Damsel

Chapter 6: Ceremony

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Back in the mountains, the Queen led Elodus and Henrietta into the cave, and the masked people followed behind them.

"When our ancestors first lay claim to this island, they found they were not its sole inhabitants. A creature dwelt here first. The last of its kind. With savage bloodlust, the beast left its lair and set upon the village. So the King gathered his soldiers to change his people. But their steal was no match for the monster and each man met his end."

Inside the cave, the Queen led them across a small stone bridge that was over a deep pit, towards an alter that was decorated with candles and rose petals.

"Save but one. For the King, the beast had a far worse fate in store. Give up his three beloved children and the island could be shared. A cruel torture. The King loved his daughters, but his duty to his subjects was stronger. And so the pact was sealed. The three royals met their end in the belly of the beast, and a kingdom was born. It is this sacrifice we commemorate each generation. A tradition going back centuries."

The Queen turned to Elodus and Henrietta as she was handed a small dagger. Henrietta extended her hand and the Queen made a small cut on her hand.

She then looked to Elodus. "Your hand, child."

He was a bit hesitant, but he gave the Queen his hand and gave him a cut as well.

"A legacy of honor and duty you now inherit, Prince Elodus of Aurea." The Queen placed Elodus' cut against Henrietta's letting their blood mix. Then he placed a white cloth over their joined hands. "Let our two lines mingle and fast become one. He is now of royal blood."

The Queen removed the cloth, and everyone bowed to Elodus, including Henrietta.

"To ensure that our kingdom thrives forevermore, pay your due to the realm." The Queen leaned towards Elodus. "Toss the coin into the chasm." She whispered.

Elodus did as he was told and threw the coin into the darkness down below.

"The ceremony is now complete. You may make your return back." The Queen announced.

Henrietta turned and smiled at Elodus, and he smiled back, relieved that the ceremony was over. He held his arm out for her to take and she looped her arm with his.

"I'm sorry, I know that was a bit terrifying." Henrietta apologized as they started walking along the stone bridge.

Elodus shook his head. "There's nothing to apologize for."

Henrietta stopped halfway across the small bridge, causing Elodus to stop as well. She looked up at him and leaned forward to kiss his lips.

At that point, (Y/n) had made it up the mountain to the cave, letter clutched in her hand, and came up behind the masked figures. Through the small crowd, she could clearly see Elodus and Henrietta kissing each other, and her face fell.

Henrietta pulled away slightly, her face remaining inches from Elodus. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Elodus' brows furrowed but before he could respond, Henrietta shoved him harshly, making him stumble back and slip off the edge of the bridge.

"Elodus!" (Y/n) yelled.

As he fell backwards, it felt like he was in slow motion. He saw her pushing past the small crowd and trying to rush towards him, but she wasn't fast enough and he fell into the void below, the echo of (Y/n) calling his name following him as he fell.

(Y/n) fell to her knees on the bridge and looked over the edge in horror as she watched Elodus' body disappear into the darkness below. Her shock quickly turned to anger and she glared over her shoulder at the Princess.

"You bitch! How could you do that to him?!" She screamed, tackling her into the floor.

(Y/n) grabbed the front of her dress and was about to strike her when she was pulled away by some masked people in the crowd.

They held her by the arms as the Queen approached her, a calm smile on her face.

"My my. What do we have here? You're the little maid aren't you? You're supposed to be leaving with the rest of his family. What are you doing here?" The Queen asked.

During their brief struggle, (Y/n) had dropped the letter onto the bridge and the Queen picked it up. She then looked down at the letter and read it, her face twisting into one of disgust.

"Little tramp is more like it. But, who am I to come in between true love." She mocked. "At least you'll be able to spend your final moments together before he's killed and you starve to death down there."

Before (Y/n) could wonder what she was talking about, the Queen nodded to the two masked men holding her and they threw her over the bridge and down into the chasm, her screams slowly fading away as she fell.

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