YOU'RE MY BRIDE, CAMILLA

The man must be joking with me. Doesn't he know that I'm a child who lives in the street before? I know all of the shortcuts and he took one that led to a dead end. He's really asking for death, isn't he? Tired of his life, I see.

Camilla seems to run out of air so I let her breathe for a while as I face the guy who can't even climb up. "Your Highness—" I cut her words as I draw her sword and pointed it to the man who's sitting on the ground.

"Get the bag." Vien looks at the culprit as she carried out my command. "Hmm, a commoner, I see." He looks like my father, A DISGUSTING CREATURE.

"Do you think I'm scared of death?!" For a brief period, I touch the blade as I consider my options. "My family and I have been suffering because of the palace's stupid ruler!" Yeah, I agree with him. My father's a sluggish Emperor.

"We can't get any job as we're just living on the outside of the palace! While all of you are living lavishly spending your money! The palace is blind. They don't really care about their people." I hate that he's quite correct about those lines.

"Are you done?" The truth is, everyone is scared of death. Even this man. "I applaud your bravery. But you're talking about The Emperor, my father." He laughs hysterically as if he's going insane.

"You're probably one of his conceited daughters. One is a villain, while the other is a helpless and foolish woman—" My hand began to itch before he could even finish his sentence.

"Your Majesty—" I gave back her sword as it's stained with a commoner's blood. "You know Carbon Dioxide wouldn't spread that much if you learn how to shut your mouth." Oh, right, I'm talking to a dead person, I must be getting crazy.

"Escort Lady Camilla to the carriage." Her eyes are just like my sister's. It's too nice. "I should have just let you go ahead of me. I apologize for startling you." But all I wanted was for her to see was the real me.

A woman who does not bow or kneel before anyone. My father's included. Even though I could feel her gaze at me as we entered the carriage, I didn't dare to look at her.

She seemed to want to say something, but instead chose to remain silent. As soon as we arrive at the palace, I extend my hand, which she accepts as she steps down the carriage.

"Your Majesty!" Serina rushed in my place as she could see blood in my gown. "Hel, what happened?" Mother asked as she looks at my dress.

"A little accident. Please don't mind it." When I looked at my father, he seemed more concerned than I had expected, or perhaps it was just a series of hallucinations.

My father? Getting concerned about her daughter? Don't make me laugh. "Are you sure?" I bow to mother as a sign of agreement.

"I'm sorry that I can't give anything than these small gifts." Mother, on the other hand, was beaming and grateful for the gifts.

"Shall we eat?" Father asked as we all move, but of course, shall I forget the appetizer?

"From what I can tell, Lithia is more concerned about the General." She takes a few steps backwards as she faced me. "What? No. Why would I? I'm just asking about what happened as you're not the type of person to speak such matters to me." I dismissively shrugs as her face was going to explode soon.

Look at her, blushing.

"All right, enough of the play, Hel. This is all about your fiancé, Am I right?"

"Well then, welcome to the palace, Lady Camilla, I'm Heather Ethereal and this is Lucius, my husband." Mother said as she smiles. "We shouldn't just stay in here as the food's going to be cold soon. Shall we eat?" For the first, his smile turns out to be sincere.

Did something happen?

Is he going to die soon?

..

Kidding.

"Why didn't you invite the General in this dinner, Lithia? That's not your usual character." I said in in a form of jesting. She looks at father as she returns her gaze towards me.

"You're spouting nonsense—" Nonsense, she said? "But you're fitted with each other, right, father?" He stopped. I thought he was going to shut me off like he usually do, but this time, he seems to take my joke as a suggestion.

"Why didn't I think of that? That young knight looks promising." Lithia's brows furrow as I just let out a little chuckle. Serina, on the other hand, speaks in hushed tones.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry if I can't accompany you—" I cut her as I respond. "It's just a small matter, I will not take it to the heart." I didn't even bother to ask the topic as I consider it as privacy.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She smiles as I started to listen to this father and daughter's argument.

"So you prefer a husband?" Lithia stays quiet for a while as I'm trying to compose myself from laughing. "Father, don't tease my sister too much her face might explode because of embarrassment."

"Father, I'm only kidding about her, admiring Miss Vien. My sister isn't fond of women as spouses after all. It's far too soon for her. Allow her to pick her own partner." I returned my gaze to Lithia, but all I saw on her face was the message CONTINUE TO SPEAK.

"But I'm telling you, you'll come to regret it one day. After all, jealousy is difficult to suppress." Did I lie?

We depart as the dinner ended while Lithia chose to stay in silence until the very end. I do have a point and she can't argue with that. Jealousy is something you can't control even I didn't even get the chance to feel that before.

I decided to take a bath as I could feel the blood on my gown. It's sticky and feels shitty.

"You can excuse yourself, Serina." I saw her shadow bows as she left the bathing area. The only thing is that it took me half an hour to finish my bath. After all, I don't want to see any stain of blood to my body.

As I walk down the corridor, it was indeed a cold evening, yet it feels so warm. It may be because of the warm water. "Your Highness?" A voice drew my attention before I could enter my room.

"You should be sleeping right now, Camilla."

"Are you mad?" Huh? Do I look mad?

"No. Why would I?" She bows as she started to speak. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I was just frightened a little while ago, but I don't intend to offend you. It was just— It's my first time of seeing a live execution. I will make sure to get used to it—" I suddenly feel compelled to comfort her.

"Rise up." Look at this woman, she's concerned over small matters. I lift her chin as I stare at her eyes. "I will cover your eyes the next time if you wanted me to. I will not let your hands get dirty as I will do them for you."

"You're Ethereal's future Empress and my Bride, Camilla. I will not do anything to harm you nor to make you uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry for this day, I was wrong. I admit that I take it too far to the extent of showing you how I slit his neck. I will promise to be careful, alright? Now can we both take a rest and talk tomorrow?"

Why? Just why did I have a soft part for this woman? I might be getting crazy..