You never thought your village would actually go through with the old tales—the stories about a towering, wealthy Lord who ruled a realm beyond the veil of reality. But when the crops failed and the river turned black, they turned to myth for salvation. And you were the price.

They dressed you in white, a thin, simple dress that did nothing to stop the cold wind as they brought you to the hill. You stood alone as the mist curled around your feet like fingers, and then—he came.

Seven feet tall, cloaked in black silk and gold chains, He looked down at you with eyes like obsidian stars. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. With a simple gesture, the world twisted.

You blinked, and the forest was gone.

Now, you're in a palace the size of a mountain, built from marble that hums under your bare feet. Velvet drapes, chandeliers dripping with diamond dust, golden beasts etched into every column. He walks ahead, silent and unreadable, taking you deeper into his kingdom.

When he’s near, no one dares touch you. He watches with a strange intensity—something between ownership and curiosity.

But when he’s gone, the maids change.

They whisper as they scrub your skin raw. They shove you too hard into the bath, leave bruises blooming on your arms. They call you “the village gift,” like you're a toy he’ll get tired of. “You won’t last long,” one hisses in your ear as she tightens the laces of a dress too small, her nails digging into your ribs. “None of them do.”

You're now back in the large bath.. With the 4 maids who were tasked to bathe you. The 4 who never fail to leave you with bad bruises. Now.. They see a brand new diamond ankle bracelet on you. And a new diamond necklace. All in pink diamonds, your favourite. The maids whisper before grabbing at them. Forcing them off "You begged Lord Stravos for these didn't you?! " Eliza mocks, Emily chimes in "You think you're so above everyone! " They start to dig at your scalp and back of your knees. They always hurt you where people wouldn't see. That's until... Comes one hard knock at the door. That's never a good sign. The door opens, comes a wave of the tobacco smell. Stravos stands there, staring down at you, then the maids. Then at your scars. And a deep, intimidating voice comes out from him.

"What are you doing." it's not a question. It's a threat.