1. Unwilling

Unedited!!

Fingers crossed for the reaction!!



"She is the empress who killed the little prince?"

"Shh . . . Hold your tongue even the walls have ears. Don't talk nonsense otherwise, you will not even know how you died."

"She is not our empress. How can a cruel and black-hearted woman like her can be our empress?"

"You are right. My sister works in the palace. She told me that His Highness has appointed Noble Consort Tara as The Empress. The coronation ceremony must have finished till now."

"Noble Consort Tara is so beautiful, elegant and polite. Who would believe that she had a sister like this?"

"Yeah, I also heard that she herself went to find a medicine in order to save the little prince. She is really a warm-hearted woman even if she didn't give birth to the little prince but she treated him as her own child."

The constant murmurs which are full of disgust for her fall into Siya's ears. Very slowly she opens her eye and blinks at the ceiling. She moves her lips in order to ask which prince they are talking about but no sound comes out. Her throat feels dry. It is hard to speak.

This room is dark with no source of sunlight; the only source is the occasional torches that lighten up outside the room. In the darkness of the room, she is lying on a hard slab. There is a constant stinky and the pungent smell of blood that makes people feel nauseous but she is used to it.

Her fair skin has lost its luster. Her brown eyes have lost the glow. Her rosy lips are dry and rough. Her silky-soft hair is stained with dirt and mud. It is scattered all over her head. From the first look, no one can say she is the decent and dignified wife of the third prince, Ryder, who has taken the throne just a few days ago.

Even after torturing Siya for many days, Tara still doesn't let her die. For the first time in life, Siya realized death is not the cruelest thing but life.

The cruelest thing is when you want to die but couldn't.

Black magic is something that is banned in the empire but to torture her it is specially used. The horrifying thing is that the dark plants used in doing tricks of black magic are grown up on the human body. The seeds of the dark plants are directly planted in the person. Afterwards, it germinates with the help of nourishment. However, once the seeds sprout, the person goes thorough immense agony until either the plants get matured or the person dies.

Siya is the living example of this as she has been made a living human fertilizer by Tara. Many dark plants are growing out of her skin while using every drop of her blood and every ounce of her energy for their nourishment. Even though she is breathing, showing that she is still alive but her expression showed that she wished she was dead.

She never thought that Tara will be so deeply hidden. The noble and virtuous lady in front of others is actually a merciless, cruel and cold person.

Siya is so lost in her thoughts that she never noticed Tara coming to her. When the all the torches of the room is lightened up, Siya finally noticed Tara.

As the maids outside the room has said, Tara is really chosen as the Empress of this country. She is dressed up beautifully in the royal coronation gown that is only made for the Empress to wear. The red coloured gown looks grand and it makes people feel to bow down in front of the person who owns it. The needle work on the fabric is done with authentic golden thread. Her hair is tied in a neat bun a hair pin which has several pearls embedded in it. Her necklace made of red ruby complements the dress. In this room she looks like a fairy—away from the dust and dirt of this mortal life.

Tara's face has a gentle smile. "The Emperor has crowned me as the Empress. I feel very sad that elder sister could not come to share my happiness, so I came here instead."

Siya feels the pain of betrayal sink into her bones. She remembers that when she helped Ryder to achieve his dream, he had once promised her to make her the Empress. He even asked his people to prepare a grand and magnificent outfit for the day. Who knows, it was a lie just like everything that he had promised her. He married her because he wanted to use her father's money to achieve his goal. She was really stupid that she did not see this before. Her brother has warned her against Ryder but she never listened. She treated her mother and brother as enemies.

Siya ignored her family for the man she loved. She went to the Caven Empire as a messenger of peace between the two countries—leaving her newborn son, Edwin, here. What messenger, she was worse than a prisoner. She was humiliated, tortured with one way or another but she protected herself in hope that he will take her back. However, he never arrived. Seven years she waited for him in another country while her son grew up without his mother. She was filled with resentment but she never complained. Her son despite his age has grown up smart and never showed his dissatisfaction towards her. However, when she returned to the palace an expected surprise waited for her. Tara had married Ryder and was taking care of her son. Siya felt complicated, at one side, she felt happy that her cousin took care of Edwin for her but what about marrying her husband?

She finds herself laughable. How can anyone be such a fool like her? She entered Ryder's palace at a blooming age. When it was time to enjoy the happiness of prime and young virtuous age, she withered in his palace in order to get his attention.

Lilly, the personal maid of Tara raises her head and speaks slowly. "Her Highness today is the day of the red moon. The Royal Priest has said it is the most suitable time to burn the demon and ask the Gods to bless the country."

Tara's lips stretch outwards. "Siya, do you blame me?" the sweet and magnificent voice of Tara reached in Siya's ears. "You are wrong. You can blame yourself for being the demon star. The Emperor and this Empress are doing this for the well being of our country."

Siya is filled with disgust with the reasoning. The demon here is clearly her. 'Why don't she burn herself down and let people rest in peace?' However, she ignores Tara as she does not want to show her weakness to anyone—specially this cousin of hers. Even if she dies, she will not give any ounce of satisfaction to Tara.

When Siya does not reply to Tara and turns her gaze at the ceiling, Tara fists her hands. Why Siya is like this? Clearly, she is the once winner here but still, this woman never put her in her eyes. In the past, Siya knew that she loves Ryder but still she married him.

Tara hated that Siya was more beautiful, elegant and lively than her. Even after living at the border city for so many years, Siya overshadowed her in every respect. Everything that was meant to be hers was snatched by Siya. But now see God's will. She has gained everything back. "As a good sister, I brought a gift for you at our last meeting. Don't you want to see?"

'NO!' As soon as Siya gazes at the side of the room from the corner of her eyes, her heart screams. She shudders from inside and her eyes cannot hide the horror. On the ground there lies her son with his eyes closed. He is as handsome as she saw him the last time—at that time he has said to her, 'Mother, I am not scared'. Lying on the cold floor, he looks calm and serene.

"Edwin," Siya painfully whimpers his name but gets no reply. Instantly, her eyes burn with tears. He is always being a well behaved child. He always stands in front of her at her first call but today he is not bothered about her. She will never see him running around her. She will never see his smile again. She will never hear him call her 'mother'. Her son has gone far away from her. Her teeth bite down her lower lips to prevent her from crying. "How?" Diverting her eyes from Edwin, she forces herself to squeeze out. She had made sure that Lilly takes away her son. Suddenly, the realization hit her.

Lilly. Where is she? Lilly is the maid who served Siya in the palace. Originally, she was a low maid who was facing a difficult time while working in the palace but Siya pitied her and then promoted her to a senior position by appointing her as her personal maid.

"Are you looking for her?" As soon as Tara's voice falls into the silence someone walks towards the light from her behind.

This person is no one else but Siya's personal maid Lilly. However, it is funny to know that she paid back Siya by back-stabbing. Siya trusted her son with Lilly but she was not worth it. "Why?"

Lilly who has her gaze on the floor looks up at her former owner. Watching Siya suffering the inhumane tortures and having a demon star, she felt she took the right choice. She opens her mouth and speaks plainly, "Noble Lady Siya, is it a wise choice to stay in a skinning boat?"

Siya chuckles dryly. Noble Lady? Now she is the lowest in the harem? This lowly woman has really forgotten her identity. It was she who raised Lilly to this position but now that she has fallen to this state, she is useless for Lilly.

However, Tara is not satisfied with Siya's expression. She wants to see Siya crying in pain. She wants to see Siya defeated. She wants Siya to feel the emotion when all hopes die. "Do you know how your son struggled when I choked him with my own hands? I wanted to do it for so long. You don't know whenever this bastard used to come in front of me, he always reminds me of you."

Siya clenches her fists and her fingernails dig into her palms. Blood drips from her fingers but she takes no notice of it. Edwin had to go through all this, how can she bear to hear it? Waves of loathing and disgust ripples in her heart. This sort of despair, pain and overwhelming hatred make her body shakes against the hard surface. For a moment, the throbbing agony of her body is ceased as if she makes herself immune to it.

Tara laughs watching Siya struggle. "There is no possibility for your survival is left now. Why don't you put down your righteous and noble attitude of yours and beg me? We are cousins after all. I will plead to the Emperor one more time to let you live."

Siya feels the last ounce of desire to live this life slowly sinks down in the ocean of despair. Her son is lying lifeless in front of her. Why is she living till now? How old is he to die like this? How scared he would have been? He must have called for her to save him but what she did. She trusted the wrong person. She cannot tell what she feels right now. Her feelings are numb. Should she feel anything? But see the ironic fate, even if her son is lying near her she cannot touch him. Is there any mother more unlucky than her? She has undergone through everything only to protect her son but what she gets in the end? That man whom she loved does not even care about his own flesh. He discarded her after using her. He never came to visit her for once. She takes it all but what about Edwin?

Edwin, my sweet-sweet son, Mother is sorry to not be able to protect you. She is not strong enough to save you.

"Elder sister," Tara speaks again but the ecstasy in her voice cannot stay hidden, "do you have any last wish? I will plead to the Emperor for you. The Emperor is wise and kind. He will surely grant you your last wish."

Siya halts her gaze at the ceiling again and mutters in an inaudible voice. "I want to kill you and him." Now she finally understands why Tara let her live to this day. She wanted her to witness the dead body of her last relative.

"Presumptuous!" Lilly shouts at Siya but there is a smug smile across her face. She does not regret her choice. Now when is on Her Highness' side she had to show her worth. She turns to Tara and whispers while bowing her head, "You are so good to your sister, Her Highness. But she is really courageous and daring to poison the late Emperor. Today she is getting retribution. What is wrong with that?"

Siya's eyes are red. She looks at Tara angrily. When she arrived at the capital city, Tara took care of her in every possible way. Later, Siya thought that her uncle's family really cared for her and Tara had accepted her as her sister. But when the mask of affection came out, she came to understand how much Tara hated her. It was not until the moment that she realized, gentle and considerate Tara as well as her marriage with Ryder was just her wishful thinking.

Siya wants to yell at Tara but she can't. The slightest movement of her jaws causes severe pain across her chest as if her heart is being squeezed under the hold of an iron claw.

"Your Highness, the red moon is out!" The housekeeper runs inside and announces. He bows down and keeps his eyes on the floor. "His Highness has passed a decree to complete the ritual."

Tara's fairy like face blooms in a harmless smile. "Put this place to fire," Tara commands before turning and leaving the shabby house.

At this point, she remembers the smiling faces of her mother, father, elder brother, servants and her sweet-sweet son. They all died because of her. Her mother's family was executed because of her. All this is happening because she took the wrong path in the past. She decides to trust the wrong person.

Siya's breathes are shallow. Each breath that she takes feels like thousands of ants crawling all over her body. Her chest burst in pain. At this point in her life, she does not have any desire for light. She wants to close her eyes. She wants to rest and end this pain.

A lone tear coloured in dark red rolls down from the corner of her eyes. She has reached her limit of exhaustion.

She wants to die.

Let her die.

Soon, everything around Siya is turning into ashes—just like her dreams of having a bright future with her beloved and her child.

She keeps her eyes open as the flesh of her body feels the burning sensation against it. The pain is beyond something she can handle but she does not make a sound. She does not ask for anyone to help her. Because she knows this is the end of her miserable life but she cannot put a heart to accept this end.

Outside, the night turns dark and stormy. The stars turn nonexistent, as the heavy grey clouds cover the sky. Those balls of cotton seen during the day shifted into streams of grey the color of ash and soot. The gloomy clouds blanketed the sky hide the full moon in its full glory behind them, giving it a hazy ominous feel.

The sky cries with the miseries of Siya who has her eyes open and her heart filled with resistance. Even if she died here and turned into ashes, she is not going to leave them in peace. She is willing to become a vengeful spirit for eternity.

Her mother always told her, every story has a happy ending. An ending that inspires millions of hearts to dream of it. However, she does not have a chance to get that end.

'You were wrong, Mother. There is no such thing like, a happy ever after. Instead, I let you all suffer a painful end. I am so sorry. But if I get a chance, I want to be born as your daughter again. I will give you all the happiness of the world.'

If there is a next life, she wants to live for them whom she disappointed in this life.

If there is a next life, she wants retribution for them.

She is unwilling to end like this.




W O R D S - 2 8 5 7 

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top