Annalisa

1

Annalise

It's today. I inhaled deeply and dragged my knees to my chest.

It's today. I looked around me, unconsciously wishing for one more day, even if it were in this cold dungeon.

It's today. My eyes settled on the charcoal markings on the stonewall opposite me for one last confirmation. Only one strike hadn't been crossed out.

I reluctantly stood up and dragged my feet towards the wall.

"Stop making so much noise!" a voice bellowed from the other side of the bars that held me in.

I froze and held my breath as I strained my ears, trying to make sure no footsteps were accompanying the voice. I let out a relieved sigh when I heard none.

My eyes fell to my feet and I picked up the charcoal that lay there. I turned the markings on the wall and crossed out the last part.

"It's today," I muttered as I stared at the wall. "Today is the day I die."

I took a step back and closed my eyes tightly. Maybe when I open my eyes, it'll all be a dream. I will be laying in bed cuddling Spencer, then he'll kiss me and reassure me.

I opened my eyes. I was still in a dungeon, awaiting the man that will lead me to my death.

It's not a dream, you're wide awake, a voice whispered in my head.

A sound from outside caught my ears.

"He's here," I mumbled, as I recognized the sound as footsteps.

A figure appeared in front of the bars. He began to unlock the padlock. "Come out, now!" he ordered when he was finally done.

I hurriedly ran out to meet him. It was the jailer. I stretched my hands out to him and they were tied tightly with a brown rope.

That would leave a mark, I thought to myself.

A mark you will never see, the voice chipped in once again.

A sharp pain shot through my heart as I realized it was true. I shook my head to get rid of the thought.

I and the jailer walked in silence and in a short while, we were in an open field.

I looked up, squinting against the sunlight. It burns, I thought with the ghost of a smile on my face. I had forgotten how good it felt to be outside.

I looked around as I was led to the stand. There were at least 3000 people present. All here to witness Analissa's death.

"Get in," the man commanded.

I stepped in. It was the only stand in the middle of the field, and it was situated right next to the guillotine. I swallowed hard.

"Place your hands where we can see them."

I followed his order, placing them on the wooden surface in front of me.

"We announce the arrival of the future Duke of Wales and his fiancée," a voice bellowed.

I looked around trying to find the source but it was to no avail.

Instead, my eyes fell on my ex-husband and sister. I clenched my fists tightly as they strutted in, hand in hand.

That's my dress she's wearing, I raged internally as they got closer. It was a sky blue ball gown, with silver lace details at the edges. She had her blonde hair up in a bun with a flower crown in it. She looks just like I would if I wasn't wearing a dress made from a brown sack. I clenched my fists tighter at the realization, and jutted my chin out.

I squared my shoulders as they approached closer. After what seemed like hours, they finally were standing in front of me, matching evil smirks on their faces.

"Hi, sis," Anne said with a wink.

My eyes fell to my hands. I unclenched my hands then clenched them again, and kept repeating the process.

A hand reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up.

"You will look at me when I'm talking to you," my sister spat out.

"After everything mum and dad did for you," I snapped, "You killed them."

I watched my sister take a step back. She definitely wasn't expecting a retort from me.

"Be careful how you talk," she snarled. "Your life is in my hands."

I let out a bitter laugh. "What's the use? You're going to kill me, either way."

My eyes drifted to the man standing beside her. The man who was once the only one that occupied my heart, the man who is now the focus of all the hatred in me.

"Spencer." His name rolled off my tongue like it was a bitter pill I was forced to swallow. I narrowed my eyes as I stared at him. "You should have never been born."

Spencer passed his fingers through his black hair as he let out a deep laugh. "But I was. I was born and I will continue to live. But you?" He paused and leaned in closer, till he was merely inches away from my face. "Your life ends here."

The duo began to cackle as they turned to face the crowd.

"Good day, my people. Today is the day we bring justice to the death of the Dukeand Duchess of Wales. This young girl," he gestured towards me, "Was their first daughter. I find it quite unfortunate the unsuspecting parents brought to the world the one who would take them out of it." He paused.

The crowd came alive with whispers. I hung my head and clenched my fist tightly. A few drops of tears fell.

The crowd fell silent again as soon as Spencer cleared his throat. "Not only has she orphaned her dear sister, but she has also rid us of a wonderful leader. How heartless. Who thinks she deserves to be alive?"

The crowd remained silent for a short while before thry replied in a chorus.

"Kill her, kill her, kill her," they were chanting.

Anne sniffed dramatically and the entire field fell silent. "It has been a week, but I still can't believe she did such a thing. Our parents had loved us without any limits, especially her. I remember always teasing her that she was the favorite child."

I raised my head slowly. Angry tears were now rushing down my face. How dare they?

Anne came to meet me. "Annalissa, why did you do that? How could you dare to kill them? After everything they have done for you, for us? Why did you decide to make me an orphan?"

She began bawling and banging the table. Spencer walked over to stop her, then he enveloped her in his arms.

I stared at them, frozen in shock.

Spencer signaled for the jailer.

"Carry out the execution," he ordered, just loud enough for me to hear.

I maintained eye contact with him as the man dragged me and handed me over to the executioner. He dragged me and placed my head on the lunette.

Anne finally moved away from his chest. She moved to stand beside him then held his hand. He turned to face her and she stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. They both turned to look at me, their faces mirroring each other with matching smirks.

Anne gave me a little wave as she leaned her head on Spencer's shoulder.

"5," the crowd screamed.

You guys will pay for this.

"4."

I will make you guys pay for this, somehow.

"3."

God, please, a second chance at life.

"2."

I promise to destroy them and save my parents this time.

"1."

I curse you both.

Chop!

2

Annalise

My eyes abruptly snapped open and I was met with the sight of both my parents and sister looking down at me.

"She's awake!" a voice screamed, and the entire place erupted in cheers.

A stabbing pain shot through my head and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to relieve it. Soon, the hall became quiet and so did the chaos in my head. My mum stretched her hand out to me and I took it. She and my dad pulled me up, before they both enveloped me in a hug.

"I thought I had lost you for good," my mum mumbled into the group hug.

Lost me? What is she talking about? What happened? I had a lot of questions.

We finally disentangled ourselves from the hug and my dad slowly turned me to face the podium.

On the podium, Spencer stood talk with wide grin plastered on his face. Contrary to normal, butterflies didn't begin to flutter in my stomach at the smile. Instead, I felt strangely disgusted.

I looked around me, mentally noting how each seat in the fairly large hall was occupied by elegantly dressed royals. My eyes fell to my feet and only at the sight of the white dress did it click in my head that I was the bride.

"Shall we?" I heard my dad's voice request.

My eyes slowly rose my feet till they met his. He gestured down to his arm and when I looked down, it was angled at forty-five degrees. I smiled as I slipped my hand in and gripped the bouquet in my other hand tightly.

"We shall," I nodded.

A calming song began to play as my father walked me down the aisle.

This feels too familiar, I thought to myself as I looked around.

Could it be deja vu? I wondered. But it was lasting too long to be mere deja vu. We finally reached the podium, and my dad placed my hand in Spencer's.

"Take care of my daughter," he solemnly stated, then he flashed me a smile before he made his way back to his seat.

Spencer softly squeezed my hand, drawing me back to reality. My eyes rose up to meet his and he sent a small smile my way.

He looks evil, a voice whispered in my head. I sent quick glances around the room hoping no one had actually heard me.

"Where did that come from?" I muttered.

"Did you say something?" Spencer asked, leaning in with a smile that showed his white teeth.

I unconsciously took a few steps back. For some reason, he looked like he was baring his fangs at me, not smiling.

I let a small smile reside on my face as I replied him, "No, I didn't say anything."

With the way he raised an eyebrow, I knew that I had not imagined the crack in my voice.

Stop it. There's nothing to be afraid of. This is the man you have loved your whole life, and you finalky get to marry him. This is a happy day, I mentally reasoned.

But surprisingly, it didn't feel like a happy day. My guts were entangling themselves with each other and despite the cheery decorations of the hall, the air around me was heavy with gloom. It didn't feel like a beautiful beginning, but the a miserable ending.

Spencer cleared his throat, interrupting my train of thoughts. I looked up at him, and he smiled down at me.

"Annalissa, my beautiful Annalissa," he began.

It's already time to say our vows.

"I can't believe today is here," he continued. "I have waited so long to finally address you as my queen and fortunately for me, I have lived long enough to see it happen."

I held my breath. This isn't deja vu. I have been here before. I have heard this speech before. I have lived this moment before.

But how? a voice whispered in my head.

"My girl, my woman, my princess, my queen, my whole world. You alone are worthy of such names," Spencer was saying.

"And you alone will forever be addressed as such. I have loved you for a long time in silence, but now I can finally love you as loudly as I want to. I am happy you were born, and I am even happier you chose to spend the rest of your life with me. I love you so much and I promise to continue to do so for the rest of our lives, while also supporting you. Cheers, to being my viscountess," I whispered along with him.

Both my hands flew to cover my mouth as a small gasp escaped. I was sure I had never heard the speech before today, so how had I been able to complete it with him?

I looked around the hall as my stomach turned repeatedly. Everyone was staring at me, waiting for me to recite my vows. I opened her mouth and closed it repeatedly. I tried, but I could not bring myself to recite them. Something is completely off. This wedding should not hold.

"Well..." I began but trailed off. My stomach turned once more. A reminder.

"I can't go through with this wedding," I hurriedly said.

The hall instantly quieted down. Spencer's eyes were as wide as plates.

"W-What?" he sputtered out.

I took a few steps backwards. "I'm sorry, but I can't go on with this wedding," I repeated, slower and more firmly.

Spencer's eyes seemed to darken. He took a step forward. "Why is that?"

Shit. I didn't think of a reason. I knew I needed a credible reason for the wedding to be called off.

"I'm pregnant!" I blurted out.

Spencer's chin jutted out. "We have never shared a bed before."

I unconsciously took a few more steps back. "Yes, it's not yours."

He stared at me with questioning eyes. "Who's is it?"

My eyes quickly flitted through the crowd before finally settling on one pair. "Adrian. Yes, I'm pregnant for Adrian."

The crowd let out a collective gasp.

Spencer immediately stormed out with clenched fists, leaving a silent hall behind him.

The priest cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Well, is the Adrian in question present?"

Adrian stood up. "That's me."

"Will you like to wed the mother of your child today?"

The entire hall, with me included, held their breaths in anticipation of his answer.

"Yes," he finally answered.

A relieved breath escaped me.

"Turns out, there'll still be a wedding today," the priest announced.

| | | | |

I am now a wife. Adrian's wife. I thought to myself as I collapsed on my bed after a long day. I was exhausted, and I just wanted to sleep.

A knock sounded on my door the second I finally began to drift off.

I let out a sigh. "What is it?" I called out.

"You have a visitor, miss," the maid replied from the other side of the door.

I rolled my eyes as I sat up. "I'll be there in a bit."

I pulled on a pink dress and hurried out, wondering who was here to see me this late at night. I opened the door and was met with a stressed looking Spencer.

"Spencer? What happened to you?" I asked.

Spencer reached out and held my hand, triggering a sharp pain in my head.

I staggered then fell. The entire world became black.

I will kill you just like I did to your parents, Mark my words.

My eyes snapped open and the world was colorful once again. I held my head, a futile effort to calm the throbbing pain.

"Are you okay?" a concerned voice asked from above. I looked up and saw Spencer. It might have been an illusion, but there were two horns sticking out of his head.

Run! Run as far as you can! a voice ordered internally. And I obeyed.

I picked myself up and ran, looking back a few times to make sure the devil wasn't behind me.

3

Annalise

I inhaled deeply, then exhaled, all in an effort to catch my breath.

What was that dream? I wondered although it hadn't felt like a dream at all, but a memory, a flashback.

I closed my eyes as I remembered the scene once again.

"I will kill you just like I did to your parents," I whispered into the empty room.

I stared into the blank nothingness. I couldn't ignore the fact that the voice had sounded exactly like Spencer.

"What exactly is goimg on?" I wondered aloud.

A knock sounded on my door, ending my flow of throats. I rolled my eyes in frustration as I answered. "Come in."

The door creaked open and a petite girl dressimg in a thigh length black dress covered with a white apron entered.

"Hello, Alyssa. What's the matter?" I asked. Alyssa was the maid permanently assigned to me for the rest of my life.

"You have a visitor, Mrs," Alyssa replied. I could see that she was trying hard to fight the blush off her face, and neither did i miss the emphasis on the last word she uttered.

"By your tone, I can assume it's my husband?" I guessed with a laugh.

The mischievous smirk that settled on her face proved me right.

I and Alyssa were more comfortable around each other than a maid should be around the boss. I had deliberately molded our relationship into that because I needed somewhat of a friend.

I smiled at her and nodded my head. "I will be there in a bit."

She curtised then hurried out, giggling.

My smile dropped as soon as the door closed behind her.

"What am I going to do now?" I groaned in frustration as I collapsed on the bed, my head in my hands. Adrian was most likely here for explanations, explanations I didn't have.

Why did he agree to it in that moment? My eyes snapped open as soon as the thought popped into my head. I also had explanations I wanted to hear.

I quickly pulled on the pink dress from earlier and hurried out.

Adrian was standing outside and his head was tilted as he stared at the stars. I stared at him for a while, noting how the breeze made his brown hair flutter slightly.

He looks attractive. I shook my head immediately to get rid of the thought and cleared my throat, announcing my presence.

He turned to face me then bowed slightly. When he stood tall, the moonlight was shining on him, leading him to glow despite the darkness. All his facial features were highlighted by the glow, making him look eextra handsome. Especially his lips.

I quickly shook my head and turned away from him. "Follow me, let's have a seat," I suggested as I walked as fast as I could to the bench that was in the garden. I knew that if we stayed in that spot, I would be distracted.

By his lips, a voice teased.

I shook my head, a little harder this time. Immediately, the contents of my head began to get jumbled up and my vision was nothing but black dots. I staggered a few steps back with my hand placed on my forehead. While staggering, I missed a step. I closed my eyes tight and braced myself, waiting for the fall.

My body never collided with the floor. Instead, I felt an arm rab my waist and pull me up... and in. When I opened my eyes, I was pressed against Adrian's chest.

I looked up and my eyes met his brown eyes. They looked like a pool of golden honey, I wouldn't mind drowning in them. My eyes moved down and fell on his lips. They were a beautiful bright shade of pink.

They look so kissable, I thought as I unconsciously raised a finger and began to trace the shape of his lips. His hands clutched my waist tighter and it was only then I realized we were still pressed closed against each other.

We both jumped back immediately, disentangling ourselves.

He cleared his throat and turned in the opposite direction. I cleared my throat and looked at my feet, kicking at the grass. An awkward silence had replaced the... moment..

"So," he finally began, his sharp voice cutting through the silence. "It will take a few days to get my home ready to accommodate a wife. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes." My voice came out as a hoarse whisper and I cleared my throat once again, with a tinge of red on my cheeks.

He let out a small laugh. "I didn't know I'll be getting married today. Did you know your husband will be different from your fiancée?"

We maintained eye contact as I pondered the question. It was a question that masked many questions and I knew he wanted answers to all his questions.

"I'm sorry," I simply said.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Is that all you have to say?"

No. That isn't all I have to say. I have so much more to say, but he'd think I'm crazy.

"Yes. For now, that's all I can say," I answered and hung my head in shame.

A sarcastic laugh escaped his mouth. "Don't I deserve some sort of explanation for why you dragged my name through the mud? Now everyone thinks I was sleeping with a betrothed lady."

You would think I'm crazy.

I inhaled deeply. "I know this might sound crazy, but I've been here before."

A comcerned look crept unto his face. He took a few steps forward and placed the back of his hand on my forehead. "Are you okay? Should I call the doctor?"

I slapped his hand away and took a few steps backwards. I felt hot now, but that was because I was burning with embarrassment. It had nothing to do with the fact that where his hand had been on my head was now tingling. "I'm serious," I cried out. "I have been having deja vu throughout the day, and deja vu never lasts that long. The only explanation is that I have been here before."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Okay, let's assume you've actually been here before. What does that have to do with marrying me? Why did you choose me?"

I let out a frustrated breath. "I'm sorry about that. You had the choice to say I was lying, or to refuse the marriage, but you did neither. Why?"

He ignored my questions and asked his own. "Why did you choose me, Annalissa?"

I rolled my eyes. "No reason, I promise. I just knew I had to end the marriage but I couldn't see any credible reason to. I came up with anything and picked anyone. It wasn't preplanned. I promise," I protested.

Adrian held my gaze for a while before he finally let out a sigh. "Okay, let's say I believe you. We need some ground rules for this marriage, as it is not one that any of us want."

"Yes. I agree," I nodded hastily.

He snuck a glance at me. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"No sex," I blurted out. My hands flew to my mouth in the same hurried manner I had said it.

"I see that has been on your mind for a while," he said with a laugh that made me smile.

"No, not really," I blushed in response.

"Well, any other boundaries that we should set?" he asked.

I tucked my tongue in my cheek as I pondered his question. "None from me," I stated.

"Well, it's a deal," he declared.

I looked up at him. "How do we seal it? We have no pen or paper, or anything of the sort."

I froze as Adrian began to slowly walk towards me while holding my gaze. He reached me then placed his hand on the small of my back and pulled me in to be pressed against his chest. Deja vu.

"Let's seal it with a kiss," he said in a hoarse whisper, looking into my eyes.

His golden brown eyes were now a beautiful shade of coffee brown. It seemed that they had me under a trance as I silently nodded. It's just a peck.

I stood on my tiptoes while he leaned down and our lips collided. His lips were soft like bread, and they molded perfectly with mine. I raised my hands and clasped them together behind his neck, while he pulled me in closer with one of his and used the other to carress my face. My fingers roamed through his hair as his tongue slipped into my mouth. He tasted like red wine. Sweet, fruity red wine.

I love this, I don't want to let go, I thought as I pulled his head closer.

Crack!

We both jumped away from each other, breathless, wondering where the sound that had interrupted the moment came from.