Many thoughts go through my head as I'm back to this choice. Four handsome men are standing in front of me awaiting my choice. I am to choose my husband and the next king. However, each one has a dark secret and has already killed me at least once.

First, Prince Tristian of Grikar, a prince from a neighboring kingdom with red hair, dark green eyes, and a dark complexion in a green, black, and white princely outfit. He has a kind and gentleman-like appearance which would make any woman swoon over him, but I know the truth. When I chose him, he locked me away in a tower after our wedding night. There, he forced himself onto me day and night even though he was disgusted by my gender. He even had men visit me treating me like a freak show and a whore. The only way for me to escape was for me to jump out of a window a maid forgot to close.

Second, Silas Bane, a rich Duke with dark brown hair and blue eyes wearing a nice dark suit with a bow tie. He is very charming and swept me off my feet enough for me to choose him more than once. When I died it was a freak accident... or so I thought. After three times, I realized he was behind my murders all because he wanted to have a new queen a mistress he kept under my nose. He tortured me selling me like a cheap sex toy only to execute me starting my crimes as infidelity and carrying another man's child. 

Thirdly, Abel Sycamore, one of my councilman's sons with silvery white hair and dark red eyes wearing a long gray robe with gold trims. He acts polite and respectful, but he's planning on overthrowing me. I became a criminal where I was tortured and beaten all because of what the princess' parents did when they ruled. After two years, I bit my tongue when they forgot to gag me did I escape that hell.

Finally, Evan Moore, the commander of the royal guard with black hair, tanned skin, and steel gray eyes wearing a black uniform with silver armor. He was always my last choice, but after going through the hell of the others, I thought he would be better. However, the moment he found out my gender, he changed. He seemed to have a fetish for someone like me and was into bondage and inflicting pain. He became more and more crazed and I suffered because of it. When I managed to run away with some help, he came for us and killed the one who helped me. Once again the only way to escape was ending my own life.

None of these men are any good. I don't want to go through this hell again... over and over... there's no end. I feel like I'm going insane. 

"Well, Princess Anna. Who do you choose?" That same question comes up and I feel so much dread. What will it take to escape this fate? Why am I going through this?

As the system's screen comes up, I'm met with something that startles me. Instead of the four choices that usually pop up, I'm met without a notification. 

Congratulations! Because you have found so many bad ends, you have unlocked a new function: free will. Use it to find love and the true good end! 

I can't believe my eyes. I don't have to follow the prompts anymore? I can make my own choices? Why did it take so long to get to this point?

"Your Highness?" I hear the councilman prompt me again, but I do not listen to him. I just look out at the men in front of me. "... I can choose anyone in front of me, correct?" I ask feeling a thrill go through me. I can speak my mind! I don't have to choose what to say via the system anymore.

"W-well... yes your Highness." The man stammers out as if puzzled, but I'm already moving forward. At first, it looks like I'm approaching Prince Tristian and I can see the arrogance in his eyes. Why was he ever my favorite? I brush past him making everyone start to murmur in surprise. I'm sure I'm confusing everyone but I don't care.

There's only one correct choice. If there is a hidden true ending, then the original four men can't possibly be the right one. I refuse to believe it! Having free will again made me feel bold, powerful... and confident.

In all the endings, only one man was by my side. When Tristian first started to abuse me, this man was the only one to stand up for me and try to stop it. When I jumped out the window and was dying, he was the one who held me close and stayed his eyes filled with sorrow and pain in the uniform of a rebel now.

When Silas executed me, only he stayed by my side and offered to get me out. I didn't trust him then, but as I was taken to the guillotine, he was the only one who watched with sorrowful rage. He knew everything was unjust and I just wished I chose the other option to go with him... but if I did, he wouldn't have survived.

When Abel threw me away as a criminal, only he tried to make my life easier. When he was found out, he was thrown in the cell next to mine and tortured violently. Seeing all those scars that were there even before Abel started and the fact he never once cried out, I knew he went through his version of hell already. When I bit my tongue to die, he spoke to me softly making sure I wasn't alone.

Finally, when Evan continued to harm me for his sick pleasure, it was that man who helped me escape. It was the only time I took his hand and accepted his help. His sincerity in every route remained here too, but Evan killed him right in front of me, and all the while he protected me with his own body. 

It was during this time that I caught a glimpse of something hidden underneath his uniform. Something that the princess also had, that I still held onto because I have her memories too. 

As I stop in front of this man named Phoenix, I observe him my head tilting up so I can meet his eyes. He's a whole foot taller than me and wearing a red and black guard uniform. He had a long scar across his face just below his eyes and over his nose. His hair is messy and light blonde and his eyes are emotionless, but a beautiful teal color. He shows no emotions at all, but I know the truth about him now. 

I know why he protected me with all his might and to the best of his abilities. I know why he took up this guard job in the first place even as he was discriminated for being a commoner. He cherishes the princess with all his heart, but why you may ask? Because he is her childhood best friend who she thought died long ago.

"You," I say. He only watches me not showing a thing. "I choose you. You will be my king." I hear the councilmen protest but I keep my eyes on him. I offer him my hand. "Won't you be my husband and protect me as you vowed to do? ... you promised me long ago. Right... silly boy?"

Finally, his expressionless eyes widen as he hears me call him by his nickname. "... Yes." He says his voice deep and thick with what would have been a British accent back in my previous life. "I did promise you..." he takes my hand and plants a soft kiss on my knuckles making me shiver. "Yes... I will. If it means I can keep you safe forever... I will be your husband... kitty." 

My smile grows more and I stand by his side. "You said I could choose any man in front of me so I have." I hold Phoenix's hand tight. "This man will be my husband and your king." The room erupts in protest, but I ignore them all. This is my voice and no one can stop me now. 

The four original men are watching me with stunned expressions. "Kitty..." I hear Phoenix whisper to me and I feel a sudden pleasant feeling after he reaches out and scratches something on my head. I know what they are as the princess is a fairy, but not only that. She also has cat-like features including ears and a tail. 

Seeing the look on Evan's face makes me want to laugh. After all, it was all part of his fetish to be with not only someone who was both genders but was also a neko. I start to purr and lean into Phoenix's touch. When I look up at him, I know I've made the right choice. 

Even if he is a sexy devil of a man, he has a childlike innocence to him as well. From the princess' memories, he hasn't changed at all personality-wise. The reason she and I never recognized him was because he was nowhere near as handsome as he is now. He was always dirty too making his hair appear darker than it was. Both he and the princess bonded and found friendship and solace together because they were both abused as children. 

Now I know why he was covered in so many scars, why he was so focused on helping me, why he didn't care about his safety, and why he never backed down even at the cost of his own life. 

"Enough!" I yell out startling everyone in the room. I'm sick of hearing their complaints. "I followed the rules and now you must as well." I look up at Phoenix and wrap my fluffy tail around his waist. "Let's go talk somewhere quieter," I say before leading him away.

Fight it all you want, bastards... but I'm in control now. I won't die in vain ever again. I will find the true ending... and I know that will be with my loyal guard.