Rebirth Of The Fallen Princess

Chapter 3

Vincent Estonia. He was the only son of the late Count Estonia and now held the title. We were cousins, family by blood of our mothers. That said, we couldn't be more different. Unlike me and Kai, Vincent had the physical appearance of someone from the southern lands. His skin was the deep tan that was associated with Sahir and his eyes were a dark, chocolate brown.

Unfortunately for him, he didn’t stand out quite as much as my brother and I in terms of achievements. Without our Rhosyn blood, Vincent was ridiculed for his rather average abilities. And no one was a harsher critic than my cousin himself.

His gaze swept over me, his expression twisting in distaste as he returned my greeting. "I wish I could say I am surprised to find you here."

"I could say the same," I retorted, meeting his eyes. "I knew you would not miss the chance to gloat. You always were so predictable. Much like a child."

Sparks flew between us as our glares deepened. Though we were family, I didn’t meet Vincent until my debut. It wasn’t a peaceful encounter. For ten years following that meeting, neither he nor his mother viewed me in a positive light. I shouldn’t have been surprised to find that they turned their backs on House Rhosyn. I should’ve foreseen that Vincent would sever ties with us after his father’s death. Or rather, his execution.

"You are getting exactly what you deserve," he growled. "You and your whole family, you deserve this and more."

Before he could blink, I had crossed the cell and grabbed the iron bars, hissing, "You will leave my family alone! His Highness has guaranteed their safety; it would do you well to heed his orders. You know better than most what happens when you try to defy the royal family."

Vincent lashed out and grabbed ahold of my arm, his nails digging into my skin, as he snarled, "The royal family is not who I blame."

I knew I had crossed a line. However, I couldn't stop myself. The previous Count Estonia had been executed on grounds of treason after it had been discovered that he ran an underground slave trade. Kaius and I had been the ones to catch him in the act. We followed him into the woods by orders of King Caesar. It was Kaius’ first execution and despite our matching blank expressions, I knew killing our uncle wounded something inside him. After that, a switch had flipped in our cousin and I knew there was no going back.

We continued to glare at each other, neither one backing down. Backing down meant losing, and I didn't lose. Not to Vincent. As we continued our stalemate, I heard footsteps approaching. They were quick-paced and lighter than the average knight. Lisbet had returned for me. Sure enough, she walked through the doorway, a ready-made scowl on her face. It quickly melted away as soon as she saw Vincent.

"Oh, Count Estonia, I was unaware that you were here," Lisbet said, lowering herself in a slight bow. "I apologize, but I must ask you to leave Her Highness to me. His Highness has ordered that she be prepared for the execution now."

Vincent let go of my arm and straightened up. We exchanged venomous glares. My arm was sore, and I knew it would bruise later. He hardly paid Lisbet any attention as he made his exit. Yet, she seemed oddly enamored with him. Her eyes followed his back with each step he took. I nearly felt bad for her.

As the third daughter of a baron, she'd had the option of marrying up. However, if I remembered correctly, a horse-riding accident occurred and left her with a scar spanning the entire length of her arm. It left her undesirable in the eyes of noble society. Vincent included. Now, it appeared she yearned for any form of validation. Pitiful.

Pausing in the doorway, my cousin called over his shoulder, "I pray that you make peace with yourself before you die, cousin."

He passed through the door and I could hear his footsteps growing softer and softer. The moment I could no longer hear him, Lisbet opened my cell. I hadn't noticed before, but in her hands, she held what looked like an old rag. It was faded and musty. After a moment, I realized that this rag would be what I would wear to my death. Prisoners weren't meant to be buried in clothing as luxurious as mine. No doubt, my dress would be burned along with any belongings I still have stored here in the palace.

Lisbet called for someone and a young girl stumbled in. From her round eyes and stature, I could tell that she was young. I didn't recognize her either, which meant she must have been fairly new. With each step she took closer to my cell, I could see her trembling worsen. She stared as if I were a demon, waiting to eat her up. No doubt the older maids had forced her to do this, spinning tales of the monstrous Princess Avyanna and her undead appearance.

As the poor girl hesitated in front of my cell, Lisbet shoved the raggedy dress into her hands and snapped, "Go on! We cannot delay the preparations any longer than is necessary."

Per Lisbet's instructions, she walked in holding the bundle of cloth. I allowed her as much assistance as I could, aiding her trembling hands to get my dress off. Thanks to the atrocious food they provided for me, my body had deteriorated. My slender figure had become malnourished, the muscle being the first to go. In fact, I could almost see my ribs clearly.

As I took in the pathetic state of my body, the maid struggled to redress me in the rags. Due to the cuffs, it was hard to merely slip the cloth over my head. She finally managed to clothe me after several minutes of tugging and pushing. The quality of the dress felt like the clothing of someone who lived in the slums. I didn't mind. All I needed was enough cloth to cover my body and help me maintain my dignity as a woman.

After she had finished, Lisbet rinsed the maid's hands off with a bucket of water. It seeped into my cell, settling beneath me. Then, two more maids entered the room. Both looked hardly older than the other girl, yet I remembered them well. They avoided my gaze as I looked them over. These two had been in the hallway when my father and I left the king the night of his murder. I didn't doubt that they were the ones to falsify their testimonies to Prince Cade. At least they had the decency to look ashamed of what they had done.

The girls crossed the room and placed a wooden chair in the cell, facing it towards Lisbet so she could keep an eye on my shackles. Both brandished a pair of scissors. I knew what they were here for before they even started. As I stared at myself in the puddle under my feet, piece by piece of my hair drifted to the ground. It was custom to cut the hair of a woman who was to be executed. Father told me there were two purposes to this.

First, a woman's hair was a part of her identity. To cut it meant to strip her of that.

And secondly, hair slowed down the blade. If there was too much, it could even prevent the blade from cutting deep enough. They were executions, yes, but that didn't mean their purpose was to be cruel.

By the time they had finished, my feet were surrounded by my long white hair. Their cuts were uneven, uncaring, and fully intentional. However, that did little to hinder my appearance. There wasn't much they could do to change my elegant features short of disfiguring me. If I had been accused of treason in the Démencian Empire, I most assuredly would have been worse off. From what I heard in passing, the punishment for treason was to have one's limbs tied to horses. I could imagine the result. In comparison, I all but welcomed my future under the blade.

My hair was now cut, and my dress was traded in for what amounted to little more than rags. I stared blankly at the strands of white. It didn't matter. I drilled the thought into my head, tearing my eyes from the ground. They could do what they wanted - cut my hair, force me to wear rags, anything. My conviction would not waver, though it did nothing to shield my pride. 

Lisbet motioned for me to rise from my seat. Though her distaste for me burned ever so brightly in her expression, her eyes softened slightly. It told me where we were to be going this time. It told me that our next destination would be the final one.

Yet, I followed behind her without missing a step. My hands shook, but I clenched them tightly. It had been weeks of preparing for this moment, but I was still scared. Who wouldn't be? No one knew what awaited us after death. Would a god judge our lives to dictate how we would spend the afterlife? Or, if there were no gods, would it be over just like that? Either option was enough to break through my carefully crafted persona. Anyone who bothered to look at my hands could tell that I, the darkest rose to bloom in all of Etherean, was terrified.

We could hear the shouts of resentment before we even reached the courtyard. As an automatic response, I unclenched my hands, physically feeling my fear being buried deep inside me. I was Avyanna Rhosyn - sole daughter of House Rhosyn and crown princess - they would not see me crumble. Not now.

Head held high, I emerged into the crisp early morning air. I inhaled deeply. There was a lot of moisture in the air, a sure sign of rain. Had it happened overnight? Would it happen later? None of it mattered, but the thoughts still flit through my head as I made my way towards the end.

This palace would not be my final resting place, unlike many other members of the royal family whose remains lie buried in the catacombs. No, my body would most certainly be either thrown into the woods for the wolves or tossed in the ocean to lay with the fish. By no means would my body remain here, but that didn't matter. This place was to be the end of my life and as such, it didn't matter to me what happened afterward.

The courtyard had undergone a complete transformation. As the regular setting for tea parties between noblewomen, it was usually a large empty space filled with tables for guests. Now, there were no tables. There was no tea, no merriment. Nobles lined the courtyard; the ladies gossiped in their seats while their husbands were talking politics. With the new state of the kingdom following my death, I was sure they were forging alliances now before the consequences of losing House Rhosyn hit too deeply.

Positioned across from the executioner, Prince Cade sat on a raised stage, Morrigan by his side. Even from where I stood, I could see the spark in his eyes as he watched me approach my death. Ever since we met, the prince seemed to hold me in contempt. He openly ignored the harassment I underwent from the other ladies in court, spoke out against my family, and avoided me. It didn't surprise me to see him relishing in this triumph.

I climbed the stairs to stand atop a wooden platform. Vincent awaited me, his dark skin contrasting with the white uniform he wore. Somewhere in the time since our meeting, he had changed into his captain's uniform. At his side lay the blade that would end my life. It seemed to shimmer despite the lack of sunlight.

"Today, we are here to condemn the treasonous traitor." Prince Cade's gaze swept across the gathered nobility. "Avyanna Rhosyn stands before you, accused of murder of a member of the royal family and conspiring against the crown. If anyone here would like to testify on her behalf, please step forward now."

They were empty words. The nobles who had an opinion on every little matter suddenly had none to give. Not that I expected them to. One or two noble houses supported House Rhosyn, but only from the shadows. I didn't expect them to put their lives on the line for a futile attempt to save my life. 

Scanning the crowd, Prince Cade turned back to me and continued, "If no one will speak for her, then I ask Avyanna: is there anything you would like to say before my judgement is passed?"

All eyes focused on me. No doubt they expected me to finally crumble, to beg for mercy. I would not fulfill their expectations. My fear of death was nothing compared to my fear for my family. Instead, I straightened my back and looked right back at Prince Cade. His triumph wavered upon meeting my gaze. If it meant saving my family, I would swallow my pride and fear. 

"I have already accepted your judgement, Your Highness," I replied, offering a respectful dip of my head, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "All I do now is offer my gratitude. I hope that this kingdom will finally know peace."

"If that is the case, then so be it. Avyanna Rhosyn, for reason of high treason, I hereby sentence you to death," Prince Cade announced, his eyes catching mine.

As if the sky itself mourned my future, drops of rain began to fall. Light at first, the intensity built quickly and before long the rain was pouring down on me. Despite the cold, I kept my head high. Lisbet grabbed my shoulder and forced me down to my knees. Fast forming puddles splashed chilling water onto my already soaked clothes. I now allowed myself to feel. No one would be able to tell the fear from the cold. My hands shook as I clenched and unclenched them. This was it. This was where I died.

Vincent stood above me; his sword now unsheathed. It was a beautiful blade. The hilt was encrusted in the same beautiful crystals that encased the palace. I recognized it instantly. This blade was a reward for choosing to side with the prince. Ceartas, the sword gifted to the royal family's most trusted protector. My father had abandoned it here following King Caesar's death. He told me he could no longer accept the responsibility when we had failed to protect him. To see it glimmering in Vincent's hand left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Please, allow me to apologize for my late arrival, Your Highness," interjected a low voice, catching everyone's attention. "However, I come bearing gifts for this momentous occasion."

Standing in the threshold of the courtyard stood the man I'd been the most surprised was absent: Marquess Carne. A soldier in his own right, Marquess Volt Carne was a mountain of a man. He made his name alongside my father in a past conflict with Sahir. However, where my father was granted the name of general, Marquess Carne had merely been appointed as a captain. I expected him to be standing beside Prince Cade, that smug expression lighting up his face. But the man was a fan of dramatics, so I wasn't concerned about his sudden appearance.

"Marquess Carne, I hope what you have brought is important enough to interrupt my judgement," Prince Cade snapped, his glare now directed at the marquess.

A smirk crossed his face as his eyes glanced at me and he replied, "Of course, Your Highness. I would not dare interrupt over a trivial matter. This is of the utmost importance."

I closed my eyes. Whatever his gift was, it certainly didn't concern me. Instead, I focused my thoughts on my family. There was a saying my mother told me that said a person's last thoughts should be of home and their family. Recalling my dream, I nearly smiled remembering how mundane my parents' lives had become. All these years had been spent living up to others' expectations. Now, I prayed they could live for themselves.

Gasps of shock tore me from my thoughts, and I opened my eyes. I immediately regretted that decision. Marquess Carne had brought back a gift worthy of interrupting my execution. That fact was irrefutable. In fact, it was the only occasion in which these gifts were acceptable. He planted these gifts in the ground before me. There they stood on three wooden pikes. They were stained red with blood. And, atop those pikes were indeed a gift for Prince Cade. But they were also a gift for me. One that I would never forget.

My eyes widened at the sight before me. Prince Cade was on his feet, shouting orders to the guards. Morrigan covered her mouth with her hands and her eyes rolled back. And Marquess Carne, he simply grinned at me, relishing in my expression. The nobles watched with bated breaths, some of the women fainting, just like Morrigan. Despite all the chaos, everything around me seemed to fade away. All I could do was stare forward at the pikes. Even when I closed my eyes, I could see them. No matter how much I wanted to escape this scene, its image burned into my mind.

Even in my shock, I sensed Vincent's movements. Again, he gripped his sword tightly in both hands. Yet, I didn't care. My fear of death seemed distant, drowned by new emotions I couldn't quite get a grasp of. Horror, shock, and relentless sorrow ran through me. They swirled together, combining into one single emotion that drowned them all out. Rage.

As Vincent's sword cut through the air towards my neck, fury boiled inside of me until it became too much to contain. All I knew at that moment was that Marquess Carne had presented Prince Cade the heads of my family, snapping the last shred of humanity I had left. I didn't care about anything. Not life, not death. Nothing. The last thing I could clearly remember was an ear-splitting scream and the sound of metal clattering to the floor.

My hand lashed out, catching Vincent's sword in the air. I didn't stop to question what was happening as the blade snapped like a twig. Vincent shouted in surprise, but he was already a mere memory in my mind. He didn't matter anymore. Nobody mattered, no one, but him. He had lied to me. Our agreement had been based on deceit; he never planned on honoring it. Launching myself forward, I leapt from the podium. My feet pounded against the grass as I charged. Everything around me went black, my vision focusing only on him. Prince Cade.

"LIAR!" I wailed, my voice drowning out the panicked screams of nobles who cowered in fear at the edge of the courtyard.

A squad of guards charged towards me in hopes to protect the prince. However, I could tell from their hunched stances that they were frightened to stand against me. As they should be. I was Avyanna Rhosyn, the prodigy of House Rhosyn and their previous crown princess. My strength was known throughout all of Aeshivar. Their shaky stances would do little to deter me. They were insects to be crushed underfoot, the only thing standing between me and the prince. I didn't even take the time to notice that the guards were looking up at me before I slaughtered them all. One man broke away from the group and charged forward. His comrades called after him. A warning that came too late.

As the man's sword sliced through the air, I swung my arm. It connected with his elbow. I heard his scream before I heard the c***k. He crumpled to the ground. The rest of the squad swarmed towards me. I remembered nothing of what happened next. All I knew was that after a whirlwind of motion and my vision soaked in red, no one remained between me and my target. Nothing could stop me. By the time I refocused on the prince, the ground around me had been stained red with blood and the lifeless bodies of the guards lie in pieces around me.

Prince Cade stared at me. His eyes were wide. He had stepped out from the safety of his pedestal and onto the grass of the courtyard. Brown hair was plastered to his forehead and his crisp uniform now clung to his body. The rain had changed his appearance entirely. What had previously looked like a strong ruler, now had the appearance of a frightened child. I stalked towards him, my pace gradually growing faster. In seconds I was sprinting.

I tackled the prince to the ground. He fumbled for his sword, but I kicked it away. My hands curled around his neck and I started squeezing. Tears ran rampantly down my cheeks. This man showed me nothing but resentment since the moment we met. How did I believe someone so full of hate was capable of being noble? I thought I knew him, but that was obviously wrong. I didn't know one thing about this man.

"La..dy," Prince Cade choked out.

He struggled underneath me. His legs thrashed wildly. Hands clawed at me. I felt nothing. Slowly, his strength began to ebb. Furious splashing drew my attention. Frantic steps threw muddy water into the air. A dozen soldiers surrounded us. Their swords were drawn. Though terrified, each one of them was willing to lay down their life in an attempt to save Prince Cade. Just as my family was ready to die for our oath.

My fury raged like an inferno and I snarled, "Call them off! Or I will kill you right now!"

I allowed my grip to loosen just enough. It would do me no good if I were to die before him. Yet, it wouldn't be enough to quell my anger if he died swiftly. He needed to suffer, just as he had made me suffer. Just as my family had suffered. But even if Prince Cade called them off, I doubted they would let me kill him. Since it was me, I knew I could accomplish it. Though it was hard to break someone's neck, I was stronger than the average person. And I had nothing left to lose.

Prince Cade wheezed, the damage I had done evident as he rasped, "Stand down."

The soldiers exchanged conflicted glances. This was a difficult situation they found themselves in. No one could match my speed, nor could they take me on all at once and expect to win. If they did nothing, their prince would die and if they kept advancing, he would die. They couldn't gamble their prince's life away on the chance that they happened to catch me off guard. It was an impossible choice. This was what the wrath of House Rhosyn looked like.

All of my efforts, all of my sacrifice, it had all been for nothing. I swallowed my deepest fears to save my family. Yet they had still died. What had I done to deserve any of this? Everything I did was for the good of my kingdom and as my duty. I'd abandoned selfishness the moment I learned to speak. If there was a god, why did he think I needed to suffer this much? It wasn't fair.

"Lady Avyanna," the prince breathed, his voice hoarse as he coughed again, "I did not order this."

I shook my head. How could I believe him? It had been nearly a full month since we struck our deal and his barbarian soldiers burned my home to the ground. That was ample time to send word around the country that my family was free. My father knew the importance of our house; he would not have come back for me. Least of all with Kaius. So, what other explanation was there?

"Every word that comes from your mouth is a lie," I murmured, my voice raising with each word. "I should have never believed you! I -"

"Embla."

My breathing nearly stopped as a voice interrupted me. That name. Why did I know that name? And who was speaking to me? It was impossible. A figment of my imagination. Yet, I had heard the voice so clearly. Like a whisper in the wind, but it resonated in my heart. Whoever it was that spoke to me, they were important.

"Embla, do not be the monster they want you to become. Look at yourself; is this how you wish to be remembered? Please, it is not too late for you. Remember who you are, Embla."

I lifted my gaze, and my heart missed a beat. Reflected in Prince Cade's eyes were two glowing, blood-red eyes. Looking around wildly, I gasped as I caught sight of my reflection in the crystals of the palace wall. The thing looking back at me couldn't be me. It wasn't human. It was a beast. Yet, even as I rejected the idea, I knew it was true.

My body was surrounded by a whirlwind of some kind of dark matter. The once pale white skin that had plagued me my entire life had been turned pitch black. The hands I had wrapped around Prince Cade's neck had enlarged and sharpened into talons. This was how I had broken Ceartas. My already inhuman strength had been amplified as I became this. A monster.

Loosening my grip around the prince's neck, I watched my reflection in shock. My anger burned out, turning instead to intense grief that shook my entire being. I planted my hands firmly on the ground, my head hanging over the prince's body. His chest heaved as he took in deep breaths, trying to regain what I had taken away. But I hardly cared. Everything around me felt like a dream. It couldn't be real.

Straightening, I looked back at my reflection. Just as my anger had melted away, so did the monstrous figure. The dark matter floated into the sky and my pitch-black skin cracked. In a matter of seconds, I was staring at a woman with white hair and pale skin. She didn't feel like me. She was broken. The world around me came back into focus as I felt the prince shift underneath me. I didn't move.

"Wait," Prince Cade suddenly croaked, but he was too late.

I felt a tugging sensation in my abdomen. Lowering my gaze, I immediately saw the source. A blade covered in deep crimson blood protruded from my stomach. The prince's eyes widened, and his mouth opened and closed as if he were saying something. But I heard nothing. Instead, I stared at the sword. A wet cough came from my lips and a spray of blood painted Prince Cade's white uniform jacket. Pity. Bloodstains were difficult to remove from cloth.

As the sword was pulled out of me, I crumpled. The pain was immediate. A burning sensation spread through my abdomen. I pressed my hand to the wound, and it came away slicked with blood. Laughter bubbled on my lips as tears fell fervently from my eyes, a trickle of blood running down my jaw from my mouth. I knew that I would die today. But I never thought it would hurt this much.

"Avyanna!" Prince Cade's voice, though still hoarse, frantically called out my name.

He had rolled out from underneath me and now sat crouched by me. Red marks encircled his neck, evidence of the strangulation he’d endured. They would bruise in a few days unless the apothecary could provide him with a high-quality salve. Even then, he would carry the emotional burden of being near death. From the distraught look in his eyes, I nearly pitied him. Until I remembered our broken deal.

"You promised," I murmured, my breaths becoming more ragged. "You promised me they would be free."

The prince averted his gaze and his mouth trembled. For once, I saw him feel shame. Raindrops fell from his chin to my face. Around us, nobles and soldiers circled. To their credit, their hatred had melted away into sheer pity. No longer was I the cursed daughter of House Rhosyn. In this moment and in this one alone, I was merely a girl who had lost her family. The only one to regard me with the same burning animosity was Vincent. In his hand he held the blade covered in my blood. And one face was missing from the crowd. Somewhere in all the chaos, Marquess Carne had slipped away.

"Just.. kill me," I pleaded, using the last bit of my strength to voice my request. "Let me.. join them."

My life was ebbing away. The pain had long surpassed unbearable and breathing was becoming difficult. Around me, the world began to blur as my consciousness waned. Yet, over Prince Cade's shoulder I clearly spied a group of people standing apart from the nobles.

Their features were indistinguishable, blurred beyond recognition. One parted from the group and approached me. They knelt down beside me and caressed my cheek. From the tenderness I felt, it must have been a woman. She whispered an inaudible sentence to me, and a warmth blossomed in my heart.

A knight handed Prince Cade his sword and as he plunged it into my chest, I heard the last words he uttered, "I pray that you will rest in the arms of the family who loved you."

I let out a soft sigh as the world faded away. I prayed for that as well.