Chapter 1

“Inform the envoy that we will provide financial assistance,” I heard my father say as I approached the open door to his office in the castle. King Saul was standing in front of the large glass window, looking over his realm with his back to us. “Inform them that the kingdom is also offering asylum to Draconian refugees. They do not need to bring their passports. Our borders are open to them, and we will provide them with whatever they require, including food, lodging, and employment. Also, please request that the Royal Treasury send me a report on...”

The Monarch suddenly stopped when he noticed me through the window’s reflection. He promptly turned, and I took it to mean he acknowledged me and permitted me to enter. I stepped across the office’s threshold but did not go any further. The Royal Herald looked up from his tablet phone when my father stopped dictating, confused. The man did not notice me at first, but when he did, the king meaningfully looked at him and the herald understood. They adjourned the meeting then. The herald nodded to me after gathering his papers and tablet phone before respectfully ducking out of the room.

“Selina,” the king said, admonishing me when the other man was out of earshot. “What did I say about listening in on my conversations and interfering with my work?”

“I don’t remember,” I replied, cheekily. My father audibly sighed, touching his forehead with his right hand and shaking his head.

“What am I going to do with you?” he whined, but there was a slight tug at the corners of his lips, clearly entertained by my antics. I giggled at my hand for a few seconds before turning serious.

“I couldn’t help but overhear... We’re sponsoring Draconia now?” I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at my father under the wide-brimmed hat I was wearing. “Is meddling in their civil war a wise move? Isn’t it a waste of our resources to assist their refugees as well?”

Draconia was an independent kingdom in the west, one of the few countries in all of Terran that was not under the great Volfenheim Empire or some other nation. It was a small continent, shaped like an enormous sleeping dragon, hence its name. Some believed it was an actual dragon that was in a deep slumber for such a long time, land formed and hid its scales, that once Mount Ormr, the colossal sleeping volcano of Draconia, erupts, the dragon will also wake and will consume the world. It was rich in every resource imaginable. Because of this, it was completely closed off to other kingdoms and empires. Five powerful tribes that defended it from invaders for thousands of years formed the kingdom. Unfortunately, those same five tribes were now waging war with one another for the right to rule the entire nation. Ruling their territory was no longer enough, it seemed.

“Doesn’t that fall under their purview to resolve?”

It sucks for them, but I just can’t see the appeal of helping a nation that was already crumbling from the inside.

“We should always be willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, Selina,” my father replied. “So that when we are in dire need, someone will come to our aid.”

“Quid pro quo, so to speak?”

“Exactly.”

“Why? Volfenheim is...”

“We can’t always depend on them,” King Saul said with a somber look on his face. “There are no permanent friends in politics, but we can always collect debts. Every man for himself, always remember that.”

I finally understood, kind of. My father was still worried about Volfenheim’s decrease in the order of their Black Herb Poison. He still didn’t know the reason behind it. It’s not like we can ask them why outright. We need to find out for ourselves.

And that is why I am here, I said to myself.

“Your Majesty,” I said, meaning business and keeping my emotions in check. “About Volfenheim...”

“Is it time already?” Saul Rozenberg asked, standing still, flexing his right hand. It was a nervous tick that I knew so well. He was acting aloof and nonchalant, but I knew my father like the back of my hand. I knew he was just hiding his emotions, and I was thankful for it. If he cried now, I would be heartbroken.

“Yes, dad.”

We stood there as if rooted to the spot for a few minutes, looking at each other, not talking, until Saul raised his hands and stepped forward. Understanding what it meant, I almost flew into my father’s arms, hugging him tightly.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I sobbed, burying my face in his silk shirt, relishing the warmth and security he provided. The king puts his arms around me awkwardly at first, but he relaxes seconds later.

“I am going to miss you too,” he told me. “But... should you really be doing this?”

I froze for a second before wiping the tears from my eyes and clearing my throat.

“Yes,” I answered boldly, letting go. “This is what I want. I’ve been preparing for this all my life. I’m done waiting.”

“But you just turned twenty. You know what it means, going there like this... right?”

“Of course,” I replied. “It means I'm already an adult and the future of our kingdom depends on me and my abilities. Don’t worry, dad, I will not fail. I’ll make sure of it.”

I deflected the question, and he knew it.

“I’m not worried about that. I know your abilities. You’re beautiful and brave, resourceful. You may be naughty, but you have a big heart. That’s what I’m concerned about. Henry does not even bother coming here like a true gentleman. He’s going to claim you as his bride, but he can’t even come here to fetch you himself! Is he afraid of me? Why? How can I believe he genuinely cares about you?”

“Dad, I’m not going to marry him yet,” I masked my apprehension with a laugh. My father literally had the power to stop me from going. I need to be careful of what to tell him, especially now that my boyfriend’s actions were making my father anxious. “Henry is busy, just like you. I heard there’s a lot going on in Aldervolf this time of the year. Besides, I’ll be there only to study. But who am I to stop him if he wants to marry me while I’m there? Don’t worry, if he does, you’ll be the first to know.”

The king gazed at me, searching my face. He must have seen something acceptable because he was sighing and nodding in defeat a few seconds later.

“All right,” the king said seriously. “But if Henry ever hurts you in any way, Selina, come home, okay?”

“Henry won’t even try, daddy.” I was confident that I had my boyfriend wrapped tightly in my pinky finger. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t agree with me to go to him. Still, my father’s thoughtfulness was touching. My heart seemed like it was going to burst with emotion.

“But if he did,” Saul insisted. “Come home. You may be the Destined Empress of Volfenheim, but you are my daughter first. And I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I could only nod in reply in fear that if I spoke, tears would flow again and my father might take it at face value and foil my plans.

“Oh, stop it, you two,” a quivering voice said behind me. “You’re making me cry.”

My father and I looked up and saw Helena, my father’s wife, wiping her tears away with a silk hanky. She was standing by the door.

My stepmother looked sad, and it irked me to no end. It wasn’t like we were close or anything. We were not friends. Ever since my mother died, the woman has taken it upon herself to take me under her wing. Nobody questioned her or her intentions, and nobody asked for my consent or wishes. She just barged into my life like she belonged there. But she wasn’t. Never was, never will be. I only saw her as a usurper of my mother’s throne and title, nothing more. I only tolerated Helena because it made my father happy. But sometimes, it irritates me that the woman tries way too hard.

“Helena,” King Saul said, making us look at him. “Now that you are here...”

This made me grin because whenever my father spoke that sentence, he always had something to demand of her. My father always treated Helena as if she were a glorified servant. As he should, she was one.

“I want you to go with my daughter to the border. See to it, she made it to Volfenheim safely.”

I almost broke my neck by whipping around to face him, no longer finding the turn of events funny.

“I beg your pardon? Why?!”

***

“You must be very excited.”

I let out a hassled breath and forced myself not to roll my eyes at Helena, who spoke across me. I just stared at my dead mobile phone and deliberately ignored her, pretending I did not hear the pregnant woman inside the horse-drawn carriage we were riding in.

“I know you won’t believe me, but I am happy for you,” she said again, leaning an elbow on the open window, a dreamy look on her face. “Regardless of the circumstances, you love each other. Not everyone is so fortunate.”

I could only give her silence.

“Is Henry going to be there to welcome us?”

“I’m sure His Majesty will,” the third passenger on the coach said, finally had enough of the awkward silence. “It would be weird for him not to.”

“Be silent, Becca,” I snapped at my lady-in-waiting. “No one asked for your opinion.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” Becca sat motionless, hands folded on her lap, pretending not to exist.

This was one of the many reasons I didn’t want Helena to come along on this trip. If it was just Becca, I could tolerate it, but my stepmother couldn’t stand silence and, true to her character, she couldn’t seem to pick up on my discomfort. We’d been traveling for hours and I was just about to have enough of the questions!

I looked at the time and sighed inwards. We could have arrived in Volfenheim faster if it hadn’t been for the queen and her delicate condition. The limo ride from my castle to the bridge that connected our kingdom to the other country would normally take eight hours, but because she was heavily pregnant, the driver had to drive slowly. I expected her to go back home once we reached the edge of the bridge, but she insisted on accompanying Becca and I to the end.

The kingdom of Rozenberg and the Volfenheim Empire were separated by an entire sea and a duchy that did not take kindly to strangers or change. It was so stuck in the past and old ways that we had to turn off our cellphones as soon as we arrived at the beach and switch from a limousine to a horse-drawn carriage. We had to pay a courtesy call to the senile old Grand Duke of Florin before we could cross the dukedom and reach the empire. It was during this visit that he would consider whether or not to let us pass. Fortunately, His Royal Highness and my father were friends; they were so similar in many ways, including how they ran their realm and their preferences for women. My stepmother did most of the talking, flattering him, making him laugh. It was obvious the old man enjoyed flirting with her; it was revolting to see.

In this instance, I was glad she came along. I’m not sure what I’d do if it was just me requesting permission from the Grand Duke.

After we were allowed to pass, we had to travel through endless fields, villages, and mountains and it took two excruciating days. Now we were on our third day and it was already late in the afternoon. We only needed to cross Lupine Pass, which separates the Florin Mountain from the Volfenheim Wolke range. If we’re lucky, we’ll be at the empire’s border by sundown.

It’s already five o’clock. It’s an hour more to endure.

“Oh, you’re not wearing the earring Henry gave you,” the queen began again.

“Mother,” I said with more force than necessary, teeth clenched. I disliked calling the former concubine that, but she was still my father’s wife and the queen of our realm. My father insisted we behave with the utmost propriety, even in private. “I—”

A heavy object fell on top of the Royal Carriage, causing the car to bounce and swerve in all directions. An uncanny, familiar snarl accompanied the clamors of the men outside the window. The carriage’s constant motions pushed Becca, the queen, and me back and forward as it sped up. I observed my stepmother as she protectively clutched her enormous belly while clinging to an armrest for dear life. I had considered sitting next to the older woman and assisting her. She was carrying my baby brother, after all. I admit I had my moments, but I was not a bad person. However, when the queen met my gaze, I hurriedly averted my eyes. I changed my mind. I don’t want Helena to think I was warming up to her. It was Becca who came to the older woman’s aid, holding her hand and whispering soothing words to her.

With nothing else to do, I shook the awkward feeling that washed over me and parted the drapes of the window with a gloved hand and gasped, prompting Helena and Becca to do the same.

“What is happening?” the queen asked.

“Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Your Grace.” One of the royal guards tasked with escorting us rode his horse to catch up with the speeding carriage, his firearm and sword drawn. “Please stay in your seats. We’re under attack.”

“What?” Helena leaned her head out of the window and craned her neck to look behind them. We left behind three of the royal guards to defend us from the attackers. We couldn’t see what the guards were fighting against—there was some smoke enveloping them for some reason—but we could hear gunshots, clashing of metals, and screams of agony.

“Werewolves,” I realized, contempt clear in my voice. “The audacity of these animals, attacking the royal carriage—”

I leaned back in my seat to breathe before placing a hand on the velvet-covered armrest and slamming a fist on the mechanism. A tiny door on the footrest opened, and I dipped my hand into the opening, touching something cold before pulling it out again, producing an elegant-looking pocket pistol small enough to fit in my hand. It was a revolver with elaborate patterns carved on its gleaming frame and pure ivory grip panels. A pretty, but deadly thing... just like its owner.

“How do you know they’re werewolves?” Helena’s voice was quivering, her face was pale and tiny perspiration dotted her forehead.

“Who else could they be?” I inspected the cylinder for bullets before lowering my hand to the footrest slot and pulling out a box of black bullets. I loaded the revolver before slipping the package into my pocket.

“You’re not planning to use that, are you?” Becca’s eyes were wide as saucers.

“Don’t be stupid,” I said as I spun the gun’s cylinder before pushing it close. Hearing the locks click was like music to my ears. When I was a child, I used to play with my guns whenever the instructor was looking away.

My father’s tutors trained me to be the perfect wife; they also taught me how to use guns to protect myself from bandits, invaders, and occults that might want to ruin my honor. The concealed handgun in the carriage was for me to use specifically for times like this. They filled the bullets with concentrated Black Herb poison. It would only take one bullet for an occult to drop dead and my aim was perfect, even with a moving object. My father made sure of that.

“I think I’m going to get sick—” Helena informed them while pressing a hand on her lips.

I rolled my eyes at the queen, but I noted that the older woman indeed looked a little green. I couldn’t blame her. The carriage was moving faster and faster. It was making me feel dizzy, too. Becca quickly produced a tiny jar of smelling salt from her pocket and hovered it below Helena’s nose. I ignored them to look outside the window again. The sun was setting fast, and we were still a few minutes away from the safety of the border.

My stomach dropped as I saw a small, shiny boulder on the road and one wheel was about to slam into it. Becca and Helena gasped and whimpered in unison, surprised when the carriage made a little jump. I heard the wood splinter and watched as a small object fell off the damaged wheel. I braced myself, leaning back in my seat and gripping the armrests as tightly as I could, silently praying to the Rozen Maiden. A split second later, I felt the carriage pull to the side, losing control, as the damaged wheel launched itself onto the mountainside.

“What’s happening?” Helena tried to look out again, but gravity pinned her to her seat.

The mountain walls looked closer and closer.

“Oh no, oh gods, no!” Becca screamed.

I closed my eyes tightly as we floated a few inches from our seats before a massive blow slammed into the carriage, causing me to hit my head and knocking me out. When I came to, it took me a moment to realize the car had already skidded to a halt. I could swear the carriage was still spinning, but it turned out I was just dizzy. As I pushed myself off the floor, black dots danced in my eyes, making me nauseous. Grabbing my weapon, I stepped over my unconscious stepmother and Becca, and, against my better judgment, threw open the door into the crisp afternoon air.

I stepped out of the vehicle, pulling the hat pin that was digging into my scalp and freeing my hair from the hat, only to encounter a man clutching an unconscious royal coachman by the back of his coat as if he were a handbag, as if the coachman weighed nothing.

He, too, seemed taken aback to see me, and I took advantage of the opportunity to study him. The man was tall, slim, and shirtless, showing off his lean frame and tawny, yellowish-brown skin. He was barefoot and had dark tattered denim pants on, and his hair was longer than I was used to seeing. It hung down to the center of his torso, dark as the night, tangled, greasy, and wavy, obscuring most of his face.

One word came to mind: werewolf!

I wasn’t certain, though. He doesn’t appear to be a werewolf. He could be a vagrant passing through the lands like we were. Or he could be from around here. A homeless person with an athlete’s body and the strength of a werewolf. When he took a step forward, I felt my spirit leap out of my body in surprise.

“S-stay where you are, you filthy animal!” I raised my weapon, cocking the safety off. Most revolvers don’t have safety, but mine was custom-made.

He smirked at me before throwing the coachman at my feet, as though the coachman were of no significance. Behind him, the sun was setting faster, and within seconds, the darkness and coldness of the night enveloped us.

“Who are you, and what do you want?” My father taught me to shoot first and ask questions later, but the effect of the Black Herb bullets was instantaneous. I won’t have the time to ask later. “How do you know I was passing here? Who sent you?”

A pair of yellow eyes blazed fiercely beneath the black curtain of hair, and I took a step back, my heart pounding hard at my ribs. Retracting his lips, he exposed gleaming, sharp white teeth. He made a deep guttural sound before lunging at me.

________