Scelavera (Chronicles)

The Princess of Kushreo

The bells which sat on top of the pale white tower stayed silent and still while the ink smudged clouds loomed across the sky; almost as if they were ordered by the sky goddess herself to come and watch this historical day take place. People gathered around the entrance of the palace where the decollates usually took place. Pitchforks, guns and torches clasped in their hands, eagerly waiting and chanting. Everything was the opposite compared to the other times an event like this took place, since they usually stood in fear as they watched one of their innocent townsfolk get executed for her amusement. But instead she stood in that place. Dark red hair softly blew in the wind while her golden eyes never dulled, no matter what the situation they never did.
She was beautiful really, despite what the people think she did. But ever since the young princess was given the position of power, her destiny was already placed in the books of fate. Like constantly chipping at the large concrete brick, only to eventually form her own gravestone. Did she know this from the start? Or was she surprised herself? I couldn't tell anymore. But one thing which I could tell, she wasn't frightened. Not in the slightest. Despite the crowd's chants, insults and death threats. She still held that straight expression which I had always known whist she held her head high.
"Today we come together, not for a loss: but instead for victory!" The sudden voice from a woman startled me from my thoughts as we all watched her stand up on the podium. Dressed in navy and black armour, cyan coloured locks beaten around by the wind which blew up the hill. The crowd cheered whilst the woman drew her sword and pointed it at the unarmed girl in chains. Her natural given speed and strength even caused a slight gust of wind which blew the girl's white prison gown. But even a woman such as this couldn't create fear inside her; only staring back. Despite the blade's tip being inches away from her gullet.
Her reaction only seemed to anger the crowd more as they spat several more insults and threats at the small, fake princess. But those only seemed to fall on deaf ears. The woman scoffed at the girl's doll-like expression while her emerald eyes narrowed, taking in the girl's appearance as a whole. Almost in a mocking manor. "You bring shame to this country and your family name." The blade lowered back to her side. "Good thing it's about to end." The green-eyed warrior signalled something to the men behind the girl, making the two push her forward towards the guillotine. It's tall shadows casted over her once she stood next to it, whilst the girl was looking up at the large silver blade. The cause of her head soon becoming detached from her body.
The crowd roared with excitement as they began to chant, it whirled around and around in my head. Over and over and over, burning into my mind and leaving their singes and scars. But she seemed fine. Both the men came up behind her as the lady walked to the side of the guillotine and lifted the constraints which it had. The men forced her head and arms down whilst the lady closed it over her, locking the chains tight. She wasn't fighting back during that action. But why?! Why was she handling this so calmly!? I don't understand!
But she seemed rather accepting of her fate. The emptiness in her eyes told me that. She was prepared to die. The burning sensation in my head and chest only escalated as the lady looked down at her, giving the look one would give to an animal being put to slaughter. Why? Why was she doing this?! Why was she giving up her life for this?! Didn't she know the type of situation she was getting herself into from the start?!
Then she looked up and saw me. Standing amongst the angry mob which wanted me dead. Dressed in her clothes; my true identity being covered by a black veil she also gave. But when she saw me, she smiled. The smile which only I truly knew. The smile which I was given ever since we were little, until we were separated for a long amount of time. But why? Why was she doing this now? Of all the times to do it, why now?!
The clock hands struck 3pm. I was so distracted by her smile I didn't even notice them let go of the rope. But with that smiling face she stated to me my favourite sentence.
"Oh, it's tea time!"
My natural reaction was to smile. But once the realisation set in, the warm tears started to fall down my cheeks, only escalating to an alarming rate. All that reached me at that moment was the sound of bells and the sight of a decapitated body of what used to be my little sister. The girl which stood by me through thick and thin. No matter what I said, she always obeyed my every command. My sweet little sister. Penelope.
...Why...Why!?
How could I let this happen!? I should have said no, I should have thrown her to the side and told her to leave while she still could!
But I didn't.
Once again, I let my selfishness corrupt me. Just like I did before multiple times, which was the cause of this whole mess. My overwhelming pride and power had now taken everything from me. My status, my home, my people, and now my last remaining family. The more I thought about it, the more the ache grew and the sicker I felt. But I couldn't look away from where she now laid. Bells constantly echoing through my head as I began to sob, drowning out the cheers of the people around me.
It should have been me. It should have been me. I should have been me.
So why wasn't it?
God... Please...
Tell me why it wasn't me.