I woke up early today. It was understandable. It was my 16th birthday and I was excited about it, to say the least. As I took a final look at my dull room that I always cooped in, the door flung open.
"Young master, wake up. It is your birthday. You can't spend it sleepi-"
"Hey, surprise, I woke up earlier", stating the fact I smiled at the maid, who got surprised. Just as she was about to tear up, she composed herself to smile back at me. She is the only one who would acknowledge the existence of me in this palace. She has been my caretaker for all of my lifetime.
To go out for a stroll in the Royal Garden was the real reason I was excited today. I had heard how beautiful and well-maintained the Royal Garden is from my maid. To even get to see it, I used the one and only final wish given by my Father, His Majesty. As I was about to leave the manor I was confined to at all times, to move to the Main Palace where the Royal Garden was, it started raining. That too heavily.
Before Eleanor could see my saddened face, I composed myself and shrugged smiling at my bad luck. All she could do was stifle the tears falling from her eyes. I sat down for some tea, it wasn't like this was anything new for me. It was something that I was destined for, to be a sacrifice. I had to give upon my own wishes and wants. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't a bit sad but if this was in exchange for the happiness of my family and the kingdom's people, I was more than glad to do it.
As noon approached and the clouds had given way for sunlight, I was summoned to the Court. After few royal customs, I was led to the dungeon that housed our Guardian. From here, the palace was barely visible. Taking a glance towards the Capital, I tried to stop myself from thinking how I will not be able to return back or what would be happening to me inside. Fear had started settling in me. It was evident from the ways my legs were shaking wobbly. After walking for a few minutes through the chilly path, I reached to the inner lair where the Guardian was. Just as I entered the place, all I could think and feel was fear. A huge white-colored snake, just as described from books, was lying coiled around itself in the center of the room. Opening its eyes lazily, the Guardian assessed me.
"Finally, it was about time they sent me food. Hmm, but i have to appreciate, that they sent something tasty for once." He was snickering happily.
I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I couldn't even blink. I felt something pierce through me all over my body along with the wind, inside the cave. I couldn't even question how a wind was blowing in the cave. It was similar sensation but at the same time different to when my fourth brother used to do it. As The Guardian started to get up, I felt crushed into the ground.
If before I couldn't think of running away, now I couldn't move even if I wanted to. The Guardian started slowing slithering towards me while I felt blood pouring out from all my pores, eyes, nose and ears. Within a few seconds of this new inexperienced pain, I felt a inexplicable amount of pain on my left leg. As I flailed my hand to touch and understand what had happened to it, I sensed it. Anything below my left thigh was no more. I screamed and starting writhing all over the ground. Soon enough, my right leg went through the same pain.
Before long enough, having all my four limbs eaten off, I was sprawled on the ground going through extreme pain, slowing inching towards my own death. I could feel it. My body was growing cold, pain that felt indescribable to word started numbing slowly. Though my face was covered in my tears and blood, I started laughing slightly. Like a person gone hysterical. I couldn't explain why I started doing it, even The Guardian was amused and started snickering at my state.
"Crazy Bastard! What, did you get scared about death that you have gone insane? Did you know if you died right now, no one would remember you, one who was never loved."
That was surely not true. I know that Eleanor and my family would surely remember me and feel sad for my death.
As if He could read my mind and memories, The Guardian started speaking, "Hahahaaaa! Hahahahhahaaaa! What an Idiot?! Do you really think the people you have met only for a few or never would even care to remember you. And about the maid that you know. Do you think she ever cared for you? Hahahaaahaahaaha! That too out of affection? She was only with you to do her damn job and get her wage."
As He started snickering and made me feel weak, even though I wanted to object His words, I couldn't speak. I was also scared what if, that was what the truth was all along. I started tearing up from both the physical pain and the realisation that there was no one for me. The Guardian was laughing, commenting about how I was a disgusting impudent existence, being weak and unloved.
Was it because of this pain I was feeling? Was it because I was chosen to be a sacrifice? I started laughing even louder. I felt cold. I felt helpless. I had already realized at one point that neither my family nor the manor workers except Eleanor, my maid, ever cared for me. I even started questioning if Eleanor even cared for me. But I was alright with it. But to be subjected to such a hell, what did I do wrong? Suddenly, as my voice cries and laughter grew weaker, memory of a woman's crying face flashed in my mind. It seemed like she was begging and kneeling before the King, only to be dragged away by soldiers. I was very young in this memory it seems. I couldn't remember who that woman was, the only one having similar purple hair as mine.
The Guardian slowly started eating through my lower body. I didn't even move. I was just lying there to be slowly consumed by him. Though the pain I was feeling multiplied, I didn't cry or scream. All I wanted was for this to end quickly and the people and my family to be well and safe.
Before I could understand that half of my body was gone, I felt two fangs piercing through my shoulders and I lost consciousness.