Earlier before the situation got worse. I could still vividly recall in my memories, the scene of elegancy and high-class people. Royal music was playing, making the night blissful. It was an aroma of a sophisticated event.

The ladies were giggling and laughing with the champagne they were holding in between of their fingers. The pearls around their necks were glamorous that kept their dignity to be intact. And if I will be able to grade their socializing skill, I will give them an outstanding mark.

Their posture was the symbol of their million times of firm training and I was embarrassed to stand by their side and blend with them. Meanwhile, the venue was filled with chattered business of the gentlemen. Their talk was all about potential investments and revenues.

I walk near the long table, where the banquet was neatly placed. For, I couldn't relate with the two parties. Though, various of food was presented that made me feel less uncomfortable. From the main dish until to the last end which is the desserts. However, with all of these, I chose a wine brought by the server as my appetizer.

Then, come along Sir. Knight Josh. Walking closer to my ground with his dashing style in his suit. He was supposed to lead the raid with the army in the Nababaliw Dukedom. Yet, he's here to escort his master's concubine. But that company of him, found herself dancing with my partner. Which making me grip the stem of the glass tightly.

"Madam, please don't stray farther from me," he stated as if he was begging.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I assured him but his eyes roam my face, seems like he was looking for a trace of jest. He must know that I'm not type of lady to fool around, he breathed out and messes his hair. It was unbelievable at first for he bothered to wore a tux that I never saw in him before. He always wears his armor, if he didn't change. I will assume that he never took a bath. Then, he abruptly grabbed my beverage and drank it with all of his might.

"That was mine."

"No alcohol for you Madam. Strictly prohibited by your husband."

"It's just a wine."

"Still a no."

"But it's a ball. What am I suppose to do?" I asked with irritation.

"Perhaps, is there anything that displease you?"

"Not at all Sir. Josh," I shook my head and simply took another shot of glass secretly when a servant pass by. The warm drink sweep in my throat that seems like a fire burning with passion. The truth is, the sight of His Excellency holding the Princess between in his arm was a sore to my gaze but i could never admit that to Sir. Josh.

They dance really well as if they own the world and the spotlight follow their shoes where they touch the shining floor. I sipped my drink when the Knight was busy roaming his eyes to our surroundings. I could escape from him and go to the garden of the Imperial Palace where a peaceful scenery awaits me. If only my gown was not as heavy as his sword.

Thus, this is where the Crown Prince will interfere. Strolling in our direction and asking for my hand to dance and the Grand Duke with his furious dark eyes will suddenly appear and snarl at him.

"Is that a declaration?" they stared at each other's eyes for a couple of seconds then, the Crown Prince suddenly burst a laugh.

"My friend, why are you too serious? It's just one dance with your wife."

"Oh please, why don't you let His Highness? After all, it will be embarrassing to your name if you're strongly against it," Crystal butt in and interlink her arm with the Grand Duke. Her chest was pressing on his clothes that made me raised a brow and gulp down my wine.

Before His Excellency could even speak, it was the exact timing for the intruders to attack the castle.

When the hundreds of fires from the candles went off, the scream of people startled me which cause me to let the glass to be slip from my clasp. The sound of the shattered pieces of the broken glass was the start for the people to panic.

"We are under attack by the assassins!"

"Protect the Emperor and the Crown Prince!"

I can hear deafening screams along the midst of the darkness in the venue. Knights that seems to rush over to His Majesty and carry out their duty. Frightened noble voices and quivering sound of the running footsteps to reach the closed enormous doors which was the exit was all I can sense.

Everyone is in dire of terror, the unexpected state of chaos was brought by a mysterious and bold invader that dares to attack the Imperial Palace that was known for the heavy security of guards. And because the aristocrats were in chaos, I was drifted away and flow in the river of people away from the grasp of the Grand Duke.

I did pay no mind to the sound of my gown tearing apart nor the cracking expensive jewelries that was falling from my body and have someone stepped on it. My mind was completely blank for I desire to get back the warm of the hand against my wrist.

Through the swarm of the crowd, I snug in and tried to search for him in the slightest chance that I will be able to find him.

"A-alcide?" I unconsciously uttered his name for the first time under my breath with desperation.

And a few minutes have passed by with just looking for him, still no traces of his presence or his body built to be sighted in this pitch-black castle. I stopped wandering around carelessly and thought a way while I'm still panting.

It was impossible after all and the fact that I'm losing hope makes me want to shout all of my frustration and aching heart. Why does the venue have to be this huge?

"Alcide!" I cried.

I look around my surrounding with all of these commotions. There was a wall behind my back, I'm guessing I was standing in a corner. With my slender hands, I touched something that felt like a cloth in front of me.

"Alcide? Is that you?"

From the way my fingers run through the rough fabric and to his sturdy chest, it was a man. He caught my hand swiftly and warm embraces my soul. For I'm happy that we found each other.

That was what I thought not until he opened his mouth and spoke to me. His unknown baritone voice made me froze as my heartbeat went crazy to the strange man that keeping me at the edge.

"Grand Duchess Madelaine," he whispered softly in my ears. He tightens the grip while he's holding me and the warmness was long gone but turn into numbness. I can feel that my eyes went big and my lips quiver in my terrifying situation.

"How d-did you know?"

A small fire was lit from his two fingers, enough to only lighted between our faces. So, it was through magic that he was able to make the palace swallow with darkness. It was only a glimpse before he shut the fire however, in that heated moment was already enough.

I clearly saw him wearing a mask. I couldn't distinguish his features however; it was sufficient evidence for me to be aware that he was one of the intruders.

"Who are you? Let me go this instant," I retaliate with all the courage that I gathered. Yet, in the back of my mind, I was screaming in the top of my lungs. Afraid that any minute, I might die in the hands of this man.

"I am called Greed from The Seven Deadly Sins. I'm here to take away your soul."

When I heard his name, my bones weaken. Though, I did not lose any motivation from wanting to be free. My body struggle to get away from him despite his strong grasp. God, he was dangerous. He and their group were the famous wanted killers with a bounty of hundreds of golds that adventurers will be tempted to seek them.

"Don't touch-"

I cough and my eyes went wide and my face stiffened as he let me go. I touched my stomach where the pain that I was feeling came from. With my trembling hand, I felt a liquid on my palm that I guessed it was my own blood. The knife he used to quickly stabbed me were cold against my flesh. It was dark however I was aware what he intends to do.

"I'm sorry, I was ordered."

As he left the crime scene, my knees fell on the floor followed by my body. The candles from the chandelier were lighted back again and I could hardly see the people's reaction with what they have witness. Gasping for air that their minds couldn't process when they saw a dying body in front of them with blood spreading on the white tiles like a red wine.

But one thing was clear in my thoughts. That the Grand Duke was hugging Crystal before me as if he was protecting her from the danger pang my chest more than my stomach.

When he saw myself, he stood there with a blank face and a mouth parting. Perhaps, he couldn't believe with his own eyes that I was on the verge of dying if he will continue to stood there and stare at me.

His face was hastily filled with rage and run into my side. I could blurrily read his lips cursing. He didn't care to the people blocking his path and insolently shove them away to get near to me.

"My wife..." he uttered with a broken tone. "Please, hold on for a bit. Don't you dare to close your eyes."

But it was too late. I tried to reach for his cheek with my palm soaked with blood to feel his warmth before my consciousness will consume me, before my life will be taken away.

I never thought that I might die in this kind of current situation nor I expected to end up being like this. I was dreaming to have my own family, my son will be the future Grand Duke as he will climb to become the successor and then, his looks will take after his father. I will raise him with care and love, I was ready to give him everything he wants and to spoil him with anything.

Because I couldn't have the life that I desire so, I wanted to raise my child with a healthy body and to become a fine young man. Even though, I might never know what might happen in the next few years. If His Excellency will continue to accept me or he will stay with his concubine. I was slowly accepting the fact that I will not be the only one in His Excellency's heart.

Therefore, I want to give my all for our future child, if there will be one. I will love that kid despite the absence of his father. So that, his fate will not end like mine.

If this is really my end, perhaps, it is alright for me to say what I truly feel about him. I don't want to leave this world with regret. In my last breath, I tried to smiled.

"Y-your Excellen-cy," I mouthed the words that I wanted him to know. However, there was nothing coming out. My hand finally loses its strength to touch his cheek but he caught my fingers and kissed it with lovingly as he closes his eyes.

And there I knew that it was already the time to let the slumber devour me when there was no energy for me to keep awake. Just like that, my vision turned dark and only his voice was I could hear.

"What are you all staring at! Call the best healers now!"

"Your Excellency, please calm down!"

"Bastard! I will kill him!"