Title: Behind Closed Doors
Summary: AU. In 1505, the world was ruled by men. However, when 4 ladies' fates are entwined, they plan to change everyone's views. From the harem, seducing a man that they don't love, to the business world, cheating everyone off, to the politics, schecming their way for power, they never give up. They are determined, and are willing to give up almost everything that they have, in exchange for power. What will happen to the empire, if one of them could overthrow the traditions of the land? Based on two dramas about the royal harem, and the book ' The Sultan's Harem ' by Colin Falconer.
Warnings: OOCness, dark themes, and no happy ending.
Prologue
All those honours that were piling up on her. The names came one after another, all praising her beauty, all indicating that the emperor favoured her the most.
"The wisdom of our land, the jewel of our palace, the wisest of all…." The titles never stopped. And the whole time, Rin was standing in front of the throne. Her legs were shaking, her face bored, filled with irritation.
"…the rose of winter." He finally finished. Then they put a head ornament on Rin, decorated with rubies, pearls, gold and jade. A cape was tied to her that was entirely royal blue. Finally, they handed her a tiny booklet that was embroidered with gold.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." She bowed down before him, and he motioned her to rise, and sit beside him, at the silver throne that he had prepared for her. She did as he told.
It was an elaborate celebration, that the whole court was excited. Everyone came and watched the ceremony that advance one of the girls in the harem, Rin, to become the emperor's concubine.
There was dancing and feasting, everyone joyful. This was a special day, all dedicated to the Rose of Winter. Yet she didn't look joyful. Few could observe that her features were cooled, and showed no emotion. One could almost say that she was unhappy. At least, she certainly didn't look happy, or very human. She looked a lot more like an ice statue.
'I'm sorry, Haru. This is the only way. The only way that I can save you.' Rin wanted to cry, but she couldn't. She couldn't forget why she was sitting beside the emperor in the first place. It was because she needed to rescue Haru.
'Wait for me. I'll be free soon. I won't stay in this cage forever.'
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It was a dark place. Tohru never liked where Saki lives, but she visits her everyday anyways. She likes to be close to her friend.
"Good morning Saki. Ahh…Oh, I tripped on something again. Sorry." She smiled, and Saki gave a small chuckle. Her friend, the klutz.
Saki stared at the cards in front of her, and then looked to the right, where her crystal ball was. Tohru watched with her friend. She knew that Saki had special powers, but she wasn't all that convinced. How can someone just look into something so delicate, or so simple, and understand everything? It was a puzzle to her, and she likes to find out.
Every time Tohru was at Saki's place, she would always be looking at her crystal ball. It was like a sacred ritual that must be kept. Saki would always look in the crystal ball, before paying any attention to Tohru. And today was no different.
Saki would mutter some things that sound like a mixture of several languages. She would take a parchment, and scribble some words on it. Then she would refer to her spell book, chant a few times, and bow before a tiny statue that she has.
But suddenly, the iris of her eye slid backwards, leaving only the whites. Then she was muttering something, and Tohru got scared. Her friend never looked like this. She wasn't even sure if that was her friend, it looked more like a demon or witch to her.
"Hana, Hana, are you alright. Hana." Tohru went and shook her friend, until she was almost out of her breath.
"Tohru. I have just seen the most horrible sight. The empire is ending, because of one person. Evil will sprout, but there has to be silence first. Do not forget, silence is evil, but silence always comes first."
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Excited noises were everywhere. People hustling about, running to one stall to another. They went as fast as possible, and swiftly, that they never cared for others. This was town life. This was the life that Akito loves and despises.
She was sent to another errand, by her stupid parents. Or whatever that she would call them. It's not like they were her real parents anyway. Her real ones just sold her because she was another girl.
A scowl was almost permanently printed on her face. Her features were pretty, or delicate, but she would always twist them, and made sure that looked like some morph creature, and not like a girl. Her 'mom' has always scolded her, that she could never make a proper marriage.
Not like she cared though. She like being free, and out of her parents reach. That's why she likes to go to the town, where she could at least be someone normal, and no one would care for her actions.
She never forgot about the old man that came and told her destiny. He said that she was to become a living goddess, but as far as she could see, she was only the living dead. However, she knew better than to challenge him. Maybe something good would come out of her mother's scolding.
Some carriage drove past her, and splashed muddy water all over her good dress. She just gave the driver a cold stare, and muttered some curse. Not like she could do anything about it.
Akito noticed that there were people running towards the wealthiest merchant's house. They all looked excited, and tongues were wagging everywhere. She decided to go. Who knows what could happen.
Once Akito has squeezed her slithered her way through the sea of people, she saw the royal carriage. It meant that something big was going to happen.
Since she was close to the wall, she could hear someone crying, and muffled voices. She continued slithering, until she was at the corner of the house. She leaned against the wall, and caught parts of the conversation.
"But I don't want to go. I don't want to go the harem, and be some whore. I don't want to." A girl whispered through her tears. That explains the royal carriage.
"You have to. If you don't, we would be accused of treason. Do you want the whole family to die because of your foolishness?" A cool voice commanded.
"No. I'd rather suicide." The girl firmly replied.
Akito smiled. Maybe there was a chance after all.
Author's ramblings: So, I had to start another long term story as well. This one was just killing me. Sorry. I know, at this rate, I'll post like new stories everyday, instead of working towards finishings one. So sorry...
This one is about the life in harem, as mentioned earlier. I will be taking certain plotlines from the stories that I've based on. However, most of this still belongs to me.
Now, this is just the prologue. This is like, the pre-beginning. Explains how the all the characters start out, and how will the end up to be. Akito's section, well, hints something. Not hard to guess...(at least, that's what I think)
Don't know when updates are going to be. Could be like a year from now, but I couldn't help but right out the prologue. Chapters should be longer.
I think that there's going to be a bunch of questions, so I decide to answer them right now. Or more like rambling. But if you want to keep some facts and rankings straight, you might want to read it.
Which culture this story is based on: Because my sources come from the Islamic world, and the South eastern part of Asia, it's pretty messed up. So, I've decided to create my own empire, and my own country. However, I'm not going to like trash earth in anyway. As for culture, I think it would be leaning towards the Europeans/Americans. Trying to keep them like Japanese, I'm afraid, its almost impossible for me.
Country info: Crolit is the name. Yes, I'm not creative, and you probably don't know how the heck this word is supposed to be pronouced. Frankly, I don't think I would know either. It's just a name, to like keep it straight. You wouldn't see it very often anyways.
The government systerm has one emperor, and then a bunch of 'advisors' working for him. I haven't thought up of a full ranking sheet yet, but when I do, I'll post it in here. The political parts aren't going to come in for a long time. And use of peerage titles. That I'm not going to make up.
The harem, is based on the South Eastern Asia system. This means that there will be only one wife, the empress, and dozens of concubine created, elevated, and demoted at the emperor's pleasure. They are all like his mistresses. The rankings will first class, second class, ect. There are nine ranks in all But they will all be referred to as 'Lady Something Name.' However, they all share the title 'Your Highness.' With regular day to day socializing, it would just be 'Lady Name.' If the emperor favours them, and showers additional titles on them, that is his choice. They could also be referred to one of the titles that he gives.
Example: Rin
Formally would be ' Your Highness, Lady Rose Rin.'
Normally would be: 'Lady Rin.'
Another title: Rose of Winter
Rankings would be only shown through the bowing. The first class ones would only have to bow before the emperor, and emperess. The second class ones would have to bow to the emperor, emperess, and first class ladies. This system continues.
When the girls first arrive at the harem, they have no ranks. They are assigned to do work, like maids. Except that they are the 'upper-class' maids, and would only do jobs such as sewing, or giving company to a higher ranking lady. Until the emperor, or emperess, gives them a ranking, they would simply be known as 'Lady Name.'
Maids are chosen, and are to do all the work within the harem. They have the lowest rankings, and are only referred to by their names.
The heir is determined not only by birth, but by ability. Once the heir has been determined, the mother of the heir has a high position, and should be made emperess, if she isn't already one.
All sons, will be sent away from the harem after birth, and will not come back until a certain age. Only favoured ones are allowed to stay within the harem.
I believe that this is all the information that you would need to know right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. I will be adding more information to this page, if I feel that it is needed, or someone asks a question.
