Warnings: Mention of child abuse, child neglect, murder, violence, child death, Toxic environment

Chapter Two: I'm the princess doomed to die

"The Crown Of Blood"

It was an extremely famous web novel that I had read in my past life. I accidentally stumbled upon it when I was looking for a novel with a similar name. The cover art was gorgeous. A golden crown with a sword through it, with blood and jewels. Although a graphic cover. It was gorgeous so I decided to read it. I was always a sucker for good-looking things.

I didn't realize how graphic the novel itself was.

It was a novel full of obsession, violence, and tragedy. With over a thousand chapters of gore and action, it told the story where over fifty children of the Emperor fought to the death to claim the throne for themselves.

Only one child may take the title of emperor.

Even with its gory details, and horrid acts, the web novel became extremely popular in a matter of months. Millions of people gushed about how detailed the story was, and how the author did an amazing job of describing the tragedy the children have to go through.

Like other stories, there were people against it and rallied to have the story discontinued. But many stood strong to protect the author of their new favourite novel. And so the novel continued. It was told in the third person point of view, about how a sickly prince became the Emperor by surviving inside the palace and eventually overthrowing his half-siblings.

Out of fifty siblings he had, there was only one set of twins. Prince Rohan Grey Easlathia, and Princess Rubia Jane Easlathia. The Twins blessed by the moon. The Twins cursed by the silver dragon.

In the novel's world-building, twins were rarely born. Later on, it is mentioned how twins being born could either be a blessing or a curse. While some people within the Easlathia Empire viewed them as the blessing of the moon,  the twins themselves viewed their lives as a curse.

They had no one on their side. Except for one person, his name is Archer. A young man who took the job of being their birth mother's one and only servant. After their mother's death, Archer stood behind the twins and kept the imperial family's vicious grasp at a sword distance.

He became their sole protector. Their only Allie.

As time went on, Rohan began to accept his role as a prince and an heir candidate. But Princess Rubia, the only daughter born inside the palace, was kept hidden. She grew up inside a small hut in the dark forest. Hidden from all eyes. No one knew her name. Or even knew of her existence. 

But she didn't care, because her brother and Archer would always keep her company. Until the day the twins were eleven. Rubia and Rohan had gone against Archer's orders and left the hut. Rohan wanted to show Rubia the rose garden for the first time. 

And they had run into three of their older half-brothers.

Rohan was killed, and Rubia severely injured. 

I remember the night I read that chapter. "How could you do that?!" I sob staring at my phone. "How could you kill Rohan in front of Rubia like that?!" I cry out. My eyes were blurry with tears. "Why did you bother writing about twins if you were just gonna kill one!" I sob. I stayed up all night crying because I sympathized with her. Just like Rubia I watched my twin get killed and I couldn't do a damn thing about it. 

On the night Rubia turned sixteen she was suppose to make her debut into society as the Princess of the empire. But she never had the chance because the Emperor had murdered both her and Archer. Archer had tried his best to protect the princess but he was beheaded and Rubia had a sword pierce through her heart.

Just like that, both Rohan and Rubia died. 

Although the twins survived a long time in the novel, they were destined to die, like others in the story. Because this story was never about them, they were simple side characters to the real main lead.

I remember falling into a state of depression upon reading her death chapter because I had lost my twin brother months before I stumbled upon the web novel. I clung to the twin's story and sympathized with Rubia.

I felt like Rubia and I were connected, with a long string of red thread. Her story and mine were similar. We both loved our twin. We both relied on our twin. We both watched as our twin took their final breath. We both had to continue to live, while our twin remained young. 

I would never have thought that I could be reborn as that very character.

I don't know how long Archer and I have been walking, we managed to escape into the forest without anyone seeing. The forest is extremely dark and silent, and I couldn't help but shiver, feeling uncomfortable. But I was more uncomfortable being held tightly by a young man. Is it because I have the mindset of a nineteen-year-old?

Archer holds me close to him with one hand, as he grabs a torch he had picked up before leaving the palace with his other. I'm still wrapped in some bed sheets but my head is sticking out now. "We're almost out," he whispers, almost sensing my discomfort.

Stay calm, Hyewol. You are an infant. Not a nineteen-year-old.

With my tiny hands, I clasp my hand tightly around Archer's finger to stay calm. I guess some things still stick to you even in your next life. I think, somehow finding the humour here.

I can feel Archer flinch before turning stiff. I let out a small cry as I suddenly became uncomfortable when his arm bone started digging into my back. My crying alarms Archer and he looks down at me.

His Honey-toned eyes shine with worry, and anxiety behind his glasses. This boy looks so young. The novel slightly explains how Ophelia found him when he was a child on the street and took him in. He grew up and devoted his entire life to her.

I believe he was sixteen years older than the twins, making him around sixteen years now. So young, and you're in charge of a fragile infant like me. I couldn't help but sigh, my worry must be showing on my face as Archer holds me closer to him.

"It's okay Princess, we're almost out of here. Hang in there," he hesitantly speaks. I couldn't help but internally scoff at his words. This poor boy doesn't know how to handle a baby.

And in three years from now, Ophelia will die at the hands of one of my older half-brothers and he'll have no choice but to care for two barely three-year-olds on his own.

I frown at the thought. In three years Ophelia will die a brutal death. Eight years afterwards Rohan and I will be ambushed in the gardens where he'll die, and only five years after both Archer and I will die at the hands of the Emperor.

In the web novel, almost everyone in the Easlathia palace dies. From the Emperor himself to the lowest of servants. Even if I choose a different path there is a possibility I'll die some other way. If not the Emperor then my half-brothers. Especially right now!

I'm an infant! What can I possibly do?

Is this some cruel joke by god? I lived in an abusive and neglectful environment in my past life, just when I thought I finally broke free from those chains I ended up dying and somehow transmigrated into a small princess who is doomed to die!

I suddenly feel like I'm choking, a tightness wraps around me like chains snaking it's way around my tiny body trapping me in place. I can't breath, a struggle cry left me as the sudden realization came crashing in.

I'm going to die again. Only this time my death will be far more painful. How long must I endure this survival? How long must I give up my childhood just to become an adult?

Suddenly I feel a warm sensation fill my body. "Hush Princess Rubia" Archer's voice was low and soothing as he held me against his chest, letting go of the torch he wrapped his arms around my tiny body and began patting my back softly.

The boy is so stiff and unsure of his movements, yet I feel calm in his arms. Is it because I'm in the body of an infant? After I calmed down he moved my body so he was cradling me in his arms and I was looking up at him. This boy, me, my new mother and my twin brother will die. No, I think to myself as Archer continues moving forward.

My eyes catch sight of a snow flake falling from the dark sky above. I was given another chance at life, although I'm not in the greatest position. And the life I've been reborn in is far worse than my past life. I reach out and grab ahold of Archer's finger once again as he continues to walk.

Unlike in my past life, this time I'm more mature. I know exactly how the novel plays out, and so I will protect those in this life who did not deserve to die. I may only be an infant right now, but I am armed with the mindset of my nineteen-year-old self. In time I will grow up and I'll be able to do a lot more.

I watch as a snowflake falls, then another, and another and soon the entire forest is coated in pure white snow. I looked around me as the forest appeared to have gotten brighter. I was surrounded by massive trees that glowed like silver. Snow scatter the forest creating a beautiful scenery. We're now standing in the middle of a beautiful silver forest. This was mentioned in the novel. Rubia grew up in a small shack hidden in the silver forest behind the palace.

I tighten my grip around Archer's finger as I set a new goal in this life. I will not allow my past mistakes to ruin this new life. This time I'll be in charge of my life.