The Mystery of Margorie Walker

  * * *

  Lying on the furred couch, Prince Eugène looked up at the bare ceiling. As he recalled what had happened in the morning, his anger started bubbling up within him. He loathed anyone who insulted his father. Lord Rèmy was the best person he could ever think of on this earth. From the day he was born, he was brought up under his father’s harsh and severe guideline. He grew up learning to fight and kill.

  “Remember, son, the best defense is offence.” His father had always reminded him.

  It might be of that reason that he grew to be a violent and heartless man. Killing not only became his defense but his entertainment. After tagging along with his father in one battle, he came back with an increasingly twisted nature. He had gradually and frantically fell in love with seeing others bleed. When the victims lost their last breath, his joy vanished. Soon, he searched for another victim. It was like when a child grew tired of a toy, he needed to seek for another. When he got tired of a punishment, he would start coming up with another one. There were people who got burnt, hung and guillotined. There were also people who got tied on a blazing metal, forced to jump onto a metal bed filled with nails, washed with acid…

  His games never ended, for as long as he lived, he never ran out of ways to afflict.

  Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. His knight came in and bowed.

  “Sir, there’s a prosecution regarding witchcraft.” The knight reported.

  “Oh?” An instant delight went over his face. Prince Eugène leapt out of the couch enthusiastically.

  “A girl has been accused of practicing witchcraft.”

  “Any evidence?”

  “Not really, sir. It was a Baronet who reported her. Apparently, this girl has offended him by mistake and he’s getting his revenge.”

  “We don’t need evidence anyway.” Prince Eugène straightened his back and walked out of the room. “Lead me to her.”

  The room was enveloped in darkness. The walls were hard and damp. The girl, tied with ropes was brought to the middle and forced to kneel down.

  “So I heard.” Prince Eugène started. “You’re practicing witchcraft.”

  “I never did, sir.” The girl replied. Her voice was soft and tender.

  Suddenly, Prince Eugène was curious. He had never heard such a beautiful voice before. Well, perhaps he did. Not that he really cared or remembered. He leaned closer to examine the girl’s face. She was a young lady. Though her face was covered with dirt and mud, he could tell she was striking. An immediate malicious thought popped up in his mind. He reached out for the girl and grinned.

  “You’re one such rare beauty.” He whispered to her eyes. “I know there’s a way for you to get away free.”

  The girl looked up at him and scowled. She was shivering.

  “But you have to please me.” Prince Eugène smiled cunningly.

  The girl frowned for a while and then she turned away.

  “Kill me then, Prince Eugène.” She said. “For there’s no way I am going to succumb my dignity to you.”

  “Very well.” Prince Eugène laughed. “I like girls with a temper. What do you say about being a princess?”

  “That’s the worst thing that could ever happen to me.” The girl said.

  “Oh?” Prince Eugène widened his eyes. He could hardly believe the girl in front of him was throwing away the chance to live. Taken by surprise, he did not know what to do at once.

  “And you’re sure you won’t regret?” Prince Eugène asked again.

  “Please, Prince Eugène, I never did any witchcraft.” The girl pled. “You’ve to believe me. The baronet stole my sister away from me. I chased after them. He hated me so he accused me of being a witch, which I am not.”

  Prince Eugène’s brows pulled together as he listened to the girl’s story. Her words sounded familiar. Very familiar. He had heard it before and forgot it.

  “Prince Eugène, I am innocent.” The girl said once again.

  “Innocent is not my vocabulary.” Prince Eugène said coldly. “If you don’t become my bride, you’re burned.”

  “You can’t do this to me!” The girl cried. “There’s never evidence showing that I am a witch. How can you ignore justice like that?”

  “Evidence! Justice!” Prince Eugène laughed. “I don’t need them! This city does not need them!”

  With that, the girl was dragged out of the scene. Prince Eugène ordered the knight to throw her into a prison and lock her up.

  “Tomorrow morning, she should be executed.” Prince Eugène said.