Her energy waned as thoughts of futility consumed her. Why did she struggle so fiercely? The future remained unaltered, regardless of her efforts. She was bound to him, a prisoner of circumstance. Rihannan absentmindedly stared ahead until a sudden flutter of wings startled her.
Chirp, chirp!
A shrill cry echoed through the air. The bird that had earlier fought with the snake now circled around her, seeking Rihannan’s aid upon recognizing her familiar figure.
Rihannan turned and gazed at the bird’s nest, only to find two surviving hatchlings. The rest had been devoured by the snake.
Chirp, chirp!
The bird chirped again, frantic and anxious. Understanding its plea, Rihannan picked up a wooden stick lying on the ground and hurried toward the tree. With a swift throw, she struck the snake on its venomous head, thwarting its advance toward the helpless nestlings.
Wack!
The snake, struck soundly, tumbled from the tree. It lay momentarily unconscious before slithering hastily into the grass, disappearing from sight. Peace was restored, and the bird circled around Rihannan before returning to its nest.
“Ha…” Rihannan exhaled a deep sigh.
She had found her answer.
Initially, Rihannan had intended to visit the crown prince, offering everything she possessed as a concession. Her plan was to secure Dimitri’s release from prison and safeguard her uncle’s family. The wealth she possessed was the vast fortune of future knowledge, known only to her. She had intended to trade that knowledge for the protection of her loved ones and to avoid being forced back to Arundell.
However, now she understood. It was all futile. She would merely offer her head to a natural predator, as the crown prince was the ravenous snake who would devour her after extracting all she had to offer.
“Lady Rihannan,” a man’s voice shattered her thoughts. It was the watchman guard assigned to shadow her every move. “It is time.”
Having found her resolution, Rihannan’s hesitation vanished. “Yes, let us go and meet the crown prince.”
***
The crown prince’s palace exuded opulence, from the lavish rugs that adorned the floors to the walls that gleamed like marble. Every inch of the place was adorned with decorations, gilded in gold and grandeur— even the railing boasted a golden hue, a testament to Chrichton’s mighty power.
She was swiftly escorted to the crown prince’s private bedroom quarters—a space reserved solely for the royal family and their closest confidants. The fact that the crown prince led Rihannan to his chambers held a certain implication of her importance.
“Enter,” he commanded.
At his signal, Rihannan stepped into the room and beheld the crown prince, sprawled upon an enormous bed draped in silk and velvet. A blond woman clung to his shoulder, her nudity concealed only by a blanket. Rihannan knew she was his lover. Thankfully, the prince himself was dressed appropriately.
“It appears your taste has diminished, Your Highness,” the woman pouted.
The crown prince smirked and slowly rose from the bed. He cast an appreciative gaze toward Rihannan before whispering something to the woman at his side. With a slight smile, she covered herself and disappeared through a small door.
The crown prince, paying no mind to his disheveled attire, settled himself on the bed, legs crossed.
“You sought my presence. Pray, enlighten me as to your purpose.”
Rihannan offered a polite bow. “I have a favor to ask of the crown prince.”
“Let me guess,” the crown prince mused, rubbing his chin. “You wish for me to release Dimitri from prison? Or perhaps you plead with me not to send you back to Arundell? Have I hit the mark?”
“If I were to make such a request, Your Highness, would you grant it?”
“Impossible,” he scoffed. “If that is your sole reason for being here, then return home. I granted your audience in the hope that you had something of substance to convey, but how sorely disappointed I am.”
“Arundell’s king has requested Princess Helena. You are aware of this.”
“Though you may be Helena’s friend, you are first and foremost her servant. It is your duty to shield her from harm at all costs. That is how it works.” He smiled then, a faint upward curl of his lips. “However, there may be another way.”
His gaze roved over Rihannan’s figure, scrutinizing her chest and waistline. She was a pleasing sight to behold.
Rihannan saw through his lewdness and greedy intentions. He viewed her as a delectable prey. Every fiber of her being screamed to run and escape, but she steeled herself. She clenched her hands, digging her nails into her flesh.
“You interrupted a pleasurable moment with my lover. You shall make amends,” he stated, his voice thick with desire. “Truth be told, I have desired you for some time, but regrettably, I could not possess you. Now, you shall put your body to good use, and I shall decide whether or not to send you back to Arundell.”
With deliberate slowness, he rose from the bed and approached Rihannan, fully intent on carrying out his words.
Rihannan met his gaze head-on and smiled. “No, there is no need. I will go to Arundell in place of the princess.”
The crown prince, dumbfounded, did not anticipate hearing such words from Rihannan.
“Just now… what did you say?”
“I shall go to Arundell in Princess Helena’s stead. But before that, I request a private audience with the king of Arundell.”
“A private audience? Why?”
“To persuade the king.”
“And what do you seek to persuade him of?”
“To choose me over the princess for the national marriage.”
“Why would you wish to persuade him?”
“Everyone knows the king’s intended bride is the princess. However, once he discovers the truth—that I am not a princess but rather a person of royal lineage—do you believe he will release me? Also, he will not let you go. This outcome is unfavorable for both of us, as well as for Chrichton. I understand that Chrichton desires peace with Arundell. This can only be achieved if he chooses me as his queen instead of the princess.”
“And how do you plan to persuade him? Is it with your beauty?” His voice dripped with derision, doubting her ability to succeed.
“There are many ways to persuade a man. If you grant me the opportunity to be alone with him, I am confident that I will succeed.”
“And if you fail?” His voice lowered ominously. “If I feign ignorance and send you as the princess, once the wedding day arrives, he will have no choice but to make you his queen. Moreover, he has never laid eyes on the princess, which works to our advantage. However, if you meet with him and fail, he will immediately request Helena’s hand in marriage. Would that not put us at a disadvantage?”
“You need not worry. I have my own methods.”
“And what might those be?”
“I apologize, but I cannot divulge them to you.”
“You refuse to tell me?”
“Yes,” Rihannan affirmed with a nod.
“Heh. Then why should I believe in you?”
“This is the best outcome for all parties involved—for you, for me, for the princess, and for the kingdom.”
The crown prince observed Rihannan closely. She had always stood by Helena’s side, rarely uttering a word. He could never discern her thoughts.
Sighing, he relented. “Very well. I shall grant you a private audience with the king of Arundell. Go and persuade him. Convince him to choose you instead of the princess. Should you fail, your cousin Dimitri will meet his end.”
Rihannan’s sunken, cold eyes remained fixed on him. She had anticipated as much.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Obtain his answer by day’s end. He will be arriving shortly. Go now to the harbor of Sheviet. I shall arrange for guards and attendants to accompany you.”
“I am grateful for your consideration, Your Highness.” Rihannan bowed.
The crown prince, observing her, smirked. “You always tremble like a rat before a cat whenever you see me. Yet now, you stand here, conversing with me so admirably. Are you not afraid?”
Rihannan gazed briefly at the door, then locked her eyes with his. She did not avert her gaze. “…For someone who has made desperate choices, fear must be overcome.”
He would never know.
What is it like to take one’s own life? What fears plagued a man who had already met his end by his own hand?
She was merely experiencing her second death.
This was but a trifling matter.
Her energy waned as thoughts of futility consumed her. Why did she struggle so fiercely? The future remained unaltered, regardless of her efforts. She was bound to him, a prisoner of circumstance. Rihannan absentmindedly stared ahead until a sudden flutter of wings startled her.
Chirp, chirp!
A shrill cry echoed through the air. The bird that had earlier fought with the snake now circled around her, seeking Rihannan’s aid upon recognizing her familiar figure.
Rihannan turned and gazed at the bird’s nest, only to find two surviving hatchlings. The rest had been devoured by the snake.
Chirp, chirp!
The bird chirped again, frantic and anxious. Understanding its plea, Rihannan picked up a wooden stick lying on the ground and hurried toward the tree. With a swift throw, she struck the snake on its venomous head, thwarting its advance toward the helpless nestlings.
Wack!
The snake, struck soundly, tumbled from the tree. It lay momentarily unconscious before slithering hastily into the grass, disappearing from sight. Peace was restored, and the bird circled around Rihannan before returning to its nest.
“Ha…” Rihannan exhaled a deep sigh.
She had found her answer.
Initially, Rihannan had intended to visit the crown prince, offering everything she possessed as a concession. Her plan was to secure Dimitri’s release from prison and safeguard her uncle’s family. The wealth she possessed was the vast fortune of future knowledge, known only to her. She had intended to trade that knowledge for the protection of her loved ones and to avoid being forced back to Arundell.
However, now she understood. It was all futile. She would merely offer her head to a natural predator, as the crown prince was the ravenous snake who would devour her after extracting all she had to offer.
“Lady Rihannan,” a man’s voice shattered her thoughts. It was the watchman guard assigned to shadow her every move. “It is time.”
Having found her resolution, Rihannan’s hesitation vanished. “Yes, let us go and meet the crown prince.”
***
The crown prince’s palace exuded opulence, from the lavish rugs that adorned the floors to the walls that gleamed like marble. Every inch of the place was adorned with decorations, gilded in gold and grandeur— even the railing boasted a golden hue, a testament to Chrichton’s mighty power.
She was swiftly escorted to the crown prince’s private bedroom quarters—a space reserved solely for the royal family and their closest confidants. The fact that the crown prince led Rihannan to his chambers held a certain implication of her importance.
“Enter,” he commanded.
At his signal, Rihannan stepped into the room and beheld the crown prince, sprawled upon an enormous bed draped in silk and velvet. A blond woman clung to his shoulder, her nudity concealed only by a blanket. Rihannan knew she was his lover. Thankfully, the prince himself was dressed appropriately.
“It appears your taste has diminished, Your Highness,” the woman pouted.
The crown prince smirked and slowly rose from the bed. He cast an appreciative gaze toward Rihannan before whispering something to the woman at his side. With a slight smile, she covered herself and disappeared through a small door.
The crown prince, paying no mind to his disheveled attire, settled himself on the bed, legs crossed.
“You sought my presence. Pray, enlighten me as to your purpose.”
Rihannan offered a polite bow. “I have a favor to ask of the crown prince.”
“Let me guess,” the crown prince mused, rubbing his chin. “You wish for me to release Dimitri from prison? Or perhaps you plead with me not to send you back to Arundell? Have I hit the mark?”
“If I were to make such a request, Your Highness, would you grant it?”
“Impossible,” he scoffed. “If that is your sole reason for being here, then return home. I granted your audience in the hope that you had something of substance to convey, but how sorely disappointed I am.”
“Arundell’s king has requested Princess Helena. You are aware of this.”
“Though you may be Helena’s friend, you are first and foremost her servant. It is your duty to shield her from harm at all costs. That is how it works.” He smiled then, a faint upward curl of his lips. “However, there may be another way.”
His gaze roved over Rihannan’s figure, scrutinizing her chest and waistline. She was a pleasing sight to behold.
Rihannan saw through his lewdness and greedy intentions. He viewed her as a delectable prey. Every fiber of her being screamed to run and escape, but she steeled herself. She clenched her hands, digging her nails into her flesh.
“You interrupted a pleasurable moment with my lover. You shall make amends,” he stated, his voice thick with desire. “Truth be told, I have desired you for some time, but regrettably, I could not possess you. Now, you shall put your body to good use, and I shall decide whether or not to send you back to Arundell.”
With deliberate slowness, he rose from the bed and approached Rihannan, fully intent on carrying out his words.
Rihannan met his gaze head-on and smiled. “No, there is no need. I will go to Arundell in place of the princess.”
The crown prince, dumbfounded, did not anticipate hearing such words from Rihannan.
“Just now… what did you say?”
“I shall go to Arundell in Princess Helena’s stead. But before that, I request a private audience with the king of Arundell.”
“A private audience? Why?”
“To persuade the king.”
“And what do you seek to persuade him of?”
“To choose me over the princess for the national marriage.”
“Why would you wish to persuade him?”
“Everyone knows the king’s intended bride is the princess. However, once he discovers the truth—that I am not a princess but rather a person of royal lineage—do you believe he will release me? Also, he will not let you go. This outcome is unfavorable for both of us, as well as for Chrichton. I understand that Chrichton desires peace with Arundell. This can only be achieved if he chooses me as his queen instead of the princess.”
“And how do you plan to persuade him? Is it with your beauty?” His voice dripped with derision, doubting her ability to succeed.
“There are many ways to persuade a man. If you grant me the opportunity to be alone with him, I am confident that I will succeed.”
“And if you fail?” His voice lowered ominously. “If I feign ignorance and send you as the princess, once the wedding day arrives, he will have no choice but to make you his queen. Moreover, he has never laid eyes on the princess, which works to our advantage. However, if you meet with him and fail, he will immediately request Helena’s hand in marriage. Would that not put us at a disadvantage?”
“You need not worry. I have my own methods.”
“And what might those be?”
“I apologize, but I cannot divulge them to you.”
“You refuse to tell me?”
“Yes,” Rihannan affirmed with a nod.
“Heh. Then why should I believe in you?”
“This is the best outcome for all parties involved—for you, for me, for the princess, and for the kingdom.”
The crown prince observed Rihannan closely. She had always stood by Helena’s side, rarely uttering a word. He could never discern her thoughts.
Sighing, he relented. “Very well. I shall grant you a private audience with the king of Arundell. Go and persuade him. Convince him to choose you instead of the princess. Should you fail, your cousin Dimitri will meet his end.”
Rihannan’s sunken, cold eyes remained fixed on him. She had anticipated as much.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Obtain his answer by day’s end. He will be arriving shortly. Go now to the harbor of Sheviet. I shall arrange for guards and attendants to accompany you.”
“I am grateful for your consideration, Your Highness.” Rihannan bowed.
The crown prince, observing her, smirked. “You always tremble like a rat before a cat whenever you see me. Yet now, you stand here, conversing with me so admirably. Are you not afraid?”
Rihannan gazed briefly at the door, then locked her eyes with his. She did not avert her gaze. “…For someone who has made desperate choices, fear must be overcome.”
He would never know.
What is it like to take one’s own life? What fears plagued a man who had already met his end by his own hand?
She was merely experiencing her second death.
This was but a trifling matter.
