When breath returned abruptly (too loud),so did clarity, my skin burned with sigils that wriggled beneath it. The world comes into focus not the nightmare of the forest, but a familiar room... warm, a sweet familiar scent and a brightly lit space.
Is this heaven!?.. so am dead... I mumbled.
I sat up in bed, heart thudding against my ribs when realization hits me and my eyes swept around the room, a strange rhythm pulsing from the wrist black veins marked by someone or rather something.
NO! what just happened!? thi... this is my room.. Was it possible that this was all a bad dream? or was I just imagining things, but the pain was so real. I thought as I placed my hand on the chest, remembering how Leo`s sword pierced through my ribs and heart.
The door creaked open, revealing the familiar face of the maid who`d been assigned to me when I had first arrived in the duke`s mansion. As she entered the room, her gaze flicked over me still sprawled in bed but there was no emotion in her eyes, just a cold disinterest. She crossed the space between us in the room hands holding fresh bed sheets. I couldn't help but stare at her and the attitude, I wasn't sure what was going to happen or what's happening. Like what was is doing here in my room last time I remember I was married to the prince and she died right after that or maybe killed.
My fingers curled into the sheets, My voice a blade wrapped in velvet.
"What. Day. is it."
The maid froze, spine stiffening at the wrongness in my tone.
"The 18th of Frostbloom... year 725."
MY MIND FROZE!..
Five years. Five years back.. What! how.. how did this happen.. Was I given a second chance... Five years before the betrayal. Before Leo`s Sword. Before Ariela`s laugh. Before the blood-soaked clearing where I died like discarded trash-
A jagged breath escaped my lips as I starred at my unmarked wrist (for now). That dark shadow hadn`t just resurrected her...
It had given me time to poison every step of their rise, to which I`ll gladly use this second chance to create a hell on earth for every single person that tormented me and took away my every ounce of hope I had in my past life.
Ever since I stepped foot in this mansion,no one has ever treated me with kindness or any ounce of respect, Yes. I am a child of the duke`s mistress. But am still their master`s child. This maid right here her name Sandra flicked her gaze toward me, Dumping fresh linens onto the foot of the bed with deliberate indifference. Staring at me in disgust.
"Still sprawled in bed.. Hmph!" She said in annoyance. "your presence is requested downstairs " she added, already turning to leave.
"Requested?" my voice came out sharper than intended. Sandra paused mid- step, eyebrows lifting at the unfamiliar steel in my tone.
"Yes" She sneered after a beat, lip curling as she eyed me and my disheveled state. "Unless you think your adopted tittle and last name makes you too important for summons now?"
The jab was deliberate a reminder of my place as an illegitimate child. Tolerated but never wanted.
"Were you told why am being summoned" I asked voice neutral, rising from bed.
Sandra averted her gaze, shifting anxiously from foot to foot as if suddenly uneasy. "Only that his highness the prince wished to speak to you since he heard that you had fallen into a lake at Marquis Albagard tea party five days ago"
My heartbeat thudded in my ears like distant drums. I remember In my first life this incident, Ariela had pushed me that day but she later told me it was an accident and that she was sorry too, but it was all a lie she wanted me to drown in water and die. And of course, the prince would make visit to ensure his betrothed(slave and useful tool) was well after an accident that was caused by the woman he truly loved. The perfect excuse to play charming knight.
I really tried my best to fit in and be accepted into this household, I studied hard, attended high society gatherings, learned etiquette and done everything, I even killed people who opposed the prince, he even told me to kill his own father the king who didn't want to make him crown prince in my previous life and instead gave the throne to Leo`s uncle the king`s brother and even being married to crown prince Leo. But i was only considered as a tool and slave that worked to ensure the Elmswood Dutchy prosperity, I even created an illegal weapon guild that traded gun powder, guns and magic manna stones to help make Leo the crown prince and strengthen his military troops. Just to be later killed and discarded like trash.
But this time...
I smiled sweetly the way Arielah did before sliding a knife between my ribs.
"Tell them I`ll be there... shortly."
The maid nodded nervously at my response, handling over fresh clothes-not even bothering to help me dress up. As I pulled on the delicate lace and head over to take a warm bath, my mind raced. I had to act as the part of a grateful bride-to-be. Or lets make it even better.
...
I`LL BECOME HIS WORST NIGHTMARE..