LEMON

Months ago the earth shook, and crystal fell into the capital, it glimmered purple and made the skies match its color.

It couldn't be destroyed, nor mined, nor sold, yet that day, was the start of my hell, five days after that landing, I died to a man with lavender hair and eyes. 

Count Trixx, if I didn’t know any better I’d think that’s the name for a hooker, either way he was staying with my family, the Alindells for the summer. 

First I laid eyes on him, I was amazed, I'd never seen a human so beautiful.

 I had thought maybe I’d find love, maybe I’d be like a princess in a fairy tale, and instead, I found death. 

Sinking into the bathtub, the warm water wrapped around my shivering body, the water getting cold as my skin wrinkled in the bath. 

Today starts the timer, at this time, in five days he would take the lives of everyone in this mansion. 

At first, I tried to run, he chased me, I tried to hide, he hunted me, I tried to fight, he tortured me, and lastly, I gave up, and he made the death painless. 

Arching my neck so I could breathe from the water I sigh.

I wonder how I’ll die this time?

It’s not as if I enjoyed dying, but really what choice did I have? If I run now he would kill me on the road, it’s as if I was in a birdcage. 

Rising from the tub, my long blonde hair wrapped around my body, stepping from the tub, I felt the cold marble floor beneath me.

 Looking into the mirror, I was beautiful, I knew that, I was a diamond in the rough, yet it was nothing compared to him. 

Walking to my window, water dripped from my thin body, I watched as the gardens were pampered to mother's delight. 

Maybe today I’ll try something new….

Stepping onto my window, I pulled a thin white drape onto my skin and lept, jumping from the height of three stories made my cheeks flush. 

Just imagine how hot I’d look as a corpse in a garden! 

Sinister laughter filled the entire grounds and I closed my eyes, the enjoyment almost stopped my breathing when I felt strong, muscular, thick arms wrap around me, it felt like I was being hugged by a buff fairy, one that smelled of lavender. 

Looking up, he looks into my eyes, his falsely warm and mine fighting the urge to look at his chest and see how big his nipples are, for research of course. 

Laughing to myself in his arms and in a makeshift bathrobe I probably looked insane, but I didn’t care, because only one thought crossed my mind. Bright pink itty bitty man nipples.

Snapping my head back to him, I can’t stop the grin on my face. “Good day, sir! Lovely weather, is it not?”

Astonished, flabbergasted, or perhaps traumatized? Count Trixx was hardly able to erase the blank look on his face. “Greetings, Lady Alindell…yes it’s splendid weather.” 

It’s so hot when he calls me that, some may call this Stockholm syndrome, but I call it true love If I’ve ever seen it! Well, love is a strong word, more of a mild thirsty sexual attraction. 

Staring at his perfect face, his slicked-back lavender hair, his sparkling dead eyes, I can’t help but wonder, why did you kill us? I didn’t think I ever asked, out of the dozens of times I’ve died, I never once asked. 

I tried to figure it out, let’s just say he didn’t take kindly to me breaking into his room, and I lost all my appendages becoming a sack of potatoes, but all I learned was that it was partially out of hate.

Which is really nothing, except for the fact that he hates the crowns, which I suppose is big since he’s a mere count. 

How long have I been in this man’s arms now? Would he mind if I felt him up? Heh- maybe later. 

“You know, I have a question, dear count.” Placing my fingers under his chin, I looked him right in his gorgeous face, I felt his jaw tense under his chin. 

“And that might be…?” His voice was cold like a winter breeze, heartless, and rather….angry.

“In five days you will kill us, right? Why?” At that moment, you’d think I’d regret my choice as he dropped me to the ground and began choking me, but all I could do was laugh and fully enjoy the moment. 

“S-So sens-sitive…..” I say as lewd giggles escape me, then everything turns to black again, he choked me then and there. I had always known he was impatient but I’d never died so early.

Once again I lay in the tub, splashing around the water wasn’t the only thing flying about, so was my sanity, sure I was a little crazy by now, but the feel of his hands wrapped around my neck brought a warm tingle to my face, and perhaps a few other areas. 

Giggling, I sink into the water as my golden honey hair floats about, I could hardly contain my excitement. 

I have a good feeling about this life….

One step and everything will change, this will be the life I learn why he will kill me, in five days. 

I suppose I should first get dressed though, after calling in the maids who dress me in a glorious purple gown, I waltz down the hall, spinning about dancing with myself. 

“Goodness miss, you’ll trip and fall if you keep that up.” 

Spinning to my left I look to Sir Wilkins, he had worked for our family ever since father took him in a year or two ago. He’s killed me a few times as well, he’s one of Count Trixx’s many puppets. 

“Good day, Wilkins~ a merry morning to you as well.” I reply with a hint of song in my voice. 

Wilkins was a lean fellow with soft white hair, a properly groomed mustache, and a pair of monocles, I really couldn’t make up how butler-ish he looked even if I wanted to, he was the walking cliche in every young woman’s novel.

Anyway, here comes my favorite topic. 

“I worry about you milady, the crown Prince and Princess have had such a horrible influence on the nobility, I’m so glad you remain such a kind-hearted young lady.” He says as he looks at a newspaper on the platter he holds. 

The crown prince and princess, the Felderyn’s, they own that name in more ways than one, seeing as how they recently got engaged despite being siblings, spouting nonsense of true love and destiny. 

“Well, you know what they say about incest, it’s best kept in the family, thankfully I’m an only child!” Laughing my worries away I wave my hand towards him. 

“Mother and father have been deeply troubled over the whole ordeal, I can’t help but question our loyalties…” If glitter could be manifested, I’d need it now, promptly, I turn away, pain on my face, both from my awful acting and partially because I need him to believe I don’t like these crazy royals. 

Sighing, he can’t help but agree. “I worry as well for the Baron and Baroness.”

I’ve literally seen you kick Father’s head out a window, good sir. “Oh Wilkins, what would we do without your kindness.” 

Smiling I take his arm and we chatter all down the hallway, the one thing I know about this man is that he’s loyal, to no one but Count Trixx, once he poisoned our tea, another he slit out throats, a third he took everything from us, and a fourth, he apologized, he’s not heartless, he’s just doing what his master needs. 

Sitting down for breakfast was always a treat, I sat across from the count, mother sat to my right, and father sat at the edge of the table. 

“A pleasant morning to you, Count Trixx, I do hope scones and sugar are to your liking.” Mother said as she waved her hand and gestured to a maid who served everyone their plates. 

“Ah yes, I quite adore all the food in this mansion, you have an excellent chef baroness.” With a curt smile, he gave his thanks as the two chattered.

Well of course he’s good he’s your goon! The chef is just as bad as Wilkins, an assassin at that, well I don’t know that I simply think that because of all his scars and the fact he was wearing that black cloak armor that may I add looked rather funny on him last he killed us. 

Sipping my morning tea, I wait for the actual good part of this conversation to start, at first I was elated when Mother brought it up, yet now, it was the funniest part of my day. 

“Count Trixx, might I ask, are you seeing any young women as of late?” Mother asked with a little grin as she gestured to me. 

I know what she wants, she wants me to ask him for a stroll, or perhaps dinner, but no, there was one thing I loved saying more than anything else, as if I were rereading my favorite part in a book. 

Taking a breath, I bring my hand up to my mouth, and shyly look his way. “Mother…haven't you heard? He prefers men.” 

A smile slips from behind my hand as I look his way, seeing as his eyes turn into ones of pure shock always make my heart rejoice, a cackle fights its way up my throat but I shove it down as I take a bite of my food, and then stand. 

“Thank you for breakfast, toodaloo everyone, I’ll see you during supper.” With that, I curtsey and walk away, further and further until the cackles start pouring out and I fall to my knees. 

Hahahaha! He looked so dumbfounded and silly!

While on the floor I looked outside, and watched as the sun rose over the mountains, in five days I was to be killed, but I didn’t care, because, life was so fun this way, it was as if I was finally something important, in this meaningless world.