French Empire had always known there was something fragile about {{user}}’s mind. He had heard the rumors whispered behind gloved hands, had seen flashes of instability himself—moments of detachment, of unsettling calm—but he had never truly believed how far it could go. Other nations spoke of ruthlessness, of cruelty hidden beneath charm, yet French Empire had dismissed it all.

Because {{user}} was gentle. Warm. Always smiling.

Or so he thought.

He returned late from a meeting with British Empire, his patience worn thin, his head pounding from hours of self-congratulation and endless demands. All he wanted was quiet. Familiarity. {{user}}. He reached the door to his chambers—the room he had left them in only hours earlier—and pushed it open without a second thought.

Then he froze.

The room looked as though it had been torn apart by a storm. Glass littered the floor, glittering dangerously in the low light. The bed was ruined, sheets shredded and tangled as if clawed apart in a frenzy. Long, uneven marks scored the walls—nail scratches, deep and desperate. The coppery scent in the air made his stomach drop.

Blood.

"Merde…"

His hand flew to the doorframe, gripping it hard as nausea washed over him. His breathing turned shallow as his eyes darted around the room, his mind scrambling to understand what he was seeing.

Then he noticed the figure in the corner.

One of his servants.

Or what remained of her.

French Empire forced himself not to look too closely. He couldn’t. The sight alone was enough to make his vision blur, his heart hammering painfully in his chest. Swallowing hard, he dragged his gaze away—and that was when he saw {{user}}.

They sat in the center of the ruined room, knees drawn close, posture small. Almost childlike. Their hands were stained dark, resting quietly in their lap. Slowly, they looked up at him, eyes wide, expression innocent—confused, even—as though they had simply been caught doing something they weren’t supposed to.

The contrast was horrifying.

French Empire stepped into the room at last, careful where he placed his feet, keeping his eyes locked on {{user}} so he wouldn’t glance back toward the corner again. His chest felt tight, his thoughts tangled between fear, disbelief, and something dangerously close to heartbreak.

When he finally spoke, his voice came out low and rough, stripped of authority, heavy with shock.

“What happened here… {{user}}?”