The Sacrificial Bride

In Hell, After the marriage...

Esther was relaxing in her room. Everything was too overwhelming. The sacrifice, the devil and now marriage. She looked outside the window, at the vast land. So many things happened. Her thoughts were all over the place. She had accepted everything without resistance. But why? Was it because she had always been patient… or because her heart had shattered when her own family betrayed her? She took a deep breath. Now, she has another mission. To take revenge on her family and return back in hell.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. Luxion had been gentle, respectful… kind. Esther admired him deeply, but she couldn't yet call it love. Not so soon. Her heart was still too fragile. Still… he had accepted her when no one else did. Everything was so sudden that she didn't get time to be with him properly.

'I already accepted my fate so I need to improve my relationship with angel. I will soon go back to my world. We won't get time to spend unless... Mhm.. That's decided then, I will come back to hell at night.' Esther thought biting her lower lip with small sparkle in her eyes.

The door opened. Luxion entered, carrying a silver tray laden with food and drinks. He set it carefully beside her on the bed.

"My dear wife," he said with a gentle smile, "eat. You must be exhausted. I'll prepare warm water for your bath."

Esther looked up at him, hesitating. "Angel… my body… it feels strange."

"Calm down, darling. The divine water you drank in ceremony is changing your body to divine entity. It must pain a little and make you dizzy. So, sleep after shower."

Esther nodded. Luxion went near her and held her hands. He closed his eyes, his body glowing faintly as golden energy passed from his palms into hers. It was warm and comforting.

"I gave you some of my powers. Practice them. And don't use it infront of anyone. Use it when you are in danger. I haven't share strong powers because your body can't handle it now." 

Esther smiled. "Thank you, Angel. I will eat now." 

He gave her a soft look before walking away to prepare her bath. After eating, Esther went to take shower. Pain wracked through her limbs as her body was changing. Becoming divine. She barely managed to dry herself and change into a loose gown before collapsing onto the bed in a daze.

Few hours later~

Esther was sleeping peacefully. Her breathing was soft. She tossed in her sleep when she felt a familiar pain near her waist. She woke up abruptly. This pain... This pain reminded of the bed she used to sleep in her room in her world.

She looked around and was shocked to see herself back in the same room. The curtains were drawn making the room was dim. Books were strewn across the floor. A cold, untouched plate of food sat by her bed. 

'I'm back,' she realized bitterly. 'In this cage.'

She walked towards the mirror to see her reflection. Her hairs were messy. Dark circles haunted her eyes. And the dress she was wearing was worn out. She sighed at her reflection. She was busy looking at the mirror when death popped up near her. 

"Hello Esther" He smiled while looking around. "This room is so dark and plain. Aren't room of princess supposed to be lavish and sparkly?" He questioned.

Life appeared near table and sat on the piles of paper. Esther chuckled and spoke, "Hi death and life. Yeah, they are supposed to be like that. Elder sis and Suzy's room is like that. But.. well.. my parents don't wanted me to be distracted... um.. well discrimination I guess." 

"Why are you referring them as your parents? They don't deserve it. Anyway, Luxion said that you are back one year before the sacrifice ritual. And, he asked to take care of yourself. He is sorry that he wasn't able to bid you goodbye." Life spoke softly.

Esther gaze softened as she smiled. "Thank you for coming here and giving me his message. It's sad that I didn't get to say goodbye but its fine. And, ask him to take care of himself." 

Death chuckled while touching the edge of the flickering candle. "Esther, don't worry about devil. You should worry about you. By the way, since you are back here. You should start by changing this room. I think room with ample sunlight is good."

"We will leave now. All the best, Esther." Life said as both of them disappeared.

Esther walked towards her wardrobe and sighed. All the gowns, she owned were poor quality, rough fabric and with dull colors. Her parents and maids bought this for her without her opinion. But for elder sis and Suzy, they used to call the designers in palace and select dress of their choice.

One day, elder sis asked her to select the clothes of her choice. But her parents chased her off. They scolded her and asked her to focus on her studies rather than such distractions. 

Esther searched a decent sky blue gown and went to bathroom. After showering, she came back and dumped all gowns except for two which were gifted by her elder sis onto floor. She rang the servant bell but no one came. She rang it again. Again. Even after ringing it three times, no one came to help her. Esther scoffed. The maids always treated her worse.

They gave her stale food, dragged her to lock her in room even without empress's orders, pushed her, never helped her out in any work and whatnot. 

"Its enough. It's time to teach those maids who is their master." Esther muttered coldly and left. She went straight to the servant quarters.

Meanwhile in Servants Quarter...

Laughter rang out among the maids. Some folded clothes lazily, others sat chatting, their backs turned to the bell's sound. They heard the bell ring for three times but no one stood up. In end, it was the dumb princess who was calling. No one respected her. Actually, they liked mocking her. They felt superior by bullying her and enjoyed it.

"Ugh!! Why is that dumb princess calling us?" One maid rolled her eyes while complaining.

"She stopped ringing the bell, just ignore her." Another replied.

"But what if she complains to Empress?" Another maid asked while shivering.

"Pfft!! Then what? It's not like the Empress will take her side. We can just tell her that we were busy. And princess was being childish ringing bell for no reason." One maid snorted.

"Right. Besides, the empress doesn't like her."

Esther who was leaning casually on the door-frame finally spoke in cold voice.

"Is this how you respect a royal member??"

The maids stopped in their track and looked at Esther. They were scared but when they saw it's the dumb princess. They heaved a sigh of relief. Their faces changed into mockery.

One of the maid snorted, "How did you raise voice at us? We don't have time for your tantrums. If you want something, take it by yourself. Use those hands." 

Other maids immediately nodded. They had other work to do. Cleaning, cooking, serving other princess... They can't waste time on her. The abandoned, dumb, cursed princess.

They continued doing their work while completely ignoring the princess. 

"Watch your tone. I am your master, you serve for me. Respect me or else it won't end good for you." Esther said, voice cool as ice.

The maids started laughing. They looked at each other as if they were laughing on some funny joke. Another maid came forward and sneered while laughing,

"You don't desserve our respect. Even though, you are princess, no one cares for you. You are just dumb, cursed princess. Utterly stup-"

SLAP