A/N: This one was a bit more difficult to format because of emphasis. Boy is this going to be a pain to format for dA. Anyways, kudos goes to Elder-Master for the beta. This one might be a bit more insightful. Also, up to this point I have been using the spelling 'Tsaritsa' to refer to the title that Shizuma will soon have. Starting now, I am using the more modern spelling 'Tsarina'.
(Winter Palace: Noble Apartments)
"This is rubbish! I am property to another human being? I am a slave?" Nagisa railed on, as Tamao stood off to the side with a smile that showed embarrassment. The woman that had guided them to the apartments remained silent. The dark haired woman seemed used to this kind of treatment.
"Lady Nagisa, allow me to speak." The woman stated in a moderate voice.
"Be gone! I have nothing to say to you! Go back and tell your master that I am not a cut of meat for her to gnaw on as she pleases!" Nagisa's rant was starting to turn to despair as she began to sob.
"Excuse me, I will be gone, but first I must inform her ladyship of her requirements." The woman said without blinking.
"Requirements…? Am I to start residing in her room? Why do I not just get rid of my clothes then hmm? I will not need them. "Nagisa nattered.
"Milady, do not be ridiculous." The woman said with a sigh and continued. "You must dine in the main halls, in attire suitable for entertaining guests. You are not permitted to leave the grounds of this palace without first receiving the approval of Her Highness. Also, you are not permitted to attempt or complete any toilsome tasks. You have the body of a maiden and soon that of a proper queen. Such as it is, you are to leave labor to those best suited for it." The woman paused.
"Before you tell me anymore of these outrageous rules, tell me your name, so that I may prevent you from returning!" Nagisa demanded.
"My name is Miyuki; I am the matron to all the maids, as well as Her Highnesses consort." Miyuki said without even blinking. This was despite the last part being rather bold.
"I see, so every woman that comes into this palace is a toy for her amusement!" Nagisa said despite Tamao's obvious attempts to get her to stop.
"I am not a 'toy' Milady. Her Highness is not a bad or rough person. I was raised to serve Her Highness in any capacity. 'That' is included as well. This is tradition, going back hundreds of years. Her Highness cannot help she was born under a different star, female instead of male. That is something that The Almighty chooses." Miyuki said. Her voice was unwavering and her grace unbroken.
"But God says … 'that' kind of thing is wrong. Does He not?" Chiyo said finally, finding the will to speak.
"Her Highness was chosen to rule by God. Therefore, as far as Great Russia and her subjects are concerned, Her Highness is God. That means that Her Highness can do whatever she pleases in her own land. If she chooses to lie with a woman, she will not be punished by God. The Russian people accept their ruler as such. Excuse me." Miyuki said with a bow and then turned for the door.
"I have one question, Lady Miyuki." Tamao's soft voice sailed into Miyuki's ear from behind.
"Yes, what is it?" Miyuki asked without turning.
"Have you ever regretted your obligation?" Tamao asked.
"No, I should think not. To serve is a servant's greatest joy. You too should understand that Lady Tamao." Miyuki said still without turning.
"I do, it is just …" Tamao said as Miyuki's hand came out silencing her.
"If you know, then why do you ask? If it is to the fact that I give my body to my master, why should I not? She is my master. Her Highness owns every lock of my hair and every ounce of my flesh. There is no greater feeling then to be used by someone whom you care for. Excuse me." Miyuki said as she reached the door and exited; Tamao's expression now bordered on understanding and perhaps longing.
"H-How can she say such a thing like that? The bible says such a thing is wrong!" Chiyo protested.
"We are no longer in a place where that applies, Chiyo." Nagisa said with a blank expression.
"Milady…?" Tamao queried.
"Draw a bath for me and then leave me. I need time to mourn the life I once had." Nagisa said as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"You should not be so down, Milady, things will …" Tamao was silenced again by a hand.
"Tamao do as I say and then leave me. Do not make me formally command you." Nagisa said as she flopped back onto the bed.
"I understand, Milady." Tamao bowed and then retrieved Chiyo, as the two left though the door, leaving a crying Master behind.
(Winter Palace: Chapel: Sister's quarters)
"Really, you allow them to say such things? God will not stand for it!" A woman with long light color hair stated.
"The Tsar or this case, The Tsarina is chosen by the Lord. This is something we cannot change or alter." The dark haired one said.
"But still! You are going to allow this too Sister Yaya?" The light haired one said
"There is really nothing we can do except delay the process. And it is not like we have not given into temptation ourselves Tsubomi. It is not man's right to judge other men that is the Right of God. So I think you should stop being so righteous." Yaya said calmly.
"But …" Tsubomi said before sighing and allowing her shoulders to droop.
"But what…? It is not our place. Just leave it be." Yaya said as she touched Tsubomi's shoulder from behind. "I dislike all this debate. When I gave myself to God, I did not think it would be so taxing."
"I was just a child when the church took me in." Tsubomi stated fact openly.
"Let me say it this way. We both belong to God that means we belong to each other also." Yaya said with a soft smile as Tsubomi turned to face her.
(Winter Palace: Noble Apartments: South Wing)
"So that was all? The new puppy bit back? I am so glad I sent one of you. I would not have found that amusing." A noble woman said after taking a puff on a long metal pipe. Her long black hair was being brushed from behind as she sat in her chair. But her posture and what she was wearing under her robe could hardly be called ladylike.
"Her Highness seemed upset. I was frightened by the looks of her, Lady Chikaru," said a smaller woman dressed in a maid's uniform.
"You are worrying for nothing, Kagome. Silly girl! She knows better then to try to eat one of my girls." Chikaru stated semi-mockingly.
"You shouldn't tease Kagome so much Mistress. She can't take the innuendo despite being so cute!" One of the other two behind her said.
"Quiet! Quiet! I will hear no comments from you! My breakfast was cold! You let this drafty old house consume the heat from it! That is why I am in such a sour mood. It is your fault, Remon." Chikaru said with displeasure of a young child. Though her expression was amused to say the least, her eyes were deep and consuming.
"I told you to cover it, Remon! You forget to pull the covers back over when you get out of bed. So that is probably why your soggy brain forgot it! That is not cute." The one brushing out Chikaru's head stated.
"I will show you what I forgot! And you will not soon forget it, Kizuna!" Remon fired back.
"Hmm...It seems my charges are so bored. And that makes me bored. Kizuna, after you are finished, go make yourself useful around the palace. I am going to stay in this room for the rest of the day. I will only come out for the meal. Speaking of, Kagome, wear that dress I had made for you this month. You will be my escort. Hmm, yes, I'll gain the ire of that twit Momomi again. She always dislikes the fact that my escorts are cute." Chikaru's orders were met with mixed looks.
"Yes, Mistress…" Kagome recited as she knew what that meant. The truth was she could use the release.
"You will do well Kagome! You are so cute! That bridge troll likes to say mean things. But Lady Chikaru will take care of her!" Kizuna stated.
"Little Kagome has grown up so much, but still has her cute bear that she sleeps with." Remon prodded.
"You two leave him out of this! A woman is allowed to have comfort!" Kagome shouted back.
"Indeed she is. I shall like a bath soon." Chikaru said as she inhaled once more from her pipe.