Broken Dolls

Chapter 9: The Doll House that Breaks

Jade stood frozen in place. The walls of Eliz's quarters felt smaller now, closing in like an invisible trap.

Eliz watched him carefully, her head tilted in curiosity. She had expected another obedient plaything, another doll with empty eyes and an empty heart.

But Jade had already betrayed himself.

She had seen the flicker of hesitation. The ghost of emotion he couldn't suppress.

Eliz took a step closer, her silk nightgown rustling against the floor. She was so close now that he could feel the warmth of her body, the faint scent of lavender clinging to her skin.

"I think I like you best, Jade." Her voice was soft, almost sweet. But her gaze-sharp, predatory-told a different story.

Jade swallowed. "I am honored, Miss Eliz."

She laughed lightly, reaching up to touch his face again. "So proper. So well-trained." Her fingers trailed down his jawline, testing, teasing. "But you're not just a doll, are you?"

Jade didn't answer.

Because he didn't know how to lie convincingly enough.

Eliz's nails scraped lightly against his skin. "Tell me, Jade. Have you ever wanted something?"

His heart pounded.

Dolls did not want. Dolls did not feel.

And yet...

He thought of Mina. Of Rai. Of the flickering hope that had started to burn inside him.

He thought of freedom.

Eliz's fingers trailed lower, brushing the collar of his uniform. She leaned in, her lips just inches from his ear. "Would you want me... if I told you to?"

A test.

He knew this game. He had seen her play it before, pushing and pushing until the dolls responded, waiting for that first flicker of life-so she could crush it.

Jade's body locked up. His skin burned where she touched him, not from desire but from something colder, something more dangerous-fear.

If he responded too much, she would know.

If he responded too little, she would suspect.

So he did the only thing he could.

He fell to his knees.

His head bowed, his hands clenched at his sides. "I exist to serve you, Miss Eliz."

Silence.

Then-

A slow, amused chuckle. "Good boy."

Her fingers ran through his white hair, petting him like a prized possession. "But I wonder... how long can you keep pretending?"

Jade bit the inside of his cheek. Hard.

Because he knew, without a doubt-

Eliz was going to break him.

And she was going to enjoy every second of it.

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