Even After Death

Chapter 5

“I, King Alexander Amaris of Etherion, bestowed the title of Crown Princess to Lady Katarina Frances. From now on, the people of this great kingdom will address her as Her Royal Highness. She will be the rightful Queen when Crown Prince Henri Amaris takes the throne. Rejoice!”

The King declared ahead of the people as Katarina was kneeling before him as a gesture of respect when accepting a royal decree.

Katarina was then granted a royal document, the proof of her becoming the crown princess. And the moment that paper landed in her hands, the people cheered for her name.

Although she was still mourning her father’s death, her heart was full of hope. She had seen the light in her world by becoming a member of the royal family.

It was because of one person — Henri Amaris. Katarina adored him from the first time she laid her eyes on him, and now she was given a chance to spend the rest of her life with the man of her dreams.

But that chance was cut short when, right after the ceremony, Henri came to her and derided her appointment as crown princess.

“You can be the crown princess or even the Queen for all I care, but a woman with no ability like you will never be my wife,” Henri told her in a bitter voice while staring at her unsympathetically.

“I- I do not understand,” Katarina stammered in confusion.

“I will tell you this in words you can fully understand — I do not want you to be my Queen. Let’s not waste both of our time.”

And after Prince Henri delivered those heart-wrenching words, he walked away casually as if he did not say something hurtful to her.

He left Katarina there, astounded. The only thing she could do was watch every step he took away from her.

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“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.”

“Who are you to use my words against me?” Henri told her calmly, yet that calmness was like a facade for a looming danger.

Katarina breathed a heavy sigh as Henri’s palms still grasped her shoulders. She stared at his eyes and then muttered, “It is indeed your own words, Your Highness. Please let me go now. Let me run away so that I won’t ruin your reign.”

And at that time, Henri released her from his grasp and then laughed.

That laugh was entrenched in Katarina’s mind, as it was the same laugh he let out when he told her she was evil in her previous life.

Henri laughed as he answered, “It is too late for you to run away now. We will both burn in this hell.”

Katarina gazed at Henri, startled. It was not what she expected to be the outcome of their conversation. She anticipated the crown prince would eventually let her go because it would be favorable for him if she ran away from enthronement. But instead, Henri restrained her.

It could only mean one thing — Henri wanted her to suffer.

It would not have happened if she had run away from the start.

It was her fault.

It was her fault that she got drowned in feelings for him.

Henri then walked past her as he unkindly spoke, “Wait for Andres.”

Andres was his personal knight.

Then the Prince approached Sophia, who had been there all along. She watched the scene between Katarina and Henri.

“Are you all right, My Prince?” Sophia asked the prince in her sweet and soft voice.

“Yes. I am,” he answered in a completely different tone — his tone for her was gentle and soothing. “Sorry, you had to witness that happening.”

Katarina bitterly smiled. It was still the same as her previous life.

After a moment, Andres arrived. He was positively shocked to see Katarina there.

“Her Highness, The Princess!” the knight exclaimed, but upon seeing the sour countenance of Henri, he immediately closed his mouth.

“Bring back the Princess in her chamber quietly and discreetly, Andres,” Henri instructed him.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Andres responded, walking toward Katarina and Agnes, who were both still kneeling on the ground.

“If the Princess tried anything funny, like running away, kill her servant,” Henri added, then took Sophia’s hand and walked away.

Despite being astonished at hearing the Prince’s instruction, Andres still answered, “Yes, Your Highness.”

And after Prince Henri and his woman completely disappeared, Andres extended his arm and offered it to support Katarina. “Come, Your Highness. I will help you stand up.”

Katarina, on the other hand, just lowered her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks, which mixed with the blood from her laceration.

“Princess—” Agnes muttered while she caressed Katarina’s back.

“I- I am sorry. I am so sorry,” she cried out.

“Please, do not cry, Your Highness. I will never do what Prince Henri told me to do.” Andres, at that time, comforted her.

Katarina nodded, yet her heart was still feeling heavy. Just when she grasped a chance to save and change her life, Henri took it again.

From her previous life to her newfound existence, Henri kept crushing her.

Just how many times did he want to see her die?

Katarina then stood up and started walking back to the tunnel while clenching her fist, thinking she had no time to cry over spilt milk.

She still had so much time to escape her misfortune in her previous life and would not waste it crying.

Katarina died and existed again; she would not lose this chance given to her by the heavens.

That was just the start.