The crowd jeered, laughing viciously at Cassian's misfortune.
The event had started off as a normal banquet--or so Cassian thought. He'd stuck to the fringes of the ballroom as usual, ignoring the bratty noble heirs who loved to make fun of him.
It doesn't bother me, he'd repeat to himself.
He'd watched as his brother--the charming, brave, brilliant Crown Prince Phyllis made speech after speech, promising the prosperity of the Vanderbilt Empire.
Listened as the future empress, his soon-to-be sister in-law, Arylenia Ross, loudly whispered snide comments about Cassian to Phyllis, as he had stood within hearing distance.
But that was all the usual treatment he got. Cassian had long since resigned himself to who he was--the unwanted second prince, prophesied to be… a villain.
"Good on the Crown Prince, clearing away all threats to our great empire before they can weasel their way in."
"I always hated that second prince anyway. When he looks at you with his awful eyes, you can always tell he's adding you to a list of people to kill when he's emperor."
"Here, here. To lasting peace!"
Cassian now stood alone, in the center of the ballroom. Directly in the spotlight--exactly where he wanted to avoid being.
Why is he doing this to me? I never did anything at all! That damn prophecy! Everything bad that always happens to me is because of that fucking prophecy!
Nobles were circling all around him with malicious joy on their faces. People threw food at him, just to further the humiliation.
And the cause of it all--his very own brother.
Phyllis stood about fifteen feet in front of Cassian, a sword at his side.
"Brother. Do you know why I have chosen this banquet--my very own celebration of the Oath of Succession, to kill you?"
That's it, then. It's over for me. He's publicly declaring he wants me dead.
Cassian folded his arms, brimming with anger. "No, I don't, you bastard," he snapped.
Several gasps echoed across the glimmering room at his words.
"How dare you!" Arylenia Ross hissed, as she stood by Phyllis's side. "Know your place!"
Cassian had to stop himself from actually growling. It was just all so unfair. He'd kept to himself for the last few hours, counting the seconds until the banquet would end. Then all of a sudden--two royal guards had dragged him to the middle of everything. They'd crept up on him before he'd even noticed.
The golden lights had blinded him, and before he knew it, here he was, in a situation that was looking worse and worse for him by the minute.
Phyllis continued his speech. "How typical of you, Brother. Feigning cluelessness until the very end. Let me inform you, then. You are the prophesied child of darkness, the villain who will bring our great empire to ruin. You have gotten by these last few years by pretending you are a good person. But you cannot fool anyone."
Can he stop talking for just a second? What's he even going on about? I've never pretended. I always act like myself. Who, by the way, is not a scheming bad guy.
"Prophecies never lie. You are to be executed now, while you are still harmless, before you can usurp the throne."
"I"VE TOLD YOU A HUNDRED TIMES! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE THRONE!" Cassian yelled for all to hear.
The crowd giggled among themselves.
"--Doesn't want anything to do with the throne? That's a bold lie."
"--You know he's just trying to save his skin."
Cassian glared at them all. It was no use trying to convince nobles with words.
They're all just sheep who follow the prophecies like they're the law of the world. Just because they're delivered by the Saintess doesn't mean they're always right.
Phyllis drew his sword, stepping closer. "I am sorry. I know it is not your fault you were imbued with evil since birth. But I cannot let a liability such as you continue to exist."
Cassian's eyes widened, despite knowing what was about to happen. He tried to back away--but the guards who had dragged him here grabbed his arms and held them behind his back.
"No! Brother, please, don't kill me! I haven't done anything wrong yet, so why…?"
Phyllis's expression hardened. "I just explained to you why. We will not be taking any chances with you."
He was now face to face with Cassian. He held the sword high, and began to swing towards Cassian's neck. "Goodbye, Cassian."
Cassian shook with fury and despair as excruciating pain seared through him. He couldn't even scream. As the world faded to black, he thought for one final time.
So this is how it ends… Seventeen miserable years on this planet, finished without any warning, just like that. No friends, no lover to cry for me. But at least… I might finally have peace.
***
Cassian woke up with a gasp.
What?! Where am I? Didn't I just die?!
He was lying on a hard bed, in a small room that was barely furnished. He shot up, breathing heavily as he registered his surroundings.
W-what about the banquet? I was beheaded! There's no way I could've survived.
Cassian leapt out of bed and raced to a scuffed mirror on the opposite side of the dark room.
"I'm in my bedroom," he murmured aloud. He stared hard at his reflection.
The person before him was the second prince--long, deep brown hair tied into a loose ponytail, tired gray eyes that had no hope left in them. His neck was pristine, not a single cut to be found anywhere.
It's me. I don't have any scars or anything.
Was the entire banquet just a horrible nightmare?
He stood, mouth agape. The pain he felt was real. No dream could ever make someone experience such a thing.
Suddenly, someone began knocking on his door harshly.
"My lord," a woman said, with a tone that gave no sign of respect. "Get up. Your presence is requested by Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress." It was his maid, old Lady Eneta.
"Huh? Mother and Father want to see me?" Cassian echoed in surprise.
"Yes. Now hurry up and get yourself ready." He heard footsteps as Eneta began walking away.
"Wait! Lady Eneta!" Cassian burst out of his room to catch her before she disappeared, still in his bed clothes.
She frowned at him with disdain. "Yes, my lord?"
"Uh…" Cassian paused for a moment, trying to think of what he'd actually wanted to ask her. "Well… what's the date today?"
Eneta eyed him suspiciously. "Have you lost your memory?"
"No!" he protested. "I've just woken up. Am I supposed to automatically know it?"
"Hmph. It's the 32nd Monday of Imperial Year 932. Is that all?"
"Yes… thank you."
"Good. Now get ready." Eneta turned sharply, and walked back down the hall.
Cassian stood there, watching her go as his thoughts raced.
It's Monday. The banquet was on Saturday. So I've somehow been revived and gone back in time.
Somewhere far off, a clock struck.
Wait. The banquet must've been real… Today's the day Mother and Father ordered me to go to it.
He suddenly remembered why he'd been there in the first place.
Usually, Cassian was never invited to high society events. Nobody wanted a future villain to ruin the fun, or assassinate some noble. Not that he'd willingly go, even if he was invited.
But this time, his parents had forced him to come to the banquet. He'd protested, of course. But his arguments had fallen on deaf ears. They refused to listen, stating that he would be in deep trouble if he ignored them.
The Emperor and Empress always kept their word, no matter what. They were both distant and uncaring people--towards Cassian, at least.
They had never shown him any real love. They left the task of raising him to the servants. And their punishments--well, angering them wasn't something Cassian really wanted to do.
So he'd gone.
And ended up dead.
Cassian gasped, quickly hurrying back into his room.
I have to argue harder this time. I won't go! Did Mother and Father plan for my death?
It would make sense. Killing off a prince wasn't something you could do at the drop of a hat. People would object. Not most nobles, but still. You needed a reason, and good timing.
Having the Crown Prince kill his long-hated rival at his own Oath of Succession banquet would be the perfect place and timing. After all, the Oath cemented his place among the great emperors of Vanderbilt.
Crown Prince was just a title automatically given to the first born. Other siblings could contest it, or nobles could vote to have it transferred to another prince or princess.
But the Oath was essentially a promise to the people from the current emperor: He will be your new Emperor, when my time has ended.
According to the prophecy, Cassian would do anything to take the title. It wasn't exactly mentioned if he would succeed--that's why he'd been allowed to live as long as he had.
But it had said that he would be a vicious tyrant if he ascended the throne.
Cassian sighed.
Why does God hate me? What's the point of being royal if my life is still miserable? I don't want to be emperor, but nobody believes me.
He went back to his bed. But as he was about to sit down, a shape beneath the covers caught his eye. One that had definitely not been there when he woke up.
It looked like a book.
He pulled back the messy white bedsheets, revealing an old-looking tome. The cover was worn, its royal blue color fading at the edges.
Words in an odd, slightly glowing font were scribbled along the center.
"The Villain Prince's Survival Guide," Cassian read out. "Is it talking about me…?"
After what he'd been through only ten minutes ago, he was not surprised.
The book swung open by itself. Cassian flinched, but he leaned in to read it anyway.
Dear Cassian, it began.