On the morning of the fifth day, the sky looked dark. Thunderclouds loomed ominously almost as if a disaster was approaching. 

It was so strange. 

Elise, Lucy and Mona who were stuck to my side these past few days were nowhere to be seen. I walked up to the door and peeked outside, there was no sign of life in the mansion. The guards were gone, the maids were nowhere to be seen. Even the gardeners that lived and slept in the gardens weren’t there. What is going on? Just then, the maid’s words from last night flashed into my head, 

“Tomorrow is Day 5, the day it all begins.” 

Is this what she meant? Has that which she referred to already begun? For the past few days, since I hadn’t met the Duke, my fear of death had dissipated but now the silence felt like it was strangling me. 

I got ready and walked out into the manor. I looked in every hallway on every floor, but there was absolutely no one around. This is getting weirder and weirder. I walked around the manor and found myself in front of the dining room. When I opened the doors, the table was set with a full three course meal but from the dinner menu. 

It’s still morning, so why is dinner already prepared? 

The table was set for two. The meals were still steaming meaning that it hasn’t been long since the table was set. There was nothing strange about the meals either. 

Where’s the catch? 

I walked around the table examining every item. The meat was fine, and so were the soups. My eyes stopped in front of the wine glasses. My wine glass had a rich and expensive wine poured in it, but the Duke’s glass was strange. The drink was oddly bright in colour. It looked less like wine and more like- 

Drip. 

My heart jumped out! 

What’s dripping? Water? 

The drip noise was coming from the kitchen. Sudden chills ran over my body. 

Why am I so scared? 

I walked up to the kitchen and -drip- it sounded like something was dripping into a bottle. I slowly opened the doors and my eyes wanted to get pulled out of their sockets. 

There’s so much! 

Why is there so much blood!? 

My heart was beating like crazy like it was going to explode out of my chest. 

Drip… 

Drip… 

Drip…

This can’t be. The mere image in front of me made me so nauseous I had to puke. 

On top of the countertop, lay Elise- 

Below there was a wine bottle- 

Drip. 

The drink in the Duke’s wine glass was… blood? 

Step. Step. Step. 

An instant fear ran over me and I dashed back to my room. Who did it? Was it the- 

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. 

Who’s coming? Is it a maid? No. All the maids in the manor walk without a single sound. No one would stomp around like that. Oh, is it a guard? But it doesn’t sound like they’re wearing their uniform boots. Maybe it’s Mervin! 

I already knew who it was, but I did all I could and wished it wasn’t that person. 

As the sounds of the footsteps got closer, all the articles on the previous seventeen ladies of the Vincent manor flooded into my head; 

“Suicide, poison, stabs, murder… DEATH!” 

My body started trembling from fear. Those steps sound exactly like my brother’s when he came to hit me. I couldn’t stop shaking! My heart was beating like crazy. Someone make it stop! MAKE IT STOP! 

Thump. Thump. THUMP. 

He’s here. 

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Every sound he made took a year off my life. 

“Your Highness, I apologise for the sudden appearance, but I felt that I was being rude not having introduced myself until now.” 

It’s alright. I didn’t find it rude. On the contrary, I was happy that I didn’t get to see you. So please leave. 

Knock. Knock. 

“Your Highness?” 

Can you not see that I don’t want to answer it! Leave. LEAVE! 

KNOCK! KNOCK! BANG! 

Is this what every one of those women had to go through? Is this what my father knew about but still sent me here anyways? 

“Hah… I’m coming in Princess.” 

-cReAk- 

I need to hide! Hide! Anywhere! I don’t want to be near this man! I glanced over to the closet room. That should work! In a single step, I ran into the room and hid myself in the numerous dresses. 

sCreEeeeeEEeeeech! 

What is that noise? A sword? Is he here to kill me? The screeching noise dragged around the entire room and stopped right at the door of the closet room. 

Creak… Screeeeeeeeeech! 

Step. Step. Step. 

“Your Highness likes to play!” 

No! NO! I don’t want to die! I DON’T WANT TO DIE! 

He swung his sword into the dresses and cut them all in two pieces. 

“Not here.” 

Slash. Slash. Slash. 

“Where are you princess?” 

If he continues doing this, my neck will be next. Okay! I strengthened myself. The window beside the bed was completely open. If I dash out of here and jump I can escape. It’s only one floor, I can make it! 

Step. One. 

Step. Two. 

Step. Three. 

And NOW! 

I dashed out of the closet room and ran towards the window!

PLEASE! PLEASE! GOD! ANYONE! PLEASE! I LIED! I DO FEAR DEATH! I DON’T WANT ANY LUXURY! I DON’T WANT ANYTHING! YOU CAN TAKE MY HAPPINESS! I’LL DO ANYTHING! PLEASE! 

I DON’T WANT TO DIE! 

I put my foot onto the windowsill and accidentally glanced down. The height made my heart drop. NO! NO! Andrea! You don’t have time! JUMP! With both feet ready, I took a deep breath and jumped- GRAB! 

“HAHA! Got you!” A sinister voice spoke from behind me.

I failed. 

A hand clenched my hair and pulled me back into the room. He slammed me against the wall and glared into my soul. 

Again! 

It’s those blue eyes again! 

“Did you think you could leave here? AHAHAHAHA!” 

He pulled my hair and pushed my face into his. 

“Keep dreaming Princess. You’re mine now!” 

It’s all over… nothing can save me now. 

Nothing.