Kiora

The emperor doesn't call on Kiora for two weeks after the revelation about her age. By the beginning of the third week, all the wives are laughing at her.

"He must have grown bored of you, Lady Kiora," Arabella says to her as they sit in the gardens. Illyria laughs and playfully slaps Arabella on the shoulder.

"Enough, Lady Arabella," she says, her voice sickly sweet. "We don't know the emperor's motives for his sudden lack of interest in our newest sister and who are we to even question him?"

Kiora hangs her head in shame and tries to ignore them as they continue to giggle at her expense.

"The novelty has worn off. That is all," Lady Beatrix says. They laugh. Again. The cruel sound makes Kiora cringe and her lips quiver as she tries to bite back her tears.

"I wonder who he will call upon tonight," Arabella sighs dreamily.

"Illyria, of course," Beatrix replies.

"Oh, don't be silly, I'm sure he'll call on Beatrix tonight. After all, it is their fifth wedding anniversary," Illyria replies and reaches out squeezing Beatrix's hand. Beatrix blushes slightly and giggles excitedly to herself.

"Five wonderful years," she says and smiles widely at her sisters.

"Indeed," Illyria replies.

"How long have you all been wives?" Kiora asks, trying to involve herself in a conversation and turn said conversation away from her as much as possible.

They all turn to her. Lady Uzrena rolls her eyes and Arabella smirks. Kiora bites her tongue, resisting the urge to snap at them.

She had asked a simple question. That is all.

"I can't believe we haven't had this conversation yet," Illyria says and smiles beautifully. "It must have slipped our minds."

It didn't slip their minds. Kiora knows that. They just don't bother talking to her. Her chest pangs with loneliness. Though she may not show it, even to herself, she is hurt by the lack of attention from the emperor. Her dinners with him and their debates were the only things she looked forward to in this wretched place. Now it's gone and she doesn't know why.

She curses herself for talking about her age. Is that why he's suddenly rejected her? Is she too old for him?

Tears sting her eyes again and she swallows a lump in her throat and tries to push them away. There is no way she's going to cry in front of the wives.

"I have been the emperor's wife for eleven years," Illyria says. Kiora's eyes widen. For some reason, she wasn't expecting that. Then again, she's not sure what she's expecting.

"Then comes Lady Arabella, at nine years, Lady Uzrena at eight years, Lady Beatrix at five, Lady Dido at Three and finally you."

"So you're the first wife?" Kiora asks.

They laugh at her like her question is the most stupid thing they've ever heard.

Kiora clenches her fists in frustration, but somehow, manages to keep her anger from her face. It takes all her focus to keep her smile looking as easy and carefree as possible.

"Of course not," Uzrena says, shaking her head. "We are all replacements."

"Upgrades," Lady Illyria smirks and the wives giggle again at her comments.

Kiora hates that sound. It is insufferable. It makes her shudder and cringe with its awful, obvious, shallow fakeness. Yet, she joins in, forcing the high-pitched giggle out of her mouth and hating herself in the process.

"The emperor usually only has five wives at once," Lady Dido says through her tight, forced smile.

"Oh," Kiora replies.

"There have been six wives before, Kiora is hardly special," Illyria says casually and shrugs.

Kiora ignores the insult and carries on with her questioning.

"So, what happened to the other wives?" she asks.

"They either got too old and were demoted, or they died," Beatrix says.

"Demoted?" Kiora asks, "So they're now concubines?"

"Of course not," Illyria says, "old wives get their own palace in another city where they live out their days in luxury and peace."

"And that happens when they get too old?"

"Or when the emperor gets bored," Uzrena snickers.

"And he grows sick of looking at their wrinkles," Arabella replies.

"But that rarely happens. You have nothing to worry about, Lady Kiora," Illyria says, looking directly into Kiora's eyes. The glare sends shivers down Kiora's spine and she knows that Illyria means the complete opposite of what she just said.

"I know," Kiora replies, trying to keep her voice light-hearted.

"This conversation is boring," Dido sighs. "Change the subject, please."

Kiora zones out as they gossip about other noble ladies of the court and the latest fashion trends.

She finds herself thinking about the emperor. Has he realised he's made a mistake? Kiora won't grow old, or get wrinkled. She will remain the same. Is the thought of never having an excuse to get rid of her in the future intimidating to him?

Kiora feels angry heat burn through her, but she suppresses it.

"Come on, it's time to go," Illyria instructs, interrupting Kiora's thoughts.

The wives stand and start walking back into the palace.

"You go ahead, I need to speak to Lady Kiora alone," Illyria says and gestures for the other wives to leave. They curtsy softly, then walk ahead.

Kiora takes in a shallow breath and tenses, not sure if she's ready to hear what Illyria has to say.

"It's such a shame that you have lost favour with the emperor," she says with a sigh. Kiora tries to smile and to make it look like Illyria's comment hadn't hurt, but her words send a sharp pang through Kiora's chest. She hates to admit how much she misses her time with Athan.

Stop it, Kiora. That man is keeping you from going home. You should be relieved he doesn't like you anymore. Perhaps, he'll even grow bored of you and send you away.

A glimmer of hope spikes through her, making her stomach flutter. Yes. She should be boring. If Lady Uzrena was right about the emperor sending wives he's bored of away, then perhaps that is Kiora's way out.

"We've talked about you, you know," Illyria says, interrupting Kiora's thoughts.

"You have?" she asks, trying not to let her voice squeak in surprise.

"Yes," Illyria says. "I have told him of some of the comments you've said about him and about your fellow sister wives."

"Comments?" Kiora asks, confused.

"Yes, don't you remember?" she asks innocently.

"High Lady, I'm not sure what you're talking about," Kiora stutters. Dread ripples through her, making her stomach drop and her limbs ache.

"It was only two days ago, Lady Kiora, when you said to us that you preferred your books over us as we are, and I quote 'too dim to understand what you're talking about.' How can you not remember saying something so cruel?" she asks.

Kiora's mouth drops open and her mind goes blank. She has no response. Illyria continues, and when she speaks, her words come out so convincingly that Kiora almost finds herself falling for it.

"We all heard you, Lady Kiora," she says, "and we completely understand that it must be a hard adjustment and that settling in with us has been difficult for you. We were empathetic with your struggles, and we've really tried to help you. We held off telling the emperor of your other comments for long enough, but enough is enough."

"Lady Illyria," Kiora gulps, her voice breathless with confusion and fear. "Please, I don't understand."

Lady Illyria smiles softly and she reaches out to squeeze Kiora's shoulder affectionately.

"As the High Lady of this harem, it is my responsibility to tell you this so that you can help grow and learn how to be a dutiful wife for his majesty. But it has become clear to the emperor and to myself, that all the time the emperor was spending with you has been detrimental to you and your ability to grow a relationship with your sister wives. This is no fault of your own. The emperor is a magnificent man and with how often he was calling upon you, it is only natural that you feel special compared to the rest of us. But your cruel comments putting down our sisters' intelligence because they do not read like you do, or understand languages or sciences like you do, will not be accepted."

"But I've never said anything like that," Kiora whispers, her voice trembling. Her thoughts spin with confusion as she tries to comprehend what's going on.

"Kiora," Illyria says softly. She sounds so horribly, genuinely concerned. Even as she meets Kiora's eyes, her own stare is one of genuine pity.

"I know we may not be as well travelled, or as well educated as you. But that does not make us any less than you."

"But..."

"The emperor and I have decided that until you are more integrated into our family, he will reduce his time with you. Alongside that, your access to his study and his books will also be withdrawn."

Kiora freezes.

No.

Her lips tremble and it takes all her strength not to fall to the floor and collapse in despair.

"This is for your own good, Kiora," Illyria says to her, "you'll see."

Kiora can't answer her. She can't even breathe.

"I'll leave you to take it all in and I hope that after this, you can approach your relationship with your sisters with a new, and improved attitude. I'm sorry this had to happen, I really am. But you brought it on yourself."

With that, Illyria turns on her heels and walks away, leaving Kiora standing alone in the gardens.

Kiora's legs crumple and she drops to her knees, all the strength leaving her body. Her head spins with confusion.

How did Illyria know about the books? How did she know about her and the emperor's debates?

It clicks then.

The emperor told her.

Anger surges through Kiora, making her feel terribly hot. He betrayed her. He shared their secret with Illyria and let her spin it into something it wasn't.

He believed her.

Kiora's breathing quickens, coming in short, sharp pants.

How could he believe I would say something like that? After all our discussions, I thought he understood me.

Tears, hot and uncontrollable spill down Kiora's cheeks.

She isn't sure what hurts more. The fact that the emperor would believe Illyria, or the fact her books, her only escape from these wretched walls, have been taken from her.

Kiora's chest tightens and she shuts her eyes tightly as she tries to process it all. The hot anger continues to swirl through her, making her body tremble. She balls her hands into tight fists, not caring as her nails dig into the skin of her palms.

Her teeth grind together as she tries to hold back her agonised scream. She fears that if she starts screaming, she may never stop.

Maybe she should start screaming. Would the emperor send her away if he thought her mad?

No. Kiora will not give Illyria the satisfaction. She lets out a long breath and tries to calm her body. Anger still pulses through her, hot and burning. But this time it is more controlled.

Kiora stands and straightens her dress, composing herself. Then, she walks back toward the palace. She stares up at it, wondering how a building of such beauty and splendour can be the home of so much cruelty.

How can a home as big and grand as this feel like nothing more than a prison?

As she steps inside, a chill ripples through her. She takes in a sharp breath and walks through the corridors with her head held high.

She comes to the realisation that none of these wives will ever be her friends. They will never be kind to her. Whatever Illyria tells them to do and say, they will without question.

It is her against them.

But Kiora is a fast learner and if Illyria and her sister wives want to play games, then Kiora will gladly participate.

They already see her as a threat.

Now it is time to become one.