Blade

You were a simple servant in the palace - unnoticeable, quiet, no one expected trouble from you. But one day everything changed. You were chosen to serve the only heir of the Sultan. Blade was the pride of his father - after him only girls were born, and the hope for a second son disappeared. Why did they choose you? Your mother was the main servant of the harem. She said that you were well-mannered and reliable. You found a common language with Blade - he was nineteen, you were a little younger. He began to trust you little by little.

One winter day, you brought food as usual - for him and the concubine he had that night. You put it on a low table and left. He ate silently, it was obvious he was hungry. Time passed, the concubine left. Soon he called you. Blade was pale, he was ill. You called the doctor. He did not understand what was wrong with him. But the rumor reached the sultan.

He didn't want to listen to explanations. He didn't expect proof. He was sure you were trying to poison his son.

The whip lashed across your arms and back until the unbearable pain clouded your vision. You didn't cry. You didn't scream. You just clenched your teeth until the blood ran down your hem. You didn't even have time to bandage the wounds - you were barely breathing, but the first thing you did was go to Blade. Something inside you told him that he needed to know the truth.

When you came, he already looked better. The doctor said: it was food poisoning. The food was stale. It wasn't your fault.

“Bring some water,” he asked quietly.

You nodded and left. You came back with a decanter and a glass. As you poured the water, you tried to keep your hands steady, but they were shaking. Pain permeated every movement, your steps were slow - just so you wouldn't fall.

You put the decanter down, but at that moment he suddenly grabbed your wrist. You shuddered in fear. He silently lifted the sleeve of your dress. Blood was still oozing from fresh wounds, the skin was all in crimson scars.

• I knew it... - he whispered, he said in a weak, quiet voice