Velvet Abyss

AN In order to flesh out both sides of this war, I’ll be featuring view points from both the Eris Empire (Mari) and the Hyogo Kingdom (Various). Chapters with (Hyogo) in the title will feature different Hyogo characters. All chapters without (Hyogo) will be Eris chapters featuring our protagonist.  

 POV - Mei’s Handmaiden.

 Shibuya Castle: One of the many castles littering Hyogo Shibuya lays southwest of the country’s capitol Shimizu and is currently home to the second Princess Mei Hyogo and her personal contingent of soldiers.

The handmaiden watched as the boys trembled violently: they were prisoners and soldiers of the empire who had been lucky enough to survive the battle of Shigenoi Fields. Their pitiful magic was no match for the Hyogo royal army, let alone Princess Mei.

Her reputation as a demon was known far and wide, and men pissed themselves in her presence. The handmaiden enjoyed watching the captured men’s faces fill with fear it was her favorite part; she thought as she licked her lips.  

“So which one of you boys will it be?” Mei said, stretching her arms.

“I don’t have time for games so I’ll tell you what one of you is going to die you can decide between yourselves who it is as I really don’t care.”

“You’ve got 10 seconds or I’m killing all of you.”

The men scrambled arguing between themselves, all except for one who gave no protest: he was a young boy still in his teens with curly blonde hair and boyish good looks with eyes like emeralds

“Him” two of them said in unison gesturing at the boy.

“Why him?” Mei asked.

“He’s a farmer, not a soldier.” One said.

“His a shit-eating peasant.”

“He’s useless in combat too.”

“You’re not planning on defending yourself boy?”

“My so-called comrades have spoken so there’s no point”

“You hear that!”

He’s practically volunteering.”

“Very well, if that’s your final decision.”

The boy closed his eyes surely preparing himself for a gruesome fate Mei raised her hand preparing to pass her righteous judgement. The Princesses magic was absolutely diabolic: being able to hold the power of life and death in her hands must have been utterly intoxicating. It made her moisten at the very thought.

“Rupture Magic: Severing Leaves”

Screams filled the room as the boy cautiously opened his eyes, he was covered in the blood and guts of his comrades.   

That wasn’t surprising: If there was anything that the Princess despised beyond measure, it was cowardice these fools sealed their fate by revealing themselves to be craven maggots.

“I don’t understand, why didn’t you kill me?’

“Because you’re not a coward.” Mei said, pleased with herself.

“Follow me, boy” Mei said, exiting the tent.

“See that the tent is thoroughly cleaned.” The handmaiden said to two guards standing outside.

The boy followed at the Princesses heels as they approached the entrance of Shibuya castle.

Two elite officers dressed in charcoal armor with crimson accents stood either side of the castle entrance.

“Where are you taking him, Princess?”

“Wherever the hell I please.”

The boy seemed to be awestruck by the scope and scale of the castle than again being a farm boy who was conscripted into war he had most likely never seen such an immaculate domicile.  

“Well, here we are” Mei said, standing before an enormous red door.

“Where’s here exactly?”

“My private chambers naturally.”

The boy seemed nervous, like he might keel over at any second, then again the maid could hardly blame him for being in the presence of such lustrous royalty. Mei kicked the doors to her chambers open and took a seat at the end of her of bed.  

The room was quite juvenile filled with teddy bears and other stuffed animals, a stark contrast from her reputation as the Rupture Princess.

“Prepare some tea for us, Vanica.”  

“What kind my Princess?”

“Licorice Red for me, and you?”

“Um.. Licorice Red.”

“Good answer” Mei laughed.

Mei threw her black boots off and rolled up her thigh high socks, discarding them in the same fashion. Her feet as drenched in sweat and encrusted with dirt.    

“So before our tea let’s get down to business.”

“You going to torture me now.”

“That my friend all depends on you”

“Pop quiz, do you know what my enemies call me?’

“They call you a demon.”

“Wrong! Guess again.”

“The Rupture Princess?”

“Bingo! You get a prize.”

“People have been afraid of me for as long as I can remember, they always quiver with fear at the sight of me and tread lightly like walking on eggshells.”

“It’s been that way for as long as I can remember, well aside from my precious family and sweet Vanica.”

Mei pointed her finger towards the boys’ eye, resting her nails inches away from it.

“I could make your eye explode in its socket or I could make your lungs rupture and watch while you drown gagging on your own blood.”

“Than do it already” The boy said, drinking his tea.

“But that would be a shame so boy, I’ll offer you an ultimatum.”

“Option A Keep your mouth sewn shut I’ll get what I need out of you, it’ll take a bit of work but everyone has a breaking point. You’ll die screaming and in so much suffering you’ll beg me to kill you.”

“What’s option B?” The boy inquired.

“Defect to my side, spill all your secrets and become my pet.”

‘Your pet?”

“It’s simple you become my little doggie and in exchange I’ll give you everything you’ve ever wanted. Wealth, Influence, Power, Protection and I’ll love you and drown you with affection.”

“Seriously?” The boy started laughing hysterically.

“All my life I’ve been starving and sleeping on dirt floors covered in flies and pissing into a bucket. I was ready to die in this war because that would beat returning to my civilian life”

“All I’ve got to do to live a life of absolute comfort is to be your pet?”  

The boy took a long drink of his licorice red tea Vanica was seeing why Mei had taken a liking to the boy; she had always been an exceptional judge of character.

“I’ll be your pet, Princess.”

“A wise decision, there’s just more thing.”

“What’s that, Princess.”

“First, it’s Mistress to you.”

“And secondly.”

Mei extended her leg placing her foot before the boy acting on instinct the boy fell to his knees taking the foot gently into his hands.

“Kiss it.” Mei ordered  “

“Okay, Mistress.”

The boy pressed his lips softly against the surface of Mei’s foot.

“Now raise your head, boy.”  

“That seals our pact.”

“Whats your name, my beautiful pet.”

“My old name doesn’t matter, I’m your pet now, Mistress.”

“It’s customary for a pet’s master to honor them with a name, Princess.” Vanica said collecting the emptied tea cups.

“Hmm, let me think… Oh, I know.”

“Mirai!”

“Why Mirai Mistress?”

“It means future and seeing how this is the first day of the rest of your life it’s fitting, no?”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Mirai let’s…..”

“Princess, urgent news.” A soldier burst into the room. Short of breath, he held a black parchment clutched in his hand.

Vanica picked up the parchment, unrolled it and read.

Dear Daughter, I hope this letter finds you well there has been a slight change a contingent of Imperial Eris soldiers have occupied the village of Saigo I want you to retake the village.

Once you’ve finished your task, take your men and ride for the Eris Border from the south.

Yukina, Shigure and your cousin Mari will follow the same path from the east, north and west. Soon we’ll control most of the country, and then we can focus all of our attention on sacking Edelgard.

While all this is happening, Seijuro will handle Dresden and Ikki will attend to a matter of critical importance.  

I hope this letter finds you well.

Till we meet again.

Sincerly King Rokujo Hygo

Mei.  

“Well, it’s about damn time, let’s get moving, Vanica, Mirai.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“As you bid, My Mistress.”