"The prisoner will now be brought outside," a guard announced.
The public roared:
"Kill the witch!!!"
"Drown her!!"
"She is the reason His Highness the Crown Prince died! Kill her!! Kill her!!"
Celestira thought, What? No, I didn't kill anyone. I really didn't. Her tears started to fall, and then she heard the sound of heels clicking—clink clank, clink clank.
When she looked up, she saw her beloved little sister, Alicia, and her fiancé, Prince Frederick.
She suddenly had hope again. They will save me, I am sure.
Alicia came and asked, her tone honeyed, "Would you mind if I talk to my sister for a few minutes? Alone. I want to pay my last goodbyes."
The guards, mesmerized by her beauty, and also sympathetic seeing her wipe her nonexistent tears, nodded. Alicia flashed a beautiful, angelic smile and said, "Thank you."
Celestira looked up expectantly, hoping she would help her out. But then she heard a, "Pffft."
Huh? What's happening? Why is she laughing?
Crouching down, Alicia touched one of Celestira's messy locks of hair.
"You always thought you were the perfect daughter, didn't you?"
She then looked at Celestira with an icy expression, a look that sent shivers down Celestira's spine.
"Whenever you were around me, do you know what I always thought?"
Cupping Celestira's face, Alicia whispered, "How I wish I could strangle this pretty neck of yours."
Celestira looked at Alicia with disbelief—the same half-sister she cherished like her own was telling her that she despised her.
Gripping Celestira's neck a bit harder, Alicia continued, "Do you remember when you were poisoned? Oh, dear sister, I wished I could see your pale face a bit longer and laugh at it a bit longer."
Alicia smiled manically as she continued, "After all, it was my handiwork, a work that made you lose your chances of gaining the imperial power[1]."
Celestira felt her world crashing down. This can't be true. Yes, this is a dream—yes, a dream. That's it.
Still dazed by the betrayal, she then heard, "Ouch, Your Highness, our baby is kicking."
What? Our baby? No, that's not possible. He was engaged to me.
Frederick said, gazing at Alicia's belly gently, "Let's leave now. Such a sight isn't good for the baby."
Alicia nodded, then waved goodbye to Celestira and went arm in arm with Frederick, humming a tune.
What's happening? Celestira couldn't believe it. The ones she thought were her closest had betrayed her.
Celestira felt like laughing, a self-mockingly bitter laugh for realizing so late.
I was played like a fool.
---
The guard said loudly, "Now I will announce Sinner Celestira's crime."
He continued, "Celestira has committed treason by planning a rebellion, and she also poisoned the Crown Prince. Hence, she is being punished by drowning in the water."
What? No, I didn't plan any rebellion, nor did I poison the Crown Prince!
"Mmph!" Celestira struggled. This damn gag. I want to protest, and I want to kill that b*tch.
Then she was dragged. Her beautiful blue hair was now tangled and disheveled, her clothes tattered, and her body aching with painful bruises.
She struggled and struggled, but to no avail.
Her gag was then removed, and before she could say anything—splash!—she was thrown into the water.
Cold water gushed inside her mouth and nose. She thrashed and thrashed, but nothing happened. She had only one thought: I can't die yet, not like this. I want revenge.
Then she heard a crisp, refreshing voice—one that reminded her of ocean waves crashing on the shore:
"Would you like to form a pact with me?"
What? Celestira thought. Am I having auditory hallucinations before dying?
The voice again said, "I can help you with your revenge. My only condition is that you will fulfill one of my requests, no matter what it is. In return, I can make you powerful."
What, any request? Celestira thought. I don't care—if this could help with my revenge, then I could even give up life. So it's a deal.
The voice, now cheerful, said, "A deal it is then. But—" the voice turned cold and menacing—"if you ever think of breaking the pact by not fulfilling my request, remember your fate will be worse than death."
Chills ran down Celestira's spine as she nodded.
"Good."
Now Celestira could no longer hear the voice.
So I really was having hallucinations. How pathetic.
Looks like this is the end for me.
And then she lost consciousness.
To be continued.....
[1] If a person has Royal blood in its veins, meaning they are the blood relatives of the imperial family then they can awaken a special power of there own once in there lifetime.