An evil queen (loosely based on Qin Shi Huangdi) is feeling the weight of their cruel actions and decides to lean on their servant a little bit. This could be A4A. I just didn't want to avoid using any pronouns. So if you want to change up the genders involved go right on ahead. Monetized use is ok! Also I’d really enjoy any feedback (good or bad) you might have! Also CW mentions abuse and neglect. And general darkness leading to a bad end.

Also I just want to make clear that the speaker is irredeemably evil. Their tragic past does not justify what they have done and what they do to the listener at the end.

This was going to be like a cute "they aren't so badddd" story where they talked about their feelings and then started to snuggle at the end, but it kinda took a turn for the dramatic. I'm cursed to never write a script the way I intend when I begin I think. Maybe I'll write up a version that's like that in the future.

Dialogue in Plain Text

Sound effects in bold

Context in italics

Bold italics represent context that changes the audio in some form

The listener is a servant to the evil queen that rules their land. They deal with her every day and live in fear of her. The queen never treated them like an individual until today. She is retiring to her chambers for the night and the listener is helping her get ready.

Servant. Help me remove this armor. I find today it weighs heavier than usual.

The army was in excellent shape today. My surprise inspection did not even phase them. If only all aspects of my kingdom were such as that. I would not have to incinerate so many incompetent officials.

Have those new magical texts from the southern republics arrived? Excellent. I shall have them sent to me for study tomorrow morning.

The armor is removed

Thank you servant.

Listener is taken off guard. They've never been thanked by her before.

What is the matter? You gawk like a simpleton.

Speak now servant or I shall turn you to stone

I have never thanked you before?

No I suppose I have not.

Go stoke the fire. I shall change into something comfortable.

Fire sounds

The queen arrives in the chamber. There is a couch and a small fireplace. It's very sparse, there are no decorations or items. The queen has changed into a very simple nightgown.

Excellent. The warmth is welcome on this cold night. I shall retire for several hours. As you know my magic has long ago removed my need for sleep, but I must rest or I shall exhaust myself.

Listener begins to leave the room

Queen snaps her fingers

Did I dismiss you servant? No? I didn't think so.

On a normal night that would be enough for me to turn you to stone and put you on display in the servants quarters with all the other fools that failed to meet my standards.

Fortunately for you, you have a skill I need. Come here.

Listener gets within arms length of her

My other servants say that you are wise in matters relating to human emotions. Is that correct?

Don’t talk yourself down like that. If you possess a skill do not be afraid to claim it for yourself. Denying your abilities serves no one save for your enemies. My trusted servants have told me of your wisdom. They say you help them cope with feelings that are pause difficult, so to speak.

Again with the denial of your skills? Then I suppose I must punish them for the false information. You are dismissed.

Oh? So you may be able to help after all? Excellent, I would hate to turn my handmaidens to stone, it is so hard to find good ones.

What do I need? I am in need of pause advice.

First, however, drink this tea. It is laced with a truth spell. If you do not tell me exactly what is on your mind it shall force it out. I require it of all my advisors. I have no use for an advisor that will withhold their thoughts out of fear. And no that does not mean I will not punish you if your thoughts are not to my liking. Now drink.

Good servant

Now then to test it. Do you find me beautiful?

Excellent. The spell has worked.

And thank you servant. I care not for my looks, but it is nice to hear such things. My magic has stopped my aging, but I like to let myself reach an age where I appear pause distinguished, so to speak. That's why I allowed this white streak to appear.

Not long ago I did a visit in disguise to a small village on the southwestern plateau. I met a kind young shepherd boy. He gave me some red lentil soup and seemed quite smitten with me. When I pressed him he referred to me as a “MILF”. The slang these children come up with. Nonetheless a small part of me was flattered.

Of course it is forbidden to comment upon my looks. I would expect the same amount of devotion from my subjects if I was an emaciated rotting corpse animated by enchanted worms, and believe me that day may be coming. So I had no choice but to turn him and his entire family into goats.

No, I will not punish you. I merely asked you to break the rules so I could test the truth spell. I am cruel, but not in that way.

Now allow me to explain the nature of these difficult emotions.

I possess what has been described as an indestructible will. I know what is right for my kingdom and my people and I never hesitate to make the hard choices necessary for its survival. I am aware that I am cruel and that I might even appear callous to my subjects.

I know thousands died to build the great wall on the northern frontier. But I know thousands more sleep safe now that the barbarians are on the other side. I know my despoiling of the Western kingdoms killed millions, but their prosperity allowed them to become a potential threat to my empire, and that could not be allowed. I have done many more cruel actions without a single shred of hesitation because I knew that it was right. My people must be protected no matter the cost.

That is why I created this empire. Fifteen kingdoms of the same people. The same language, the same religion, the same customs. As all the petty kings squabbled the barbarians chipped away peace by peace. I knew since I was a child, there could only be one ruler beneath the heavens. Unless all under heaven bowed before me this world could never know peace.

I killed millions to accomplish this. I learned the dark arts. I sold my soul a thousand times until even when I got it back it no longer belonged to me. I killed my own father, my own brothers and sisters. Even the one person I truly loved. It had to be done. I had no choice.

So tell me, servant. Their voice almost breaks. Why does it weigh on my shoulders so much?

Why do I feel regret for what I have done? All under heaven bows to me but some days I would give it all up just to wash this blood from my hands!

It had to be this way, did it not? Could I have done something different?

Listener says that they don't have an answer. They simply don't know enough about the world to judge their actions( Note this is in character, out of character she's 100% evil and her actions are not justified at all at least in the authors eyes)

Queen begins to rage

HOW DARE YOU!

How dare you not have an answer! Take this pain from me or I shall destroy you and everyone you love!

I hate you! I hate this world! I hate-

She begins to cry

I hate myself. I hate myself oh servant.

Hold me damn you! Just hold me. I command you, please.

She collapses into their arms and begins crying into their chest.

I had a friend once. He was my servant, when I was just a minor princess in my fathers compound. My mother was his least favorite wife and I was her only child. All the other members of my family used to beat and mock me, I lived in fear every day. My only solace was found within that servant boy. He was the only one who ever showed me kindness. You remind me of him actually in your own way.

He was with me my whole life until my father died. I knew his heirs would try to kill me. To eliminate any threats to their right to the throne. I had been learning magic in secret from several demons and sorcerers trapped deep within my fathers dungeon and I had learned a spell that would allow me to have all the power I desired. All the power I have now. But there was a cost. The boy had to die.

Sobbing

So I killed him. The one person under heaven that loved me died by my own cruel worthless hands. The first of oh so many innocents to die, because I cant stop hurting people.

More violent sobbing

Why does it hurt so much! Take it away! Please! How long must the world suffer my existence!

They sob some more and very slowly regain composure

Heh. My handmaidens said you were a good hugger. I bet you never realized how short I was, did you? It's not magic. I’ve just learned to be imposing. Hold me some more. Please my friend.

Breathing they hold them for a while

She regains composure fully

I have come too far to turn back. I cannot allow myself to doubt myself like this. What would happen if I were to stop now, all my work would be undone. All that death for nothing. I refuse to allow that. All under heaven must bow. And perhaps one day maybe even the heavens will kneel. Maybe then I can see him again.

Thank you servant. You have done well. You have listened well. I’m sorry.

They step back and begins to cast a spell

You recognize this don't you. You are correct, it is the petrification spell that so many of your colleagues have fallen to. Forgive me.

Magic sounds

They cast the spell and the listener begins to turn to stone.

I am truly truly sorry, my servant. I cannot allow you to see me vulnerable and then simply walk away. I should not have shown you this weakness. It was my mistake. When I have made the world anew perhaps I will restore you. And perhaps should I feel this way again I may have need of you. Until then my loyal servant. Rest peacefully.

Thank you.

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