(Year 1815)

Brimsily was walking downstairs to a place he had never ventured before, but when the Queen of England personally requested something, he could never refuse.

The guard was surprised to see him as he demanded to open the dungeon's door.

The door opened, and he stepped inside the dark dungeon. He had to hold the oil lamp closer to see clearly in the pitch-black room.

Finally, his eyes detect the prisoner sitting in the corner. Her head rested against the hard wall.

"Are you here to take me to my execution?"

Brimsily sighed as he walked closer to the woman, and as light fell on her face, Brimsily noticed she was not scared at all; on the contrary, she looked peaceful, as if all burdens were lifted off her shoulders.

"You do not seem worried about your death."

"There is a worse fate than death. If you have lived what I have lived through, then, in comparison to that life, death seems like an old friend."

Brimsily intrigued by this woman, he decided to tell her his reason for visiting. "It seems there are few people who want to see you live despite the entire ton demanding your public execution. Your crimes are limitless, from fraud to impersonating lady; there are also charges against you for abduction and murders."

The girl merely laughs, as Brimsily told her. "At this moment, your life is dangling on a thin thread. The Queen herself is judging your case, and she requested that I talk with you. She said that if you confess your crimes, then she may consider giving you the dignity of private execution, but if you want to defend yourself, you need to tell me the complete truth, and if your story is true and matches with the one your defenders are telling, then there is any hope for you; otherwise, public execution if you dare to lie."

"I will not lie, but can I trust you to listen to my confession with an open heart and mind?"

Brimsily stared at the woman, who seemed to be assessing his character.

"You have my word, but keep in mind that I have the ability to detect the smallest lie, so from this moment on, only the truth should spill from your mouth."

For a moment, they stared at each other, and then the woman asked. "Ask me anything you want, and I will tell you the truth."

"Alright, let us start with your name. Tell me, what is your real name?"

Brimsily watched as the woman showed him her wrist under the glow of an oil lamp. He can clearly make out her name tattooed on her skin in some other language.

"This was the name I was born with. Over the years, my name has had many variations, but only one name remains dear to my heart. The name given to me by a man who loved me passionately and then hated me with the same passion."

The woman sighed as she confessed truthfully while caressing the ring on her finger. "Because of that man, the only name I like to remember by is Kate, Anthony's Kate. To understand how I became Kate, you first need to listen to this story from the beginning."

And thus the confession began.

(Year 1805)

Bombay Sea Port was busy this time of year as ships to England were due to depart today.

Many lords and ladies are returning home while taking a few local Indians with the promise of a better future.

Among these people was a family of three. One widow and her two daughters. The eldest daughter was around sixteen, while her younger sister was around eight.

"Hurry up, you lot. If we missed this ship, then who knows how many months we have to wait for the next ship?"

The girls cowered, but their mothers held them closer as they followed the Lord and Lady.

As they climbed the ship stairs, somehow accidentally, the Lord's Stick connected with their younger sister Doll, and they watched it tumble down the stairs.

"Blast! Someone get that doll."

The lady gave the eldest daughter a haughty look as she commanded. "Go girl! Fetch your sister doll!"

"That's my daughter you are talking to." Their mother snarled angrily, and the lady smirked. "It amazes me how you love that filth as your own."

"It's alright, mama; I will get the doll."

She let go of her mother's hand and stepped down to grab the doll.

By the time she picked it up, her family was already at the entrance of the ship, showing their tickets.

The eldest daughter climbed back but was stopped by the checking officer. "Ticket."

"I am with that lord and his family; my ticket is with him."

The collecting officer frowned, but to her relief, a few seconds later, the Lord appeared as he instructed the officer. "There are some expensive things in our luggage; make sure they are boarded safely."

The lord was going to turn away when the officer stopped him. "My lord? This girl is saying she is part of your family."

The lord did not even spare a glance in her direction, as he said gruffly. "My family is already inside the ship. I have no idea who this girl is."

The girl's eyes widened in horror. "No, he is lying! Mama! Mama!"

She could not yell for a third time as she was struck by the Lord. " Throw this filth away and make sure she does not get on this ship.

The girl screamed as two officers dragged her down the stairs.

By the time she reached down, she got a glimpse of her mama and sister.

"Mama! Mama!"

Her mother turned around, and her eyes were filled with horror as she saw her on the dock. "Beti! Someone, please bring my daughter!"

But the horns start blaring, drowning out their screams.

The lord and lady dragged the mother and her young daughter away.

Meanwhile, the eldest daughter helplessly watched the ship leave the port. She cried and screamed, but no one listened to her pleas.

Finally, she jumped into the sea and started swimming towards the ship.

"Mama! Mama! Please wait for me!"

But right in front of her eyes, the ship moved further away, and her strength gave away as she began to drown under deep waters.