“Promise me you will marry me?!” a boy heartily told a girl under the starry night. “I will” the girl looked into his ocean blue eyes and smiled.

Was that a lie? Was that the truth? Is everything around me just a lie?

“Please, don’t touch me Violette! You disgust me” a boy pulled his hand out and glared at Violette. “Stop doing this Leondre!” Violette screamed back and was bursting into tears. It was a windy night. Violette’s silver hair flew along her face. The wind stopped and Leondre looked at her deep purple eyes with his cold ocean eyes. The glare Leondre gave was terrible, Violette thought. “Look, you mean nothing to me. I love your sister, Charlotte. So please stop interrupting us” Leondre said in a cold tone. No, this can’t be? The moment when you said “I love her” it feels like my world is falling apart, my heart is beating too fast, i feel dizzy, Violette thought while trembling. “But I'm still your fiance!” Violette was desperate. It was a hopeless moment, nothing will change. “In papers, yes. But don’t you dare to think that I will treat you like one”. Leondre stepped away and was leaving, “I will never love you and I will never marry you. When your mother murdered my mom, that moment I had nothing to do with you”. Violette’s legs can no longer bear. The moment when Violette fell down, sitting alone staring at the ground. She can’t hold her tears anymore. WHY? Violette was thinking. This wasn’t supposed to be like this. My mom never murdered Mary the Queen. They were like sisters, my mom would never do it! Violette barely got any breath while crying. It happened four years ago when someone murdered Mary the Queen of England, Leondre’s mother. It wasn’t certainly my mom. Everyone blamed her because they thought my mom loved Claude the King of England and was jealous so that’s why she murdered Mary. But that’s nonsense! After that my mom was poisoned and died, I don't know who did it. But I will take revenge. I was only ten, after my mom’s death my dad started to ignore me and gave all his attention to my step-sister Charlotte. The maids started to ignore me and my mother-in-law Bethany and her daughter Charlotte tricked me all the time. Charlotte was an innocent little girl in everyone’s eyes, but she wanted to take everything from me, and eventually she took my fiance. After that I was all alone in this miserable world, no one cared about me. I had to protect myself and be a good princess, a fiance of the next emperor Leondre Carleton and a good daughter after all. I thought if I started sword wielding, I could protect myself. Also I started to learn about medicinal herbs so I don’t have to depend on anyone. That all happened four years ago, Violette thought. She was still sitting on the ground after a long time. Violette wiped her tears and got up, her legs were still weak. From now on, I will never trust people, I will never love anyone, not even myself. The moment when she was thinking about love, Leondre’s words went through her head “I will never love you”. It hurted but Violette had to be strong. She looked up, it was a beautiful starry night while the moonlight was only light. She smiled and closed her eyes, a tear went through her cheek and fell from her face. Violette promised it was her last tear.

Three years later nothing has actually changed. Violette and Charlotte are both seventeen and Leondre eighteen. It was a rainy day. Violette sat on the windowsill while writing a book about two wounded souls, cooperating together in search of love. She was intelligent. She loved arts and was excellent at natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. That’s all because of loneliness and freedom she had so she used the time studying. In her position as a fiance Violette had to take care of the housework, hiring people, attending social events, and taking care of the budget and so on. Violette thought it was pretty boring but there is nothing she can do. Violette’s days are usually the same. She wakes up early in the morning, the maids help her but the truth is they hate her like everyone else. Then she eats breakfast, after that takes a walk in the garden, writes more about medicinal herbs. Violette usually studies and avoids seeing other people. Then in the daytime she eats dinner usually alone, but sometimes with Leondre when his dad forces him. Today is the same day as always. *Knock knock* someone knocked and Violette put her book down. “My lady, the dinner is ready” the head butler told her. “Yes, I’m coming” Violette went to the door and walked with the butler to the dining room. Leondre was there, Violette was a little bit confused because he always eats dinner with Charlotte, but today I guess his dad forced him, Violette was thinking. “Your highness” Violette said and bowed to Leondre then sat down. Both Violette and Leondre were silent and just ate. “How was this month's budget?” Leondre asked but didn’t even look at Violette. “It was strict, when there happened an accident but I managed to solve it” Violette said and kept eating. He didn’t even answer back, did he even listen to me at all? Violette was displeased and just ate. “You probably remember that my birthday is coming-” Leondre was saying but Violette interrupted it. “Why would I remember it? It has nothing to do with me”. Leondre became irritated and looked at Violette's tired eyes. “Still, my dad wants you to attend the birthday ball. Personally I don’t want you there, it only disturbs me and Charlotte-” and again Violette interrupted his talk. Violette put the cutlery down loudly and said, “Sorry, I lost my appetite”. Violette stood up and left Leondre alone. Leondre didn’t say anything and only sighed.

What the hell? Why does he always talk about him and Charlotte? Violette stopped in the hallway and looked out the window, it was still raining. Well why am I even mad? He loves Charlotte and it has nothing to do with me, I mean I shouldn't be this irritated, Violette thought. And even Violette doesn’t want to admit it, she still remembers Leondre’s birthday.

Characters

Violette Devereux: Princess of Scotland, engaged to the next emperor aka the oldest son of England Leondre Carleton. Violette is intelligent, she doesn’t hate people but she often thinks that “some people just don’t deserve my sympathy”. She loves tea and macaroons. She has a long silver hair, deep purple eyes, long lashes so she usually looks tired. 165 cm and has light freckles. People avoid her and call her “Witch’s child” her mother’s name was Lilith. She always makes one braid on the right side of her hair. Has many secrets;)

Leondre Carleton: Prince of England, engaged to Princess of Scotland Violette Devereux. Medium length, black hair. Ocean blue eyes. Very tall, doesn’t usually smile and gives “a cold look” except for Charlotte. Very good to torture and find the truth. Very close with his uncle.

Charlotte Devereux (comes in the next chapter): A half sister to Violette. An innocent little girl in everyone’s eyes. Sweet talks and so “kind”. Leondre’s lover. Has a brown hair and bangs. Green eyes and people usually call them (emeralds)

Lilith Devereux (dead): Violette’s mother

Mary Carleton (dead): Leondre’s mother

Bethany Dunn (coming soon): Charlotte’s mother

William Devereux (coming soon): Violette’s and Charlotte’s father

Claude Carleton (coming soon): Leondre’s father

The night came and the rain stopped. She always sneaked out at night and came back at four in the morning so she never sleeps much. Under her bed was a sword and black clothes. She put her long silver hair up and a face mask that covered her lower part of the face. She was thin so it was easy for her to jump all over places. Underground people know her as White Scarlet because of her hair and eyes. She usually listened to people’s wishes, that means she listened to people and they told her who she had to kill. There were three rules. Don’t ask anything about her. The payment first then the job. She takes no responsibility, whether she fails or not. But they know her as she never fails. Violette became an assassin when she was 15, 5 years later than her mom’s death. The reason why she became one was she wanted to give justice to people. Violette usually has to kill nobles for some personal reasons. Usually the nobles Violette has to kill have done something very unusual, sexual harassment or destroyed their lifes so they want revenge. Violette understands it very well because of her mother. You don’t find her, Violette finds you. The night was noisy and cold. Violette as usual watched over people and did her job if she wanted to. Nothing happens as always, Violette thought. Ugh what am I gonna do with you Leondre? I mean even though I don’t want to go to the birthday ball but your dad wants me to go, Violette sighed and closed her eyes. She felt like everyone around her was just fake, a perfect daughter, a perfect fiance, a perfect princess. Everything is so perfect. She just has to pretend everything. People can turn their back so easily, their two-faces are disgusting. Even times like that, you have to lay down, feel the wind and the heat of the sun against your skin. People’s laugh and the natural colors above you. Violette thought perhaps she has to enjoy the little things. She looked up to the sky and put her right hand up. Squeezed her hand like she grabbed the stars and said, “I hope you are doing well mother, we will meet sooner or later”.

A new day started again. Violette went back late and almost didn’t get any sleep. Again, this is seriously awful, Violette can’t think anything else and turned to her back, put her hand on her face so she can’t see the sunlight. Let’s see what this day will bring, Violette thought.

She skipped breakfast because it was already too late and she wanted to go to the royal library where she can enjoy her tea and macaroons. On the way to the library she accidentally bumped into the majesty Claude and the prince Leondre. “Your Royal highness” Violette said and bowed to Claude. Violette smirked to Leondre because she didn’t greet or bow to Leondre and he obviously noticed it. “Humph” Leondre murmured. “Violette! Nice to see you, where are you heading?” Claude asked and sounded so excited like a puppy. “I’m heading to the royal library, Your highness” Violette answered and smiled, it was obvious Claude liked Violette which made Leondre angry. “Oh that’s good, Leondre was also going there to return some books, so can you return them for him? I have something to talk with him, pleease?” And again he sounded like an excited puppy. “Of course, anything for you” Violette said and turned to Leondre who wasn’t very happy about it but still lent the books. Violette enjoyed his anger and showed her joy with all her heart. “Also you will come to the birthday ball?” Claude continued. Oh fuck… I didn’t think about it, I really don’t want to but I can’t turn him down now, Violette was thinking in distress. “Ohm…” Violette started and turned to look at Leondre but obviously he already turned away somewhere else like it wasn’t his business. “Well I guess I will” Violette said and just saw how happy Claude was. “Thank you thank you, well then see you there!” Claude almost screamed but lowered his voice.

Violette was walking to the royal library and can’t stop thinking just thinking about what she just promised. And after all I have to return these Leondre’s books, what am I? A maid? Violette sighed and was tired.

Finally I can relax and continue writing my book, Violette only thought that and sat down. It was one of her little joys that gave her power to fight and live. Well well how should I continue this? Violette was thinking and not terribly long after writing a few sentences she didn’t notice she fell asleep.

“What? I have to dance with Violette!?” Leondre shouted and stood up from the chair. “Yes, after all she is your fiance. You should show that” Claude answered and looked into Leondre's eyes. “Why don’t you break our engagement then!? You know very well why I can’t be with her!” Leondre couldn’t calm down. “Leondre, listen. We still don’t know who killed your mother and my wife, you can’t always blame Violette’s mother”. Leondre very well knew about it and just kept being silent. “Well I have this book I have to return to the royal library, could you please?” Claude almost begged. “Fine” Leondre sounded angry. “What a hard boy to deal with.” Claude said and smirked.

Leondre stepped into the library and saw Violette sleeping on the corner. Without realizing he was walking towards her. Now he stood next to her. Well what should I do with you? Leondre was thinking and saw a book Violette held in her hands. A book about two wounded souls, cooperating together in search of love? And you are writing it? You are quite romantic Violette, Leondre thought and smiled. He put the book down and looked at Violette’s pale face. Are you sick? He was thinking and the next thing he did was touching her forehead. What the hell am I doing? Leondre was confused and quickly moved his hand. “You can’t always blame Violette’s mother” those words went through Leondre's head. “I know” he murmured. Violette still looked somehow sick and suddenly Leondre’s warm hand touched and covered Violette’s whole hand. Why is it so cold? Leondre was thinking and didn’t know that he was worried. And it looked like Leondre’s cold look melted away and there was warmth on his face. “Darling! Are you here?” Those words raised Leondre and woke Violette up. She knew that voice and wasn’t happy about it, it was Charlotte.