I keep running and running but never seem to escape them. I am of a humble origin, bereft of parents at a young age. Maybe that's why I became cocky and arrogant.

Having nothing to lose does that to people I realize that now, but it's too late because they got me, beat me up in a dark cellar.

No window lights around me, the floor was damp. My hair and clothes were drenched in.... I ponder a bit before I come to the conclusion that I don't know whether it's water, sweat or blood. It could have been a combination of all three.

I lay on the floor regretting my actions of thefts earlier in the week. I was a noble but somehow developed a habit of stealing things I could have at the snap of a finger.

My best friend and confidant had warned me severally to stop this stupid act and I managed to for several months just because of my crush on him which he was completely oblivious to from my POV.

Well needless to say I ended up in this stupid situation because he advised me to get married to a noble lady for the benefit of my dukedom.

The problem was that I was gay, but I had never told him despite the fact that we've been best friends for over eleven years.

I couldn't tolerate him bossing me around on such a delicate topic because even though I was a Duke I was too scared to make my sexuality openly known.

It was a warm summer evening and I happened to bump into a wealthy noble who had been my rival for several years and decided to be a pickpocket to relieve the pent-up stress within me which landed me in such a precarious situation all because he was higher than I in the hierarchy.

I've gotten accustomed to this I thought to myself when my assaulter came back for another round or so I thought.

"Didn't you just beat me up, 2 hours ago have some decency and respect for your fellow human" I shouted as if it would make a difference when it never did.

To my surprise they stopped, I was blindfolded, so I couldn't see the person before me which caused me to have a puzzled expression on my face.

A few seconds later, he continued walking towards me till they got to my back side. I was still trying to contemplate why I wasn't already being beaten up when I felt it.

A sharp pain coming from my ribs made me realize I was in danger but since I was bound I could not run to protect myself. I endured several stabs before they left but not before turning around and saying "I'm sorry it had to be this way, but it was predestined by fate" they said.

"Fate, fate" I screamed at the top of my lungs despite my eyes closing slightly and my muddled thoughts. I decided to vent all my frustrations on them not caring who they might be.

"I can believe fate had a hand in putting me in my place, I was even getting used to the torture but know you just had to take my life in the so-called name of fate" I said.

I heard faint sounds rushing towards us, maybe the effects of me screaming the remainder of what's left of my existence away.

They looked at me and said "Farewell ******* ******** you were worth the trip"

"How dare you say that to me?" I manage to say in the low voice before my world fades away.

A few minutes later

A servant rushes in panting before saying "I greet your highness, the third prince.

The prince lazily stares in the servant's direction before replying in the coldest tone imaginable "What is it, peasant?"

The word "peasant" didn't even register in the servant's brain since he was still receiving chills from the cold-hearted tone.

The servant bends down lower than before speaking "It is not the wish of this worthless servant to disturb your highness's peace, but I would like to inform you about the death of the man who you caught trying to pickpocket you".

The prince ponders as if trying to remember such a menial thing before he remembers suddenly. "Oh, the thief that's good riddance. He didn't deserve to breathe the same air as me anyway"

"Are the preparations complete?" the prince asks.

"Yes, your highness we only await your directions" the servant replied while still trembling.

"You may leave, do not interrupt me ever again for such a trivial matter or .... you don't need me to state the consequences right?" the prince says with the most devilish grin.

"Yes, your highness. I hear and will obey" the servant says while speedily rushing out making the prince chuckle before putting a grape in his mouth.