"Why?!" Emma screamed in dismay as several royal guards pinned her down to the ground. She looked the man in the eyes in disbelief as the arid smoke assaulted her nose. "My men did nothing for this?! Why?!" Emma cried out for reason as she struggles to move.
Men in green littered the burning land as towering men in gold stood over their lifeless bodies. Only Emma remained. The eyes of the fallen green soldiers were still opened, the pain of their death and betrayal was still evident in their eyes.
Emma felt more sorrow than rage than anyone else in the world as the man before her was the one she did not expect to meet. "What have they done to deserve this fate?! They have done nothing wrong! So why?!" Emma continued to cry as her eyes glare in hatred.
The man before her wore an exquisite white suit with a red crest of the imperial family on his left breast. He did not look to belong on such a gruesome field, but he was here nonetheless as his uncaring emerald eyes stared down at her.
"Ans-" Emma was cut off as the butt of a spear hits her jaw squarely in the face. "Watch your tongue traitor! You are in the presence of-" "Answer me Kier!" Emma did not listen, nor did she even care to listen as her eyes were only focused towards the man before her.
"This wench-" "Enough." A single command cuts the guard who was about to slam the butt of his spear again on Emma's jaw. Emma's eyes glowed dangerously in silence as she waited for him to speak.
"...I have heard rumors among the court." Emma's eyes widen in shock as Kier continued to speak. "They say a certain someone grew disgustingly greedy towards the soon-to-be princess... I have decided to care matters into my own hands before it gets any worse." Kier said.
"I've heard what... actions... you would go so far if it means to annihilate your enemies commander Emma... I could not take the risk of endangering the soon to be high princess life if there is something I could do." Kier calmly replied as Emma begins to tremble.
"You... killed my men... on a basis of a rumor?" Emma spit out the word in disbelief as her pupils trembled violently at the man. "YOU KILLED 500 LOYAL SOULS BASED ON A SUPERSTITION?? HOW BLIND CAN YOU BE?!" Emma roared in rage as the knights struggled to control her.
"No Emma, you killed them Emma. All 500 of them. You, not me." The high prince coolly replied as if he was expecting this. Emma blinked in utter shock for a moment before gnashing her teeth hard, creating an unpleasant and loud sound.
"...Did she tell you?" Emma growled as Kier simply stared in her eyes. "Did she tell you to do it?... if you are being controlled then-" "No Emma. I did this... all on my own accord." Emma winces before burying her face deep into the ground. The cruel gnashing of the teeth were all to be heard as they watched the former commander's frame trembled.
"...Take her away, I don't want to stay in this hel hole any longer than I have to." The guards nodded in reply as Kier turned his back from Emma. One of the guards approached Emma with a syringe in his hand that would be enough to drugged any adult male ten times over.
Emma struggled desperately from the gripped but failed as four trained and equipped knights held each of her limb. When the needle pierces her neck, Emma roared defiantly as the drug immediately begins to work. "KKIIIEERRRR!!!" Emma howled in fury as the image of the man burned into her memory.
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Emma's eyes snapped wide open as she felt something touched her shoulders. The years of experiences that drill deep into her soul forces her body to move as if it were in danger. Her vision barely catches on as she pinned something to the ground.
The thing was soft and squishy, but it was also something annoying as it tries to resist her grip. It flailed like an animal being skinned alive as she hit Emma again and again. It only worsen the situation as her grip further tightens.
Her hazy mind was still adjusting from just waking up as she blinked several times in confusion. When the haze cleared and her mind went lucid, Emma stared down in surprise as several scream rang loudly in her ears.
"My lady please have mercy! Please my lady show some mercy!" Several of the maids tried to pull Emma away from the maid beneath her. Fear and panic plagued those eyes as Emma's hand were choking the life out of her without realizing it.
The maid was struggling hard as Emma's gripped proved far stronger than what it seemed. Emma reluctantly let go of the grip as the two were separated with haste. Emma blinked listlessly as the maid hurriedly retreated in fear.
"What just happened?" Emma asked the maids beside her. They all flinched for a moment as Emma's frown furrow deeper at the movement. "Y-you were having a nightmare my lady and when D-diana tried to wake you up..." One of the maid whispered as Emma nodded in understanding.
I attacked her huh?... Emma thought to herself as she continues to observed the situation at hand. "So? What were you doing here in the first place? I thought I made it clear no one enters my room without permission?" Emma asked as the maid shifted uncomfortably.
"H-his highness will visit later this afternoon my lady." Emma flinched as she tries to bury the nightmare deep within her memory. "W-we thought you already knows this, so we entered your room as we please. We deeply apologize if-" "Enough." Emma whispered as the maid stopped.
"...I will let this one go this one time, but never again will any of you enter my room without notice. Am I understood?" The maids bowed their heads in reply as Emma frown deepens. "...And you." "Hiek!" The maid Emma choked, Diana, yelp in fear as her eyes regarded Emma like a monster.
The young maid did not realized the damage she had done then as she was terrified at the moment. For Emma, it had forcibly revived terrible memories. Filthy wretch! My son died because of you! It should have been you! The screams began to grow louder but was abruptly cut off as Emma bit her lip. Hold it in. Hold. It. In.
The maids who were present did not, or rather, could not utter a word when they saw their lady's face. It did not show insulted nor anger that would normally incite after such response, but something far more painful. It was the face of the betrayed.
The mark of someone who has done everything to help but was repaid with knives and daggers instead. Anger and fear slowly died down within their chests as it was replaced with something else. There was no reason nor explanation why she had such a look, but to anyone who saw that face could only felt nothing but pity.
Diana looked back and forth between Emma and the others as she slowly pieces together what she had done. "M-my lady I-" "Nevermind." The maid tried her best to rectify the matter at hand, but it was already too late. The damage was done. "Just... just don't wake me up next time. I can do it myself." Emma said as she turned her back against the frightened and horrified maid.
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"It is an honor to meet you my lady." Kier said with a smile as he greeted Emma politely. The high prince looked significantly younger and kinder than Emma was used to as he was barely 15. His golden hair and emerald eyes looked emits a strong sense of trust whoever it meets.
His pale white skin almost looked like snow as he was the most sought-after man within the empire among the noble ladies. It took great effort from Emma to control herself from straggling the man who had cause her the most suffering in her entire life.
"The honor is mine young prince. Please, follow me." Emma spits the words out with care, making sure each one did not contained the venom that she would normally use whenever speaking to him. The young Kier smiled, oblivious to the raging storm barely being controlled from within as Emma lead him towards the garden.
The pleasant cold of early autumn made the day even more enjoyable as the cloudless blue sky hangs over them. The two continued to walk towards the garden as a company of servants trailed from behind.
"It has been a while since we last met lady Emma." Kier whispered softly as if he was reminiscing of the past. A chill ran up against Emma's spine as she tries to prevent her face frowning in disgust.
"Yes, it's been a while..." Emma replied as Kier nodded back. "Do you still remember those days when we played at the garden?" Kier ask as Emma shook her head. "Forgive me young prince, but I don't recall such a memory." Emma replied as the prince ears grew slightly red.
"I-is that so?" Kier awkwardly replied as grew red in embarrassment. Kier shyly looked back at Emma then back at the ground as he continues to grow red. It was such an innocent reaction to anyone else but Emma as she only grew far more disgusted at the man.
"Woah... this place really had went through so much change." Kier mumbled to himself as the garden looked far more like a small forest than a garden as several tress sprouted from the green grass below. Then at the center of said forest, a well-prepared table spread out before them.
The two took their seat apart from one another as maids and servants alike quickly prepared tea and crumpets for the two to enjoy. When they were done, they immediately disappeared back to the forest, giving room for the two to talk.
The two were silent as Kier keenly observed Emma's face with wonder and awe. Emma felt disturbed by the heart-stricken eyes on Kier as she tries her best to appear regal and undisturbed. "You grew far more beautiful by the day lady Emma." Kier smiled affectionately as Emma's brow twitch.
"Thank you for the compliment your highness. You too grew far... young?" Emma awkwardly replied as Kier sheepishly reddens. "M-many thanks lady Emma." Kier replied back as he avoided Emma's gaze. The urge to click her tongue almost won over her as she breathed in, calming her nerves.
The silence between the two grew as Emma refuses to speak. Her hate dripped like an acid venom on her heart whenever she saw Kier. It had reminded her what he has and will do in the coming future.
"I have heard rumors that the young duke manages to awaken his mana at a young age?" Kier inquired as Emma grew slightly comfortable as the attention shifted towards her eldest brother, Elias. "That is true." Emma briefly replied as Kier whispered.
"How fascinating. It would be nice if I manage to bring him into the fold." Kier whispered as if he was a greedy king who desired the talents of her eldest brother. Emma shrugged off his whispers as she grabbed a cup of tea.
"Don't worry young prince, he will surely joins by your side." Emma replied. "How can you be so sure lady Emma? It is as if you are telling me you came to the future." Emma's eyes widen for a moment as she silently cursed herself. Idiot, he does not remember Emma thought as she sipped from the cup.
Don't panic for helva sake, you are 24 not some 14-year-old. "The young duke's temper simply go well with yours young prince. I am simply speculating that." Emma replied as Kier's brow furrows. "Stop calling me that." Kier said as Emma raised a brow.
"You keep calling me young prince. Need I to remind you that I am older than you?" Kier said as he pointed at himself. "Kier, call me Kier. After all we are going to be family sooner or later." Emma's flinched at Kier's words.
'After all we are going to be family sooner or later.' His words rang hollow inside Emma as she whitens in disgust and fear. You have also said that last time and yet... Emma bit her lip hard as Kier notices her reaction. "Are you not well my lady?" Kier asked as he inches for a closer look.
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Emma reflexively drew back from his touch as Kier stopped in midway. The blatant and clear refusal from Emma left a pang of pain in Kier's heart as he awkwardly redraw his stance. Emma panicked internally as she also realized the damage she had caused.
"There is no need for you to worry young prince, I am still well." Emma replied with a stiff smile as she found his gaze to be utterly repulsive. She kept so focus keeping her disgust from within that she entirely neglected her gaze towards Kier.
"...Have I done something wrong to you my lady?" Kier carefully asked as Emma could feel her heart beat in the rhythm of resentment. "..." Emma's eyes flickered dangerously for a moment before disappearing without a trace but that was all Kier needed.
The young prince seemed to shift uncomfortably for a moment as he tries to reaffirm his suspicion. "Did I perhaps done you wrong in any way without me knowing my lady?" Wrong is an understatement to the things you had done traitor. Emma thought as she shook her head.
"No young prince, that is not it..." Emma whispered as Kier contemplated hard on the words he was to say next. "But I do have a request to you that only you could help me young prince." Kier smiled as he thought to found a chance.
"Please do tell." Kier controlled his smile as Emma replied in a quiet voice. "Please annul our engagement your highness." Kier blinked dumbly for a moment before coming back to his senses. The words Emma just spoke had nearly caused his brain to shutdown as it immediately was thrown into a panic. "A-annul our engagement??" Kier asked, he was flabbergasted beyond words.
Emma slowly nodded her head in reply as she braces herself of what is to come. "I'm afraid that cannot be done my lady. Only your father and mine could decide-" "I think it would prove most beneficial for you and the royal family to engage the dukedom of the east instead.
They have a stable and fairly low trade rate, a growing naval might that would prove instrumental to the empire's defense, and most crucial of them all, they are one of the three leading bread basket of the empire. Compared to the north, we are sorely lacking in other branches save for the military.
You are trading rough iron for silver and gold. It is only stands to reason that you dropped this engagement now and-" "Stop! Just... just wait a minute my lady." Kier nervously shouts as Emma falls silent. Though he did not have as sharp as the skills he had in the future, Emma knew the budding potential from within.
Calculating and meticulous, Emma knew the cog inside his brain was working ceaselessly. Benefits and downsides were being compared and evaluated to the nth degree... a trait she wish she had known before falling hopelessly for him. If only she had knew then... it did not matter now. All it mattered now was to prevent a disaster before it ruined her in this life too.
Emma knew it was only a matter of time, it was simply too appetizing of an offer. She knew all too well the man she hated and despised the most. He would not let this by, he just can't... alas, the man he knew then was simply not the young man that stands before her.
"I understand the perspective you are trying to offer me my lady, but... but I did not choose this engagement for purely benefits. I...I choose this because of the promise we've made!" Emma felt her muscles twitch. A memory of a once joyful life sprang out inside her.
A memory between a boy and a girl. A promise of friendship, of hope... of love... that had been betrayed. Emma grabbed the hem of her dress tightly as her heart beats violently, hatefully and... painfully. How dare you. After all you've done! HOW DARE YOU!!!!!
A cold sweat escaped from his nape as he whispered carefully. "...Do you perhaps don't want me my lady?" At his words, Emma dropped all the façade she had till now as she coldly stare down at Kier for the first time.
Kier flinched for a moment as he was caught off guard by her hostile gaze. For all of his life, Kier never really face anything that warrant contempt at him for everything he has done never hurt or wrong anyone. In fact, it was quite opposite.
Due to his firm and benevolent nature, the people found Kier to be the most worthy of being the next emperor. He also worked hard for the well being of the people and even go as far to help bordering towns after attacks from rabid monsters.
Everything he had done were all for the good of the people, so he never once face anyone who openly hated him. To Kier, Emma's hostile gaze were alien as it was terrifying as he had never encountered anyone like her before nor did he expect it that it would come from her personally.
"I-I apologize if I had done anything wrong my lady. Though may I ask what you have found most displeasing so I may better oneself?" Kier asked as Emma slowly nodded her head in reply before replying. A cool breeze blew as she whispers.
"May I be blunt with you young prince?" Emma asked as Kier eagerly nodded his head, thinking it was chance to change her opinion from him. "...Words could not do justice what you have done to me. What you did... I will never forgive you for it." Kier's eyes widen as Emma continued without pause.
"Your honey combed words tasted so sweet high prince, yet it is nothing but an illusion as to how poisonous it truly is. A fine wine that has been laced with venom, that is what you are." Emma said as the acid in her heart slowly dripped, reminding her of the pain he had caused.
"I have done nothing wrong, yet you speak I would do such things my lady! What you are saying now is nothing more but slander my lady!" Kier shouted as he had to defend his honor. Every word Emma said hurt so much as he had done nothing wrong at the girl to be treated as such.
Small whispers begins to rang outside the garden as if someone might have heard what had happened. "You might have forgotten young prince, but I did not." Emma snarled as Kier was taken aback once more by the air of hostility Emma emits.
"You might have forgotten Kier, but what you had taken from me that day... I will never forget them... as much as I wanted to." Emma whispered in a subdue but enrage voice as Kier blinked helplessly on what to do.
"Then what?? Are you saying you would rather taint the honor of your family's name just to annul this marriage??" Kier asked as he was beginning to get angry but what embers of anger he once found quickly died beneath Emma's cold reply. "I would rather die than to be with you again."
Emma replied as her heart begins to beat in the rhythm of the lost. The scream of her fallen comrades rang loudly in her ears whenever she loses focus. Emma despise the man before her, she hated the man so much that her mind went numb with hate whenever he was near.
Yet even with this burning emotion, Emma could not find within herself the resolve to kill him again. Temptations, yes but never the desire. There was nothing more to gain as she succeeded in avenging her fallen comrades before she died.
There really was nothing more to fight as everything she ever wanted died when her spear reached his heart. Hateful as she may be, Emma just wanted to stop. Too much has been lost... too much.
"No..." Emma blinked back to reality when she saw Kier's enraged face, resembling of the familiar scowl she once knew so well. His shoulders seems to tremble as his eyes grew sharp. "I will not allow this annulment to happen." Kier said as Emma replied with a frown.
"That is not for you to decide." Emma replied as Kier fired back with a hiss. "And neither can you. Only your father and mine could decide. And even if the duke somehow tries, I will make a decree to stop this." Emma's eyes widen in fear as Kier let out a smirk.
"I will make sure to proclaim from every street to every house to every city that you, Emma le Larrum are mine! You are mine and mine alone." Emma jumps from her seat as a wave of disgust wash over her.
"I am my own. I am not a thing that someone can own. Not father, not the emperor and certainly not you prince Kier." Emma reply with a hint of disgust and fear in her voice as the memory with Kier begins to flood back.
"Let me remind you lady Emma that it was yours who contacted my family first." Kier whispered as Emma fired back. "And I deeply regretted it, which is why I am trying to correct-" "Are you even listening to yourself?!" Kier roared as he jumped out of his seat.
Emma reflexively held back the urge to flee. Her young and fragile self did not accompanied well to her scarred and war torn soul. It was as if the original and young Emma wanted to flee in fear from the high prince.
"Do you have any idea the shame this will brought upon us? Upon you?? Do you truly think you can leave this one unscathed?" Kier asked as Emma took a step back. "My pride and dignity can burn for all I care. It is nothing compared to the future beside you." Emma said as Kier eyes widen.
"Y-you!........ do you really hate me that much?" Kier quietly whispered as the tone of pain in his voice was clear for all to hear. "Do you really hate me that much... to throw away your pride away... just like that?" Kier whimpered as Emma answered without hesitation. "Yes." She whispered firmly as Kier's eyes shook with madness.
"Why?! Why Emma?? You weren't like this 7 years ago! I thought you love me just as much as I love you 7 years ago!" Kier cried out as Emma coldly reply. "7 years can change anyone young prince, did you think I was an exception? Did you think everyone will love you?"
Kier's eyes stopped dumbly for a second. He opened his mouth to reply, to retort everything she had said till now... yet there was nothing. He opened his mouth again and again but there was simply no reply to be made.
Seeing this, Emma turned to leave the trembling high prince as she let those words sink through his mind. She was stopped however when Kier suddenly grabbed her wrist. Emma turned to see a sorrowful and mad Kier who just had his heart shattered to pieces. "... Let go..." Emma growled as Kier soon spoke his next words.
"Just what did I do so wrong to deserve this?? To be hated like this??" Kier hissed as he took another step. "I had done nothing wrong to you! I had done nothing to anyone yet why do you look at me as if I am a murderer!" Kier cried out as he simply could not understand. "Let go of me." Emma grunted as the grip tightens.
"Just what had I done so wrong... for you to look at me like this? I-I thought we were friends! I...I.." It's unfair! It is so unfair! Kier thought as he desperately craved for an answer. He wanted the answer so much that he could not see the pain in Emma's eyes.
It was then a flash of memory flickered within Emma. The cold lifeless eyes of his men flickered for a moment. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, friends, cousins... family. They all died because of him. A seething rage, pain and sorrow squeezes her heart. "What would you know?" Emma whispered as a single tears escape her eyes.
Kier blinked in surprise to the wretched face Emma had as she hissed the words with effort. "You have lived your entire life in the lush comfort of your walls, high prince." Emma let out a small whimper as she glared at Kier.
Emma knew the next words she was about to say were pointless. Her remaining logical mind said so, warning her that it would simply make her life harder for no reason. Alas, the bottled up emotion won over this battle as her words flowed like the river.
"You did not have to worry finding your next meal for the day nor having enough alms to seek shelter from the rain." Emma whimpered. "W-what are you even talking about lady-" "Don't call me that!" Emma cut Kier mid-sentence as she continued in restrain.
"That name.... that accursed.... blasted name...." Emma hissed the words with difficulty as she tries to suppress the past with little success. The humiliation she endured, the losses she had suffered... the families that died. Everything was stemmed back to that name.
"If it wasn't for that damn cursed name... I could have live my life..." Her eyes violently shook as her teeth gnashed together. "I... I could have a family... if it wasn't for this damn name..." Kier could feel his heart twist into a knot as Emma said those words.
She would never hear it, but Kier could and still vividly remember holding on to that name dearly as if it was water in a dry wasteland. For 7 years, Kier cherished the name as if it was his own. To hear her curse it broke his heart more than he could have possibly imagined as Emma squirmed.
She did not want to recall those days, those memories as she desperately tries to drift towards a different memory instead, the memory of her men. For a moment, she was happy until it suddenly brought back a new kind of pain to Emma as she was forced to recall that they were gone. Every single one of them were gone, taken away by Kier.
The man who had taken everything away from her in her final moments. Kill him! Her mind screamed as she gritted her teeth. KILL HIM! It screamed so hatefully that Emma flinched at her own thoughts. Emma almost did so too as her cobalt eyes flickered to gold for a moment. ...but I don't want to fight anymore... A small part of her whispered as she met Kier's eyes.
His eyes and face were painted with the look of pity and fear for Emma. She glared at those eyes painfully as she struggled to breathe. Her entire chest felt so heavy from the betrayal that she felt more pain than anger in her heart.
I... I just want to stop... Emma thought as she struggled the words from her throat to escape from her mouth. I... just want... to stop. "Please... just let me go." Emma whispered as she tried to keep the pain from crushing her back.
"If you truly love me... if your heart truly cares for me... then please... let go of me..." Emma pleaded one last time towards the high prince as she meet his eyes. His jet-black eyes seems to stare at her soul with sadness but also with madness as he uttered his next words.
"I told you lady Emma. Only the duke and my father could do that." Emma closed her eyes as tears leaked out from them. Silence fills the world as the two simply stood there in silence. The sound of breeze blowing against the grass washed over for a moment as Kier gathered his words.
"Lady Emma." Emma opened her eyes as Kier gulped down his throat. "I do not know what I had done wrong to you to treat me like this. I do not know what I did to cause you so much pain... but please... give me a chance to prove to you that I love you." Kier whispered in reply.
"Just give me one chance to correct whatever wrongs I have committed against you, no matter how small or big it is... so please... can't you just give me this one chance?" Kier whispered as a faint tone of desperation and pity filled his voice.
Emma's eyes shook for a moment. It was the one thing she had ever wanted in her previous life. A confession of love and an apology. It was the only thing Emma ever wanted to hear in her previous life from Kier. Tears flows once more as Emma cries.
Emma lamented how too late it was. How it was not even the original Kier, her Kier. It was too late. A lifetime too late. Everything feels so heavy to Emma as she tries to slowly gather her composure but failed miserably.
She stared him in the eyes before letting out a small cry. "I don't want to be with you." Emma whispered as Kier's eyes widen. "I don't ever wished to be with you...Why can't you just accept that?" Emma whimpered before running away from Kier. The grip that was holding her in place loosens as Emma ran further and further away.
"Emma!" Kier shouted after but she did not paused to listen as she continues to run. She did not care who saw her as she desperately runs away from him. I can't go back... Emma thought as a single prevailing thought continues. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. I CANT DO THIS!!!... I can't do this again...