything and kept quiet. It was a reasonable move for a mother to protect their child. She didn't have anything against the woman from the actions she made. Life isn't easy, especially if you don't live the luxurious path. But to kill an innocent baby was just too much.

"Since the people heard about it, they called me a witch. Do you know what it means to be a witch?" The woman asked Emelia, who had a guess from the beginning. Emelia nodded her head then answered, "They are women who kill people. Basically crazy women."

"That is right. You're intelligent," The woman nodded her head. "I don't know when I'm going to be executed, but just a piece of life advice from this witch. Don't fall in love. If you do, only terrible things will happen."

Love? Emelia didn't even know what it is to be loved. There isn't anyone in this world who will love her. There isn't going to be warmth but coldness.

"Love? I don't need that. Why do I need it when I have been living without it?