They don’t expect her to survive.
That’s why they chose her.
-
Her First Memory
She doesn’t remember her name.
Only the stone. The cold. The blood under her nails.She didn’t ask where she was going.
She didn’t ask for anything at all.
The Palace Whispers…
“Another girl for the King’s game.”
“She doesn’t flinch. Not even when the guards yell.”
“She won’t survive the week.”
“They say she smiled when she saw the noose.”
“She looked him in the eyes. She’s already dead.”
She doesn’t pretend anymore.
The others cry where no one can hear.
They hope. They kneel.
She doesn’t.
She eats slowly. Speaks plainly.
Rolls her eyes.
If today is her last — fine.
Let someone else clean it up.
Her Journal : Entry One
They want me quiet. I pretend. But I listen.
I won’t die here screaming.
If I die, I’ll make sure they remember me.
Even if I don’t.
She spoke once — too loudly.
No one punished her.
The King heard.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t strike her.
He just watched.
That night, a maid brought her a dress.
Not a gift. Not an honor.
Just another leash.
She put it on anyway.
The palace gave her a dress.
They didn’t know they’d given her a weapon.