Prologue

Four heavily armored guards escorted me through the dungeon and through the halls of the castle. Each person had a chain linked to the shackles that I was wearing on my wrists and feet, the guards at the front pulling on them if I lagged. They did not stop walking until we were in the middle of the town square, which was filled to the brim with people from all walks of life. There weren’t usually this many people in attendance, and I’d heard there weren’t many executions open to the public. But this was a highly controversial case. It’s not every day a highborn gets tried and executed in the reign of Henry the Young, first of his name, King of Aldervolf, Protector of Men and the Occult, One True Heir of the Greater Volfenheim Empire. The Crown erected bleachers to accommodate the public. I saw a bunch of my old classmates among them, whispering to themselves, pointing at me. Some were sneering, thinking I deserved it. Only a handful of people looked like they pitied me.

I stuck my chin up in the air and looked ahead to appear nonchalant, but it was a terrible mistake. I saw the three gallows in the middle of the town square. Each wooden structure had five men hanging by their necks, dead, feet swaying in the air as if swinging along with the breeze.

I was shocked to my core, but quickly adjusted my expression. It was a harrowing sight, but I couldn’t take my gaze away from the bodies. I couldn’t tell who was who. The executioner had removed their head coverings, revealing their puffy, purple faces, bulging eyes, and dangling tongues. They had twisted necks, and their heads were bent at an unusual angle. And if that weren’t horrifying enough, the corpses were disemboweled, presumably while they were still alive, and their entrails were left hanging from their bodies.

My heart was pounding hard on my chest, my vision blurred and spun, and I felt my strength and resolve leaving me as my knees folded. I collapsed on the muddy path, dry heaving. Bouts of laughter erupted from the crowd and I shut my eyes tightly, face red in shame.

I was going to die.

I will suffer the same fate as my friends.

Everyone will see, and everyone will cheer as I die.

They would leave our corpses in the town square for weeks, months... until the strain of the rope, our weight, or gravity ripped our heads from the necks. Our rotting bodies will be a warning to anyone who will even think about defying the will of the king. They will defile and inter me in an unmarked grave, never to be found again. I will forever be remembered as a traitor—a kingslayer, even though I failed...

“Get up!” I heard a guard roar at me, and when I didn’t budge, they pulled on the chains of my shackles, further damaging my raw wrists.

This is it, I thought. I reached the last moments of my brief life. Defenseless, friendless, weak... while my enemies sneered and cheered. I was scared, really terrified. But I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry and break.

Screw them.

Two guards released me from the shackles, but I couldn’t escape even if I tried. They grabbed each of my arms and led me to a tall scaffold. They almost carried me to prevent another tripping spectacle. I did not expect the small tree stump and a basket I found lying on the plank. No gallows. My scaffold was directly in front of the monarch’s platform. They reserved death by hanging for the commoners. I was going to die as a noblewoman. They, at least, gave me that.

I first looked the king in the eye before giving the Empress Regent my full attention. We locked gazes until a herald in full regalia marched in front of the audience, presenting a piece of parchment with the Volfenheim Royal Seal.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Selina Mary Persephone of Rozenberg,” the herald announced loud and clear, making everyone silent. “A jury of your peers has condemned you to death by beheading, with the judge’s sentence and compliance with the law in this state. Is there anything you’d like to say before we carry out the court’s decision?”

“Yes,” I replied. Shaking like a leaf, I looked the young monarch right in the eye, making him uncomfortable. “I will not make excuses and I am not blaming you for my actions, but all that I’ve done, I did them with only your well-being in mind. My only regret was I couldn’t save you from them...”

I looked down as tears welled up in my eyes as memories flooded back. The king should not see me in this state. I smiled at him, wiping my face inconspicuously and trying my hardest to appear happy. “Nevertheless, thank you for letting me get to know you as I did. For loving me and showing me kindness, and for sharing with me your hopes and dreams. For being my first and only friend when no one will. I truly love you with all of my heart. My lord and my king, I ...

Henry broke eye contact and leaned towards his mother before whispering something to her. The regent motioned with her hand and, almost instantly, a pair of boot-clad feet stomped heavily on the stairs of my platform. I turned to look and saw a big man wielding an enormous sword. They dressed him in a vomit-colored shirt and brown pants, and there was a black sack over his head. It was the executioner. His assistant, also wearing the same get-up, was not far behind him.

I bowed my head and smiled ruefully. Henry couldn’t wait to see me die. This was the man who promised me the moon and the stars. The man who vowed to give me everything my heart desired. The man who repeatedly broke my heart, cheated on me, and humiliated me. I was a Rozenberg, a highborn, and he replaced me with some filthy little she-wolf!

I clenched my fists so hard that my palms bled. After everything I’ve done for him, this was the thanks I received. With murderous eyes, I raised my gaze to the king and his mother.

“Since His Majesty is so adamant to take my head,” I declared. “Perhaps he should get it himself.”

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