She rose from bed and stood before the mirror, staring at her gaunt reflection for a long while.
I look just like that sewer rat floating in my stew.
The thought made her give a brittle little laugh just as the maid who dressed her each morning entered the room.
"You're up early, Your Highness. Please, come. I'll help you wash."
"No need."
Her icy reply made the maid's sharp eyes tighten faintly. Looking down at Talia with a lofty gaze, the woman began to scold her.
"Your Highness has a duty, by the laws of the imperial family, to maintain perfect comportment at all times. Such childish refusals are—"
"Nurse!"
The cutting cry made the maid flinch and fall silent. Talia brushed past her and shook the bell by her bed violently.
"Nurse! Nurse!"
Moments later, her half-asleep nursemaid burst through the adjoining door in a fluster.
Talia pointed at her with imperious authority.
"From now on, my toilette will be handled by my nurse. Mother herself gave permission yesterday. You may leave."
"But—"
"Are you saying you'll defy the Empress's orders?"
At Talia's sharp retort, the maid—who had been peering down at her uncertainly—left the room without protest. It seemed she had no intention of struggling just to help with Talia's dressing.
Talia then turned to her sleepy nurse, who was rubbing her swollen eyes and stifling a yawn.
"You heard me just now, didn't you? From today on, it's your job to wash and dress me. Keep your wits about you and do it properly."
"Yes, my lady…" the nurse answered lazily, yawning wide.
Talia's hand shot out, striking her plump cheek without mercy. The startled nurse stared at her in shock.
Talia mimicked the look her mother so often wore when her anger was at its peak.
"How many times must I tell you to address me as 'Your Highness'?"
The nurse's brown eyes went wide.
Talia held her gaze, grinding each word out with deliberate emphasis.
"From now on, call me 'Your Highness.' If you call me 'my lady' again, you'll be slapped."
Still bewildered, the nurse began to fumble through the preparations, hastily helping Talia wash and dress.
It took hours; the nurse's hands were slow and clumsy. By the time she finished, Talia—who had eaten almost nothing for weeks—felt she might collapse from weakness. Still, she straightened her back proudly and stepped out of her chamber.
A man in black stood waiting in the corridor, his face shadowed and grim. Talia stiffened at the sight of a stranger posted outside her door—then remembered her mother's words. This ghostlike man must be the "useful guard" her mother had mentioned.
She gave him a curt nod, beckoning him to follow, and strode toward the dining hall.
Several servants, who had clearly been waiting far too long for her to appear, sent her sour looks. Talia ignored them and seated herself at the far end of the long table. With haughty command, she jerked her chin.
"Bring the food."
Though reluctant, the servants eventually brought in dishes, under the supervision of a matronly maid in her mid-thirties. At her direction, silver platters were laid out in order, and at last, a bowl of soup was set before Talia.
She stared into the cloudy broth, filled with beans and meat. On the surface it seemed fine, but she knew better.
She dipped her spoon and stirred the creamy thickness until it scraped the bottom. Up came the limp body of a sparrow, neck twisted, eyes rotting. Thin white maggots wriggled out from the bird's empty sockets.
Her stomach lurched, bile rising to her throat. But Talia forced her expression into cold composure. She lifted her gaze to the maid who had supervised the meal.
"You. Sit here."
The woman froze at the sudden command, then narrowed her eyes warily.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I have much to do."
She turned, clearly intending to leave.
Usually, she lingered nearby after setting out meals, as though savoring Talia's reaction. The fact she was fleeing today told Talia she sensed danger.
Talia shot to her feet, seized a brass kettle from the table, and with all her strength slammed it against the maid's head.
Even a child's swing, wielding solid metal, had force enough to matter. The woman shrieked and crumpled onto the carpet.
Everyone in the hall froze—maids, footmen, all of them struck dumb. Some gasped, some covered their mouths in horror.
Talia, unbothered, flicked her chin toward the dark figure standing silently in the corner.
"Seat her beside me."
The guard obeyed, dragging the half-dazed maid forward. She struggled weakly, but his trained strength overwhelmed her. At last she was forced into a chair at Talia's side.
Blood ran from a cut at her temple, staining her pale cheek in crimson streaks.
Talia ignored it, pushing the bowl of soup—still holding the decomposing bird—toward her.
The woman's eyes darted from the bowl to Talia's face, panic rising.
Talia pressed a spoon into her trembling fingers.
"In honor of your daily service preparing my meals, I'll share mine with you today. Out of courtesy, finish every drop."
"Y-Your Highness, I…"
"Eat."
Talia shoved the maid's hand toward the bowl.
"You brought it to me to eat. What reason have you not to?"
"I—I only…"
Her lips trembled as she darted frantic glances around the room. But none of the servants moved to help her; all were paralyzed with fear.
"Eat it!" Talia roared.
The maid flinched violently, then tried to shove Talia's hand away and scramble to her feet. But the guard's grip pinned her in place.
Tears welled in her eyes. She looked from his grim face to Talia's, her voice breaking with pleas.
"I—I was wrong! Never again—please, forgive me, just this once—"
"If you don't finish that bowl, you won't be walking out of here on your own two feet."
The woman went deathly pale. Her eyes fell to the sword hanging at the guard's side. She gasped for breath, sobbing.
"Please… please… have mercy…!"
"I already am." Talia's tone was flat, almost bored.
"I could kill you here and now. Instead, I'm giving you the chance to live."
The woman's body shook uncontrollably.
Talia pushed the reeking soup closer.
"If you understand, then put it all in your mouth. Every last bit."
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