The cries of a baby filled the small cabin and gentle cooing of a Mother as she held a new part of herself with tender tears streaming down her face.

This was the start of (Y/n) Scarlett. Your life had began within the gentle arms of Nora.

As you grew up within your tender mother's love, you as a little girl were isolated and shunned by people around her. The only warmth in your life was your protective, loving mother Nora whose tender smiles filled you with happiness.

Time passed. You remained sheltered within the gentle arms of your mother, protecting you from the scorn of the people. Until those gentle arms were brutally ripped away.

And the true fear of you as a little girl came true. You were left alone. All alone with no one by your side.

That day the meek and fragile you cried all your heart out still you couldn't escape the pain and the grief.

You wailed, hugging your Momma whose warmth was no where to be found. Your Momma was cold...

"Don't leave, Momma! Please, I'm begging, don't leave me. I don't to be left alone. Don't leave... Please!"

I love you, my sweet (Y/n). I'll protect you always. Momma won't leave you. Ever.

"Momma, you liar!" A strangled cry left your heaving chest. "You lied to me!"

You wept over and ove again. Begging for your Momma to come back. And yet her mother's eyes never opened, her arms never wrapped around you tenderly. No soft kiss were placed on your tiny forehead.

One swallowed by death near returns. No one told you that. No one was there to tell the cruel truth.

So you continued crying until she passed out, your tight hold on the cold body of your Momma, didn't loosened.

With the loss came a new hope of a new family. At least that's what you thought. Your father had came to take away from the village who hated you from the beginning for some reason you couldn't understand. Never understood.

A new hope bloomed as inside you took tiny meek steps into the Manor of the Judith at the tender age of 8.

You had a new mother, two beautiful sisters. You couldn't be more happy. Maybe, just maybe you weren't alone afterall

So you did everything to earn their acceptance. You wordlessly took the brutal beating from your etiquette teacher as she pointed out your mistakes in hopes of winning your new family's approval.

You never let any complaints, quietly enduring it in hopes of your stepmother smile tenderly at you, your sisters let you join them, your father to call you his daughter.

But you as a child were foolish, naive girl. Holding on to false hopes as all you got was hateful and disdain glares.

"Don't look up! How many times have I told you not to see any in the eyes, you despicable child." Her mother shouted at you in disgust

"Keep your gaze down. No matter what never show anyone your pathetic face." Your stepsisters sneered at you.

And a father who was indifferent to you.

The hope was extinguished into cold amber. Forever to vanish into the abyss of despair.

Your gentle, shy [c] eyes dulled over time, your soft lips never lifted up into a smile. Over time you lost all light in your life until all left was darkness. And a strong sense of despair that grew stronger each day.

And when you finally gave up having any hopes, you met him.

It was your debutante. The most anticipated day of a girl's life. But it wasn't for you. That day your step-mother was more cold to you, your stepsisters more contemptuous. Because you didn't have a partner. You couldn't secure a partner because of your shy, meek personality.

On the day of the debutante you stood alone at the corner of the room in simple gown, sad eyes gazing down at the marbled floor.

You felt sick. You never been attention of so many eyes. Their contempt filled eyes suffocated you. Even if you avoided it, you could feel them drilling into you coldly.

Not once did anyone took notice of your anxious self fidgeting nervously. If they did it was to show their contempt with sugar-coated words.

Feeling the scorn and disdain of the people, you felt crushed. So you ran away, the music dimmed, the murmur of the crowd couldn't be heard.

You stumbled into a dark hallway, gasping for air. Stopping in middle of the empty hallway, with no one in the sight you grew more anxious and fearful.

Mother will be mad, you thought nervously. Not once did you look up. The cold command of your stepmother engraved deep in your mind.

The world was silent. Silence brought fear and despair. You felt yourself falling, sinking deep into the mute, dull world that slowly erased yoir existence

Eyes dulled in despair, you moved forward, the despair still clung onto your like second skin. But as you took a step, you collided into a hard chest.

Squealing in surprise, you fell back. Feeling your balance tilt you closed your eyes waiting for the pain but it never came.

A hand grabbed your elbow and prevented you from falling.

Your eyes widened and you gaped at the gloved hand wrapped around your elbow with big startled eyes.

Someone saved you.

You could only stare at the gloved hand in disbelief and shock. It was first time someone showed you kindness. Took notice of your existence.

It was only a small act of kindness but for someone like you whose been shown nothing but contempt, it was so much.

"Are you mute?"

The smooth voice startled you and you jumped, flushing a deeper red as you stammered out words, "N-no. I'm n-not! I m-mean I can t-talk. But I-I didn't but not because I'm m-mute. It just--"

The person infront of you sighed roughly at your anxious mumbling as though he was annoyed.

Your eyes stung with embrassment. As you squeezed your eyes shut and choked out a apology, "I-I am s-sorry..."

The person infront of you was silent. The expensive shoes of your saviour made you anxious.

The unknown person infront of her took a step closer. And you felt something soft pressed to your cheeks.

You flinched and your head shot up reflexively.

Dazzling blue eyes were the first thing you saw. You never seen anything so beautiful. Those eyes looked like sapphire diamonds. Your heart leapt up and skipped several beats.

You were in trance as his beauty enchanted you. Blonde hair that shone like sun rays. Sharp handsome features that stood out in crowd and finally jewelled blue eyes that made your heart sped up.

Your cheeks flushed and with a daze you thought. He looks like a prince from fairytale.

His image reflected within your [c] eyes as you watched him in breathless wonder. He was beautiful. Like a sun. Warm and bright.

The boy raised a eyebrow at your wonder-struck face and you quickly snapped out of your stupor and realized something.

The nameless boy was dabbing a handkerchief to your wet, tear stained cheeks with a unreadable expression.

Embrassment beyond words, you squeaked out another apology while stepping back with deep blush.

"Take it." The blonde boy said and shoved the handkerchief in your hands and clicked his tongue in annoyance when you protested, flustered.

A swift sharp glare made you flinch in submission as you took the handkerchief with shaky hands.

"T-thank y-you..." The handkerchief was soft in your hands as you caressed it. It was first time someone gifted you something. It warmed your heart and your lips lifted up into small happy smile.

"Next time, lift your head up and look ahead, not on the ground."

The words said coldly couldn't be more warm to you. Though you were a stammering, anxious mess the person didn't harshly judged like everyone did. Instead he even have you advise which no one has ever done.

Your heart was beating fast. Your inside felt warm. You traced the smile on your lips that refused to go away in disbelief and joy. You were smiling for the first time in long time and it was all because of that nameless princely boy.

Your family was startled by your behaviour. You always seem to be smiling. Looking dazed and happy. You were always so gloomy and sad so what happened?

Even after you knew the boy- the second Prince Claude de Alger Obelia was your stepsister Penelope's finance, you still couldn't get rid of the warm tingles in your heart. Or the joyous curve of your lips whenever you thought of him.

You were hopelessly in love. In love with a person who wouldn't know about your feelings at all.

But that was okay. Because in your life there was light now. You felt warm, instead of cold, because of him. You felt alive rather than dead, because of him. You felt the want to see another day instead of wishing to disappear, all because of him.

And that's all you need.

But just like you, fate wasn't kind to him either.

You were present when Penelope betrayed him. You were there when the crown Prince mocked him.

And you were there to witness when the boy you love kill his own flesh to take away the throne while your stepsister fled.

You were face to face with the person who gave you light, hope and joy. And watched his light get dim and his hope get extinguished.

You wanted so desparately to tell the him who was pointing a sword to your throat that you were there for him. You wanted to soothe his pain but any words died down in your throat when his cold gaze looked on lifelessly into yours.

You lost him.

You almost got killed by him if it weren't for the kindness of the knight with red hair who pleaded for your innocence.

"Never show your face to me or I'll forget that you are innocent."

Claude left after threatening you. You watched in helplessness the back of the person you love sink in despair and loneliness.

The title of Judith was stripped and you were reduced to become a maid. But you were ready to work to earn your food. Your life before becoming maid wasn't all that different anyways.

And top of that you could be closer to him. Admire him from distant. Take care if him if he allowed you. That's more than you could ever ask for.

His debauchery never bothered you because you could see through his pain and see the want to erase Penelope's betrayal.

Would he ever believe in another person after what happened?

That question was answered when a beautiful fairy came to in his life.

Diana a beautiful, charming woman captured the heart of the Emperor.

You wanted to hate her but you couldn't. Diana just was too lovable and kind that you couldn't bring herself to wish bad for her. So once again burying your feelings you mutely watched them from afar.

But strangely enough you were happy too. The man you love had finally found light and was happy with someone so sweet and warm.

"Do you love my Majesty? Your eyes always softened when you look at him. And you glow brightly when you're near him. This must be love, right?"

You didn't know how to answer Lady Diana careless question. But your silence spoke volumes about your feelings and Diana only smiled at you sadly.

(Y/n) became Lady Diana's maid. You too great care of her because she made Claude happy and that in turn made you happy.

You had to watch Claude and diana interact with each other while swallowing the bitter pill that the person you love would never be yours.

But it always brought you happiness when a fleeting, invisible smile crossed over Claude's face. And you held on to that happiness instead of the jealousy you felt.

But happiness was often like a fleeting dream. Before you could grasp it, it vanishes, leaving behind emptiness.

Diana died and Claude lost his mind, his sanity and his humanity, slaughtering everyone in cold blood with no remorse.

You weren't there to witness Claude become a complete monster. But once you heard the horrifying news, you ran to the massacred place and found Lily and a small beautiful child wailing amidst the blood carnage.

When Claude lost his hope you found yours. A tiny hope in form of a new born baby.

Initially you raised it with care and love because the little baby was the extension of the person you love but as time passed you came to love Athanasia for herself.

But never did you expected that little girl you cared for along with Lily had cruel fate ahead of her when she met her father at the age of 9.

"Lily, do you think Father would love me if I did my best?" Athanasia had asked hopefully and Lily answered her without hesitation, "Yes."

Athanasia had turned to you with hopeful eyes and at that time you didn't know the cruel words you were handing the little Athanasia whose heart was bound to shatter into million pieces by the same person she was trying so hard to win over.

A melancholy hung in the air. Dull and cold. You stood by watching the heartbreaking scene as Athanasia begged her father only to meet his cold indifference.

"What would it take you to love me, father?"

Claude silently looked at the pitiful girl kneeling before him. His blue jewelled eyes glistened icily in cold indifference at the audacity of the girl begging for his acknowledgment.

"I'm your daughter too!"

You wished for the next moment to never arrive. Because you knew the words Claude would spat out would break Athanasia. But you were helpless to stop him.

"You fool," Claude spat out coldly, contempt coating his each poisonous words. "There was never a day I considered you my daughter."

Your heart was tearing apart as you watched despair wash over the girl as she lifelessly knelt there unmoving before being dragged away by the guards.

You ran after Claude despite knowing the outcome you still wished to change his mind. Maybe if you used the right words you could change his decision and save Athanasia.

Surprisingly he did stop to listen to your words. And that gave you tiny fleeting hope.

"Please, your majesty spare her. She's innocent! She won't do such a cruel thing to anyone let alone to the person she considers her sister."

You said as you stood before him. You were desperate and anxious as you shot your words carelessly without thought.

Claude looked on with indifferent cold eyes as the you pleaded for reconsideration.

"Are you doubting my words? Do you think my judgement is false?"

You flinched back at the cold town and shook your head vehemently.

"Of course not, your majesty. Your words are absolute law. And I wouldn't dare to doubt your judgement. But please I-I.. I can gather up evidence of her innocence. I'm sure someone set up her highness--"

"Her highness?" Claude scoffed in disgust. "Who gave her the privilege of a princess?"

(Y/n) eyes widened at the blunt detest he held for his own daughter.

"And she will die if I say so. Your words aren't going to change my mind."

Claude coldly declared.

Your ears were ringing as you stiffen in shock. Blood running cold in your veins. You looked at him horrified. "But your majesty, Athanasia is your daughter--"

Claude's face stiffen at the word daughter. He brought up his hand to forehead and hissed.

His bloodlust leaked out, washing you making you tremble in fear.

His cold eyes bored into you threatening. "Stop. That's enough of your nonsense. One more word and I'll cut off your tongue."

Claude continued to clutch his forehead before throwing you a last cold look, he turned around to leave but paused as you spoke up.

"You know, your majesty," You started as you looked up, eyes empty and vacant. "I always been in love with you."

You paused as a strangled, broken chuckle leaves your dry mouth. "For a long time I always admired you. You were a light for me. My will to live on."

Claude tilted his head, eyes ice-cold as he listened to the woman's words, his back still turned to you.

"But I never knew my love for you blinded me to the fact that you always been a monster. I'm such a fool. I'm; in love with a monster without knowing it." A scratchy pained whimper left you as tears burnt your eyes. "A monster who is more than ready to slaughter his own flesh. I can't help but feel sick."

The gentle spark within your [c] eyes was replaced by dark flames of hatred and self-loathing.

"The thought of ever loving a monster such as you sickens me to my core!" You cried out, eyes hollow as nonstop tears fell from your eyes.

Something sharp and cold flickered in and out of Claude glowing sapphire eyes as his lips curl up in silent sneer.

Before you knew you were slammed against the wall. You yelped loudly as you were forced against the wall with a crushing grip on your delicate neck.

Claude pressed you as he crowded your personal space. His cold face leaned close against yours as he coldly spat out, "Your feelings means nothing to me. You deluded yourself to think that I'd ever love you."

Tears sprang in your eyes and you shut it tight, whimpering. You knew. Of course you knew your feelings wouldn't be reciprocated but you couldn't stop loving him. That was your biggest mistake.

"Feelings? Emotions? I've long lost them. I have no use of such useless thing." Claude brought his lips close to your ears and whispered venomously, "What made you think I'd care for your feelings even if you shout it at me?"

With those cold words, the hold on around your neck tightened and air supply was cut off. You feebly struggled against him.

"To think a servant like you would forget her place."

Just as you thought your miserable life would end here, he let go as if changing his mind at last moment.

He coldly gazed at you as you crumpled on the ground, gasping and coughing painfully.

"You're only alive because of your connection to Jennette. I don't wish to bring grief to her. But if you keep insisting on being a nuisance then I will execute you along with that wench."

You cried while clutching your throbbing neck.

Claude watched you with cold eyes, his eyes aglow with indiscernible emotions. "Consider this your last warning."

You were left there trembling violently, cold and numb. Absolutely broken by the person you loved so dearly.

The next morning despite your efforts, Athanasia was executed. The last hope of your life cruelly smothered.

Lily too was executed for rebelling against the Emperor's decision. Surprisingly you were spared, left alive with a warning.