Angelique's POV
The hours had passed and the darkness consumed the skies. Everyone aside from the palace was resting in their sleep, dreaming of sweet dreams. My staff and I, however, are on high alert and are in our designated groups. While everyone was at their assigned places, I alone stayed by the fortress' main balcony where I watched the capital from above. There was almost nothing but faint lights from candles and torches all over the city.
I thought long and hard about what was to come. Just in case I don't make it, I already prepared a handwritten letter folded neatly in my parents' study.
Mother and Father,
If you are reading this, then it means that my time has come to an end. I want you to know that I didn't die without trying to survive. I've done what I can to save our people and myself. Unfortunately, I have failed to save myself along with them.
I know that my blood won't be the last they shed. Soon enough, they will come after each and every one of you. Let my death be a lesson learned. Please stand united and bring this war to an end. Bring glory to our house.
I just hope that in my last days, I have made you proud. I tried so hard to be the heir that you want to me. I know that things wouldn't have to be this way if I were a son. If I were "Angelo" instead of Angelique, I wouldn't have had to marry Damien of Cross and none of this would've happened.
I tried to fulfill my duty as your child and heir to the White Throne. I married the man whom you chose and almost gave birth to an heir. I really tried, mother and father. I'm sorry that I have failed you. My last wish is that you bury my heart under the heart of the palace and burn my body in the courtyard. I love you both so much. I apologize for being such a disappointment to you both.
Your daughter,
Princess Angelique of White
I watched as faint lights from torches neared our fortress and listened as the sounds of rustling trees were replaced by heavy footsteps. These people don't know a thing about being discreet. At this point, my guards have already alerted everyone inside the palace and have sent the letters I have written for help.
It didn't take long for the chief of guards to enter and disrupt me from my thoughts. She wore a concerned face and a heavy heart in her chest. "Your majesty," she says, bowing down. "I'm afraid that what you've predicted is already falling into place. The enemy is on the move."
I nodded, walking toward her in full authority. "Then I shall have all of you in the higher ground to shoot them with arrows of poison and flames," I commanded, "Whoever's left in the lower ground will continue the fight with whatever remaining men they have after our attack."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" she bowed lower in respect.
"And don't forget the purpose of your staying there," I reminded, "You're to buy us some time to evacuate the children and elders. Once we have done this, then you may follow us through the passageways."
She gave me one last bow and salute before she went out to carry my orders. She's one of the fiercest ladies I know in the army and yet I saw the fear hiding behind her cold grey eyes. She's not scared to sacrifice her life; she's scared that I might not make it out alive. She knows me well enough to know that I wouldn't leave to vacate myself when my soldiers are still out fighting.
Still wearing the armor that was specially made for me and my watermelon belly, I unsheathed my sword that hadn't been used since the day I won over Damien. I carried this sword with me since I was eight years old. I had the best and worst days of my life with it. It witnessed everything I've been through. It's the weapon I chose to protect my people and the weapon I used to slay my enemies. Tonight is no different. Tonight I will slay the leader of this stunt one way or another. Should I fail, then I die a warrior and a mother.
"Whiteoath," I muttered as I traced the blade of my sword. It's the name of this very weapon in my hands. It was named after my oath as the princess of this realm. I swore to protect all of it. But how could I protect my people if I can't even protect my staff? This is why I will end this rubbish tonight and send a message to the leader of this stupid rebellion.
The sounds of screams, clashing of swords, and groans were heard all over not long after my guard left. I watched as the fire started to burn some of the men of the enemy. They were fearless no doubt and would die for the "cause" they were fighting for. It's ignorant and stupid. But I must say that they are "good soldiers." They won't fall back no matter how many soldiers my ladies have taken down. It didn't take long for them to catch sight of me on the balcony and direct all their attention to me.
"Kill the whore!" one of them screamed at the top of his lungs. He is who I assume isn't their leader. If he were the leader, he wouldn't reveal himself in such a tasteless manner.
Without hesitation, I pulled out a poisonous arrow from my corner and shot it directly at the man's throat. I shot multiple arrows in the same pattern—at their throats. I would've given them quick and painless deaths if they hadn't put my name in their mouths. Their meaningless words and insults are what resulted in their agonizing deaths.
I continuously shot arrows at whoever I could see, not able to miss a single shot. Every arrow released from my bow pierced through either their throats or hearts. The poison in these arrows is excruciatingly painful and not to mention very effective. The person shot would die in less than three hours after being shot. Once I used up all my arrows, the enemy started rising and climbing the palace walls in their attempts to kill me. My people on the high grounds then leaped from the higher floor to mine in order to protect me.
"Princess," says the chief, "Everyone else has been evacuated! Please follow one of our guards to take you to safety."
I smiled warmly at her, raising my sword. "My dear friend and former partner," I said, "You know me well enough to know that I won't leave until all my troops are safe. Let them come. I want to kill their leader myself." With that said, the real battle has begun.
I reached for my sword, striking the enemy who was ready to attack. My guards were ready to fight back and get rid of them as they should.
"Remember what we learned back when we were all still training?" I said, reminding them, "Strike first and never let your guard down. Don't show off; kill them quickly and swiftly."
"Yes, your majesty!" my troops replied, eager to do their job. Blades clashed again and again while grunts and screams grew louder and louder. They kept on insulting me and the crown with their words that meant nothing to me.
I swiftly did my job as the White Knight, slaying each and every one with just one swing of my sword. I twisted and turned as I usually did, ignoring the fact that I was with child. Being pregnant whilst being capable of this gained me more respect than ever before. My people were amazed at how well I could handle all of this. Every single opponent I faced had their heads falling from their body with just a swing of my sword. People knew the White Knight for her clean cuts and reputation for rolling heads. Wherever I went, heads rolled.
The fight raged on and on until all of us were nearly breathless. Finally, one person seemed like the leader of this game. He was a tall man with silver hair and a young beautiful face. It didn't take long for me to realize who he was—Prince Alfred Nevermore. He is the heir to their house and was once a great supporter of us Whites.
"Alfred," I greeted coldly, "I should've known it was you all along. No one would plan an attack this sloppy as you."
A smirk spread on his face as he found delight in my emotionless stare. "It's good to see you once again, Princess Angelique," he says, sheathing his sword. He's always been this arrogant and cocky. He brushed his fingers through his hair as he looked at me with devilish eyes. "You look absolutely exquisite with that pregnant belly of yours," he says, pointing at my baby bump. "Your journey to womanhood has been well, I assume? You did marry the lustiest man on earth, did you not? And I suppose he brought you to motherhood." The look in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. He disgusts me.
"Enough talk," I said, pointing my sword at him, "You've always been a blabbering piece of shit. Why don't I cut that tongue of yours and feed it to my dogs?"
His eyes grew even more wicked than they looked before as he licked his lips with his snake-like tongue. "I always fancied you, Angelique," he confessed, unsheathing his sword. "I always admired your beauty, victories, and intelligence. I'd hate to cut you down just because of a misunderstanding with my father, now. I'll give you a choice."
"A choice?" I mocked, "I have you surrounded. The last man you have just died a few seconds ago, you imbecile."
"Reinforcements are on their way to come and cut off your head," he said, "Which is why I'm offering you a deal. Come with me and I will protect you. We'll get rid of that child inside your belly, of course, but I will marry you after. You are going to be my queen and together we'll build an empire."
This man must be delusional if he thinks that I'm going anywhere with him. "You are an idiot," I said, striking him with my sword. The first strike was behind his knee—one of his weak spots for there was no armor in there to protect it.
"Fuck!" he cussed, hissing in pain. He got back on his feet immediately, trying to strike me by my shoulder.
"Big mistake," I said, striking him by his armpit. I sliced it, thoroughly cutting his left arm off of his body. I watched as he fell down on a thud. "Any last words, Alfred?" I asked, stepping on his right hand, disabling his grip on his sword.
Alfred screamed in pain as I continued to torture him. "Fuck you!" he screamed, "Fuck you, you bitch!"
"Yes, yes, I know," I said, mocking him. "I am the big bad bitch of the House of White; I heard these things before, old friend. You know, it's a shame that I have to kill you now. I always thought you were so beautiful."
He gave me a death stare as he tried his best to hold back his groans and screams. "What?" he asked through gritted teeth, "Are you flirting with me now? What's next? Are you going to seduce me like you did so I would take your side?"
I shut him up, piercing his throat with my sword. I didn't seduce him. He mistook my kindness for something else and he never let go of that thought. When he found out about my engagement to Damien, he completely lost it and decided to form a group against us. It truly is a shame that I had to kill him this way. But a message is a message.
"It is done, Your Majesty," said the chief of guards, "You have slain the ringleader."
I continued the deed, completely parting Alfred's head from his body. I picked up his beautiful face and tossed it to the camp they had set up. For certain, they will take this message and send it to Alfred's father.
"There are more of them, Your Majesty," said one of my guards, "We must go before they get the chance to come close to you."
I nodded, following them to the secret passage. I felt a pinch of pain in my stomach as I walked with them in the passageway. Once everyone was through, I locked it from our side, making sure no one is able to enter. Hopefully this is strong enough to keep the enemy from finding us.