Dyan listened for the door to close behind her. Sofiya looked around the dreadful place. She winced.

"Too much black for my liking. At least you have some purple curtains, and blue bed drapes."

"You're not really here to teach me about decor." Dyan stated.

"Listen little pig, you must not rush people. If you do, you'll turn into a barbarian like Yelena."

A knock came at the door as Sofiya finished her words. Dyan looked over towards her guess for permission. Sofiya nodded her head as Dyan made her way to the door.

Kira was a pleasant surprise for Dyan, as she cracked the door. One of her hands was hidden behind her back as she looked up at Dyan.

"Kira!" Dyan exclaimed, "It's good to see you."

"As it is you my lady"

"Pray, do tell, why are you here?"

"I met a man in the hall, he told me to let you know he had received your letter." Kira stated.

"What did he look like?" Dyan's eyes went wide as her voice began to tremble. She very well knew who it was. Her heart began to race as Kira gave out the descriptions.

"He wasn't very tall, he had black hair, a beard, grey eyes, pale skin, and a distinct, somewhat unpleasant voice."

"Nathan." Dyan whispered.

"He said he knew you milady. I hope I didn't over step my bounds." Kira shied away.

Dyan brushed the servants arm, "No, no Kira you're fine. Leave me for the evening."

"Yes milady." Kira replied, as she left the halls.

Dyan closed the door as Sofiya began again, "I know the father wasn't Harod, but I would never have guessed Wolff."

Dyan whipped her head around, "Pardon me?"

"Felix or Fritz, the two oldest of Yelena. They've tormented each of Harod's wives. There's even a rumor that Fritz slept with his very own mother."

"Who's Fritz again?" Dyan asked.

"He's the eldest son of Harod, first heir to the throne. Tall man, a few inches over six feet. Thick jaw, a growing chin beard... should I go on?" Sofiya stated.

"No, I think I know who you're speaking of." Dyan replied.

"You should take the time to learn all our names Dyan. We're family after all." Sofiya  played around on Dyan's desk, looking for more black mail.

Dyan stepped forward, gently removing Sofiya's cyphering hands. "I don't see a book in your hands. I'm assuming this isn't a normal social call."

"You would be right there." Sofiya stated, "Your Vlade is bad, I can barely understand you little pig."

Dyan shied in embarrassment.

"Any way; what I really want is a favor. Sense I'm keeping your secret, it's only fair you do me an equally as big favor."

"Just tell me what you want." Dyan grumbled.

"Patiences dear. I know you're still young, but you have to learn to play the game quick, or you will end up dead, very quickly." Sofiya mocked as she twitted a letter opener in her hands.

Dyan's skin slightly shifted red. She felt like steam was pouring out of her ears. Fire danced in her eyes as Sofiya continued to toy with her. Dyan swallowed her erupting rage as she slowly replied.

"I'm on my seventeenth summer, I don't think I'm much younger than you, sweet Sofiya."

"Eleven years. That's a big difference." Sofiya began, "You're young, but don't think you're safe. Harod's killed other wives. Only the clever ones survive."

"Why are you telling me this?" Dyan questioned.

"I'm preparing you."

"Preparing me for what?"

"I want you to kill Fritz and Felix. After they are dead, my children become the next heirs." Sofiya stated.

"What? After everything you've told me that's suicide!"

"That's why I'm not doing it. I like you Dyan, I would love to call you a sister, and I don't mind teaching you the game. Yet, at the end of the day, I refuse to loose."

"I'm assuming I don't have much a choice." Dyan's heart felt heavy. She knew full well the circumstances.

"It's either this, or I tell Harod about your child. And if you try to rat me out, it won't work. Harod wouldn't believe you over me."

"I don't even know how I'm supposed to do what you want."

"Sleep with them. Kill them during sex, or at least get to know them better." Sofiya held in a giggle as she let loose a grin. "It's not so bad, they don't last too long any way."

"So what Yelena said, Lady of the night, she was calling you a whore."

Sofiya paused, "Your Vlade is still rusty."

"So you have a history of sexual exploit." Dyan stated, "Why shouldn't I use it against you?"

Sofiya shrunk a bit, "I was Harod's concubine before his wife. He killed my husband when I tried to break our engagements off. He took his boys Felix and Fritz to become men, and I was who he so gracefully thought of." Sofiya shivered, "At first I refused, but he kept beating me. Eventually I said yes. I still have scars from those days."

"You thretean me and my child and expect me to be sympathetic? As far as I care, you can go to hell." Dyan waved her fist in the air.

"You're going to regret saying that." Sofiya replied, walking towards the door. "Just get what I asked, done."

Dyans door was slammed on her, as she stood alone in her room. She sat on her bed sobbing. Her hand reached up to her chest, rubbing the ache she felt. It didn't go away, no matter how she tried. Tears hit the blanket on her bed as she looked down to her stomach.

She placed both her hands on her growing belly as she hummed a melody. "Don't worry, you mother's going to be okay. She won't let a thing happen to you."

A bang sounded out as Dyans door was flung open. Harod walked into the room with a nasty glare. Behind him was Sofiya, standing just beyond the doorway. Dyan's eyes looked on with horror.

The older man walked over towards Dyan, throwing her off the bed and to her hands and knees. "You called my Sofiya a whore!"

"No, no I didn't!" Dyan shouted, trying to protect herself.

Harod grabbed the woman by the hair a pulled her face closer to his. "I haven't had to beat you yet. This won't be pleasant."

"No!" Dyan shouted in horror, tears streaming down her eyes.

"That's not going to help you!" Harod replied, punching Dyan in the face. Dyan's eye swelled. He grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. Both of his sturdy hands wrapped around Dyan's throat.

"Should I turn you into a whore Dyan? So you know what a whore really does? Sell your body to my soldiers, sons, and peasants?"

"No." Dyan repeated, squirming and trying to get away.

Harod tore her dress apart, as Dyan cried and howled. Then he paused, throwing her against another wall. She was mostly naked, left only to her rags. Harod stood over her, as he watched her wipe her tears.

"Next time I won't stop until you're bloodied. Know your place girl." Harod stated as he left the room. Sofiya looked onward, as she caught Dyan's gaze. The blonde queen had folded arms and a justified complexion. Not even an inch of sorrow or mercy could be seen, only a vendetta-filled grin.

"Do you want me to be sympathetic?" Sofiya taunted, leaving Dyan's sight.

The door to her room stayed open as Dyan cried on the floor. She didn't have to go to hell, she already lived in it.