I haven't run into Tristian since that night. Two days of freedom without seeing those dark eyes but I still feel uneasy. Riley is still haunted by that night and will barely talk to me. My guilt continues to grow as well. If I hadn't chosen to slap Tristian, would her assault have even happened? Is this my fault? Riley is just a maid NPC in this game but... she feels like an important friend to me. I am Anna now... but I don't have most of her memories either.

Since I don't want to bother Riley who is still sleeping on my bed, I get dressed in a simple black dress without a corset. Anna is skinny enough as it is so I figure I don't need it. I brush my hair and pull it back in a loose yet messy ponytail. I eye the makeup and shake my head. It's not worth it. I walk over to the door and blink.

For once Phoenix isn't there waiting on me. Where is he? "... Sir Phoenix?" I call out but no response comes. I have a bad feeling about this... and as I spot some of Tristian's guards walking this way, it only gets worse. I quickly shut the door and hold myself. What's going on? I know not hearing a word from Tristian was suspicious... but why is he making a move now?

I flinch when I hear and feel hard banging against the door. "Open the door, queen! We know the maid named Riley is inside!" I cover my mouth and shake. There's no way he can be thinking of punishing her right? It's obvious what happened... she was only defending herself.

"My queen." Riley is watching me from the bed. Her purple eyes are lifeless and her pink hair is so dull and limp. She hasn't been taking this well at all. "It's ok... they probably just want to hear my side of the story." She carefully stands up. "Riley..." I flinch again as they bang on the door. "Open up, Queen Anna!"

Riley gives me a small and sweet smile that doesn't reach her eyes. This isn't fair... but I nod and open the door. "Stop banging on my door!" I snap. The guards pay me no mind and brush past me. "Riley, come with us. You're needed for questioning." They start to drag her away but I stand in front of the door. "Queen, get out of our way!" They don't respect me at all. I clench my fists. "Tell me what's going on. What is Tristian doing? And where's my guard?!"

They look at each other and snicker. "Follow us if you want then. These two are going to be getting what they deserve..." I'm pushed back and they walk off with Riley. My heart starts pounding in my chest but I rush after them. No... what are they going to do?! They haven't done anything wrong!

I make it to the throne room as they're making Riley kneel on the floor. She looks so small and helpless... they didn't even let her change out of her nightgown! She's just a traumatized kid. "Oh, it looks like you've joined us, wife." Tristian is lounging on the throne a smirk on his face. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you making Riley kneel? You know what happened to her! You saw the evidence with your own eyes!"

Tristian merely chuckles. "So feisty for a little fairy..." he mutters in amusement. "Yes I know what happened to her and it's terrible. I apologize for her trauma and pain. However..." What do you mean, however?! Those are the facts damn it! My glare doesn't slow him down at all as he continues, "It doesn't change the fact that she murdered a man who happens to be my closest and oldest friend. Therefore, there has to be a punishment."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Punishment? Isn't losing her innocence and having nightmares enough?! Tristian smirks. "Of course... upon hearing about this, someone stepped up to take some of the punishment from her." What...? I hear a door open and someone is shoved into the room stumbling and falling. The coppery scent of blood makes me gag and I gasp out loud seeing who it is: my own personal guard.

Phoenix is an unconscious, bloody mess. His torso and back are covered in fresh whip marks. I hear Riley let out a screech of horror but I just stand feeling dazed and confused. "Phoenix...?" He seems to stir at my voice and open his eyes. They're red but I figure it must be due to blood loss this time instead of anger. "... ...ty..." I can't make out what he says as my ears are ringing. My two closest allies... getting not only targeted but hurt as well. Was this Tristian's plan all along?

That smug smirk tells me everything I need to know. I grit my teeth. "What right do you have to punish and harm my own? Are you crazy, Tristian?!" I walk forward and stand in front of Riley. "My queen!" She stammers out but I don't back down. Tristian laughs loudly to the point of crying. I guess he doesn't see me as threatening at all. I'm nothing more than a joke to him.

"I am the king you chose. Women are to just sit and look pretty... but then you aren't a normal woman either. You're a revolting freak! You weren't even pure for me on our wedding night!" His hateful words only make my blood boil. How dare he say such things out loud? Everyone is looking at me differently now, like I'm nothing but dirty trash. Instead of feeling ashamed though, I'm fuming.

"What happened to me is the same thing that happened to Riley." My words make Tristian's face stiffen. "My late uncle forced me when I was only seven. So calling me impure... insulting me when you know nothing... you're nothing but a disgusting pig." My voice is dark and full of hatred. Those whispers stop and all eyes are on me.

"Oh... my queen..." Riley's voice is full of horror and sorrow. I can't see Phoenix's face because he's behind me. I'm sure he's surprised too. "Come at me. Be pissed off at me. But NEVER come after my people ever again." My voice holds the authority of a queen.

Tristian continues to look tense as he searches my face. Is he trying to see if I'm lying? When he doesn't find what he's looking for, he tightens his grip on the armrests so much that they start to splinter. This must not be going how he wanted it to.

"... It doesn't change anything." He finally speaks and I let out a small laugh. Of course! He won't back down at all. My laughter makes his eyes darken. "However... I have a solution to this. Come after you? Fine. I will let her off and even pay her a big sum for her to have a wonderful life without needing to work."

I narrow my eyes. His voice is sincere... but what's the catch? Then my blood goes cold as he continues. "However, you need to fire both Riley and Phoenix and spend the rest of your days in a tower of my choosing." What...? My ears start to ring again. I'm going to be imprisoned instead? "M-my queen! Don't..." I hear Riley whimper but her voice sounds so far away.

"If you don't take this offer... Riley will be punished by getting her hand chopped off. She will be expelled from the palace and everyone will know she's used goods, a disgrace to her family. She'll be lucky to get work at a brothel even with her decent looks." Tristan smirks. "What's your choice, wifey." My heart is pounding so hard I hear it in my ears. What sort of choices are these? A blue screen appears in front of me as the world stops around me.

What will be your choice?

My hands tremble. None of these are great! However... even if I selfishly wanted to just enjoy fun times with the handsome male leads coming in... I can't let Riley suffer anymore. I will be vulnerable without Phoenix but... even if I die, I'll go back to the beginning.

My hand trembles as I make my choice. As the world starts again, tears of sorrow and defeat roll down my face. "..." I turn to face my people. Riley's expression is begging me not to do this and Phoenix... nothing shows on his face. "... Please just go..." I choke out. "Y-you're... you're fired... both of you... get out of here... stay safe... please..."

Riley gasps and reaches out to me but she's been grabbed and is being dragged away. "N-no!" Phoenix stays still his eyes meeting mine. "..." he then lowers his head. "... I understand... my queen..." he stands up and stumbles away not letting anyone take him away.

I hold myself and sob feeling more alone than ever. I feel Tristian's presence behind me. He grabs my arm and drags me away. I keep my eyes glued to the floor but I can just feel his smug triumph radiating off of him. He's a sick bastard. We walk for a long time but soon we make it to the tower. He shoves me into the room. It's smaller than the one I was staying in and much plainer.

"... Strip." Tristian orders. "You won't need clothes here... they'll only be in the way." My trembling hands move on their own and soon I'm naked my back still to Tristian. He walks up behind me and leans me against a dresser with a mirror. The dark eyes I see make me hate him even more but what I focus on is my expression... no, this must be what Anna is feeling because I'm fuming and wanting to kill this bastard.

Her yellow eyes look dead and defeated. Her face is pale and wet with tears. I've never seen her like this before. "Now stay quiet... let's see what expressions you can make." He purrs in my ears. I see him put something on his hand and then flinch as he pressed his fingers against my slit.

He doesn't play with me for long but he smirks as I let out stifled moans and cries. "Heh... if only you didn't have a nasty little prick here..." then I cry out as he shoves himself into me. "Don't worry, little wife... this is going to be a long night..." he then pounds into me without any mercy.

I let out whimpers and moans but try not to give him the satisfaction. I can see the look in his eyes, the dark lust and desire. He claims to hate my body but is having a good old time. He ends up putting some fingers in my mouth. "Look at you... you little whore. How easily you respond... how much you're clenching around me... I wonder how many times you'll reach your peak tonight." I whimper while he groans and sighs.

It's natural to react to stimulation like this. I know that but as I cry out and tears run down my face, I wonder if Anna is aware of it. The word 'whore' is ringing in my eyes and has made her eyes lose any fight left in them. Is it her trigger? I'm not sure but all I can do is endure like she's doing. She can't talk to me... I have to come to terms with the facts... at this point I am Anna.

He's right in saying it's a long time... I don't get any relief until after he moves us to the bed and I pass out but I'm sure he continues to use me until he's satisfied.