Even After Death

Chapter4

Henri Amaris was the second son of King Alexander of Etherion. He became the crown prince when his older brother died at a young age.

The crown prince was unfriendly and aloof, unlike his father, who was approachable and welcoming.

Prince Henri was exceptionally talented and brilliant. He was also one of the few people with magical energy in their system. It was why, despite his hostile nature, the public still admired him. Several rulers from affiliate kingdoms even sent their daughters as marriage candidates for him.

Everyone believed the sky was the limit for the promising crown prince and future king.

But unknown to everyone’s knowledge was Prince Henri’s resentful connection with his father. There was a considerable gap between them, and it seemed unbridgeable.

And that gap further widened when the King picked a crown princess for Prince Henri.

Four years after meeting Prince Henri for the first time, Katarina returned to the palace as the crown princess. She would live there as the prince’s mate until her enthronement as the Queen.

On the other hand, Prince Henri was displeased with the turn of events. He had never talked to Katarina since she stepped into the palace.

The disparity between them became definite when Prince Henri demanded to go away for an expedition with Etherion knights a month after Katarina was appointed crown princess.

The expedition was meant to subdue the rebels waging conflict on the kingdom’s borders, and Prince Henri was the perfect candidate to lead the bunch.

Prince Henri went away without saying anything or without meeting Katarina.

And she just got to see him again after a year, when King Alexander died.

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“Henri?” Katarina blurted out upon seeing that the man standing before them turned out to be Prince Henri.

Katarina thought she could not be wrong. She could clearly remember from her previous life that Henri returned to the kingdom in the morning. So, what was he doing in the woods this late evening?

Her question was quickly answered when a woman’s voice suddenly came out at that time.

“Where are you, My Prince?” the woman asked.

“Go back to the sleeping tent,” Henri told her.

Katarina let out a cynical smile. Even without seeing the woman’s face, she knew her so well. It was Sophia.

Aside from restraining the revolutionists on the borders, Henri and his accompanying knights invaded a small nation strategically located on one of the Etherion’s frontiers.

The King of that tiny nation gave his daughter, Sophia, to Henri as an offering. She was beautiful, elegant, and charming. She had light brown-colored hair that matched her green eyes.

In Katarina’s previous life, it was believed that Prince Henri was instantly obsessed with Sophia’s charm, which was the reason he brought her to the Kingdom.

And that rumor was further established when Prince Henri appointed Sophia as his royal concubine just days after becoming the King.

Katarina bitterly smiled, realizing that the prince camped out just outside the palace to spend time and make love to Sophia.

“What are you smiling about?” Henri’s displeased voice took Katarina back from thinking. “And more importantly, what are you doing here?”

Katarina, kneeling in front of the Prince, did not reply. Henri’s sword was still aimed at her.

Henri then scanned Katarina’s appearance. Seeing that she dressed as a commoner to conceal her identity, he asked, “Are you trying to run away?”

She did not answer again. She was just grasping Agnes’ hand to support her trembling heart.

Becoming more impatient, Henri placed the edge of his sword on Katarina’s face. “I am asking you, Katarina Frances. Are you trying to run away?”

Katarina sighed heavily as she answered, “Yes, Your Highness. I am running away.”

The crown prince, who appeared to be taken aback by Katarina’s uncomplicated answer, let out another question, “What is your reason?”

“I am running away from the enthronement,” Katarina responded as her chest painfully throbbed. “I do not want to be the Queen.”

Henri stared at her with a sharp gaze. “Why are you only running away now? Why didn’t you run from the very start?”

Katarina bit her bottom lip to resist her tears from gushing. “My apologies, Your Highness. It is a mistake I am trying to correct if only you will let me run away now.”

“You know very well that running away from a royal decree is considered treason, right?” the crown prince pressed his sword on Katarina’s cheeks.

That sword. Upon looking closely, Katarina recognized the sword Henri was holding.

It was the legendary moon blade. The sword was believed to be blessed by the Gods themselves, and everything it cut would never heal. People with mana could only use that sword; thus, Henri could use it.

She lifted her head and gazed back at Henri. The moonlight was glimmering through his grayish eyes. He was so beautiful, yet he was the death of her.

Katarina stared at him for a while before answering, “Yes. I know it is indeed considered treason, so I humbly ask you to let me go this time. I promise to never appear again in front of you and this kingdom.”

After she said those words, Katarina suddenly felt a stinging pain inside her. She knew for sure that it was her heart. It was breaking to see Henri again. Her memory of him watching her dying in her previous life was crashing through her mind.

The crown prince, stuck staring at her, responded, “No. I will never let you do that. It is your bad luck to encounter me while you are running away. You will be the Queen, whether you like it or not.”

Katarina’s eyes widened at hearing Henri’s response. In her previous life, Henri was adamant about not marrying her, but at that time, she could not read what was happening inside his head.

Without much choice and in desperation to run away from the kingdom, Katarina pushed the edge of Henri’s moon blade into her cheek, causing a minor laceration on her skin.

On the other hand, Henri pulled the sword just before the wound on Katarina’s face got deeper. “What are you doing? Are you going insane?” he angrily asked.

Having a scar anywhere on her body could make Katarina ineligible for the role of Queen. Moreover, the moon blade caused her that wound, so her action seriously astounded Henri.

“I just thought that a deep scar on my face inflicted by the moon blade would make me forbidden for the enthronement,” Katarina answered in a low voice, almost whispering.

And in that instant, Henri released his sword from his hand and forcefully dragged Katarina on her shoulders. “Why are you that desperate?” he asked in a resounding voice. The rage was apparent all over the Prince’s countenance.

Agnes, who was stunned ever since the start, finally came back to her senses and begged the Prince, “Your Highness, please do not do this to the Princess.”

Henri just glared at her with an angry look that made Agnes quiet again. Then he switched his attention back to Katarina, who had an indifferent expression at that time.

“Tell me! Why are you that desperate, Katarina Frances?”

“I know for a fact that you do not want me to be your Queen, and I know for a fact that you brought a woman from your expedition to make her your concubine and bear your child,” Katarina answered as she felt that Henri’s clutches on her shoulders were getting tighter. “She is a Princess, right? Make her your Queen, Henri, and let me go. Let’s not waste both of our time.”