Chapter 2

A Decade later...
"look what I bought for you" she looked at the bread her brother bought for her.

"Layla, I am sorry I can only sneak this much for you!" He looked sympathetically at her who was tied around with chains. Her ankles sore from the bruise produced from the chains and her wrists too.

Soon, the kingdom realised that Layla is a threat, an immortal and a female. This world saw prodigy females as witches. Witches that desire power so they were cursed with early death. Either they die from giving birth to a prodigy girl or they are killed when they are a baby.

However, the common females were nothing but a tool to grow their family. Nothing but to clean their household. Nothing but a slave. Beaten when disobeyed. Starved when they protested.

Here she ended up in this rotten room,. The king decided that she could be a threat. Death never found her when she was drowned, stabbed, throwed off the bridge. Layla went numb from all the pain she felt for the past 10 years ever since she was a baby. Prodigy from birth is a rare trait even among men. No wonder they got endangered when a female showed up.

The kingdom's great scholars concluded that Layla was immortal and had excellent healing capabilites. And they decided until further notice , she would be held a prisoner with no food and water. And sadly, that only increased her pain but never caused her death.

"Layla, just eat this bread. You haven't had anything for a week. I am worried" Liam's eyes brimmed with tears. Layla locked her eyes with him. They were sapphire green. Captivating. Sharp. She weakly smiled.

Liam Williams, the eldest son of Sir William, her father who is a grand knight. She met Liam at the cribble. She saw how devastated he was when he lost her mother although she was his stepmother. All those years of experiment, Liam was there. Comforting her. Giving her sweets when the cold world greeted her. He would sometimes hug her and cry repeating he was helpless and couldn't protect her. He was a jewel in this rotten world. But Layla realised soon he would become rotten too when time comes. Everyone is innocent and loving during their childhood. Wasn't it the time where fun and sunshine comes on? But as they grow, they face the reality and the experiences moulds them in a way they could never expect.

It was only Liam who visited her. And the guards who come on daily basis to check if she was alive. No one else. Not even her father.

Layla pulled herself up. Her body screamed pain and her insides burned. She slowly pulled the bread from his hands and munched on it.

It was as if something clicked that she stuffed the whole small piece of bread into her mouth. She licked her hands continuously and the taste of bread was no longer left.

The room was little hazy, dirt ran across every corner. A toilet at one side was all she need. No bed. She slept in the cold floor. She was a mess.

'why should I suffer like this?' she scoffed at the thought. . She was angry. Angry at the kingdom for locking her up. Angry at fate.

"I am sorry. I couldn't do anything" Liam looked down ashamed. She wanted to say it wasn't his fault but she found no energy . she tried to smile. She doesn't want to burden. He was the only ally she has in this world. Liam filled her in about the kingdom and its circumstances during his visits.

"Alright. It's time for the guards rounds. I should probably go. I will somehow pursuade father" Liam dusted himself off. His blue coat with white shirt traced with gold embroideries. Probably there was some celebration in the kingdom. She guessed it could be a victory from war or for the crown prince. Layla heard from Liam that there was a crown prince who was 2 years elder than her,a little younger than her second brother whom she never met yet.

The crown prince never showed himself and no one saw him except few. Selected servants were only allowed in his chambers but not more. Her father was one of them.

Liam exaggerated that he couldn't make friends with the crown prince. He wished they could play together. During his visits, he either talked about the kingdom or the crown prince or her second brother. Her second brother,Lucas was a bright kid who likes to introduce inventions and ideas unlike Liam who was good at fighting and wants to protect the country and its people.

Layla nodded. It was at the moment when the door closed, she slumped again. Her vision turned hazy and in no time....

Her world turned black.

Her eyes fluttered open. Everytime meeting the grey ceiling. How many days has it been? 6? Who cares? They are just gonna let her die. But why death is so painful? And why the heck is she suffering with no death at her door?

Why death hates her so much?

Maybe she has some purpose. Some mission she should complete before she can die. Something that can offer death. Wasn't it the case in all those fantasy novels, where the main lead dies and gets reincarnated into a different world for a purpose. That should be it. She realised once her mind cleared somehow.

She can't suffer anymore. Not when death won't knock her door. She decided it is time she search for death.

The door creaked open. She expected Liam, however it was the usual guards.

"Wow. I didn't know you could survive this long" The guard snickered. There were three guards. All dressed in blue and red suit. Representing the Lumus kingdom. The kingdom of life. This is her chance. It is no or never.

Layla smirked at the guards. "hey what are you smiling at, you evil witch?" the guard pulled his rifle and hit her with the butt of the rifle.

Layla collapsed down. "Tell... Tell.... Tell your majesty I have an offer...." she muttered loud enough for the guards.

The guards stilled in their place. Her voice was strong and stern. "You dare offer the kingdom? How arrogant. We are in no lacking" the guards scoffed and left

Layla sighed and thought about her next move.