I felt as if everything changed once everything went black.
I felt so cold.
So alone.
Just like how I was the moment I was forced into this marriage.
But it didn't matter in the end.
Because now I am finally free.
Once I finally confessed I felt as if so much weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Have I been so stressed that it took death for me to finally relax?
After all, people reveals their true colors once they're on the verge of death.
"Wake her up."
Ow.
I felt as if someone kicked me.
And why did it hurt so much?
Wait.
I see a light.
Am I finally on the other side?
Is this what heaven looks like?
Mama- "(YYYYYYY/N)."
Hold on.
If this is heaven..
Then why am I still hearing Big Mom?
And more importantly..
Why am I opening my eyes?
I felt my eyes opened but my vision was very hazy.
I can't even tell where I am.
All I can see are too many bright lights on me.
Almost like you were being dragged into an auction stage after they dragged you out from your cellar.
Its so bright that I can't even open my eyes all the way.
But once my eyes adjusted a bit, I could see my biggest nightmare sitting right in front of me.
Mama- "So...you've finally awaken..."
My eyes widened in fear and tried to back away but I couldn't.
I looked down and saw that my wrist were in shackles.
And the chain that held the shackles were being held by the 2 guards by my sides.
And to top it off.
The wound that Katakuri had given me was still there.
My clothes still stained with blood.
Mama- "So its true?...you are not the princess?"
I felt myself panicking.
Did...
Did I not die?!
Am I not taking the easy route after all?!
But why?!
What did I even do to deserve such a harsh punishment?!
Mama- "Not going to talk?..."
I can't.
Mama- "You confessed to my son that you are not the princess, but you won't confess to me?"
Its too hard.
Mama- "If you're really not the princess...then WHO are you?"
Oh so hard.
Mama- "Do I have to torture you? My dear?"
Please don't.
Mama- "CRACKER!"
My eyes widened when I saw a tall man approach me.
He wasn't as tall as Katakuri, but his sadistic grin was enough for me to know that he is not afraid to kill.
Cracker- "What is it you want me to do Mama?"
Mama- "Do whatever it takes to make this traitor talk."
TRAITOR?!
Cracker- "As you wish Mama.."
Cracker lifted his sword, about to swing it down at me.
It was now or never.
You- "WAIT!!"
Mama- "Ahhh...so she CAN speak after all."
You- "Linlin please!! Have mercy on me!!"
Mama- "Mercy? on YOU?! And why should I do that?"
You- "I didn't want to lie to anyone, but the King and Queen of Dendrobia forced me to fill in for your daughter because they refused to marry their daughter into the family!!!"
Mama- "But you still went along with it.."
I don't know if its from the pain or from fear, but I felt tears dripping down onto the floor.
You- "I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE!! I was only a servant so by oath I HAVE to serve the King and Queen!"
Big Mom then leaned forward a bit.
Mama- "I don't care if you were following orders....the King and Queen have promised me THEIR daughter's hand in marriage, but instead...I get a servant."
You- "Please let me explain!"
Mama- "No need....I've heard enough...Do as you please with her, she is of no importance to this family."
You- "Wait!! If you kill me then what will become of Dendrobia?!"
Mama- "MAMAMAMA!!! You're still worried about THAT even after the King and Queen have left you here to die? I suppose you really are faithful after all."
You- "I didn't mean it like that.."
Mama- "No matter...I will handle them myself, I don't tolerate traitors after all, but YOU my dear, you've sweetened the deal."
Big Mom then stood up from her throne and made her way out the door.
I glanced over and saw Katakuri standing by the doorway.
Mama- "I don't care what you do with her..just get her out of my sight."
Once Mama has left the room, Katakuri gave me one last glance before turning to leave with Big Mom.
You- "Kata.."
At that moment I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces.
I guess he really didn't care after all.
But what should I expect?
This whole wedding was a ruse after all.
And I was just a servant after all.
Cracker- "Time for you to die...traitor."
Cracker grabbed me by the neck and pulled me up, causing the chains from my shackles to break in an instant.
You- "Crack...er....p-please..."
Cracker- "Begging for mercy?...How pathetic."
He tightened his grip on my neck.
You- "Ack...ack...ack..."
Cracker- "All those who betray Big Mom, meet their end."
I felt my eyes getting heavier and heavier as he crushed my airway.
The last thing I saw was Cracker's sword over his head.
Getting ready to swing it down to end my life.
I braced myself for the pain and the impact of it
But it never came.
_________________
*GASP*
I shot up and felt myself sit up.
I was sweaty and crying from the horrible scene I had just witnessed.
I tried to calm down but I just couldn't.
I was certain I was going to die then and there.
But I didn't.
I looked around and saw that I was back in Katakuri's bedroom.
I looked down and saw that I had bandages wrapped around my torso where I was stabbed.
So I really didn't die?
It was..
It was all dream??
None of that was real?
But if it was all a dream..
And I didn't die...
Then that must mean...
"You're awake.."
I yelped and jumped a bit from the sudden voice I heard in the room.
Almost regretting it.
I whimpered when I felt the wound being stretched.
I tried to stay still and breathe normally to try to ease the pain but it was still there.
My pain suddenly ceased when I heard clanking approaching the bed.
Once a large shadow loomed over my small figure, I gulped.
Hesitantly, I slowly looked up to see Katakuri looking down at me.
I felt my spine tremble, knowing that this man had mentioned since day 1 that he would NOT hesitate to kill me if ordered to.
Katakuri- "So...you finally admitted that you're not the princess."
I froze.
Wait?
Finally?!
WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY FINALLY?!
Katakuri- "In case you're wondering....I've known the entire time."
I didn't know what to say at this point.
I just stared dumbfoundedly at him.
Katakuri- "You even tried to tell me when we were heading to Dendrobia."
You- "How...How did-?"
Katakuri- "My Kenbunshoku Haki....it allows me to see a bit into the future...I saw you were going to tell me back on the ship but I decided to interrupt you for your sake, my men are spies for Mama after all."
I can't believe this..
Katakuri- "My haki is very handy for these types of situations and combat...but.....for some reason....it didn't inform me that you would walk in while I was having my Merienda..."