The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 15: Her Origin

Chapter 15: Her Origin

"It’s about your mother’s identity. The truth is... she is not a slave. Your mother is–" Annie’s words were interrupted as she began coughing up blood.

Eve was scared to death upon seeing blood coming out of her mouth. Her body trembled as she looked at Annie worriedly. Her expression seemed to ask her if she was hurt.

However, Annie didn’t have time to care about her fatal wound. She had to tell her everything she knew while she still had energy left.

"Your mother is a princess. You are pure royal blood, my lady. Not a slave." Annie softly said, smiling at her faintly.

Eve was stunned as she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

’My mother is a princess. How could that be?’

She suddenly reminisced about her childhood moments with her mother. No wonder a mere maid was able to teach her daughter how to read and write.

Though dressed in rugged clothes, her mother’s aura exuded elegance. Aside from her undeniable charm and charisma, her manners were refined, and she was full of wisdom.

’But how did she end up being a slave here in Kingdom Averion?’

Annie seemed to read her mind through her facial expression. She wiped the blood off her lips as she continued, "Your mother is Princess Esmeralda Goldwyn. The exiled princess of Kingdom Zephyra."

"During the rebellion, your grandfather, King Arthur, helped your mother escape. And she ended up hiding here at Kingdom Averion."

"She concealed her identity, pretended to be a commoner, and entered the palace as a maid because she was being hunted by the new ruler of Kingdom Zephyra, King Zaraki... your grandfather’s brother."

Eve tried her best to absorb the shocking information she was receiving from Annie.

"Maybe you are wondering why I knew this." Annie gently caressed her face.

Eve could only bob her head in response. She was all eyes and ears on Annie. She wanted to know more about her mother’s identity and her origin.

"Because... I came from Kingdom Zephyra. I am a warrior and a spy sent to this kingdom. And surprisingly, I met your mother here while I was doing this mission."

Eve gasped, covering her mouth. Annie was giving her one shock after another.

"I’m sorry for keeping this secret from you for so long. It’s for your own protection."

"If they find out that you are a royalty from an enemy kingdom, Queen Amara will not hesitate to kill you and your father won’t be able to stop her. He won’t have a reason to keep you alive anymore."

Eve flinched at Annie’s last remarks.

Meanwhile, Annie was getting weaker and weaker with each passing second. She was losing more blood and Eve wasn’t aware of it.

Looking at her mistress with sad eyes, Annie pulled her into a tight hug. Tears started to fall from the corners of her eyes.

’I’m sorry, princess. It seems that I won’t be able to protect you now.’

"Princess Eve... listen to me carefully. No matter what happens, you should stay strong. You have to survive this harsh world... I know you’ve been through a lot. But you have to live no matter what. Can you promise me that?"

Eve just nodded in response.

"Princess, once we return to the palace, go to my quarters. Under my bed, there is an old wooden box. It contains possessions that belong to your late mother–"

Annie coughed up blood some more. But she continued talking to Eve.

"If one day, you ever decide to leave the palace and seek your freedom, you have to bring the necklace with a jade pendant..."

"That is the proof of your identity as part of the royal family of Kingdom Zephyra. That necklace was given to your mother by your grandfather."

Annie’s vision started to get blurry. Her strong will was the reason why she could still speak and maintain her consciousness. She couldn’t die just yet without telling Eve what she should know.

"You should find Alucard Winslow. He was the former captain of the royal guards. He is loyal to your grandfather."

"I heard he is gathering the warriors and knights loyal to the former king as they want to reclaim the throne from your Grand Uncle."

"But their plan won’t succeed without a member of King Arthur’s kin. You are a true heiress of the throne. I believe until now, they are still looking for your mother."

Eve was still overwhelmed by this revelation.

Her mind was in the process of absorbing everything when suddenly her hand touched something at Annie’s back.

Eve broke the hug and she immediately moved to Annie’s back to check something. Her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw the arrow buried in Annie’s flesh.

’She was hit by the arrow! She got hurt because of me.’

Eve looked at Annie with a mixture of fear and concern in her eyes. She was already bathing in her own blood.

’No! I have to treat her wound! I have to stop the bleeding!’

With her trembling hands, Eve put pressure on her wound to stop the bleeding. But it was already too late. Annie had lost too much blood already, her complexion was already pale.

’It’s no use, my princess. I’m going to die soon.’

"Princess Eve, you must leave now. Go and ask for help. You can’t stay here. The bandits are still searching for us."

But Eve refused to listen. She shook her head frantically, not wanting to leave Annie behind.

’No! I’m not going anywhere without you!’

Eve started to sob. She was scared of losing Annie. She was the only person left who truly cared about her. She considered her as her second mother.

Annie’s consciousness was slowly slipping away. Her body had no energy left. And her breathing had become erratic.

Shaking her head, Annie pulled Eve’s hands as she turned her around to face her. Her eyes lingered on her face for a moment. She wanted to engrave Eve’s face in her mind until her last breath.

"Princess Eve, I’m so sorry if I failed you... Whenever I see you being mistreated by the queen and your half-siblings, my heart is also in pain. But I’m useless. I couldn’t free you from the palace’s torment."

"For me... you are like my daughter." Annie leaned in, planting a kiss on Eve’s forehead.

Their tears fell continuously, like rain. Eve could tell that Annie was bidding goodbye to her.

She shook her head frantically. ’No! Please don’t leave me, Annie. Please. Stay alive.’

"I miss hearing your sweet voice, my princess. How I wish... I can hear your voice once again... even for one last time."

"I love to hear you... calling my name... Annie..." her voice was now barely above a whisper.

She kept mumbling random thoughts in her mind as she kept smiling at Eve.

"I miss hearing your laughter... so pure and innocent..."

"My princess... I think... I’m going to miss you... forever..." Annie uttered those last words before she collapsed in Eve’s arms.

She immediately caught her, embracing Annie’s cold and blood-soaked body. She opened her mouth... and with a panic-stricken expression, she called her out.

"A–Annie!"

Annie heard her voice, her lips curling up into a faint smile. But she had no energy left to open her eyes. Her eyelid felt so heavy... and she already felt tired and sleepy.

"D-Don’t go..." she gently shook Annie’s body.

"P-Please, Annie..." she pressed her ear on Annie’s chest.

"S-Stay with me..." she sobbed and begged.

"I can’t lose you–"

’My princess found her voice back. I have no regrets... dying for her.’

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