Fated to the Beast

Chapter 11: 10 Years Later

After Alexandra's death, I gradually realized that she had been the reason the other children had stopped coming after me. She was the sole reason why they never came for my life, and only then did I fully understand and grasp everything.

How did I know?

Well, as soon as they learned about her demise, they swarmed in without restraint, visiting me incessantly. Their desire to kill me had not diminished, but I refused to let them have their way. I had made a promise to Alexandra that I would survive this deadly game because, in the near future, I would become the Queen of this kingdom. There was no room for me to grow weary or complain about anything.

However, only now did I truly comprehend how much I missed her presence in my room, even if it was for a brief moment. I was grateful for the time we had together, but at the same time, I felt consumed by guilt for what had befallen her. She did not deserve it. She had loved someone she couldn't have, and yet she had to die because of it.

"Princess," a guard said before me as I reached the door.

It had been ten years since Alexandra's death, and the children who had dared to kill me had also met their end. None had succeeded, and none ever would, for I had eliminated all of them except for the four individuals who paid no attention to me. I glanced at my hands, which appeared clean, but in my mind, I still saw the blood of my siblings staining them like paint. I felt no remorse anymore, as if my heart had grown numb from the onslaught of emotions a human should feel. Perhaps Alexandra had cursed me, and now... I felt nothing at all.

Suddenly, my attention returned to reality as someone opened the door and stepped out. It was the man who had taken care of Rosalynn on my behalf, although I hadn't expected him to do so. He had brown hair tinged with gray, indicating his advancing age, yet he possessed an imposing physique and a mysterious aura. Nicolas, my father's attendant, still faithfully served him despite the passage of time.

"The King is ready to see you, Princess," Nicolas informed me, bowing. I reciprocated with a curtsy, and together, we entered the room. I still didn't understand why this man and my father had interfered in my affairs. While it was safe to assume that they might have helped me because they wanted to eliminate Rosalynn, it begged the question: why now?

Moreover, they hadn't shown anger towards me for killing the Queen. If Father had desired it, he could have disposed of Rosalynn years ago. So, the reasons for their assistance remained unclear. Although these thoughts troubled my mind, I couldn't dare ask him yet. I wasn't in a position to do so. Perhaps once I had grown closer to him, I would have the opportunity to inquire.

Just a few more chairs, and I am now next to him. For now, I am already on the fifth chair, but until now, I still haven’t moved since the remaining four of my siblings are more dangerous and complicated than the rest since they have been sitting in their chairs without being replaced ever since. So, I couldn’t easily kill them without making a plan.

"Anastasia," someone called out as we finally entered the room, snapping me back to attention. I looked ahead and saw my father seated on his chair, engrossed in reading a paper. He removed his glasses and rose from his seat, walking towards me.

"Good morning, my king," I said, greeting him with a curtsy.

"You can leave us, Nicolas," Father instructed as he reached my side. Nicolas, who had been standing beside me, exited the room after bowing to us.

"So, how was your visit to the town of Bergheim?" Father asked as he guided me towards the couch in the center of the room. Once seated, he took his place in the chair opposite mine.

"It was splendid," I replied simply, and he chuckled.

"Just as I expected from you. You never fail to impress me, Anastasia," he replied, his laughter lingering in the air.

"Well, now that you have visited that town, it is time for you to visit another," the king declared, rising from his chair and retrieving the paper he had been reading earlier.

"You have visited so many places for me, and I am glad I chose you for these tasks," he commented as he settled back into his seat.

"Why?" I inquired, seizing the opportunity. I gulped, realizing the audacity of my question. I rarely dared to defy him unless it was necessary, but I yearned to understand his motivations.

"Why did you choose me to eliminate those people?" I asked, prompting him to look at me. I held my breath, awaiting his response. He smiled like a devil, to my surprise.

"Because only you can do it," he answered, handing me the paper. I glanced at it but awaited further explanation.

"It seems that my answer doesn't satisfy you," the king remarked with a serious tone, sending a chill down my spine. I prefer not to say a word, or I will only put myself in trouble.

"I chose you because no one would suspect a woman of being an assassin. They would never suspect you, and so far, no one has," he explained. Although his response didn't entirely satisfy me, I recognized the truth in his words. Nobody had ever suspected me, and I intended to keep it that way until I had climbed the ladder to my desired position.

Furthermore, Father had promised that if I fulfilled his requests, he would elevate my status next to the throne. I had agreed to his terms and never complained, even if I got hurt in the process. In return, I hoped to sit by his side, a step closer to the throne.

"Thank you for choosing me, my king," I replied, bowing to him. He smiled in return, but as I lowered my head, I seized the opportunity to examine the paper he had given me. My hand went numb as I read the name of the next place I would be visiting.

"Now, that settles it. The next place you will visit is the Kingdom of Angrelan," Father declared, making my grip on the paper almost falter.

"Yes, my king," I responded, still fixated on the name and title before me.

King Cornelius Atkin Montgomery

I would be assassinating the king of another kingdom.

"If that is all my king has to offer, I will take my leave," I said, giving him a curtsy. He nodded in acknowledgment.

~

As I exited the room and made my way towards my chambers in the other palace, someone stopped me along the way, causing me to look at him in confusion. He had red hair and golden eyes, giving him a lion-like appearance. He was a little lion, to be precise, which I found endearing. But I wouldn't be swayed by his cute face, for even though he was younger than me, he could easily kill me.

"Why do I have the pleasure of your company, little brother?" I inquired, and he smirked while handing me a box.

"A gift for your return," he said. I accepted it, albeit cautiously.

"Next time, return dead," he added mischievously before darting away, his smile etched on his face. It was Heath, the youngest of my remaining siblings.

As I stood there, holding the box that Heath had given me, a mixture of curiosity and caution filled my mind. Heath was always unpredictable, and his intentions were often shrouded in secrecy.

What could be inside this box?

Was it a genuine gift, or did it conceal something more sinister?

I decided to take it to my room and examine its contents in private. With each step, my mind raced with thoughts of what awaited me in the Kingdom of Angrelan. Killing a king is not an easy task. But I had been honing my skills to become an efficient assassin to fulfill my goal, so this uneasiness that I feel should be forgotten already, or it will only hinder me from achieving what I want.