Beatrice - Chapter 1 – Half Royalty

Chapter 1 – Half Royalty

“Are you the princess?”

“I… I… Ahhh!”

A heavy, thick knife struck the woman in question on the neck, ending her life instantly. As if it was still not enough, the knight of the Nosteros Empire buried his bloodied sword into the flesh of the now decapitated woman.

Not far away, a woman watched this scene silently…

Obscured by a pillar, Beatrice remained hidden from the knight’s sight. With such morbid sight, she felt her knees uncontrollably buckle beneath her. The hand which clutched her chest also shook in nothing, but absolute trepidation.

In her life, she had witnessed several people meet their ends, but this was the first time she’d seen a person slaughter another with the intent to kill.

Undoubtedly, the man looked for her—the black-haired royal princess who was deemed the least fit in the palace. Fear soared in her heart; the words of the knight ringing in her ears.

Is this the end?

Beatrice was living a second life.

Even so, she remembered her whole previous life, but, she had never confided a thing of this secret to anyone. No one would believe her, anyway.

Hence, she lived twenty-five years after her reincarnation with only her knowing her true origin—which was not this world.

Two years ago, she was pulled from slavery and lived in the castle as Princess Beatrice, the royal princess of El Pasa. A totally different status was handed to her on a silver plate.

From slavery to royalty. She surmised, the fatality of her situation dawning on her in waves of emotions.

My, how my life changed so drastically in such a short time. She felt intense longing at the next thought that came to her. And how quick would it end any time from now.

But in this life, I’ve been forcefully married and lived miserably… Even if I die now, it won’t matter anymore; my life ended the day I married Gilbert. She thought bitterly.

The 23 years I spent as a slave was better than two years I lived as a royal princess. There’s no doubt in this.

Having visited the palace for several days under the guise of her birthday, she woke up one unfortunate day bombarded with such chaos.

The forces of Nosteros Empire invaded El Pasa and killed her father, the king, along with the queen. They also didn’t spare the princesses—her half-sisters.

Except for one.

She heard that the First Princess Alicia had fled, but there was no hope. Whoever was killed first or last was not important. They would kill all the royal family, one way or another—her included.

But, she had nowhere to go… The pillar won’t be able to hide for long. Besides, the whole place was already swarmed with the knights.

Once and for all, I must end this. There’s no use prolonging this agony.

She took a deep breath and stepped out of her hiding spot.

They will not leave the kingdom until I am executed….I don’t want to hide cowardly and witness more innocent servants end up being killed in cold blood in their search of me.

“I’m Princess Beatrice.” Her voice came out calmer than she expected. Is this my voice?

Suddenly, standing on the crossroad of life and death, she felt strange even to her own voice. At the same time, the eyes of the knight fell on her. A satisfied smirk plastered on his lips.

He was the same knight, who had just brutally killed a servant named Blair. He slowly advanced to her, the sword resting arrogantly on his shoulders.

“Do you want to live or die? Since your husband has sold you and your kingdom, I wonder if you still have the will to live. Ooops.” The red-headed knight made a wry remark about Beatrice.

This was followed by snorts and laughter of other knights surrounding them, standing idly as spectators.

They must be taking this ridiculous treason of her husband, which caused the downfall of the country, as a mere comedy.

“I—I want to live. But if you’re going to kill me, please hang me at once, and spare the maids and slaves. They are innocent.”

Even if she dies of her husband’s terrible greed, the maids, who cared for her through her years as nobility, should not suffer the same fate as her.

In her past life, she was run over by truck, a drunk driver behind the wheels, and reincarnated in this world. She was given a second chance at life. But, if her servants would die in vain, just because of her, she would never desire to reincarnate again, carrying this guilt.

“Ha! This is surprising. The princess still wants to live even after the humiliation of being sold like a worthless property by her sweet husband!” He cackled with a boisterous laugh. Beatrice remained unfazed by the mockery and clenched her hands on her sides instead.

Just then, the knight looked at his back, his posture visibly tensing for a little.

“Your Excellency.”

At the center of the knight’s squad which marched in the castle’s wall, an intimidating man came forward. Donning a cape, beautifully decorated in black and gold, he had an air of aristocracy. He was also clad in a hard armor that would not be pierced by any sword or spear.

Yet, he was not as noble as he looked. Beatrice could see specks of blood splattered across his armor.

Another murderer.

“What shall we do with this princess who still wants to live?” The ginger-haired knight asked the man in authority.

With the knight’s display of respect, Beatrice realized who this man was.

Alexandro Graham, Nostero’s Empire Commander of the Knights. He stood like a wall—strong and overbearing. His sharp, dark eyes harbored an icy glare that sent shivers up her spine. Beneath the thick layer of armor, one could still tell that he was muscular and strongly-built despite his lean stature.

“Kill her,” said him, nonchalantly.

He ordered without a moment’s delay, as if he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

These turn of events, he found rather bothersome. Gilbert, Beatrice’s husband and the very traitor who abandoned his country also test his patience.

Judging by Gilbert’s wife’s stupefied face, she was ignorant of the negotiations that took place between him and the Nostero’s empire.

This crown princess of this crumbling kingdom is that rat’s young wife, yet he didn’t even tell her of the rebellion he orchestrated.

It was fit to call her as the crown princess, as she was the only one left of the king’s daughters.

“Then leave her head to hang on the castle gates.” Alexandro was not someone who empathizes with other’s feelings.

He just wanted to finish this work quickly and go back to his empire to immerse himself in a hot, nice bath. No matter how many times he smelled the pungent scent of blood all over his body, it still disgusts him terribly. He never got used to it.

“But sir, since she is Gilbert’s wife, won’t you rather keep her alive? We should hold her as captive and kill her later if she doesn’t serve a purpose.”

Alexandro’s trusted emissary, Evan, suggested boldly. A true weapon in wars, Evan was a cunning tactician. Moreover, this man was not a talker, but when does speak, everyone listens to him—even Alexandro himself.

Princess Beatrice. He cast a measuring gaze towards the figure of the petite woman before him. Black hair and black eyes…Her children would not inherit the platinum blonde hair of El Pasa royals. And even if she were to return to her kingdom to rule, she could never ascend the throne.

Not with that dark locks…

The kingdom of El Pasa was ruled by the royal family, who all had blonde hair, which symbolized their right to the throne, sustained by ancestry.

Still, she’s what left of her family—royal blood runs in her veins.

Alexandro looked at her intensely this time. The crown princess was shorter than the maids and, for some reason, looked young like a girl. But her expression was the most serene of them all.

A woman of momentous life experiences, for sure.

Then, he finally retracted his indifferent gaze from her and turned on his heels.

But, Alexandro didn’t miss her rattling fingertips. Despite her calm exterior, she was afraid of him.

Who wouldn’t? In all facts, she was nothing special from her half-sisters, whose blood were now staining their chamber floors with a deep red hue.

She was only the king’s bastard child, born to a foreign slave, and was the most unfit person in this palace. Even if Beatrice gave birth to a male, her child would not be recognized as El Pasa’s royal heir.

It’s just luck that she was found last.

He didn’t need to stay longer, so he departed the palace without further words. Besides, these matters would be handled well by the competent Evan.

As soon as Alexandro was gone, Evan ordered fervently, raising his right hand to convey a command.

“Seize the princess and take the servants as slaves!” His booming voice filled the hall, drowning the cries of help and panic that surged up in the air. “As for the rest, kill them!”