The Slave & The Prostitute As they arrived back to the Imperial Palace, the doors opened wide thanks to Shareens purple outfit and Cassandras pink dress, but her younger sister couldnt stop frowning or be wary of everyone they crossed paths with.
She stuck right behind Cassandra, checking everything around them as if she was ready to hide, fight or run away anytime.
Shareen walked ahead, as usual, to head back to her apartments, next to her brothers.
She was still pissed about getting drugged in the middle of the street, enough that she didnt even want to mention that incident.
Cassandra, however, had other worries in mind.
For some reason, she wasnt feeling too good about her sister being into the Palace.
Missandra would be an easy target for anyone who wanted to harm her, and she clearly remembered Phetras evil ways.
The cruel Princess couldnt attack Cassandra as long as she wore an Imperial title and the symbolic pink dress, but Missandra, on the other hand, was a mere commoner she could kill without blinking.
Moreover, as soon as she and Shareen had come back, an Imperial servant had informed them that the War God was still in a session with the Emperor.
Hence, instead of going back to her Princes apartments, Cassandra decided to go to the one place she thought would be safer.
Her apartments in the Palace had nothing to do with her own Diamond Palace, but Kareen was still ruling over the place like a Goddess over her temple.
The servants, used to see Cassandra go in and out on a daily basis, didnt even question her.
Funny enough, the War Gods concubine had less trouble meeting with the Imperial Concubine than the Emperor himself… Where are we going? Asked Missandra in a whisper.
Dont worry, little sister, everything is fine.
Behind them, Dahlia was following the sisters closely, still very confused to hear them speak another language.
She knew that the third Princes Concubine had grown outside of the Empires borders, but she had never heard about the southern tribes or their culture… It was a very unexpected reminder of the Ladys unique background.
Cassandra, dearest! What are you doing here? Said Kareen, surprised to see the young woman come in at that time.
Cassandra bowed politely.

Sorry, Lady Kareen, I hoped I could stay here with my sister until his Highness was back? The Imperial Concubine glanced at Missandra after her sentence, not hiding her surprise to see Cassandras sibling there.
She had heard Cassandra mention a younger sister a couple of times, but she had no idea she had been searching for her since she was back in the Capital.
Seeing Cassandras worried expression, and her younger sister terrified behind her, the Imperial Concubine understood quickly what was going on.
She gestured for a servant to approach.
You two must have quite a lot to catch up.
Feel free to use the tea room.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Just like that, the servant led Cassandra and Missandra into a different room.
Kareen watched the women go, well aware of why her grandsons mother had chosen to come here.
She immediately gave instructions for Missandra, too, to be monitored closely, and for Kairen to be informed.
Meanwhile, Cassandra and Missandra were finally alone in another room.
The younger sister couldnt relax, however.
She grabbed Cassandras hand.
Big sister, how come youre here? Who was this woman, and how… how did you become a concubine, of all things…? Cassandra took a deep breath.
She understood Missandras concerns, but it was time she explained everything.
From the first time she was bought and sent to work for her first master, up until her meeting with the Prince, and everything that had happened afterward, Cassandra told her sister everything.
A servant had brought them two cups of tea, but neither of the sisters touched it.
They were too absorbed in their conversation, trying to patch together the pieces of their past together.

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When Cassandra finally arrived to the present, Missandra was crying.
I… I cant believe youve been through all of this… A slave… I… I thought you might have been freed, like me… Youre so much smarter, and… educated… I hoped youd found a good man and married early… As she talked, she kept glancing over all of the scars on Cassandras body, her lips trembling.
The concubine was so used to seeing all those scars, she didnt care much for them anymore.
They had healed long ago, and even her Prince never reminded her about her damaged body.
However, for Missandra, this was the brutal vision of her sisters hardships.
She felt almost ashamed of her own body, spotless and well-nourished.
Missandra, what happened for you? I told you what we heard, but… I need to know… The younger sister nodded, trying to wipe her tears away.
Its mostly as you heard.
I was… sold right after you, to a brothel.
Until I was thirteen, they simply trained us, groomed us to be beautiful and seduce men… I had my first customer when I was thirteen, but, I wasnt tamed.
I didnt want to lay and be a toy for them to play with… So whenever I could, I would rebel, cause a ruckus and make sure I was locked away from the customers for a while.
I stole as much money as I could to, without being noticed.
I had intended on buying myself out of slavery, but I didnt think someone would pay my debt for me.
Was that… The husband they mentioned? Missandra nodded.
A good man, actually… He was a scholars son.
We got along because he was smart, my favorite customer.
With the money he borrowed from his family, he convinced my last workplace to sell me to him, and he bought my freedom.
Marrying him was part of the deal, but I didnt mind.

…What happened, then? Yes.
This is Missandra.
The two of them didnt say anything, staring at each other with a burning animosity between them.
Cassandra wasnt too comfortable about this situation, either.
Her heartfelt uncomfortable, and she turned to her Prince, trying to repress it.
Can she stay with us for now? Big sister, I dont want to stay here! You should leave and leave that man! Missandra, I promise you will be fine.
But I am not leaving him.
Kairen was surprised to hear the younger sister use another language, and even more surprised to hear Cassandra talk it back, just like Shareen had been.
He looked down at Cassandra.
(5 What is it? Let my sister go! Suddenly said Missandra, not hiding her anger.
Kairen replied with a glare, and his arm holding Cassandra a bit closer to him.
He was judging that younger sister, so young but so fierce.
Missandra was obviously terrified, but seeing Cassandra close to that man, she refused to back down.
I dont trust you to protect her, people like you made her a slave! Missandra, my Lord is the one who freed me! …I wont hurt her, said Kairen, still glaring at Missandra.
Cassandra couldnt tell if he was unhappy about her sisters tone, or her thinking he would harm her, but his murderous glare was not lessening one bit while saying those words.
She was terrified he would kill her if he ran out of patience, and put a hand on his torso, hoping to have him calm down.
Ill explain to her… Missandra, I promise, you can trust him.
Trust him? Whispered her sister in disbelief.
Trust him? The last man I ever saw you with dragged you by your hair across our village to sell you! I am never entrusting my sister to any man again!