Her grip on the sword tightened as she stared down at the trembling figure before her. The choice hung in the air like a blade, sharp and perilous. "What is your name?" Ashley demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her.
"Miranda," the woman replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Miranda was the princess of the kingdom Ashley had just defeated—one whose king she had slain without remorse. The realization struck her like a thunderclap: this was not just any woman; this was the heroine of the very novel she had once read, forced into it by her brother during her first life.
As the weight of the situation settled over her, Miranda fell to her knees, her eyes wide with desperation. "Please, spare my life," she begged, her voice quivering.
Ashley stared at her, grappling with the memories that flooded back. She had read the novel to understand the characters, to anticipate their fates, but she had never imagined finding herself at such a pivotal moment. The villainess, whose name she shared, had been a foolish and naïve woman who sacrificed everything—her family, her wealth, her title—only to end up with nothing. Ultimately, she had met her demise at the hands of her beloved crown prince, the very man she had trusted.
The irony struck Ashley like a bitter pill. Both she and Miranda had met tragic ends due to their entanglements with those they loved. But now, standing in this moment, Ashley had a chance to rewrite that narrative.
Realization dawned upon her. Miranda, the heroine, would eventually capture the heart of the crown prince, leading to the annulment of the engagement between them. For Ashley, this presented a unique opportunity. If she could use Miranda to her advantage, she could rid herself of the crown prince's hold over her and perhaps even carve out a different fate for herself.
She took a deep breath, wrestling with the conflicting emotions swirling within her. Could she really turn a woman's life into a pawn for her own freedom? The answer was obscured in shadows of morality, but Ashley was determined. "I will spare you, Miranda," she declared, her voice firm, yet her heart pounded with uncertainty. "But you must come with me."
Miranda looked up, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. "Really?" she asked, astonished. For so long, she had lived in the shadows of her father's cruelty. The king had abused her from a young age, using her as a pawn in his ruthless political games. She had watched helplessly as her dreams crumbled under the weight of his tyranny. But now, the woman standing before her—a fierce warrior who had defeated her father—was offering her a chance for freedom.
With each passing second, Miranda's heart swelled with a mix of relief and admiration. Ashley had become her knight in shining armor, the one who had freed her from a lifetime of torment.