You're the One: Take Two!
Prologue: Chapter 5: Who will cherish.
••••••••••
It had been three days since Mum and Father had returned from Arkbate, the Capital of this empire, Cruix Empire, and now have beckoned me to Father's study.
I haven't seen my brothers since that day.
Not that it bothers me anyway.
I've always been a loner, even in my past life. Should've guessed here too.
As I walk on by the open bay windows, being led by a familiar butler, I relish in the beautiful and warm sunlight.
It hasn't been long since I went out for a walk.. maybe I should ask Ostana if we can go for one later!
Ostana is the maid I met when I first woke up here. She also happens to be my personal handmaiden. How lucky I am!
In all my life, I've never felt as fancy and luxurious as I do now!
The click-clack of the heels sends shivers of anxiety down my spine with each step I take. It's been a while since I've seen Father. He, nor my brothers, ever visit me in the gardens or in the halls. Mum, on the over hand, is like a little sibling I can't flick away.
She's become quite bothersome these past few days, but I can't tell her that.
So, I endure it.
Now that Mum and Father wish to speak with me, I can't believe I'm finally coming to terms that I'm Nyx Beauregard.
The Nyx Beauregard that ruins Miss Ilaria Faut.
I still can't believe I'm in a storybook. That's insane! There's no way it's possible, but I'm here and I'm her. My hair was not silver, nor were my eyes golden but here I am, showcasing both attributes!
But, if this is all true, then I must remember everything.
And that's what I've been doing these past few days.
Between tea dates, outings, and luncheons with Mum, I've been gathering information about the date and location of this world. I've also thought over everything I've read from 'You're the One' because I want to be sure there's nothing I have forgotten.
I remember the story starting out at the beginning of their last year before the kickstart of His Majesty's career as Alpha. The beginning of the book, or prologue I should say, is where Zadkiel and Nyx officially meet for the first time. It's significant because of one particular act, but I can't seem to remember what it was that captured Zadkiel's attention over Nyx.
From what I remember, the scene in the book told by the male lead's perspective about meeting Nyx.. so should this be something I should worry about? If I see Zadkiel, my mate— Nyx's mate, then wouldn't he know when we meet? Isn't the prologue all about that scene? Ugh.. whatever. I'll remember it later!
As much as it'll bug me, I set the thoughts aside.
I had finally made it to the study where my Mum and Father reside, waiting for me, and my chest suddenly grows heavy for some reason. Before I could turn back, the butler leading me escorts me through the threshold and into the sights of my parents.
There the two are, peacefully lounging along the creme loveseat. Mum's hair is curled, twisted, and pinned against her scalp with several diamond hair ornaments that match the pure white dress adorning her figure. Mum's enchanting honey colored irises delicately lift to meet Father's. He smiles with much compassion and care for Mum while the two wait. Father drinks his tea, careful not to spill the drink over his crisp mauve suit.
I gracefully smile just like I've been practicing over the last few days towards them as soon as I arrive in the room. I bow as elegant as the late Nyx, who's memories I still have for an unfathomable reason, and bestow the utmost respect I could muster for them in my eyes.
"Father, Mum," I address each of them. I straighten my back while wrinkling the satin cloth with a fist.
"You've asked to see me?"
Mum's entire face brightens at the sight of me. She turns away from father, who clearly doesn't hide the disappointment of her gaze. "Oh, starlight! Come sit down. Let's have some tea; your father and I have some very important matters to discuss with you."
Her elegant hand gestures to the chair adjacent from her, which is where she and Father reside on the loveseat.
I continue to smile, then nod. "Yes, Mum."
As obediently as the child I am, I sat down with Mum and Father before an unknown maid serves me tea. I drop a sugar cube inside the cup before I take a sip.
"What's this all about, Mum?" I ask out of pure curiosity. My eyes linger on her for a moment.
She's a bit too giddy.. that sparkle in her golden eyes send shivers down my spine.
If I'm Nyx, then that means the story will change. I can't be the old villainess, but I can still have fun. I just hope I don't change the story too much. I still want my OTP to come true! I can't just sit back and do nothing.. maybe I can figure things out once the school starts back up again.
The innocent expression I wear never wavers, even with the thoughts swirling inside my head. My parents can't hear them, so why should I tell them?
Besides, I'm kinda not really their daughter...
Father clears his throat. Those deeply purple orbs blink from his tea to me for just a moment. I feel the waves of indifference roll off his broad shoulders. This man could be a notorious tycoon if he wished.
"Nyx, how do you feel about an engagement?" Father asks. His plum colored irises flicker from Mum, then back to me with a tight lipped line.
I raise a brow at his inquiry.
What are they getting at? I'm not going to marry when I finally have a second life to do everything I should've with my first!
"Engagement? But I'm barely in my twenties."
Father nods, as does Mum.
I continue to glance between the two silent strategists.
"That's true dear." Mum is the one who speaks, "But it's high time you venture out and catch yourself a mate. Someone who will take care of you.. someone who will cherish my darling daughter."
Her citrine eyes brighten with a glowing hope I wish I could have.
Father clears his throat, uncrossing his legs. "As you'll be soon turning twenty-two soon, you'll be in need of a husband. It's obvious your mate hasn't shown up, and might not at this rate—"
Or he's just going to reject me in the end—
"But now's not the time to be stubborn. You'll be heading into the institute next Wednesday, and we've all ready scheduled you a meeting with a potential husband." The simple finality in his voice had enough dominance to cause me to tear up.
There's no way out of this, is basically what he said.
I want to pout, but I compose myself in front of the two adults.
"All we ask is that you meet this fine suitor and consider him for an engagement," Mum adds with an enthusiastic smile on her face. She even leans over and compromises the small space separating us with a gentle pat on the knee.
I blink in reply.
Consider an engagement? Are they crazy? I must have landed in the wrong novel. What the hell is this? I never knew Nyx had an engagement! ... Although, it does make sense why she was such a savage when it came to her parents' goals for her. Maybe the obsession with her mate was due to the need to fulfill her parents' every condition they thought she'd need for happiness. Just after spending a little time with Mum, I could tell how neglected the female's were to one another. I can only imagine what my relationship with the men of the Beauregard Estate is...
I longed to purse my lips in discontent.
Although my face never conveyed my true feelings, I knew my parents could see through my mask. They were, after all, my— Nyx's parents.
Father is the first to say, "You don't have to agree to anything. Just meet with him next Monday and we'll discuss whether you like him after the first meeting. If all goes well, you'll be happy, starlight." His eyes are lit with a sudden amethyst glimmer that I've seen him gaze at Mum with.
I blink at the blatant care Father conceals in his irises. His expression remains the same, but those bright bejeweled eyes enamor me more than when I first saw them.
As Father sips at his tea, my lips twitch, holding back the words I longed to speak.
How can he be so sure I'll be happy? I all ready know the outcome of the story; Ilaria and Zadkiel end up together before they die. Everyone that's a main character dies! How can he guarantee a sliver of happiness with anyone when my fate still remains the same? ... Maybe I should just tweak the story. A tiny bit.
Before I could gnaw on my bottom lip in a very unladylike manner, Mum speaks up again. "We'll support you, Nyx. We promise to stand behind you in your decision," she smiles with such confidence.
"Whichever you may make, you're still the daughter of the Beauregard family. You'll be the one to choose your life, my precious daughter, so fear not. I do not intend to make you suffer a horrible husband." Father says. A wistful, yet sincere expression masks Father's handsome face.
The support of my two parents automatically warms my heart and sends several sensations of happiness through my entire being.
I never had this when I was alive the first time.
I bestow my fragile parents with a toothy smile, my heart full of trust and grateful warmth. "Okay! I trust you both. I'll give this suitor a chance for the Beauregard name."
Mum had smiled. Dad nods. I sip at my tea. The maid stands in the corner of the room.
Everything way nice and serene.
But I didn't realize what I agreed to, nor who I had agreed to meet that awaited me on Monday.