As the spring winds blew past the trees, the flowers danced in full bloom. Among the rows of red crimson roses stood a yellow rose.
Odd, right?
That was the target.
Arrows soared through the air one by one as one of the guards blew a whistle and commanded, "Shoot!"
Among the five arrows that were shot, one landed on a red rose a few centimeters away from the yellow rose.
"Celine try harder next time" Jennifer, the Madam's right hand, commanded, her tone laced with disapproval.
Another arrow shot past the yellow rose and hit a tree trunk behind the flower bed.
"Clara are you even trying?" Jennifer hissed in displeasure.
Another one didn't even reach the flower bed.
"Ava! Apply strength or your meals will be cut off!" Jennifer said getting irritated.
The next arrow struck the base of the stem of the yellow rose, just above the soil.
"You had nearly got it Iris, just a little higher next time" Jennifer said a little pleased.
The last arrow brushed the petals of the yellow rose, scattering them to the ground as it soared through and landed on the tree trunk behind the flower bed.
"Good as always, Zarah" Jennifer praised, sounding satisfied.
Zarah lowered her bow and nodded curtly, "Thank you Jennifer"
Jennifer gave a nod and dismissed the girls, "Go now all of you, training is over" she said with a hint of authority.
"Flower maiden candidate exams are soon so keep practicing by yourself girls!" Jennifer reminded the girls before walking away.
"My arms ache!" Iris said as she sighed dropping her bow and stretched her arms.
"They did make us stand for an ungodly amount of time before finally allowing us to shoot!" Ava whined.
Celine had already left Clara tailing behind her.
Zarah exhaled, "Well this is to determine flower maiden candidates...." she said thinking aloud.
"Well whatever! Come on let's go eat something" Iris said throwing her arm over Zarah's shoulder, her bow forgotten on the ground.
Zarah rolled her eyes nudging Iris by her shoulder as she agreed, "I think I hear the rats from the kitchen building nests in my stomach"
Zarah had also dropped her bow to the ground.
Clearing the training area and taking the weapons away was the guard's duty so the girls didn't really bother with where they put their weapons after practice.
Ava had stayed back deciding to practice by herself.
Zarah was now 12 years old.
6 years had passed since that horrid night and those years had shaped Zarah into a smart girl whose actions and wisdom were beyond her years.
Zarah could never forget that night.
The pain she felt burned through her veins and her need to get revenge and shut the brothel down was the motivation that fueled her.
Zarah knew if she wanted to shut the brothel down she would need power and the support of the Empress.
The brothel had been there for a couple centuries, handed down from one Madam to their successor who became the new Madam, and it had been providing flower maidens to the Imperial palace for just as long.
Something that had been going on for so long could only be shut if the Empress herself ordered it.
But she would need to convince the Empress to do it and how would Zarah convince the Empress?
By saving her life and keeping Empress Ines alive of course!
To get close to the Empress to save her she needs to enter the palace and to do that she needs to become a flower maiden.
So for the past few years she's spent her time training hard,perfecting her archery and swordsmanship skills.
Learning sewing, knitting and how to brew medicinal herbs.
Zarah already knew how to read and write, she didn't suffer for years in school in her past life for nothing after all!
Iris snapped her fingers infront of Zarah,drawing her out of her thoughts.
"Did you even listen to what I said Zar?" Iris asked with a deadpan.
Zarah chuckled sheepishly, "The food sucks?" She asked hesitantly.
"After that" Iris said with a dry tone.
"I love you Iris you're like my baby sister" Zarah said wrapping her arms around Iris's side as she hugged Iris.
Iris scoffed with faux annoyance, "You brat, I am older than you by 3 months! Who are you calling baby sister, huh? Call me elder sister"
Zarah rolled her eyes, "We were left in front of the brothel the same year"
"No fair! You called me baby sister! I am older" Iris whined indignantly pinching Zarah's side playfully.
"Hey!" Zarah said more surprised than in pain.
The incident of that night had sharpened Zarah but it had also created a deep unshakable bond between Zarah and Iris.
They called each other sisters.
Zarah had become more wary and grown walls, but she was still the same Zarah who would have her hair braided by Lyra and Oliva and shared her meals with Iris.
Demi had sadly passed away due to getting infected from a careless client who didn't say anything about having an STI.
Zarah missed her but she knew it couldn't be changed. The incident had fueled her anger more toward the wretched unjust society.
"By the way I heard from Olivia that the Madam bought a girl from the slave traders" Iris suddenly said her tone conspiratorial.
A sudden chill ran down Zarah's spine as she remembered something from the webcomic.
"She bought a girl? Didn't sell her?" Zarah asked surprised.
"No? It's strange isn't it? The Madam paying for a girl when the rest of us were just left here on the doorstep as babies?" Iris said scoffing at the irony.
Zarah let out a huff before hugging her best friend, "Come on we aren't anything less compared to a bought girl! We are the top contenders for the flower maiden selections"
Iris snorted laughing, "Top contenders for the selections? Well fair enough sums us up alright!"
Zarah laughed along.
Well whether or not that girl the Madam bought was who she thought it was or not, only time could.
There was no need to fret over someone she hasn't met yet.
If it's really who she thinks it is, she has a plan but for now....
Zarah would like to enjoy the quiet a little longer.