《The Villainess Won't Die》 Trigger Warnings Hello, my dear readers. So, I felt that I should warn you guys about the triggers in my book! If you perhaps are sensitive to any of these, be aware. Otherwise, this could be a nuisance to you. In this first book of the series, the main protagonist will be 13-14 years old, but only in the biggest part of the first book, which means THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR CHILDREN!Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. The Viiness Won''t Die contains violence, a lot of blood, death, death threats, grief, mention of sexual abuse, PTSD, guilt, emotional abuse, child neglect, memory loss, anger issues, alcohol, anxiety, and a LOT of maniption. Natasha Nicholais Profile ? MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS. >>>>>> Story I Story role - Main protagonist. Alignment - Chaotic good. Short term goal - Be rich on her own, without the members of House Nichi''s knowledge. I Long term goal - Aplish her revenge.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Change the future for the better. Make Valerian, her younger brother, the Heir Apparent, and next Grand Duke Nichi of the Leopenia territory. First appearance The first chapter, cuz she''s the main protagonist. Plot involvement Not letting the future repeat itself. Making allies all over the Empire and in other ces as well, and gaining connections and political power. Defeating her twin sister and all the people who destroyed her life in the 1st timeline. Doing everything to protect Valerian in a way she couldn''t do in the 1st timeline. Conflict Her little connections,ck of influence and power, andck of enough political strength to go against the people she must destroy and kill. Once she''s up against four pirs of the Aristocratic Faction, one of them being the Empress, who''s one of the rulers of the Empire, and who not only have deep and important connections with most of the Royals and Nobles but also with other powerful nations like her hometown. >>>>>> Basic Name - Natasha Nichi. Gender - Female. Full name - Natasha Mary-Anne Ludwick Nichi. Also known as - Nat, she''s called this way by people close to her. Tasha, she''s called this way by her father. Love, she''s called this by Ethan Theodore. Little dragonfly, she''s called this way by Asher Kingston. Pinky, she''s called this way by Casteel White-Wood, her distant cousin. Psycho, she''s called this way by Sir Leonard Brantley and by her paternal grandmother Candece''s underlings. Magicless bitch/trash, she''s called this way by almost all the high society. Age - 1st timeline (when she died) 27yo. 2nd timeline (at the beginning) ¡ú 13/14yo. 2nd timeline (after the timeskip} - 17/18yo. Date of birth - December 3rd of the year 265 in the Caspien Calendar. ce of birth - Leopenia, ruled by Grand Duke Gilbert and Grand Duchess Cleo Nichi, the northern region of the Caspien Empire, is located in the north of the Harkheiz Continent. Species - Human. Ethnicity - Caspienian¡ú the Empire. Nothern the region. Leopenian the territory. World/Sphere - Padaman. upation - Royal Princess. Duchess. Dame (female Knight). Investor. Assassin. Titles - As part of the Royalty ¡ú Royal Princess Natasha - Her Royal Highness. As the 2nd daughter of the Grand Duke Nichi ¡ú Duchess of Astryn - Her Grace. As part of the Knighthood Dame Natasha Nichi. As an Investor Lady Hana Wildflower. Protected by - Mi, the Goddess of Death, Life, Time, and Creation. Chaos, the Shadow Spirit. One sentence description - Natasha has a strong will, selflessness, loyalty when ites to her loved ones and her allies, and bravery to do what no one dared to. ??? Appearance Height - 160cm before the time skip. 5''3" 5''6" 167cm after the time skip. Weight - 99lbs = 45kg 121lbs 57kg ¡ú after the time skip. before the time skip. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Skin tone - White. Facial shape - Heart-shaped. Eye color - Golden. Hairstyle - Hip-length wavy light pink hair. Distinguish feature - She has two little spots under her left eye, which she inherited from her father. Other facial feature - Dimples in both cheeks. Body type - Hourss. Dress - While on social gatherings and other casual asions she dresses up in the European medieval Royal type of dress, once she''s a Royal Princess. But normally, she uses riding and training clothes. Something she always carries {weapon, tools...} - She always carries Kallisto, her thin and sharp sword, with her in a belt on her waist. But she also has Des and Troy, her twin long daggers, and sometimes Evil, her bow with arrows. essories - She only uses the jewels crafted by the owner of Lollipop That Beats Beats Beats, the jewelry store she invested in, who make magical stones that can protect her from types of magic like her sister''s. Other physical appearance - Natasha has a piercing in her belly button containing protection magic, which can only be seen if someone sees her naked, so she would always be protected against Dalh''s magic. >>>>>>> Life Skills - She''s a prodigy educationally speaking, in martial arts, in the kitchen, and with every type of weapon possible. Also being skilled in socialization and social maniption. Ipetence - She can''t keep her mouth shut and has a very dirty tongue, which usually creates problems for her. Strenght/Talent - Natasha has an innate talent in swordsmanship, archery, killing, and magic. Weakness - Valerian, her younger brother. Her past in the 1st timeline and what she did when Dalh was controlling her. Hobbies - She truly loves to train, cook, read, spend time with Valerian and go out with her horse Moondust. Habits - To make ns and not tell anybody, to keep secrets, and to not be able to open up or trust people easily. Go out in the middle of the night to eat something secretly in the kitchen. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! ¡ö Pets - Moondust, her horse. Chaos...? I Area of residence - At the beginning of the novel, she''s at Greenhall Castle, the Nichi Manor in the Imperial Capital, where they spend the summer season every year. But normally she lives with her family back at the Grand Dukedom Nichi in Leopenia, her family''s territory on the North of the Empire. Home description - Back in the north, she lives in what is considered the second biggest pce in the Caspien Empire, only second to where Emperor Handrixander resides with the other members of House Caspien. Neighbourhood - She doesn''t live in a neighborhood because there''s only the Nichi Pce around and the people who work to her father living there. Organization involved - Aristocratic Faction Opposition, also known as AFO. Ie - Because of all the investments she made, she has a higher than the nobility average, only to herself. Without counting all the money she gains from her father. Health - Her family is the second most healthier in the whole Caspien Empire, only after House Caspien itself. ??? Attitude Personality - Outgoing, messy, domineering, sarcastic, maniptive, scheming. She has a thoughtful and extroverted nature. Cynic, for sure. But somewhat optimistic too. I Moral - Courageous, fair, honest, integrin, responsible, persevere, tolerant, trustworthy. Self-control - Has very high self-control when ites to herself and her skills, most of it because she knows herself better than anyone and epts her good and her bad side. She had a hard time controlling herself after she came back from the future. As well as she also feels difficulty in controlling her impulsivity when she''s close to those who hurt her and Valerian in the 1st timeline. Motivation - She''s motivated by her desire to keep Valerian safe and to make of him the next Grand Duke Nichi. One of her biggest motivations is undoubtedly her thirst for revenge on Dalh, Octavian, the 3rd Imperial Prince, and the Empress. Discouragement - The ghosts of her past in the first timeline that she kept hidden inside her heart, letting it consume her. Intelligence level - Genius. Confidence level - Kinda narcissistic. Philosophy - Always get up after falling, even if it means imminent death. Never give up and fight for what you truly want with all your strength. I Greatest fears - Not being able to change the future in the 2nd timeline. Valerian''s possible death. Dying before achieving her goals. Padaman Worlds Info ? MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS. Sphere''s name Padaman Alignment Entire new world Status Currently at peace, thanks to the efforts of Stradivarius K''hir, the Legendary Mage, founder and leader of the Mage''s Tower, who formed a stable rtionship with all the territories and found a friendly way for them to agree on a peace treaty World geography Before the 1st World War ¡ú - Harkheiz Continent upies the northeast, east, and southeast - Union of 11 mid Kingdoms and 4 major Kingdoms - Breain Continent upies the northwest and west - Union of 23 minor Kingdoms - Anevay Continent upies three big inds in the mid-north, midwest, and midsouth - Union of 3 major Kingdoms After the 1st World War ¡ú - Harkheiz Continent upies the northeast, east, southeast and midsouth - Constituted by 1 major Empire and 4 major Kingdoms - Breain Continent upies the northwest, west, and mid-north - Constituted by 1 major Empire and 3 major Kingdoms - Archipgo K''hir upies the center of the sphere - Constituted with the Mage''s Tower, was the main location of the destruction of the 1st World War, founded by thest survivor of the Verena Kingdom, which was the biggest territory before the war Current setting ¡ú - Harkheiz Continent ? Caspien Empire, at the north of the continent, ruled by Emperor Hendrixander and Empress Francesca, from House Caspien (the main location of the story, both the main leads are from here} >> White-Wood Kingdom, at the south of the continent, ruled by King Nanamion White Wood alone with his misteress Lucas, from House White-Wood (the Royal family is rted to Natasha''s because her paternal grandmother Candace was the current King''s aunt, so her father, Gilbert, is the King''s cousin} ? Rosalyn Kingdom, at the east of the continent, ruled by Queen Larisa and her husband, Consort Taarush, from House Rosalyn ? Orion Kingdom, at the midwest of the continent, ruled by King Qianfan and Queen Meilin, from n Orion ? Ludwick Kingdom, a big ind, under the K''hir Archipgo on the map, ruled by King Eirik and Queen te, from House Ludwick (Natasha''s also rted to the Royal family here, because her mother, Cleo, is a Princess from here and the current King''s younger sister} - Breain Continent ? Meredithian Empire, at the north and east of the continent, ruled by Emperor Anders and Empress Astrid, from House Meredithian (they are also known as the barbarians, and the general of their Imperial army is directed connected to Natasha because of what he did in the past} ? Gavrikov Kingdom covers the west border of the continent, ruled by Queen Anya and King Lyon, from House Gavrikov ? Stortoni Kingdom, at the south of the continent, ruled by Queen Mia and her mistress Gabrie, from House Stortoni ? Valedict Kingdom, a big inder, above the K''hir Archipgo on the map, ruled by King Felix and Queen Abbigail, from House Stortoni - K''hir Archipgo ? Mage''s Tower, at the center of the sphere, has Stradivarius K''hir as their leader and Caihong K''hir, Stradivarius'' wife, as their vice leader Padaman''s history - Millennials ago, the world was created by Mi, the Goddess of Death, Life, Destruction, and Creation, out of nowhere, as well the human race and the animals who cohabitate in the sphere with them. In the beginning, it was only a continent, the people were united and in peace. But after seismic activities separated the tectonic tes, forming three continents, they were all separated and the peace ended. As they evolved, they founded their Kingdoms and Queendoms, chose their leaders, and formed their own hierarchies and rules. And at some point, they were able to live well and maintain a good rtionship with the other nations around the sphere. But it didn''tst as well. When the 1st World War broke out, they formed their alliances and chose their targets. Their goal at first was to conquer other Kingdoms that were weaker than them and expand their territories. But the leaders of the three major Kingdoms that formed the Anevay Continent didn''t enjoy that and tried to intervene and end the bloodbath, trying to bring peace to such chaotic and dark times. But it didn''t work out as well as they wanted, because the main leaders of the union to bring peace to the world, King Aharon and Queen Bahiti Verena, became targets of all the others territories, including their allies. Consequently, the others got together to destroy them and used their navy power to attack the Kingdom until there wasn''t anyone but their youngest son who was a child left, once his parents hid him from everybody else. That kidter use one of his magics to surround the, now archipgo, with a barrier strong enough to block any outsider toe in. And so he used his time magic to keep time still, while he buried all his people and family, and founded a Tower that would be the refuge of everyone who sought a peaceful ce to live. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And while the boy mourned his loved one''s deaths and vowed to find a way to realize his parents'' dreams and bring peace to Padaman, the other Kingdoms kept fighting each other. The War didn''t end until three centuries and a half after that. And that was when the new geography of the sphere was stabilized. The Caspien Empire became the strongest nation in the world, followed by the Meredithian Empire, and although the World War had ended, they stayed on bad terms, always wary of each other. Quietly forming alliances with the rulers of their respective continents. And slowly, now known as Stradivarius K''hir, the young Prince who had lost his entire people, was able to form a stabilized ce in the K''hir Archipgo. And after a lot of inner work and strengthening his friendships with the other territories, the Legendary Mage was finally able to make everyone sign a peace treaty. That''s where the story is at now. Species - Humans Spirits Religions The Harkheiz Continent and the K''hir Archipgo all believe in Mi as their Goddess. While the people on the Breain Continent, believe in Amisha, who''s also Mi, but in a different interpretation of her Currency Every territory has its own coin, but after their alliance was created, Stradivarius and Caihong K''hir founded an International Bank, where a universal coin would be used and everybody, especially merchants and investors, would be able to have a bank ount that wasn''t manipted by the rulers of their Kingdoms and Empires Trade Also thanks to the alliance, there are bigger opportunities in the trade market, especially when trading products from one territory to another Communication method Magic tools TravelContent provided by N?velDrama.Org. Besides carriages, horses, and boats, the rich also have ess to magic portals that can allow you to travel from one ce to another. Some expensive magic tools allow that If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Technology Everything is created using magic, especially water and thunder magic Foreign rtions Before the alliance, it wasplicated and almost impossible to exist a good rtionship between the continents, while that was possible between the territories within. But after the alliance, everyone can go everywhere. Although there are always people keeping track of it War potential If two territories could start World War 2, it''s the Caspien Empire and the Meredithian Empire, because of their animosity, even when they are in peace Magic ? How does it work? Everyone has it from birth. As you grow stronger, you can wield even more magic. It''s technically impossible to hurt yourself with your magic because it''s perfectly made to fit your body. Never less, nevermore ? Who can have it? Literally everyone. Although the majority of themoner and peasants have a lower amount than the Nobles/Royals/Imperials, because they are all descendants of warriors who achieve the highest level of their respective magic, and that was passed down through their genes ? Effects to society Magic is like the air you breathe to live. If you don''t have it (which is technically impossible in natural ways), it doesn''t matter your background or who you are. You will be an outcast and will suffer heavy prejudice >> Effects on technology Technology wouldn''t exist without magic ? Types of it There is every type of magic possible. Although no human was ever born with dark/chaos magic, and only one person was born with time magic until now {Stradivarius K''hir} Prologue *First Timeline* *Natasha Nichi''s point of view* THIS WILL BE THE DAY I''LL DIE! I wish I was joking, but, unfortunately, I am not. And well, there isn''t much I can do about all of this. There isn''t, literally, anything I could do. Not without my arms, nor my legs or tongue. They cut everything. At least they didn''t cut my head off. Yet! But it will happen today! I''m not going to lie by saying that I''m in this situation for nothing. I''m not going to say that I didn''t do anything to be here. Because I did! I''m not, one hundred percent, the victim. I am a viiness, after all. I know every single vicious thing I did. I remember every single person I killed. Every single thing I stole and all the lies I''ve told. But I don''t regret it. There''s a reason for everything I did. Of course, there is! And I did it for my sister. My sweet younger twin sister, Dalh. All I did was for her. Okay... Almost everything. Thest thing I did, which made me end up here, wasn''t for her. It was for me! She''s the one who got hurt by it. But I couldn''t help it. There was a primal feeling deep inside of me, which I can''t exin, that kept telling me to get back at that motherfucker. That son of a bitch who did that to me. Worst, my sister knew what he did and didn''t do anything about it. But I truly believe that she had a reason to do so. That asshole was probably emotionally manipting her into not saying anything. Because he couldn''t manipte her normally, mind to mind, once she was the one with such a blessed kind of magic. She was blessed by the Goddess, and that''s why she''s the Saintess. I''m not dumb, neither am I stupid, so, of course, I knew how she would react if I followed the voice deep inside of me. But somehow I did it anyway. It was the first time in my life that I did something she disagreed with. I always knew how much she loved that octopus we have to call ''brother''. So it was an obvious and expected reaction. Especially when I murdered him so brutally and didn''t even try to hide. That voice told me not to do so. It told me that it was for the best. That I was right! And that, it didn''t matter the consequences that would follow what I had done, I should handle it because it would be worth it. What can I say? It was very worthy indeed. I''ve never felt so satisfied killing someone like I did when I killed Octavian. So yeah, she organized my execution together with my brother-inw, the 3rd Imperial jerk Prince Christopher Caspien. Who I deeply hate! That spoiled brat who always got in my way even when I tried to help him for my sister''s sake. Scheming things that could hurt me, and always failing. Making the time of my life I had to spend around him, because of Dalh, a living hell. But again, I never did anything that would go against my sister. So, somehow I managed to keep my hatred towards him to myself, and never said anything rude to him. All because of her. I don''t even know how I controlled myself all this time... It doesn''t make sense, thinking about it right now. However life doesn''t make sense, anyway. Now regarding her, it was expected. I disappointed my sister, by killing one of the people she loves the most in this world, our eldest brother, Octavian. And besides her sad feelings making me feel like shit and like I failed with her, I can''t help but not give a damn about his death at all. And having this mindset is what makes people see me as a viiness. I can''t deny that either. Again, I know what I am. As well as I know that all of the things I did, took me to where I am now. The depths of the Imperial Pce dungeon, for being used of assassinating the Grand Duke Octavian Nichi. My older brother. Which, again, I did! And with such an usation, there was no way of me escaping execution. He was the patriarch of the 2nd strongest House in the Empire, after all. Not a nobody. And well, as I said before, I truly thought I knew why everything happened the way it did. But, it turns out that I didn''t. Not entirely. At least, that''s what I ended up learning at myst moments alive in this sphere.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. As you see, I thought that I had done all of that because of my own personal and selfish desires. But, no! It was someone else''s. Someone else''s ugly internal longings and horrible feelings towards the people I harmed in some way and killed. And that person controlled me all this time. Used her magical strings in my mind and brain-washed me. It seems like in the end, I was really stupid, after all. Chapter One DALILAH ISABELA LUDWICK CASPIEN (born Nichi), my twin sister, who I thought was the only one I never wished to harm. The only one I thought I cared about in my whole life. Who I helped and killed to protect. I used everyone and did everything in my power to make her the 3rd Imperial Prince Christopher''s fianc¨¦e, so no one would dare to harm her and she would have a lot of power. She''s the one who was born with the magic that made her able to brainwash and manipte others'' minds, between us two. The Saintess, guarded by the Goddess herself. Then how could she do this to me? I gazed at her nkly and sheughed at my face. Finally showing her true colors. "I don''t know how such a naive and stupid person could be my twin sister! Seriously, it''s pitiful. Do you even imagine since when I''ve had my magical strings in your little mind, dear Natasha?" Tears appeared in my empty eyes and I let them fall. "Since we were about to turn fourteen!" She said with a snake-ish smile that only I could see. As if doing that to me was something to be proud of. Making everything hurt more than before. If that was even possible.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "You were such a beautiful child... way more beautiful than me! With your long and wavy glossy hair inherited from our father when my own was simply straight. And those golden eyes that glowed like the sun, identical to our father, that made me hate you even more. So more clever and selfless than me. It was disgusting, honestly. You loved and cared for me way more than I did for you, poor thing," I''ve never seen such a vicious expression on her face. Never. ''Then why? Why did you do all of that to me?'' I wanted to ask her, but I couldn''t after bing tongue-less for all the lies I''ve told. "But you always had a deadly w, Natasha... You weren''t born with any kind of magic power, but I was! And as you already know, sis, magic in our world is like the air you breathe so you can live. It''s beyond necessary. The ones who don''t have it will never grow in life and will die like a good-for-nothing. And that''s your case here, darling. Having such a pitiful death as being executed in public. It''s a disgrace that you''re my sister, the daughter of thetete Grand Duke Nichi." She couldn''t be more wrong about the magic. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! The thing is, I was born with magic! Not only one but two types of it. I remember it as if it was yesterday. Telepathy and ice magic. I was born to be as powerful as Dalh, or even more than her, and someone stole it from me when I was a little kid. But they''d never believed me when I told them the truth, and I couldn''t remember who did it either, which didn''t help me at all. Everyone acts as if they''ve never seen me using ice magic when I was very little, pretending as if their memories of it had been erased, which is absurd! Always saying, repeatedly, that I didn''t have magic at all, that this thought of my, was just a mechanism that I had created as a way to ept my unlucky situation and to digest the fact that my twin sister had magical powers and I didn''t. Bullshit! "That''s why you never had anything you could call yours. No matter how beautiful, skilled and smart you were, you would never have what I had. That''s why everyone always favored me, but you didn''t care about this, right, Natasha?" the resentment in her voice was undeniable. And I did care about it actually, I just didn''t show it. It wouldn''t change anything if I had shown, would it? "But this wasn''t enough for me. I couldn''t let the opportunity pass, so I manipted your mind and I made you selfish, evil, and arrogant. So I could make everyone deeply hate you," she haspletely lost her mind. "Not only that, of course. The goal was to make everyone hate you and to get you killed at the end, but why stop there when you could be so useful to me? And indeed, the fact that I smartly used you is what made it possible for me to be where I am now." How could I be such a fool? Sir Thorin Meny, the one who thought me how to use a sword and fight with it, always told me not to be fooled and not to trust people even if they were family. I should have heard him. But, no! I had a weak mind and that made me an easy target for Dalh. "I made you steal, lie, betray, and kill," yeah, you made me break all of my principles forcibly, no need to keep reminding me of that. "You were so clueless before... Naive enough to think that I would never try to harm you. What a joke!" Dalhughed once again, dryly. That hurt, because she''s right. Although I don''t remember myself being good like she''s saying anymore. ''Good'' and ''Natasha'' don''t seem to fit in the same sentence anymore, in my mind. Maybe she shattered my naive self ''till it was impossible to recover, with her maniptions. Chapter Two I DON''T REMEMBER ANYTHING but how much I always loved her. Even if she always was the one with the credits and everything, I loved her! I still do. Then why did she do all of this to me? Why...? Maybe I did something bad to her and she made me forget about it by controlling my mind. "You were so naive, Natasha," yeah, you''ve already stated that. "To the point that you didn''t use the magic jewel which could avoid your mind from being washed and manipted," that''s because I didn''t know about its existence before it was toote! If at least, I could go back in time, the first thing I would do would be to get some jewels that were imbued with magic that could protect me against any kind of mind magic. That could protect me of her! "Oh, Natasha," she touched my hair, "poor child... It was obvious that you would never be favored by others like I was, as well as it was also evident that I would have a good marriage with one of the Imperial or Royal Princes, not you," lies! Why doesn''t she stop lying at this point? What would she gain by lying to me when I''m in death''s bed? Is she addicted to it or what? Moreover, if it was obvious like she''s dering, which it wasn''t, I wouldn''t have had so much trouble while working on a way to make her that son of a bitch''s fianc¨¦e. And she wouldn''t have to make me do so either. There''s no forgetting about the war caused by using me to murder all the possible matches of her beloved 3rd Imperial Prince. She made me kill all the single Princess from the other Kingdoms, even the ones that weren''t in marriageable age yet, just so she could be the only possible person to be chosen to marry him. It''s ridiculous. And cruel. Especially because that ended in a very bloody war. A war in which only the barbarians of the Meredithian Empire, strongestnd in Padaman after our Empire, didn''t participate, once it was the only territory that didn''t lose anyone. "But for me, these strings I had on you still weren''t enough," oh, I can see that! "I hated to see you happy, to see youugh, to see you well even if I was being treated better than you were. So even if I had brainwashed you and had control over your mind, I wanted to see you genuinely broken and not just because I told you to be, not a fake feeling. No, no, no, I wanted it to be real," she said everything with a sweet smile that didn''t reach her actions or her eyes. "I dreamed with the day I would be able to see you falling deep into despair." How can she act so naturally while saying those vicious things to me? Or is she telling me the shitty truth in a naive attempt to confess herself and to take the weight off of her shoulders? If that''s it, it''s stupid and it won''t work. I won''t let it work. "I hated the fact that you could be mad or sad, but you never demonstrated to anyone, and I wanted to see you cry, to see you in pain... I craved to see you showing your hatred and how hurt you were under the surface," so, she lost her mind and then destroyed my life because her mind is... wicked? The worst part is that even though she did all of that, I''m not one hundred percent hating her because of it, once I can''t remember the past. A part of me is just...pletely shattered and full of emptiness, lost in a dark void. And with that, I mean, a really big part of myself is broken and I don''t think I can recover from all this. Ever! But it''s not like I have time for that either. My heart aches so much. I feel like it''s about to burst. And the pain is almost unbearable, it hurts more than being dismembered, which already happened to me while I was being restlessly tortured in my brother-inw''s dungeon. Dalh manipted my actions, my thoughts, my feelings. The only thing that was real was my love for her when she didn''t even deserve it. What have I done to her to deserve all of this? And why does my chest hurts like this? I lived a trash life and acted like a truly vicious person. Yet, seeing me like this makes her happy? What the fuck is wrong with her? "Do you understand that I''ve waited thirteen years for this moment, Natasha?" Well, her tone really show how much she hates me. She pronounced my name as if it was a freaking curse. "How many years I waited just to see this hideous expression on your face? And you know what? It was worthy. It couldn''t have been better. I dare to say that it''s the most satisfying feeling I''ve ever felt in my life. This sorrow, sadness, deception, and hatred on your face Natasha... oh, my dear, It''s what I''d wished to see my whole life. Thank you, for thisst gift," Goddess, I want to punch her face so bad. "And for you to see how good I am, I''ll even give you something in return," what the hell is she saying? What does she mean by giving me something in return? How am I supposed to react to that? What am I supposed to expect from it? Especiallying from a rotten person like her. And why would she do this? In the instant that followed, literally, like magic, I felt as if a lock had been broken in the confines of my mind, releasing all my lost memories at once. Flooding my subconscious with my, until now, forgotten feelings. I felt sicker than ever when our eyes met and I saw the dreadful psychotic smile on her lips. I vomit, but once I''ve been starving for days, and tortured for just as long, only my blood came out. And that made a lot of the bastards that were waiting anxiously for my execution curse disgusted. But Dalh didn''t even blink at that. Her vicious smile only got wider. "Ha, how delightful. It seems like my love tortured you really well, uh," she held my chin, "I gave your memories back now, sis, just so I can see you feel bad with all the things I''d made you do and you did. I hope you are terrified by it," I felt the tears in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "Pfft... I''ll take this expression on your face as your gift for me. So thank you, dear sister, I''ll make sure to treasure it forever in my mind." " " If they hadn''t cut off my arms in punishment for killing and stealing, I would fucking strangle her right in the spot. I would separate her spine from her body. Not only that, I would whip her existence from the Padaman sphere so bad that not even the Goddess would be able to fucking save her. My heart hurts.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. My body hurts. My mind hurts. Why does everything hurt so damn much? Chapter Three I STILL CAN NOT BELIEVE this is happening. Yeah, it''s obvious that she betrayed my trust, used and abused me, manipted and brainwashed me as well. But my mind''s still trying to get the meaning of this. My heart and mind are conflicted. For Mi''s sake, I''m her sister. We are twins after all! I''m not lying when I say that I love her. It''s not like there''s a [STOP LOVING] button I can push and blow away the feeling I have for her. That''s why it hurts so bad. That doesn''t mean I''m not angry. That doesn''t make me stop wanting to kill her. Because I am furious. I want to scream and beat the shit out of her. My blood is boiling out of wrath. Yet my love for her is still here. She always had people''s attention and love, while I didn''t. She was loved by our parents in a way I never was, but I was happy to see her being loved, especially because I knew how much it hurts to not have my parents'' affection, especially my mother''s. I was already bad when I was a kid, but she wanted to see it? What''s wrong with her? Did she hit her head when she was born or something like that? And to be honest, she was right in one thing. I, really, never thought she would ever harm me. She was the person I carried the most besides my younger brother. I wanted to see her smile, to see her happy just because she was who she was, the blood of my blood... But she architected my destruction since we were kids, she deeply hated me for being me! Never crossed my mind how fucking heartless Dalh could be. Although I never realized how foolish I was either. All I wanted to do now is talk back, but couldn''t do this, once they cut my tongue off for the lies she made me tell. But again, no one would believe in me if I could speak right now either. They never did! Why would it be different now? Humans are always searching for a target, someone they could hate and gossip about. A person to me for all of their problems. And right now, that person is me. At the moment, I''m theirmon enemy, all the rulers in Padaman, literally, asked for a piece of me. Pretty much everybody wants me dead. I, indeed, am mainly being used of murdering my older brother, who became the Grand Duke after my father''s death (which I am also to me for, thanks to Dalh). But that''s not the only reason. I wouldn''t be having such a grand and public execution in front of the Imperial Pce just for that. They discovered that I was the one who killed all of the Princesses, other nobles and innocents, which led them to believe that I was the responsible person who caused the world war, just like the prophecy my grandmother saw the night me and Dalh were born. And when the other Kingdoms heard about that, they all asked for my death, for a piece of me. That''s one of the reasons why I was dismembered, as well as to the 3rd Imperial Prince''s pleasure. Before I''d thought he had told them about what I did, because my sister, him, Octavian, and thete Empress, were the only ones who knew, once they were all on Dalh''s side, backing her. Although I always had the suspicion that Queen Olivia,te Emperor''s 1st mistress, also knew about it, once she was likete Empress Francesca''s shadow. Especially because I killed Octavian, and the current Emperor, Joshua Caspien, killed his mother about a week before I murdered my brother. So it could only be Christopher or my twin, because I never had the assurance about Queen Olivia knowing what I did. Now I see that it was all part of her ns. And that she was probably the one who told them all about it with him. Bringing me to where I am now. Fuck- What power would the ''Viiness'' iming has in front of the ''Saintess''? None! They would probably torture me a little more and make my death an even more painful and bigger event, by iming that I was trying to use the 3rd Imperial Prince''s wife, of such a hideous crime. Dalh made me kill our parents and our younger brother. H-how could I''ve done something like that? How could I do that to Val? What the fuck is wrong with me? Why hadn''t I regained my consciousness back then? Why wasn''t I strong enough to fight back? To resist her maniptions? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Valerian... my dear younger brother who was always by my side and not hers. He may not have believed me when I said I had been born with magic, be he still was there on my side. Always picking fights with the people who said something ill- intended about me. How could I do something like that to him? He trusted and loved me more than anyone in the world, and what did I do about that? I did to him exactly what Dalh is doing to me now, but different from her, I cut his throat with my own hands. Worst of all, he was only fifteen when she made me do that. He was still a kid.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. I may love Dalh, but I always loved Val more. And just that is enough to make me start to truly hate her because Valerian was a precious and powerful kid, who saw her true colors sooner than everyone. He tried to tell me, but I always fought with him because of it. Goddess-damn it, I was so foolish and dumb. I should have listened to him, because he never lied to me. But I was so blind. She made me the fucking viiness of this story and put herself as the main character! Still holding my jaw in a hard grip with her delicate hands she gave me the most despicable smile I have ever seen, "See you in hell, dear sister!" Dalh moved away and gave a signal for the executioner. I could only see his deep ruby-red eyes shining bright, and I felt his gaze piercing my soul. But it was strangely familiar and warm, even though I''d never seen such eyes in my abhorrent life. At least, I don''t believe I did. Oh, fuck Dalh! Fuck everyone! I don''t want to die here. I don''t want to die today... If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I don''t want to die now... I don''t want to die! If there''re really a deity out there, give me another chance. If Mi, the Goddess of Death, truly exists, grant me a second life so I can get my revenge. I beg you, don''t let me go to your domain just yet! Just one more chance and I swear I''ll do everything better, please, Goddess don''t allow me to die like this. Let me repent. Let me do it again. I''ll do better. Please! I know I did malefic things and I''m deeply sorry for that. I, truly, am! And I won''t say that it was only Dalh''s fault, once I was the one who did it. She may have been the one controlling me, but I was her dagger, and it''s the dagger that makes others bleed. Although I don''t regret killing a few of them, it wasn''t my true self. I wasn''t in control. So, please do not let me die here. I want to live! I''ll do everything in my power to make it right this time. Just give me one more chance. Only one, that''s all I''ll ask you, nothing more. After I do what I have to do, you cane to im my tainted soul, Goddess. I don''t even care if I have a horrible death after I get back at them. Just, please, I''m begging you, save me. Save me, so I can save those who died by my hands. So I can save Valerian and my father. It doesn''t need to be the Goddess if she doesn''t exist. Just... someone save me, please. Spare my life just this once. Chapter Four I DON''T HAVE MORE TIME, so, please, I know I shouldn''t ask this after every life my hands ended... but I can''t help it. So, I''m asking for a second chance. One more chance and I''ll do it differently. I swear I will. Let me do it right. I''m begging you, Mi! Or whoever has the power to grant me thisst wish- I''m so scared of death... And I know I shouldn''t be when I became so familiar with her, but I fucking am. I don''t find my death attractive at all. It scares me more than anything.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. As I saw Dalh going back to Christopher''s side, I finally let the tears fall, felling them getting mixed with the blood in my face. When I turned to met the cold and shining ruby-red eyes of the executioner under his pitch-ck helmet, I saw the ax dangerously close to my precious neck. He held it higher. And when he was about to behead me, I swear that I sensed him smiling at me. Not only that, but by the look on his eyes, he seemed amused by what he was going to do next. And the strangest thing was that even though he was overflowing with bloodlust, I felt as if none of that was directed to me. But if... if it wasn''t, why did he seemed so delighted? It gave me goosebumps. My body trembled in fear with his creepy and unexpected reaction. I swear that I felt as if his eyes could see through my soul. As if... he could see me in a way no one else ever could... if he could see everything that happened, the truth. Shit. What the heck is happening to me? What kind of feeling is this? Why am I so conscious about this men? And who the fuck is he? Why does this guy feel so strangely familiar when I have no memories of him? I closed my eyes waiting for my death. Cursing Dalh and the perverse 3rd Imperial Prince Christopher, my damn brother-inw, who was a stone in my way and who organized my execution together with my nefarious twin. Cursing each person present who''s happy with my death. Preparing myself for the uing feeling of, literally, losing my once beautiful head. And at that moment, a freezing wind surrounded my body and entered me through my mouth. I gasped blood once again. I felt the inside of my body freezing little by little, as a familiar feeling filled me at once as well as the pain, and when the pain became unbearable, it got worse. Then I heard a voice telling him to stop, my eyes open widely and for a slight second I had hope, but it was crushed the moment I saw my brother-inw disgusting face and then he spoke again, "Wait a little bit, executioner!" My attention went to the red-ruby-eyes guy and maybe I saw it wrong, but I swear he seemed annoyed by the 3rd Imperial Prince. At least we must have that inmon. "Honey, why are you interrupting her execution?" Dalh asked faking sadness. "I just remembered that the General asked for her eyes," he had a vicious smile on, and I felt my throat get dry. Who is this General? Why does he wants my eyes? "Your Imperial Highness, isn''t that a bit too much?" The executioner spoke, surprising me not only for speaking up for me, for whatever reason, but for having such a deep voice. Besides, his bloodlust was totally focused on my brother-inw. Christopher stared at him annoyed, "Excuse me? Do you think you have a saying on this? Who are you to interfere on such a matters. Are you feeling pitiful for this criminal?" Ha, now I am the criminal. "Don''t you know how many lives she took? Do you perhaps wants to die with her?" This bastard''s too much. The red-ruby-eyed guy only stared at him, and I believe the jerk felt his murderous aura, because he took three steps back, being the coward he always was. "I believe you don''t. So step back and let me do what I need to," wait... Is he going to take my eyes- He came closer faster than I could predict and gave me a amused look from head to toe. "What a satisfying view," I should have killed this bastard before. "You must be craving to kill me, uh," at least he isn''t that oblivious. "How angry you must be," the asshole covered my eyes with his hands and started to crush them with his fingers, "to know that I''ll be thest person you are going to see in your life!" When his fingers got a little separated, I got ast glimpse of the executioner''s beautiful eyes, then myst tears rolled down and I felt my eyeballs being ripped from my skull. My screams couldn''t be heard, they only sounded as growls from an injured animal. And I could only feel the blood tears wetting my cheeks. "Damn," he spoke again, clearly, satisfied. "The General is going to be amused with this!" I felt when he took steps away from me, probably going back to Dalh''s side. "Now you can continue, executioner!" I recognized his aura when he came closer, it felt gentle, he''s probably thinking I''m a pitiful person, "I''m really sorry, Princess Natasha," he whispered lower enough for only me to hear. Why would he apologize? It''s not like any of this is his fault. I don''t even know him, but I''m still thankful that he was thest person I saw and not Christopher. At least he has beautiful eyes. "I''m sorry," he mumbled again and the tone of his voice was as if he was in agony. And then, it finally happened. I felt my flesh and my neck being torn apart and my head getting slowly separated from my body when the executioner''s ax hit me. His moves were fast, I knew it were but the sharp sound his de made before touching me, but it felt least took him hours to cut through it. Unexpectedly, after a second that felt like a billion of torturous years, my eyes opened out coldly and not only could I see everything, but the executioner with his stunning bright ruby-red eyes was nowhere to be seen. Neither was I in front of the crowd, being executed in front of the Imperial Pce anymore. I was somewhere else entirely. 00000 *Second and Current Timeline* 1 I felt my tongue intact and moist in my mouth and when I found myself, I was already screaming in pain. My beautiful eyes back where they belong. My neck and arms also intact. There''s no blood on my face, neck, or body whatsoever. This is for real or am I dreaming? I stopped screaming the moment I realized that I was no longer in the center of the square in front of the royal pce but in my childish room from Greenhall Castle, our manor at Theolia, the Imperial Capital. Where we only came when the spring began and we, as members of the Royalty, had to spend the season in the capital. "This can''t be a dream! Is this for real? Was my wish granted?" I shouted, already crying with happiness. "I''m still alive..." I let out a deep breath. "Or should I say that I''m back to life? Because I came back... I am back..." I whispered to myself, trying to make me believe in what had happened. I touched my neck, my thin arms, short legs, not-so-t but not-so-big-yet chest, long and messy hair, and my soft face trying to have the confirmation I needed. "Thank you, Goddess! ...Or whoever saved me! I owe you my life. When I discover who saved me, I''ll make the possible and impossible to thank the person or deity... or whatever creature did this! But right now, I need to now how old am I." Getting up with my own two legs, I ran to the mirror, and what I saw shocked the shit out of me. No scars or broken bones and purple eyes on my face, neither on any visible part of my body, and all my body members were indeed there again. This must be my thirteen-year-old self! How can I tell? Simple, about a month before my fourteenth''s birthday I got in a fight with a apprentice of the Knights back in the Nichi Grand Duchy in Leopenia, the northern region of the Empire, ruled by my father, and that left a scar on my left forearm. And when I looked at my reflection again, there was still some light in my eyes. After staring at my reflection with my jaw on the ground for what seemed to be an eternity, I ran back to my bed before anyone coulde here. I''m back and with thirteen years again ording to my body. And I''m not fucking letting the story repeat itself. Things are going to be different this time, or my name isn''t Natasha Mary-Anne Ludwick Nichi! You made me a viiness by controlling my mind, Dalh. Now I''ll be the viiness but of your story! I''ll destroy you and that Goddess-damn 3rd Imperial Prince. I''ll use my second chance the best I can. You said that we would see each other again in hell, so don''t worry, sis, I''ll make your wishe true, making your life a living hell. You will pay for what you did, dear sister. This time, things are going to change. I''m going to live for myself and Valerian, and I''ll make people see your true colors. The Goddess may forgive you, but I never will! Let''s see who will end up beheaded this time. Chapter Five AS EXPECTED, NO ONE CAME IN. I thought someone woulde, once I screamed when I woke up here, but I was wrong. Although it''s not a surprise, because there were just a handful amount of people on my side. Valerian, of course, is who cares the most for me. After him, there''s Asher and Sir Thorin Meny, my disciple-brother and my swordsmanship master, respectively. Then ites Katherine, my nanny and personal maid, who takes care of me as if she was my mother. Lastly, the head-butler Leon and the kitchen''s head-chef, Yoostaf. Oh, there''s also my naive father, Grand Duke Gilbert, though he''s aplicated matter. He does care for me, but not as much as he does for my siblings, besides, he''s always manipted by my mother, Grand Duchess Cleo, because she keeps using his love for her to let her do anything she wants to. And even knowing that I''m not his favorite neither close to that, just the fact that he loved me at least a little bit was always enough for me. Stupid, isn''t it? But he was always my model and inspiration, the strongest warrior of the Caspien Empire, best at fighting with both martial arts and magic. Which''s one of the reasons why I was satisfied with that amount of affection, seeing that I had lost my magic and couldn''t make him proud because of that. Having my magic stolen from me destroyed my life in ways I can''t even start to exin. I was just about to turn five years old when it happened, but no one spared me for that. Being the second born and oldest daughter of the Great Grand Duke of the Royal House Nichi, made everybody have big expectations when it came to me, especially when I was born identical to my father. The high society as a whole is cruel. And the peasants are just as cruel. It didn''t matter if I was one of the Royal Princesses of the Empire, the moment they knew about my magicless condition, everybody felt superior to me. Especially when I was the first and only kid to have this condition, it made me their favorite target. Of course, they never spoke ill of me when my father was around because that would be the same as asking to be executed, but that was the only exception. Even when Val was with me they didn''t hold their tongues. Though they were particrly hostile to me when my mother, my twin or Octavian were on the surroundings. They knew none of them would ever try to defend me. Worst, they would dly agree with them and even bad-mouth me together. Although I didn''t knew Dalh used to do that too before, I know better now. She can be worst than my mother. And believe me, that''s a big feat! Mother is a good liar and very maniptive. She used to make me feel bad for not having magic, and always justified how she mistreated me by saying that I brought that to myself for being born like this. It can be said that Dalh and my older brother both took their bad personality after her, while I and Val got it from our father. Speaking of my father, thanks to all of his duties, he was rarely present, once he had to take care of the Imperial army, of the Grand Duchy, and also be the Emperor''s right hand. Meaning that he obviously couldn''t spend so much time at home. However, when he came, he would always spare a little time to be around me, even if just for an hour, more or half of it. Just me and he, and I used to be anxious for those moments. Being with my dad was one of my favorite things in the world. We would y with swords, go on the woods horse riding or read a book together when we had more time to spend, and he would also give me some tips on martial arts. Although, regardless of our good moments, if any of my siblings or my mother showed up, he would forget about me and go with them. It was hard to hide my feelings back then, especially when I was very little, but time made me an expert on doing that. Nevertheless, I was still hurt when I heard the Knights, the maids, or anyone else, talking about how my dad threw me aside and didn''t love me as he loved all of my siblings. Still, there was nothing I could do about that. And my mother knew how to take advantage of my dad not spending much time with me. Of course, she knew. Every time he wasn''t around and she got pissed by something or someone, - which used to happen constantly, thanks to her horrible temper - it didn''t matter what I was doing, she would order me to stop and take me to the secret dungeon under the Grand Duchy or the one under our manor in the Imperial Capital, one that not even my dad knew about, then she would make me take off my clothes and beat me with a thick leash until her temper cooled down. You must be questioning yourself about the reason why I never told anyone about what exactly happened inside that ce, where my mom would lock just the both of us until she was satisfied. It''s quite simple. She always used a strong incantation after she was finished, which made it impossible for me to ever talk about that and could only be broken if she died. She probably got that incantation with uncle Conan Ludwick, her younger brother, back in the Ludwick Kingdom, her homnd. Taking into consideration that he''s well-known for being the Prince of potions and incantations there. And well, every time I saw him he used to treat me like shit, also disgusted by my condition, carrying the same pride as anyone on my mom''s family, something very characteristic from every Royal and Imperial family within the Padaman sphere. That''s why I wouldn''t be surprised if he was behind it. Everybody, but my father, suspected that she used to do something bad to me, but they never had any proof, and I couldn''t say anything, so it became a secret in our family. The incantation also enables people to see the scars on my body, and I can''t escape from her when she asks for me to follow her there either. She probably prepared this very thoroughly. So, yeah, my mother is one of the people I killed back in the first timeline, which''s death I don''t regret at all. Though I regret killing my father and Val. And Asher, who ended up dying that night too. I never knew the reason why my sister wanted our mom dead because she has always been one of the people who know her evil actions and agreed with it and also encouraged her. But it doesn''t matter anymore, anyways. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Another bad habit of my mother is bothering Kate, my nanny. She always gives her a hard time, humiliating her just because she doesn''t have a good background. Moreover, I think she does that because she can''t stand the fact that Kate loves me in a way she will never be able to, seeing how just catching a glimpse of my face repulses her. Sometimes I asked myself if she was also annoyed to look at my father because I resemble him more than anything in the world. And that might piss her even more because neither Dalh nor Octavian took after him. Dalh only took his hair color, because her eyes are like a dark yellow, far from a shining gold; and my older brother''s identical to our mom. And her obsession with messing with Kate might be the reason why she didn''t barge into my chambers yet. I looked over the fancy small table on the side of my bed, where there was a golden bell resting in it, which is often used to call for maids or anyone passing outside the room. Sighing, I looked away and got up again, and stared at myself in the mirror. "Such a... innocent appearance," I mumbled to myself while pinching my cheeks. Then I took my nightgown off and turned to see my back in the mirror. There were countless whip scars, many of them over older ones. Not a surprise, because mom started doing that to me when I was around 5 years old. And once she always target my back, it became the ugliest part of my body. Biting my bottom lip, I kept ring at it, "Now, this, isn''t innocent-looking." I felt my eyes burn and wiped the tears before they fell, then I got back to staring at my scar-less face. "Let''s not suffer that much this time, okay, Natasha?" And nodded to me. "And don''t you dare cry over any of those motherfuckers," I pinched my cheeks again, "Remember, a Princess doesn''t cry! You are stronger than your nightmares and ghosts, girl. The invisible crown in your head may be heavy, but only you can carry the weight." Heading towards the bath chambers, I took my time and enjoyed myself. After all, it has been ages since I took a real bath and longer than that with clean water. I missed the feeling of not being covered in dirty and in my blood. Just as much as I missed eating food. Speaking of food, my stomach growled loudly, "For Mi''s sake, I''ve never been so hungry in my whole existence!" I got out of the bathtub and covered my body with a magically warm towel. Those are very useful back in the north, where is always freezing. Even though I love cold. When I entered my dressing room, the clothes I saw inside it made me sick out of my mind. I had never liked any of those, but my mother was the one who chose them and so I pretended to love it, afraid that if I said otherwise she would take me to her torture chamber. I''m not even going to start with the decoration of my childhood room... A light pink that made it all look like a fucking extension of my damn hair. It''s just too much information. Of course, it was also my mother''s choice. While Dalh''s room has a lc and gold decoration. With lc and gold being the colors of the House Nichi, that alone means a lot.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Annoyed, I chose the least bad pair of clothes and got ready, using the warm towel to dry my hair, then braid it in a more delicate way than I''m used to. Trying to look younger than my soul actually is. Which''s going to be quite the hard task, once my tastes aren''t that of a thirteen-year-old teenager anymore. Now that I''m back, I can''t keep using those horrendous clothes just to please my mother. I don''t want to please her at all. Even if this makes her torture me again, I don''t give a damn, I''ve been through the worst, so it won''t make much difference. I need to take advantage of my dad''s presence and ask him to let me change all the decorations, buy new clothes, and giveaway those I have to the poor girls that need them. Thankfully, this won''t be difficult, because if we are in our manor at the Imperial Capital, it means that our father will be a little more present than normal. Which will be good for me. But right now, I need to eat something and to see Valerian! Chapter Six WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO OPEN THE DOORS I stopped and took a few steps back, waiting. And when I recognized the aura of the personing in, I hugged her the moment she set her foot inside. Catching her by surprise. "Are you alright, Your Royal Highness?" Damn, why is she still using those honorifics with me at this point? "Did you have a nightmare?" "Ah, Kate, I did... The worst and longest nightmare of my whole existence," and living like that was indeed a damn nightmare. "I thought I would never wake up," and that almost happened, seeing how I died back there. For Mi''s sake, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about what I felt when the ruby-red-eyed executioner was beheading me. I took three steps away from Kate and passed my hands on my neck, swallowing hard. Fuck... I don''t want to go through that again! Not again. And for me not to have my beautiful head separated from my precious neck, I can''t let myself get caught when I kill the important people who did that to me. Because I''m sure that I would have the worst death than that if I were to get caught murdering the 3rd Imperial Prince or the fucking Empress. And thinking about the executioner again... why did he apologize to me like that? Why did he seemed to be so hurt? What grudge did he have with Christopher to have such a murderous aura when he came closer to him? Moreover, why did I feel so familiar with his gaze on me? Ugh, I need to stop overthinking those things, or I''m going to lose my mind again. When I focused my attention again, Kate was staring at me, worried. "Did anyone die in your nightmare, Princess?" It''s easier to ask who didn''t die. Nodding, I said, "Yes... A lot of people died, Kate. Most of them were innocents caught in the chessboard of the masterminds of all the disgrace that happened there," my voice got a tone raspier. "So much blood was spilled," by my hands. Seeing me like this, she came closer and passed her thin fingers through my braids, and stopped on my cheeks, then she pinched them. "Ah, that hurts, Kate! What was that for?" I faked the pain andined. "If it hurts it''s good," then a kind smile appeared on her lips. "The pain is sometimes necessary for you to know that you are alive," damn, she may not know but this was the best moment for her to say that to me, considering that about an hour ago I was dead. "That was just a bad dream, okay?" Coming closer, Kate kissed my forehead. "We are all alive here. No one is dead. And nobody is going to die either." How I wish that was true... But I don''t have the right to think that. It won''t change anything. The only thing I can do to not let it happen, is stopping Dalh and everybody else that might y a role on our sphere downfall. I hugged her again and she giggled but surrounded me with her arms and kissed the top of my head. Something my mom never did to me. Well... not never, but thest time that happened was when I was around 4 years old, before I had my magic stolen from me. "I thought your period had ended two days ago, Princess. But it seems like your emotions are still a roller coaster," my period? Wait- That''s a good information. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! If I remember correctly, I first menstruated at the end of the sixth month of the year I was going to turn fourteen. And mine came before Dalh''s which pissed her off and she got mad at me, making me feel guilty for it and I even apologized for something that waspletely out of my control. Although hers came a month after that. It''s embarrassing to think of that now that I know everything she did to me. Especially knowing that at that time she hadn''t brainwashed me yet. Anyways, I need to know when is this. How much time do I still have before my birthday. Turning to met Kate''s pink-ish eyes, I voiced my doubt, "Kate, what''s today''s date?" "Oh... It''s July 3rd of the year 279 in the Caspien Calendar1!" My birthday is on the 3rd of December. That gives me, exactly, 5 months until my 14th anniversary. I can do a lot of things in that amount of time. "Why?" She questioned, curious. "I just woke up a little bit lost in time," about 13 years in the past, to be precise. "And my emotions aren''t like that because of my period, silly. My nightmare''s at fault here. It made me wake up shaken like this. But I''m fine now." Sigh. "Anyways, why are you still using honorifics with me, Kate?" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! That made her giggle. "Come on, we''ve already talked about this, Princess," did we? My memories are all messed up, so I don''t quite remember that. "So what? I''ll insist until you give in," thank Goddess I coulde up with that at the same moment, otherwise, Kate would start worrying about my memory too. And I don''t want that, because she already worries too much about me. "The same goes for me!" Uh? What is that supposed to mean? "What?" "I will keep calling you Princess and Your Royal Highness until you ept that this is my form of respecting and caring for you like almost no one does! They are all disgraceful and dare to call you by your birth name, without even being close to you. All of them disrespect you and it makes my blood boil like a volcano. Especially because they don''t do the same to your twin," she seemed disgusted and that made me chuckle. "Sorry... I know how much you love her and-" ugh. "I''m tired of Dalh''s acting as if I was a servant who has to do everything for her, Kate. Yeah, I love her," though my hatred is getting bigger now, "but she doesn''t seem to love me. I can''t just keep wasting my time with someone who apparently doesn''t give a fuck about me, neither seems to want to see me happy." Damn, I hope my words were convincing enough, because I can''t have people still thinking I''m Dalh''s shadow. Because I have my own light and it''s my time to shine. Plus, if they know that I don''t want to be around her anymore, the people who doesn''t like her will, very likely, approach me. And I need that to happen. Kate must have been too shocked by my words, because she didn''t even blink for a whole minute, only with her jaw on the ground. "Are you joking?" Yeah, she may use honorifics with me but her way to speak is not formal at all. And I''m notining, especially because she doesn''t get mad with me cursing, once she does the same. "Don''t fucking joke like that. I almost fell for it, Princess!"N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Chapter Seven I RESTED MY HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS, "Come on, I''m not pranking you, Kate. I mean every word I''ve said." It''s embarrassing that she thought I was joking about this, about not believing in my twin anymore. Damn, I can''t even imagine how Val will react, especially after we fought so many times because of it. Although I am, honestly, looking forward to his reaction. Will he get happy? Or won''t he believe in me like Kate doesn''t? "What?" She touched my forehead with both of her hands, twice. "But you don''t have a fever!" "Ha ha ha, you are so funnny, oh my Goddess," I eximed sarcastically, and Kate rolled her eyes. "Believe in me, Kate! I''m telling the truth." Sigh. "It''s just that you''ve protected her so many times to the point where you''ve even quarreled with Prince Valerian when he tried bringing that up... Even I tried talking to you about it before," I was dumb to not listen to any of them. If I had trusted their words back there, maybe things wouldn''t have had turned upside down as it happened in the end. Maybe my life would have been different, happy. And Val wouldn''t have died by my hands because of our sister... neither would father and anyone else. Nevertheless thinking about all of that now won''t do me any good. It''ll only make me suffer more. I can''t wipe out what happened from that timeline or my mind. Moreover, I didn''t get a second chance at life just to keepmenting and reminiscing my past life. I''m back to life so I won''t let myself be brainwashed, neither Valerian gets killed nor Dalh engulf the world in the blood of the innocents. "I''m just tired of her. I confess that the nightmare I had this night yed a role in my change of mind because the end of everything started with her. And you know the powers our dreams hold, and that they might be a signal from the Goddess. So yeah, I can''t let her fool me anymore," I made sure to show my resentment in my voice, so she would see how serious I am. After staring suspiciously at me for a whole minute, sheughed and somehow her features seemed softer and morefortable than ever. "You don''t have any idea of how long I''ve waited for this moment! Damn, Princess, it took you long enough. Finally you are opening your eyes and seeing that venomous snake for what she really is." "Don''t worry, Kate. My beautiful eyes are wide awake now! But tell me, what took you so long toe here? Was it my mom again?" Her facial expression got darker, bing an answer by itself. Sighing, she said, "Yes. She hates me so much, Princess, and I don''t get the reason for that. I''ve never done anything against her. Well... besides badmouthing her with you. Which she deserves it," that made meugh. "It''s obvious why Kate. My mom despises you because you love me and treat me as if I was your daughter, and she loathes me," I rolled my shoulders, to show her that any of that fazed me. "She''s quite easy to read." "Her excellency is absurdly unreasonable! What''s fucking wrong with her? How can she scorn her own daughter because of something that out of anybody''s control?" I wouldn''t use those words, once my condition is someone''s doing. "How can she call herself a mother? Ugh, why doesn''t the Grand Duke do something about that? He can''t be dense to the point of not realizing how harsh your mother is to you!" I smiled kindly to her, holding her hands, "It''s okay, Kate. Don''t get so worked up about that. Father doesn''t have the time to pay attention to me, and I''m okay with that at this point. He doesn''t know how my mom is because he isn''t around to notice it. Moreover, he bes blind when it''s about her, so its not like we can do anything about that." "But, Princess," If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Come on, Kate. You know that thinking about that won''t take us anywhere. Now, tell me, is my dad here today?" But the look on her face, I could tell that she didn''t want to let go of that matter, but she did it either way. A nod, "Yes! His Excellency is in the private breakfast chambers, with Her Excellency and your siblings," good. "Are you nning on having breakfast with them?" "Indeed." "What else are you nning, Princess?" Her tone was absurdly suspicious, making me burst intoughter. "If you say it like that it makes me look like a person who''s always nning to do something," which is kind of true. Kate arched her eyebrows, "And you are!" "Well, you have a point. Moreover, you will know about itter. Just stay outside the door of the breakfast chambers and listen to what I''m going to say," she agreed, nodding. "In the meanwhile, ask Yoostaf to prepare a tray full of cookies, please." "I''ll do as you said. But will you be okay eating with them alone?" Yes. "I won''t be alone! Val and dad will be there, my mother, Dalh and Octavian won''t dare to try anything," she didn''t seemed pleased by that. "They probably will. But deliberately in a way that you father won''t notice," that''s a possibility. "Either way, I can''t stand my ground against them. Now I have to go, or they will finish eating and I''ll lose the opportunity," I got closer to the door and when I was about to open it, I stopped and turned to her. "We''ll go out after I finish breakfast!" "Okay!" She bowed. "Eat well!" "I will!" We parted ways and I headed downstairs.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. 1 The Caspien Calendar started to be counted from the moment the Kingdom of Caspien was founded, around 279 years ago, when August Caspien killed his nemesis, Jameson Coleman, and took over his throne. Two centuries after that, when the Kingdom was ruled by King Aaron Caspien Nichi-Decker and Queen Addison Lloyd, a war broke out between all the Kingdoms in the Padaman Sphere. Their three sons, the Crown Prince Alexander, and the twins Prince Aiden and Princess Alisha, as the strongest warriors in their Kingdom, joined the war and conquered about fourteen Kingdoms together, founding the Caspien Empire. After their parents both died at the war, they had to rule the new Empire together. Crown Prince Alexander refused his right to be the new Emperor, once even before he didn''t want such a responsibility, then he abandoned the Caspien surname and took the Nichi for himself, founding the Great House Nichi. Princess Alisha, didn''t want such burden either, so she also abandoned the Caspien surname and took the Decker to herself, but didn''t use it as much, once she preferred to take her husband, Jalen Cain, who also fought with them in the world war and helped the Royal siblings conquering the territory, and then they founded the Great House Cain. Lastly, Prince Aidan dly epted the whole of Emperor and its responsibility, taking the Caspien surname for himself and founding the Imperial House Caspien. Chapter Eight WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GO DOWN THE STAIRS, I met Sir Leon, the head-butler, who to my lucky is also on my side. Realizing that he seemed to want to say something to me, I stopped midway and waited for him to reach me. We he did, he bowed respectfully and kissed the back of my gloved hand. "Your Royal Highness," then his dark-green eyes met my golden eyes again. It''s been so long since Ist saw him, because after my parents'' death he went to the Mage''s Tower and never came back. So I had forgotten how grateful he looked with those eyes, olive skin, and his shoulder-length wavy ck hair. "Did you have a good night of sleep, Princess?" Oh, and his kind voice too. I greeted him back. "Yes, Sir Leon," it was a lie, of course. But he doesn''t need to know that. And I don''t want to start exining any of that again. "You seem to want to speak with me about something," he nodded. "What''s the matter?" "Her Ladyship, Viscountess Chelsea Meny," Sir Thorin''s older sister, who''s me and my siblings'' tutor. Although she despises me just as much as almost everybody and mistreats me too. That bitch used to beat my leg with a thick stick that she carries around. Sigh. "What does she wants from me this time?" He seemed to hold hisughter at my reaction. "She asked me," knowing that widow, she probably ordered him around, "to tell you that your next ss will have to be on her manor. Her Ladyship exined that she won''t be able toe here today!" Ha... She probably wants to be able to beat me, once she must be afraid of doing so when my dad''s around. As if I would let her do that. With a smirk on, I turned to Sir Leon, "Then tell her that we''ll have our ss another day. And make her understand that I won''t make my schedule flexible for her, because I''m not only the Grand Duke''s older daughter but a Duchess. While she''s only a Viscountess, and a vassal of my dad. Tell her that I said that she must be more conscious about her ce!" Sir Leon chuckled at that, "Sorry," I smiled at him.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "Don''t worry, Sir Leon. We must put people like her on her ce. Otherwise, the vassals will ran free just because they are part of the Nobility. That''s troublesome and might be a bigger problem for my dad in the future. Then let''s deal with it now." "If you allow me to say it," I nodded. "I agree with you, Princess. Especially when Viscountess Meny always acts as if she was more important than you are. Always wanting to order you around! It''s utterly disrespectful!" He''s sounding like Kate now. "Mm-hm. And don''t tell any of this to my father, please," with a confident smile, he agreed. "I wouldn''t dare, my Princess," I might have just a few allies, but they are all loyal to me, that''s something I''m sure of. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to go sent a message for the Viscountess. Sorry, for interrupting your way. Enjoy your breakfast," he bowed again. "There''s no reason to be sorry, Sir Leon. Have a good day," with a nod, he disappeared and I continued to head down. Before I could see them, I felt their auras near me, and that froze me for a second. It''s been so long since I felt this. Since I sensed them like this. Fuck, I need to get a hold of myself! Control your emotions, Natasha. You can''t let them notice how shaken you are. And you can''t lose your mind when you see neither Dalh nor Octavian even less your mother. Take a deep breath. Again. After a second, I straightened my spine and entered the private breakfast room where the five of them were already seated and eating. When my eyes met Valerian''s bored face and my dad''s excited expression while eating, my heart skipped a beat. And then I notice my mother and Dalh''s pretentious stance and Octavian''s arrogant grin on. I clenched my fists for an instant, but then Val and dad noticed me, followed by the other three. And when Val''s navy-blue eyes met mine, his face lighten up and a smile took over his lips. I also notice how the ends of my dad''s mouth got up, forming a small smile. "Sis, you came to eat with us!" Val eximed and got up, helping me with my chair, like a gentleman. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! But why wouldn''t I eat with them? Did I deny it in my past life? I don''t remember. "Good morning, Tasha," dad spoke, using the nickname only he called me off. Which is a habit he always had, calling me and my siblings'' names without ever saying the first syble. Only the Goddess know why. I bowed to him, "Good morning, dad," then I turned to my mother and bowed again, hating myself for it. "Good morning, mother!" Turning my attention back to him, annoyed and not being able to look at her for long. "Did you have a good night of sleep, dad?" He nodded but I couldn''t hhelp but notice the smirk that appeared on his face, "At least someone in here cares about how I sleep," oh. I couldn''t help but giggle at how awkward the mood became. "Yes, my daughter, I slept well. I''m still a little bit tired, but thank Goddess I was able to rest." I sat down on Val''s right and looked over the food on the table. Sensing my mouth watery. Damn, this is heaven. Then I started to serve a little of everything, turning my te into a mountain of food, making everyone gasp surprised. But I didn''t care, I kept picking more food, and then surrounded my te with a cup of tea, a cup of water, a cup of orange juice, and a cup of grape juice. Finally, I started eating. Although I was very careful to eat with the grace of a Princess and not like a starving monster. Although I fit in the second option. When I looked over, everyone was starting at me. Even Val and the servants and Knights at the borders of the room. "Did no one give you food for a week, Tasha?" My father asked, stunned. "Ha, I wish it had just been for a week and not a month," I mumbled. Chapter Nine "WHAT? DID THEY STARVED YOU FOR A WHOLE MONTH? How dare they do this to my daughter?" Dad yelled, shocked, and got up. Fuck. Look at what I have done. I need to control my mouth or I''m going to get in trouble. "No, dad. Don''t worry. No one dared to starve me. None of them have such an obvious death wish," he sat down again, still confused. "I was just thinking out loud. I didn''t starve, I just felt like that because I woke up so hungry." He sighed. Val stared at me as if he didn''t believe a word I said and knew I was lying. "For Mi''s sake, Tasha, don''t scare me like that! I can''t even imagine what I would do if anyone dared to harm or starve any of my children," I sided-looked at my mother, and she gazed back at me arrogantly, but I could see how she gulped at my father''s words. And again, Val noticed that too. Although he didn''t say a word about it. "What kind of dream did you have that made you wake up so hungry, Tasha?" Ha, you don''t want to know that. "I starved for about a month," I spoke calmly and then Iughed at the end, finding this situation I''m in surprisingly funny. "And tortured for just as long," I waited until Dalh and Octavian had put some food on their mouths, and then I continued. "Oh, I was also dismembered," and just as expected, both of the gasped. "Natasha Mary-Anne Ludwick Nichi!" My mom yelled. "How dare you say such disgusting words in front of your younger siblings while they are eating?!" Excuse me? "No offense, mom, but Octavian is two years older than me. Moreover, as the offspring''s of the Captain of the Imperial Knights and as members of the Royal House responsible for the Knights and war matters in the Caspien Empire, we should all be used to subjects like this, because at some point in our life we will all have to kill someone, so we need to have a strong stomach to deal with all of that. Furthermore, I was just answering with all honesty a question dad made to me. So, I don''t see how my words might have been disgusting. Perhaps it''s your judgment and you are the one who doesn''t like to hear what I am saying? If that''s the case, then I apologize to you, mother!" Then I added an innocent smile that fooled my dad, but only him. Val burst intoughter and both mother, Dalh, and the octopus stared at Val wishing that they could kill him right now. "Sorry..." if I didn''t knew him the way I do, I might have believed that. "There''s no reason to scold our daughter, Cleo," as if she considered me her daughter. You are too na?ve, dad, little do you know that she''s is the one who harms me the most at this point in time. "Just as she said, I am the one who asked what she had dreamed about," his attention focused on me and he seemed a little bit worried. "By what you''ve said, I believe it was a nightmare." "Indeed," I looked away, gazing back to my food and then I got back to eating. "I need to thank Yoostaf for this food. It''s amazing," I said more to myself than to any of them. "What else happened in your nightmare, Natasha?" I swallowed my food hard, suddenly disgusted by the octopus''s voice. "I''m curious!" After finishing what I had in my mouth and taking a deep breath, I let the smirk take over my lips and turned my gaze at him. "I don''t think you really want to know that, octopus... I mean, Octavian," Val gasped and our brother''s face got red with anger.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "Tell us," mom insisted, with her poison almost dripping from her mouth. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Yes. Tell me!" Octavian insisted with an arrogance impossible to go unnoticed. "What happened?" "You got murdered, dear brother, and let me tell you, it was very brutally," both mom and dad yelled this time. "Natasha!" "What?" I asked feinging innocence. "I told you he wouldn''t like what I was going to say, didn''t I?" I turned to mother, "You insisted that I spoke about it. I did as you asked. Why are you scolding me?" Mom''s white skin got redder than the eyes of the executioner, and thanks to her straight waist-length blonde hair, even the core of her head could be seen red. And her navy-blue eyes were full of anger, but dad held her hand, "You are right again, Tasha. Sorry for scolding you, it''s just that it was unexpected and very unpleasant to imagine your brother being killed as you said." I don''t want to imagine how would dad react if he knew that I was his dear son''s murderer. Or that I was his killer either. "Let''s change the subject?" Val suggested and our father agreed, tho both mother, Dalh and Octavian were still staring at me. "Who killed me in your dream?" Octavian asked angry and while dad scolded him for insisting in talking about it, I stared at him with a pretentious smile and moved my lips to form the soundless words ''I did!'', and delighted myself seeing he turn pale. Just like I am a female version of our dad, he is the male version of our mom, while Dalh and Val are a fusion of both. So it was like seeing mom turn pale, which made it even more satisfying. "It was you?" He yelled, ignoring dad''s scolding and I got into the role of innocent and pure sister. "How can you ever suggest something like that, brother? You may hate me for being born without magic, but I don''t hate you back. I would never do anything like that to you! It hurts in my heart that you think I would ever dare to kill you," thank Goddess I got used to acting up, so it was easy to make my eues watery. Dad pped his hand on the table, catching everybody''s attention and he seemed even more angry, "Octavian! How dare you ever suggest such nonsense? Natasha is your younger sister, she would never harm you," not only harm, as I would murder him right now if I could. "I don''t want to hear a word about Tasha''s nightmare in this manor anymore!" All my family but me, stared at my dad startled, while I focused my attention back on my food. I need to go to that ce to invest all the money I have in the secret box in my chambers, and buy the jewel for my protection and Val''s. Plus my allies and future ones. Then I''ll also have to find a way to go to the Mage''s Tower, to create a investor bank ount in the International Bank managed by Caihong K''hir, the vice-leader of the territory. Chapter Ten ANOTHER GOAL I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH is to make my dad choose an archery tutor for me as fast as possible, because back in my previous life he only had this idea about four months from now, iming that once I had already mastered swordsmanship, I should try mastering the bow and arrow. And although I was outstanding in fighting with literally all weapons before I died, I am not sure if I can perform just as well in this body as I could in my twenty-seven-year-old one. And especially if that''s possible, I will need an excuse for my archery skills. Because I don''t think they would believe in me if I said that I learned that in a dream. Moreover, the reason for me to ''learn'' archery, is because I always had the desire to kill the 3rd Imperial Prince using his weapon, and once I couldn''t do that in the 1st timeline, I''ll do the impossible to kill that fucker if needed. And he will pay for having tortured me. I still remember vividly the sensation of him taking my eyes out, the pain. How desperate and helpless I felt at the moment. Just remembering that makes my blood boil. It makes me want to tear him to pieces. At first, I thought that my bloodlust was all caused by Dalh, but now I don''t think that''s the case. Maybe at the beginning, it was, but now I''m starting to think that she woke a side that was deep asleep inside of me. A dangerous version of me that''s almost psychotic. Because I can still feel this killing intent inside of me, burning me inside-out, especially now that I''m in front of my two rotten siblings and my mother. Just looking at them, hurt me in a way that pisses me off. But also makes me angry and that anger awakes this scary side of me. I can''t help but let my imagination run wild about the many ways in which I could kill them and make them feel the pain they caused me ten times worst. Dalh indeed broke me in an unrepairable way. Even now that I''m free from her strings, I can''t ever go back to being my old, innocent and kind self. She changed me by shattering me to pieces, both psychologically and literally speaking. The pain she caused is imprinted in my soul and can not be forgotten. Every time I look in the mirror, I''ll see the reflex of the murderer I became. I''ll see the blood of the people whose life I took away, on my hands. Valerian''s and dad''s blood. How can I ever forgive myself for doing such a thing? I simply can''t! It''s funny to realize that now, but in the end, she won. I came back to life, but she still fucking won. It can''t be helped. Her goal was to break me in a way that I would never be able to recover. She wanted to traumatize me for all eternity, and she was able to aplish exactly that! The Dalh in front of me may have this same goal and horrible intentions towards me, but she didn''t manipte me yet, neither did she get me killed and saw her dreamsing true. And I won''t let her feel the delight of watching me be tortured and behead again. Not even over my grave that''s going to happen. I''ll bring Dalh and all of my enemies down even if I have to go down with them. I can''t say for sure if my sanity is intact or not, although I believe it isn''t. Which would be very understandable, in all honesty. But it makes it dangerous for the people around me and to myself because if I were to lose my cool, I don''t know what I am capable of doing. Especially now that she got me used to kill everybody who got in our way. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! If I say that I am not afraid of myself, I would be lying, because I fucking am! But more than anything, I am afraid of seeing everything going ording to my twin''s ns. There''s more to this than just getting my revenge, there''s a lot on the line. My principles, my sanity, the person I was, the person I became, all the people I killed back there, and that I am going to save now... it''s everything on the line. I''ll have to deal with all of this and the biggest danger is the fact that it won''t be just me for myself. That means I''ll end up having a lot of weaknesses that will act as the target of my enemies. Valerian is the biggest one in their spotlight. I''ll have to protect him more than anything else because he is still the most precious person to me. I don''t care about hurting myself in this life, especially because I deserve it after what I did, but I can''t die so soon. I promised the being who saved me that I would make it different and that I wouldn''t let those mistakes happen ever again. I''m a person who doesn''t break my word after I give it to someone, so I can''t let my savior down. Neither can I do that to myself and to every life I ended. Furthermore, I can''t let more innocents be caught in the fire of my fight with them. But I''m not stupid enough to think that I would be able to save everyone, though I must try to save most of them. Moreover, Valerian will always be my priority, and I''ll do anything not to let him die again. Even if I have tomit more sins to protect him, it will all be worth it. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And that said, I would kill anyone to be sure that my younger brother will stay safe and alive in the end. "...right, Tasha?" Getting out of my own thoughts zone, I focused back on my family and let my gaze meet my father''s golden eyes that mirrored my own. "Sorry, dad. I was lost in my thoughts. Could you repeat what you''d said, please?" He agreed while smiling.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. "I was talking to your siblings about the Annual Knighthood Oath Ceremony that will happen this weekend. And I was telling them to choose wisely who they want to make an oath to them because you''ve already chosen yours!" Oh, I''ve forgotten about this event. True, I did choose who I want as my personal Knight. And I think everybody knows who is it. Asher Kingston, my disciple-brother, who''s more like an older brother to me than Octavian will ever be! The only avable Knight I would trust with my life. ...And who I also ended up killing in my first life. Chapter Eleven "OH, THAT''S TRUE. I DID CHOOSE HIM ALREADY, but I think everyone knows about that," Octavian rolled his eyes and Val nodded. "It''s that annoying boy that dad and the Captain took under their wing, Isn''t it? So predictable," he spoke full of sarcasm. "Asher is a great kid, very skilled for his age, and one of the youngest kids to be a Knight in the Empire''s history," father spoke with a proud smile. "I and Thorin both taught him well," now he''s overestimating himself. Ash was taught by almost Sir Thorin alone. My father just gave him protection by announcing that he was his apprentice. But if he never had enough time for his children, imagine for his apprentice. "You should be more like him, Tavian," brother got bright red in anger and both me and Val smiled at his reaction. "He always takes his duties seriously, is clever and skilled." Dad turned to met his eyes, making it impossible for him to look away. "Maybe if you had spent more time with him, you would be as skillful in fighting as Tasha is." Octavian''s angry gaze turned to me and I rolled my eyes, unbothered. "Don''t say that dad," I began, "brother spend too much time training his fire magic, to be as strong as mom using it. He doesn''t get to spend as much time training how to fight with swords or his martial skills, nor his brain. While I don''t have magic so all I have are my physical skills. It''s not worthparing me to him," because I''m light years better. What I actually mean was: *How can you expect anything more than magic skills from such a dumb boy like him, dad? You can''t evenpare him to me, because that would be an offense! He doesn''t have the aptitude or the brain needed for retaining such intelligence like me. Moreover, not even in his dreams, he would be able to reach my level.* And by how both he and mom stared at me, they were clever enough to get the message. Valughed just with that I could tell he also understood me. Dalh probably did too, because she isn''t stupid like he is, but maintained her fa?ade and didn''t seem slightly fazed. "You are right again, Tasha. It''s no good topare any of my children with each other, neither with other people," yes, keep agreeing with me, so they will get even more pissed. "Let''s talk about another thing!" That''s my cue. I finish my pancake with honey and prepared myself to speak, "Dad, can I talk to you about something?" He nodded, curious. "I want to change my wardrobe and buy new clothes because I don''t like anything I have anymore. And I also want to change the decoration of my bedroom, I''m annoyed with it because it looks like an extension of my hair," he gasped at myst words. "Finally, you decided to change that. I personally never liked it, but your mom did. And about your clothes, I''ll give you the money and you can go buy everything today or ask the stylist you chose to make it, and for the time being you can you use Lh''s clothes, once you are twins, her clothes must fit you!" She must be so pissed.N?velDrama.Org content rights. "But dad," Dalh shouted, annoyed. "Is there any problem, Lh?" Dad stared at her and she gulped, looking away from his gaze, trying to ask mom to do something with her eyes. "And nothing will change my mind on this matter. Moreover, it won''t take much time for her clothes to be ready, right, Tasha?" "No." "Then it''s decided," Dalh clenched her jaw, trying to hide her anger, letting a fake expression take over her face. "It''s okay with me then," only my dad can fall for that, for Mi''s sake. How was this girl able to fool everyone for so fucking long? "I''ll be d to let my sister borrow my clothes. I have an amazing taste, she''ll look better with them than with the ones she has it," she gave me a sweet smile, but this time that didn''t fool me a bit. I can almost see her poison dripping from here. "That''s my little Princess. I knew you wouldn''t mind it, darling." See? Look at how he treats this wrench. Oh,e on, this is so annoying. "What else can I help you with, Tasha?" His attention was now on me. "It''s a surprise that you are finally deciding to spend money on something you like. Especially because you used to only spend it on Lerian and Lh." Ugh- There''s no need to remember of such a thing. How embarrassing. I''ll never spend my money on that girl again. "Actually," I began, "there is something." "You can ask me anything and I''ll do it," I don''t think you would ever have the guts to do what I want. "As one of my kids, you can have whatever you want!" Even two of your children and your wife''s head? Throwing those thoughts away, I put the fork and the knife in my hands down and I gave my father all of my attention, "I want to start learning archery, dad. You know well how I''ve already mastered both the sword and the daggers, so I want to try this out. Can you find a good tutor for me?" An excited smile took over my dad''s features making him even more handsome. It''s not for nothing that he''s considered to be the hottest guy in the Empire, only second to Emperor Hendrixander Caspien himself. Which doesn''t count as much, once he has that spot thanks to his magic that hides his true features from everyone and makes us see him as to how we would imagine the most handsome guy to look like, which is a personal opinion and so it makes him the most handsome men around. Regardless, dad is the epitome of beauty and I dly took after him. Because of that, it doesn''t matter how much my enemies hate me, they can''t ever say I''m ugly, because that would be a fat lie. "I''m so d you took the initiative for that, Tasha. Honestly, I was starting to consider it. It''s good to know that you also thought about it. And yes! I''ll find the best archer in the Empire to teach you everything. When do you want to start?" Damn, he seems to be more anxious than me. "Tomorrow is okay?" "Of course! The sooner, the better!" He sounded so proud that I couldn''t help but smile at him. "Want to go find the tutor with me?" My smile disappeared. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I disagreed with my head, "I don''t think that would be a good idea, dad, sorry. Moreover, I have a ce to go right when I finish breakfast," Val made a surprised sound on my side and I looked at him. "Can I go with you?" Oh, I missed my little kid, but he can''t go with me this time. "You have to attend your swordsmanship sses, little boy, so not this time," he didn''t like that and made a sad face. "I''ll take you with me next time!" "Furthermore," dad started, "we don''t know how long Tasha will take. And you will have to get ready for tonight''s ball!" Ball? "I believe you don''t want to go to this one either, right, Tasha?" No, thank you. Since my 8th birthday, I stopped going to any social gatherings, because I was tired of being mistreated and listening to everybody say how I shouldn''t be there and how crazy I was for saying that I had been born with magic. My words were taken as lies. I couldn''t handle any of that anymore, so I stopped and focused on sharpening my skills because that was something that would help me in my future. At least, I could run away until myte debut on High Society. "You won''t be able to run away from society forever, Natasha!" My mother eximed with disdain. "As we agreed before, she still has until she turns seventeen to act freely like this," my father remembered. "But she will have to debut before she turns eighteen!" I took a deep breath. "I know, father. Don''t worry, when the timees I won''t hide from it!" Dad was satisfied with my answer, while my mother got annoyed by it. After deciding my next steps, ignoring everyone again, I got back to eating my precious food. Not letting their stares bother me. And let me tell you, it was delicious! Chapter Twelve WHEN I WAS PREPARING MYSELF TO LEAVE, I remembered what I had forgotten to speak with my dad about. Thankfully, I recalled that just in time. After I finished the cup of grape juice, I looked at my cleaned te without a piece of food left and took four cookies that were in front of me, catching their attention as nned. Although I was indeed putting the cookies on my te because I''m still hungry and want to eat them. It''s been ages since I ate one of those. Especially being made by Yoostaf, once he also cut ties with our family after Val and my parents died, just like Sir Leon. I just don''t know where he went to. Either way, I took a bite and it was delicious! "You are going to get fat, if you eat like that, Natasha!" Mother pointed in a mean way as if waiting for me to get offended. "Don''t get me wrong, mom," I started when I finished that one, already with another on the way to my mouth. "But the training I undergo makes me able to eat as much as I can without getting fat. Because, you know, I need to stay strong, I can''t let myself have a weak body." Dad agreed, nodding, "I''m also surprised by how much she is eating today, but Tasha''s right about that. Her training is as heavy as that of the people under my watch on the army. She indeed needs to maintain her health and strength by eating. Although she didn''t use to do that, now she''ll probably get even stronger, and her performance will also improve!" He seemed satisfied with that answer, and so were I. I don''t quite remember if dad used to side with me in my past life like he''s doing now. Even before Dalh''s got a handle of my control. And that''s why I can''t help but think if just the fact that I am acting different from my past self, now, already changed something. What can I say? I hope it did! "If Nat keeps getting stronger, she''ll overthrow everybody," Val said as if that statement was nothing. "Just look at how she''s already stronger than most people, without even having magic!" He rolled his shoulders, then his navy-blue gazended on me, "She just has to make her mind stronger!" Oh, he was probably shading Dalh right now. And he is right. At this point in the timeline, at least in the 1st one, my mind was weaker than a goat''s. That''s why my sister was able to manipte me so damn easy, and I wasn''t able to break free until something extremely traumatic, even more than Val''s death, happened to me. Even though that didn''t awaken my consciousness, it did make me break free from my sister''s string for a little while. A proof that a strong mind can get out of such a situation in less than a year, is the Emperor... I mean, he''s still the Crown Prince here, but back there he was already the ruler of the Empire. Joshua Caspien, the firstborn mysterious son, and it''s said that no one, but his father, knows what he looks like. And even if I have never seen his face, at least I don''t think I did, I don''t know if that''s possible, because the Empress may be a bitch but she must remember her son''s appearance, no? But the thing is, back when the world war ended, after Emperor Handrixander died and right when the Crown Prince was going to take over the throne, as the heir, Dalh, by some unknown way, got the opportunity to manipte his mind. That was probably part of her ns to make her, at that time husband, the new Emperor. And so, under her strings, he started to act like a tyrant, which was horrible because we had just ended the war and there were a lot of casualties, and death was all around. She started acting ruthlessly, making him kill a lot of people and all that shit, so the Caspienian people would hate him. To her dismay, it onlysted for five months, which was right around the time I killed Octavian, once when he got his control back he murdered the Empress, something I also wanted to do. And then they arrested me, threw me at Dalh and the 3rd Imperial Prince''s dungeon, tortured me... and thest you know about. So I don''t have any idea about what happened to the Emperor. Neither if he was overthrown nor anything like that. Thest thing I remember about him is that the people started disobeying him, and their fondness was turned to Dalh''s husband, just as they wanted. I don''t care about it, though. Never saw him, neither did I want to meet him, anyway. What matters to me is that his mind was light years stronger than me to be able to break free from my twin''s magic in such a small amount of time,pared to the thirteen years I spent on her hands. Snapping out of it, I focused my eyes on Val again. "You are right, Val. But I''m working on that," for a second he got surprised by my words, but in the instant that followed he acted cool. Probably because of the people who were around us. "Now, dad, there''s another thing I wanted to ask you about." His golden eyes met mine and he signed for me to keep going. "I want to promote Kate from my nanny and maid to personal assistant." "Interesting. Why?" "You''ve suggested to me before, that I should get a personal assistant. Both you and mom, Octavian, sister, and little Val all have one," he nods at that. "It should be given to a person we trust, and I kind of like don''t trust most people, but I do trust her. That''s why I think she would be the best choice." Mother and the rotten ones stared at me as if just now they were realizing that something might be wrong with me. While Val seemed to pay more attention to his food. He has his hand on his chin, something he always does when he''s pondering something when he spoke again. "That''s a very good idea, Tasha. I''ll speak with Gordon," dad''s P.A. "And he''ll handle this matter. Now, you will need to choose another maid to rece her." That''s also what I wanted. "I already have Laura with me," and she, surprisingly, likes me. "So, I was thinking of choosing Eliza, one of Val''s maids. Then we can change Hannah, Octavian''s maid, to rece her as Val''s new maid," and my older brother seemed to hate the idea. "I don''t think it will be a problem, taking into consideration, that brother will be going to the Royal Academy in less than a week." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Why did I do that? Well, Eliza loves Val and she likes neither Dalh nor Octavian or our mom, once they are a little rude to him, she''s neutral about me and I can change that. While Hannah hates Octavian because he mistreats her, Val will sure make her adore him, because of his angel-like personality. That would mean, one more person to my side, seeing how Ick people with me, that might be good. Val wouldn''t mind that either. "You can''t be serious!" Octavian yelled at me, and dad put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him from standing up. He slowly stared at him, "Are you going to take the maid with you?" "Of course, not, father. Why would I do something like that? The Royal Academy already has maids that will serve me," look at how this brat talks, ugh. It makes me sick. "Then you won''t mind if we change one of your maids, will you, Tavian? Or are you having a crush on her?" The disgust on his face wasughable. "Goddess above, dad, don''t ever suggest such a disgusting thing again. And no," he clenched his jaw and even though I couldn''t see his hands, I bet they were closed in fists. "I won''t mind such a thing!" Dad gave him a slight nod and smiled proudly, making me feel slightly annoyed, "That''s my son. You have to make decisions coldly, kid. As the next Grand Duke, you will have a lot of responsibilities, and the only way to handle everything is by not putting your heart to it and acting rationally only." He took a sip of his coffee. "Even though you might get annoyed with what your sister asked me, just think about it without using your emotions. It won''t be a problem, would it?" "No, dad." He seemed calmer now, and I didn''t like that. I wanted to rip his face apart, but I could only take a deep breath and try not to lose control. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Then our father turned to me as if he was expecting more requests. "I''ll go camping in the next two weeks," this time I wasn''t asking. I never asked for something like this, only told him I was going. Val got surprised by it and I made a sign to him, for him to know that I was going to tell him more about itter, he nodded. "Are you sure?" "Yes. There isn''t a reason for me to stay here all the time if I don''t go to any social gatherings," this time Dalh, Octavian, and mom seemed please with it. Dad only nodded in a silent agreement. After finishing thest cookie and drinking thest sip of my iced tea, I got up and bowed to my parents. "I have to go now, have a good day!" Without waiting for their answer I got out.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Meeting Kate on my way. "Where now?" "To get Asher and then to the jewelry store." "Jewelry store?" "I''ll tell you on our way!" She only nodded. Chapter Thirteen KATE HAD THE BASKET OF COOKIES with her already when we met, so we didn''t stop at the kitchen to talk with Yoostaf about it. That way, we headed straight to the training grounds, where Sir Thorin and Asher were sparing as usual. And it didn''t take long until their heightened senses warned them about my presence and they came to me as if I had summoned them both. The other Knights around greeted me as always, respectfully. "Good morning, Your Royal Highness," Sir Thorin, my swordsmanship master, said while bowing respectfully. As polite as I remember him to b. Oppose to others, he died but it was while fighting in the war. "Hey, Nat," now Ash spoke as rxed as always, without bothering with titles, which is quiteforting. "I''m smelling the scent of cookies," his eyesnded on the basket that Kate was holding. "Mhm," his honey eyes turned to me, suspiciously, "You brought this to us? Are youing to ask for something?" Well, he knows me better than most people. "Morning, Ash," then I turned to Sir Thorin and bowed in respect. "Good morning, Master!" "Have you eaten yet?" Kate questioned and they turned to her. "Miss Quin," they spoke together and I couldn''t help but catch the blush on Kate''s cheeks when her eyes met Thorin''s. Hmm, did they have something going on in 1st timeline? I don''t remember. "Sir Kingston," she bowed to Ash and turned to Thorin with her face suddenly turning bright red. "Captain Meny!" How adorable, she must have a crush on him. I ship it. She''s like a mother to me and he''s like a father as well, so I wouldn''t mind at all. "So," Kate began, looking straight at Sir Thorin''s face, even though the question was for both of them, "Have you eaten?" Is that her way of flirting? I smirked and so did Asher, understanding the situation just as I did. "Oh, I''ve eaten," he spoke and pointed to our master. "But Master didn''t!" "What?" Oh dear, is she going to activate her motherly mode? "Why haven''t you eaten? Do you know how bad it can be for your body and mind to skip breakfast, Captain Meny? You spend your whole day training those kids and exercising your body, how can you dare to skip any of your meals?" Sighing, she handed him the basket of cookies. "Here! Eat all of it." When Ash was going to take one, she pped his hand. "You''ve said it yourself, Sir Kingston, you''ve already eaten. Let him have it, don''t act like a glutton!" Yeah, mother-mode activated for sure. "Thank you, very much, Miss Quin. I appreciate your kindness," he took them and bowed to her slightly, showing respect. "I''ll eat of it," then he turned to Ash and grinned. "All alone!" The boy, a head taller than me, rolled his eyes, annoyed, "And I am the glutton..." He muttered, making meugh. "So," his attention turned to me and his eyes met mine. "As you aren''t dressed in training clothes, I don''t believe you are here to spar with us. Then what are you nning this time, little dragonfly?" I didn''t know how much I missed he calling me that, as much as I know now, hearing him call me by that nickname he created again. It hurts to remember that he also died by my hands, and worst than that, in the same night as Val. Meaning that I ended up killing my two brothers in the same night. "Two things," I started and they all focused on me. "First, I want you to take the oath to me on the Knighthood Oath ceremony, Ash!" Sir Thorin messed Asher''s light-brown hair up in a fatherly way and smiled at him, "That''s why you''ve been training until now and why you are my second inmand in our Grand Duchy brigade, boy. I''m proud of you,"ing closer to me, he gave me a bear hug. "Of you both." Was he always this emotional? Even though, I''ve missed him a lot. He was always a special person to me, always protective and caring in a way I always dreamed my dad to be. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "It will be an honor, Nat," Ash dered with a big smile and hugged me. "I''ll do the impossible to protect you, even though I know you are good on your own and can obliterate most people who dare to mess with you," Iughed, feeling refreshed. "Did the Grand Duke agreed willingly?" "Of course, he did. You are still his pupil, Ash. Even if he doesn''t have much time, he''ll probably talk to you about itter!" A nod. "He kind of already knew I would choose you. Probably because I grew up with you, we always trained together, I trust you and you are as strong as I am," in this body, I mean...N?velDrama.Org is the owner. Because I can feel the annoyingck I stamina, which I''vest sensed years ago, dragging me slightly down. "So it was quite obvious that you would be my choice. And, for Mi''s sake, you should have seen what happened while we were eating just now. Dad ended up unconsciously making the octopus mad by saying that you were a big model of an outstanding boy and that Octavian would be more skilled if he had spent more time around you, like I did!" Even Sir Thorin burst out ofughter at that, once he finds my older brother a nuisance. "Fuck, I wish I had seen that!" Ash eximed with a vicious smile on. "Even though I''m probably strong like this because I trained with you, and not the other way around," true. "As if any of them, besides Val, would realize such thing," I rolled my shoulders as I said that, to show them that I didn''t really give a damn about that anymore. "With that big pride they have, they would never admit that a magic less girl like me is possible of such a thing. My dad my acknowledge me on some matters, but even him wouldn''t do so." Chapter Fourteen "THAT''S CALLED STUPIDITY," Asher eximed annoyed. "Now, let''s stop beating around the bush, little dragonfly," until now I still don''t see the resemnce between me and a dragonfly, and neither will I ever understand how did he came up with this nickname, but anyways. "What''s the second reason for you toe here? Because every time youe bringing us some sweets like this is because you need something from us. Well... usually from me! And I don''t think it was rted with the Knighthood Oath Ceremony." Growing up with me, of course, he would be straightforward like this. "It''s nothingplicated," I started, stealing one of the cookies from Sir Thorin''s basket and Asher followed my bad lead and did the same. "I need to go out now, Kate is going toe with me, so I wanted to see if you cane too. Because it would be good to have a Knight with me, and once our master is totally unsuitable to do that because of his position, you''re the only one I trust to do this," he smirked at that, making roll my eyes. "Don''t make me regret my choice, dumbass," he giggled. "Sorry, little dragonfly, I''m busy!" My ass he is. Master stared at him annoyed and pped the back of his head, "Stop fooling around, you rascal. You''re not doing anything besides reading one of those romance books you hide from everybody," romance books? Oh, my Goddess, it''s been ages since I''ve read one. When I was a kid, I and Asher used to read a lot of those. "Go with Her Royal Highness!" "Ah, Master, why do you always do this to me?" He started at him, waiting and Ash finally let down his shoulders. "Okay, sorry. I was just ying with her. Of course, I''ll go," he eximed. "Maybe I''ll find the love of my life out there!" Hahaha, he sure will. At least, he will if his life keeps going like it did in my past life. And I''ll even give him a little hand to help him meet the green-haired girl already. That girl deserves a good man like Ash and he deserves an amazing girl like her. Gwen might not be an important and influential contact yet, but she will be, just like the owner of the magical jewelry store, and many others. Moreover, I''m nning to help her get there faster, both in fame and in her future rtionship with Ash. After all, it will be good for me if I have the future Royal seamstress and stylist on my side. Especially after my debut in high society, that way I''ll always have exclusive clothes before everybody. If I have to be honest, it will be good to have a friendship with her too. I remember how loyal she was to her friends back in my past life. Oh, and she also doesn''t like Dalh and that''s a bonus for me. Not only does she dislikes my twin, but she confronted her back there when Dalh was after a dress for a random ball. Like I''ve said before, my sister not only wanted to make me kill all the avable Princess around the world, but also anyone else who dared to defy her. As the stylist did. That''s why she made me kill the girl, using a very painful poison. And I hate killing with poison. My sister probably made me do it like that because she knew I didn''t like it, especially when I used to hang out around the stylist''s boutique to hear some gossips. Now I know that she must have done it that way to hurt me too. "Then let''s go!" "What''s this big bag on Miss Quin''s back?" Master asked, very curiously. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Money," she spoke before me, her pink-ish eyes glowing under the sunlight. "All the money, Her Highness, hid and didn''t use from her monthly allowance on thest year," let me tell you, it''s a lot. With that amount, I''ll be able to invest in the jewelry store and buy everything in their stock. "One of His Excellency''s Knights must have already left the money for her new wardrobe on the carriage we''ll use." Master nodded slightly and kissed my forehead, before kissing Kate''s left hand, like a gentleman, making her turn ten shades redder. "I''ll have to excuse myself now, Princess. I happen to have some duties to attend to. See you in our ss. Thank you for the cookies, Miss Quin. And, Asher, take care of your little sister with your life even if she''s stronger than you. Furthermore, behave, you two!" I shared a mischievous look with Ash and our master rolled his eyes. "If you don''t behave I''ll kick both of your asses when you get back. And you both know very well that I have the guts to do so!" "Yes, Master!" We spoke together and he gave us a nod, delighted with our answer.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. We headed towards the carriage first, letting Katee after us. "So, where do you want me to take you today, oh, great, dear and outstanding, magnanimous Royal Highness?" "Stop mocking me, asshole. And satisfying your curiosity, we are going to the outskirts of the capital," he shared a look with Kate and gazed back to me. "Trust me, I know what I am doing!" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! He did as I said, and drove our carriage to where I told him. I guided him on the rest of the way, once I knew very well where the future revolutionary magical jewelry was located. And when we were three blocks closer to arriving there, the rain started pouring hard and even thunders were heard. In that situation, we decided to wait inside thefy and magically warm carriage until it stopped. "So, enlighten us with your omniscient knowledge, glorious Princess," damn, even Kate is mocking me now. Ash is such a bad influence, tsk. "Why are we in the outskirts and what do you want to do going to such a strange ce? Why not go to a renowned jewelry downtown? This might be dangerous," Kate pointed to the view outside the windows, looking like the dead part of the city. "Not might... It does look dangerous! What if we are robbed?" That possibility was so absurd that Asher chuckled. "Miss Quin, there''s no way in hell that we would be robbed. Especially when both me and Natasha are here! It would be more believable if we ended up killing the thief that tried to rob us than getting our things taken by them." True. "I can''t help but to worry, don''t me me, boy. Now, Princess, please, exin!" Ugh, I wish I had been born from her womb. I missed her acting like this. "What kind of ce are we heading to?" Taking a deep breath, I tried to find an easy way to exin everything. "Okay, listen up. Long story cut short, we are going to a jewelry store called *Lollipop That Beats Beats Beats.* The owner, a mid-aged man called Kevin George, is the one who crafts all of his products, using his magic. And the reason why we are going there is quite simple: he has the ability to craft unique jewels that can protect you from any kind of mind magic!" Their jaws dropped, as expected. And after a long moment of silence, when I thought he would say something serious about that, Asher eximed, "Who the heck named a jewelry store like that?" Chapter Fifteen I STARED AT HIM ANNOYED, "Did you only pay attention to that part, dumbass?" "Come on, Nat, you have to agree with me that this name is ridiculous. And why repeat the ''Beats'' three times? What''s the meaning behind that name? And why name a jewelry store, of all ces, like that?" I do agree with him and I confess that I thought the same when I first heard it, but there''s no way I''m going to tell him that. Rolling my eyes, I exined to him, "The owner has a little daughter who''s still a kid. She named the ce and for loving her, he let it be like this. Try not to judge such a thing that easily like that, Ash," kind of hypocritical for me to say that when I did the same. But no one has to know. "Okay, I won''t do it again. I mean... I''ll try. But I still don''t think I''ll be able to say this name and still take myself seriously. It''s too-" "Childish," Kate blurted. "As it should be if it was a child who named it. Besides, I think is rather adorable that he didn''t deny or threw away his daughter''s idea just because it sounds a little ridiculous." Her eyes had a dreamy glow on them as if she was imagining how would it feel to have a kid of her own. She must want to be a mother, in the literal meaning of it, not like the rtionship we have. "Master Thorin would probably do the same in this situation," I spoke faster than I could control my mouth. For Mi''s sake, why can''t I stop trying to act like a matchmaker? It''s almost stronger than me. Funny, because I don''t see myself in that position at all. But a part of me wants to see everybody I love finding their true love and having a good life together. Maybe I blocked myself unconsciously, because, deep down, I don''t believe I''ll survive at the end of all of this. Neither do I think I want to. "He, one hundred percent, would. Master was always extremely caring to us as if we were his kids, it''s not for nothing that he became a fatherly figure for both of us," Asher added, joining me. Rooting to see Master in a rtionship just as much as I do. "I hope he''ll be able to realize his dream of being a father one day. Of having little kids who will look like him," and we are being honest about that part. Sir Thorin Meny is a gentleman to the core, and even though he''s a warrior, he''s still handsome. Being as tall as my dad, with a body sculpted and full of muscles, tan skin, wavy short dark-brown hair, lc eyes, and a deep voice thatplements his persona like a cherry on top of a cake. And he''s smart and skilled. Back in the north, there are a lot of girls and boys who have a crush on him, but he''s the stern and oblivious type. He doesn''t seem to care about that. But knowing him as we do, we know that he''s affectionate under the surface. Now, Kate is only 27, she was a kid when she started taking care of me like a mother. My dad offered her, as my nanny, the opportunity to learn etiquette and to have a good education, so she''s also very smart and can stand her ground, not to talk about her luck to have a big amount of magic which is quite rare when ites tomoners. Moreover, she still has a lot to experience, and being so young wouldn''t be a problem for her to have children. I just hope this baby won''t grow up in a world filled with wars and blood-bath where death is all around us. "I know what you guys are trying to do," Kate started, surprising both of us and we tried to look away, to pretend we didn''t know what she was talking about. "There''s no need for you to try acting as matchmakers, kids. Although I appreciate it. But if something happens between us, it''ll be because the Goddess let it happen and because we are destined to be with each other." Ugh, how boring. I looked at Asher to see if he was also disgusted like me, but he had the same glow on his eyes. The eyes of someone who dreams to be loved and have an adorable and peaceful life by marrying their loved ones. A person who dreams of marriage, a partner, kids, and grandkids. I can''t rte. Not being able to feel good at that sight, I turned to the windows and watched the rain, trying not to think about how sick my belly bes when I think about romance. Swallowing the sudden desire to vomit. Biting my bottom lip to think about other matters but that. It''s unknown to me why I feel like this when ites to romance and couples like this. Especially when I''ve never been in love in my past life. At least... I don''t have any memories of such a thing. And the strangest thing is that it only happens when ites to me because I would be d to see my loved ones realizing those dreams, but not me. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! There are some holes in my memory overall. I can feel some pieces missing, but I can''t figure out what does that means. It''s the same when I try remembering who stole my magic, but my mind is vacant when I try recording what happened on the two weeks around the time I lost my magic. Thanks to that, I don''t know what day did it happened, nor who was around. Did something happen in my past life rted to romance? If yes, when? And why don''t I remember? Could Dalh have found a way to wipe my memories about it? Is that why I feel sick when I try to see myself in love with somebody else? But... if I had a rtionship with somebody back in the first timeline, was the person alive when I died or not? If yes, how must this person have reacted to my death? Ugh, thinking about this is making me sicker than before. I don''t know what''s happening to me. It''s frustrating that I don''t have any idea of what''s causing this on me. And feeling frustrated makes me angry. Finally, Kate broke the silence and made me get out of my thought zone. "But, Princess," I turned my eyes to her. "How do you know about this jewelry, about what they are capable of doing, and the origin of its name? Because I don''t remember youing here." I was kind of already expecting these questions from Kate. Especially when she''s such a cautious person.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter Sixteen "WELL, I WENT AFTER A TRUSTFUL INFORMANT and the person told me about all of it," at least, I coulde up with a lie beforehand. "And no! I can not tell you who is it," I dered when Asher was about to say something. "But if this crafter is so capable like you said, why isn''t he famous?" He pointed, suspiciously. Pfft, he must be getting annoyed at this point. "Do you think that he can be famous having a jewelry store in a bad state and located in the outskirts of Theolia?" They understood my point. The answer was no, of course. "Still, do you think those jewels he craft are indeed able to block any type of mind magic, Princess?" Kate questioned, skeptical. I can''t tell them that I know how effective they are because Ie from the future. And even if I said that they wouldn''t believe me anyway. Then I just have to use the power of my word as a Princess this time. "I do! And I believe they are. So, if you guys have any trust in me, you will also believe it, okay?!" Sighing, they let the topic go. But I couldn''t even enjoy the silence that was starting to install in the carriage. "And are you going to go there and do what exactly, Nat? Just buy some jewels?" Oh, yeah, almost forgot that I haven''t exined my n yet. My eyes got lost in the rain again, while I started to tell them what I wanted to do. "No, I''m not only here to buy some jewels. I''m going to invest in his business!" This jewelry store isn''t famous like it was in the 1st timeline yet, but it already has the material to be. And I can let such an opportunity slip through my fingers, so I must own it, whatever it takes! I need to have my own money, properties, and investments, but without my family knowing about it. My ns need to happen smoothly without the Nichis getting involved. Otherwise, Sir Kevin George''s business will be part of the aristocrats'' properties, once our family is part of the Aristocratic Faction. And that damn faction is in direct opposition to the Crown Prince''s supporters and his political faction, having as one of its main pirs the 3rd Imperial Prince. And that alone is a hell to the no! In this lifetime I refuse to make the same mistake of siding with the aristocracy and Christopher Goddess-damn Caspien. "But to invest in the store, they can not know that it''s me, Natasha Nichi, one of the Royal Princess and the first daughter of the Grand Duke of the north. If that happened, the owner will think that I''m part of the aristocracy and would throw away any possibility to make a deal with me. For he detests the aristocracy, just as much as I do. And I can not let that happen!" Asher already seemed to understand my point, but the same couldn''t be said to Kate who was bluntly staring at me. She can''t be that dense,e on. "So, we''ll need to go inside by using your magic, Kate," after a whole minute, she got the meaning of my words. "What? Me?" No, my cat *(I don''t even have a cat!).*Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. "Yes," Asher affirmed before I could say anything. "You have transformation magic, Miss Quin, so you can use it to disguise us and change our appearance to outsiders. That way no one would know that the eldest daughter of the main branch of House Nichi was investing in such a ce. Neither would the owner of the jewelry know!" See? We understand each other as if we shared the same brain. My connection with him is only second to mine with Val because he might not have been born my literal twin like Dalh, but I think it''s mutual the feeling that we are twins in our heart. Even if that might not make so much sense to other people. But when you have this with someone, you don''t even have to use words tomunicate with them, because they understand you like no one else. "Does that mean you are going to use a fake identity to invest in those businesses, Princess?" Kate''s eyes were worried, so I held her hands on mine. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "I have to! We can''t let my family know what I''m doing, Kate. If I go inside like myself, they will know that it''s me and things will getplicated. We can''t afford suchplications at the moment. Do you understand?" She sighed but moved her head slightly in agreement. "And do you think you will be able to help me with this?" By looking in her eyes, I could almost see the engines on her head working to make a decision, and atst, she let out the breath I didn''t realize she was holding. "Okay. If it''s for you, Princess, I will dly help! I have way more magic than mostmoners anyway, so I think I can make use of it for a long time." Hugging her, I eximed, "You are the best, Kate! I love you so damn much!" And she giggled. "What else are you nning?" She asked, now with an easygoing aura surrounding her. Now that I get that hugging helps her calm her nerves and worries, I''ll make good use of this. "Because I doubt this is your only scheme!" "For Mi''s sake, Miss Quin," Ash joked. "If you say it like that she might be misunderstood for someone with Princess Dalh''s mean personality." He has a point. My nanny turned pale just as fast and I couldn''t help butugh at that sight. "Don''t worry, Kate. If you only speak like that in front of us and Val, there won''t be any misunderstandings." That wasn''t of much help, so I kept hugging her. "I''m nning on investing in the boutique where we''ll go to handle the matter of my clothes," that got her attention. Kate loves clothes and styling, she once told me that her dream was bing a stylist. But that couldn''t happen because her magic wasn''t of any help and neither did she had the skills needed. So, now, she only loves everything rted to that, and so she always asked for me to go buy new clothes, but I didn''t enjoy that back then. "Is this stylist also not well-known?" She seemed skeptical again. What''s up with her and unknown businesses? Every business is unknown at first, you shouldn''t be so doubtful about them. Judging like that isn''t a good thing. Besides, I remember that once she told me that her parents had a small and ''unknown'' business too. So why is she like this? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "She isn''t famous if that''s what you are asking me. But she will be!" I turned to Ash, "Oh, and she must be around your age, Ash." "Seventeen?" I nodded and he got interested all of a sudden, just as I want him to. "Is she single?" "I believe so!" "Is she attracted to men?" "Yes," and that was enough for him to start wondering about that on his mind. At least I already nted the seed. "Oh, back to our disguise on *Lollipop That Beats Beats Beats,*" I started, but none of them seemed interested in it. But I kept talking. "My investor name will be Hana, Kate''s will be Vanessa, and Ash''s going, to be Arthur!" "Mmhmm," they mumbled, feigning to pay attention to my words. Well, I hope they don''t act surprised when they hear me telling the store''s owner their fake names! And when I looked at the window again, the rain had finally stopped. I got them back to reality and we headed to the shop. Kate''s magic already surrounding us. But when we reached the front door, the auras I sensed weren''t of the owner alone. There was someone inside with him. Subconsciously, I made them stay behind me and I headed to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. Totally on the defensive. This person inside doesn''t seem to be simple at all. Rather than that, I can feel in my soul that he''s dangerous as fuck! Chapter Seventeen "NATASHA, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING trying to stop us from entering?" Asher questioned, but thankfully his voice was low enough for only the three of us to hear. I bit my lips trying to hold my temper and turned to him. "I don''t know who this Natasha might be, my name is Hana, Sir Arthur!" He seemed confused for a slight second but then he understood the meaning behind my words. See? This happened because he didn''t pay attention to what I told him. Although Kate seemed to get that better than him. "Why are you rushing to enter first, my Lady?" She asked politely in an ent moremon from the western Kingdoms located at the Breain Continent. Damn, she''s smarter than I give her credit to. Kate must have learned their ent on the north because there are some people there who speak like that. Now we can say that I''m ady from one of the territories located at the Breain Continent, who''s visiting the capital. She thought that better than me I did, I must say. And thankfully, both me and Ash also know how to fake our ent like she''s doing. This is finallying in hand, hm. Even if her ent is way stronger than ours, it''ll certainly work if we act as if shees from the countryside and wee from the capital of one of those kingdoms. Kate''s a genius. "Oh, Vanessa," I started to make sure she remembered her fake name. "The thing is, I happen to suddenly feel a dangerous aura inside here." "Then I should go in first, my Lady!" Ash eximed in the same ent as us. "Not you! Even if you are strong, I''m still your personal Knight!" "Sir Arthur, you are not my personal Knight, yet. We still need to go through the Knighthood Oath Ceremony for that to be concrete," he clenched his jaw, probably annoyed. "So I can very much go inside there before you if I want to." I sensed the aura getting even stronger, making it unbearable to ignore. So, I opened the doors once and for all, but I didn''t see anyone. Although I indeed heard voicesing from the inside of the store. Decided to wait for the person to show himself, I closed the doors when Ash and Kate were both into the store, and while they sat on the couch, I stood up, anxiously. "What''s gotten into you, to make you act so anxiously like this, my Lady?" Asher asked and I could see that as a brother, he was honestly worried. I sighed, "You aren''t sensing, are you?" He seemed confused by my words. "I guess that answers my question..." I mumbled thest part with his heightened senses, he heard it just as well as if I had spoken loudly. "Sorry, I don''t feel anything. Maybe you are overthinking? Or perhaps you must be anxious for the negotiation?" Again, I sensed the dangerous auraing from the inside of the shop, and goosebumps spread through all of my body. Putting on a believable fa?ade, I agreed with him, "That might be it!" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! His relieved smile made me feel a little guilty for lying, but not enough to stop me from going it. "Come, sit with us, my Lady!" I don''t want to sit. "Not yet, but thank you, Sir Arthur. I''m still too anxious to sit down, otherwise, I would end up hitting my foot on the ground non-stop," which often happens, if I''m being honest. Anxiety is something that has been with me since I was a little kid, just as much as my ADHD, making everything more difficult for me. He let the matter go, and when I looked at Kate, she seemed scared. She was like this since that moment after she gave the idea to use the western''s ent. Strange. "Are you okay, Miss Vanessa?" Ash asked, turning to her with a worried gaze. It was as if he had brought her to her senses, and then she was herself again. "Don''t worry about me, Sir Arthur, I''m as good as I always am." She isn''t, but I''ll respect her choice to not talk about it. Maybe she argued with the few western people on the north and was mad with herself for using their ent now?! Respecting her choice, Ash only nodded and got back to examining the jewels around the shop. "They look beautiful, like you''ve said, my Lady!" Getting up, he took a closer look at them, "And there''s a strong amount of magicing from them too," his gaze met mine. "I think you were right." Iughed sarcastically, trying to hide how anxious I am thanks to the dangerous person around, "Oh, you think?" Rolling his eyes, he gazed at Kate whoughed at the situation. Slowly, Ash got back to his sit on the other side of the room from where I was. Finally, the two auras got closer to us and I felt my bloodlust slipping through my fingers. Breathing deeply, again and again, I tried to hold on so Ash wouldn''t feel it. And then the owner came into view alone, leaving the one I''m waiting for a little behind. Has he also sensed mine? Mr. Kevin George''s a middle ages man, taller than my dad about three and a half heads taller than I am now, with chocte brown skin, dark green eyes, and curly ck hair. He was beautiful for his age. Have I said how tall this man is? It''s ridiculous. He''s like a giant in front of me, and I have to say that I''m taller for my age, and as an adult, I was also quite tall, like everybody else in my family. "Oh, I have customers," his smile was wide and genuine. His eyes traveled around us three, studying us and then he smiled. "Beautiful customers, I have to say!" And he said that looking at Kate, which made both me and Ash giggle while she blushed. "Do you mind if I ask who you are where are you from?" He certainly is interested in Kate. Trying to ignore the aura of the dangerous guy still some meters away from me, I took a step closer to the owner, "I''m Lady Hana, this is my personal Knight Arthur and my personal assistant Miss Vanessa." Then I got closer to him and whispered, "She''s single, by the way." Making him blush in a adorable way. Ash chuckled and Kate was curious about what I said. "And we are all from the Malmstrom region in the Stortoni Kingdom, spending some time in the so-called Theolia, the golden capital of the empire."N?velDrama.Org content rights. He seemed satisfied by my answer, "That exins your strong ent. It''s a pleasure to meet you all," he said thest part starting at Kate again. "How did you learn about my ce?" Chapter Eighteen "I ASKED FOR AN INFORMANT OF MINE, TO look after the best jewelry store, hidden from the people''s eyes. And then I learned about you!" Again, he blushed and I sensed the aura finallying closer to us. My heartbeat got faster and I put my hands on Kallisto, my thin sword. Clenching my jaw. Mr. Kevin George seemed surprised by my reaction. "So you are a sharp one, hm, kid. If you can sense my friend from where he is standing." I stared at him. "Who is he?" I more demanded than asked, and he again was a little startled by my voice. "Why don''t you ask that to me?" I heard his voice before I saw his face, and it was deeper than the ocean, making goosebumps spread down my spine again. And when I turned to see him, my heart skipped a bit. Not because of his unworldly beauty, beautiful physique, or because he was also taller than me. But because of his eyes. Ruby-red eyes. And he seemed just as startled to see me. Does he know me? No... that can''t be if I''m using a disguise. It can''t be, right? Besides, as I''ve said before, I''ve never seen a guy like him. Could... could he be the executioner from my past life? Because I feel drawn to him just as I felt in myst moments alive in the first timeline. Who is he?Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. I sensed when some kind of magic surrounded the both of us, but I couldn''t pinpoint what it was. What is he doing? What''s his n? "Who are you?" We asked together. And this time, I couldn''t hold my bloodlust alone, it was as if mine was responding to his. If that even makes sense. "What''s your name?" Again, together. I don''t like this boy. He''s dangerous and I should stay away from him, or he might make it difficult for me to get my ns into action. "Could you stop repeating what I say?" To my dismay, we spoke together again. What is happening? This isn''t some disgusting clich¨¦ romance novel, so could it stop? How sickening. "Who master do you serve?" He asked when I stayed silent, annoyed to the core. "Who are you? What''s your name? What is your n foring to such a ce? And why am I not able to read your mind?" So he''s a telepath, hm. And he sure likes to talk. "I should be asking you the same damn questions, boy." He seemed just as angry as I am. "If you don''t tell me the answer you want to hear from me, I''m not going to say shit." A dangerous smirk took over his lips, "Then it seems like we aren''t in agreement, girl." He stared at mine and it made me feel something I don''t like at all. Even though I don''t know what it is, I don''t like it. Worst, I hate it. "I''ll give you one more chance," he began. "Who are you?" "Will you tell me who you are, if I tell you that?" "Why would I?" He seems to have a big pride, hm. "Boring!" I eximed, in a convincible way, acting as if he was the most uninteresting person in the world, even when he''s the opposite of that, and that seemed to make him even angrier. When I was going to turn my eyes away from his feral red gaze, he held my wrist. Unhurriedly, I looked down to where his gloved hand was holding mine, feeling my heartbeat speeding up like crazy, and goosebumps going down my spine again. I hate this. It''s been ages since I felt like I was in a dangerous situation. Even when I was executed I didn''t think like that. But now, I feel weak again. And I hate this. I hate this feeling. It makes me sick and I want to punch his face. It makes me want to broke all the bones in his handsome body. Slowly, I look at his eyes again, and I felt breathless. Clenching my jaw, I tried to gather strength to say something. "What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Doing?" I spoke every word, in a way that made me look fierce. "Let. Go. Of. My. Arm!" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Of course, I spoke that way because it was the only way I could say something at the moment. But it did look good. Very threatening. "What do you mean by boring?" He questioned, releasing me. A sly smile crossed my lips and I arched my eyebrows in a mocking way that got on his nerves. "You are boring. That''s what I meant. Why? Did it hurt your ego?" His bloodlust got stronger and so did mine, to answer his own. "You don''t know who you are messing with, girl," his hand was on his sword, and so was mine on Kallisto again. "Neither do you, boy!" It seems like he''s offended by being called a boy, so I''ll keep that up. "I would advise you not to try anything here, you wouldn''t want us to destroy the jewelry, would you?" His eyes met Mr. Kevin George and I saw the gleam on them get gentle, which caught me off guard. Do they have a closer rtionship? Sighing annoyed, he let go of the handle of his sword and I mimic his action. "I have to go! We''ll see each again!" A part of me wants that to happen to try knowing more about this dangerous and mysterious guy who has the eyes I was looking for. But the other part- "Goddess above, no! I hope that I won''t ever see you again in neither this lifetime nor my next ones!" He smirked at that and took a good look at me, making me feel my cheeks hot. Maybe he''s causing me to have a fever. This Goddess-damn bastard will pay for this. Then the magic he had used to surround us disappeared and he ignored me, turning to the owner. "Uncle Kevin," I''m only going to call him George now. And uncle? Why did the owner say they were friends, then? "I''ll be on my way now." His attention turned to me for a second and I looked away. "Be careful with this little sly cat," cat? Is he calling me a cat? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Mr. George bowed to him slightly and messed with his short wavy pitch-ck hair, "Don''t get into trouble, kid." When he turned his front to me, he didn''t give a gentle glint to his eyes anymore. It was the contrast of that. He seemed more dangerous than before. "If you do something to him, girl," somehow I felt like I was the only one who could hear him. "I''m going to find you even if you die and I have to go to the afterlife to get you! Got it?" Mr. George must be important to him. Moreover, I would never do anything against him. I''m not Dalh. But I''m not going to tell him that. "To your concern, I''m not, one bit, scared of you!" "Oh, I know," he spoke with the most charming smile in the world. That''s quite dangerous. "You smell of recklessness. But you should be!" And with that, without sparing me another word, he got out of the store and disappeared outside. I let out an angry sigh, still staring at the door as if I could burn it down, "This fucker- Ugh, who does he think he is to speak with me like that? How dare he tell me what to do?" Clenching my hands into fists, I took some minutes to calm myself down, but I still couldn''t forget his boldness. When I finally turned to face Ash, Kate, and the jewelry crafter, had a strange look on their faces. "What are you staring at me for? Is there something on my face?" I touched my cheeks and felt them burning. "Why are you blushing?" Asher and Kate asked together, both with the same smirk on as Mr. George. Iughed acidly, "I''m not blushing, dumbasses. I''m having a fever! My body is burning, can''t you tell?" They didn''t seem to believe a word I said. Asher giggled loudly and I stared at him as if I could throw a dagger on him just with the power of my gaze. "You are really something, Lady Hana. To prefer to say that you have a fever than to admit the green-eyed boy made you blush!" Wait- Green-eyed? What the fuck? Was he also using a disguise? But... why didn''t I see him like that? "Green eyes?" I asked and the three of them nodded. What''s happening? What does he truly look like? Did I see his real appearance and they didn''t? And if that''s the case, why...? Why could I see him? And if I could see him- for Mi''s sake, does that mean he could see me too? Chapter Nineteen "I DON''T KNOW WHAT THEO SAID TO YOU, BUT don''t get so mad at him, Lady Hana, he probably didn''t mean any harm." My ass he didn''t, that''s literally what he meant. And he''s name is Theo, hm. Breathing heavily, I let my golden eyes meet his dark green eyes that reminded me of the leaves of the trees in the tropical forest located in the Mage''s Tower, I once went back in my past life. It was calming. "So that brat name is Theo, hm." He smiled at me when he saw how angry I still was. "Do you perhaps, fancy him, ma''am?" That made me gasp hard. "Pardon me?" "I just asked that because of the effect he seems to have caused in you, ma''am. Your face, for an example, is red like a strawberry, and-" "No! Don''t say anything!" After three whole minutes in pure silence, I closed my eyes and finally seed in steading my heartbeat and breath. "Listen, Mr. George, with all due respect, but not even if there was only the two of us in the world, I wouldn''t fancy an ignorant and dangerous brute like your nephew. Plus, he''s not my type," he''s totally my type, but it''s not like I''ll ever say that out loud. "The only thing I feel toward him is... disgust and anger!" Then I finally opened my eyes again. "Moreover, I''m here for you, so shall we get down to business?" Before he could say anything, Asher and Kate spoke together. "But what did he say to make you angry?" What? "What do you mean? You didn''t hear us?" They all disagree with their head. "Then I suppose that smartass put a barrier around us. Anyway, don''t worry about that, it''s better like this. If I say it, I''ll probably lose my cool and get angry again." All of them bounced their heads positively and I let a small smile appear on my lips. "Sorry for losing my cool, by the way. And for cursing your nephew," I said to Mr. George, biting my lips, feeling my anxietying back. "It''s okay kid, he probably deserved it if he said something out of line to you. He''s quite bold, you see?" Iughed acidly at that, "Oh? I haven''t realized that yet!" "And he isn''t my nephew!" This is getting confusing. "He just finds it morefortable to call me uncle. But we are more like... friends I would say. Although he considers me more than that," oh, I think I get it. "He''s quite protective over me, saying that an old man like me should be careful around youngds... like you." I couldn''t help butugh. "I kind of agree with him about the fact that you should be careful, Mr. George. But don''t ever say that to him! Besides, I am not the type of girl who would hurt you like this, or in any other way. Especially because I need you. Although I also wouldn''t say that to him," the man giggle. "My Goddess... you are both so prideful. But okay, I won''t tell thatd anything. Now, I would be thankful if you could tell me how can I be of help," now is the moment I was waiting for. I turned to Ash and Kate, "You guys stay here. Chose all the jewels you want, the jewels you think it''ll be beautiful on me and the jewels my little brother might like. I trust that you both know our tastes and your own," obediently, they agreed and started to get up and look around, both mesmerized. "Sir Arthur, I would advise you to choose some jewels for your future wife too. I have a feeling that you might meet her soon," I winked at him and he blushed like the hell of it. Then I turned to Mr. George. "Is there a ce where we can talk privately?" "Follow me!" And I did. As expected, the back of the shop was his home, and when we entered, a little girl, identical to him, except for her bright red hair, came to greet us. "Oh, dad, I thought uncle Theo was back," just the mention of that boy pisses me off. "But you brought a beautiful girl with you," how adorable. "You are the beautiful girl," I said lowering my body. "How old are you, little Lady?" A genuine smile appeared on her lips and she came closer, blushing, "I''m five! My name is Alisha, by the way! What''s your name?" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Oh, so you have the name of one of the founders of the Caspien Empire," she nodded, proudly. "My name is Natasha Nichi-" wait, what? I gulped, covering my mouth with my hands. What is happening? "I..." "Don''t be startled, kid," the owner spoke, more serious than before. "My daughter has the magic of truth. It doesn''t matter who is it, the person will only speak the truth in front of her!" Fuck. "Oh, and of course, I would have loads of protections in my house, so the moment you entered, the magic you used to disguise yourself became undone." Oh, no. The girl stared at me, anxiously, "Does that mean you are one of the Royal Princess?" "Yes!" How can I stop talking? How could I fall for this? She looked over to her father and he nodded to her, "You are from House Nichi. Does that mean you are part of the aristocracy?" "Yes, I am from House Nichi. And no, I am not part of the aristocracy. I am more on the side of the Aristocratic Opposition Faction, although my family is in the opposite political faction than I am." Seriously, Natasha? How could you enter the house of a guy who crafts protection jewels from all types of magic, and not think that his house should be the most protected ce of all? You can''t afford tomit such mistakes! "Are you the magicless daughter of the Grand Duke Nichi?" Ugh, I hate this. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!N?velDrama.Org content rights. "Yes! Yes, I am!" I can''t even hide my disgust for this matter. "But there''s more to me than just the fact that I don''t have magic, okay? I''m the best fighter you can ever meet on my age!" If they thought I was angry before, they thought wrong. I hate this. The fact that I don''t have control over my words reminds me of the time Dalh''s strings were inside my mind. Ugh, I feel like vomiting now. "Why don''t you have magic?" I think that this is the kid''s curiosity now, not her dad''s. He probably heard the rumors about me, given that he''s an adult. Breathing heavily, I tried to fight against the kid''s magic, but it didn''t work. "I was born with ice magic and telepathy, but when I was 4 years old someone stole it from me and made me crippled like this. I don''t remember who it was, nor why I was their victim. Satisfied?" She got a little startled by my sarcasm and I felt bad. "Sorry, kid, I know it''s not your fault. You were curious like all kids your age. It''s just that, I''m tired of everybody''s judging me for this!" I fell on my knees, feeling suddenly tired. "Do you have a bad rtionship with your family?" Why is she asking such personal questions? "Bad is an understatement! I only have my brother. My dad kind of likes me, butpared to what he feels for my siblings, it''s nothing. And I don''t want to start with the other three- They hate me more than anything and would kill me at any given moment if it weren''t for my dad!" I hate having to say this to an outsider, but it''s kind of relieving to let it out. She came closer and petted my hair. "I don''t know if it will help, but you are the most beautiful girl I''ve seen in my life, Princess!" Ugh, I can''t even get angry at this kid. "Thank you," Iughed, surprising even myself with the shyness in my voice. "My sister would be possessed with anger if she heard that," Iughed again, but this time it was an ill-intendedugh. "What do you want from my dad, Princess?" Now she''s asking the right questions. "I want to buy all of his jewels and invest in him, because he''s talented as fuck and I need his products to protect myself, my younger brother, and my allies from my sister''s magic." Her magic is potent, hm. "I want to be his only investor and to give him ess to all of my mines in the north," this time I heard her father gasp in surprise. Chapter Twenty "DO YOU HAVE ANY BAD INTENTIONS towards my dad or me, Princess?" Her voice was a little shaky to ask that. "Not at all. I just want the best for you and myself. And I need this to be extremely confidential, otherwise, if my family were to know, they would try to take this business from me. Moreover, no one can know that I''m your investor, or you guys would also be targets for my enemies, and I can''t afford anything like that happening." Suddenly, I felt as if someone had taken an invisible weight off my back. And I could breathe again. Hands held me by the shoulders and made me get up and sit on the couch. "I''m sorry for all of this, Your Highness. I just needed to be sure, after Theo told me to be careful around you," ugh, of course. "Please, don''t even speak of that annoying brat in front of me!" And that, to my dismay, got the kid curious. "Why? Do you hate uncle Theo?" I tried to close my mouth with my hands, but it was useless. "I don''t hate him. I hate the fact that I''m attracted to him. He''s infuriating! It makes me angry out of my mind!" No! No! No! I covered my face with my hands. But the kid, being a... kid, didn''t let me off the hook. "Have you never felt that before, Princess?" "Of course, not!" I cried angrily and turned to her dad. "For Mi''s sake, please, make her stop. This is torture!" But that damned mad was too busyughing at my burning red face. "So, are you attracted to uncle Theo, Princess?" "YES! YES, I AM." I yelled, angry at the fact that I couldn''t do shit against a five-year-old''s magic. "He''s totally my type, is that what you want to know?" She finally seemed satisfied, "Why are you Royals and Imperials so prideful?" Her dad asked and I wished I could bury myself. "You can stop now, Alisha. Or the Princess might get angry at us!" She nodded and bowed to me then came closer. "Sorry, Princess Natasha," and I still can''t get angry with her. "It''s okay. But you have to promise in the name of the Goddess, that none of you will ever speak of what I said to anyone. ESPECIALLY that annoying Theo! I can''t let anyone know about that. A person of my rank can''t get involved with someone like him!" "But uncle Theo is-" "Enough, Alisha!" She bit her lip. "Go inside, darling, I''ll have to speak with Her Highness now," hm. What was that? What was the kid going to say to me? Whatever, I don''t want to know. I''m already too embarrassed thanks to her. "She won''t say anything, right?" "No. She won''t." I let out a sigh of relief. "If it wasn''t for her, you know that I wouldn''t make a deal with you, right, Princess?" Does that mean he will? I nod. "That''s why I disguised myself, Mr. George. I imagined that you should be against the aristocracy, and I didn''t want this deal not to happen because of the house I''m part of." "Well, I imagined that was the reason. Sorry for being so disrespectful at making you tell the truth like that!" Now he''s sorry, hm? "It''s not like that can undone what happened," I spoke sarcastically but covered my mouth right away. "Sorry, I shouldn''t be so rude. In your position, I would have done the same." He analyzed me for some instants, before uttering a word again. "Having to be around so many people who have a prejudice against you for not having your magic anymore, I believe you learned to use sarcasm as a weapon," I gulped. Mr. George couldn''t be more right. "You said you had some mines in the north, can you tell me more about it?" A hopeful smile took over my lips and I agreed. Thankfully, he will ept to make a deal with me. "You know that for being the second daughter of the Grand Duke, I was born as a Duchess, right?" A nod. "So, my territory, Astryn, has about eleven mines of different gems. Diamonds, rubies, and even gold. And thanks to my younger brother Valerian, who''s born as Earl of Viddena, he sold his mines to me, because he thought I would make better use of them. I''m willing to give you full ess to them, so you can work and craft all the jewels you want to!" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!N?velDrama.Org is the owner. "As your Knight said before, you are really something, hm, Princess," he said but he seemed captured by it. "Were you serious when you said that you want to buy all the jewels of the shop?" "Yes! I need them as fast as possible because my sister has some dangerous intentions towards me. And if she was to get control over me, it would signify the downfall of... uh... the world!" I wish I was lying about it. And by how he turned pale, he believed in me. I''m not used to it, but it feels good. "Once I heard of a prophecy that said that one of you would bring the downfall of the world and the other would be a Saintess bestowed with magic given by the Goddess herself," it''s been a while since someone spoke with about that because almost everybody avoids that topic. "Everyone thought you were the one who would be our downfall, but now I''m starting to think that we were all wrong." Iughed anxiously, not wanting to think about that, once I, myself, always thought I was the bad one in my grandma''s prophecy too. Especially when I kind of did cause everything with Dalh in my past life. Moreover, I''m sure I wasn''t bestowed with any magic from the Goddess. "No one knows," I said, ufortable. "I don''t have magic, so maybe it is me. Or maybe you are right." "You also believed it was you who would bring the world downfall, right?" Ugh, he and his daughter and their disposition to make such questions. "How could I not?" That was enough to install a notfortable-at-all silence in the room. I heard the kid getting closer to us again and she turned to me. "I''m sorry for eavesdropping, dad. But, Princess, if you allow me to say, I believe you might still be bestowed with the Goddess magic. She works in mysterious ways. Let''s not try to understand this prophecy in a naked way," damn she''s way too smart for 5 years old. "Are you sure she''s only 5?" They bothughed at that. "Like, seriously. She''s a genius for her age. If you would allow me, I can find a way to provide a rich education for her without anyone knowing who''s helping you," that got him by surprise, while the kid got excited. "That would be too much, Princess," nothing is too much. "I insist!" He looked from me to the smile on his daughter''s face and sighed. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "I''ll think about it. Now, back to business. How would I be able to go into your mines without your family''s knowledge?" Good question. Crossing my legs, I exined what I had in mind to him, "All members of Royalty and above, have a dimensional magical tool that allows them to travel to ces their owner have been before. I''ll give you mine because the locations of the mines are all encrypted in them. Then I can just tell my father that I identally broke mine," and opening the bag I brought with my money, I gave the tool that looked like a fancy hairbrush, to him. "Here." I then began to exin to him the locations of each mine and he wrote it down with a pen full of small jewels that he said he had created, and that allow only the people with his bloodline to be able to read its content. And the only two people alive with his bloodline were his daughter and himself. Making everything easier for me. So I told him that to use the magical tool, he would have to brush his hair with it, while thinking of the location he wants to go to. After setting everything for our deal, he took a paper out of a drawer, and then he took a n pen and a box full of small diamonds. Using his magic, he crafted all of them in the quill, and with a small knife, he took a drop of his blood and let it fall over the diamond. Then, to my surprise, he did the same with his daughter and then turned to me and ask for a drop of my blood, which I gave willingly. And after using his magic to encrypt the blood inside the diamonds, the bent down on the table and wrote a contract with it. Leaving me stunned by such a demonstration. "Why did you get Alisha''s blood too?" "She knows your identity and she heard everything. By writing this contract with this pen, none of us will ever be able to utter a word about what we talked about here. Even about what you confessed towards Theo," now THAT is trustworthy. "We''ll only be able to talk about it with you." Quite extreme, but effective. "Will you be making business with other people?" I nodded. "Then you might make good use of this pen. The ink is created with the blood of the people present, so when you make another deal with somebody else, you will bath the diamonds. with a drop of your blood and with a drop of theirs, as I did!" What an amazing creation. "Got it?" "Yes. Thank you so much for this, Mr. George." He got back to writing the contract and when he finished I took a look at it had the point where I guarantee his daughter''s education, making me smile. "I''m d you epted. So, only we can see the content, right?" He agreed, then gave me the pen and I sign, then he did, and finally, Alisha. And I wasn''t surprised to know that the kid already knew how to write and read. She is indeed a genius. It might be good to have such a talent on my side in the future. "I can''t help but feel that I''m closing a deal with an adult and not a thirteen-year-old kid," he mumbled making me smile. That means my soul is having a stronger aura than my body because I am an adult in a way. "I''ll take that as apliment!" Holding the heavy bag, I gave it to him and his jaw dropped when he saw all the money inside. Chapter Twenty-One "GODDESS ABOVE, PRINCESS, I CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS, it''s way too much money. More than my store is worth it!" Mr. George eximed, shocked. "Half of this would be more than necessary to buy everything, invest in the store, and repair this ce," damn, he''s denying the money? That''s a first. I push the bag back at him when he tried to give it back to me. "Take the money, Mr. George! It will be necessary, believe me. Plus, I have a suggestion as to what you can do with all this," he was open to hearing me but didn''t seem that willing to ept the money. "What do you have in mind, Your Highness?" I don''t quite like to be called that way, but I''ll bear with it. "Repair this ce and turn the whole building into your house. Build a basement to work on. Then buy the two neighboring houses on the right and left, so you can rent them and win more money. About your store, with this," I pointed to the bag. "You have enough money to buy a new ce to work downtown, where you will have more customers. And you will also be able to afford heavier protection for both ces!" He bit his bottom lip, considering. Besides the fact that he seemed to be fighting with himself because of it, he looked at me again and sighed. "Why are you so good at this? I thought you only knew how to fight," that made meugh. I stared at him, with a dangerous grin on, "Mr. George, Mr. George," I repeated his name, ying with it on my tongue. "I may be on opposite political factions of my father, but I''m still his daughter! Besides, I am a Duchess, even though most people usually forget that. My dad made sure that all of his children receive a rich and strict education, especially me, because of my condition," I swift my weight from one shoulder to another. "But I still have to take care of the important matters rted to the Astryn Duchy. They don''t care if I''m thirteen or nine or whatever. I have had duties since I was born and I''m very responsible when ites to them." He was frightened. Even Alisha noticed and held his hand. But I onlyughed at that. "There are some words that you shouldn''t say to me, Mr. George. I respect you and I want you to be safe, healthy, and alive. But even though I''m very flexible, I know how to draw my lines." I came closer. "So, no, fighting isn''t my only ability! You would be surprised to know that I''m more capable than anyone in most things except for magic." "I... I''m sorry, Princess. I shouldn''t have looked down on you," sighing, I let the matter go. "No problem, it''s not like you are doing something nobody does too, anyway. Just don''t do it again, or you might see me get really angry," he gulped and agreed to that. "So, where were we?" I asked as if nothing had happened. Alisha looked at me, "You are quite good at scaring people, Princess!" And she''s quite bold. "It seems like I learned something with my family, Alisha. While you are very audacious for your age," she gulped and Iughed again. "Calm down, little kid. I''m not going to do anything against you, I''ve told you before. That''s not the type of person I am," anymore. Then I focused my attention on her father again, "What about you, Mr. George? Will you ept the money once and for all, or will you keep denying it?" Getting on his feet again, he turned to me and bowed. "I''ll ept it, Princess!" Finally. He got the bag again and looked inside, his throat suddenly dry. "Graceful Mi," the kid eximed, taking a look inside. "I''ve never seen so much money in my life," her dad smiled at seeing his daughter''s fascinated gaze. She turned her excited gaze to me. "You are so rich, Princess, oh my Goddess!" "And you are," I touched her chubby cheeks, "Adorable!" She smiled at me full of teeth and two windows, making it even cuter. "Look at those two windows," I pointed, and she got shy. "What a cute Lady you are," she seemed to like being called a Lady. I got on my feet and brushed the dust out of my annoying skirt. They got up right after me. "It was a pleasure to make a deal with you, Mr. George. And to meet you too, Lady Alisha," he handed me the bloody-diamond pen and I kissed the kid''s forehead. "When will youe to get the jewels, Your Highness?" "Well, when will they be ready?" "Tomorrow, in the evening, is it okay for you?" I nod. "Then I''ll be waiting for your Knight!" Then he bowed and so did his daughter. After a farewell, I left with Kate and Asher, parting ways with them. Satisfied with my first investment and already upying my mind with the next one. Preparing myself for my encounter with that old acquaintance of mine. 00000 *shback of seven years in the future - First Timeline* If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! As the 8th month of the year arrived, and a new Knighthood Oath Ceremony was at bay, I had to fulfill my darling''s wishes. Last night I couldn''t bear the pain I felt by seeing her cry like that on my tights. She told me that she had a bad argument with the Royal Stylist, Lady Gwen, my disciple-brother''s widow. My rtionship with her was alright, and I enjoyed herpany. It made me remember Asher, who died three years ago by my hands, although that''s a secret. But how could she mistreat my sister like that? Doesn''t she know who she''s messing with? What are the consequences to those who disrespect Dalh? And my darling was still thinking of not saying anything to me about that. She thought that even those the stylist screamed and mistreated her, she didn''t do it with any ill intentions and just a punishment like cutting her tongue would do. How can she be so merciless to those who hate her and want to see her disappear? She is indeed the Saintess the priests in the Goddess Temple imed her to be.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. My sister knows how I tend to act when ites to protecting her, and for not wanting to see me getting hurt by anyone, she tries to hold information and not tell me when someone is mean to her. It pains me because she''s the purest girl I''ve ever met. She isn''t able to have any ill intentions towards anyone. And that''s why I''m here to do the job for her and clean her way to sess, as the future wife of the Imperial Princes Christopher Caspien. Even if I don''t quite like him, my sister loves him and that''s enough for me. If she''s happy, then so am I! And so, seeing me unwillingly to just cut her tongue off, she gave me the alternative to killing her with poison. I wanted to protest, but she told me that it wasn''t just normal. But seeing her insisting on it, I epted and went with it. nning exactly what was I going to do. I had been ingesting all types of poisons for over two years now, to create a tolerance, so I could just poison myself with her. She would die, I would watch it. And although I would also be affected, it wouldn''t cause me my death, and I would be taken as a suspect either. Very clear and not troublesome at all. Pain is something I can handle better than most people. Chapter Twenty-Two MY PLAN WAS MADE AND I HAD TO TAKE ACTION, so I sent a letter to her and asked her to drink some tea with me to reminisce about our time together when Asher was still alive. As I predicted, she agreed to it and we decided to meet in the inner garden of the Nichi Manor in Theolia, once it was my and Dalh''s new main house. Now that our older brother took over the Nichi Pce in the north, for himself, as the new Grand Duke and patriarch of House Nichi. Taking Angel Dawson, the 3rd daughter of Baroness Noelle Dawson, with him as his soon-to-be wife and as the next Grand Duchess. Not to say that she''s a year younger than both me and my twin. Furthermore, I always hated that spoiled girl, who was the total opposite of the beautiful meaning of her name. Although I tolerated her because she was, Goddess-knows-how, friends with my sister, I couldn''t bear to live in the same ce as that bitch. Moreover, Dalh requested me to be on her side and I was happy to be of help to my dear sister. When the day to aplish my sister''s task arrived, I got everything prepared beforehand. Finding a way to put the taste and scentless poison on our third dish, so it wouldn''t be so fast. And when Sir Armando Hori, the new butler, announced her arrival, I felt my blood getting excited. With a perfect fa?ade, I took her to the garden and we started talking about my deceased brother-disciple. But then she started an interesting topic, "I''m d that you called for me, Princess Natasha. At first, I thought you wanted to scold me for screaming with that bitch-" I stared at her as if I could throw a dagger at her throat with my gaze and she gulped. "Sorry, my tongue slipped," yeah, I should have cut off her tongue as Dalh suggested. "I mean... your sister. But it''sforting that you don''t hold a grudge because of such a silly discussion." I clenched my fists and my jaw, forcing myself to nod and smile. To my luck, four maids brought the 3rd dish and left just as fast as they appeared. Probably afraid of me. But the dark-green-haired girl was too oblivious to notice anything strange in the maids'' expressions. "So, as we were saying," she was. "I''m d you didn''t call me for this. Now, I want to tell you something that Asher asked me to tell you some days before he died," what did that brat say? "Once he said you didn''t listen to him anymore, he thought that if we were to get close, maybe you could listen to me," then she took three mouthfuls of the greased steak, and I finally took one. "You need to be careful with that sister of yours, Princess. I know it might be hard to hear this, but that bitch is a snake. A fucking wolf in sheep clothing," ha, she''s lucky that I went with Dalh''s idea of poison, otherwise, I would have sliced her throat open right at this moment. And when she took another four bites of the steak, I decided to take another two, to not let anyone be suspicious. Then I finally let the vicious smile I was holding in, take over my lips. When the girl saw it, she got scared and turned pale. "Why are you staring at me like that, Princess? You are scaring me. You are looking like a psychopath," she mumbled and coughed blood, and she got even more scared when she saw the amusement on my face. "What the fuck did you do?" "Gwen, Gwen..." I tasted her name on my lips. "You should have been careful. And most of all, you should never have bad-mouthed my sister. She''s an angel on earth, who do you think you are to say shit about her?" She coughed again, and this time I saw lines of blood rolling down from her eyes and nose, and then I felt sick and coughed vomited blood all over my food. "Damn," I eximed with a grin on. "She was right when she said this shit wasn''t like the normal poisons out there." She stared at me, desperately, "Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to you?" Hmm, so she still can speak. As a response to my thoughts, she started gulping blood all over herself and at the table. "Well, this is quite disgusting!" I said, my voice getting weaker. Then I felt tearsing down from my eyes, and I knew they were all made of my blood. Just like the linesing down from my ears and nose. "But, satisfying! And you should have thought about that before humiliating my little sister, you bitch. If it weren''t for her being merciful, I would have mercilessly murdered you, and not resorted to something like poison. If it were for me, you would have been tongue-less and with a sliced throat by now," I saw disappointment and sadness in her eyes. Now that, wasn''t so satisfying. And I don''t know why, but I suddenly felt shallow. As if an important part of me was missing, but I was fast to ignore that and put on a wicked smirk. "We should have protected you from her..." she whispered when her blood starteding out from all the pores in her body. "I''m sorry... I''m sorry that I didn''t realize what she did to you sooner," as if I would fall for her words. "She brainwashed-" her words were silenced when she fell unconscious. Fuck, I should have asked my darling how potent this shit was. But I acted recklessly and decided to drink this too. Ugh, I feel like I''m dying. But there''s one more bitch down and she won''t ever make my little sister cry again. Well, she won''t ever be able to do anything again. Because she''s dead. A sick smile took over my lips, but it disappeared just as fast as I fainted. I only hope that my sister is feeling better now. And I want this to serve as a warning for anyone who dares to defy the Saintess of the Caspien Empire. It doesn''t matter who is it. If anyone dares to say shit about her, I''ll be d to end their lives with my own two hands. My sister deserves the world. And if the world is not willing to ept her, I''ll make them even if I have to kill everyone to aplish that! 00000 *Present Second Timeline* 1 "...sha?" I heard Asher''s voice and I felt when his hands shook my shoulders to get me out of my thoughts zone... or should I say out my nightmare''s zone? "Natasha?" He called for me again, worried. Blinking more than a dozen times before I uttered a word, I turned my attention to him and blinked again. "Hm?" "Why are you crying?" Kate asked, exasperated, and I focused my confused gaze on her. "Are you okay? You seemed to be lost somewhere far away," and I was. "Talk to us, Princess!" Taking a deep breath, I put on a smile and nodded. "Sorry, I was lost in thoughts. So, what were you saying?" I asked, but they kept staring at my face, worried. "Come on, I know I''m gorgeous, but you see me every day, there''s no need to stare at am as if I was a rare piece of art that could disappear at any given moment from its museum. "Sorry, we are just worried." He said and I held his hand to show that I was okay. "Anyways, I was asking how did the negotiation go!"Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Oh, yeah, I didn''t tell them. After spilling the tea about what happened, how they discovered who I was, and about our contract, they were excited about Mr. George and his daughter. "Who would have thought that such a young talent would be hidden in the outskirts of Theolia," Kate eximed and I rolled my eyes, ignoring her disdain. "Yeah. The kid is adorable!" Asher smiled. "I didn''t know you like kids so much." "Oh, Ash, I do. If they don''t bother with my magic-less condition, then I would dly spend some time with them. And Alisha didn''t, so it was very pleasant!" With a nod from them, we let the topic settle. "So, why aren''t we heading to the boutique yet?" He gasped and got up, going to his sit in the front of the carriage. "You didn''t say where we should go!" Well, he has a point. "*White Rose Boutique*. In two blocks from *Pierr¨¦''s Bistro*, on the left side of a bookstore called *Divine Pigeon*." That was enough for him, so he drove us there. Chapter Twenty-Three IT WAS EXACTLY WHERE I REMEMBERED, only the design of the boutique was different and simpler than it will be. There weren''t any customers inside when we got in, Gwen was alone there, eating a lemon cupcake with milk jam. And when her eyesnded on us, she got up awkwardly and finished the cupcake in one go. We weren''t using any disguise anymore. The moment my eyes met her dark-pink eyes that looked like a pair of gems, I felt sick. Guilty. Dirty. Thest time I interacted with her, was the day I took her life away. I can''t let that happen again. She was, obviously, younger than I remembered. Being the same age as Ash, she''s eighteen now. But she''s still as beautiful now as she is in my memories of my past life, the only difference is that back there her hair was the length of her hips, while now, her curly forest-green hair is on her shoulders. She has tan skin and her eyes are big, but she''s very slim and tall. Well, at least she''s half a head taller than me. Though she''s still shorter than Ash. And speaking of him, he was staring at her as if he was really considering worshiping her. Being mindlessly romantic like he is, he must be dreaming about their wedding already. Gwen stared at Asher for a long time before turning her eyes to me, and when she did, it took her about a minute to absorb my appearance and realize who I am. That''s okay. I don''t n on hiding my identity from her anyway. She bowed, blushing, "Oh my Goddess, I''m sorry for not greeting you before, Your Royal Highness," that''s kind of ufortable. Taking some steps forward, I stood in front of her and held both of her hands in mine. "It''s okay, Miss. What''s your name?" Her eyes got up to meet mine and I smiled at her. "Gwen. Gwen Nevan, Your Royal Highness," okay, it''s getting awkward. Gwen never used honorifics with me inmon circumstances. "Can I call you Gwen?" "Of course!" "Then call me Natasha, please. Or just Princess, if you are too ufortable with my first name," then I turned to mypanions. "This is my personal assistant, Katherine Quin. And this dumbass here is my personal Knight and disciple- brother, Sir Asher Kingston!" Both of them blushed, and to put more wood in the fire, I whispered to her. "He''s single, by the way."N?velDrama.Org is the owner. But loud enough for him to hear it and turn bright red. "It''s an honor to make you acquaintance, Miss Quin," she bowed to Kate, slightly and turned to Ash. "Sir Kingston." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! They shared a gaze that screamed ''I am in love with you!'' and was like a scene in a romantical novel, one that Ash himself is a big fan of. It was disgusting. So, I decided to break it. They will have plenty of time to stare at each other to their heart''s content, I make sure of it. I just don''t have the stomach to watch such a moment unfold in front of me. Moreover, if that moment was even a minute longer than that, I would have vomited. "So, Gwen," I began, catching her attention and getting a glimpse of a frustrated and red Asher, that made me want tough out loud. But I didn''t, of course. "I need your help regarding my wardrobe." "Yeah, I imagined that was the case, if you came here," now, THAT is the Gwen I remember. "I... sorry, I have a little difficulty in being polite. I..." "It''s okay, Gwen. I''m also quite straightforward. The case is, I want to get a whole new wardrobe. From undergarments and socks to ball gowns and beautiful riding clothes," she seemed surprised at first but understood my reason when she took a good look at the clothes I was wearing. She giggled funnily, "Well, makes sense. If you allow me to ask, Princess," I nodded slightly. "Who dressed you like this?" Gwen looked offended. "It''s hideous and... such an old style. The person who did this must hate your guts!" Even Kateughed at that, "And she does." She mumbled to herself, but I could hear that just fine. It was true though. "You are quite right on that, Gwen. Both because this dress is ridiculous and also because my mother indeed hates me," she got a little pale at that. "Nothing new. Now, can you, do it? Are you up to this task? Because I''ll need you to do it with the best quality possible and in a short period." I thought she was d that I had changed the topic, but she got back to it. "Yes, I can do that. And you will see that it''ll be in the best quality possible," she seemed determined. "Way better than those stylists in Theolia!" I have no doubt about that. "So... the rumors about Her Excellency hating you are true?" "Yes," my answer came out easy and calm, it isn''t a sensible topic anyway, so I''m okay with talking about it. "Those rumors in question, are all true." She pointed for me to sit down with Kate, now that Asher was guarding the doors, probably because he was too shy to stay so close to her. How adorable. Then when I sat on the couch in front of her, she handed me one of the cupcakes. "Thank you," she must have caught me looking at them. It''s been ages since Ist ate this. Especially because they are one of Gwen''s recipes. "I hope you like it, Princess. It''s my mom''s special recipe, and I''m kind of addicted to baking them these days." When I took a bite of it, it brought back to the times I used toe here to listen to some gossip, enjoy the environment and eat them. And it was as delicious as I recall them to be. "Hmm, it''s amazing, Gwen." Kate agreed with me. "I also like cooking, so I would be happy if you could teach me how to make those one day." Chapter Twenty-Four THAT WAY SHE WOULD HAVE A REASON TO go to Greenhall Castle and see Ash because I kind of already knows how to make these. She taught me how to when she got engaged to Asher and was trying to get closer to me. But no one needs to know that. "Oh, yes. I would be d to teach you. Now, hm," she''s doing that face she always makes when she wants to ask something but it''s not sure if she can ask it or not. "Can I ask you a personal question?" I agree and she got excited. "How is your rtionship with your family? Like... there are all types of rumors going around us, but thanks to the fact that you rarely show up in public ces, no one knows that much about you, but the fact that you don''t have magic." Her curiosity is one of the reasons why Dalh despised her, and why I adore her so much. "I guess people indeed don''t know much about me, but the things they hear in those rumors. Overall, my rtionship with my family is...plicated. I and my younger brother are best friends, I would say, and he''s my pir in that ce. Dad is quite absent, and he''s quite caring when ites to me, but when any of my brothers or my mother are in the picture, I be invisible to him. My twin is superficial and loathes me, although she pretends not to and fools everybody, including me I guess... but not anymore. Now, my mom and my older brother hate me and they don''t care to hide it in front of anyone but my dad." A silence spread to the room and when it started to get awkward, I decided to say something. "That''s pretty much it." "How awful. And His Excellency is really oblivious to how your mother and the Heir Apparent treat you?" that''s what everybody calls Octavian, once he''s the apparent heir of the grand dukedom Nichi. "Moreover, what did you do for them to hate you?" "Yes, my dad is really that dense, and-" "She didn''t do shit," Kate spoke annoyed, after finishing her cupcake. "They are horrible to her just because she doesn''t have magic. As if it was her fault to be like this! It''s infuriating," I almost chuckled at her sudden reaction, but I didn''t, otherwise she would get angrier. "How can a mother hate her own daughter for such a stupid reason like this?" Gwen eximed incredulously and I wanted to hug her for that.N?velDrama.Org content rights. It reminded me of herst words to me while she was getting poisoned... when she realized I had been brainwashed by Dalh. My heart ached at that thought. Even Gwen knew that she wasn''t a good person, while I was fooled into believing otherwise. How stupid. "My mother doesn''t seem to think like that. Moreover, she isn''t the only one to share such a mindset. Although I think you might already know that if you heard the rumors about me," she nodded and looked down at her hands. Why does she seem so sad? "Are you alright, Gwen?" She stared at me in shock. "Are YOU alright, Princess Natasha?" Ah. "How can you not be angry? Those things didn''t even happen to me, but I''m pissed by it, while you are allposed talking about it." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I got up and sat on her side on the other couch, taking her hands in mine. "That''s because you have empathy, Gwen. And who says I''m not angry? Who says I''m not pissed by everything too?" Now her dark-pink eyes shined in a confused light. "But I learned a long time ago that just getting thoughtlessly mad about my situation wouldn''t change anything. On the contrary, it would only encourage them to keep doing it, because they would see how that affected me. And to be honest with you, I''m not hurt by it anymore." "But why don''t you do something?" "I will. When the right timees, they will all pay ten folded for what they did," I said more to myself than to any of them, and my tone came deeper, to the point that both Kate and Asher turned their heads to me. After blinking sometimes, I let out a deep breath and smiled at Gwen again. "So, don''t worry about it, okay?" She nods. "I promise I will never make any clothes for either your mother, your twin, or your older brother!" Young Gwen hits different, she looks like a little kid. It''s so adorable. "Now, now," I got up. "Let''s take my measurements?" That got her excited again, and my family''s matter was forgotten, thankfully. Asher got back to the door, turning his back on us, then Kate started to help me undress. "Get up here, Princess," the stylist spoke pointing to the tform in the middle of the room. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I did as she told me and when I was only dressed with my undergarments, she made a satisfied sound, "Damn, Princess. You are only 13, but you have such an outstanding beauty. It''s mesmerizing," then she began to measure my body. "And you have perfect measures at that. Really beautiful," Kate nodded aggressively in a funny way. "Right? I tell her this all the time!" That''s true. But it''s not like I don''t have a mirror though. I''m very conscious of how gorgeous I am. "You should see her father, he''s the most handsome man on the Padaman sphere, let me tell you." Uh? She never talked about my dad like that. Does she, perhaps, have a crush on him? "Oh, I''ve heard rumors about that. People all over Theolia say that he''s inhumanly handsome," well, now they are kind of overreacting. My mind suddenly went back to the red-eyed boy and I bit my bottom lip, trying to stop thinking about that annoying and dangerous guy. And why am I thinking about him, to begin with? Ugh, how disgusting. "She took her good looks from him," Kate said and she seemed excited by talking about that. It''s so awkward to see her of all people talking about my dad like that. "And now that she had her period, she''ll only grow to be even more beautiful than she already is," okay, now it''s getting embarrassing. "Yeah, yeah, I''m gorgeous, I know. Let''s change the topic." And before they could go against that, I started a new one. "So, Gwen what''s your magic, and how does it work?" Of course, I also know the answer. Thread magic. Helps a lot with her job. h h h. But Kate doesn''t know that and she''ll probably get excited about it. Way better than listening to them talking about my father. Chapter Twenty-Five "MISS NEVAN," ASHER CALLED AND GWEN TURNED HER EYES TO HIM. Catching both of us by surprise. Is he going to hit on her? I confess that would surprise me because he was never one to wield such an attitude. "You have said before that people say that the Princess is somewhat good with the sword," ah, I know where this is going. "But that''s quite an understatement," RIGHT? "Oh? I''m sorry. It''s just what I have heard. I didn''t want to offend you or anything like that," she turned to me. "I''m sorry, Princess." But I didn''t say anything back, waiting to hear what Asher was going to say next. "Please, don''t misunderstand, Miss. I''m not trying to scold you or anything like that," oh, how adorable. He seems frustrated with the misunderstanding. "I just wanted to let you know that Her Royal Highness is one of the best fighters I have ever met. And she wields the sword like you wield your thread magic to create those beautiful clothes," yes, you''re good. Keepplimenting her work like that and in less than three months you will be engaged. She seemed surprised and turned to me. "Is that true?" I nod, with a proud smile. "When I told you that Sir Asher was my disciple-brother, I meant to say that we both have the same Master. You must have heard of him, Sir Thorin Meny, the Captain of the Nichi Grand Duchy Knights and the Second in Command of the Imperial Army, directly under my dad." "He''s very famous. I''ve seen him twice here in Theolia." Well, that makes sense, because he''s the 2nd Commander of the Imperial Army so sometimes he has toe and speak with Emperor Hendrixander. "And handsome." At that even Kate nodded. "As the Princess said, we are both his pupils. He taught us everything we know about fighting since we were little kids. And although I''m his 2nd inmand in the Grand Duchy Knights brigade, Her Highness was always better than me." "He''s being humble!" I told her, even though he was only spitting facts. "You should see him in action one day. He''s a beast." "If I''m a beast, then you are a monster," his answer came quickly and I responded with a smirk. "But I am," he rolled his eyes at my confidence and his soon-to-be-wife giggle, enjoying the situation. "You indeed look like siblings," she eximed. "We may not be blood-rted, but we are siblings," I said and he nodded. After a moment, I turned to Kate, took a good look at her from head to toes, and turned back to Gwen. "So, you finished with me and took a note of everything, I want you to prepare. Then now I want you to take Kate''s measurements." While the young stylist got all excited because more work meant more money, Kate stared at me confused. She''s probably going to try refusing it. "I don''t need that!" Yeah, just like I thought. "There''s no need for that, Princess." "Katherine Quin," I said and got closer to her. "You aren''t my nanny or maid anymore. Did you forget that you got promoted to my personal assistant? Now you will have to dress better because you will be on my side." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Okay, I confess, I''m kind of using this as an excuse to buy her some things. As you can see, she would have totally refused it if I hadn''t had such a reason for doing it. Moreover, if I told her my real motivation, having the mindset she has, she would pretty much believe I was being pitiful and would refuse it once more. Lying is necessary. Gwen nodded. "The Princess is right, Miss Quin. As a Royal personal assistant, you have to dress up adequately, more like a noble would." She''s always been good with words. My nanny didn''t seem to like the idea but sighing, she agreed to do it. Asher got back to his position with his back turned to us, while Kate undress and stayed in her undergarments, showing me and Gwen her beautiful body. "Damn, Miss Quin," Gwen eximed with a grin on. "With this impable body of yours, you can 100% pass as a member of the nobility." "I agree!" Kate got somewhat ufortable with that topic, so I changed it right away. And after we finished everything, I decided to invite Gwen to have some tea with me, some hours before the Knighthood Oath Ceremony. Then I gave her a token that can allow her entrance to my family''s residence in the Imperial Capital. "Count me on, Princess. I''ve always dreamed of drinking some tea with the Royalty. Although I used to believe it would never happen," she ponded more to herself, making both me and Asherugh, while Kate only smiled. "Anyway," her eyes went to Ash''s and I felt sick again. Ugh. Disgusting. But I should give them a little space to talk. "Gwen, you can speak with him, while I eat some more cupcakes with Kate. Thank Goddess you made more than thirty of them. I feel like eating ten pounds of it," leaving the two of them on the entrance''s couch, I got back to where the cupcakes were and Kate followed me. When I was beginning to eat the third one, I felt her stare on my face, then I looked up and took another bite of the little cake. "What''s with you ying matchmaker?" Ah... was it so obvious? "I don''t know," I said before eating the other half of the cupcake in one go. "Today after I woke up, I just felt like I should try helping all the couples that could possibly get together. Especially none of you dare to take the first step." But she kept staring at me, so I had to turn my attention to her once more. "Why don''t you try acting as a cupid for yourself?" Ugh, no. I don''t want to start this talk now. "No one caught my attention!" I lied and tried my all to look unbothered and indifferent to this disgusting topic. Sheughed sarcastically and directed me a smirk that I had never seen on her. Chapter Twenty-Six "WHAT ABOUT THE GREEN-EYED BOY IN THE magical jewelry store?" I knew she was going to use that. Mi''s above. Help me get out of this. "Green-eyed boy? I don''t know what you are talking about, Kate!" This time my tone was believable. And well, I''m not lying. I really don''t know anything about a green-eyed boy, but rather about a ruby-red-eyed one. She just made it easier for me by asking the wrong question. "Now let me enjoy those delicious things." This time I purposely ignored her, trying to focus once again on my own thought. On my next ns... I have to go to the Mage''s Tower and find a way to speak with Stradivarius K''hir, the Legendary Mage who''s the only time magic wielder in Padaman and who''s also the founder and leader of the sacred and peaceful archipgo. I can''t wash away the possibility of him being rted to meing back to the past. He has the power to do so, after all. But why would he ever do so? Why would he bother with me? Unless... Unless he had his time magic stolen from him and the person used it to send me back. But if that was the case, could it be the work of the same person who stole my magic? Or are more people with that kind of magic out there? But it doesn''t matter who did it. What truly matters here is the reason behind this person''s actions. Why send me back? Why not let me die? Does he/she/it know what Dalh did to me and tried to give me a second chance to live? Perhaps it was a totally different reason? Furthermore, the biggest question is: Why me of all people? It''s confusing to think about this, especially because I know nothing about who was behind this. So, to make things easier for me, let''s pretend it''s a guy named... *Bob*. What would Bob gain by sending me back, instead of anyone else? What role did he want me to y in his game? What goal does he want to aplish with me? Did Bob n to use me as a pawn?N?velDrama.Org content rights. Moreover, was he the one who stole my magic? If yes, why did Bob do that to me of all people? Of what use would I be without my magic powers to him? Although I might also be totally wrong. Most importantly, is he an enemy or a possible ally? But well, no matter how much power Bob possibly had back there, he did not avoid my death from happening. I was still beheaded by the executioner with the charming ruby-red-eyes. I can still remember the feeling of having my head slowly being separated from my body in the most painful way possible. So, I was pretty much dead. No human has the power to bring someone back from the dead. This means the Goddess Mi must have yed a role in this. She''s a deity who has power over death and life, after all. Plus, there''s also the matter of the prophecy grandma Candace saw when I was born with Dalh. A prophecy that specifically said that one of us was bound to bring the destruction of the world and humanity as we know it, while the other would pretty much be the bringer of light and would also be bestowed directly from Mi with some kind of power that could help to save everyone and would also make her the Saintess. Just like everyone else, I used to think the bringer of light and salvation would be Dalh, but maybe Mr. George was right and it could be me. I know it might sound a little pretentious, but it does make sense. In the 1st timeline, I literally spend all my time around Dalh, so I know that she has never been in contact with Mi. Even more because if she had, she would brag about that to everyone, especially the temple. And it was also thanks to the temple that she always had such a big influence on people. My twin didn''t need to have contact with the Goddess to be given the title of Saintess and be favored by the temple and everybody else, including Empress Francesca Caspien. By having my magic stolen from me, I identally gave her that position. When they saw that I didn''t have powers, they assumed, in a very stupid way, that I was a disgrace and that made me the one who would eventually cause the end of the world. And because of that, the temple despises me, treats me like shit, and made it impossible for me to ever put my foot in their territory. Rather drastic, isn''t it? So yeah, they might be a pain in the ass for me to deal with in the future, and I don''t even want to think about what can happen because of our animosity. But the important point I only realized now is... Dalh is known as the Saintess, but she isn''t one. She doesn''t have any power from the Goddess. Opposite to that, she has a destructive power of sorts. With her mind magic, she can manipte anybody, especially if they aren''t strong-minded like the Imperial Crown Prince was. Just take a look at what she did to me. She didn''t tell me this before because maybe she must hate it. But she must also have realized that she wasn''t the Saintess in the prophecy, but the destroyer. And knowing that, she must have been aware of me. It might not have been only to have the 3rd Imperial Prince''s wife position, but also to take me out of her way. Liking it or not, even before she manipted me, she had me on her hands. Dalh must have nned to do this also to avoid me from possibly awakening any godly power. She was scared of me being the Saintess! "For fuck''s sake!" I eximed more loudly than I should have when I came to such a realization. Forgetting about where I was and who I was, and catching their attention, identally breaking the mood that was building up between Gwen and Asher. "I... Sorry. I just realized what might be the plot twist of a novel I''m reading." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "What novel?" Kate asked suspiciously, but without knowing, Asher rescued me from answering that and getting caught in my lie. "It''s a dark romance novel with the enemies to lovers trope that we are reading together, called *''Eyes of Death''*, where the female lead, who''s the daughter of a Duke has the power to see other deaths with her eyes, and so her life bes quite miserable and a lot of people hate her for it. Thankfully, she wasn''t alone and had her best friend the Crown Princess who was the next Queen, with her. But unfortunately, she sees her best friend''s death and was bound to keep it a secret. And after her best friend dies because of the incurable and rare disease she had, her brother who ascends to the position of the next King mes the female lead for it and starts to hate her more than anything. Well, being enemies to lovers, the story is clearly between the Duke''s daughter and the new Crown Prince, and..." my Goddess, he got way too excited. While Kate appeared to be bored by it but feigning interest, Gwen was actually enjoying what he was telling, probably because he loves to read and that might have surprised her. So, I took that as my cue to get back to the cupcakes and think about the Dalh topic. And damn it, I detest to admit but she was a fucking genius to have architected such aplicated n to destroy me. Oh, and to have hidden her true motivations from me even when I was dying too. She''s really such a good actress. Until now I had gotten everything wrong. Mi has allowed me toe back to life must have something to do with the prophecy. Perhaps my part in it could only be fulfilled if I died, had an encounter with her in the ''afterlife'' (which I don''t remember, so it might not have happened), and was sent back here. But if that was indeed the case, wouldn''t she have given me the magic, the prophecy refers to? Whereas I don''t feel anything at all. Now back to Bob... at the end of all this, what is his role? Chapter Twenty-Seven "I THINK I FOUND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE," Asher eximed with a wide smile when we got into the carriage again after I paid Gwen and we sat for her to finish the job in five days. "Did you see how beautiful she is? Goddess... I think she''s the most gorgeous human on earth," here we go again. It seems like his first impression didn''t change a bit. "I''m going to marry this woman!" Both me and Kate stared at him and heughed. "She just doesn''t know that yet!" Well, he is indeed going to marry her if his future keeps going like this. And by how Gwen reacted to him, I believe she''s also like this. That''s how love messes with one''s mind. I''ve never been through that, and I don''t want to feel that either. Seeing him like this makes me sick, but I know they will both be happy together and that''s what I want to see. I tapped his back in a supportive way. "I believe in you. And I''m cheering for you," then I turned my head to Kate, who was already blushing. "And I''ll also be on your side when you find the one for you, Kate!" She took my hands in hers and smiled kindly. "You promise?" Why is she even asking me that? "Of course, I do." "Then you can''t go back on your word," weughed but I couldn''t help but notice how strange she was acting today. And I am the one who got back to life. "I won''t." Meeting Ash''s green eyes, I nodded to him. "I''m d you are so excited about Gwen, Ash. But now, go back to the front of the carriage." I pushed him in a friendly way and he sighed annoyed. "Where do you want to go now?" My stomach growled and they both looked at me and then at each other. "I guess the right question should be, which restaurant do you want to go to!" He spoke in a mocking tone that made Kateugh. There''s a ce I''m used to, the food is outstanding, the chef is an acquaintance of mine and I also miss it. Because it was closed during the times of the war, when the chef, who''s a retired Imperial Knight, died fighting. "*Pierre''s Bistro!*" And thankfully, it was close to *White Rose Boutique.*Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Nodding, he got on his seat and started taking us there. My stomach growled again and Kate stared at me in shock. "Where is your hungering from?" Ah, you wouldn''t believe me even if I tell you. "You ate a mountain of food in your breakfast. Then you ate about ten of Miss Nevan''s cupcakes all by yourself," she pointed to my belly. "Now you are hungry again." "It''s lunchtime," I spoke with a poker face. "I never thought you would be such a glutton, Princess." She mocked me and I rolled my eyes. It must be strange for her to see me like this because when I was a kid, I used to struggle a lot just to eat a small portion. And while to me that was ages ago, for her is the present. On top of that, the fact that I literally starved for a month before my execution, while being tortured, was a bigger enough reason for me to be like this. It''s like it doesn''t matter how much I eat; I keep getting even more hungry. Thankfully my metabolism is amazing and I have way too much energy in my body. And although this body of mine has a lot of energy, it doesn''tpare to my twenty-seven-year-old body. I can''t make use of all my potential if I don''t find a way to strengthen myself faster than I normally can. My stamina is far to be as amazing as it used to, and it frustrates me. "Neither did I," I mumbled to her and turned my eyes to the window. The streets were full of people everywhere. And a lot of them turned their heads to see the carriage. To my tummy''s happiness, we arrived at the bistro in no time. Even before my foot touched the ground of the restaurant, my nose was filled with the delicious scent of Chef Pierre''s amazing food. The building has five floors, the higher you are seated, the higher is your position on the social hierarchy. My ce was up there, but I didn''t want to catch unwanted attention, but before I could do something about it, Kate told them to take us to the rooftop and to get the best table at that. However, I did not respond to her because when I was about to, she red at me, clearly telling me, with her eyes, to stay silent and follow her lead. I was quite annoyed, but I did it either way. I couldn''t care less about that when my system was breaking apart because of my hunger. And before we could go up there, I headed to their amazing kitchen. "Darling, you are beautiful today," Pierre said with a big smile on and hugged me without ceremony. It was refreshing to speak with someone who likes me without even knowing what goes into my personal life. "It''s been a while since Ist saw you, dear sunflower," he calls me that because he says that the gold in my eyes reminds him of a sunflower. I don''t mind it because together with the red rose, sunflowers are my favorite. So much that back in my past life I used to have a part of the garden full of them and I would always go there when I needed to rx my mind, read a book, or stay away from Dalh when she was with Goddess-damn Christopher. It helped me, at least. "It''s been quite... difficult. There''s a lot of things to do and problems to solve," heughed at that. "Oh, my Goddess, if a stranger was to hear you speaking like that, they would believe you are twice your true age," he gave me a te with a slice of pork-belly pie with apples. "Eat it, little sunflower. You seem to have gotten skinnier thanst time. This slice is on the house." That made me so happy that I hugged him again and kissed his bald head, once he is inches taller than me it was easy. "I love you, Goddess above!" Like the glutton I''m bing, I ate it faster than I could have realized, and heughed loudly at that sight. "Damn, I have never seen you with such an appetite," he put another slice of the pie on my te and made a sign for me to eat it. "Is it good?" Taking my time to eat the pie, I only answered him when I was finished. "Good is an understatement! For Mi''s sake. You need to give me this recipe and teach Yoostaf how to make this," he seemed amused by that. Chapter Twenty-Eight BOTH PIERRE AND YOOSTAF ARE RETIRED KNIGHTS and food lovers, and they have been friends since childhood due to Pierre''s past living in Leopenia under my dad''smand. As a result, I also got to know him through Yoostaf, who told me six years ago to try his friend''s food when I came here in the spring. And here we are. The first time I came, it was with my family, and it was a disaster. Father even fought three guys when he heard them badmouthing me. Not to talk about the mean stares I received. But the second time I came, four years ago, was with uncle Martin, cousin Casteel, and cousin Ryan, from my paternal grandmother''s side of the family, once she was a Princess of the *White-Wood Kingdom*. It''s a good memory. Although I was the only one with them because my father and uncle Martin don''t have a good rtionship, he also refused to interact with ''outsiders from the Royalty of a neighboring Kingdom'' as he said. But I wanted to get to know them, so I came here even when dad was against it. They are still family after all. Furthermore, they were gentle and friendly with me and didn''t care about me being magicless. Regarding them, I need to contact Cass because there is an important issue we need to discuss. I have to warn him about it. And offer me to deal with it, so he won''t be broken and lose his mind as it happened back there. At that time, I couldn''t do much about it because I didn''t know what was actually happening, and Dalh didn''t allow me to go there. But I regret not being able to help Cass in such a moment, when the Emperor, uncle Martin''s brother, schemed to make both his brother and little Ryan be murdered... by his bastard. It would be my pleasure to destroy all of them for Cass, to protect him from the consequences he might suffer, and to make him the king he deserves. The throne which his uncle stole from his dad. "...flower?" Oh, for Mi''s sake. I''m lost in my thoughts again. "Hm?" Heughed again and petted my hair. "You seem tired, little sunflower. But for now, my food can help you physically. Tell me what you want to eat and I''ll use my ability the best I can to help you regain your stamina," oh, that''s right. When someone eats Pierre''s food, the person regains their stamina. That''s also one of the reasons why his bistro is so famous, and why he had a high ce in the Imperial Army because he also used to cook for them and make them all energetic as if they hadn''t trained for hours. That will be useful. I already feel slightly tired thanks to my body no longer being as strong as it once was. But the fact that it hasn''t even been half a day since I got back might be ying a role in me feeling like this. Especially psychologically speaking. I told him all I wanted to eat and he got all excited about the fact that I was so hungry and he would finally be able to feed me a lot of food. "Make mine extra spicy, please," but thatst part made him stare at me in shock for almost a minute. "I thought you hated spicy food," well I used to hate it. But as I got older, I began to love it, to a point where I couldn''t eat any normal food (that wasn''t sweets and deserts) without a lot of hot sauce in it. "My tastes are changing as I''m getting older," I rolled my shoulders and he seemed satisfied with that. "I get it. Spicy food is my favorite. I''ll do my best. Now go wait for it with yourpanions, little sunflower!" He eximed thest part pushing me out of the kitchen and shocking the people outside who didn''t know that we knew each other, with our funny interactions. "Will you want some milkshake afterward?" "Hell yeah. I missed that so much," he knows my taste just as well as Yoostaf does. "What vor do you want this time?" "You choose!" He agreed with an excited grin and sessfully pushed me out of the kitchen. I headed to where Kate and Asher were waiting for me. Ignoring everybody else on all five floors. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And damn, let me tell you, the view on the rooftop was worth it. From here we could see most of Theolia, including the Imperial Pce from afar. It was outstanding. Now it makes even more sense that this is the area reserved for the Royals. Just looking at it made me even more hungry. "What took you so long, Nat?" Asher spoke worried, getting up anding to me to see if I was in one piece. Then, as a gentleman, he helped me with my chair and sat on his again. Kate also seemed anxious. "We were worried." How adorable. "Oh, I was just talking with Pierre. You know? He''s friends with Yoostaf and the owner of the bistro." That made them both let their shoulders down as if I had taken a burden off of them. "He gave me two slices of pork-belly pie. It was delicious. We also chatted a little bit." "Are you going to permanently be a glutton, or is it just today?" Asher mocked and I rolled my eyes. "Only the Goddess knows," I''ll obviously keep being like this. "How are you feeling? It''s the first-time you guys came here with me." I changed the topic. Kate seemed happier than ever. "This is such a luxurious restaurant, really amazing and worthy of you!" Well, I guess she likes luxury. She acted all wary of George and Gwen''s business, but now that we are in the best restaurant in Theolia, she''s glowing like the sun. Never thought was like this. But it''s only normal to like a luxury, I guess. Kate never told me about it, but I guess she must even dream of marrying a wealthy guy from Nobility or even Royalty. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. It''s amon dream between the servants. But it can be painful if you hold into that too much. Society is cruel. High society is even crueler. If that were to happen, the person with a low status would get bullied a lot. Although it''s not impossible to happen. Especially when the Empire is technically okay with people from a low background and status marrying a Noble and all. The problem is with reality because the prejudice around that is deeply rooted in this pretentious social ss. "Indeed," Ashermented, bringing me back to reality again. "You seem to be with your mind elsewhere, Nat. Are you okay?" Of course, he would notice something was wrong with me. It''s not like we met each other yesterday. "I''m just thinking..." "That''s dangerous," Kate eximed mockingly, making Asher giggle loudly and attracting curious eyes to us. Curious is an understatement and even a wrong word to describe their judging eyes. They were very much whispering about me and the fact that I brought my servant and my Knight to eat with me here. Those motherfuckers know nothing. "Hahaha," I eximed sarcastically. "You are such aedian." She rolled her eyes, adorably. "So, as I was saying, I''m just thinking of how I should do things from now on." I stopped talking when I looked around and saw some people staring at me, then I turned to Ash. "Are you, perhaps, with a magical barrier tool?" He put his hands on his pants pocket and took a hand-clock from it then he showed it to me. It might look like a clock, but it''s actually a magical tool that can create a barrier around its user and hispanions, to protect them from a hit, from rain or it can be used to block others from hearing what we are talking about. My disciple-brother handed it to me and I used it to surround us three with it. "Now we can speak!" They agreed, understanding why that was necessary. Chapter Twenty-Nine "SO, PRINCESS, WHAT''S ON YOUR MIND?" Now Kate''s tone wasn''t that of mockery, but of curiosity instead. "As I''ve said before, I can''t let my family know about any of my investments, that''s why I created the identity of Hana Wildflower," by how she seemed disgusted, I believe Kate didn''t like the surname I choose. "Have a problem with it, Kate?" She didn''t hide her annoyance. "It''s just that Wildflower is a stupid surname in my opinion, and I, personally, don''t think it suits you at all, Princess. If you had discussed it with us, maybe we could have chosen a more pleasant one." Uh? I can''t wash away this awkward feeling I''m getting from Kate. She seems strange and off. Was she always like this and I never paid enough attention to it like I''m doing now? Is it because I''m way more conscious about the people around me than I was back then? Maybe I''m overthinking things. I''m still too shaken from having been manipted, tortured, mutted, beheaded and kind of reincarnated... that''s probably it. "And it''s exactly because it does not suit me at all that I chose this. You have to think of the big picture, Kate. It''s not good if you keep restricting your understanding of things like this. No one would ever believe that the daughter of the prideful Grand Duke Nichi is using such an alias." "I agree," Ash eximed. "You chose right." "Thank you! Now, back to the important point- I need to find a way to win more money without any other Nichi getting involved. Because only using my allowance won''t be enough. Furthermore, I''ll already use that money to do other things," now they realized what I mean by that. "And that''s why I''m trying to find ways to win a lot of money." She appeared a little baffled. "But where are you going to hide all that money, genius?" Now she''s being sarcastic. "That''s why we''ll go to the Mage''s Tower and I''ll use my false identity to create a bank ount in the International Bank. It would be foolish of me to go to any of the Empire''s banks when my family has a lot of influence over them, as do House Caspien." I bit my bottom lip and looked at the view in front of me. "And then it shouldn''t have to be mentioned to any of you that, outside of wanting to stay away from my family, it is most important that I have to stay as far from Emperor Handrixander Caspien''s family as I can." When ites to Empress Francesca, 3rd Prince Christopher, and 1st Queen Olivia, it''s obvious that they all want me dead, are with Dalh, Octavian, and my mom, and I don''t know if I would be able to hold in my desire to kill them. Which is something I absolutely cannot afford doing it now. As for the Crown Prince... I have no idea who he is, which makes him a fucking dangerous person, so I just don''t want anything to do with him. The only three things we seem to have inmon are: I may not know the reason but I''m certain that there''s a huge animosity between him, his mother, his younger brother, and one of his stepmothers; I''m sure he didn''t kill his mother back in the first timeline for nothing. Second of all, we both are private and avoid being in social gatherings, although I have a reason to do so, I''m not introverted as he seems to be. Lastly, we were both manipted by Dalh, but her was able to stop her somehow and regain his control shortly. Regarding the 2nd Queen Zara and the other four children of the Emperor... 2nd Princess Adelyn, 4th Prince Donovan, 5th Princess Evangeline, and 6th Princess Annelise, I don''t have pleasant memories of them. Likely because they didn''t like Dalh, and as I was her shadow, they ended up not liking me either, but still. The animosity is still fresh in my memory. And so, I want them far from me as possible, and of Val too. When ites to the Emperor himself, I just don''t like his way of doing things. He was always neutral, never picking a side and consequently turning a blind eye to the mean actions of both sides. Besides, he never seemed to be very friendly with me, and although I never heard him saying anything behind my back, I don''t feel like he considers me a good person either. And he''s the damn Emperor after all. I have no idea how is he my father''s best friend. Moreover, I never saw what he looks like, which to me automatically makes him untrustworthy. They never paid attention to me either way, so why would I waste my time on any of them? Not worth my time. And when you die and get a second time to live, you learn that time is literally precious. "We don''t like House Caspien either, Nat," Asher pointed, bringing me back to reality, and Kate agreed with him. "So, enlighten us, little dragonfly. What are you nning to have more money?" "I''m thinking of a very practical way," then I turned my attention to Kate and bit my bottom lip again. Despite your disapproval, I''m letting you know that I am going to do it anyway, even though you won''t appreciate it." Her eyes narrowed in frustration as she heard my words. "I won''t like it? Is that so? Then are you nning to go to that damned ce, Princess?" And to my surprise, her tone was like she was daring me to say it. Please, enlighten my mind, Mi. I don''t want to misunderstand Kate. Not her of all people. Let me stop being so wary of her words. She''s not the type of person who has secondary motivations to do things, and she loves me. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! She must just be worried. Like a mother. Not that I know much about that. Is this how it feels to have a mother? "I am." "What ce?" Asher questioned looking from me to her with a confused gaze. "You are putting me aside, that''s not fair. Come on, spill the tea with me too!" "Her Highness is nning to win money by going to casinos!" Kate spoke irritated. "You can''t go there, Princess. It''s dangerous. Moreover, if anyone was to see you there, they would recognize you and your reputation would be ruined." Okay, now she''s losing her cool. "Especially now that you are in marriageable age after menstruating. Do you want to disappoint your father?" Ha... is that what she thinks? Asher stopped her from saying anything else. "Kate. Enough. That''s enough." "But-"Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter Thirty AFTER TAKING A DEEP BREATH, I CLOSED MY EYES and made myself very clear to her. "Listen, Kate," my tone was firm and I sensed when she froze. "I respect you and regard you as a mother. But you cannot forget that even though I try taking your thoughts into consideration, I am the one who has thest word. My life is mine to make whatever I want, it''s not you who decides things for me. Got it?" I opened my eyes and stared at her pink-ish eyes. "As a human being, my patience onlyst to a certain point. I really do not want to be rude to you, but you need to understand your ce in our rtionship, okay?" She tried to hide behind a smile, but I saw very clearly when she clenched her teeth and the glow in her eyes got fierce. But that was shortly gone and she acted like a respectful and pure woman again. "Yes, Your Royal Highness," she blurted. I guess everyone has this side inside of them, but unlike me, most people hide it from everybody, like Kate. That must be the reason why I thought she was a little strange. I knew I was just overthinking it. "Moreover," I began. "My rtionship with my dad doesn''t concern anyone but me." This time I got really serious, and my aura was so frightening that she looked down and Asher looked away. "Do not... I repeat, do not say that to me again. You don''t have the right to tell me that if I don''t do something the way they say I should, I will disappoint my father, Katherine!" She knows how this pisses me off, so why did she do it? "I may overlook the things you say, but not when it''s rted to Val or to my rtionship with my father. Do you understand, Kate?" "I understand, Princess. I''m sorry. I misspoke, and I shouldn''t have said that knowing it bothers you!" So, she knows it?! "Then don''t do it. I don''t want to get mad at you!" I sighed, feeling my energy running out. "So, let me get this straight with you. We will go to the casinos disguised as other people, using your magic. There, I will do my thing and win money. Remember, you will be there will be, and so will Asher. Nothing bad will happen." I saw when her shoulders got lighter and a smile appeared on her lips. "Then I will protect you from those dangerous people." Uh? Both I and Asher burst outughing at how unreal, adorable and funny that was. "You are adorable, Kate." She only rolled her eyes, but we keptughing until Pierre came with our food and I undid the barrier around us. He ced our first meal in front of us and when the smell hit me, my stomach even talked. "For Mi''s sake, I''ve never been so hungry in my whole life."N?velDrama.Org content rights. "And I''ve never been so satisfied to serve anyone either," he pointed making me smile. Then he turned his head to mypanions. "I''m Chef Pierre, the owner of the bistro. It''s a pleasure to meet you," he bowed slightly. "I hope the food is for your taste." "Oh, please, there''s no need to bow like that. I''m just her Knight, not a noble or anything close to that," Asher spoke shocked when he saw Pierre''s action, while Kate said nothing. She''s probably still moody after I scolded her. I almost feel bad. But it was necessary. "Don''t worry, young man. Here in the Bistro, everyone eats my food regardless of social ss, so everyone is equal inside here in my eyes. Although Princess Natasha is probably my favorite customer, even when she can''te here so often. It''s the work of a Chef like me, to treat all of his clients with the utmost respect." Pierre''s voice was gentle and it made me like him even more, then his gaze turned to me. "I''m preparing your favorite dessert." Tiramisu. The best of all. He is on pair with Yoostaf. And believe me when I say that Yoostaf''s tiramisu is Goddess-tier. His lemon pie too, just thinking about it doubles my anger. He left us alone and in no time, I was devouring my food in a ssy way, showing everybody around that I may be magicless but I have better manners than most. The grape juice was also delicious,plementing everything. "Go easy, Princess. Or you might get sick from eating too much," this time it was Asher, and only nodded, getting back to my precious food. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And that was when I heard. Not so far away, down there somewhere, a girl asking for help. I looked at Asher but he didn''t seem to hear anything. It seems like my sharp senses came to the past with me if not even Asher heightened senses managed to hear it before me. I heard it again and she seemed to be desperate. What the fuck is happening? I can''t stand this. What if some motherfucker is trying to abuse her? More than anyone, I don''t want anyone to go through that. Not caring about anything else including my food, I got up abruptly, took Kallisto off of the fancy belt on my waist, and jumped down from the rooftop. Leaving everyone behind, focused on saving the terrified girl. Inded on the street, scaring the sit out of everyone, almost causing a carriage to hit another one. And when they saw the murderous look on my face and felt the aura around me, they got even more scared. Following my senses, hunting my prey, almost stopped when I smelled the metallic and familiar scent of blood, which send my mind into havoc, but I managed to keep going. When I finally arrived in the dark alley, I froze for an instant when I saw them. Like I thought, someone was trying to abuse her. Not just one guy, but five. They were all encircling her like fucking abutters, with disgusting grins on their ugly faces that said for themselves what they were nning to do with the girl. While she was crying for help on the ground with her dress ripped to shreds. The made me go blind with anger. Made me feel like the assassin I used to be under Dalh''s control. I felt my bloodlust get free of my repression and surround the whole alley, and that caught the attention of the dipshits who didn''t know that they were the ones in danger for being in such an isted ce with me and not the other way around. "Ha, look mates," the taller and skinnier one spoke, licking his way-too-full lips. "It seems like another girl wants to join and satisfy-" In a blink of an eye, I was in front of him, with a psychotic grin on and piercing my sharp sword deep into his crotch, feeling his blood wet my gloved hands. "Tsk. Those were the best gloves I had," I eximed, getting Kallisto out of his shitty body. "Now my Kallisto is also dirty because of this motherfucker''s blood," and I made my annoyance very clear in my tone. "Psychopath!" The redhead screamed in shock, still holding the girl''s hair. "Who are you, bitch?" And this time it was the brown-haired shorter guy who dared to speak with me. I looked from the girl, who seemed scared by all the blood I spilled, to them and my bloodlust got even stronger while I clenched my teeth and tightened my grip on Kallisto. "If you don''t leave this girl alone, I promise I will feed the left pieces of your mutted body to the dogs!" My tone was deadly calm, and they got scared shitless. But not enough to obey my words. It''s not like I was nning to spare their lives anyway. I was just afraid the dogs might have bad digestion, but we''ll deal with that after I''m done with those damn rapists. Chapter Thirty-One "I SEE THAT YOU''VE CHOSEN DEATH!" The second I finished saying that, the brown-haired guy who was the only stupidly courageous one, took out a knife and ran to me. Seeing such a foolish action made meugh acidly, making the other scumbags not move an inch. "Goddess above, I don''t know if you are idiotic or just retarded." I came to him in less than a second and pierce my sword through his crotch, as I did with his fellow bastard. And managed to catch him by the shoulders so he wouldn''t fall to the ground just yet. "You are of the worst type of asshole. And don''t worry about your reproductive organs, as a dead corpse you won''t need them anymore," before he could even think of reacting to the pain, I made Kallisto go upward his body while still inside him and reach his ribs cage, slice everything on the way.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. His disgusting blood spilled on the ground and on me, but I couldn''t care less about that at such a moment. Not only his blood was spilled, but as I sliced his belly open, his intestines all came all and he vomited blood like a Goddess-damned fountain. "How amusing," I spoke purposefully loud for the others to hear, then I slowly turned my head to meet their gazes. And I didn''t miss when one of them pissed themselves, and the pee-guy kneeled in front of me, while the others stared at him as if he was crazy. Well, he probably is. Crazily scared of me, that is. Iughed at myself but it faded just as fast when the pee-guy opened his cursed mouth. "Please, I beg you, spare my life," hah? "I didn''t get the time to do anything with the-" Not being able to listen to his bullshit anymore, I used Kallisto''s sharp de to make him tongueless when he opened his mouth again. And again, the alley''s ground was bathed with blood. "How dare you say that? Do you really think I would ever let any of you rapists get away?" I turned to the other two who were still standing, and I bet all my coins that they are nning a way to run away from me. It''s pure survival senses, which every living creature has. Although it would never work when they have me as their opponent. But wanting to make this more exciting, I turned my attention to the pee-guy kneeling in front of me again, so they would think I let my guard down. "Only the Goddess knows how many women have you raped together with those motherfuckers. Furthermore, the girl also asked for your mercy and to be left alone, and what did you do?" I kicked him in the chest, making him fall back, then I cut all his clothes with my sword, leaving him naked. I turned my eyes to the girl, "I suggest you close your eyes and only open them when I''m finished!" But she rejected my suggestion and kept staring at it. Well, it''s understandable. She probably wants to see them suffer. "I respect your decision." And again, the pee-guy was the focus of my attention. His eyes were dtated and filled with terror. "Oh, are you scared of me?" He agreed with his head and my bloodlust surrounded him as my face got serious. "You also scared her, but you didn''t stop," I spoke lowly and closer to him. I smiled wider when he tried to cover his genital area with both of his hands when he realized what was about to happen. "How amusing. Do you think that can stop me?" And so, I proceeded to pierce both of his hands, making him scream. "You don''t deserve to have such an organ!" Then I finished, getting my hands wet with the blood of a third person in just one day. At that moment, the two dumbasses decided to run from me together, but I stopped them before they could even see me there, with Kallisto''s de touching both of their throats. So, I did the most reasonable thing and sliced their necks open. "It''s disgusting to see people who don''t care about their lives. Do you have any idea of how you shouldn''t waste your time alive like this?" I yelled disgustedly and let them helplessly try to cover their throats with their hands. "You are dead meat." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Their gazes were wide. They were really about to die. Seeing that, in the blink of an eye I pierced Kallisto on their penises, while they were still breathing and were still able to feel the pain. Letting out a growl of annoyance, I turned to the girl and helped her get up. Giving the cape I was using above my dress to her, so she could cover her half-naked body. Seeing how frightening she was, I tried to get my mind on the right track again, and let my facial features be gentle again. "I wish I could have tortured them more for you before they died. Doing it now would be useless, once their corpses can''t feel any pain. But if you want me to cut them into pieces and indeed feed them to the dogs, I would dly do so." She held my hands and I saw hers were still shaking. "Are you a female Knight, Miss?" Oh, is that her first question? "The right name for that is Dame. But I''m not one yet," she nod, trying to look calm when calm was definitely thest thing she was. The girl was probably two or three years older than me, but she has my height, tan skin, long dark-brown curly hair, and forest-green eyes. But she was pale and shaking, and clearly weak. She also seemed to be underweighted, so I guess she must be poor and that''s also why the pricks targeted her. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "You are my Dame in shining armor, Miss. I''ll be always thankful for what you did. I screamed my lungs off but no one but you heard me. If it weren''t for you... I don''t know what would have happened to me," even her voice is shaking. Poor girl. I have been there too. "What''s your name and how old are you?" I asked very gently, to not scare her with my curiosity. "My name is Sabrina, Miss. I''m an orphan, so I don''t have a surname. And I''m 20 years old," what? She saw the shock on my face and tried to fake a smile. "I know I don''t look like it, but that''s my true age." Damn, she looks so much younger than that. "What''s your name, Miss? I want to remember the person who saved me when I needed it the most, so I''ll be able to pray to the Goddess to always help you." "My name-" "What the fuck... happened here?" A male voice interrupted me, joining us in the alley. But how didn''t I notice someone approaching? I felt goosebumps run down my spine. This guy is dangerous. Who could he- Chapter Thirty-Two WHEN I TURNED TO FACE HIM, I FELT SICK all of a sudden. The first thing I saw was his ruby-red eyes, then our gazes found each other, but the second that followed he stared down at my bloody hands and sword and stared back at me. "You again!" He eximed. "And stirring up trouble at that." Then he saw the dead male bodies with their genital organ separated from them and the look of disgust on his face was hrious. "What did they do to deserve such death?" "Are you stupid or what, Theo?" He got wary when I called him by his name. "Take a good look at this girl and see it for yourself." And when his ruby-red eyes inspected the girl, he seemed ready to murder someone. At least he has some sense. "They... Did they rape you?" Mi''s above, I take that back. He has no sense at all.N?velDrama.Org content rights. "How can you ask her such a question with such a straight face? Don''t you know how to deal with human beings, you brute asshole?" He ignored me as if I hadn''t said a word, pissing me off. "What are you to act like this? Five years old? Fucking childish." He nced at me, as though he didn''t like being called that. "There are more important matters to deal with right now. So, stop being so noisy and annoying. Or I''ll do to you what you did to them," I couldn''t help butugh acidly at his words. "How will you do that if I don''t have a penis, asshole?" I eximed sarcastically. He seemed frustrated by that question and looked away, focusing on the girl, but not fast enough for me not to catch him blushing. What a weirdo. She turned to me as if waiting for permission to speak with him and I agreed. "They didn''t do it, but it''s all thanks to the Miss here. She was the only one who heard my screams and came to my aid. And when they were about to get started, she killed them all," then she turned to me. "As I''ve said before, Miss, I will be thankful to you until the day I die. Can you tell me your name now?" Goddess-damn it. I can''t say my real name, otherwise, this weirdo will know who I am. And once he will probably realize I was the one who invested in Mr. George''s jewelry store, he can''t know that I''m my father''s daughter. As a matter of fact, it wouldn''t do me any good for a dangerous person like him to know my real identity. It might get troublesome for me in the future. And I cannot afford that. It''splicated, especially since I don''t know him at all and I am sure he must be rted to Bob. "Hana." I finally said. "My name is Hana Wildflower." "A ridiculous surname for a ridiculous person," he mumbled behind me and I took a deep breath not to curse him again in front of the kid... I mean, in front of Sabrina. But she was the one who stared at him with a disapproving gaze. How adorable. Even though he ignored her and turned to me, and although I was not looking at him because he was dangerously handsome in the most annoying way possible, I felt his gaze piercing me. "If you want to ask me something, do it straightforwardly!" My voice came out tenser than I intended when I turned to him. His ruby-red eyes stayed on my golden eyes for what seemed to be a thousand years as if he was trying to decipher a puzzle and I was the puzzle. "How do you know my name, Hana?" I knew he would ask me that. "I think you must have forgotten to tell the old man that it was a secret because he told me as soon as you disappeared from the shop." He sighed. "You are a Knight, right? So will you help her solve this mess?" Sabrina asked and he let the smirk take control of his beautiful lips. "Of course, not. And I''m not a Knight," then he turned his mischievous grin to me and arched his eyebrows. "This has nothing to do with me. You killed them; you deal with it on your own. I''m out of here!" And just like that, he disappeared outside and his aura vanished from my radar just as fast. Damn, I may dislike him, but I have to admit that he''s skilled. Very skilled. And if he isn''t a Knight, what is he to be so trained like that? A spy from the Information Guild or maybe an assassin from the Assassin''s Guild? "Hm, you guys'' way of flirting is really weird, you know that?" Sabrina spoke, reminding me that she was still with me. "But the chemistry is very present." That made me roll my eyes annoyed. "There''s no chemistry between us. And we aren''t flirting," she didn''t seem to believe a word I said, so I let the matter go. "Now let''s take you to safety and deal with this shit." "But Miss Hana-" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Well, now that he''s away from us, I can use my real name. "Uh, I lied. My name isn''t Hana. I just couldn''t say it in front of that guy." She didn''t seem bothered by it. "Don''t be scared, okay?" "Okay. But why would I?" "Uh, I''m Natasha Nichi," she turned pale again. "Please calm down. Let me take care of you first." I held her in my arms and headed out of the alley. "And please, I know you are shocked. But you have to promise me in the name of the Goddess that if you encounter that boy again, you won''t tell him who I am." "I... I... I won''t, Your Highness!" Great, now she''s shaking. "Call me, Natasha," she nods, robotically. That''s an expected reaction. Still notfortable, but expected. How could she ever know that her savior was a Royal Princess? And- My thoughts stopped when I heard Asher''s voice quite far from me, calling my name. Oh, damn it. I forgot that I left without saying anything. They must be worried as fuck. "Pretend to have fainted, Sabrina!" "W-W-Why?" "Just trust me, okay?" She nodded and did as I said. A minute after that, Asher and Kate came into view and ran to me. Thankfully the street we are in is deserted. "What the fuck happened to you? What was that? Why did you leave us like that? Are you out of your-" Yeah, he''s worried. "Who''s that?" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "What happened to you, Princess? And why are you covered in blood? Why... Why is Kallisto covered in blood?" Here we go... "Long story cut short. I heard a girl screaming for help. No one seemed to notice it. Not having time to spare, I just ran here. When I found this kid, she was surrounded by five men who were trying to rape her. So, I mutted all of their reproductive organs and killed them all." I saw when the light in their eyes disappeared and they seemed to fear for the girl in my arms. "Any more questions?" "How old is she?" Kate questioned. And it was as if she was about to cry out of anger. "Does she have a family?" "She''s apparently turned 13 this year and she''s an orphan. Before she fainted, she told me her name was Sabrina and that she doesn''t have a surname," and just like that, I saw the thirst for blood on both of them. Yeah, she''s 7 years older than that. But she looks like a kid so it''s believable, and it''s easier to take care of her like this. It''s not like I''ll let her keep living on the streets after what happened today. "She''s just a kid. Those fucking bastards," well, if Kate''s cursing like this, she''s indeed pissed off. "You did well. I''ll find a way to clean up here. Our carriage is some meters away from here. Miss Quin knows how to guide the carriage, so you go inside with the kid and she''ll take you out of here. But we can''t let the Grand Duke or anyone else from your family know about this, so let''s go to Gwen''s ce," Gwen? "Something tells me she''ll be d to help you with this, especially if you tell her what happened. Besides," he pointed to my dress tainted with blood, "you definitely cannot go back to Greenhall Castle with this bloody dress. She must have something that will fit you there!" He''s really good at this. He''ll be an amazing Captain in the future when he takes up Master''s ce as the Captain of the Grand Duchy Knights. I''m sure of it. Before I could say anything, Kate was already bringing me with her, "Let''s go, Princess. We have to do all this and you still have to go back to Pierre''s Bistro, because the owner said he would be waiting for you." "Oh, I forgot about him... and about my food." Thinking about it made my stomach growl. "I''ll bring some food to Sabrina and Gwen when I''m done with him." She nodded. With her eyes on our way, Kate focused on getting us out of that damned ce and away from people''s gaze. And when we arrived at the carriage, she only waited for me to get inside with Sabrina before we were on the road. Kate must be anxious if she had even forgotten the door opened, so I closed it and when I looked down, the girl was staring at me. "Really, Princess? Thirteen years old?" Chapter Thirty-Three "BELIEVE ME, KID, THIS HARMLESS LIE WILL MAKE THINGS EASY," I said with my hands up, and she raised her eyebrows at that in a funny way. "Plus, if they saw you awake that moment, knowing them as I do, they certainly would drown you with a wave of questions about what happened, and I believe that would be very ufortable." "Who are you calling a kid, Princess?" Well, her question makes sense. But in my mind, I''m 7 years older than her. "If I''m not mistaken, you will turn 14 this year, right?" Oh, how does she know that? "That makes me 6 years older than you!" What could I do in this situation butugh? It was easier than exining my thought about that. "You will have to get used to it for the time being. Because to everybody else, you are younger than me." "You have a point," but then it was like reality hit her as she finally realized where she was resting down and where she was. As fast as that happened, she got up from my arms and sat towards me on the other side of the carriage. Her cheeks burned as she got red from her neck to her forehead. How adorable. "Oh, my Goddess, I''m so sorry for this, Princess. I shouldn''t have let you carry me like that. You, as a Royal, cannot be seen carrying a lowlymoner, an orphan at that, in your arms. Otherwise, a lot of mean gossip about you will surface." "Don''t even bother going down that road, Sabrina," my voice came out tired, and she turned her confused eyes to me. "I''m not the type to care about what strangers say about me. And I carried you because I wanted to. Besides, I''m not the usual type of Princess people think I am." "You know how famous you are, Princess?" Isn''t she mistaking me for my sister? "And I''m talking about you and not your sister," was that doubt so transparent in my face? "Honestly, I know people talk about me behind my back. They always did. But in my mind, they only did that here in Theolia during the spring because my family always spends the season here. While back in Leopenia is a moremon topic among the nobles under my dad." And once I live there, they always have something toin about me. Especially Viscountess Meny, that venomous viper. She isn''t satisfied with hurting and disrespecting me during our etiquette sses and always spreading rumors about me and how less-educated and inferior to my sibling I am, plus other things she creates to shade me. I''m not slightly bothered with that yet. At least not enough to do something about it. But if she insists on mistreating me, she''s going to get a good beating. Although I think it would be better to just give her the rope and let her cause her own end. "That''s not the case, Princess," her tone was kind. Maybe she thought this might upset me. "Even when you aren''t here. The name ''Natasha Nichi'' is usually on people''s mouths." Now I''m curious. "What did you hear?" She bit her bottom lip, hesitating, and I smiled to encourage her to say it. "I want to hear it. Even if they are all bad things." "It''s not all bad. Yes, most of it is. But not entirely, Princess," that''s expected. There are always dark horses who go against the popr opinion about someone. And I can imagine what people might talk about me. Especially if they do it when I''m not even in the Imperial Capital. "Let me guess," I smirked. "They theorize about the prophecy involving both me and Dalh?" Sabrina agreed with her head. "Majority of people think I''ll bring destruction to our world, while my sister is the Saintess who will go against me, right?" After my realization, I didn''t even bother hiding my sarcasm. "Yes," her answer was insecure. "But some people believe the opposite." To know that some people have such insight without knowing us... Interesting indeed. "What do you think?" "I''m with the second group. Now more than before. I don''t believe the person who saved would ever destroy the world. And I may be wrong, but I also don''t think you are a bad person like most nobles and Royals are," she''s innocent but clever. "Although you are the second Royal, I''ve met who treated me better than mostmoners." The second? Who''s the first? "And what other Royal have you met before?" "2nd Princess Adelyn Caspien," ugh. I couldn''t help but roll my eyes. "Adelyn Caspien is an Imperial, not a Royal."N?velDrama.Org content rights. "I... I''m sorry..." Was I rude? She seems slightly scared. "You... You don''t seem to like Her Imperial Highness," oh, was that the problem? "I''m not closer to the 2nd Princess. Neither do I want to be. It''s been years since Ist saw her," it''s not entirely true, once she was around on my execution. "So, I can''t say anything about her because I really don''t know what she is like. But I don''t like the people on House Caspien, and I want to stay as far away from them as possible." "Oh... Why?" "None of them like me. Believing I am the one who will destroy this Empire and the rest of the world. So, yes, I''m excited to be near any of them," it''s not true, of course. Like I said before, I''m only sure about Empress Francesca, Queen Olivia, and 3rd Prince Christopher. But she doesn''t need to know that. This way is easier to exin my point without spilling secrets and my past with them. "Got it!" The carriage stopped, and knowing what she needed to do, she jumped on my arms again and closed her eyes, pretending to be unconscious. It was so out of the blue that I had to use all my willpower not tough. Thankfully Kate doesn''t have heightened senses. Otherwise, she would hear how fast Sabrina''s heart was beating. Chapter Thirty-Four "BREATHE," I WHISPERED TO HER. "TRY TO CONTROL your breathing and your heartbeat. It is beating like a drum," she bit her bottom lip. "How can you hear my heartbeat if your senses aren''t heightened?" Fuck, that''s a very reasonable question and one I don''t like to answer. "The right question should be ''who can''t hear it?'' Sabrina," she went silent and did as I told her to. Most people forget that heightened senses are a type of magic that directly affects one''s body. It''s a necessary point to be a Knight or Dame, and it''smon among everybody. And because of that, they treat it as ordinary and non- magical. I was born with it, just like Valerian and Dalh, while Octavian wasn''t. Both my parents also have it. But somehow, when Bob robbed my ice magic and my telepathy, he left me with this. So, I always wondered that he must have also been born with it, so he didn''t need mine. Although most people forgot about it, I didn''t mind that. Because I also treat it as ordinary, while ice magic is unique, just a few people in all history were reported to have it. And I used to think that Bob did that to humiliate me by taking away what was precious and rare to me and leaving me with something a lot of people have. Kate first went inside *White Rose Boutique*, and after two minutes (I was bored, so I counted the seconds until she got out), she came out with Gwen, who had a worried gleam on her stunning eyes. They assisted me in getting off the vehicle and into her shop, so she closed and locked the doors as we got in. "For fuck''s sake, Princess!" She mored, horrified with the state of my clothes and hands. "You shouldn''t taint your clothes with those scumbags'' blood," to think I was here, worried that she would freak out about me killing some people. "What gives mefort is that this dress was already destinated to go to a trash can." She guided us to her home at the back of the store. Thankfully, this time no protection spells or a little girl was waiting to torture me until I spilled out all of my secrets. Then Iid Sabrina on a huge couch. That is more like another bed than a couch itself. I like it. It must be good toy down on it and read to my heart''s content. "Miss Quin told me that Sir Asher''s taking care of the mess," oh, so she''s worried about him. He''ll love to know that.N?velDrama.Org content rights. "Don''t worry, Gwen. He''ll be safe. Asher knows what he''s doing," that made her blush. "I... I am not worried," is she a tsundere? "And I am a fictional character," I mocked her, making her face redder than before. "Don''t worry, I''m not going to tell Asher." Of course, I am. But she doesn''t need to know that, pfft. "So, Gwen, can you take care of this kid for a while?" She nodded right away. "She may act all cool, but I know how frightened she is. How scared and traumatized. Something like what happened to her won''t ever stop hunting you. Even if you reincarnate, you won''t be able to forget it," I''m proof of that. The dark-pink-eyed girl held my hands, not caring about the blood on them. "I will dly do that. Don''t worry. I''ll treat her like a younger sister," she red at my dress and back at me. Her disgusted face was hrious. "Now, go take a shower. While you are there, I''ll pick another dress for you. One that will enhance your good looks and the curves on your body," she knows what she''s doing. "Thank you, Gwen!" She bowed slightly and guided me to the bathroom, giving me a yellow towel to dry myself up. I turned to Kate, "Keep an eye on the kid, okay?" After she agreed, I headed to the shower and took my time to wash up properly. I spread the soap on my body five times, trying to wash away the blood from my skin and its pungent smell. And I tried not to look at my hands, or I would see them wet with Val''s and other innocent''s blood, which would cause me to freak out and cry. It''s not the ce nor the time to do it. When I got out, Gwen dressed me in a light green dress and gave me a pair of fancy boots that werefortable as hell. "Now, THIS color enhances your beauty, Princess." "You are outstanding, Princess," Kate spoke with a motherly air around her. How adorable. "Oh, and you will be able to have your sword on your waist with this design," she spoke excitedly, making me excited too. "I loved it, Gwen. Your skills are amazing, thank you. How''s the girl?" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Still unconscious," it was Gwen''s voice. And when I took a good look at Sabrina, she was indeed unconscious. But because she fell asleep. She must have been tired. Poor girl. No one deserves to go through that. "Sabrina has good looks," Gwen began, closer to me. "While she''s living with me, I make her look brand new and dress well. And I''ll let her adopt my surname," that caught me off guard. What a golden girl, damn. Gwen and Asher are indeed a match made in paradise. They are both softhearted and selfless. I couldn''t wish for a better girl to be my brother''s soulmate. "You baffle me, sister-inw," I spoke and headed to her boutique again,ughing at how she blushed. "I have to go now," Kate was already behind me. "But I''lle back after I''m finished." And when we were about to get out, Kate stopped and handed me Kallisto. It was clean as the cloudless sky. "I cleaned for you. You can''t go out with this thing bathed in blood," she''s so reliable, Goddess above. "You. Are. Amazing," Kate''s rxed smile made me happy. I love to see her like this. Not being all awkward and rude. But this adorable side of her. It makes me want to hug her until I die... again. And again, I saw myself going to Pierre''s Bistro. Oh, damn it, the geezer must be annoyed that I disappeared like that. Chapter Thirty-Five WHEN I MET HIM AGAIN, HE WAS DRINKING A MILKSHAKE AS IF it was the most delicious thing ever. And when he looked at me, his chubby face assumed a bored expression. Getting on his feet, he told me to follow him to his kitchen, and I did it. "What happened to you?" "I..." "And before you say anything, I saw when you jumped down," oh. Now that makes it difficult for me to lie. "I heard someone screaming, and I went after it." "Impulsive as usual," I can say that he also knows me more than most people. "What did you see? And what did you do about it?" He knows my family and how we deal with things back in the north, so he''ll understand. My eyes traveled through his kitchen, and when he saw me, he handed me a te full of warm cookies. "Eat up and spill the tea, you glutton." That puts a smile on my face. "A little girl was screaming in fear because five assholes were trying to rape her," I ate a cookie as if my words meant nothing. "Then I chopped off their dicks and killed them all," that was a grin on my lips before I proceeded to eat the sweets, he gave me. "You did well," he said calmly. "I would have done the same. That''s our northern way to deal with such problems," then he took a cookie from my te and ate it while I red at him. "Hey, I made those! I can eat them," but I kept ring at him. "Mi''s above..." he cursed and took another four cookies from the tray to put over my te, getting me to smile again. "Sometimes, I forget how old you are." "Oh, me too," I mumbled, and heughed, not getting the real meaning behind my words. "So, where''s my lunch?" He giggled in disbelief, "I''ll make another for you, just because I know you might have been tired while fighting," in this low-stamina body, yes. "Seeing you do that earlier made me so anxious that I ate your meal," this time, I was the one to chuckle. "I''m also human, okay?" How adorable. "Oh, kid," he called me when I was about to leave his kitchen, making me look at him again. "Yes?"N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. "How''s the girl?" "Traumatized and underweighted," and I''m not lying this time. "How old is she?" "Thirteen," now I''m lying. I saw when a shadow descended and covered his face, as he got serious and shocked. "You were too merciful when killing those fuckers," well, seeing him cursing is a first. "Unfortunately, they weren''t strong enough to withstand what I did and died. Otherwise, it would have been more painful. But I''m not one to kick a dead dog," Pierre sighed but understood my point. "You must have gotten that from your dad," I heard him mumbling when I left the kitchen, making me smile. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Kate was waiting for me upstairs, still looking worried. She must have been terrified for Sabrina, just like I was too. "Are you okay, Kate?" She looked up to me, "Yes, Princess!" Liar. "What about you?" "I''m better now that I ate some cookies," she rolled her eyes. "You acted well back there, so I wanted to thank you for it. Even though you must not want to hear such words from me. That won''t make me less thankful." "I would have done the same, Princess," I cannot imagine Kate fighting, but it''s adorable to hear her say that. "It was just... shocking to see you all covered in blood like that. You are like a daughter to me, so I panicked at first because I thought you were hurt or something like that," she took my hand in hers. "And I don''t know what would I do if I saw you hurt, Princess." Another reason for me not telling her anything about my past... in the future. Quite confusing, but you go the meaning. She would lose her mind and do something stupid, which probably would get her killed. So, yeah, let''s keep it a secret. "Kate, I don''t want to let you fool yourself with false hopes. But you know that I will eventually get hurt, right?" That was enough to make her sad face turn into an annoyed frown. She took a deep breath before saying anything, not to regret her words afterward. "Princess, do you ever want to see Prince Valerian somehow harmed?" What? "Of course not! I would prefer to get hurt than let him suffer any harm," why would I be okay with that when he''s so precious to me? "That''s how I feel about you!" Ah... "So don''t say something like that to me!" After I agreed, the mood got strange while the silence surrounded us. Pierre brought my food and left us. So, I focused on it, and after I ate my tiramisu, I paid the bill, and then Pierre returned with the milkshake he had promised me. It was peanut butter with caramel and broken cookies milkshake. "I promise you; this will be the cherry over the top," he eximed proudly, and we parted ways after he gave me the two portions of food to take with me. Asher was back, and we headed back to the White Rose Boutique, but something strange happened on our way. Something that pissed me off to higher levels than usual. "What''s with the scowl?" Kate questioned me while I stared down at what was supposed to be my smooth milkshake. "Some motherfucker yed a prank on me," I mumble while cursing them and all of their generations. "What do you mean? Is something wrong with your milkshake?" I couldn''t help butugh sarcastically at that. "What do I mean?" I took out the stamp of the bottle, and the shake came with the straw, frozen like a Goddess-damn popsicle. "Someone is having augh," my anger was evident. "They don''t even let me drink my milkshake in peace, for fuck''s sake!" Chapter Thirty-Six "NAT? WHAT HAPPENED?" I HEARD ASHER''S VOICE.N?velDrama.Org content rights. "Some bastard yed a prank on me by freezing my milkshake and turning it into a pop-fucking-sicle!" And I didn''t bother hiding my annoyance from them. "They are probablyughing at me and feeling amazing for using the magic I once had, against me," I yelled. None of them said anything. Of course, how could I forget? They also don''t believe I once had magic. If Valerian doesn''t, imagine those two... It''s frustrating, but I can''t me them, seeing that they don''t have memories. And neither do I have any proof. There''s no use trying to make them believe in me anymore. It''s useless. Doing so would only make me tired and stressed. I mean... more than I already am. "Take a deep breath, trying to calm down," Kate spoke, calm like a waveless ocean. Irritated, I turned my head to the window, and when we arrived at *White Rose Boutique*, only Asher came out to bring the girls the food. Because knowing myself, if I were to interact with them in the mood I am, the probability of me saying things I shouldn''t and will regret are high. So, we headed back to Greenhall Castle. But it was just to encounter my family''s carriages heading out for the ball dad mentioned before. Mom, dad, and Val were in the frontal while the other two were in the second carriage. When they saw me, dad and Val asked the coachman to stop. I was already on my foot, and Kate and Asher weren''t with me anymore. "Hi, Tasha," dad eximed with the window opened. "How was it? Are you fine?" As if he was actually worried. "Everything went smoothly, dad. I just didn''t get the designer for my room, but-" "I''ll do that tomorrow. So, are you okay?" Less work for me. "Yes. I''m alright, just tired." Then I turned my eyes to Val, and he seemed worried about me. "Have a good ball, kiddo. Enjoy for you and me," that made him smile. "I will. But you are looking awful, Nat. You need some hours of sleep to recover your beauty," what a smartass. "What aedian," I blurted sarcastically and saw my mom scowl. Howughable. They got back to follow their way to the Pce. While Octavian and Dalh purposefully opened their window when passing through me to say: "Oh, Dally," that''s how the bastard calls her. I never could because I thought it was an annoying nickname. "Prince Christopher will be mesmerized by your outstanding beauty," ugh, his name makes me want to puke my organs off. "He''ll sure be in love and will start courting you." Well, trash always sticks together with the trash. That''s why trash cans exist, so they can hang out in their habitat. They might think I would get jealous, but I only feel pity. Pity for the sphere, I mean. Padaman must suffer having to house those bitches. People like them shouldn''t even be considered part of the human race. That way would be easier and less troublesome to kill them. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And they kept talking, "Godmother said she''ll try to help me getting his heart," she means the Empress. Not like she needs that because, at this point in time, Christopher already loves Dalh. But the Emperor still wouldn''t let him get engaged to her, that only made her even more furious and thirsty for the innocent Princesses'' lives. She''s a mess. We, unfortunately, have that inmon. "I know him. He already is in love with you," then, his eyes turned to me with vile intentions. "And no one can take that away from you." I rolled my eyes, annoyed, and kept walking. The only thing I want from that bitch who organized my execution and tortured me for a fucking month and took away my eyes from me in brute force; is his body in pieces and his head on a te. That''s what I want. Leaving them to go to this damned ball, I got back inside. Went to Dalh''s chambers and chose a bag full of the clothes I enjoyed. After leaving, I went to my chambers, put the clothes in the dressing room, and headed to my bathroom. Refusing to ask for any help. When my bathtub was full of freezing water, Iy down and rxed. I know it might seem strange for me to feelfortable bathing in freezing water and not in hot water like most. But I believe it might have something with the nostalgic feeling of having ice magic that it brings me. And that itself is what makes me cool down my nerves. Literally... Moreover, as I said before, the cold never bothered me. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Oh, and it also brings me the sensation of being home in Leopenia because it''s freezing cold in the eternal winter of thend. It''s really amazing to train there because it strengthens our body and constitution. That might be why it''s my dad''s territory and the base of the Imperial army. Finished with my bath, I dressed in some nightclothes and asked Kate to bring me some sandwiches, brownies, and coconut doughs, with a jar of strawberry-banana milkshake. After I got my food, I told her I would go to sleep after I finished and locked my doors, telling her not to let anyone bother me. Of course, it was a big and fat lie! There is no way in hell I''m sleeping. Since I killed Valerian, my parents, and Ash that night, I began to have sleep paralysis and to be tormented by the ghosts of those who died by my hand. I''m sure it will still happen because I may have traveled to the past, but my traumas didn''t stay there. They came with me. I''m tired, but I''m used to not getting much sleep because of it. Books are my best friends at times like this. And that''s what I''m going to do. Remembering the book Asher was talking about today, *Eyes of Death*, I headed to my personal library and tried to find the book. Then, I returned to my bed and began reading with the food on the side of the bed. Doesn''t matter what I do to aplish that. I cannot, under any circumstances, go to sleep! Chapter Thirty-Seven I SUCCESSFULLY REMAINED THE WHOLE NIGHT AWAKE AS IF IT WAS NOTHING. Just lying in my kingdom-sized bed (it''s gigantic) helped my body rest. And when the sun rose in the sky, I read thest chapter of the *Eyes of Death* and decided it was time for me to pretend to wake up. So, I headed to my bath chamber and took a long shower, not bothering to call any maid to help me with it. Probably because back in myst year''s alive in the 1st timeline, I used to do this alone, to not let the maids see me covered in blood or anything like that. I quite enjoy spending this time in the bathtub alone, with no one pestering me. Yes, I get why we have so many maids, but I still think it''s totally okay for me to do my things alone and only call them when I''m tired. However, no one else shares my thoughts on this, not even the maids. They think that doing their own makeup, dressing, and bathing themselves is a taboo that they are not willing to break. Which is stupid when you think about it. To do other shores makes sense. But you aren''t a helpless baby who can''t even put some clothes on and wash up without help. It doesn''t matter how many times I think about it, it''s very dumb, and people shouldn''t be so okay with it. Such a bunch of dummies. When I finished it, I headed to my walk-in closet. And out of all the clothes I chose from Dalh''s dressing room, I took a pair of ck-leathered riding clothes, with knee-length ck boots with a tform in them, plus the insignia of House Nichi in the jacket. A silver crescent moon. Based on all the insignia in the Royal Houses, I personally think that our house''s crest is the loveliest out of the four; House Caspien has the golden sun, House Cain has the seven-ends star, and House Larsson has the lotus flower in pink and lc. Maybe it''s because I love the moon, but still. You must be questioning why my house, House Caspien, and House Cain all have emblems that co-rte while House Larsson does not. Well, that''s simple. My paternal grandfather Alexander, the Emperor''s father Aaron, and Grand Duke stair''s great-grandmother Alisha were all siblings. They were also the founders of the Caspien Empire, solidifying our power at the end of the 1st World War. But that''s history. The funny fact is that my grandfather was the one who was supposed to be the Emperor, but he didn''t want that, so he renounced and passed it down to one of his younger twin siblings. Alisha didn''t desire the power, while Aaron did. Then they chose one of their surnames out of "Caspien Nichi-Decker", and you can see how that went. And although grand-aunt Alisha chose to have the Decker on her name, she didn''t pass it down because she decided to pass down her husband Jalen Cain''sst name. That''s how House Cain was established. So, yes, to some degree, the three houses are all rted. Which couldn''t be said to House Larsson before, but once dad''s sister married their heir, they will also be rted to us in the future. As soon as I was done getting dressed, I styled my long hair in two root braids, did my skincare, and put on a pair of silver crescent moon earrings and some silver rings to match.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Damn, I miss being able to listen to my favorite songs with the magical tool the Mage''s Tower created when I was neen. It made everything easy and helped loads of people who always wanted to sing tounch their songs on the social media that came with it. And to make it essible to everyone, there were the high-ranking social media and themoners, and there was also a third one that allowed us to be in global mode. It was a revolution. And imagine how much money the creator and the Mage''s Tower won with all of that. I like money. Money is good. Can I do something to make that happen sooner? Should I try giving the Legendary Mage ideas about this and how it works when I go to the K''hir Archipgo to create a bank ount there? Would that make me the creator of the magical tool? If yes, would it make me richer? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Speaking of bing richer... What should I do with all the fourteen mines I still have? Because I didn''t hand all of them to Mr. George. Why would I, when I can use them in different ways? I still have a diamond, an emerald, and two ruby mines under Viddena, Val''s territory. I have three mines of a rare mineral called ''star''s tears'' in Astryn, which people haven''t heard of but will revolutionize medicine by healing some of the world''s most incurable diseases and illnesses. And I''m the owner of the only territory that can possibly have this mineral. ''Why?'' You ask. The star''s tears can only be found in the coldest ce on the sphere, under enormous pressure. And Astryn happens to be the coldest ce in the Padaman sphere, which was given to me when I was one year old because I was born with ice magic, which made me the perfect person to take care of thatnd. But no one seems to remember that, so they all believe I was unlucky to have been given thisnd. Little did they know that ce was a golden spot and a river of money. It''sughable, but I''m on the winning end. The problem is that it''splicated to mine the mineral because it''s deep underground, and the pressure is absurd. Only people with a lot of magic in their bodies can do it properly. In my past life, my sister somehow learned that I had them in my territory and made me sell them to her at a banana price. Later, she got mountains of gold because of it, and the revolution in medicine happened. And she received all the credits for it. Not happening again. Chapter Thirty-Eight THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS DONE IS BY MAKING A DEAL WITH STRADIVARIUS K''HIR, so I gain 60% of the money, and they can mine it and gain the credits for the star''s tears while keeping a secret that I was behind it. I think he''ll get a lot of profit with my help. I can use that to get in touch with him. Now, I have other mines in my dad''s territory because he gave each of his children three mines of different minerals. Val sold me his three, so I have six. Plus, the enormous tungsten mine in the Callum territory that my grandmother left to me before she died. I can also make good use of it once it''s the strongest metal on the sphere. But I have to keep it all a secret for now. When I got out of my bed chambers, Asher was guarding my doors, "Did you even sleep?" I muttered when his green eyes met mine. "Yes. I woke up an hour ago, then Sir Daniel went to sleep, and I took his ce," that makes sense. Thest Knight I saw before entering was indeed Daniel. "You woke up sooner than usual," oh, well... I didn''t even sleep, so yeah. "Is that bad?" "No. The sooner you wake up, the sooner you can start doing your tasks, and the sooner you will finish them," Ash has a point. "Anyways, are you going to have breakfast now?" "Mm-hm, why?" "Uh... His Excellency, the Grand Duke, is there." "What''s with it? He usually wakes up early. He probably has some appointment around this hour," no surprises here. While I climbed down the staircase, he followed me. "Are you okay?" "Do I seem unwell?" "No. It''s just that... how do I say this? Since yesterday, you have been acting strange," probably because I''m literally not the same person. At least not from this time. "And is that bad?" "Of course not, Nat. What I mean is that it was a sudden change, so I was surprised. But it''s a very weed change," he''s adorable. "You will get used to it," I didn''t see him, but I''m sure he nodded. I arrived at the private breakfast room and saw my dad in his pajamas, eating a waffle drowned in honey and getting his face dirty. He looked like a kid who ate something hidden from his parents. It was even funnier when he saw me and seemed shocked, then proceeded to try wiping the honey out of his face. That made meugh. "Don''t mind me, dad. I also eat it like that. I''m not going to condemn you as my siblings and mom do," he looked relieved andfortable enough to get back to eating like that. If his enemies were to see him like this, they would pass out. He may seem dangerous to everybody else. But to me, my dad''s like a big and cute bear. At least, that is how I see him now, aftering back. "Are you going horse riding with *Moondust*?" Moondust is my Astryn horse, from the strongest breed of all, and it can survive through the hardest winter as if it was nothing at all. Most people don''t like them, but I love them all. And beside me, the only people who have them are the ones I gifted with one. Valerian, my father, Asher, my Master, and Kate. I gave one to Dalh, but she didn''t like it, so I gave it to Kate. "Yes," I took a cream puff from the stray and ate it. "Want to go with me?" "I would like that," what? To be honest, I was just being polite by asking that. I didn''t think dad would agree with it. So, I was caught off guard. It''s been ages since Ist spent some time with him alone. "Okay," I managed to say. "I''ll wait for you on the stables after we finish it here," he agreed silently.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. And when I was about to call for Yoostaf, dad did. A secondter, the tall and muscled Yoostaf, with his chocte skin, snowy white curly hair, and sky-blue eyes, appeared. He''s different in contrast to Pierre, and he also looks younger than he actually is. "Your Excellency, Grand Duke," he bowed, then smiled when he turned to me and saw that I was the one apanying my father. "Your Royal Highness, Princess Natasha," Yoostaf said while bowing. "I called you for Tasha," dad said and turned to me. "Tell him what you want to eat," oh. I forgot that he never paid attention to those little things when it came to me. Yoostaf seemed a little confused, "I want the usual, but doubled," he nodded and retreated to the kitchen. Then I looked at my dad and got surprised by his annoyed look. What''s up with him now? "I''m often in the kitchen, eating something and learning other things, so he knows what I usually eat as he knows his own name." "Mm-hm," is he ufortable. "Sorry for not knowing that either," oh, is that the problem? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "It''s okay, dad. This is just a trivial matter. There was no way for you to know my tastes," but my answer only seemed to piss him more. "No, Tasha. It''s not okay. I know what all of your siblings love and detest eating," of course, you know. You always paid 90% more attention to them than to me. But I''m okay with that now, so why is he mentioning it? "But it seems as the chef of our family knows more about you than I do." "Because he does, dad!" I''m not going to lie just to make him feel better. He never did that to me. Why would I do it for him? "You never really cared to know about any of it. And there''s no need to be sad or feel guilty about something you cannot change anymore. It is what it is. We have good memories together, but that doesn''t mean you know the daughter you have. But you know that, don''t you?" He got tensed. I could see that he was clenching his teeth by looking at his jaw. "Tasha..." "Dad, it''s okay. Really! Let it go. Knowing those trivial things about me won''t change anything in our lives," I ate another cream puff as if I had said nothing. "Hmmm, this one is delicious," then I took another with peanut butter inside and put it on dad''s te. "You will love it. It''s a peanut butter cream puff. Your favorite, right?" He always loved peanut butter but didn''t eat it often because both mom, Val, Dalh, and Octavian are allergic to it. And by how he is staring at me, he probably thought I was too. "Aren''t you... aren''t you allergic to peanuts?" I was right, again. "Nope. I love it. But all my siblings took it after mom," then I smirked at him. "While I also took this after you. Thanks for that. Otherwise, I wouldn''t be able to enjoy this Goddess-blessed thing," then I ate another one in one go. And he was still staring at me with his jaw on the ground when Yoostaf came back with two strays full of food. Damn, just looking at it made my stomach growl. "Goddess bless you for this, Yoostaf," heughed and left us alone. "I''m so hungry," I muttered before beginning to have a feast. Oblivious to anything else but the food in front of me. Chapter Thirty-Nine "I STILL DON''T UNDERSTAND WHERE DID YOUR SUDDEN appetitee from, Tasha," dad broke the silence, making our eyes meet and mirror each other. "However, I''m notining," that made me mentally sigh in relief. "I''m just... curious." When I finished eating my cheese sandwich, before saying anything. "Like I said yesterday, dad, it was because of my nightmare." "The one where your brother dies?" So, he remembered that; "Yes," my answer was short. "It all began when I woke up yesterday. After that happened, I felt a burning hunger consume me from the inside." Although I would say more like hunger for blood than for food. "Now, I feel like I could eat pounds of food. And every time I eat, it makes me even more hungry. Is that crazy?" Could that be a result of me dying? Because it can''t be just because I starved for a month, right? I don''t really know. A smile appeared on his lips, making his beauty more mesmerizing than is, "Not really. Dreams and nightmares, sometimes, are messages from the Goddess. Maybe she wants to change something about you to make you a better person. There''s no way for us to know. We are nothingpared to a deity like her but her underlings. Your nightmare may have made you think something. But in reality, its meaning might be totally different than that," then he ate another cream puff of peanut butter. I confess that I did not expect to hear any of that from him. Perhaps from Val. But not from our father. It''s not a bad thing, though. My perception of him was just a little different than that. "Look at the good side," he spoke while finishing munching his cream puff. "But that only adds to the list of things we have inmon," he smiled. "More than appearance, skills, allergies, things you like, and the image you pass to others," what image? "Now, you also have my appetite." That awoke my curiosity, "And what image do I pass to others?" He finished eating another cream puff and took a bowl of fruit sd with condensed milk, "Even though you have no magic, you still have an intimidating aura around you, Tasha. Wherever you go, everybody can feel it. Most of them, may pick a fight with you when I am not around," so he isn''t that blunt, hm. "But believe me, they probably do that because your aura corner theirs. You intimidate them. And what pisses them off, dear daughter," he smirked, and his golden eyes glowed like the sun, "is that a magicless kid can make them shiver." Honestly, I don''t know what stunned me more. My dad not being as blunt as he pretends to be. The fact that he knows what people do to me when he isn''t around. Or that he''s aware of me and sees me as intimidating. I couldn''t help butugh. "You are a box of surprises, aren''t you, dad?" When he looked up again, still munching his fruit sd, he had an innocent gaze on. "Me?" Would you look at that? I must have gotten my ability to fool people from him. "And here I was, thinking you were totally oblivious. Both about what happens when you aren''t around and about me. But damn, I was fooled." I put the bowl of small cheese bread in front of me and started eating while drinking a cup of cappino with chocte. "I''m only thankful that I wasn''t the only one who was fooled," that caught his eyes, and I saw the me of amusement on them. "Everybody was too. As well as being a monster in battle and exceptionally good at business and management, they all think that you are oblivious and blunt as a brick about the things that ur around you." He rolled his shoulders. "We can''t show others what it''s going on inside our minds. And that''s a good reason to act as I do. It makes it easier to get information because they act in a silly way, thinking I''m stupid." "I agree with that," I said, and we both got back to eating. We stayed like that until we finished the food on the table. To my surprise, dad asked Yoostaf for more, but I was satisfied. So, I got up. He turned to me. "Are you done eating?" "Yes. If I eat more than this, I''ll have a stomachache." "So, are you going out now?" Why did he seem a little insecure to ask me that? "I''ll be on the stables waiting for you, don''t worry. Take your time, dad. Then you change your clothes ande to the stables, so we can go from that," his face lightened up. I can''t help but see him almost like a kid, even though he is my dad. Quite childish. In a good way. "Deal!" And before I turned my back to him, he said, "Thank you for yourpany today, Tasha. It''s been a while since I hadn''t enjoyed breakfast like this." I could feel he was genuine with his words. That was the problem. It made me emotional, but I managed to hide it. If it was when I really had 13 years old, hearing those words would have made a significant difference in my life. Now it makes me sad. I know, deep down, that my choices from the moment I woke up yesterday to the present have put me here. The old Natasha would never have heard this from him. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I had toe back to the past to hear my dad say such kind words to me. It makes me want to cry with sadness. It makes me want to scream with anger. But it also makes me want to smile with happiness because I can only see this thanks to this second chance. Frustration. That''s the word that better describes what I''m feeling now. And I had to gather all of my willpower to not let my dad''s eyes read me like a book. If he thinks he''s good at lying, he didn''t see what I can do. I bowed respectfully, drawing an invisible line between us, "The pleasure was all mine, Your Excellency." He seemed caught off guard by my sudden coldness, but I didn''t let those thoughts rent a room in my mind. And I only realized I was holding my breath when my foot touched the ground outside the manor. As I walked away, heading to the stables, Asher joined me. He didn''t need to say a word for me to know that he was curious about what happened back there. "Voice your curiosity, dear brother," he bit his bottom lip. "What did you talk about?" "Food. Things we are alike. How he isn''t as blunt as he makes people believe. Things like that. Oh, he also said he enjoyed mypany while eating and asked to go horse riding with me," his jaw dropped. "The Grand Duke? Grand Duke Gilbert Nichi? His Royal Highness?" "Yes, dumbass," Iughed at his face. "And what did you say?" "I told him I didn''t want you," his eyes opened wide. "Come on, dumbass. What was I supposed to say to him? He''s my dad, but he''s still a Royal Prince and the strongest Grand Duke in the Empire. Of course, I said yes," Asher''s shoulders fell down in relief, making me roll my eyes. "Plus," I added. "Dad seemed to want to speak with me about something." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! He looked up at the sky, pondering possibilities, "Maybe he wants to speak with you about the decoration of your room? Or it might be about your archery sses." "Both are probable possibilities," I considered as we arrived in the stables. "Where''s my baby?" I asked Sir Von Taylor, the Knight taking care of the stables here now. He''s a head taller than Ash, but opposite to him, he is skinnier but also muscled, with pale skin, freckles on his face, grey eyes, and light-brown straight hair on his shoulders. After having spared about two times with him back in Leopenia, I know he''s skilled, fights with long daggers, and uses air magic. Oh, he''s very gentle and kind too,pared to the other Knights. Sir Von Taylor bowed respectfully. "Your Royal Highness, Princess Natasha, I hope your day is pleasant, Princess." "I am. And I hope you are also well." "Yes," he said while smiling. "Thank you. Now," he turned to the entry and guided us inside. "Moondust is here," he showed me where my girl was. "She''s healthy, bathed, and eating well," he fondled her on the head. "Right, girl?" "I go out with her now. Oh, and can you prepare Fireheart for me?" He nodded excitedly. "His Excellency is also going?" I nod. "Then I go prepare that energetic boy ande back with him."N?velDrama.Org (C) content. "Thank you." "My pleasure." When he disappeared, Asher said with a smile. "He loves those horses." "That''s why he''s the best in his job." Chapter Forty IT TOOK ABOUT HALF AN HOUR FOR MY DAD TO show up, and when he did, he seemed strangely off. I was already on top of Moondust, so he mounted on *Fireheart* - his Astryn caramel horse - and took the lead. Not even bothering with anyone else but me. Something must have happened for him to be like this. But I only voiced my thoughts when we were far away from the manor for anyone to hear our voices. Close to the Greenhall Woods. He seemed lost in his thoughts, so I rode Moondust in front of him and stopped her, making him also stop abruptly. "Tasha? What was that for?" "Come on, Dad, what happened? Why are you acting strangely like this? You didn''t even say a word on our way," he seemed bothered like I thought he was. His shoulders came down, not showing any resistance to answering my questions. "I didn''t want to bother any of you with what happened." "Don''t worry about that, dad. Tell me. I''m curious. Moreover, I might even be able to help you," he nods. "After you left the breakfast chamber, something very bizarre urred," for Mi''s sake, stop with the suspense. Just spill the tea. "I don''t even know where to begin." I took a deep breath to gather patience. "Dad, just tell me what happened. Be as straightforward as possible," he nodded, so I hope he does that. "The whole table and the food over it got frozen," excuse me? "Even three of the chairs also got frozen together. I reacted fast, so nothing happened to me. But," he seemed frightened. "That magic was strong." Fuck. What''s happening? "It happened with you too, then?" I asked, but I was talking more to myself than to him. "Why the-" "What do you mean? Did it happen with you too?" Duh! "Why would I have said that if it hadn''t happened to me?" That made him roll his eyes, but it was an obvious thing, wasn''t it? "Yes, dad. It happened to me. When we returned from Pierre''s Bistro yesterday, my milkshake had suddenly turned into a Goddess-damn popsicle. I got mad, and at that moment, the most reasonable thing to me was that someone was pranking me, which isn''t an umon thing." My eyes met his, and I saw the shock on them. He must be thinking the same as I am. "But I was probably wrong," I eximed. "Now it seems like the culprit was targeting our House. And if it happened inside our territory, the person must; or have infiltrated himself here, or must already be working here," he agreed with his head. "Want me to do something about it?" He sighed. "Let me take care of this, okay?" Less work for me. "Fine." We got back to riding our horses, but I couldn''t stay silent for long. Once my mind got flooded with new doubts. So, I stopped Moondust again, and dad mirrored me. "What is it?" "Hm, dad? Why did you ask toe horse riding with me?" "Is it so strange?" Yes?! "Oh, no. However, I was caught off guard. And I can''t wash away the thought that you want to talk to me about something, and not only spend time with me!" Let''s be straightforward this time. "So, am I right?" I know I am, but I want to hear it from him. After some instants, he nodded. "You are indeed, right, Tasha," see? It wasn''t that hard. Now, tell me. "What do you think it is about?" Don''t do this. Come on, why is he so much simr to me? It''s annoying. I''m the one who makes those moves. I don''t quite enjoy being in the other position because I don''t have patience. Sigh. "I have two guesses. First: You want to talk about the decorations of my chambers. Second: You want to tell me something about my request to begin archery practice." He seemed bored. "Oh, you are too sharp and too straightforward to make this game fun," see? "That''s because, usually, I am the one who asks that. Not the one who answers it!" He rolled his eyes, making meugh. "So, which one is it? Or none?" I bet he was mentally adding this to the list of things we have inmon by the way he was looking at me. "The second one it is. But I also want to know what kind of decoration you want in your chambers. No pink, I guess," now he''s mocking me. "I never want to enter a pink room again," he giggled. "So, can it be gold and white?" It would be good to have a room that color because it''s calming. He nods. "Good choice. Any changes you want to make?" "Yes. I want more bookshelves, a side of my walk-in closet to put my weapons, a magical refrigerator where I can put food and drinks, and a stronger safer hidden from anyone else''s views," with dad''s photographic memory, he must have tattooed all of my requests on his mind. "I like that better," good. "We can make a blood bond on the safer, so it will only open if it''s you," oh, I appreciate that very much. "Mm-hmm. Now that this matter is done. Tell me, dad, what did you want to talk about my request regarding archery?" This is what I''m most curious about. "You didn''t go back on your word, right?" I know he wouldn''t do that, but I want to pick on him. He stared at me, offended, "I am a Nichi, Tasha. We never go back on our words," that is true. Not even Dalh did that. We are all too prideful to do something like that. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Well, although Octavian does that quite often. But he is an exception. "Yesterday, after you left, I left right after you to get those matters done," oh, he works fast. "I went to the Imperial Pce," oh, no.N?velDrama.Org content rights. I don''t like this. At all. "Why would you go there, dad?" "I''m Hendri''s best friend," and he is the only one allowed to call the Emperor that, "and also his right hand. Why wouldn''t I go there?" He has an annoying point. "Plus, I heard he has the best archer of the Empire under of the Imperial Knights brigades." This isn''t happening. Please, tell me this isn''t happening. My dad DID NOT get me involved with the Imperial Knights. For fuck''s sake. This is bad. There are two Imperial brigades. The Golden Imperial Knights, the smaller brigade. Led by 2nd Imperial Princess Adelyn Caspien. Responsible for the security of the Imperial Pce and the members of House Caspien. And there''s the dangerous one, the ck Imperial Knights, bigger enough to surround the whole Theolia with their Goddess-damned Knights, who also do a lot of dirty jobs and have some roots in the ck market. Led by the Archduke of Wrynn, the fucking Imperial Crown Prince Joshua Caspien. Responsible for the security of Theolia, the Imperial Capital, as a whole. Coincidentally, these are the two people I didn''t want to be associated with. At all. Not with them. Even less with their underlings who would spy on me and tell them everything. Because that''s how those Imperial Knights are. And I''m not even speaking of their big-ass pride. If dad''s talking about the strongest archer in the Empire, he must be speaking of the second inmand of the ck Imperial Knights. Sir Leonard Brantley who''s known to be a monster while fighting. And he is. Previously, I encountered the assassin, which my sister med for assassinating our parents and Val. That happened when I was 19, and he tried to kill me, so we fought, and when I cut out his mask, it was the archer underneath. I had seen him before, so I knew it was him. But I don''t think he is an assassin now, at least not yet. And I don''t want that guy teaching me anything. He might not be as dangerous as I am. But he is dangerous as fuck. What was my dad thinking? Although I''m slightly hopeful that it won''t go as my dad wanted, seeing how the Crown Prince despises our House, I doubt he would let his 2nd inmand lower himself to teach me archery. He never agreed to my dad''s requests regarding Octavian or Dalh. So, he won''t agree now that it''s about me, right? I''m of no interest to him. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Hm, and what happened, dad?" But my hope disappeared when he smiled widely, "I''m still stunned, Tasha. When Hendri heard my plead, he said that the Archduke would dly deal with this," excuse me? "I was surprised, especially because I always thought the Crown Prince hated our family for some reason." I was counting on it... "However, Hendri told his assistant to go to the Crown Prince and tell him about it, and after some time, the guy came back with a Knight," that made me curse, but he was so into his own memories of the previous day that he didn''t pay attention. "And above all that, the Knight is the 2nd inmand of the ck Imperial Knights." This can''t be happening. For fuck''s sake. WHY would the Crown Prince allow something like that? What is his n? I never heard of him being a bastard like his brother. Fuck it. What will he gain from this? And why isn''t my n working as I want? Now it will be hard to get away from the members of House Caspien. Why is this happening to me? Mi,e on, is this your doing? Do you want toplicate things for me? I thought you wanted to help me. What am I supposed to do now? "Can you believe it?" "No. I cannot," dad stared at me and finally realized how annoyed I was with that. "You don''t seem to be happy." "Why would I ever be happy to get rted to anyone from the Imperial brigades? Especially a guy who''s so close to the fucking Imperial Crown Prince. I''m not amused, dad. At all," he didn''t like my words. "Don''t curse!" "Come on, dad. You are smarter than that. Don''t you think it''s sus? Seriously? Joshua Caspien never tried to hide how much he hates us. He disagreed with your request for him to befriend Octavian," which was a smart move. "And he didn''t even listen to you when you asked him to marry Dalh!" Again, that was the best choice he ever made. "So why the fuck would he agree to help me of all your children? The magicless one at that. It does not make sense when we think about it, dad." He bit his bottom lip, ufortable. "I... I was too happy to realize that. Do you think he''s scheming something?" "Do you have any doubts about that?" My sarcasm made him even more uneasy. Chapter Forty-One WHAT I DON''T UNDERSTAND BESIDES ALL OF THIS IS WHY did the Emperor tell my dad, right when he asked for the archer, that the Crown Prince would dly help him with it? No matter how many times I think about it, it doesn''t make any sense to me. From what I''ve known of him, he would never maliciously mock my dad, like his 3rd son and his wife. He loves my dad like a brother. And I know that they are only friends today because he was always after my dad when he was younger. Although, because of some unknown reason, our families aren''t so close, which I''m thankful for. Well, except for Octavian and Dalh, of course. Because my older brother is best friends with the 3rd Prince, and my twin is protected by the Empress, who''s not only Dalh''s Godmother but his too. Yes, that''s right. The Empress and the Emperor are their Godparents. While the Emperor and Queen Zara are Val''s Godparents. And I''m okay with that because the 2nd Imperial mistress is a good and gentle person, also against the Aristocratic Faction, opposite to whom she shares the Emperor. But that doesn''t mean I like that Val has those two as his Godparents because I do not. If I don''t want to get close to anyone in House Caspien, I don''t desire Val to be close to them either. At least he isn''t close to any of the 6 kids. I want Val to have friends, but not any of them. Now, my Godparents aren''t from House Caspien, thankfully. My dad agreed to let me choose who I wanted as my Godparents because no one in House Caspien offered that to me. So, he pitied me for it. And although he didn''t enjoy who I chose as my Godfather, he agreed to it because he had already promised to ept my choices. And like he said, a Nichi doesn''t break their promises. So, my Godmother is Grand Duchess Marie Larsson, because she''s a cute old woman, strong, powerful, and she always enjoyed mypany when almost no one did. And my Godfather is uncle Martin White-Wood. I chose him because he was one of the few people who treated me kindly, cared for me, and because since I was a kid, I believed he would be powerful. Oh, and because he isn''t from the Caspien Empire. But that isn''t the point right now. The Emperor would never do something that could potentially degrade my dad''s image, while his firstborn sure would. So, why would he act like that? As if he was waiting for my dad to ask something like that. It''s so strange. This situation is awful because I cannot voice those thoughts to my dad. Knowing him as I do, he would never hear something like this rted to his best friend. It''s the same as trying to tell him something my mother did. He bes blind. "But, Tasha," he spoke after we stayed in a very long silence. "It can''t be something unpleasant!" What is he saying? "Of course, it can, dad," he insisted, disagreeing with his head. "Hendri told me that Joshua would dly help me with this. He wouldn''t say that if he knew his son would try something malicious towards us," fuck. See why it wouldn''t matter if I told him what I was thinking? Even though I don''t think his best friend would do something like this, we don''t really know anyone until the end. I also never thought Dalh would harm me, and look at where we are. And Val never thought I would kill him either. He might seem like a good guy, but if no one knows what he actually looks like, do you really think we would know what goes inside his mind? The same goes for the Archduke, our dear next Emperor. But at least we still see the Emperor, but that can''t be said about his firstborn. "Maybe his son is hiding it from him, dad," I tried. "I don''t think that''s the case, Tasha," you are wrong and being controlled by the feelings you have for your best friend. Your opinion cannot be considered seriously at this moment because it would be unreasonable, dad! Well, it''s not like I''m going to say that to him loudly anyways. "Okay, dad. You think whatever you want. I''ll handle this matter with my own two hands." My voice was firm; that way, dad would know that there was nothing he could say to change my mind. He rolled his eyes and looked away, probably calling me crazy and stubborn in his mind. "Okay, do what you want. But when you see how right was about this, don''t say you''re sorry!" "Now you are overestimating yourself, dad," Iughed, mocking him. "I prefer to overestimate my opinions about all of my loved ones than to be a paranoid and crazy person who is suspicious of everybody," now I see whom I took my acidity from. Smirking, I stopped Moondust and stared at his eyes, "If you had gone through everything I did, father. I''m 100% certain that you would be even more crazy, paranoid, and suspicious than I am!" I knew how ufortable he would be if I said that, but I said it anyway. After a very satisfying silence (for me, of course), he spoke again, changing the subject back to what he talked about with his beloved best friend. "Well, as I was saying... before you took this matter to a bad side," ha... now it''s my fault. "The boy, Leonard Brantley, is said to be a prodigy and the best archer of the Caspien Empire," that I already know. I didn''t take his ce here yet, so he''s still the best. "He''s Asher''s age," 18. "Has a strong aura," thating from my dad is something else. "I think he''ll indeed be the best to teach you archery. If my schedule weren''t so closed and full as it is, I would do it myself. But, unfortunately, I can''t." If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Don''t worry, dad. I never expected you to do that. I''m very conscious of how busy you are!" He seemed relieved that I said that. Maybe he thought I wouldn''t understand it. And I would never consider him for this because he''s way too sharp. The moment he saw me using the bow with arrows for the first time, he would know on the spot that it was not my first time using it. I cannot take such a risk. "At least you and Lerian understand this," of course, we do. We aren''t attention seekers because we have each other. The same can''t be said about our siblings. "There''s another thing I have to tell you." "I''m all ears. What is it?" When he bit his bottom lip, I knew I wouldn''t like what dad was about to say. "Sir Leonard Brantley wille today. Your first ss is after lunch," Mi''s above. Already? "We agree like this because you told me you wanted to start as soon as possible." Damn it, I can''t say anything about it because he''s right. "Nothing I can do, now. I''ll try to make the best out of his sses." "And will have to call him ''Master"!" That made me giggle loudly. I swore my dad was joking. But when our eyes met, he was as serious as a rock. "You''re kidding, right?" And all the traces of the smile disappeared from my face like dust in the air. "Please, tell me you''re kidding." "Nope," what the-N?velDrama.Org (C) content. "Who decided that?" I questioned incredulously. Chapter Fifty-One I FELT MY SOUL GET OUT OF MY BODY ande back. My heartbeat speeded up so bad that I''m sure Val heard it, by how he smirked at me. It''s not like I didn''t expect Valerian to notice something was strange with me, because he knows me better than anyone, well... he used to know me. But I did not see thising. How can he ask me a question like that? After what seemed like an eternity, I finally managed to say something, "Could say that again, please? I think I misunderstood your question, Val." Nodding, a cat-ish smile appeared on his mouth. "Who are you, exactly, sis?" Oh, Goddess. What am I supposed to say? I don''t think he would believe the truth. But if there''s a thing I remember well, is that it''s fucking hard to lie to him. Now I''m worried that he might also be feeling the magic inside of me. I hope not. That''s something I wouldn''t be able to exin to him, even if I wanted to. "Who. Are you. Exactly, sis?" Val repeated, ying with the words in his mouth. So, he''s asking me this... But it''s a joke, right? Could he just be throwing bait to see if I''ll tell him something? I can see him doing this. Let''s be careful. "Well, I''m Natasha Mary-Anne Ludwick Nichi. Who else? Your eldest sister, Val!" I spoke calmly and he analyzed me carefully. He doesn''t even need to utter a word for me to see how suspicious he is. Yesterday, when we were having breakfast, he stared at me strangely, but I thought it was nothing. Could he be suspicious about me since yesterday? "Look, Nat," fucking Goddess, he doesn''t believe me. "I don''t doubt the fact that you are my sister. You may indeed be my sister, but you''re not yourself! What I mean is: you''re Natasha, but not the one who was here two days ago. Even the sound of your body is different, your frequency is way too different," shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. How could I forget? Damn it, Natasha. How could I forget about Val''s electrified senses to this extent? It''s been such a long time since Ist lived with him, like this, that I forgot I''m not the only prodigy of the main branch of the Nichi House. And I bypassed my memories about how sharp Val actually is. Having telekinesis and thunder magic, he can do lots of things. And one of the things rted to his thunder magic is what he likes to call ''electrified senses''. Val''s smell and hearing are powerfully sharp because of it. But not just sharper than mine. No. He''s able to sense the aura of a person, their vibration, and the streams of magic inside them, to ridiculous proportions. Yes, I remembered his smelling and hearing senses being sharper than mine, but not all. I think I was so absorbed in him being here, safe, healthy, and alive again, that I didn''t analytically focus on anything else. Which I should have done. Especially now that I have to be extra careful with everything and everyone, after getting back. I can''t afford to overlook things like this. Even with Val, who''s my favorite person and who I know would never betray me as Dalh did. Besides, being a genius like he is, he can easily set persons apart from their smell or the sound of their astral frequency. The astral frequency is also rted to magic. But the most important and powerful factor is that everyone has a unique frequency. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! And by hearing this frequency, Val can tell if someone has good or bad intentions. If they are in a good or bad mood. Or if they are lying or telling the truth. Between other things. That''s why it wouldn''t work well lying to him. But thankfully, it''s not like Alisha''s power. That kid traumatized me. I''m embarrassed just to think about what she made me say. And for Mi''s sake, why haven''t I predicted this? I always knew him, what he can do, what he can be. His potential. Goddess-damn it! I should have thought about the ''Valerian'' factor sooner. I know he''s with me, that''s undoubtedly, but he''s too smart and skilled to be fooled by some lies. But it''s not like I would lie to him anyway. He''s way too important to me, for me to do that. But I also can''t tell him the truth. Not all of it, at least. So, I can say that I would more likely be masking the truth. I was careless. "And," he came closer to me and whispered in my ear. "You smell like magic, Nat."N?velDrama.Org content rights. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Hearing him confirm that, hits totally different than thinking about the possibility of him knowing about it. What do I do now? What''s going on inside his mind? And to make me go crazy, he kept going. "Not only that, but it''s as if there was an enormous ocean of magic inside you, sis. It''s way too strong for me not to notice. Besides, yesterday, this smell was present. But not at all like it is now," so he was, indeed, suspicious of me since yesterday. Does this mean my magic had already been slowly manifesting since the moment I woke up? Damn it. That''s what I was saying about me having to be careful with extremely sensitive people, like Val. Goddess above, I''m lucky that it''s him who learned the truth, not anyone else. And this also proves that, as I thought, his thunder magic is more developed than our dad''s, because while Val, clearly, realizes what was going on with me, our father doesn''t have the slightest idea. Or, he just doesn''t care enough to pay attention to it, as Val does. My little brother, who''s the same height as me, sat back on his sit and stared at me as if waiting for my answer. And after staying dumbfounded for a longer time than I intended, I open my mouth again, "First of all, you must believe in me!" Chapter Forty-Two "THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEAD, DAD. I ONLY HAVE ONE MASTER, and that''s Sir Thorin Meny. Not even over my grave will I ever recognize someone else as my Master!" It''s a matter of honor. He sighed. "It was his idea. He said that he heard you are a very uneducated girl who does not respect other authorities," everybody thinks the same of me. "And because of that, he said he would only teach you if you respected him as your archery Master." "I''m going to skin this guy alive," I said way too loudly, and my dad chuckled. "You have my mother''s temper," way better than having my mother''s. "Thank you for thepliment. And I''m not joking, dad. I want to kill this guy. Who does he think he is? Why didn''t you say anything, dad?" I''m really annoyed now. This fucker must have done this to humiliate me. Ugh. "Tasha, everybody in Theolia shares his thoughts about you. He''s a respected and high-ranking Knight in one of the Imperial brigades. Liking or not, you will have to address him like that." I''m not listening to this. "You don''t need to acknowledge him as your Master. I would never ask you something like that. But you still will have to do it." I felt sick. This isn''t something you can just say meaninglessly. It''s something I take really seriously. "Dad, please, can''t you find another archer?" "Daughter, I''ve already given him my word. I can''t go back now," FUCK. "Fuck." "Stop cursing so much, Tasha. Why are you using such ugly words?" Did I not curse when I was 13? I don''t remember. And neither do I give a damn about that. "If you find another archer to teach me, I''ll stop! I give you my word," okay, I confess that I''m pissing him off purposefully. But I''m mad! And there are only the two of us here. "Why are you so stubborn?" "I took after you, dad," my answer came as fast as a rumble of thunder. "Ugh. I''m angry. Let''s change the topic." Laughing at my mood, he rolled his eyes but agreed. "I''ve gone to Terry on my way back home from the Pce yesterday!" And just like that, my anger evaporated. "The Royal cksmith?" He''s one of the busiest people in the Empire, and I''ve only met him once when I was 6. It was a year after I began learning swordsmanship with Ash and Master. Dad brought me there, so I could choose the details of Kallisto, my unique thin sword. There isn''t any other like it because Terry made it, especially for me, so I would use it my whole life, and its de would adapt magically to my body, growing longer with time. Even in my previous life, I never had another sword. I never needed it. Moreover, I confess that I''m sentimentally attached to Kallisto. Even if I could have another, I wouldn''t ept it. There''s a reason why I gained Kallisto. Of course, there is. Even if it''s not a pleasant one. My dad wasn''t convinced that I would ever be good at it. As a materialist who values his money, just like I do, he didn''t intend to spend money on a possible failure like me. That''s why he came up with a n of giving me a sword that wouldst forever. One that would adapt to my body, so I wouldn''t need others as I grow up. Though his motivation was kind of mean, I''ll always be grateful. Because he still went his way to have the Royal cksmith making a sword like that to me. He could have just bought a simple one in the outskirts, but he didn''t do that. "Yes. Do you remember Terry?" I nodded excitedly. "Of course, I do. Terry made Kallisto for me. I will never be able to forget him. Will he be making my bow and arrows?" My voice came out louder than I intended. "Mm-hmm. If I knew you would be so excited, I would have taken you to decide the details of your weapon with me!" I wish. "It''s okay, dad. Can I go with you when he''s finished?" "You can. Terry will be d to see you after so long," yeah, if I remember it right, he is a very gentle short old guy with bright red hair and orange eyes. "Now, there''s one more thing we need to talk about, Tasha." Please, be good, can it? "What is it?" "Yesterday, on the ball," it can''t be good. "The Princesses asked about you," suspicious... "Which Princesses, dad?" Please, say it''s the one from House Cain. "2nd Imperial Princess Adelyn, 5th Princess Evangeline, and the 6th Princess Annelise," this is not a good oven. How unlucky can I be? If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! My face made it clear how disgusted I was. "What did those girls want from me?" "They asked me when you were going to go to the balls. How you were doing. If you were sick..." It can''t be only that. "And if you could go to the tea party 2nd Princess Adelyn will host this weekend," I knew it. "I cannot," heughed at my fast answer. "Don''t worry, Tasha. I told them that you were too busy until the end of the spring season. And that you will only make your debut after you turn eighteen!" I can''t even exin how loud I chuckled with amusement. So much that even Moondust turned her head to me. "Oh, my Goddess, dad. I love you!" "I''m amazing, aren''t I?" For Mi''s sake, sometimes I forget I can''t say those things to him because his ego is already bigger than the sphere. "I''ll take your silence as a yes." Of course, he will. We started making our way back to the stables when I remembered something. "Dad!" "Yes?" "If my weapon will take some time to be ready, how will I train?" It''s been a while since Ist held a bow with arrows in my hands.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. "Come with me! 000 We proceeded to the weaponry whilepeting to see who would arrive there first. I did, pissing dad off. While I was enjoying my small victory, knowing that he didn''t lose it on purpose. And the fact that he knows that too makes the situation even more delightful to me. Dad got off Fireheart, and when he turned to help me get out of Moondust, I was already with my feet on the ground, petting Moondust her head. "You''re very different from your siblings, you know?!" Are we ying the ''stating the obvious'' game now? "I know," shall we piss him off a bit more? "To begin with, they have magic powers, and I don''t. They''re spoiled, and I''m not. They have everything they want, all the love from everyone, all the attention..." he clenched his teeth, making his vein almost pop up on his jaw. "I could go on a whole year, dad, but it''s not like I care enough about it to do it," his anger disappeared and suddenly burst intoughter, scaring the shit out of me. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Is he also bipr now? "And even without having all the perks that they have, you still are full of yourself, confident, strong, and fierce. That''s what makes you so different, Natasha!" Goddess above, he''s even calling me by my name. "You don''t need anyone by your side 24/7 as they do. If you have yourself, it''s good enough because you''re self-sufficient and somewhat independent. While they are not," damn it, that sure caught me off guard. And I''m probably blushing right now because I can feel how hot my cheeks are. I looked away from dad. Annoyed. "So, you also blush, hmmm. Interesting discovery." This isn''t going as I predicted. After we climbed down, we left Fireheart and Moondust under Sir Han Lee''s supervision while we went inside. I grinned at my dad and started walking towards the armory''s front door. "Oh, dad," I eximed in a mockery tone. "I didn''t know you could be funny too. So many surprises in one single day. I''m stunned," he rolled his eyes. "Ha ha ha, jokes on you, Tasha. I''m the one who''s surprised because I didn''t know spending time with you could be so funny and refreshing like this." I bowed, and he rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness." For some reason, he doesn''t like being called that. "I''m not a Prince anymore, Tasha. I''m a Grand Duke." "Once a Prince, always a Prince. Moreover, a Grand Duke is still a Prince. It''s a title between a Prince and Duke. This means you may be a Grand Duke, dad, but are also a Royal Prince. And if they call us Princes and Princesses, and we are your children, that makes you a Prince of this Empire as well," heughed as we entered the armory. "Even more than that. You are a Prince of both the Caspien Empire and the White-Wood Kingdom, isn''t that great?" He totally ignored me, leading the way, and I smirked while following him. Everyone was already awake in Greenhall Castle. And Sir Clive Rogers was already waiting inside. Well, he''s one of the Knights who do not like me, but I think he doesn''t have the guts to mess with me while I''m with my dad. He doesn''t seem to be the suicidal type. "Bring my bow with the arrows!" Dad eximed, and my jaw dropped to the ground. What is he doing? It''s strange because he''s giving his best for me, something he never did before. But noints about it, once I''ll be the one winning at the end. Although it''s really awkward. Especially when he never let any of us touch his weapons. Why is he doing this now? Is it because the main underling of the Crown Prince will be teaching me, and he wants to show him we have the best material with us? But wait- Did my dad see the Crown Prince when he was in the Pce? I never asked him this. Chapter Forty-Three BUT THIS ISN''T SOMETHING I CAN ASK HIM SO STRAIGHTFORWARDLY, or he might get suspicious of my question. At least, I would if I were him. "Terry said yours will be ready in three weeks, Tasha. Until there, you''ll use my own weapon, got it?" Damn, he really is trying his best. But I still don''t get the reason. Because it must have a reason for this. "Thank you, dad. I''ll do my best." "Oh, I know you will, Tasha. You are my daughter, after all. You always do your best, so that''s not bothering me," at least he knows that! Here I go. "So, dad, what does the Imperial Crown Prince looks like?" I asked casually, and thankfully he didn''t find it strange.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. "I wish I knew, but I don''t know. I met Joshua when he was a little kid, but my memories of him are thin like a fog. So, I don''t remember that kid''s appearance at all. Although Hendri once told me that, like you and me, his son is the one who looks the most like him. Why?" As if that helped with anything. Not even my dad knows what Emperor Hendrixander looks like. It''s useless information. "It''s just that thought you''ve met him when you went to the Imperial Pce to talk about my archery teacher," heughed again. "As you already know, Tasha, the Archduke hates all the aristocrats. That kid is only seventeen but already stubborn like his father. Whereas it''s not a secret that he hates us, so he didn''t care about seeing me. And like I told you, Hendri asked his secretary to speak to the Crown Prince, and he did. Then his secretary came back with Sir Leonard." It makes sense. If Joshua hates my dad, he would never bother showing up. Besides, I referred to all the times he was there, not only today. I still think that Joshua could be using this opportunity to infiltrate one of his trustworthy men as a spy in my family. Considering me the weakest link in our House, in his mind, it would be easier to infiltrate someone using me for that. But I may be overthinking this. Well, it''s good to have this in mind. This way, I''ll stay on guard. And I''ll also avoid getting caught by surprise. However, if that''s the case, and I''m right, I may use this information for my own advantage. Once I''m not at my family''s side, nor am I at the Crown Prince''s. This time, I won''t be stupid. If everything goes wrong, I will only be on Val''s side and my own. No one else. I may have allies, but no one is as important to me as Val. And if I had to kill all of them to save him, I would do it smiling. "Oh, Tasha, about the stylist... I forgot to tell you, daughter. I called Lady Sasha Ora toe here today. 6 pm is, okay?" Oh, I thought he would take care of that once he asked me the colors, I wanted my chambers to be. I guess he just wanted to know about it. "Yes, dad! After my swordsmanship ss with Master and Asher is finished, I''ll be able to deal with that, just fine," dad nodded, turning to Sir Rogers. "Rogers, bring me my bow with the arrows," well, a ''please'' wouldn''t kill, dad. Education sent a ''Hi''! The Knight nodded respectfully and went to the back of the armory, where we keep the best weapons every time wee here. Leaving us alone. "Tasha?" Why is he looking at me as if I was a rare gem? Awkward. "Yes, dad?" "You''re the best swordsmanship apprentice I''ve ever seen," did someone put drugs on his food? "You''re even better than I or, Hendri was at our age. And way better than your siblings. I''m sure Thorin knows this," I looked down, trying to hide the annoying blush on my cheeks. "Dad-" But he didn''t let me continue. "Let me finish, please, daughter," why is he acting like this? It''s not something he would typically do. "Sorry." epting my apologies, he continued. "I''m sure you wouldn''t even need a personal Knight, but it''s always good to be extra careful in a position as mine own. And you are my daughter, so that''s for the best. But I want you to know that I may not show, but I do believe in your potential," I don''t even know what to say after this. Was he guarding this inside him all this time? Or is he only thinking like this now because I came back to the past and changed some things? It''s too confusing. I don''t understand why this is happening. Why is he changing so much? First, the talk we had while eating. Then dad asked for us to go horse riding, which happens sometimes. But he kept saying things that felt off to me because it didn''t happen in myst life. And he even asked the Emperor for an archer to teach me archery. Not to mention that he went to such lengths as asking Terry to craft my weapon. Oh, and he''s also letting me use his bow with arrows. And the dad I know would NEVER let any of us, not even my siblings, touch any of his beloved weapons. So, what am I supposed to do now? I''m not used to him acting like this towards me. "And if you had powers stronger than Octavian''s fire magic, I would make you, my heir. That''s for sure," ha... hahaha... now THIS is my father! Of course, he would bring this up. He would lose the opportunity, would he? Damn, I feel stupid. "But unfortunately for you, Tasha, our world is the way it is. Magic is all around us, and if you don''t have it, you won''t be able to walk with us," now, this looks more like what my father would say. Cursing myself for blushing with his words before. I closed my eyes, swallowing my true feelings. Clenching my fists, using all my willpower not to show him, or the damned Knight that was hearing everything from where he was, how pissed off I am now. Putting my best smile on my lips, I turned to face him again. "As I''d said before, dad," my voice was so calm andposed that I was also surprised. "I don''t care about this. Nothing, and when I say nothing, I mean it!" It was not to sound bitter while saying that. "Nothing I do is to gain anything from you. Nor your love, neither your recognition nor your money. I do what I do because it makes me feel good like this." Dad looked perplexed by my words, and I saw an inch of disbelief in his golden eyes, like a mirror of my own. He didn''t need to say anything for me to see how pretentious he was being now. Yes, this is more like him. "And dad, there''s no need for you to beat yourself up just because I don''t have magic. It''s no good. Neither for you nor me." Damn, you should see his face. I''m delighted. I had to hold myughter with all the strength I carried inside me when I saw the shock in his eyes. And the fact that he wouldn''t answer because Sir Rogers came back at the exact moment made the situation funnier. "Here it is, Your Excellency. What you asked for," Sir Rogers held the fancy bow in his right and the arrows with his left one, turning in my direction. Chapter Forty-Four IT''S FUNNY TO SEE THIS JERK ACTING AS IF HE HADN''T HEARD A WORD. My dad must have been fooled, but not me. I remember very damn well that he has heightened senses just like the both of us. He probably stayed back there this long to hear us talking. "Thank you, sir Rogers! Let''s see. It''s kind of big because dad is way taller than me. But I''m very tall for my age, so I can make it work," I held in my hands with all the care in the world. I''m not going to be a bitch, carrying it carelessly when I pretty damn much know how much my dad values this. "And damn, it''s gorgeous," both dad and sir Rogers nodded, agreeing with me. It was lc with gold. The colors of our house. "Not only gorgeous but also strong," the Knight said, taking it from my hand. "It''s one of the best bows ever made in the Caspien Empire. The same goes for the arrows," he said, lively. By his excitement, he must love weapons. Or, he''s just loving being in the position of talking with me like this. "Once they are magically made, the user can drown the arrows and the bow fusing with their magic," is he trying to pick a fight with me? In front of MY DAD? "Which makes the power attack even stronger than it already is without the magic," sir Rogers exined, way too excited. "Natasha doesn''t have magic, sir Rogers!" dad added, clearly bothered. And the Knight''s face got paler, making me giggle lightly. Then I turned to him. "Let him speak, dad. Everyone here knows my condition. It''s not a secret. He''s just exining what this weapon can do and how. I like hearing it anyway," dad rolled his eyes, sighing. But Sir Rogers gulped, obviously ufortable. He must have thought I didn''t see his true intentions. What a dumbass. Who does he think he''s speaking with? Of course, I knew he had done that purposely. I''m not that dense or stupid to not notice it when even dad did. And you must have seen that sometimes dad''s dumb as a rock. Damn... I suddenly remembered that the jewels should be ready today. I''ll have to speak with Ash after I''m done here. And it would be good to send him there with Kate. That way, none of them will be around when the archeres, so I''ll be able to speak with him alone, to try to see what is he up to. Or precisely, what is the Imperial Crown Prince Joshua Caspien up to, "Were you daydreaming, Tasha?" Dad asked, and I stared at his face, a male mirror of my own. Of course, I am. What else would I be doing? "Nope. Not daydreaming. I was just thinking that if I still had my magic, I would be able to use it to make iced arrows and freeze my prey''s heart. It would be awesome," they look at me as if I were a crazy girl spouting nonsense, which''s funny. Dad seemed annoyed by my words. Well, I guess he''s about to scold me for it. Something dad always did when I used to mention me having magic. It would make things even weirder if he didn''t say anything. "Haven''t we already talked about this, Tasha?" I love to be correct. I just don''t appreciate the matters I''m right about. "Didn''t we tell you that you never had magic powers? Moreover, this is the result of a mental disorder caused by you, to try swallowing the sad truth about your magicless condition?" Bullshit and more bullshit. Come on, Dad, stop it.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. You''re making a fool of yourself here. For the Goddess-damned sake, what a clown. "You are such a knows-all, dad. If you say so, it must be the truth, right?" This time I made sure that he noticed the sarcasm in my tone. "Anyways, I loved the bow and the arrows. Can I already take it with me?" They looked so ufortable that I had to hold myughter. After some time, dad finally agreed, and Sir Rogers gave me the weapon again. "Be careful! They''re precious to me!" Dad said, and I nodded. Knowing it already. In my past life, he made this sure a thousand times. So much that I believe I''ll never be able to forget it. "You''re talking to me, dad. Not Dalh! I always take good care of everything I have in my hands. Even if it''s just temporary," heughed slightly and nodded again. "Then you can go!" If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Thank you, daddy!" He nodded. "Thank you, Sir Clive Rogers. See youter, daddy." Kissing dad''s cheek and waving a hand to Sir Rogers, with my temporary weapon in my hands, I left the weaponry. For gods'' sake, I''m such an ass kisser, pfft. Heading towards Moondust, I mounted her again. After putting some distance between me and where dad was, I headed towards the woods, craving some practice with one of my favorite weapons again. In my first life, I was the best in swordsmanship. But also, archery and using daggers. Not one was in pair with me, and probably that''s why I was able to aplish what Dalh wanted in such an easy way. This means that I have a lot of experience with it. But I need to be sure that my body can handle what I know. I have to see if this body will be able to control my skills. Or, at least, some of them. Once I clearly am not as strong as I used to be before because I came back as a twelve-year-old girl and not in my gold twenties. When I was sure that no one had followed me, I entered the heart of the woods. Got off of Moondust and started preparing myself to hunt a dear or another animal. It''s been a while since Ist did this. I missed this feeling of adrenaline. Silently like a cat, I went forward. Paying total attention to the slightest sounds in the forest. Then I heard something on the tree above me. Probably a snake. And just the thought of seeing such an animal spread goosebumps down my spine. If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! I fucking hate snakes! It''s not fear. No, no... it''s pure hatred towards the animal that represents my sister''s soul. And not only because of that. When I was a kid, around the time my magic was stolen, I got bitten by one. It was one of the most dreadful moments of my damn life, and I almost died. My memories of it are hazy, but someone saved me, sucking the venom out of my wound. Though I don''t remember who did it, I''ll always be thankful for that. Back to the monster in the trees above me, I tried my best to focus and not freak out. I''ve killed a snake before. I can do this. I just need to imagine it as if it were any other animal, right? I didn''t move my legs. Not even an inch. I knew that shit was some meters above me, so I breathed deeply and soundlessly. Preparing an arrow in my bow. My hatred flowed through my veins like it was part of my blood. Some instants passed, and I heard the horrible sounds of the snake bing slightly far from me as if that piece of shit was preparing to attack, just like the ocean does before a freaking tsunami. My heart was beating like a damn drum inside my chest. And there was cold sweat rolling down my forehead. After holding my breath for some instants, I turned my head towards the fucking snake, with my arrow ready. Then I let it go. All in a blink of an eye. My arrow found its head, and seconds after it reached its target, it was on the ground. That was when I realized how big that bitch was. Seriously. When my eyesnded on it, I couldn''t even hold my scream in my throat. With an enormous dark green head in heart shape, big blood-red eyes, and a body with almost three meters of extension. THREE fucking meters. The ugliest shit I''ve ever seen. Then all of a sudden, it started to be iced-blue from the head until the end of its tail. And I only understood what just happened when I looked at my arrow on its head, which was frozen, which means the snake was too. "I must be fucking hallucinating, right?" This time, my voice came out shaken. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!