The Crazy Tyrant Wants To Kill Me

4

"The emperor has arrived!" The announcement sent everyone into a pause. A murmur rippled through the crowd. I lifted my tear-streaked face, wanting to catch a glimpse of the appearance of the man who would have me beheaded.

A tall figure climbed out from the royal carriage, locks of dark black hair peaking out from under his hat. His coat was made from lavish red silk, trimmed in expensive furs and adorned in gold. His skin was so pale he could have easily blended in a mountain of snow. The emperor slipped a pair of ivory white gloves onto his hands, mouthing something at a guard until his gaze fell on me.

I froze, beads of sweat prickling at my forehead. Clenching my jaw, I forced myself to meet his gaze. If I would die, I at least wouldn't die as a coward.

Suddenly, his expression hardened, his jaw clenching, a flash of something I couldn't describe flickering in his eyes. His broad shoulders stiffened until he closed the distance between us with a few fast strides, shoving any guards in his way aside. 

Oh gosh. Did I anger him? My face went pale. Was he going to execute me himself? All I did was make eye contact with him! Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh. What have I done?

I expected the emperor, Cedric, to release the rope, the blade chomping down on my vulnerable neck. I held my breath, staring at him.

But he didn't. 

Instead, he reached his hands out, yanking me off of the guillotine. Cedric's eyes scanned me up and down as if I were an extraordinary jewel. 

"I knew it," he muttered under his breath, running his gloved fingers through my disheveled hair. He then ran his hands down my shoulders, wrapping them tenderly around my waist. Then he took my hand in his, clenching it tightly as if I would disappear if he didn't.

My cheeks flushed deep scarlet in horror. What was he doing?! What a lunatic. What a pervert. Did the emperor always touch his victims, giving them mental torture before executing them? 

Cedric cupped my face, rubbing his thumb against my chapped lips as if he couldn't believe I was real. "Julia..."

I stood frozen to the spot, too afraid to move. I could feel the dried blood on my face from my nosebleed, feel the stinging sensation in my knees and the chill of the frosty fall air. 

This was worse than getting beheaded. 

How I wish someone would come and drag him away. Tell him how weird he was acting. But I don't blame the villagers or the guards for remaining bystanders. I would be too scared to do anything as well.

Maniac laughter erupted from Cedric's mouth. "I knew it," he said with glee. "He was lying. Your alive. Your... your standing right in front of me." His eyes reddened, filled with madness. 

What is he blabbing about? He really is insane. How is he allowed to be emperor? He should be locked away in an asylum! 

Without a warning, he crushed me in an embrace, burying his face in my neck.

Oh.

My.

God.

Gasps rippled throughout the crowd. Even a few guards stumbled back in surprise. 

I wanted to shove this man away from me. He was inhaling my scent like an animal while his arms wrapped around me like a suffocating vine. 

"Julia.. I can't control myself anymore... the anger... the frustration and hatred has been building up inside of me all these years, threatening to devour me whole," Cedric whispered, his eyes burning bright red. "I want you. I missed you so much. How I wish I could just.... just demolish your right now. I want you to be mine. But..."

I felt his nails digging into my back as he buried his face further in my neck. 

This was not normal. Not normal at all. I wish I had my memories back. I had grown up in this kingdom, surely I knew something about the history of this lunatic. 

"...but you betrayed me," he continued, his voice cracking with resentment. 

I felt nauseous. What was he talking about? It didn't make sense. Wait, nothing he said had made sense. In the corner of my eye, I saw guards ushering the people away, as if they didn't want them to see this shameful behavior. 

"You betrayed me... betrayed me! Why?! Why?! I loved you, Julia! I still do!" Suddenly he lifted his head from my neck, shoving me down the stage platform. I screamed as my body crumpled against the stone pavement.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Cedric attempting to charge towards me. However two guards seized him before he could reach me. 

"Your Majesty, you've gone out of control! Please come to your senses!"

"Get his pills!"

"Bring him to his chamber!" 

My head swirled with nauseous, dark spots clouding my vision until darkness enveloped me completely.