Meanwhile. Somewhere unknown.
The filthy room came into sharper focus as her consciousness fully returned. The stench of damp rot and something vaguely metallic assaulting Bella's senses. Her hand instinctively went to her swollen belly, a protective gesture that felt both maternal and vulnerable in this unfamiliar setting.
The last memory surfaced with terrifying clarity - the silhouette in her doorway, the glint of steel against candlelight, and then darkness. A shiver ran through her despite the stuffy air, and she shifted cautiously on the grimy mattress beneath her.
Footsteps echoed from somewhere outside the room, heavy boots on wooden floorboards followed by muffled voices speaking too low to discern words. Fear coiled in her stomach alongside morning sickness from missed breakfast and whatever drug they'd used to knock her out.
A key scraped loudly in the lock outside, metal grinding against old ironwork.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing a tall, burly man filling the doorway. His face was weathered and scarred, with a thick beard covering his chin. He carried a lantern that cast dancing shadows across the small room, illuminating cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and peeling paint on the walls.
"You're awake," he grunted, his voice rough like gravel. "Took longer than expected for that knockout drug to wear off." He set the lantern on a rickety table nearby, casting an orange glow over Bella's huddled form.
Another man appeared behind him, younger but equally imposing with broad shoulders straining against his tunic. "She looks scared," he commented with a smirk. "Not so high and mighty now, is she?"
The older man chuckled darkly. " Our mistress payed well for pretty gifts like you. Said we should keep you comfortable enough... for now."
Let me go !!!
The older man let out a harsh laugh at Bella's plea, his grip tightening on the lantern. "Go? Honey, you're not exactly in a position to be making requests." He took a step closer, his boots thudding against the wooden floor. "Our employer is very particular about her acquisitions. She doesn't take kindly to merchandise trying to walk away."
The younger man leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms with amusement. "Besides, where would you even go? Back to that fancy palace where everyone hates you anyway?" He gestured dismissively. "We heard all about how the Emperor , how you almost killed him with the attention seeking games. Foolish move on her part"
The older man crouched down slightly to get a better look at Bella's face in the lantern light. "You're worth a fortune right now - pregnant!!!, "
The older man's grin widened as he watched the fear flicker in Bella's eyes. "That's right, pretty little concubine. You might think you've escaped your old life, but fate has a funny way of bringing people back where they belong."
He gestured toward the younger man. "Our boss has been waiting years to get her hands on you. She's been watching your little love story unfold from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to reclaim her property."
The younger man chimed in with enthusiasm. "She's got quite the collection of former slaves who thought they could start new lives. Most of them don't last long once she's through with them."
The older man chuckled darkly. "But you... you're special. Pregnant with the Emperor's heir? That makes you practically priceless.."
He stood up straight, stretching his back with a satisfied sigh.
You are sick!!! You won't get your hands on my babies. Don't you have pity ?. Don't you have children ? How could easily talk about horrible things like that? I snapped. But he slaps me hard across the cheek.
The sharp crack of flesh against flesh echoed in the small room, silencing Bella's defiant words. The older man's handprint bloomed red across her cheek, leaving a stinging sensation that brought tears to her eyes. He loomed over her, his face inches from hers, the lantern light casting menacing shadows across his features.
"Pity?" he spat, his breath smelling of stale tobacco and alcohol. "Little girl, you have no idea what pity is. We've seen worse things done to children than what our mistress plans for yours."
The younger man laughed from the doorway. "She's got fire in her still. Good. Makes breaking her spirit more fun." He sauntered closer, circling Bella like a predator studying prey. "I bet she screams pretty when she's being broken."
The older man grabbed a fistful of Bella's hair, yanking her head back to expose her throat.
He yawns as if suddenly bored. Let's see if you still have a big mouth after you don't each for a day. Would have said longer, but my mistress said to make sure nothing happens to the children. Tsk. He said as if annoyed. Before he left , he gave an order to his comrade. No food or water for a day. The other looked at him But---- . Was he trying to oppose because of pity it , or scared of a greater force. But I couldn't find out because the older, cuts him short. Do as I say. Don't test me !!! . The younger bows his head in surrender before both left . Locking the door behind them.
The heavy door slammed shut, the lock clicking into place with finality. The sound echoed in the small room, sealing Bella inside with only her own thoughts and the oppressive silence. The lantern flickered on the table, casting dancing shadows across the grimy walls as daylight filtered through a small, barred window too high to reach.
Hours bled into each other without any sense of time. Hunger gnawed at Bella's stomach along with morning sickness, but there was nothing to ease either. Her throat grew dry, each swallow becoming more painful as thirst became a constant companion. She tried to conserve water by not speaking aloud, but every swallow felt like sandpaper against her tongue.
The room grew colder as night fell outside. Shivers wracked her body despite the pregnancy's natural warmth. She curled up on the mattress for what little comfort it offered, pulling her arms around her swollen belly protectively.
The next day, from outside my prison door, I heard a woman voice, I couldn't see her . As I was too weak and thirsty to even get up . But it was obvious that she was scolding the older man and saying how the mistress will be angry for not feeding me because of the babies. She then slaps him warning him not to try it again and make sure I was well fed.
With a angry huff she left .
A while later, the younger man entered carrying a tray laden with simple but nourishing fare - a bowl of rice porridge, steamed fish, and a pitcher of clean water. He set it down on the rickety table beside Bella's mattress without a word, his expression neutral.
"Figured you'd be hungry," he said gruffly, avoiding eye contact. "Mistress gets real mad when we don't follow orders. Says those kids in your belly are valuable property."
He poured a glass of water and placed it within easy reach. "Old Man Tanaka thinks he's tougher than he is. Shouldn't have let you go without food yesterday. You look like hell."
Bella's eyes fixed on the food, her stomach rumbling audibly in response. The scent of cooked rice filled the small space, making her mouth water despite her weakness.
The younger man leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Without another word , I rushed to the food. Not caring it was hot , I start to eat.
The younger man watched with a flicker of surprise as Bella attacked the food with desperate hunger, her hands shaking as she shoveled rice into her mouth. He remained by the door, arms crossed, observing the scene with a mix of curiosity and professional detachment.
"Slow down," he advised gruffly, though his tone lacked its earlier harshness. "You'll make yourself sick eating that fast. Mistress won't be happy if you puke all over her property."
He pushed off the doorframe and approached cautiously, stopping a few feet away from where Bella sat on the mattress. The lantern light caught the desperate look in her eyes as she devoured every bite of porridge and fish.
"You're really hungry, aren't you?" he commented almost conversationally. "Old Man Tanaka's probably getting an earful right now from Mistress about how he let you starve yesterday."
I rub my belly, a maternal way of telling my babies to get nutrients from me. Mummy got you, I whispered to them my mouth full , tears threatening to shame me . Sorry mummy's big mouth made you hungry yesterday. Sorry my babies, mummy is sorry.
The younger man's expression softened slightly at Bella's maternal whispering, his own upbringing likely including similar moments of comfort from his mother. He shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable with the emotional display.
"Don't cry," he said gruffly, though his tone lacked its earlier harshness. "Mistress won't punish you for that. She knows you're pregnant." He paused, then added reluctantly, "She's actually pretty protective of her investments."
Footsteps approached in the hallway outside, heavier than before. The older man's voice carried through the door. "Still talking to yourself? Don't get too cocky."
So,- sorry I said for the sake of my unborn babies. I made a mental note to my self to control my mouth.
The younger man's expression shifted slightly at Bella's sudden silence, noticing how she forced herself to stop whispering to her unborn children. He watched her hands tremble as she set the empty bowl down, the last remnants of porridge clinging to her fingers.
"Smart girl," he commented quietly, pushing off the doorframe. "Old Man Tanaka thinks he can break you by starving you, but you're tougher than that." He poured more water into the glass beside her. "Drink slowly this time. Your body needs to adjust."
Outside in the hallway, the older man's voice grew louder and more agitated. "I don't care what Mistress said about feeding you! A day without food builds character!" His footsteps paced back and forth angrily.
The younger man glanced toward the door nervously. "He's been like this since yesterday. Mistress really chewed him out for letting you go hungry."
Thank you for being kind even if , even if it's inconvenient for you. I say to the younger man, with a weak smile. Thank you.
The younger man's cheeks flushed slightly at Bella's gratitude, clearly unused to such polite treatment from prisoners. He shuffled his feet awkwardly, avoiding direct eye contact.
"It's nothing," he mumbled, pouring another glass of water for her. "Just doing my job. Mistress pays us to keep you healthy for now." His gaze flickered toward her swollen belly involuntarily. "Those kids are important to her somehow."
Footsteps approached the door again, heavier this time. The older man's voice boomed through the wood. "Open up! Time for a check-in!"
The younger man sighed inwardly before unlocking the door. Old Man Tanaka stood in the doorway glaring at them both, lantern held high.
"How is our precious cargo?" he asked sarcastically, stepping inside without invitation. "Still crying like a baby?"
*I clutched my stomach protectively.* "Just peachy, thanks to your stellar hospitality!" *I retorted, glaring at the older man.*
The older man's face darkened at Bella's defiant tone, his hand twitching toward the whip tucked into his belt. "Watch your mouth, girl. You're lucky Mistress values those babies more than your attitude."
He circled the room slowly like a shark assessing prey. " You better watch ur mouth before I will cut off ur tongue "
The younger man intervened quickly, stepping partially between Bella and Tanaka. "Sir, maybe we shouldn't provoke her further. Mistress wants her calm when she arrives."
The older man snorted derisively. "Calm? This one thrives on conflict." He pointed a stubby finger at Bella's protective stance over her belly. "Think carefully about whose side you're choosing here. Mistress has ways of convincing people to cooperate willingly."
With that he left, the young man walk apologetic towards the door.
The younger man then lingered in the doorway for a moment, his expression softening with something that might have been sympathy. "He's just angry because Mistress chewed him out yesterday," he said quietly. "He just gets ahead of his self sometimes"
He closed the door behind him, leaving Bella alone once more with the flickering lantern light and the lingering threat of their employer's arrival. Footsteps echoed down the hallway as both men argued heatedly about treatment protocols and Mistress's expectations.
Bella clutched her stomach tighter, feeling the babies move in response to her anxiety. "It's okay," she whispered to them. "Mummy's here. We'll figure this out together."