Some people were greedy for bronze, silver, and gold. Some valued rubies and sapphires and emeralds. Some even measured their happiness in friendship. Others still were not so virtuous, blinded by crimson bloodlust and cruelty. Titania was one of these.

Her knife was sharp and clean of residue from past experiences, though some blood was crusted onto the junction of the blade and the hilt. She was no rookie with a knife. The more honorable sword was foreign to her, but pain was her forte. Inflicting it, anyway.

“I don’t want to hurt you too much, see. And make sure to tell me if you feel light-headed or dizzy. Wouldn’t want you dying on me now.” Her smile was sick, spreading all across her interested face. She’d always been interested in the human body, and the opportunity to learn more about how it worked was getting her excited.

The princess knelt down before Sable and pulled her dress up a bit, resting the cold metal against her shin without breaking the skin. It gave a little, and Titania cocked her head, completely interested.

“Tell me, buttercup, how that sword of yours works. And where did you get it?”

She brought it up the skin, making it red and burning. The princess noted this and made a small cut on the redness. It bled a good amount, though the cut itself was almost impossibly small.

“You have beautiful blood, dewdrop. Really beautiful. I’m glad you do. People with ugly blood are just no fun. I’m sorry for marking your skin, though. It really is a shame that you chose this life. Oh well. At least I can study you. Living people are more entertaining.”

Running her thumb over the cut, she watched it get tinged with scarlet. She brought her thumb to her lips and licked the blood off.

“Mm. That’s good. Nice and sweet.”

Titania stood and walked away from Sable, the knife still hanging loosely in her hand. She rolled her head around, smiling as it made a satisfying cracking sound. Stretching like a cat, a rumbling sound of pleasure erupted from her belly. Sitting pretty made her body just so tense. It was nice to relax and decompress.

“Ah. How are you, dollface? Need any water? Food? Tell me if you get tired. Wouldn’t want you sick down here, would I?”