World After Worlds: Crown of the King The Beginning

He came into my life with no notice, and I fell for him which was not the most surprising turn of events. He was patient, he was strong, he was smart, he was very doting on me, and he liked me the most.

Because of him, I revived a dream within me.

I decided that I wanted to thrive and become his queen. I was going to become the happiest person in the world with him. I will not lose anyone anymore…

"What's wrong, Prince Caius?" I asked.

His gentle eyes found mine.

I heard my heart pounding as my stomach felt the butterflies.

It was hard to breathe just by staring at him.

I want to look away, yet I want to keep on looking.

His dark gorgeous hair danced with the wind, the flowers, and the grass.

Even the dirt on the ground looked so perfect right now. Escaping from the castle was worth spending this day with him.

"Princess…" His voice was rasped and soothing.

I gulped.

"Yes, my Prince?"

"Can I hug you?" He did not avert his eyes.

He was making my heart race.

"Oh." I nodded because I could not say another word.

I felt my face burning, my body was jittery.

I was excited. I was happy. I was thrilled.

He leaned close to me which made me gasp.

His sturdy arms enveloped my frame.

The fragrance of the fresh woods coming from him invaded my nostrils.

It was warm, it was comforting.

I rested my cheek on his chest.

I could not help but smile.

There was a tingly feeling in each corner of my body…

I felt dizzy.

I closed my eyes and let the moment cherish my memory as I tried to dissipate the numbing sensation spreading in me.

"I love you, Princess," Prince Caius whispered.

My breathing began to feel heavy.

My head hurts.

I cannot feel my body.

What… was happening?

His body was shaking.

Something was wrong.

I looked up and saw his eyes…

Was he…?

I winced in pain.

My stomach hurts, it was hurled inside.

"Ugh."

I coughed and I coughed.

I wanted to cover my mouth, but my limbs were weak.

I could not move.

Inside me was revolting.

I coughed again, I almost cried.

It was devastatingly painful.

There was blood.

I coughed it on his clothes.

I was baffled.

I could not speak.

He hugged me closely, tighter.

"I'm sorry," he said.

'Oh,' I thought in the back of my mind. 'He is killing me… '

It was as if I was thrown into the abyss. I know what was happening, but I could not process a thing.

"Next life. N-Next… life."

Prince Caius was trembling.

I could hear him.

I could not see him… it was getting blurry, was I crying…? Or was I losing my eyesight?

"I'll love you endlessly, Princess. Next life… I'll never betray you."

He was chanting an oath.

He loosened his embrace and what was that I felt?

A knife piercing me? I could feel it in my body yet there was no pain.

"Princess, forgive me just this once," he uttered helplessly and stabbed me with his quavering hands.

Again, and again, and again.

I lost count.

He was killing me, and here I thought he was bringing me back to life.

It was humorous in a way; I could not laugh though.

How did it happen so fast?

Just this second, I was imagining that I would not lose anyone anymore. How did it come to this?

How come… I lose myself instead.

Next life, he said?

Next life… could I become a king, my Crown Prince?