Chapter 1: Beheaded duchess

Today was the day of execution of the dethroned Duchess Marianne.

In the Forchesteire empire capital, a large number of people flocked from the morning. There were whispers and buzzing in the air.

This is the first time any duchess was going to be executed at the old guillotine. Near the palace of the duke, there was a plaza where the execution was going to take place. People crowded around the execution ground since morning.

Duchess Marianne who was always praised for her beauty and demure behaviour was criticized in public. All her deeds were in public now.

At that point, I was tied up and kneeling. I was kept there, waiting for my expected punishment.

My mouth was firmly shut. I stared down at the floor. Like a movie reel, I could see my whole life

flashback before my eyes, from getting married to Duke Cassius to making schemes for his son the only heir of the dukedom of the empire, Killian.

All the memories were enough to make my tears flow. I knew better than anyone that everything was pointless.

It was all due to my mistakes. Only if I hadn't been that greedy, if I had enjoyed my marriage, if I had shown a bit of love and concern towards the small child.

Then the result would have been different. I wanted to see him, but the binding was making my movements uncomfortable.

I was still thinking about my comfort, I wanted to laugh at this absurd thought. However, it was still impossible to prevent myself from biting my lips due to sorrow and regret.

I just wanted to say sorry, wanted to apologize for the mistakes I had done in my life.

How I had become a villain in my own story. My greed has made me blind that I tortured a twelve-year-old child.

I even degraded myself by hiring goons to kill him in an annual hunting competition.

I just wanted to give birth to a child. A baby of mine and Cassius. But he denied it, telling me that he already has an heir and he didn't want another one. It broke my heart.

And the pain soon turned into hatred towards an innocent child. I became hellbent to get rid of him. I even forgot about Cassius in the whole process.

If only I could get a second chance if everything goes back to that day when my hatred had started. I would turn into a new leaf. And then there would be no tragedy like this.

I finally released the tears that I had gathered since morning. My reverie was finally broken when I heard the murmurs and whispering getting louder around louder.

The number of people must have increased. It only means one thing, he had finally arrived. And my hunch was proved with the next announcement

"His highness is arriving" announced the guard, and just then I saw his footsteps arrived, followed by servants. He was alone, I had already expected it. But it still broke my heart seeing that Cassius didn't come to see me for the last time.

Killian, now Duke Killian was seated there. I tried my best to move a little so I could see him for the last time. My movements jerked the blade, and my ear was cut by the sharp blade. The blood started flowing on my body. I could feel the wetness and metallic smell wafted in the air.

But I didn't care a bit. After all, I was going to die at any moment. Then how does it affect how many cuts are there on my skin?

I was happy that I could finally see him now. He was sitting with an indifferent expression. As if what was going on before him, meant nothing, like there was no need to put any attention to it. Or maybe I didn't deserve any of his attention.

Due to that attitude, I felt more remorseful. If only he had shown me hatred the way I did. Then I could have accepted it much better. But unfortunately, there was nothing I could do now.

"Bring over the Duchess" announced the main guard.

Right after that, other guards came and cut my ropes from the attached blades. Then I was dragged with the support of two soldiers.

My hair was scattered all over my face, my face was unkempt, totally different from my usual look. I was in a black tattered dress. I was a mess at that moment.

"Marry" I heard the voice I had always taken for granted. It was my friend and my knight Rosella. She was standing there. But I didn't look at her. I was ashamed to do so. Roselia always advised me, warned me to mend my ways.

But I was so immersed in my greed and hatred. I was beyond redemption. And now, because of me, she was also stripped of her knighthood. Still, I was happy that she was not punished further. As a marchioness, she could still start a new life.

I concentrated more, to know what my friend was saying. However, as the moment came, the noise in the execution ground increased.

The noisy disturbance didn't let me hear anymore. And the continuous dragging by the soldier made it further difficult.

I cried again, heartbroken at the thought of involving so many for my mistakes. Still, my eyes searched the man I loved, Cassius.

"The Duchess of Forchestiere empire, Marianne de Luca forgot her position, committed numerous immoral acts, tried to harm the future Archduke of the empire. So I, Killian De Luca, with the permission of the emperor, punish her to be beheaded." The calm eerie voice announced my fate.

I closed my eyes with a face of regret. Accepting my retribution. "everything is over for me now."

I was dragged to the slaughterhouse. There was pain, regret and love.

The entrapment was fixed around my neck as I was made to kneel after the wooden boards, the wooden boards were placed around my neck slicing it away and my head separated from my body and fell on the wooden board with a "thud".

My story ended right there with my death.