tyrant chapter 2

***

As they say, at the end of hardship comes happiness. It happened just a few days later.

“Aaack!”

Hearing the screams from outside the window, she instinctively knew. Prince Karta Helseiro was coming. The sound of clashing metal that followed was ominous.

Fiogen got out of bed and found herself drawn to the window. The view revealed a beautiful dawn under a deep blue sky. As she cautiously opened the window, the sounds intensified tenfold.

“Kyaack!”

The frigid early winter wind whipped through Fiogen’s hair, but she didn’t feel cold. A burning sensation emanated from her heart. The realization that the death she had been listlessly awaiting was imminent filled her with a strange feeling. She had imagined she would dance with joy, but now, facing it, her legs felt weak, and she couldn’t move. Instead of dancing, she looked up at the moon illuminating the indigo sky and clasped her hands together.

“Oh God, please answer my prayer. It’s bad enough that I died unjustly, but to be reincarnated as a soon-to-be-dead extra in a novel is too cruel. Please, in my next life, let me be filled with beautiful love…”

Looking down at the blood-soaked royal palace was terrifying. She had thought that having experienced death before, she wouldn’t be afraid, but she was wrong. Some things become even more frightening because you know the pain. Fiogen tightened her grip on her hands, fighting back the urge to hesitate. She prayed repeatedly that she would be able to face death without faltering, that she would successfully play her small but crucial role in this story.

Before Fiogen could finish her prayer, the door burst open. Her heart began to race. A wave of terror sent chills down her spine. With difficulty, she turned her head. Standing before her were the Royal Guards.

“Your Highness! You must escape! The palace is surrounded!”

Looking at the men rushing towards her, their faces smeared with blood, Fiogen smiled bitterly. No matter how frightened she was, she intended to face her death head-on. She didn’t want to be remembered as the dishonorable princess who ran away. So, she shook her head. Instead of taking the men’s hands, she reached out and wiped the blood from their faces.

“I am a princess. I will die in the palace. What use is my life if the kingdom I must protect falls? You must escape.”

“Your Highness?”

The two men stared at Fiogen in disbelief. The demure Princess Fiogen Lorecia, rarely seen even in social circles. Rumors abounded about her timid nature and reclusive tendencies. It was astonishing that she, of all people, refused to flee.

“Your Highness… I am trash.”

“What are you talking about? I told you to run.”

“The other day, when Your Highness was using the pipe, I… I spoke ill of you in my heart.”

“I’m even worse. I once said that Your Highness would be the first to flee if the kingdom fell.”

“No, I am the worst. When I heard that Your Highness acquired the pipe, I spread rumors about you being an immodest woman.”

“I’m the worst. Please, allow me to protect Your Highness.”

Fiogen looked at the two men kneeling before her. They were barely more than boys, their faces still youthful. She was the one meant to die in this story. She had no intention of dragging these young boys to their deaths. Fiogen deliberately frowned and spoke sternly.

“I can’t listen to this anymore. To summarize, you’re saying you’re willing to risk your lives for an immodest princess who uses a pipe?”

“Th-that’s not what we meant!”

“Yes, it is. I am an immodest princess who uses a pipe. Both of you, run. Now.”

“What? You’re telling us to flee without you?”

The Royal Guards looked at her with eyes that said they couldn’t abandon their princess. Fiogen couldn’t bear to watch these young boys die before her. No death was a good death. Death was unjust and sorrowful for everyone.

“Yes. Look at what I’m wearing. I’d freeze to death if I went outside like this. I’ll take care of myself. No matter what, you must live. That’s an order.”

At Fiogen’s words, the boys’ eyes fell upon her silk nightgown. Their faces flushed crimson, and they fidgeted nervously. Fiogen patted their shoulders.

“If you hesitate any longer, your heads might end up on the end of Prince Karta Helseiro’s sword.”

The Royal Guards flinched, startled by her words. Fiogen waved her hand dismissively.

“We are the Royal Guard, sworn to protect the kingdom…”

Seeing the boys hesitate, a tightness gripped Fiogen’s chest. Their deaths wouldn’t solve anything. Prince Karta Helseiro wanted to eliminate the royal bloodline. If she, Princess Fiogen Lorecia, simply surrendered, it would all be over quickly. If she could die swiftly by Prince Karta Helseiro’s sword, she might not be able to save the kingdom, but she could save them.

“Yes, I will protect the kingdom. Because I am the princess. Don’t you have families at home? Who will protect them if you die here? Don’t look back. Run. That’s an order.”

***

Only after the boys had fled did Fiogen sit back down on the bed. Waiting for Prince Karta Helseiro, she reached for her pipe. Without the maids, no vapor rose from it. She shook the potion bottle, and vapor began to hiss out.

She needed something to calm her nerves. Even experiencing it a second time, death was terrifying. As her vision blurred, the bedroom door finally opened. The soft, cautious footsteps were a welcome sound.

“I’ve been waiting for you, tyrant.”