The moon illuminated the path, a cold breeze guided our steps. We strolled through the academy's well kept garden.
I noticed her slowing down, her leg jerking ever so slightly.
"Tired?" I asked worriedly.
"A bit…" She said, catching her breath, clearly forcing herself to stay standing.
I walked her to the fountain where we sat.
"We did it. We got in together." I said, relieved, relaxing, staring into the night sky.
"Yeah, we did…" She replied, leaning her head onto my shoulder.
I was at peace, the breeze washing over my face. Unconsciously, our hands had already intertwined, locked together.
"This is nice." She muttered.
I looked down, her head resting still.
"Yeah… It is."
I relished the calming moment, wishing it would last forever. I closed my eyes.
…
"Oh my… Two fine ladies out here in the cold?" An unfamiliar voice pointed out, ruining our moment.
I opened my eyes and there he stood.
"Y- Your imperial highness… " I would immediately stand and curtsy, however… Ophelia was resting, fast asleep on my shoulder.
"Hm… Perhaps I expected too much courtesy from a commoner." He mentioned, disappointed.
I glanced at the sleeping Ophelia before I replied.
"I apologize for my discourtesy sir, but what brings you here?"
"I saw two beautiful women, how could I not engage in conversation?"
I calmed myself, thinking of a possible way to avoid him.
The third prince of the empire. Widely considered as a failure of a prince. A womanizer, lecherous, ill-tempered, and violent brat with a stubborn personality. Unlike the rest of his family, he carries all the negative traits his family had abandoned, the complete opposite qualities that a follower of divine faith should have. Even so, royalty holds power beyond measure, and their blood alone carries great significance, so he's tolerated regardless of his actions.
"Of course sir, what did you want to talk about?"
From here on out, I had to choose my words wisely if I wished to not provoke him.
"I was going to kindly request you both to be my woman, but I suppose there's already something going on with the both of you?"
"Apologies sir, but you would be correct. I could introduce you to others sir, I'm sure any woman would be overjoyed should you choose them." Bowing my head, trying to be as respectful as possible.
He eyed me up and down, deep in thought.
"I suppose just one would do." He said, satisfied with his thoughts.
"Pardo-"
He drew a sword, pointing it at me.
"You. Become my woman."
Befuddled, my line of thought had collapsed. I wrongly assumed that I was able to dissuade his advances and would be able to steer his attention elsewhere.
"I- I'm sorry sir, but my heart belongs to another." I hastily rejected his advance.
"I thought any woman would be overjoyed at my attention?" He replied with a wry smile.
I had made a mistake, both in my logic and choice of words.
"Y- you would be c- correct sir, b- but I do not think I am worthy of your attention." I began to stiffen, stuttering more as his blade neared my throat.
"Nonsense! I have an eye for beauty, and I have one right in front of me. It would be a disservice to leave such a gem. You may be a commoner, but you have quite the face… And a few other features." He confidently stated, eyeing me once again.
"She already said NO." Ophelia intervened, lowering the blade's face with her fingers.
I feared for her. She had always been protective of me, headstrong to a fault.
"Ophe-" She interrupted me before I could speak.
She stood, placing herself in between.
"My apologies, your imperial highness, but I ask you to please leave." She said, standing tall.
**Slap**
The prince slapped Ophelia on the face, knocking her down. I flinched in my seat, stunned, not knowing what to do.
"Insolent pig. You dare command royalty?" He yelled, filled with rage, repeatedly wiping his hands like filth covered it.
"Please, your highness… Leave."
**Tch**
The prince clicked his tongue, and sheathed his sword. I waited for him to turn away before helping Ophelia up from the ground. I pulled a quick glance at the prince who was visibly angry and irritated, before turning back my attention to Ophelia.
"Hey, are you alri-"
…
Blood splattered on my face, stunning me in place. Time seemed to slow, Ophelia's head slowly detaching from her body, a pained expression painted on her face.
Behind her was the prince, with fury and frustration displayed on his face, arms extended, blade cutting through.
**Badump**
I caught a glimpse of Ophelia's necklace suddenly shining a crimson glow. I may have been hallucinating in disbelief, but in the distance, a statue of the ancient hero seemed to have been looking down upon us in contempt.
**Badump**
The space seemed to distort, my body floating, the environment rapidly changing, before plunging us into a void-like space. In this void was me, the prince, Ophelia, and a large eye, gazing, overlooking us from the abyss.
**Badump**
I held tight to Ophelia's lifeless hands, countless thoughts running through my mind. My head slowly turned to the eye. It stared back with a knowing gaze before blinking.
**Badump**
All of a sudden, we returned…
The prince collapsed to the floor, the sound of his scabbard drawing my attention to him.
I stared blankly as I grasped at the air.
"Ophe…lia…?"