W A R N I G !!!
This content is disturbing, so I encourage you to prepare.
Thank you!!
As Myrrh and Adolphus left the emperor's residence in silence, Lord Ralston silently trailed after Princess Myrrh...
When they arrived at their carriages, Myrrh said goodbye and bowed to Adolphus, but the young prince remained adamant.
" Princess Myrrh, may I request a walk before we part ways? I've heard that you have famous flowers here in Vailenor, and I'd like to see them if you let me. " Adolphus smiled as he said the words to Myrrh, who looked him seriously and faked a smile back.
" Even though I would like to accompany you on a walk through the garden, I regret to inform you that it is not feasible since, as you indicated earlier in the royal dining hall, it is already too late in the evening.... And if you want me to accompany you for a walk in the garden, we can postpone it for now, and I will join you tomorrow if I have time, Crown Prince Adolphus. " Myrrh's Refusal to Adolphus's Request.
" But.... "
" My apologies, but I'm too exhausted to join you, Crown Prince of Octavian... " Myrrh spoke to the royal crown prince without emotion, bowed, and entered her carriage, leaving the crown prince standing and unable to believe what Myrrh had done.
Adolphus rubbed his head because, for the second time, the young princess of Vailenor had left him alone and simply threatened him again...
Adolphus couldn't take it any longer and entered his carriage with a big sigh....
****
When Myrrh's carriage arrived at her palace, Lord Ralston quickly assisted her and smiled, which aroused Myrrh's attention.
" What is going on with you, Lord Ralston, that you are smiling for no apparent reason? " Myrrh's Question to Lord Ralston
" apologies princess, but the crown prince of Octavian appears to be.... interested in you. " Lord Ralston told Myrrh, and Myrrh frowned because Lord Ralston mentioned that the Crown Prince of Octavian was interested in her.
Myrrh chuckled softly, shaking her head and looking at Lord Ralston..
" Lord Ralston, you're mistaken. The crown prince does not like me; he is just interested in what I do.... That contradicts your point of view. " Myrrh said those words to Lord Ralston in a serious and calm tone, leaving Lord Ralston quiet.
While entering the palace, Myrrh spoke with Lord Ralston.
" Do you know why Lord Ralston, the crown prince of Octavian, is so stubborn? " Myrrh's question to Lord Ralston.
" I do not know, princess. " After hearing Lord Ralston's response to Myrrh's query, Myrrh stopped walking and gave him a serious look.
" .... "
Myrrh's lips did not move, but she knew she wanted to say something. However, she held back since she did not trust Lord Ralston or any of the Holy Emperor's followers....
...
Myrrh sat quietly on the balcony of her room, looking in one direction. Sometimes, she gazed at the stars in the sky that illuminated the darkness of the long night.
" P-princess "
Rosa called myrrh with hesitation because myrrh was thinking too deeply, and Rosa didn't know if she should call her, but she ended up calling her with fear and anxiety in her heart due to her princess's actions.
" Tell me why you're so terrified and nervous whenever you call me.... Has the way I treat you and others changed? " Myrrh's cold question to Rosa sent chills down her spine. Myrrh stood up from her seat and faced Rosa, and Myrrh could see in her diamond-black eyes how obvious Rosa's trembling and fear were.
" I-i can't describe it, p-princess; you just c..c..changed. " Rosa's shivering response to Myrrh, whose piercing eyes were locked on her. Rosa was desperately trying not to look into Myrrh's diamond-like black eyes.
" Rosa, look at me. " Rosa glanced into Myrrh's piercing eyes, but Myrrh remained calm and smiled, making the poor servant even more anxious. Myrrh extended her hand, signaling for Rosa to approach her, and Rosa approached despite her dread because she couldn't disobey the princess..
Rosa knelt down in front of Myrrh, and Myrrh sighed deeply as Rosa began to weep.
" Ohhh Rosa! Why are you crying? Are you crying because you are terrified of me? " Myrrh approached Rosa, who was crying. Myrrh simply shook her head and held Rosa's cheeks, turning her towards Myrrh and smiling at her.
" Rosa, don't be afraid of me because it kills me that you see me as a monster.... All I want to do is be your friend, not make you my slave. Just because I am a princess does not mean I will treat you as the lowest. So, please do not cry for me, as that is not my aim.... Rosa, please forgive me if you believe I am toying with you. " Rosa was astonished by Myrrh's statements because a princess was crying in front of her.
" P-princess, please stop sobbing. Princess Myrrh, I promise you that I will be true to you even if it means giving up my life.. " Rosa swore her loyalty to her.
" Oh my Rosa, are you really going to do that? You know I don't need your life; just be honest, and that will suffice for me. Rosa, I consider you to be a friend of mine. " She said sweetly.
Myrrh held Rosa as she spoke those words, but her blank expression could not be hidden.
" Rosa, I want to go inside, because it is getting too cold at night. Calm down and rest. " Rosa nodded in response to myrrh's words and wrapped a shawl around myrrh's shoulders to relieve the cold she was feeling before leading myrrh into her room.
When they reached Myrrh's chamber, Rosa helped her lie down on her bed and wrapped her in an exquisite fur blanket. Rosa then said her goodbyes so that her princess could rest.
" Goodnight P-princess-"
" Goodnight Rosa "
The blackness of the night has swallowed Myrrh's entire chamber, and all that is visible is the light from the beautiful moon shining through her window. Myrrh gently fell asleep due to her serious thoughts.
******
During a long night, a shadow passes across Celestria palace. Each guard it sees is silently killed without making a sound of movement, stabbing them in the neck and other parts of the body. It is an assassin, and its motions are extremely quick. Every room it enters, it stabs the person in the neck or heart.
The first floor of Celestria palace was almost completely bloodstained since almost all of its servants had been cruelly slain by a black assassin. Once the assassin had assured that no more lives were left on the palace's first floor, the assassin carefully proceeded without making a sound, hidden in the darkness as he ascended to the second floor, which where the princess's chamber and a few significant figures of the young princess.
When the black assassin arrived on the second floor of the palace, darkness met the assassin, and only the moonlight illuminated it because there were no candles in their holders, furrowing the assassin's brow even more.
The assassin wasted no more time and began walking down the long, dark corridor. He slipped on something while walking, and when he looked down, he discovered a lifeless male servant on the cold floor.
When he saw the male servant's body, he instantly hid in the darkness and listened to the sounds around him, but he was unsuccessful because his surroundings were too quiet; there was no movement to be heard, and all he could hear was his own breathing.
" Fuck, damn! " cussing murmured.
He believes he is not the only one who was ordered and paid to kill the young princess Myrrh, and his mind is troubled about whether he should fulfill his duty. The assassin did not know that someone was ready to kill him, due to the depth of his contemplation. He didn't even realize that he had been stabbed in the side of his stomach, but it was too late for him to defend himself. Because when he looked back to where he was stabbed, a sharp object struck his vision before his eyes were cut. His throat was mercilessly slashed before he could even scream, causing him to kneel and die...
A few minutes later, the palace's first floor was engulfed in flames, and the windows began to crack and shutters as a result of the severe heat and smoke..
The astonished royal guards at the Celestria royal gate immediately noticed and rang the bell to report a tragedy at Celestria royal palace, where Princess Myrrh resides..
The servants and royal guards outside the Celestria palace panicked because they didn't know what to do if their beloved princess died. The staff and royal guards promptly assisted one another in fetching water, handing heavy buckets to pour on the massive fires that were engulfing the entire Celestria palace.
* Servants cries *
P-princess!
Princess!!!
Because their emotions were overwhelming, the servants began shouting and calling for the young princess. Some servants knelt, began to cry, and gave up because no matter how much water they spilled or how hard they tried to enter the Celestria palace, they would be consumed by the ferocious flames the instant they went inside. Some royal guards attempted to enter, but were only able to scream as the burning flames burned their skin.
....
A royal guard from the Celestria Palace came to the emperor's palace and the palaces of Myrrh's siblings to enlighten them of the situation in Myrrh's palace, which was starting to burn with great flames. With a look of surprise and alarm, Emperor Castillion hurried from his bed.
" Was Princess Celest able to safely evacuate her palace?? " He immediately questioned his Butler.
" And look into the origin of the fire!!" Castillion command.
"Bring Myrrh Celestia here immediately!!," he directed to order his personal Butler.
The sound of something falling behind Emperor Castillion caused him to halt as he headed toward his office. He turned to see his Butler and saw his butler kneeling, tears welling up in his eyes and said to him.
" Princess Myrrh is still in her palace, and none of her maids have left the burning Celestria palace, so I'm afraid I can't fetch her, Your Holiness... " When Butler conveyed the news, he bent even lower, and Castillion's face was filled with shock...
As he hurried from his palace to the stables, the emperor could only hear the sound of his shoes. When he arrived at the stables, he chose no horse and rode one, galloping quickly toward Celestria Palace, where he noticed the large plumes of smoke. The emperor's Butler and a couple of his personal royal guards rushed after him.
When they arrived at Celestria Palace, it was almost completely devoured. Because of what he had witnessed, Emperor Castillion dismounted his horse and began to walk slowly towards the palace. He attempted to enter, but was stopped by his own royal guards and Butler.
" Let me go; I'll save my child CELEST!!!! " His loud call to Myrrh and order to his personal guards, who were attempting to prevent him from entering Celestria's palace.
" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! "
They all came to a halt after hearing a loud shout, and the emperor knew who it was.
" CELESTIA!! DAUGHTER!! " Castillion shout back...
" AHHHHH!! AHHHHHHH!!! HELP, HELP, HELP MEEE!! I CAN'T BREATH!! " Myrrh's loud plea for aid sent chills down the spines of those who heard her outside.
The Emperor appeared to have lost his senses after hearing Myrrh's plaintive cry for aid. He pushed past those who attempted to stop him and bravely entered the enormous tongues of fire that awaited him inside... The eyes of the servants, royal guards, and, most notably, the Emperor's Butler widened in surprise as they knelt down, having failed to prevent the Emperor from charging into the blazing palace.
No longer displaying fear, the butler rose from his knees and, without hesitation, gave the servants commands to help in pouring water on the blazing palace. Soon after, Lord Ralston, Myrrh's personal royal guard and crown prince, came. His face was filled with anxiousness and sorrow at not fulfilling his obligation to safeguard the princess at all times.
" C...crown prince Casmu, I-i apologize; I was unable to stop the holy emperor... Forgive me " The Butler instantly apologized to Crown Prince Casmu for failing to prevent the Emperor from entering the burning palace. The Crown Prince said nothing and only stared at the blazing palace.
Lord Ralston stared at the emperor's head butler, not realizing he had approached him, grasped his shoulder violently, and yelled aggressively to him.
" What did you say, Head Butler!? You let the emperor enter the burning palace.... What have you done!! " Lord Ralston's eyes burned with rage because he had failed to protect the young princess, and now he had learned that the holy emperor had stormed inside to save his daughter.
The head Butler also furiously pushed Lord Ralston, pointed at him, and said:
" You were appointed and chosen by the holy emperor to protect Princess Myrrh Celestia, but where were you when the fire started!? Where were you, Lord Ralston!! It is your responsibility to protect the princess, and where are the knights you assigned here at the Celestria Palace!? " Angry remarks came from the head butler's mouth, and his final words stunned Lord Ralston even more.
" Black Knight Lord Ralston, you have failed in your given job... You must pray for our holy emperor's and Princess Myrrh Celestia's safety; otherwise, you will be punished.... You have failed to carry out the role assigned to you, and your long-held title will be rendered useless. " Butler Porter said.
******
When Castillion entered the Celestria Palace, he was greeted by the beginning of the collapse of the castle's important parts, and because of the intensity of the fire, the origin of which was unknown, Castillion was nearly engulfed by the thick smoke, making it difficult for him to breathe and see due to the heat and smoke he was facing.
" Child Celest, where are you?? My child, I am downstairs. Celest!!! "
" Celest, my child!!! Answer your father. " Outbursts of concern for his child Celest, who is not returning his calls. As time passes, anxiety consumes Castillion like fire destroys the interior of the Celestria palace.
" Oh, Lord, Celestia, where are you? I'm here, child. Speak out, and I will get to you right away. "
" AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! " Castillion was immediately terrified by the loud yet youthful yell, and it was the response Castillion had been looking for. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the clashing fire tongues.
Castillion came across several lifeless servants on the stairs as he ran up. They were killed with stab wounds in their bodies rather than by the intense fire. Castillion abruptly halted his climb and looked up to the second floor, where Celestia was located, before returning his gaze to the servants' bodies. He looked around and noticed a shiny sword displayed above, so he dashed over to grab it.
When Castillion finally received the Sword, he focused on rescuing Celestia. Castillion was stopped in his tracks when he heard a man's voice and Celestia's.
" Who are you, and who ordered you to kill me??? And how dare you burn down Celestria Palace!! where my mother, the Empress, gave me birth!! I WILL KILL YOU!!! " She angrily asked the rat.
Castillion could clearly hear Celestia's harsh critiques, which surprised his face but warmed his heart because of her bravery, despite the fact that she knew the palace was in danger due to the fire and just a few hours till it would collapse. Castillion tightened his grip on his sword and took a careful step forwards to avoid making a noise.
" Since you're going to die anyway, why not offer you an idea of who? Youngest princess... " He said.
" As far as I know, one of your BLOOD ordered your death HAHAHA difficult to believe. But is this truly the style of the royalty?? An impoverished child became a victim as a result of the dominance of power. Is it true that you are referred to as Emperor Castillion's beloved child? Mmm, Make sense. " After he said that he laugh like a maniac..
Celestia seemed to have lost herself when she heard the word " BLOOD ". No emotion was visible; she had before been retreating, but now she stood erect and seemed to be waiting for her doom. The assassin approached her, aiming a sharp blade at her neck and spoke to her again.
" This is what fate has planned for your life; it is short and sweet so please forgive me for simply carrying out the task that was giv- "
When Castillion was about to rush to kill the assassin, he paused when he heard the assassin tell Celestia that one of their family members, the family that Castillion had established properly, had issued the order. Castillion appeared to have gone deaf to what he heard, and he could no longer hear the assassin who was speaking previously.
Castillion took a quick glimpse to see what was going on, but when he peered attentively, he was astonished again. He saw the assassin point the sharp blade against Celestia's neck, uttering his final goodbyes and feigning to beg forgiveness from his young daughter. But, in a second, Celestia snatched the assassin's dagger and stabbed it across his neck without hesitation. Celestia approached and spoke to the assassin as he knelt.
" What are your thoughts on me? Just a naive princess who knows nothing but dancing and reading the royal laws. My, my Please forgive me, sire, but the child you are frightening with a dagger is the one who killed you... Because you are S.L.O.W "
Celestia said that, and the assassin's eyes widened.
The assassin shook his head and spat blood in Celestia's face, sending him to collapse under his weight. Celestia wiped the blood on her face with her white nightgown. She approached the lifeless assassin emotionlessly, drew the dagger from his neck, and sat on his stomach, repeatedly stabbing his heart and various portions of his body until vast pieces of his body were exposed.
Castillion was overcome with shock and horror when he discovered what Celestia had done. He closed his eyes and thought to himself, " I allowed my child to stain her hands with blood. " Castillion wiped his face as he couldn't move from his posture, and the burns on his arms and legs started to hurt.
Castillion, shaky with anguish, forced himself to stand straight and showed no signs of his distress. Still gripping the blade, he called Celestia, who resumed slashing the lifeless assassin, making Castillion grimace.
" Celest "
" Celestia "
" Myrrh Celestia y Vailenor "
Castillion called Myrrh several times, but she ignored him. Castillion's child was insane, possessed by wrath, and Castillion could sense it. So he softly but calmly held Myrrh's shoulder and hand to let her know her father was there to SAVE HER.
Castillion was able to stop his child's actions, but the hairs on his body sprang up when his child gazed at him with lifeless eyes, as if dead in his presence. He saw fury and rage, but there was no life. Castillion faked a smile for his adored child.
" Ahhh, Are you going to kill me, just like this person lying down is going to do? Mmm, if that's the case, simply kill me because I won't be able to leave this palace due to the ferocity of the fire.. " She shown no emotion... She surrender.
" Chil- "
" M-my lovely servant saved me from the fire, Rosa, the one who cared for me, gave her life for me... If you're going to kill me, do it now since no one will care or grieve for me because I'm just a princess with no eq- "
Castillion embraced his poor child because she was pleading to be slain, and Castillion was pained by what he heard in the small voice of his beloved child. Castillion closed his eyes because he sensed his child's misery, and tears began to fill up in his eyes.
" Shh, hush now c-child " Castillion, calmly comforting Myrrh, realized they needed to get out since the rocks were starting to fall due to the heat of the fire. As a result, Castillion let go of Myrrh, grabbed her shoulders, and said to her.
" Celestia, my child, please come back to reality... I need your presence for us to make it out of this palace alive.. " Castillion received no response from Myrrh other than a nod. Castillion caressed Myrrh's face, turned her to face him, and smiled at her so that she, his cherished child, did not fear or become terrified...
" Celestia, wait here for me... I will be right back. " Castillion didn't wait for Myrrh's answer and immediately ran to a room to get a blanket. He saw a vase of flowers with water and poured it onto the blanket to use for Myrrh. Once he did what he needed to do, he returned to Myrrh, placed the slightly damp blanket over her entire body.
Castillion lifted his child and moved his sight to the blazing stairs, then to Myrrh, tightening his grip on his child and taking a long breath.
" Celestia, hold on tight. Avoid staring at the fire... My darling, believe me; we will make it out alive. " Alive... When Myrrh heard those words from Castillion, she looked up, but with a bitter grin, she averted her gaze and strengthened her embrace, obeying her father's orders.
Castillion didn't waste any more time and dashed up the scorching stairs, disregarding the intense pain in his body. As he rushed, the stairs began to wobble and seemed like they were about to collapse. Castillion tightened his grip on Myrrh and leaped over the stairs before they collapsed entirely..
To be continue....