The Dead Princess

[ AZYRA CLARINAS ]

" People of Mehran, your former King Alistair Clarinas has fallen before you, lifeless, turned to dust. As the one to overthrow him from the throne, I, Zephyr Irastus claim the crown of the Empire and the sole heir to the throne, Princess Azyra will become my quee—"

I desperately try to cover my ears with my hands but the shackles cuffed around my wrists tightens, preventing me from moving. The wound above my chest oozes blood when I move and an intense pain washes over me.

A whole day has passed since the Empire of Mehran was captured, it's King slaughtered in cold blood and the Royal family killed.

Zephyr's guards stand on the either side of the cell. Their predator like gaze sweeps down at me whenever they hear my shackles clanking, and throw a disgusted sneer. My tongue is dry as the desert and my throat burns. The skin under the chains is a blistering red, promising to draw blood.

I don't know how long I have spent here. Minutes turned into hours and day turned into night. The moon light poured through the small window, lighting the cell.

Silence claw at my sanity and I shake my head every now and then to prevent myself from slipping into unconsciousness.

" Where did it go wrong? " I whisper, ignoring the pain in my throat.

It's that King's fault! Whispers in the back of my head hisses in anger and I close my eyes tightly, feeling their burning anger and agony course through my veins.

'He killed mother, father and little Tristan. He deserves to die! '

They chitter at the back of my head violently, scratching with their sharp claws.

" Stop. Just stop it! "

My scream is hoarse and cracked, one which sends ripples of pain down my body. The guards, alerted, look at me with bewilderment. But they do nothing and stand motionless. Perhaps in their eyes, I am just a filthy prisoner submitting to the hands of insanity.

Help, someone...anyone.

" Quiet Prisoner! His Majesty will come down any moment to see you. "

One of the guard roars, but I am in too much pain to hear anything. I just want to get out of here. If my little brother Tristan were here, he'd kiss my cheeks and giggled like he always did.

I miss you little brother. Perhaps I will see you soon.

A bittersweet smile creeps onto my lips.

" Soon, little bug. "

☰ ☱ ☲ ☳

On that unfortunate day, the evening seemed beautiful and serene. The stars were faint in glow, scattered, strewn across the orange hues of evening sky and the moon was no where to be seen. A cool gale gently blew, caressing the red roses that I had planted with father. They had fully bloomed that day. If only I had time to see them closely.

" Quick, get inside. There are a few stairs. "

I hurriedly led Tristan down into my underground bunker. It was so dark that I couldn't even see where I was going, let alone see him.

" Stay here, okay? Don't make any sound. "

Tristan had always hated the dark, just like me. He would burst into tears whenever mother left him alone for a few moments in his sleep chamber and then I would quietly sneak beside him, singing lullabies to lull him to sleep.

" Azy ?"

My little brother took a hold of my index finger with his tiny little fingers. For a moment, all I wanted was to cradle his tiny form into my arms and lull him to sleep like I usually did...but I couldn't.

I gently held his hand between my hands. So soft and innocent.

"I promise I will sing your favourite lullaby again, little bug. "

I kissed his hand gently and reluctantly scrambled out of the bunker, almost tripping over my own foot. Without another thought, I swiftly closed the bunker with a wooden plank and covered it with the floor carpet.

After taking my sword, I rushed outside my chamber only to bump into a sturdy body. One hand firmly gripped my shoulder to steady me from falling while the other hand held a bloodied sword. Hands I know all too well.

" Elias! Where is Father? Take me to him."

I spoke and looked over to the door to see the young captain of Mehrani Army was accompanied by two guards. His tall stature towered over me, blocking the chaos erupting in the palace.

" Your Highness, I told you not to leave your chamber! Go inside! "

He forcefully tried to push me back in my chambers but I stood firmly on the ground. His ocean blue eyes swept over me with a desperate concern that screamed at me, Please go inside and save yourself, but I stayed where I was. I stepped close to him so that we were only a couple of spaces apart and the air hummed with our breaths. I glared at him with my own emerald eyes.

" I am the Crown Princess of Mehran. I will not sit idle wringing my hands while my soldiers and my people fight to save the Empire. "

A voice, that was not mine poured out of my lips effortlessly. The voice was cold and calculated in contrast to my light voice. I momentarily froze as well as Elias who looked at me in surprise, his lips parted in shock.

" Please listen to me Your highness, you have to stay in your chambers! His majesty is—he is safe. "

The way Elias spoke about Father sent shivers down my spine. His eyes were unfocused and breathing was ragged. His eyes kept looking back and forth between me and somewhere else while the other two soldiers refused to meet my eyes and stood motionless.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

" Where is father? "

I asked, gripping his arm tightly but Elias only looked at me with a pained expression.

'Your father...I have him. '

A voice, as cold as the winter lake suddenly invaded my mind. It had this boyish charm yet it sounded odd, something I couldn't pin point.

" Azyr—"

I could barely hear what Elias was saying, his voice sounded far away all of a sudden. Before I knew it, I was already rushing to the grounds of the palace.

My skirts ruffled against my calves as I ran, ignoring the shouts of Elias and the clamour of armor rushing behind me closely.

When I reached the palace grounds, a drop of cool water dropped at my nose. My eyes traveled up to see the sky that was clear just a few moments ago was now swirling with grey clouds. They clouded over the whole palace like a huge raven with its outstretched wings. And just beneath it were bodies, if not hundred then thousands of bodies. Blood oozed from them like oceans, staining the ground. It almost looked like—

A cemetery.

My soldiers and the enemy soldiers fought tirelessly for a war that was already destined to end in doom.

Amidst the chaos stood a lone figure. His entire form shrouded in shadows. A few blocks away two soldiers held an old man clad in tattered robes, who was hunched over, probably in pain.

Father..

I walked forward, looking back and forth between father and the boy. The Prince.

" Ah—my Queen. You heard my voice. "

I lost my breath when he spoke. A certain boyish glow radiated off him yet my hair stood at the end. His black robe, adorned with jewels glistened even in the grey surroundings. When I got close enough, I bit back a gasp from escaping my lips. His eyes, they were beautiful; the palest shade of brown I had ever seen, so pale that they looked uncanny yet mesmerizing at the same time. If sunlight were to reflect on them, they would turn golden. His ink black hair were ruffled and messy; gently tickling the tops of his ears. I wonder what they would feel like against my fingertips.

'Don't be a fool Azyre, he is an enemy! '

" Leave him. "

I snarled, drawing up my sword; a sudden sprout of anger coursed through my veins. The Prince threw his head back and laughed. Even though I was a few blocks away, I could make out the creases his smile created around the corners of his mouth.

Hauntingly beautiful.

" Leave my father. "

" And why would I do that? " His canines seemed to glint evilly in the pale atmosphere and I almost shuddered. He walked a few steps closer to me, his own sword drawn.

" Your father must die, my Queen. He made a deal, and he broke it. "

I could almost hear the blood in his last words. He let out a cold, humourless chuckle. My mind buzzed with his words. Deal?

" What are you talking about? "

I asked firmly and gripped the sword tighter. If I had a heart, I am sure it would've burst out of my chest by now.

" You see my Queen—"

A pause.

" —your dear father sold you, to me: The Devil. " A sickening smirk bloomed on his lips. "He sold you, a princess without a heart, to me. "

I heard a scream somewhere. I didn't know where it came from, perhaps it was from me. The Prince, no, The Devil lifted his sword up and pointed at me, or rather at my chest where my heart should've been.

Something inhuman gleamed in his eyes.

" You are to become My Queen, sweet Azyre. "

My name slipped out his mouth effortlessly. It sounded sweet on his tongue.

I looked at Father, both of our gazes meeting. His meadow green eyes had lost most of his shine yet there was this fierceness in them that remained there. I tried to decipher what was in his eyes; was it love? Was it regret?

I thought you loved me Father.

Tears stung my eyes but I blinked rapidly, refusing to believe my own Father would do something like this to his own daughter. No, he loves me. He made sure that when Tristan was born, I would still be loved so that I don't feel alone. He brought me my favourite lilies and fruits everyday. He gave me everything I wanted.

He loves me.

He loves me!

'No he doesn't, you fool. '

The whispers screamed in my head and I stumbled a few steps back. Lie, it has to be a lie.

I drew up my sword and charged at The Devil. He smirked, and ducked out of the way like he had been expecting me to do this.

Fat droplets of water started pouring down on us at such sharp speed that it hurt where they made contact with my skin. Swords clanked together and boots scrapped the muddied ground. The Devil laughed, his voice curling around my skin like vice.

" Your father made a deal sweet Azyre: when his precious daughter dies, she will become my Queen and in exchange—"

He laughed once more, voice faint against the clashes of swords. Overcome by rage, I attacked. I pivoted and brought up my sword to parry but my insides suddenly froze. What in the blazing stars is happening?

" — for another daughter."

Blood drained from my face when the words left his lips; I lost my grip on the sword. Seeing an opening, The Devil's blades glided through the space and sharply entered the soft skin above my chest, where my heart should be.

" Azyre! "

I thought I heard Elias scream somewhere but I was in too much pain to hear anything. I gasped, my eyes glazing over. His sword was burning, searing, carving a path through my skin. The smell of blood filled my nostrils. The devil pulled out the sword and I hunched over in pain. A choked sob left Father's lips as he saw his beloved daughter crumble, falling on the wet ground.

' You wanted to see your daughter die, right father? I am now. Are you happy? '

The words died on my lips as The Devil towered over me. He lifted my chin with his fingers, they were hot, scorching. A wicked smile spread on his lips.

" But he forgot one thing. " He leaned in, his face a flicker of light away from mine. Blood and Death. He reeked of it.

" His beloved daughter can't die. "

The devil picked me up in his arms and I resisted with all energy I had left in me. But he was a devil, a monstrous creature. My small attacks didn't even fazed him. Blood pooled beneath me like red sea, it was so much that even rain failed to wash it away.

"Bring the King and Queen to the throne room. And ah—"

He paused and looked down at me with his sinister eyes.

"Bring that little boy hidden underground in princess's room."

The devil spoke, his laughter ringing in my ears.

No—not him. Not my little brother.

I thrashed in his arms but he only gripped me tighter.

'He is gonna kill him. '

The whispers screeched and I shut my eyes tightly. Tristan's image floated in my vision. How scared he must be, confined in a dark space, all by himself.

When we walked, we came across piles of bodies, messily slumped over each other. Their hollowed eyes looked at me, screaming.

' You killed us! A dead princess without a heart! '

They screamed and screamed until I reached the throne room.

A gasp left my throat when my fell on a crouched figure near the steps of the throne.

My mother's auburn curls were matted and she looked in so much pain that my eyes watered at the sight of her. I have never seen her like this, she has always been pristine, giggling and smiling at whatever father said.

What have you done father?

The devil set me down on the throne where mother once sat. And he himself took a seat on the King's throne.

Through my blurred vision, I could see enemy soldiers in the room aside from my father and mother.

The devil beside me suddenly clapped his hands, making me flinch.

" Bring the Queen. "

He sneered. Two guards picked up my mother and made her stand against her will. Her head lifted up and then her gaze fixed on me. Unlike my mother, who had warm brown eyes I had inherited father's emerald eyes. Eyes which I now loathed.

Her eyes shone with fierceness.

The devil got up, sword in hand and slowly marched towards my mother. He smiled wickedly upon her.

" Any last wishes, your majesty? "

He asked, the quip of evil tainting his lips as he smiled. My mother's eyes turned to me.

" Stay strong my love. I love —"

But before she could finish, I heard the silver blade dip into my mother's throat, the sickening tear it made as the devil drew it across her neck and further. She swayed on her feet, then soon collapsed.

I couldn't feel anything. The pain in my chest was numb. Mother. I wanted to speak, to cry, anything but nothing came out of my lips, not even a choked sob.

'Heartless. '

He then moved towards father, the sword dripping with mother's blood.

No!

I tried to get up but fell on my knees. Something, or someone was holding me back. Two soldiers were holding me in my place, their nails digging into my flesh.

Father looked at me with remorse in his eyes. I strained against the soldiers, wanting them to let me free.

" I am sorry, my daughter. "

He whispered and then in a flash the devil slid the sword across father's throat. Blood poured out of his wound like an endless waterfall. And then he too, collapsed beside mother.

Somewhere, a cry rang out. Cry of a little boy. Tristan.

A soldier, bulky as a bull entered the throne room, dragging Tristan through his fragile arms. He cried in agony, tears staining his rosy cheeks.

His brown eyes fell on mother and father and then at me.

" A-Azy? "

Let me go! I want to hold him! My sweet little brother!

The devil laughed, his voice echoing in the room.

" Let her go. "

He waved and the soldiers grip left me. Gathering my strength, i got up and practically wobbled down the stairs.

" Tristan! "

The bulky soldier freed him out of his wretched grasp and Tristan ran to me. I embraced his shivering body, speaking soothing words to calm him down.

" Such love for a brother. It almost makes me think that you have a heart my Queen. "

Even though I can't see him, I can feel his eyes burning holes in my back. A feral grin appearing on his lips.

" Azy? What happened to mama and papa? "

Tristan whispered in my ears, his voice trembling with each syllable that poured out of his lips.

" They-they are sleeping little bug. Don't look at them, look at me okay? "

I wiped his tears with my one hand that was not tainted with blood and looked at him. His big brown eyes were so innocent, so young.

" Time's up. Take her away now. I have to finish him. "

" No! Stop! Please, I-I beg of you. Please stop. "

I have never pleaded before anyone and I prayed to the gods that the devil would listen to me.

He paused for a while, then a slow grin bloomed on his lips.

" If you want to save him, then kill him. Because if you don't, I will make sure to torture him to death. "

" Please, I will-I will do anything but don't make me kill my brother. Please. "

I whimpered, holding Tristan close to my chest.

" Kill him. "

A strange voice came out of the devil's throat. It was sinister, inhumane.

My brother shivered when I looked at him. I took him in my arms and swayed back and forth, humming his favourite lullaby.

Tristan closed his eyes and I leaned down to kiss him on the cheeks, humming softly. I put one hand on top of his head, and another on his chin.

There was a soft crack and then I saw as Tristan's body slumped down. His neck broken by his own sister.

And when The Devil laughed and soldiers grabbed me to take me somewhere, I realized that my cheeks were not wet with tears. I didn't cried when mother or father died. I didn't cried when I killed Tristan. Perhaps I was just like the devil.

A heartless monster.