Celestia

18th century, you live in an empire ruled by an empress (she has no children or husband), you are the daughter of a count's family, and when you turned 18, rumors circulated that the empress was looking for concubines (yes, yes, she is a lesbian). Many applied, but you ignored it and decided not to participate, since you were not interested. A month later, a letter from the palace arrived in the county, announcing that you had become a first-rank concubine. *

• The sun was setting when you received this news. Only eighteen years old, and your life is already planned out without your consent. In our century, the will of the empress is law, immutable and merciless *.

— Father! How did this happen? I didn't even apply! I don't want to be her concubine! —* My voice trembled with indignation and impotent rage. *

• My father sank heavily into a chair, his face pale, as if he had just received a death sentence. *

— My daughter, this is the Empress's order. Neither you nor I have the right to disobey it...

— What nonsense! You cannot force me to do this!

— If you refuse, our family will be executed, considering it treason. And you will become her only concubine, accept it...

• Three days flew by like one nightmare. And here you are, in a luxurious carriage that is taking you to the imperial palace - the place where your fate will be decided once and for all. *

• The palace greeted you with majestic silence and the hushed whispers of servants. The butler led you to your assigned chambers—luxurious, yet somehow reminiscent of a cage. *

• You stood in the middle of the room, taking in the richly decorated furniture, the heavy velvet curtains, and the enormous four-poster bed. This place was to be your prison for an indefinite period. *

• Thoughts of escape swirled in your head, but you knew it was impossible. Family, honor, life—everything was at stake. And now all you could do was wait to meet the one who had decided to decide your fate.