Prologue
Maeve Vaux woke up while the world was still dark, and the only source of light was through the bars of the prison window. A thin line of grey along the horizon indicated the coming of dawn. She was in a prison cell, her hands and feet shackled with chains. Her sea green eyes had lost all their sparkle, leaving behind nothing but dullness in them. She felt numb to the pain of bleeding from her ankles. Her silver hair was dyed with blood. There was no shine left in them.
Soon, she will be executed for her crimes, in front of the public and the royal family. She felt regretful about what she had done. She deserved this ending. After all she was a villainess.
Footsteps across the cell were heard. Ah, they are finally here to take me. She thought as she lifted her head to see the crown prince standing in front of her with a smirk. Her green eyes widened seeing him standing there. Once he was her fiancé, but now she means nothing to him. He is probably happy that she is about to die. If one thing she never regretted was that she loved him, with all her heart. Suddenly from behind her, a female figure reveals herself.
Amy, her younger step sister. The one she always hated, because she had everyone loved her including her father. Of course, she would be with him. They love each other. It was one of the reasons why she is here. She tried to kill Amy, when she was declared the crown princess.
“You won’t say anything. Even if you try you can’t.” Jinx said with a mocking tone. He was right, as she will soon be executed her tongue had been cut off. She tried to speak, but no words would come out. All of a sudden, the noise of laughter echoed in the prison. Maeve looked at Amy’s face. She was happy. Was she happy that I was going to die? She never behaved like that ever. She was always kind hearted, even if people hurt her, she would sympathise with them. Then why was she laughing?
Amy’s face was that of detest. She looked down on her, as if she was happy to see her below her. “What happened, Unnie? Are you crying because you are about to die? You deserve it, you bitch.” Amy’s eyes glinted with hatred.
Maeve froze hearing those words. She never expected Amy could say something like this. She always hated this virtuous attitude of Amy, that’s why she envied her. But now, it seemed like she was a different person. There was malice, and venom in those words she just spoke. She hung her head trying to hide the feeling of rage within herself. The crown prince stepped inside the cell standing beside Amy, showing his full support. She looked at their feets, trying to suppress her anger.
It was the crown prince who spoke this time with rudeness. “You stupid bitch, did you think I loved you? No, It was all a plan. A plan for us to get rid of you. You were just a pawn in our game, you, your sister and your father.”
Maeve felt the hot tears fall down on the ground. All this time everything she did was their planning. They played with her, made her the bad guy. Maeve tried to move, but the chained hands didn’t let her. She wanted to shout, scratch that smirk off their faces. If it weren’t for these shackles, she could have easily choked Amy with blood stained hands. She withered, but couldn’t do anything.
“There is no point in fighting anymore. There is nothing you can do. You are going to die like the villainess you are.” Amy snickered.
No, I don’t want to die like this. No, please, I want my sister back, my father. I want to go back to my family.
Some time later, prison guards entered her cell, dragging her along with them. She could see the stage ready for execution. The guillotine sharp edge ready for her neck. She looked around to find some familiar faces that had once been her friends, have now all taken side with her enemy. The front seats were occupied by Carol and Amy, they were the happiest seeing her die. These people didn’t even realise that the real culprit was sitting beside him. They framed her, accused her for the crimes she never wanted to do. Soon her head was kept directly under the guillotine. She could hear the cheer of the people around her. They seem to echo in her head. In front of her was the man behind this all. She glared at him. She promised herself, she would come back, for him she would definitely come back. Soon at the signal of the crown prince the knight holding the rope let go of it. With the fall of the guillotine, Maeve’s head fell into the ground, her eyes still red from anger and pain. The crowd cheered on as the villainess died.
*************
Maeve opened her eyes to the darkness around. She couldn’t see anything around her, but she felt warm.
“Do you know where you are, my dear?” A soft voice called out to her. She didn’t recognise the voice, but it was soothing. She felt comfortable after a long time. She wished to stay this way.
“No.” She innocently answered. She was scared, because she was supposed to be dead. Maybe this was the afterlife. If it was, was it possible to see her mother and sister again?
“Is this the afterlife? And who are you?” She asked the voice.
“I am the Goddess of Souls. I look over the souls of all my children. Whether good or bad, for me they are the same. I make sure that all the good ones find peace, while the corrupt ones are punished.” Hearing this, Maeve realised she is going to be punished for her crimes.
“Am I going to be punished too?” She was scared she didn’t want any more punishment. She already repents what she has done.
“No. You are a blessed soul. My precious child. I will fulfil your one wish.” The voice answered. Before Maeve could ask anything more the voice spoke again.
“Dear child, do you want a second chance?” The voice asked her.
“Yes.” She said without any hesitation. If she could get a second chance, she would surely not make the same mistakes again. She would live her life according to her own will. She would not become a pawn in their game anymore.
