[Early Eighteen century]
The wind howled that night, carrying no blessing of fresh air but instead a chill that seemed to creep into the bones. The royal palace's light glimmered with celebration, tonight was meant to be the King's wedding.
Selene Ardyn sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her long gown weighing her down like chains. She had worn nothing but armor since her youth, and the needles and lace felt uncomfortable on her skin.
She waited for the King, her husband.
Born into the Ardyn's family, Selene had been a warrior since childhood, and was named general at the age of sixteen.
For eight years, she led the armies, won wars and defended the Kingdom with her blood. But when the decree came asking her to become the Queen, she had no choice but to obey the King.
After all, she had only loved him and believed he felt the same seeing his proposal to marry her.
However, she had to give up her sword for a crown.
Selene closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in restless, not wedding jiggles but an ominous feeling that had set in ever since she left the Kingdom's border.
The door burst open and soldiers stormed the room instantly, their swords held out to attack.
Selene leapt to her feet, her heart hammering. "What is the meaning of this?" she roared, her voice cutting through the air.
The crowd of blades parted, and King Arthur entered. Beside him clung a familiar figure, Charlotte, her stepsister, her hand curled possessively around his arm.
"Arrest the traitor!"Arthur's command rang out, cold and merciless.
Selene froze. "Traitor? Her brows drew into a hard frown. "On what grounds?"
It must all be nonsense, or perhaps some prank. Today was supposed to be her wedding day.
Arthur hurled a bundle of letters at her feet. "On these. Your subordinate confessed everything, proof enough of your betrayal" he said with bitter anger to her.
Selene snatched up the papers, scanning them with mounting disbelief. They bore her seal, all in her handwriting. It contained her plan to usurp the throne with Kael Da'vinci, her comrade and also their secret love rendezvous.
"This is absurd!" Selene cried, her voice echoing against the walls. "I have written no such thing."
But Arthur's gaze was merciless. "It's your seal. Who else has access to them?" he questioned. "You cannot deny it now" he resorted firmly.
Selene's stomach turned cold. This was no prank, Someone has clearly framed her for treason, but she has no idea why. Her only enemies were those on the battlefield.
Her gaze shot to Charlotte who smiled sweetly."Did you do this?" Selene demanded, her voice low but dangerous.
Charlotte tilted her head, feigning innocence. "How could you think that of me, sister? It was you who betrayed the King... and because of you, the Ardyn family is already gone"
The words struck like steel, Selene staggered back, horror twisting her chest. "What?"
Charlotte stepped closer, taking her masked off, her smile sharpened into cruelty. "Blame yourself for their deaths. Your comrades too" she said with no remorse in her eyes.
Selene's vision blurred. For a moment, her world fell silent, then fury ignited. She turned her gaze on Arthur, betrayal cutting deeper than any blade.
This was the reason why he proposed to marry her!
"I served you!" she thundered "I was loyal to you, to your throne! And this is how you repay me?"
Arthur's expression hardened. "You were nothing but a thorn in my feet. A sword that might cut me" he blurt out.
A tear dropped from Selene's eye, as her breath hitched. She turned around and grabbed her sword that she had sworn a while ago to let down.
"Kill her!" Arthur fired his order.
The men looked frightened seeing Selene with her sword, but they dare not defy the King's order so they all charged viciously at her.
The loud groans of the men as they fell by her sword filled the room and blood splattered across the floor.
Selene grunt as she cut through another guard, her wedding gown stained with blood, her fury making even Charlotte flinch.
She let out a loud growl as one of the men slash her side and struck him down instantly, her hand soiled in blood as she grabbed her side, despite being worn out she still charged forward as the men moved backward in terror.
Charlotte trembled with fear and anger as Selene carved through the men and when it became clear that the guards faltered, she snatched a blade and rushed forward at Selene.
But she was easily thrown aside with a single strike. She slammed into a chest of drawers with a cry.
King Arthur rushed to her with a Yelp. "Charlotte!" His rage snapped and he seized a sword, lunging at Selene.
Selene spun to block but pain tore through her chest. A gasp left her lips as she looked down at the blade driven into her.
Her knees buckled and the world blurred.
Just then, another burst came through the door and Kael rushed in with his men.
Selene's gaze shifted to him, and his sword which was drenched in blood. A sense of relieve came upon her, and her sword dropped from her hand.
Kael rushed forward quickly and caught her in his arms before she could fall, slashing the men.
"Selene? Stay with me"he begged, his voice trembled.
King Arthur retreat back, his eyes filled with rage as he stared at Kael. "How dare you barge into the palace?" he bellowed.
Kael turned to him, as much as he would like to behead him, he needed to save Selene first. So he instructed his men to pave way for them.
With his men fencing the guards off, he escaped out of the palace with Selene in his arms.
But they did not make it too far, Arthur and his guards caught up with them. And at the King's order, arrows were shot at them.
Kael turned and shielded Selene with his body. The shafts tore into him and his blood spilled over her gown.
"No..." Selene's broken cry tore from her lips.
The truth seared her soul. It was him. It had always been him.
How could she have been blind not to see that he was the one who cared and loved her truly? Her foolishness pierce her heart. She had loved the wrong man while the right man was by her side all these years.
She reach out, her hand trembling and Kael took it, he pressed a kiss to her brow, blood on his lips.
"Forgive me" he whispered. "I should have protected you better"
Selene shook her head sadly, tears blurred her vision "No... I should have seen you sooner" she suppressed the blood in her throat.
"If there's a next life..." blood spurt out of her mouth halting her words
Kael held her tighter in his arms. "I promise to be with you, to protect you" he told her.
"I owe you a kiss then" Selene let out despite the blood flooding her mouth.
The King's order roared behind them, cutting their moment short. "Capture them!"
Selene's strength waned but her mind was made up. She rose shakily, her gaze glued to Kael's. Then, without a warning, she stepped off the cliff and into the abyss.