It was a windy night. Rain poured down heavily as a flash of lightning split the dark sky, illuminating the surroundings for a brief moment.
Thunder rumbled endlessly while tree branches swayed violently under the strong wind.
Anna tossed and turned on her soft bed, her sleep disturbed by the raging weather. A deafening crash of thunder forced her eyes open.
Unlike usual, the surroundings were engulfed in total darkness. She rubbed her eyes several times, only to realise that not even a glimmer of light remained.
"Why is it so dark?" Anna murmured. "Where's the light?"
Though it was late at night, the servants usually left a few lamps lit until dawn. Unease crept into her chest as she rose and looked around.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps outside the door caught her attention.
Who could that be at this hour?
The door was flung open by the trembling hands of the middle-aged nanny.
"Princess! Run! Save your—"
Thud!
Before she could finish, a sword pierced straight through her body. A strangled gasp escaped her lips as blood spilt across the floor.
"Nessy!" Anna screamed.
The nanny's body collapsed lifelessly.
Anna rushed forward, gathering her into her arms, sobbing as she clutched the blood-soaked form. Before she could react, a group of men surrounded her.
Lightning struck again.
The flash revealed their faces—men she did not recognise, armed and merciless. Among them stood a familiar figure.
Kaizer Ronan, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Ardel.
"K–Kaizer?" Anna stammered. "What are you doing?"
Her eyes widened as realisation finally dawned.
"Isn't it a pleasant surprise, my dear?" he said, laughter spilling hysterically from his lips. "You didn't expect this, did you?"
"But… why?" Anna whispered, confusion shaking her voice.
The man before her was nothing like the one she knew—the man who had stayed by her side since her family's demise.
"You should've died in that shipwreck," Kaizer snarled. "Like the rest of your family. But you're like a cursed cat with nine lives."
He stepped forward, dagger glinting as lightning struck again. Anna flinched as terror seized her.
Kaizer's soldiers had already conquered the castle. Her supporters were slaughtered without mercy, and only conspirators remained. Driven by ambition, the man would take the throne no matter the cost.
Kaizer yanked Anna up by her long auburn hair, forcing her to her feet.
"Aaa! It hurts! Let me go!" she screamed. "Help! Somebody, help!"
Unmoved, the Prime Minister struck her face. Blood trickled from her lips as his grip tightened, causing her to scream more in pain.
"You stupid b*tch," he spat. "You're unfit to rule. Clueless and ignorant, yet they wanted you on the throne?"
"How could you do this to me?" Anna sobbed. "I thought you cared for me!"
"Cared?" Kaizer laughed harshly. "I've suppressed my hatred for you for years. You're better off dead, you useless thing!"
Anna was left speechless, her sobs the only sound as her counsellors' warnings echoed in her mind—too late.
She screamed again for help, calling for the guards. The men laughed.
"No one's coming," Kaizer shouted. "They're all dead!"
Her heart sank.
Faces flooded her thoughts—her counsellors, officers, maids, escorts… and just now... Nessy.
"No…" Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kaizer smirked.
"Do you know what Kaizer means?" he sneered. "Emperor. I should have ruled Ardel, not you."
He raised his dagger. "Now die!"
Thunder roared, and Anna shut her eyes tightly.
Was this the end?
Just as the blade was about to fall, a coarse voice rang out.
"Hey. Such a pretty w*nch you've got there."
A scarred man stepped forward—the Bargesian leader allied with Kaizer. His gaze crawled over her.
"Why not give her to me?"
Anna's heart thundered. She knew that fate would be no kinder.
"She's the princess," Kaizer snapped. "She must die."
"Her supporters are already gone," the man replied with a grin. "And I haven't tasted a woman in a while."
Kaizer hesitated.
Their pact bound him, where the Bargesians claimed captives as spoils.
"I'll kill her after," the man added. "Once we're satisfied."
Laughter erupted.
"Fine," Kaizer said at last. "Take her."
He shoved Anna forward.
"No! Please, no!"
The Bargesian caught her easily and hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack.
"Back to the barracks!" he shouted. "We'll have her and the other woman for our celebration!"
Cheers drowned out Anna's screams.
***
The balcony doors slammed open as rain flooded the hall.
A finger twitched from a body soaked in blood.
Clara groaned and forced her eyes open. Her vision blurred at first, but as it focused, she saw the gruesome sight; all around her lay unmoving figures scattered across the chamber.
Then she heard it — a scream, so familiar that she recognised who it was; Anna's voice.
Clara grasped the sword beside her and pushed herself upright, legs trembling. Pain tore through her wounds, but she staggered forward.
She saw them: the burly one, leading the group, carrying the princess away.
Her grip tightened.
There were too many enemies, and she was too injured to fight. But surrender was not an option.
"I will save you, Princess," Clara, the last standing knightess of Ardel, whispered through trembling lips. "I swear it."