“Right, all of you idiots out! Serving time is now over!”
“Boo!”
“Who was that!? You wanna be barred for life!?”
All of us within the drunken crowd sigh together. By law, all bars inside the capital must stop serving alcohol a couple of hours past midnight. To think we’ve been parting for that long!
We reluctantly leave, and as soon as I end up on the street, a whole new problem presents itself. I never planned this far ahead!
‘What a night! Erm… how do I get back?’
Most of the crowd heads in one direction, but I can’t remember which way I arrived. I know I should’ve paid that carriage driver to stick around!
The only thing I have to guide me is the red lighting of the street, but how is that supposed to help!? There are red lights everywhere!
‘I guess I could nap in the street like a common drunkard. This night has been wild!’
But before I have the chance to throw myself into such a miserable life, a drunk bumps into me, nearly throwing me to the ground.
“M-M-My… EH!?!"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!”
Heh. Maybe you’ll now understand why I like your appearance so much, Frost.
This is how we first met, or at least how I met the original you. It was surprising, coming across someone so effeminate, yet who spoke and had mannerisms just like a man would.
The reeking of alcohol, and the stench of sex that came off you… it wasn’t pleasant. You were even downing the bottle of whiskey as if it were water.
I also never asked why you were binding your chest. Maybe it had something to do with the brothel you just visited? Or you just simply didn’t like appearing feminine?
“Have we met before?”
Out of all people, a drunken man with white hair stands in my way. To randomly stumble across a man from the north should be scary, right? Barbarians from the north are supposed to treat their women like cattle!
“N-No, Your Highness. It’s just you s-shouldn’t be in a place li— hic!”
“This! It’s not s-safe here! P-People might think y-you’re working or something!”
Without any say, my hand is grabbed by this man, and I’m swiftly escorted away. I try to pull back, but I quickly stop fighting when I realise this looks similar to the way I came. He clearly must know his way around.
But wait! One of the buildings we pass, there are four women outside chatting while smoking.
All of them are barely dressed; they may as well be naked!
“Huh!? Are you implying I look like a s-sex worker!?”
My first impression of the merchant known as Frost Muntjac. So much abuse from Morri, I seriously thought the comments were beginning anew.
“O-Of course not! I could n-never say that about someone I l-love!”
“Y-YOU LOVE ME!?!”
They say those who are drunk reveal far too much. Heh, this night was so chaotic.
“I-I do! You i-inspire me, P-Princess A-A-Ashia! But how could a-anyone like you fall for someone l-like me? Your father— hic! The King would be disgusted k-knowing you’d be unable to birth a successor…”
‘Is he saying he’s infertile? Or a eunuch!? Does he know something he shouldn't? That’s too much information!’
“You’ve got the entire kingdom to— hic! Someday, you’ll f-fall in love with a real m-man, and that’s perfectly f-fine!”
This drunkard may still be escorting me home, but the more he talks, the more I’m confused! Just how drunk is he!?
…
Eventually, after more walking and mumbling by the drunkard, we make it somewhere I definitely know. Out in the distance, the entire palace complex sits, with mine the furthest in the east. With just how much light shines in this area, it’s hard to miss. It’s a bit of an eyesore considering just how close we are to the city centre.
But before I arrive, another person stands in my way. Tonight is chaotic!
“Is this drunken fiend giving you problems? It hasn’t tried to mount you yet, has it?”
“H-How dare you! I-I’m only into w-woman who wish for it!”
“…”
Just that gaze alone is enough to send shivers down the man’s spine. They may not have met each other, but when a hunter encounters another hunter, a certain connection can be felt.
“I’m l-leaving, I’m leaving! Just make sure she gets home safely, alright?”
“…”
“Oh right, my name! It’s F-Frost by the way… d-don’t forget me…”
And just like that, I’m left alone with the purple-haired warrior who still stands there as intimidating as ever. This is far too dangerous to make a habit out of!
“Erm… is he your friend?”
“Nope! That person would be the infamous Frost Muntjac. He’s got quite the reputation around the whorehouses. I’m surprised he didn’t try humping you!”
“He’s that much of a pest?”
Heh, you’d think learning this knowledge would make me afraid. But even after hearing it, I could never see the original Frost as a sexual predator. Someone who stutters and flusters that much can't be that bad, right?
“Nah, I’m just being a bitch. The Muntjac boy is somewhat of a VIP around here. The girls around the burrows can’t get enough of him.”
Sometimes, there is a situation where one investigates too much. Sorry Frost, I couldn’t help myself…
“O-Okay? May I ask who you are then?”
“Name’s Nova, Princess.”
“You know who I am?”
“Of course! You don’t get far in my field of work without knowing a target’s appearance.”
…
From this stranger’s words, fear courses through my entire body, and I really don’t know what direction to run in. I don’t want to die again, not like this!
“A-A… t-t-target?”
“Relax Princess, I’m fucking with ya! You’re not a target! At least, I don’t think you are! Besides, I refuse to kill those who are pretty. Where’s the fun in that?”
…
Heh, the night of utter chaos continues. To anyone with half a brain, this woman should’ve been a massive red flag. Nine times out of ten, my naivety is a weakness.
But this time, it worked out all right.
“You k-kill people? W-Why?”
“Money? Reputation? Cause I feel like it? I travel a lot, so there are always people to kill. There are just so many people to choose!”
“I try to be reasonable, but damn, there are some sick freaks out there! You know what I’m talking about, right Princess!?”
Gifted a thumbs up of all things, this woman scares the poop out of me! But there’s a voice deep inside me, as if it’s saying embrace the chaos.
I don’t get it, but it’s just like my first meeting with Lucy. In order to survive this life, I need all the help I can get!
“Talking about freaks, it appears that fiend wants me to escort you home. Will you allow me the honour, Your Highness?”
This entire situation is ridiculous, right? Coming across a stranger so carefree about a profession related to killing. What made it worse, she inspired me. Nove filled me with inspiration.
“W-Wait! Can you t-teach me?”
“Teach you what?”
“To kill! T-Teach me how to kill!”
…
Silence fills the golden street we stand on, then one of the loudest roars tears through the capital.
“PAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”
The stranger collapses to the ground laughing, waking up most of the capital with her outburst. Dogs howl out in response, and those nearby lose their minds. Only those who are deaf could sleep through such a racket.
“What the hell is that racket!? People are trying to sleep!”
“Are we being attacked by demons!?”
“Is a volcano going off!? Or is the rapture finally upon us!?”
After what feels like minutes, the stranger can calm herself and quieten down, but her reaction has caused me to sulk! There was no need for that!
“Phew… let me get this straight. You want me, a seasoned killer. To help you, a traditional princess, how to kill!?”
“Hmph! I’ve already killed before! My maid, Morri. She was an evil bitch!”
“And how did it feel? Killing someone evil?”
“Invigorating!”
For someone as deranged as this woman, my honesty didn’t resonate with her at all. If anything, her amusement completely vanished, and she seemed to show pity.
“You might have a screw loose, Princess. But I’ll train ya. As long as I’m getting paid a king’s ransom!”
“That c-can be arranged…”
And that was how I first encountered Nova, a freelance assassin who appeared out of nowhere. A master with the dagger and a sword, over several lifetimes, she taught me most of what I know about combat. At the time of our meeting, one wouldn’t believe it, but she was only sixteen.
Yes, sixteen.
Those who grow up as mercenaries learn to fight as soon as puberty beckons, so this free spirit living through such a life of hardship is incomparable to my own issues. It always puts things into perspective when you meet someone so strong, yet who would’ve grown up in a far harsher environment.
“Just so you know, Princess. This gig… the money is meaningless to me.”
“Then why help?”
“My gut. He’s always has a way of keeping me entertained, and something about you is making him sing.”
“Your gut… sings for me?”
“Of course! Scholars say your stomach is like a second brain. Who better to trust than yourself! Sure, he’s wrong sometimes, but that’s what makes life fun…”
Several weeks later…
“Ashia! What time do you call this? I’ve been waiting here for ages!”
Awaiting my return, a good but lazy friend lounges around inside the pillared area. To think we’ve even dragged several sofas out here, like some makeshift living room outside!
“I was training…”
Right now, I was akin to a child swinging a blade. But after many lifetimes of training and a bloodline that thrives off combat, my blade would discover the taste of blood over and over again.
“Hehe. Reading another romance novel, are we? Is this one about a duke? Or a prince from the north?”
“Don’t you know it! Someone should always make time for reading good literature.”
As well as discussing the events of the novel and the future, at times we’d just read together. You can’t spend every waking moment fixated on work; my first life was living proof of that.
“You know… when we survive this story together, I’m going to marry someone who owns a vineyard up there, right?”
Head in the clouds, Lucinda. When she wasn’t helping me, her time was spent getting accustomed to this world and dreaming of starry-eyed men. A dream I couldn’t relate to, but her company was always appreciated.
“Hehe, of course I already know that. Don’t all those stories have cold men with jet black hair, though? I don’t see the appeal.”
“I can’t help that my tastes are far more refined than yours. Not everyone is a fan of the supernatural stuff…”
Just two gals casually chatting away, a precious but important moment in this life. How I wish this could’ve lasted longer…
Both of us are brought tea, served by a regular maid inside the palace. However, when she places the pot on the coffee table, she nearly spills most of it!
‘Huh, maybe I’ll have to try my hand at disciplining someone someday. It seems harsh over a bit of split milk, right?’
Either way, the maid leaves us to continue chatting, only for another visitor to grace us with her presence.
“Yo Princess, your form needs some serious work! You’ll never cut through a neck if you don’t put some real force into—”
“Who dat?”
Immediately, Nova notices Lucy, and both women look at each other with their eyebrows raised.
“Lucy, meet Nova. She’s my instructor.”
“Aight? Hey, is your hair natural?”
“Erm… yes?”
“That’s weird as fuck, right? Mine is natural as well!”
Two women with naturally purple hair coming into contact like this, this was something that should’ve ended terribly. I wish I could say it was intentional, but it was not.
“We… aren’t related, are we?”
“I dunno! I was kicked out of my family years ago for being too emotional. I don’t even remember the family name anymore! We could be distant cousins or some shit like that…”
I’ve said it before; the original Lucinda belongs to a family of mercenary assassins.
Nova however, is a freelance assassin whom I picked up off the street. One might think there would be bad blood between the two, but in a large family similar in size to a guild, how would one even know every member, or ex-member?
This ridiculous situation should’ve erupted in fire, but both girls genuinely didn’t know the other. I got lucky with this coincidence.
However, said luck would run dry in a moment or two…
Before we know it, all three of us are lounging around on the sofas, drinking tea, and casually talking once more.
“So, Miss Lucy. How well trained are ya?”
“Pardon?”
“Those eyes, game recognises game. I can sense you’ve lived through and done some serious—”
“*Bleurgh*”
A mouthful of crimson blood erupts from Nova’s face, then a smile of all things lights up her face.
“Woah... I can't believe it! We've been poisoned!”
“W-W-What?”
All three of us grab our stomachs in sync, and the incoming pain is excruciating! It’s as if someone is lighting a fire inside me!
“*Bleurgh*”
Both Lucy and I collapse to the ground, tears streaming down our faces while blood splutters from our mouths. WHY!?!
‘No no no! Oh God, the pain! Who!? Who would do something like this!?’
My answer is immediately answered when I see pretty much every maid under my employ watching on, as if they’re here to enjoy a play or something! The fuck is wrong with them all!?
Some appear guilty, while others hide wicked smiles. But all seem to know what's going on, as if every single one is taking responsibility!
But none of their faces remain composed when someone still standing approaches them with a maddening smile...
[a/n]- Gore Warning
Spoiler
[collapse]
“PAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaHAHAHAHA!!! ETCH THIS SIGHT INTO YOUR MINDS, RETCHED HAGS!! THOSE WHO USE POISON SHOULD SAVOUR EVERY WAKING MOMENT!!”
‘Why couldn’t I be someone like Nova? This hurts too much!’
Blood continues to gush out of all three of us, our internal organs turn to mush, yet she finds the strength to approach our attackers with a grizzly smile of all things!?
All the maids in attendance can barely stomach the sight approaching them. Most look away, while those who don’t, they join us in bringing up their stomachs.
“LOOK AT ME!!! DON’T YOU DARE TRY TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY!! Can’t you see how much agony I’m in!? It hurts so much! Pahahahaha…”
‘I don’t get it! Are all the maids involved in this!? Even Anna as well!?’
No, Anna wasn’t. As I’d find out momentarily, Nova’s distraction allowed someone else to vent her frustration.
Blood continues to flow, but this time, not all of it comes from us who are poisoned. In the back, an intense anger and sadness grows. Said emotion flows into a knife, slicing and dicing its way through the crowd of betrayers.
Many try to grab hold of her, but all who get close end up being cut.
“HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ASHIA!!! Why? H-How cruel can y-you all be!?”
“Cruel? You stand there and defend her insanity!? She stabbed one of us for no reason whatsoever!”
“She just kept stabbing Morri over and over again! All we’re doing is giving the Princess a taste of her own medicine! The royals are strong; she'll survive this!”
‘I’ll survive this intense agony!? But what about my friends!?’
The Koenig family line has famously strong blood, but I don’t think that means we’re resistant to poison! Even if I was force-fed small amounts as a child, this hurts too much!
And if that isn’t bad enough, Nova’s laugh vanishes, and her body collapses to where Lucy and I struggle to find breath.
All I can do is gaze into my friend’s tearful eyes, only hoping she doesn’t have to experience this agony for much longer.
[a/n] - Gore Warning
Spoiler
[collapse]
‘Did we really deserve this? Just because I taught Morri a lesson? Those two were innocent.’
‘I hate life so much…’
…
…
…
Fuck poison. Sometimes lives must be taken, but there aren’t many that deserve their insides being melted away like this.
Then again… I technically never died in this life. In fact, it took two more lives to figure out that death between us is linked. The moment Lucy took her final breath, this world ended for both of us.
Unlike the Saintess and the Bastard, who are destined for love, those who enter this world share the same kind of misery I’ve been blessed with…
[Bedridden]
Spoiler
‘Urgh… I wanna go back to the desert!’
In my weakened state, hallucinating is a far better alternative than the other two existences. I get to experience the pain of poison as Frost, or the deathly pain as Ashia. My loyal subjects call out for me!
But even through all this forced pain and suffering, I can still choose to focus on something less traumatising…
Heh, there is a certain attraction in “insanity”. You ever need to win me over, take note, Frost.
Heh. Maybe you’ll now understand why I like your appearance so much, Frost.
‘Even in her subconscious state, she still teases! I can’t even defend myself against her attacks…’
[collapse]