Chapter 2: Confirming The Scary Truth.

  Silence plagued the room, with her daughter seeming to enjoy Rien’s frustration. The only sound present… was the maid, whose body writhed upon the chair, screaming, screams of agony, which were muffled by a gag.

  Alisa: “Do you see, Rien? The girl is in terror, experiencing her worst fears, and what she’d think the cruelest torture would be.” She asked, showing not a hint of emotion.

  Rien: “You… aren’t going to punish her?”

  Alisa: “Am I not? Tell me… aren’t your memories of the punishments vague?” She replied with a head tilt.

  Rien: “…No… you don’t mean to say that… None of us have ever been hurt by you?!” She exclaimed in complete shock.

  Alisa: “Yes and no, I use mental torture. Curtesy of Tia Ter, I’ve not needed to ever stain my hands. Once done, the memories fade over time, but none will ever go against me after going through it.” She added with a cold giggle, which just came out as creepy with her unexpressive face.

  Rien: “( ’-’ ~)”

  Those tortured by Alisa would fear ever angering her again. But the suffering was always limited, though everlasting.

  Alisa: “Since I’m a Goddess now, I don’t need to keep you on a tight leash. Of course, you mustn’t tell anyone about this secret.” She threatened with a serious tone.

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  Rien: “I…I-I’d never do such a thing!” She instantly denied.

  Seeing her mother still be obedient, as always… brought a smile to Alisa’s face. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the kind of smile that she shows around Celia, but one that couldn’t be described as anything other than terrifying, or pure evil.

  Feeling dazed, the Empress didn’t even know when her daughter had freed the maid, or how long ago that they left the torture room. Now, the two were in her office once more, sitting on couches, no one else around.

  Alisa: “Here, take this.” She said with a bored tone, placing a small, ornate box onto the coffee/tea table.

  Rien: “This… an engagement ring?! You… have…” Upon lifting the lid, she couldn’t muster the strength to speak more than this, not able to finish her question.

  Gem rings were rare, with 99% of engagement and wedding rings being just metal. The wealthy would have rings be made out of Orichalcum. And… inside the box was an Orichalcum ring, adorned with a large, red gem, carved into the shape of a sparrow.

  Rien: “Alisa… please, I have… someone that I prefer. This will be my one request of this life; I can’t marry whom you choose!” She exclaimed in horror, bowing, hoping for her daughter’s mercy.

  Alisa: “Queen Amei, of the Elves…” She replied with a thinking pose.

  Rien: “…” “Of course… The staff here are all under Alisa… I was a fool to not realize that she knew about my desire!” She thought with a tone of despair.

  Alisa: “The Elven land is vast, and a bond between you and her would be greatly beneficial to Felta. As such, I’ve promised her your hand in marriage.” She explained with a giggle.

  Rien: “Eh?!” She said with a broken head tilt.

  Alisa: “The ring was of her design, as well, Mother. Today, you’ll propose to Amei, and then on the next… your union with her will be announced.” She added, getting up from the couch, leaving Rien with no possible means to refute her daughter.

  But the Empress didn’t wish to do that. Instead, tears flowed down her eyes, rejoicing that Alisa deemed her worthy of marrying the woman that she has courted for over ten years now.