Cold Blooded Duke Burnt Alive

Count Katana [Riv's adoptive father]

You are a child who brings misfortune.

Riv’s mother died after giving birth to her. Riv wasn’t as beautiful as her mother. She was an ugly child with dull, dark hair, pale skin like a corpse, and had a flat body with no curves. She was a tall girl who was not cute or shy.

When Riv was 14 years old, there was a request from the royal family to send her as a maid. Her adoptive father was happy to sell her off for money.

At the age of 21, Riv was about to die. She looked around the old rusted dungeon where she was locked up. It seemed that no one would care if she died here.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

What went wrong in my life?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I don’t want to die…

Riv had lived desperately, hoping to be free from this place. She had covered her eyes, ears and closed her mouth in case she knew a secret of the royal family. She had disguised herself as ugly for so long that she forgot how she looked.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Marianne… Marianne.

She was locked up here because she knew Princess Marianne’s secret.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Maybe I will really die here…

The current Duchess of Sentoren, Marianne married the Duke of Sentoren. She was the only princess of the royal family, who married the best groom in the country. No one in the palace knew that the young, angelic-looking princess was actually promiscuous and prodigal.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Here she comes…

After a long time, a maid, Elle, appeared holding a torch. Behind Elle, Princess Marianne was standing in a white fur.

Riv couldn’t open her eyes as she was blinded by the torch glowing in front of her eyes. It was because her eyes got used to the darkness of the dungeon for a while now.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, Marianne’s expression became visible in front of her. Marianne was frowning as she feared her coat might get dirty.

Princess Marianne

Did you reflect on yourself while you were stuck here?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

…Princess Marianne.

Princess Marianne

Why don’t you pray as usual?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

If I do so then will you save me?

Princess Marianne

I can think about it.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Where did I go wrong, Princess Marianne?

Marianne’s white coat covered her body, so her body’s curves were not visible.

Princess Marianne

You are a fool.

Princess Marianne

Riv, even if everyone in the world knew my secret, you shouldn’t have. I can’t stand it.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Why?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Is it because the child’s father is not the Duke of Sentoren?

Princess Marianne

You knew it, Riv.

Princess Marianne, who was standing in front of her, was the Duchess of Sentoren. But Marianne hated her husband and didn’t sleep with him. She had many lovers.

Princess Marianne

Riv, if you know everything, you must die. You know that right?

Princess Marianne

Riv, even if you survive, you will live a miserable life without anyone’s love. So it won’t be bad to die now.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Does he know about the Princess’ pregnancy?

Princess Marianne

Maybe.

Marianne’s maid, Elle, seemed to be holding an oil can.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Will you burn me to death? If I were to die, I don’t want to die this way.

Princess Marianne

It is all because of you! It’s all because of you that I married this terrible Duke of Sentoren, broke up with my lovers, and got pregnant!

Marianne’s tearful eyes were filled with madness.

Princess Marianne

Without you, I can be happy.

Marianne took a ring out of her pocket and threw it at Riv. It fell on Riv’s skirt.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

...?

Riv picked up the ring. The ring was thick, rugged, and rusted all over. The gemstone in the center also stood out, so it seemed worthless except for the jewel.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

What’s this?

Princess Marianne

It is Duke Sentoren’s heirloom and the late Duchess’ ring.

Princess Marianne

Riv, take that ugly ring with you when you die. I’ll kill you and be free from the Duke of Sentoren.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Princess!

Princess Marianne

Riv, just die.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Princess, sa…save me! Why me?!

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

If you save me, I will do anything.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Cut off my tongue if you’re afraid of rumors. If I can’t talk, I won’t be able to spread rumors.

Princess Marianne

You can write.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Well, chop off my hands.

Princess Marianne

It’s annoying. It’s comfortable and safe to just killing you.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Princess!!

Princess Marianne

Just die, Riv.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Princess!

As Marianne stepped back, her maid, Elle, poured oil inside and outside Riv’s prison. Dry hay was piled up in front of the cell and oil was sprayed on Riv’s dress. She tried to desperately move away from the oil.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Don’t! Please don’t!

Elle threw away the barrel after emptying it, lit a match, and threw it on the oil spread on the ground. Flames consumed the dry hay quickly, thenexploded into the prison cell.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Sa…Save me! Please! Save me!

Before she knew it, Marianne and the maid were running away as fast as they could.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Save me! Please!!!

Riv’s cry echoed loudly, but no one came to save her from the burning dungeon.

Riv’s whole body was burning in the fluttering red flame. The pain of being burned alive was terrible. She died very slowly in the flames.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Why did I have to suffer such a painful ending?

Her body was burnt and only her soul remained, but Riv felt the touch of the old ring, which she held in her hand. The stone and the rough surface of the ring felt real. Riv became more distressed.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Why? Why?! Why?! Why did I have to die? What did I do to deserve this?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

What went wrong in my life?!

No one could hear her cry even though she cried and kept crying.

It was a long time until Riv noticed an uninvited guest standing next to her.

As she turned her head, she saw a man made of white bones in a ragged black robe.

He was the messenger of death, a reaper.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I am really dead.