“Life is unfair. Yeah, no matter how I think, life is bloody unfair to those who need luck the most. I mean how could I get framed for murder of someone whom I don’t even know?!”

Thoughts like these keep on occupying my head as I sit on the prison cell. It hasn’t been an hour since this foul misunderstanding happened. I was just on my way from working at the lord’s house when I heard a muffled groan. At first, I thought I was just hearing things. Then it got louder and more desperate. And this curiosity of mine just wouldn’t let me walk away idly. So, I followed the trail of the voice. And, this happened.

I guess my brittle luck ended the moment I came to this world. As much as I hate to admit it, I am not originally from this place. In my world, there were no magic, no mystical creatures or inhuman lords ruling territories. Most of all, there were internet and ai along with comfortable clothes unlike the ones I am in now. I think with a look of disdain on the tight corset and unnecessary big clothes wrapped around me. The garments are weird too. They are not made out of wool or linen. Actually, this world I currently reside in is-

I spring up at the sound of the prison door opening. It creaks indicating its old age and an officer with two guards step in. I scowl recognizing him. Bye to any chance of my survival.

He drags the chair in the middle of the prison and indicates me to sit down too on the chair facing his. I obviously don’t. But do so when the guards put hands in the hilts of their swords. The officer clears his throat and starts, “Well, I didn’t expect to meet you so soon again. Guess, trouble follows you everywhere,” he stops and eyes me up to down making me cringe, then adds “Miss. Helena” with a smirk.

“Didn’t expect of you to have this much leisure of meddling in others’ business either, officer Kraspor.” I snap. His brows furrows but he manages his expression immediately remembering others are here.

“So, you murdered lord Danibill’s only daughter this time?”

“No.”

“Of course you’d say so. So, how did you do it?”

“Are you here to interrogate me or to prove me guilty?”

His worm-like lips again forms a devious smile, “I am here to do my duty as an officer, of course.”

I roll my eyes but don’t say anything.

“If you don’t want to admit it, then I would gladly use some other methods rather than…talking.” his and the eyes of both guards’ glint.

I bite the insides of my cheeks and start, “The murder wasn’t committed by me. I don’t even know the victim personally. I just happened to arrive a few minutes before other people arrived and saw her lifeless body in the pool of blood. I am simply a passerby!”

“Then how would you explain the blood on your clothes and hands? Surely, now you wouldn’t say the murderer did that too?” he chuckles. I wish I could wipe out that smirk from his ugly face.

“No. I got covered in blood trying to help her. I hoped I could have saved her if I was fast. But, I failed and she died.”

“Oh, how pitiful.” He coons and the guards behind him laugh. “It seems you won’t spill any truth before,” he puts a metal instrument for torture in the table and ends his sentence, “this is used.” I look at the mechanism and gulp. It seems to be made for cutting off fingers.

I open my mouth to protest as he picks up the tool but someone enters into the cell, drawing everyone, including mine attention to him.

A man, wearing formal clothes and a badge at his hand stands in the doorway. He seems to be in his early thirties. His clothes seem to be made of fine garments and he appears to be well mannered. Whoever he is, he has high rankings, I note that to myself.

At first, he takes in his surroundings and drawing his attention back to the officer sitting before me. He begins, “I come from Lord Danibill with an urgent message.” and shows the badge to the officer. So, he is a messenger.

Officer Kraspor inquires, “What is the lord’s message about?”

“He summons the suspected murderer. Lord Danibill orders you to release the criminal for his daughter’s death this instant and take her to him.”

The officer’s face shows pure irritation and disappointment as he says, “But she’s the murde-”

“Are you disobeying the lord’s order?”

“N-no. It’s just that I-” he stutters at the messenger’s claim.

“Then who are you to dare question the lord’s choices? His order for you is to release her. This instant.”

Kraspor mutters a curse under his breath and says, “Alright. But it will be dangerous to take a criminal to his manor with only one person.”

“About that matter, I have guards waiting outside to accompany her.”

What in the world are they talking about? I am going where? To the lord’s castle? The lord who rules this territory I live in? One of the five inhuman lords of this empire? Why? Does he plan to kill me on his own to quench his thirst for revenge?

So many questions circles around my head as I walk out of the prison with the messenger and guards he bought with him.

My first question to the messenger is, “What does he want from me?” when he leads me towards the carriage waiting outside. And comes out his reply, “Mind how you address the lord.” I fight the urge to say more things but say instead, “What does the lord want from me?”

“You will know when you get there.”

“Does he plan to kill me on his own?”

“You will know once you arrive.”

Fine, I get it, no chance gaining any information out of this devoted messenger. I look out of the carriage window to see if I can escape. But the guards are too close and alert for me to do that.

I take in my surroundings. The carriage is too well decorated and the guards along with the messenger are too well-mannered for accompanying a criminal. Does that lord not plan to kill me? It’s weird. Does someone treat the murderer of their daughter this well? Or is it simply the last kindness showed to me before I enter hell of torture? I guess I will find out when I reach his manor.

My thoughts end with the halt of the carriage. And then the messenger says, “Welcome to the Castle of High lord Dandibill Millen.” before opening the carriage door. I step out and gape at what I see before me.