CHAPTER ONE: THE RUNAWAY QUEEN

Fine felt so weak, it has been two days since she returned to the palace. But, she still wants to leave this place, since it only reminded her of the nightmares that made her miserable in the first place. Even though leaving was her very first priority, her body was not in the right state to leave.

*cough cough*

Her condition was annoying her more and more, she didn't have time to rest. She wanted to know what happened with her people that she ordered to flee, they don't know that she was still alive. And she was worried that her people might attack the kingdom, attempting to avenge their queen's death. She knew that it was a stupid and selfish decision to order her people to leave her in the middle of the battle.

She had no other choice, it was worth risking than regret losing the innocent lives that was not even involved in the conflict of her bloodline. She let out a big, tired sigh. How long does she have to suffer? Wasn't fate just too cruel to her? She wanted to die right there when Rein and the other two saw how pitiful her situation was, but they didn't let her commit suicide.

F*ck this life.

She kept repeating in her mind over and over. What was the point of staying alive? She knew that she would just suffer even more, not to mention that she was in the very castle that ruined her entire life. Living under the same roof of the man who took her heart and left for another woman, it hurts her more than anything. Saying hurtful words were enough just to hide the fact that she was not okay, she had to keep this facade strong or otherwise, she will end up relying on anyone again, only to be left disappointed once more.

She have had enough of this betrayals, misunderstandings, and most of all, she was tired of caring. If only things just ended on that battlefield, be it in hell or heaven, she didn't care where she'll head as long as she can escape from them and from this place.

*thump*

She was snapped back to reality when she heard the utensils cling as it was laid down on the table beside her, how she have missed the sight of this old maid that she trusted most in this world. It was Camelot. The one who took care of her when both her parents couldn't, she meant everything to her. She remembered the time that when she was leaving the castle, Camelot was also ready to depart with her, but she begged her to stay. Because she didn't want to drag any innocent people from this mess that her own family made. Such a petty conflict if you ask her, if only everyone listened to her. Then maybe this separation wouldn't even exist, she wouldn't build this childish walls that protects her, the shield of pride, as to what she calls it.

"Come on, my lady. You have to eat," she sighed as she helped Fine to sit up, she was very weak indeed, the blood that she kept throwing up these past two days was not a joke.

"...I don't have the appetite, Camelot." She weakly responded, the old nanny swift her bangs to the side, revealing her pale colored skin matched with these sharp ruby eyes.

"Please? I made your favorite soup, it's easy to swallow, and a few spoons will be enough to shut me up from my nagging." She smiled as Fine nodded weakly, even up until now she couldn't gather up the emotion to smile, even to her most trusted nanny. She just feel too empty anymore.

She couldn't help but tear up, the young princess that she served before was just as weak and precious like Rein. But her whole family turned against her without even hearing her reason nor hearing the truth from her. She left the castle, she struggled to live up until now without anyone by her side, and those people who were loyal to Fine followed her from the depths of the castle that she built. But she understand why she the young princess didn't allow her to come with her. That was how kind she was.

The time that she heard the news that Shade went after Fine made her relieved, but after 2 years. He returned to the castle, alone. Her eyes wandered everywhere, but Fine wasn't by his side. And that was when she learned that he, betrayed her. Confessing to the queen that even though both Fine and Shade were arranged to get married, his heart belongs to Rein ever since they were little.

"Ne…Camelot…" The old maid flinched when Fine spoke up, in a tiny, weak voice. She grabbed her sleeves and continued talking.

"I'm tired…" She muttered, her cracking voice made her tears burst. She was holding it back, but seeing Fine say those words wearing those eyes…Broke her. It was as if she has already given up, her tired eyes that seem to close any minute. The doubt that once she sleeps, she might not open her eyes anymore. That was how worried she was, her suffering was far beyond anyone could imagine.

"Fine-sama…" and unconsciously her body hovered towards Fine and hugged her body tight. Fine silently smiled, it has been so long since she felt the warm embrace that could have helped her through the times that she was already ready to give up. But seeing the situation now, she did give up. She said the words that she wouldn't dare say to her people, but being around Camelot must have melted that façade for a little bit.

"You know…When I was in my castle, I often think that maybe, no matter what I do. The family that I used to have, the friends that I used to love, and the man that I have loved for the years of my existence, might not return anymore. We can reconcile, build the bond up again that we used to have. But that, won't be the same anymore…" her cracking voice made it hard for Camelot to listen, she was still crying. But Fine build up the strong front not to shed any tears.

"I'm just tired of it all…I'm sick of this pain and suffering, I don't care if it's death…I'm not afraid to die, if that can by all means free me from this place…" Camelot realized that the medicine that she drunk has already took its effect, side effects of drowsiness. The medicine is strong, that within a minute or two. She already fell asleep.

She lay her properly on the bed, reached for her peacefully sleeping face. She was indeed a beauty, but the circles under her eyes covered that. Not to mention the eyes that she was wearing now compared to before, was clouded. She can't see the clear reason why she should still live anymore.

"Fine-sama…the pain…the struggles, all of those are the proof that you are alive." She reached for her forehead, leaving a trail of kiss as she wipe her own tears.

"Rest well" She softly whispered as she exited the room. Closing the door behind her, she paused, glancing towards the two guys who are currently guarding her.

"Reality…can really strike you in any way possible and without even a warning. Who would have thought that four of you who seem unbreakable became like this now." She sadly muttered, she made sure that both of them heard it. Those two didn't show any sign of changing expressions but deep down, both of them felt sad as well.

Camelot completely left, leaving Bright and Shade in silent. Both of them glanced at each other, and that was when they have decided to face Fine properly. But unfortunately, when they entered the room, Fine was sleeping peacefully.

Just as then when they were about to leave and return back to their positions, a light glowed from Fine. Both of their eyes widened, they don't know what's going on. And then, there was a strange orb, as big as a basketball, rotating with fractals of different colors shower around it.

"What is…this?"

The orb suddenly went above Fine and somehow, a seemingly like chain of lightning in different colors suddenly attached on her chest. Making her groan loudly, it was so painful to listen to, as if you can feel how much pain she was going through.

"Bright! Shatter the orb!" Both of them immediately acted as they went up closer to her, Shade went to her side, sliding both of his arms to grab her. When Bright tried to shatter the orb using his sword, it just went through.

"Sh*t! I can't touch it physically!" He cursed, the lightning of chain seems to grow and the more it glows, the louder Fine screams in pain.

Her loud scream echoed through the castle that all of the guards inside came, including Camelot, Rein and the queen herself, Elsa.

"Fine-sama!" Camelot immediately charged towards her, but Bright stopped her since Shade already got her. But they don't know how to stop it.

"What's going on?" Rein came rushing in.

"This orb is absorbing something from Fine-sama!" Camelot said as their eyes widened. What was it absorbing?

"We can't touch it physically, everything you hit it will only pass through…" Bright sounded so helpless. On the other hand, Elsa bit her lips as she took steps forward.

"We can't do anything about it, don't worry it will disappear soon." She explained, all of the attention went towards her. Then the tension became heavy as Rein. Bright and Shade looked at her intensely.

"…Okaa-sama, what on earth is going on?" Rein said as Elsa close her eyes and bit her lips once more.

"It's called Punishment."