**Map of Ardis Kingdom***

A glimpse into the future***

“No!”  

I yelled louder for the crowd to hear as I clutched my maid’s body from her casket, letting tears fall. 

I peeked to see everyone looking at me with a pity look on their faces, believing my acting wholeheartedly. Of course, I made sure that every nobles in the kingdom will see this. Will get to see the show that I am going to let them witness that’s ever happed in history. To them, they are looking at a lovely princess who lost her maid. But to me, I just had retribution. 

 I looked at my maid’s casket once more. To her dead body as she slept peacefully in the glass. Tsk. How dare she sleep that peacefully when it’s her fault for making me through hell? 

Well, I call her frog for daring to think that she’s capable enough to steal something from me. 

It’s not that I love my fiance. It’s just that out of anything, I hate being betrayed. 

I saw how he loved her.…so much that he forgot to take care of his own princess. What a useless prince. 

Well, I made him see how I killed his lover. Of course, I wouldn’t let them have a happy ending. One could play that game of chess nicely. 

My eyes wandered to a certain man who was standing so stoic but his eyes were longing to look at the casket. 

Ah. The man in question. My fiance. The Prince.

I slowly made my way toward him. I could see that each step I took made him quiver in fear. He just dared to hide it as he masked a strong expression. 

I leaned in closer and whispered in his ear, maintaining my expression so people won’t notice, “Go on, make your cry realistic so they’ll know who really loved my dear maid.” 

He gritted his teeth, opening his mouth to speak but decided to breath and calm himself,  “Watch what you're saying, Ria we’re in public.” He responded coolly despite the tone he gave me. 

“Why? I’m only speaking the truth.” I said. “And don’t you dare call me Ria.” 

The prince gritted his teeth, looking at me with such hatred. “What are you planning, now?”

I chuckled at him, lightly hitting his arms. He’s really on edge and now threatened to my capabilities, “Oh, this is just the beginning of everything. This is nothing compared to all that you’ve done to me.”

The large wooden doors instantly opened up, making the orchestra from the background stop playing suddenly. The whole room tensed up and the lights dimmed with all the candles put off.  Judging by the harsh breeze fanning their face, a newcomer has arrived. 

He’s finally here…

“What is happening, Princess Asteria?” Asked the nobles, now panicking. The royal knights appeared, surrounding the crowd to offer protection against the newcomer. They tried to escape to the doors but in an instant, Lord Eros snapped his fingers and the doors closed, trapping all of us inside. Fire appeared from the corners, huddling us closer. 

Lord Eros then pointed at the candles and lit it all up across the whole room as his emerald eyes bored into my soul along with his long red hair that seemed to shine in the light. 

I flashed him a smirk, “You’re just in time.” 

He smirked back, “Have I missed something?”

I shook my head, “I believe not, the show is just about to start.”

My villain...Lord Eros the dark mage.  My partner in crime. 

As Lord Eros walked calmly towards me from the other end of the hall, it seems that Prince Galician was not in favor of this as he quickly grabbed my arm, “Asteria, don’t tell me you’re really going with that beast?”  He asked. 

 I raised my eyebrows at the word beast, “You mean a strong man and not like a weakling like you? Absolutely yes.” I nodded and watched as horror came from his dark eyes.

 “And I’ll be coming next not just to you, you’re friends and family, but to your whole kingdom as well.” I threatened, making sure he understood every word I uttered. 

He instantly kneeled on his knees, begging  me, “Please. Stop this.”  

“You should have thought about that before even making my life through hell. It’s all your fault.” 

Prince Galician grabbed my hand, “I’ll do anything you want!” 

“Anything I want? I already lost them. I’m just returning the favour.” Grabbing the ring from my hand, I threw it at him, “Oh, and I’ll inform you again. There is no wedding that will happen. Ever.”  

Lord Eros finally reached me so he threw his arms around me and glared at Prince Galician, “You lost your chance. it’s time for payback.” 

Lord Eros then grabbed my shoulder and I gave a teasing smile to the useless prince as we walk away from the room and into the center where the nobles was all huddled up, confused with the situation. 

 “Listen here, nobles. All of you corrupt people here, from now on, you’re lives are numbered. I’ll make sure you will all pay for everything!” 

“You can’t do this to us!” They all complained, “You don’t have the right to accuse us!”

I scoffed, shaking my head at how unbelievable they are. Their audacity to act innocent even in crisis, really irks me. I can’t wait to punish the for doing their bad. 

“I can take them apart in one blow. Just say the word, Ria.” Offered Lord Eros, stretching his hands but I stopped him. 

“You don’t have to. I want to make sure they experience death slowly but surely. Knowing their death is knocking at their doors. I want to see it happen before my eyes.” 

Lord Eros nodded, agreeing to my idea. If get the best of them, then I will be worse than them. 

The best is yet to come.