Chapter 3

I woke up early, how could I not?

Today would direct how I would live in the future.

It should be around 4-5 in the morning.

I dressed myself in formal clothing, nothing too flashy though.

Once I was done and put on some of my artifacts I snuck outside, all four of my guards were sleeping.

I wasn’t particularly worried, even without the personal bodyguards the mansion was under heavy protection, and since today was a huge event, the security level was raised even further.

Without a care for the world I decided to visit the stargazing tower located in the south wing. My 6th sense didn’t pick up anything, it had saved my life plenty of times and I fully trusted it.

Based on these facts, I was completely sure about my safety.

Alas, there is never a 100% certainty.

I learned this the hard way.

On my way to the tower my vision suddenly darkened.

It was too fast, I was panicked of course, I wanted to activate my bracelet’s repelling spell or my gloves’ barrier, neither of which worked.

Before I could even understand what was happening I could feel my consciousness fading.

…

The first thing I felt when I woke up was a bitter cold.

Strange, it should be summer now.

Then I noticed I couldn’t see for shit.

It was completely dark.

“-the last kid?”

“The girl managed to detect us and escape. We can retry but the security will have more than tripled.”

I heard a grunt.

“There’s still a few years left for her 16th birthday, at the very least it wouldn’t cause us any trouble in this matter.”

They shuffled a few things.

I felt someone lift me up then move to an unknown direction.

It felt like an eternity.

It was far too long. So much time, I was thinking where the hell things went wrong.

Was it when I woke up early, or when I decided to go to the stargazing tower?

In the first place, how did they infiltrate the mansion without anyone noticing? Because of the prophecy the mansion should have even better protection than the Emperor’s Celestial Palace.

Even if I don’t go out, I can hear the people, apparently there are even worshippers, the entire city is basically a layer of security.

Suddenly we came to a stop and I was thrown on the ground.

Someone took off the bag over my head.

I nervously looked around, and I fell into the abyss of despair.

It was a dimly lit room, no windows and only one door.

There was nothing in the room other than the torches. Besides myself, there was also Arjun, Hermia and Mirst. All my siblings except for Lea.

A man crouched down. I wanted to retch at his foul smell. His scarred face didn’t help.

“Well well, so you are the one who was going to test if he was the Saint today?”

He examined my face.

I was extremely nervous, and it probably showed in my face.

“Blame your father if you want, he’s the reason you are going through this. Damned Angevins”

He splashed water on me. No it was ink.

I spit out as much as I could but I couldn’t do anything for my stinging eyes.

“You know, I always hated you people’s silver hair. Makes you look like some kind of holy being. A nonhuman”

“Father will kill you for this” Arjun snarled.

“Oh shut up will you? Do you know what kind of man your father is?” He practically spit when he said father.

“My father is an honorable man, not involved in the likes of you.”

“Kekekekeke, your ‘father’ is a mass murderer. A machine whose sole purpose is to exterminate the enemies of the crown. Come on! Blame him for what you are going through right now!”

The man turned, unsheathing a sword which was hidden beneath his clothes and cut off Arjun’s left arm.

He screamed, it was almost unnatural, and I paled as I watched the fountain of blood.

It was a miracle and also unfortunate I didn’t faint.

Hermia didn’t have the stomach and vomited.

Mirst was silent, he wasn’t in an angle I could see but I assume he already fainted.

‘Lucky him’

The man turned to me again, which made me wonder, why me?

“Say hello to your mother for me” The man said as he laughed mischievously.

My eyes widened as I realized what he was going to do. I struggled all I could against my binds.

Mother died a long time ago, father never talked about the circumstances of her death.

The man laughed, it was madness, a completely deranged laugh filled with insanity.

How can such a crazy man have the capabilities to infiltrate the Grand Duke’s mansions?

I tried to crawl away, it was too slow, but I didn’t care.

I felt a sharp pain on my legs, then… nothing. Just cold.

Then my senses returned, overloading me with extreme terror.

I could feel my blood seep out of me, how I lost any sense of touch from my lower body.

Fearful I turned around.

How I wish I had fainted.

Why did this happen? Why me?

I couldn’t even scream, it was as if my voice was locked.

But in my fear, I also felt a peculiar feeling.

Then I noticed something strange in my vision.

Light particles were gathering around me.

“Hoh, so you are the Saint after all. I was right taking you out first”

Not playing around any longer the man took a huge step forward and stabbed the sword in my back.

A pig-like screech filled the air. I myself couldn’t believe I made such a sound.

However, the luxury of screaming was not given to me anymore. As blood flowed into my lungs I found it harder to breathe, no it felt impossible to. I coughed blood.

I looked around, wanting anything, anyone to help me.

Arjun was already unconscious due to the blood loss. Mirst fainted too, and Hermia…

She had turned her head away, refusing to look.

Betrayed, that’s how I felt. Hermia was always kind and loving, yet when I needed just anything, a look of reassurance perhaps, she turned away from me.

The man suddenly twisted his sword. I never knew pain could be felt to such extremes.

As if he was in a sudden hurry he started to stab repeatedly, in fast succession.

I want it to stop.

Please.

…

Kill me. Why haven’t I died yet?

Why am I still here?

Why?

At long last death took me. I felt my life drain along with the blood, my consciousness fading.

Finally, I died with a twisted happiness as this suffering ended.