Fated to the Beast

Chapter 10: One Cold Night

To the best of my knowledge, the weather has changed since I left the town square. Walking from there towards the palace, I found myself gazing at the palace gates from a distance, reluctant to approach and alarm the guards. Engaging in conversation with them was the last thing I desired at the moment. However, lingering any longer would diminish my opportunity.

The present moment seemed ideal for proceeding. Raising my head, I let the heavy raindrops cascade forcefully upon my face, drenching every inch of my skin. Rather than a gentle shower, it resembled a turbulent, flooded river, signaling its prolonged presence. I resolved to continue walking, embracing it as naturally as the air I breathe and observing its movement beneath my shoes. Letting out a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes with anticipation.

"It is time to bring this to an end," I whispered to myself, casting another glance at the palace gates. Uncertain of the consequences awaiting me, my determination to inflict suffering on that one person within the palace surged. Regardless of the obstacles, I vowed to make her scream for mercy. Despite the hindrance of my sodden dress impeding my steps, I proceeded towards the palace gates. As soon as the guards noticed my presence, they pointed their swords at me, possibly unable to recognize me due to the pouring rain.

"I am Anastasia LeClair de Ville, the 15th princess," I declared. Upon hearing this, they inspected me more closely, their eyes widening, and then lowered their swords, securing them back in their sheaths.

"Good evening, princess. We failed to recognize you," said the guard on my right, permitting me to enter in haste. I couldn't blame them; the faces of the palace guards were unlikely to slip from memory.

"Are you certain you recognize me?" I questioned, hoping they would fabricate a lie about a princess. However, their response bewildered me.

"Indeed. You were one of the king's favorites, were you not?" replied the guard on the left, leaving me perplexed. I couldn't help but laugh at the notion.

"A favorite?" I asked, laughing incredulously.

"Me?" I continued, studying their bewildered expressions. It dawned on me that they were not joking.

"Who informed you of that?" I inquired seriously.

"The King himself," confirmed the guard on my right.

"The King, wearing a smile, granted you permission to leave when Princess Alexandra requested it here. He was about to depart at that time. Additionally, after you left the town, the Queen visited the King while he strolled in the garden. Overhearing their conversation, we learned that he had taken a liking to you." As soon as I heard that title, I interrupted the guard.

"The Queen?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. They exchanged glances, seemingly reluctant to disclose further information. However, I was determined to learn the full extent of the matter.

"Do you wish to incur the King's wrath? Or will you reveal what the Queen said to him while I was absent?" I asked, growing irritated.

"The Queen desired your removal that day, but the King did not consent," replied the guard on my left. A shiver ran through my body upon hearing this revelation.

"Where is the King?" I inquired, aware that it was still early. If I were to barge into his chambers, he might not be there.

"The King left this afternoon with Prince Lucius and Estefan. They set off to hunt the tiger recently spotted in the forest by one of the patrolling guards," informed the guard on the right. Realizing I would be unable to converse with him, a burning question emerged.

Why did he not prevent the Queen from plotting Alexandra's murder?

However, in the absence of the person who could stop me as well as the two individuals, there is no one present who can prevent me, except for the remaining children in the palace. Although I doubt they will bother to intervene in this fight as they have nothing to gain from it, with that in mind, I am free to eliminate the queen. I hastily removed my dress, causing the two guards to immediately turn around.

"What are you doing, princess?" exclaimed the guard on the right in shock, but I no longer had the inclination to engage with them. Once I had discarded my dress, leaving only my chemise, I resumed walking in the rain. Despite the guards shouting at me to return to them, I paid no attention and continued toward the palace. As I reached the palace door, it was opened for me, revealing someone who caused me to freeze upon entering. It was Nicolas Cole, my father's attendant. He bowed upon my arrival, leaving me perplexed about his presence here while his master was absent.

"The King wishes for me to accompany you to your destination, princess," Nicolas informed me, which only deepened my confusion. At that moment, he removed his coat and draped it over me.

"A princess should not be walking in such a manner," he added, prompting me to gaze at him.

"Follow me," he instructed. I had no choice but to comply. Silently, I trailed behind him as we ascended the stairs, unaware of our destination. As time passed, I gradually realized where we were headed.

"I have taken care of something for you. The King wanted to ensure that you fulfill what you wanted to do, and he also wanted to express his condolences for your loss," Nicolas divulged, leaving me standing before the Queen's chambers.

Behind this door, I might face Rosalynn's potential attempt to end my life, but I have no intention of succumbing to her. I removed the coat from my body and retrieved the hidden dagger from beneath my skirt. With determination, I cautiously pushed open the door, prepared for an attack. However, upon entering the room, the sight before me made me nauseous—a lifeless body lying on the floor, brutally slain.

"Are you pleased?" someone inquired from the corner. I saw the Queen there. Her disheveled hair and swollen red eyes rendered her unrecognizable. I had no desire to engage in conversation with her at that moment.

"Did you conspire with the King to take Rosalynn away from me?" she asked, shifting her gaze toward me. Anger emanated from her. Despite her tragic circumstances, I felt no fear or pity for her.

Why did I feel nothing at all?

"You deserved it," I retorted, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"All because of that wretched woman! You took Rosalynn from me! Oh, my poor child. Wait until Lucius discovers this. He will kill you! He will kill you for murdering her sister. You deranged lunatic!" the queen exclaimed, sounding like a madwoman. I was unaware that Rosalynn was one of the Queen's children. I had believed she had only one child with the king—Lucius.

Could it be possible that Rosalyn is not the King's child, which is why he did not object to her demise?

Moreover, the King does not interfere in the conflicts between his children. This implies that Rosalyn is not his progeny.

"Oh, you are mistaken," I said, gradually approaching her. She turned away from me, seemingly aware that I had come to exact revenge for her actions tonight.

"Lucius will not only kill me for ending her sister's life; he will also kill me for killing... you," I proclaimed, swinging my dagger towards her face. A small amount of blood splattered on my face, which I promptly wiped away. In response, I heard her scoff, causing me to step back.

"If this is the only wound you can inflict upon me, you should not have planned to kill me," she uttered, laughing, as I sat on the nearby couch. I had traveled a long distance from the town square, and my feet were already throbbing with pain.

"Perhaps you are unaware," I stated, leaning my head against the seat. Her laughter ceased at my words.

"Well, they are all deceased and unable to recount the tale," I added, smirking devilishly in her direction.

"There is poison on my dagger, so the size of your wound is inconsequential. What truly matters now is how you will suffer in front of me as you gradually and agonizingly perish," I explained, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"You didn't..." She couldn't complete her sentence. She stood up but immediately began choking and suddenly vomited blood onto the floor before collapsing to her knees.

"H-Help!" she pleaded, crawling towards me. However, I simply kicked her away.

"Do not worry. I yearn for you to suffer more, but since I have yet to find a method to prolong someone's agony, you can endure it for an hour while I watch until you cease to breathe," I declared, watching her glare at me.

"F-f**k you! Lucius will kill you!" she managed to utter, struggling to speak.

"Perhaps you are also unaware," I remarked, tilting my head to the right.

"Upon hearing that you killed Alexandra, Lucius may well rejoice at your demise," I concluded, smiling with satisfaction upon realizing that fact.

"Anastasia!" The Queen bellowed my name so loudly that it reverberated throughout the entire room. How captivating it is to witness the suffering of someone whom you have grown to despise as they writhe at your hands!

~

The morning arrived, accompanied by the sound of horses neighing outside. I rose from my seat and glanced out the window, realizing that they had returned. My gaze then shifted to the lifeless bodies lying on the floor. The stench of their blood was nauseating, but unsure if I might be killed the moment I left the room, I had no choice but to endure it.

A few minutes later, the door swung open abruptly, and an enraged Lucius stormed in, clutching his sword. He swung it toward my neck but halted midway. I could see tears welling up in his eyes, but I refused to let it affect me and maintained a steady gaze into his eyes. If he intended to kill me, he should do it now, or he would only regret it later.

"I will apologize for her actions," someone suddenly said, and I glanced towards the door. It was the king, observing us. Hindered by the sword still pressed against my neck, I simply bowed to him.

"Your mother took the life of someone dear to her. It is only fair to seek retribution," the king declared, causing me to smirk. So, I could easily escape the consequences because of his twisted philosophy. However, my attention returned to Lucius, who withdrew his sword in confusion.

"Dear?" So, it seems that he still doesn’t know. In that moment, I saw the king looking at me, as if silently urging me to disclose the truth to Lucius. The king seemed to be aware of the relationship between Alexandra and Lucius.

"I will leave you two to talk," the King said afterward, completely leaving us in the room. Ultimately, I did what he wanted me to do the moment he vanished in the room because it was right for Lucius to know.

"The Queen killed Alexandra. She was the only person in this palace who treated me kindly," I confessed, and I witnessed Lucius freeze as tears finally streamed down his face. By merely looking at him, I knew that the bond between Alexandra and him was not something trivial, easily broken by a few words from me. I had been foolish and naive to believe I could intervene. There was something genuine between them—a love that could never be taken away by anyone.

Yet it is too late now. Alexandra was dead, and Lucius was left alone. As the realization sank in, Lucius fell to his knees, overwhelmed by grief and despair. The weight of the truth crushed him, and he let out a heart-wrenching cry that echoed through the room.

"I should have protected her, but I failed," he whispered, his voice heavy with regret.

"It's not your fault, Lucius," I replied, my tone softening.

"We were all surrounded by the darkness that lurked within our own walls. We... cannot easily escape this wretched life. No matter what we do, what awaits us is our deaths in the end."

"Don't forget what happened today because if you do, I will never forgive you," I said as I stood up from my seat and left the room, as well as him, who was once again crushed by his grief.