Chapter 1

The grand soiree of nobilities and elites is happening at the hall where the banquet of silky colors and resplendence entertained us, the imperial family. I nonchalantly perched in front of the guests with the King and Queen, as well as this Kingdom’s grand princesses. I sip on my champagne when the beautiful Queen, my mother, glanced at me. I sighed but then smiled politely at her.

“You should dance, Fraulein…” she said and held my hand.

“No, Mother, this corset is enough to make me uncomfortable here…” I scorned and forced a smile when a guest smiled and bowed at me. The Queen laughed heartily but I saw my Father’s grim eyes darted upon me.

“The nobilities of Hastings is here, Sister, do you have someone in mind?” Leigh asked, the crown princess. I lazily looked at my sister. Unlike her, I don’t have interest in marriage for convenience. Instead of knitting and tea parties, I enjoy brawls, swordsmanship, and archery.

“I don’t know any of them, meaning, they’re not good in battles.” I taunted. The King had a ghost smirked in his lips but he never let it out because he’s speaking with the grand duke.

My crimson long gown sashayed with me towards the secret garden of the royal palace. I felt the mist of the midnight breeze as I sit on the grand fountain.

“You’re here,” a baritone voice spoke behind me. I glanced at him and I smiled as I saw his dark expression and brooding smile. I walked towards him and gave him a hug. He caressed my back and held me softly, like a fragile being.

“Your Highness, I yearned for you,” he mumbled as he released me from his embrace. A tear wants to escape from my eyes but I stopped it by swallowing the lump in my throat. It was years of war and after leading it, he came home to me, I never felt so ecstatic. His tired eyes and grim expression is still so gorgeous that it makes my head spin.

“I do, too… I fancy you…” I answered, a smile crept in my lips. He held my jaw and crouched to meet my gaze. The next thing I knew, he brushed his lips against mine while holding me. It was magical, I felt a knot in my stomach as I responded to his passionate kisses.

We alerted ourselves when we heard footsteps coming from behind. He hid me behind his back as he stood in front of me, drawing his sword. I gasped when a guard emerged, bathing in his own blood. He walked towards him and checked him out.

“The palace has fallen… protect Her Highness…” he trailed breathlessly. I rose up and dashed towards them. I can’t understand a thing he said. Our palace is the strongest fortress among the continents. Vesarius’ wary eyes bore into me.

I smiled at him and caresses his cheeks. He shut his eyes for a bit and sighed. He knows he can’t stop me from going back to the palace so he stood up and held my hand. He gave me the sword of the dead soldier without saying a word.

“If it’s hopeless, we’ll retreat… Your Highness,” he stated, watching me tie my long hair into a ponytail. I smirked at him to ease his worried heart. We dashed towards the hidden passage of the palace. As we draw near, I can fear my knees started to wobble, my stomach churning. I guess Vesarius felt that as he glanced at me.

“Command me to runaway with you and I’ll protect you no matter what it will cost me, Your Highness…” he said slowly. I can see his eyes became soft. I know he will die for me but I don’t want any of that. I smiled at him.

“I’m scared, yes, but I can’t bear to see the palace crumbling. Let me fight with you.” I stated. He sighed but then nodded.

The grand hall was filled by blood now, I almost fainted by the mere sight of it but the man beside me tapped my shoulders. I sighed and held my sword tightly.

“I’ll clear your path, find the royalties…” He said. I nod at his command.

“I got your back, then…” I said as I tore my long gown.

The soldiers attacking us aren’t familiar to me. I am giving fatal blows towards each while showering with blood from different enemies I slayed. We stood and fought alongside each other. He turned to me and tuck a loose strand of my hair. I smirked at his move but he just grinned at me. We reached the long table for the Imperial Family but it was empty. My blood is ferociously rushing as I saw the heads of my sister at the lap of my Father.

The King is sitting on his golden throne but his eyes are too dark to even recognize me. It’s like his soul left his body. My mother is on her own throne, with a dagger struck in her heart. Blood is gushing out of her chest and mouth. Her champagne colored gown is soaked from the red tint. It was too hard to absorb, my mind went dysfunctional but I can’t run away from them. The King moved and smiled at me. It gave me the creeps so I shut my eyes and heaved a deep sigh. I saw how he reached for me but I took a step back.

“You’re not the King…” I said, drawing my sword. His grin turned into a devilish laugh. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt the helplessness and anger seeping through my veins.

“How did you know? You can see through me?” He mumbled. I swallowed hard, all I can see is the shadow of snake behind him. I smirked slowly.

“Show your true form and leave his body!” I shrieked. His laugh thundered and it sent chills down my spine. He shook his head and smiled again.

“I will rule this Kingdom,” he said, walking towards me. He held my cheek and wiped my tears. I scoffed at it. This creature used my Father’s face to make me weak. The face and body of a King is sacred, and even if I kill him now, I am nothing but a traitor. I shut my eyes for a bit.

“Your Highness, get away from him!” Someone screamed from the entrance. I smiled tiredly as I saw Vesarius and his soldiers. I looked at the King. He took a step back from me.

“Don’t kill me, you are my daughter!” he pleaded. The image of my blood soaked sibling and mother flashed on my mind. I advanced towards the mad King as he knelt in front of me. I knelt to level his gaze.

“You’re not the King,” I slowly stated, almost breathless. He crawled away from me. Like a slithering snake. An arrow struck my leg making it sting so bad. I never bothered to turn my gaze towards the soldiers and continued to walk towards the traitor. I finally held my sword tightly and the next thing I knew, it struck his heart. I saw how the snake whimpered in pain as it vanished through the thin air, like a smoke, I obliterated it. All that’s left is my Father, the ruler of this Kingdom. My heart cried and reached for him. He gave me a tired eyes and wiped my tears.

“It’s okay, you did well…” I bit my lips to stop myself from bawling too much but I can’t help it. He heaved a long sigh so I shut my eyes as I embraced him.

“The King has passed away!” Someone announced. I stood up and faced the soldiers and the court. I looked at Vesarius that’s gazing at me with his hawk-like eyes. Just before I could utter a word, arrows came to me that made me kneel in front of them. I coughed blood, staring at the traitors that stood and helped the Kingdom thrive— just to see it crumble like this.

“Halt!” Vesarius’ voice echoed. I am gasping for air and I can feel my world spinning. I want to sleep, but I am fighting it. I want to remember the faces of these traitors, and maybe, if ever I’ll b reincarnated, I will make them pay. I saw Vesarius walked slowly towards me.

“We made a deal, let Fraulein go!” A tear escaped from my eyes. Probably the last tear I’ll shed tonight. I can feel my body numbing but I clearly heard Vesarius well enough to let out a mocking smirk.

“Kill me…” I ordered. Vesarius looked at me with his bloodshot eyes.

“I can’t—”

“Traitor, I’ll be the traitor for you… so kill me…” I pleaded breathlessly. He came to me and hugged me. I don’t have enough life in me so I let him hold me. I shut my eyes as I felt his blade on my chest. I fell in his arms and my cheeks are now stained because of his tears. Darkness then came after.

I woke up panting with tears in my eyes. I looked at the digital alarm clock beside me ringing to wake me up.

I wished every day to forget that nightmare but it wasn’t just a product of my subconscious, those were my past. I lived for centuries now but the memories of that night is still fresh at the back of my head. I never stepped out of that palace. My phone ringed and I saw a familiar number flashed.

“Reaper…” the other line called me. I sighed and smirked.

Well I guess being a Soul Reaper is not bad, and I have a lot of debts to collect.