I quietly closed my eyes as I saw Rapunzel’s blade coming for my neck. So this is how it ends… After struggling so hard to survive, ending up dead like this? It filled me with more bitterness and sorrow than anger. And I felt sorry for Elise who just wanted to go home and Ariel trying to save the Prince from the curse because of me.
But I had no strength left. I’d already given it all…
I wondered what it would feel like to have my head separated from my body. Would I feel the pain or would it be quick enough that I wouldn’t even know? Would I feel myself rolling on the cold floor?
Well, I’ll find out soon enough…
SCHWOOOOSH!
Something splattered on my face. Warm liquid trickled down. The bit that accidentally got into my mouth tasted metallic and iron-like.
Something’s off. Why don’t I feel anything? Am I already dead? Hoping I’d become a ghost wandering this world rather than going straight to heaven, I opened my eyes.
What I saw was…
A sea of red.
The floor soaked in bl**d. Rapunzel’s face twisted in agony. Her golden hair falling limp and lifeless. For a moment, I just blinked stupidly, unable to process the scene.
My frantic eyes scanned Rapunzel’s beautiful face before stopping at her abdomen where a golden sword was embedded. The golden blade had pierced through her stomach and protruded out the other side.
Rapunzel was trembling violently, her bloodied hand resting weakly on my shoulder.
“Si…Siyoo…”
“Huh? Wha…? Rapunzel? What the hell…?”
It didn’t make any sense. Why was the sword in her stomach instead of cutting my head off? Rapunzel’s complexion was growing paler by the second. She wobbled and collapsed forward. I caught her falling body desperately.
“Rapunzel!! What…what is this?! Why did you do this?!”
“Heh heh…You’re such an idiot…Siyoo…Because…because you’re my boyfriend.”
Rapunzel’s soft hand caressed my cheek. Her warm touch was now chillingly cold. She was dying. Clearly, and quickly.
Her once vibrant hair was wilting, its golden luster fading. I gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to see her come to this end. Even though I was blinded by vengeance, I wished she could live a normal life someday. But why? Why does she have to meet such an end? Why does Rapunzel’s story have to end in s*icide?!
“Rapunzel…Rapunzel…”
My vision blurred with tears. My body heated up with intense emotions. I grabbed her hand that was touching my cheek.
With labored breaths, Rapunzel struggled to speak.
“I’m…I’m sorry…for showing you…this side of me. I really…wanted to go on dates…with you…but…it seems…that won’t happen now…”
I could feel Rapunzel’s life slipping away. I didn’t know what to do. I had no power to heal her grievous wounds. All I could do was helplessly listen to her final words as an ordinary human.
“Sorry…you had to see…this ugly side of me…Are you…disappointed in me?”
I shook my head vigorously.
“No. Not at all, Rapunzel. I’m not disappointed. Your reaction is completely understandable. How could feelings just disappear in an instant? I’m not disappointed in you. If anything, I’m thankful to have been with you.”
“Heh heh…”
Rapunzel smiled warmly like morning sunlight.
“You’re good with words…Si…Siyoo. Thinking about you saying those sweet things…to another girl makes me jealous…”
I forced a smile and gently stroked her beautiful face.
“What are you talking about? I only whisper sweet nothings for you. Because I’m your boyfriend.”
“Is…is that so? Haa haa…That makes me happy…heh heh…”
The light of life in Rapunzel’s eyes was fading. Please…just give us more time. Please don’t take her from me. What did she do to deserve this? Why does she have to endure such suffering? Why does her story have to end so terribly?!
“Siyoo…I wanted to leave you…with good memories…I’m sorry…But as a parting gift…”
Rapunzel’s trembling, weak hand grabbed my wrist. A brilliant golden light emitted from her touch, forming a magnificent golden bracelet.
“Haa haa…That should…help you…”
“Idiot! Use that energy to heal yourself!”
“Heh heh…”
She just kept smiling. I bowed my head then forced myself to look at her, determined not to miss this moment.
“I…really don’t want to say goodbye to you, Siyoo. I wanted to do so many things with you…”
“We can do them. Go to the movies, visit cafes, enjoy all sorts of fun things. Let’s spend happy times together eating at great restaurants. Please, Rapunzel. Heal yourself. I’m begging you.”
“Sorry…Siyoo…If I heal…I’ll go berserk again…Please…don’t forget me…when we part ways like this…”
Biting my lower lip tightly, I nodded.
“Of course not. How could I ever forget you?”
Rapunzel managed a faint smile, lacking the vitality of her previous ones.
“Thinking about it…we really became…a legend. Even though…you were chosen…and I was cursed…”
“No! That’s not true! You were never cursed! You’re my precious lover. The person I love. Someone I deeply cherish!”
Rapunzel’s pupils dilated widely. She stared at me intently for a moment before breaking into a gentle smile.
“Heh heh…That’s right? I…even though I was cursed…in the end…I get to d*e as a human…by my own choice…”
Thud.
Rapunzel’s hand fell limply. Her lifeless gaze remained fixed on my face until the very end. Feeling her icy coldness, I finally lowered my head and sobbed uncontrollably. The emotional whirlwind inside me burst forth.
Fat tears streamed endlessly. My chest felt unbearably hot and tight, so I pounded it repeatedly. My hands, unsure what else to do, clutched her now frigid hand as if my body warmth could bring her back to life.
“Rapunzel, you idiot…What are you going to do leaving like this? How could you meet such an end? I…”
The warmth she had moments ago was gone. Rapunzel’s voice that seemed ready to whisper affectionately to me anytime was silent forever. Her gem-like eyes that lovingly gazed at me lost their sparkle. Her golden hair, drained of magic, turned into ordinary brown locks.
My tears fell onto her face. Shaking, I gently closed her eyes.
Please…if there’s an afterlife, send her to heaven. And if she’s reborn, let her live a life full of love from everyone, always shining and beautiful. Praying for her face to be filled with endless smiles, I prayed and prayed again.
KIKIKIKIKI “So the legend came true?”
When I was deep in mourning, an annoying child’s voice sounded beside me. Turning my head, violent emotions surged within me.
The damned black rabbit.
That d*mn rabbit was smirking at me.
“You…you…”
“Woah woah! Why so scary? You should be happy! You’re the great hero who defeated the cursed Rapunzel.”
“Shut up! Rapunzel wasn’t some kind of curse. Say that again and I’ll turn you into rabbit stew.”
The black rabbit smirked while fiddling with his black brimmed hat.
“Picking up attitude from Elise? Not bad. Hmm~ Though Rapunzel’s ending wasn’t what I expected, I’m satisfied. I made the right choice picking you.”
“What are you? And what is this world? Why did you bring me here?!”
“I didn’t bring you as much as you followed me. To be precise, you came to me willingly and I chose you.”
The rabbit grinned and continued.
“I’m just the black rabbit of this world. A simple rabbit who enjoys watching stories unfold. Siyoo, your role is to bring d*ath to the stories I’ve created. Want to go home?”
The rabbit stepped close, placing his big foot in front of me.
“Just end all the stories. Until then, you can’t go home.”
“Bullshit. I need to go home now. There’s no way I’m staying another second in this…”
I tightened my grip on Rapunzel’s shoulder.
“…cursed world!”
Quickly grabbing the scythe on the floor, I swung it at the black rabbit. But the rabbit easily dodged, mockingly sitting on the blade.
“It’s too late. Remember this: if you want to go back, you must finish all the stories. I’ll be looking forward to the next one.”
With that, the rabbit kicked off the blade and jumped out the window, disappearing. The tower where Rapunzel was imprisoned echoed with anguished screams fueled by uncontrollable rage and grief.
