"Marsa Creen, you will now be stripped of your title as Empress and your family will now be executed for your attempted murder of the Emperor, are there any objections?"
Am I the only one that gave an ironic smile as I heard those words? Warren looked down at me with cold eyes, a faint smirk on his lips as he sat on the throne. Was this what our marriage of 10 years amounted to?
Until now, I had been the perfect empress, single-handedly maintaining the empire while Warren did what? Sleep around? Was this payback for the crimes I committed to get him on the throne? Now, he was executing Mother, Father, and Ren, for what reason? I was a pawn. Pawn. Never seen as anything more or less. My thoughts were interrupted by a cry of pain as my older brother was dragged to the guillotine by his broken arm. Even through the pain, he looked at me with pitiful eyes. Even having the power of Empress couldn't protect my family from their demise.
"Emperor, how is this possible? This can't be!"
Duke Cale and Marquess Alicia pleaded, trying to reach me, only to be stopped by guards. I gave them a grateful glance. Duke Cale and Marquess Alicia, my defenders. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"Get on with the execution already, I'm getting bored"
Warren sneered, grabbing a maid and sitting her on his lap.
I closed my eyes as the guillotine fell three times. Then, I felt a harsh grip on my hair dragging me towards the increasingly, blood potent center of the room. That was when reality set in. Tears streamed down my face as I glanced at Warren who was preoccupied whispering in the maid's ear while she giggled. How I wished that I saw through Warren's lies and didn't live as a pawn. However, my pleas were only met with the sound of a guillotine.
"Ms. Marsa, I swear, if you don't wake up this instant, your father will have my head. You can't be late to your 8th birthday party."
I groggily woke up. Was this heaven? As I observed myself in the mirror, I was startled by how realistic it felt.
"What's the date", I murmured.
"Silly, how could you forget? The Delquente Swordsmanship Academy opened yesterday!"
My maid giggled, more preoccupied with dressing me than dealing with my nonsensical questions.
The Academy had opened the day before my 8th birthday, meaning...I had gone back in time? No, that didn't make sense. On queue, my Mother, Father and Ren walked in.
"Happy Birthday, Marsa!"
I stared at them. They were alive. My emotions were a mess of grief, sadness, anger, happiness, and relief. That was when I knew that against all odds, I had been given a second chance. An opportunity to change the dark destiny awaiting me.