Contract

Prologue

White.

Endless white.

My name is Annabelle Winst, Princess of the Kingdom of Winst. And I am about to die.

My country lies in the far north of the Old World. The Old World has intersecting doors of the universe, therefore making it extremely powerful artefect (a artefect for a God) to have if anyone could become a god to claim it. Which so far, no one had the kind of power to do it. But it did not stop anyone from trying.

After the many that have failed, the desire to become a God has became a culture of its own.

Many strived to attain godhood. Not only because of the greed to claim the Old World and dictate its people, but also to deny the Other Gods from the other realms to have domination over our world.

Yes.

The denizens of the Old World not only have to fight and outwit one another, but also the gods from another realm. Not to mention constant invasion of the other dimensions that consists a variety of creatures whenever a rift have appeared in the Old World.

Therefore, political intrigues and conspiracies to happen at every second of the day. Everyone fights and scheme either to achieve the ultimate prize( become god and claim the Old World ) or just to survive whenever sacrifices are made; when the Other Gods intervene with the events of our world and the invasion of the other dimensions for millenniums.

Which I was determined not to be part of.

I was powerful, close to attain godhood. But I cared for things that mattered more.

My precious family and friends along with my loyal subordinates that cared for my safety and waited on my every wish.

This cannot happen if I became God.

(The laws of the universe states. Verse 20, line 3. "A tree with no roots to its existence.")

But they meant a world to me, there is nothing that i wouldn't give up for. Although this may sound stupid and naive, especially to the denizens of the Old World; those people are the priority of my life. Even if, one day it might cost me dearly.

And it did.

Was it worth it? I simply don't know.

I do not feel regret for the things I had chose to do. Neither when I abdicate my throne to my elder sister Marianne, nor when my sister as queen begged me to marry King Roland of Veztec for political reasons.

But I do have regrets for not able to see the people that I once cherish with all my heart one last time. Not even able to die on the very land that i had fight so hard and sacrifice so much for to make it the most powerful kingdom of the five ruling countries of the Old World.

I am weary of the burdens that I once felt more than happy to carry.

Now, I am lying on snow helpless and in despair waiting for death to claim me. Yet, the wait for death seems endless as the flashbacks of the past appear before me.

My first magical artefect was from my father, given on my three years old birthday; which he started crafting it since my birth. A treasured item of mine, which became ashes when i used it to save my sister's life when i was eight.

Years later, when I asked to borrow one of her magical artefects for my own protection in war.

'We are in turbulent times, the kingdom need every artefect in case of invasion of enemy troops, I'm afraid you have to do without. Don't worry, I'm certain you will be victorious in war.' She replied in a smile.

I met my love when I was seven and he was six years older than me. After a year of that faithful day, I confessed to him in front of my mother and the court officials and made a pact of marriage with his consent. Although, I was too young to speak of love. I promised that I will respect and support his every wish later that night so as to show my love to him is indeed sincere and true. Even if one day in the future, he loves me not. I will let him go.

Years passed. As our affections deepened, I asked for his support to my cause of creating a relatively peaceful world affilated to this world for the weary people in warring states.

'Anna, stop being so childish and naive. I refuse to go along with this charade of yours. You have better things to do than to be so kind and considerate to others.' He replied with a scoff.

The first person I saved was my personal handmaiden that waited on me for years since then. I was six years old, at a playful age. I met her when I snucked out of the castle and snatched back to the slave traders's lair for being alone on the streets.

She was so quiet among the crying kids. When I was about to escape. She grabbed my arm and said 'help me'.

Twenty years later, when I needed her help.

'Why can't you just die quietly elsewhere, so that you do not cause me such trouble. I hate your existence, because of you he does not acknowledge my presence!' She spoke menacingly.

In the last days of my life I met a traveler named Richard Valentine, and told him my idea of a affilated world with peace. He praised me highly for it. So I bestowed him with the last of my fortune. A magical book called 'afternoon tea diaries' , a 'lucky coin' and a 'dragon dagger'. All three meant protection, luck and attack. I plead him to help me fulfill such a world, if even I wouldn't live to see it.

At least, I may've met someone true and good on my last days of life........