𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼

𝟎𝟒𝟑

Shriveled

✩｡:*•.───── ❁ ❁ ─────.•*:｡✩

        I need... to go home... I need... to see my mother... They didn't notice me, so I left the estate. On shaky legs, I slowly walked through the town. I wasn't in the right state of mind. All I know is that I want my mom. I swayed a little as I eventually made it to the gates of the palace.

"Princess!"

I looked up, and I saw Tengen standing there with wide eyes. He looked... frightened... I think... He ran over to me and grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look up at him.

"You... What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

I've seen much worse than a ghost...

"Mom... Is she still here...?" I uttered, my voice quiet.

"Um... Yeah, she is... Why?"

"I need..."

I let my words trail off as I pulled away from him. I walked to the gates of the palace.

"Wait, you need Shinobu-san to look at-" Tengen started, but he cut himself off, "... Shinobu-san..."

I paused and looked over at him.

"... Huh? What happened to her...?"

"I... I don't know, actually. She disappeared along with her sisters. Tamayo-san and her assistant also disappeared. The palace's best doctors and nurses are all gone... That can't be a coincidence."

...

...

I turned away from him once more and went inside, picking up speed. Maybe... they're down there. But... Why would they be there if they were just missing? There's only one way to find out.

I went to the wall where the Blue Spider Lily was first stored and pressed a brick in. I went through the door that appeared, and I went down the steps. It felt like forever since I've been down there. If I went to the last step, I would've stepped into a puddle of blood.

On the ground were the dead bodies of the murdered people. They were untouched. Well, almost. In each of their chests, there was a huge hole that was still gushing out blood. They were all carefully arranged, as were their hearts. All six of them laid neatly in the middle of the room. I felt bile bubble up in my stomach, and I couldn't stop myself from throwing it up. I held onto the railing for support, and when I looked back up, I took notice of the Blue Spider Lily behind the glass.

It was... shriveled up and black. There was no saving it, not that there was any chance in the beginning. I forgot about my mom and went back up the steps. Not even the palace, which is supposed to be the most protected place in all of Japan, isn't safe.

✩｡:*•.───── ❁ ❁ ─────.•*:｡✩

✿Sengoku-Era Secrets✿

❥ Amane has no idea that Y/N had returned to the palace, and she's extremely worried.
❥ This is probably my most messed up book 😶

✩｡:*•.───── ❁ ❁ ─────.•*:｡✩