The sun lights slowly entered a room pass through the silk white curtain. The birds on the tree start echoing its song, which means the new morning has approached.
On the bed inside the room, laid a young lady in her 16s. Her forehead was covered in sweats, and her eyebrows knit each other.
"Hah!"
A scream came from the person on the bed. She looked around the room in disbelief. She was sure that her head already separated from her body. And this room was hers when she still a young lady, and after the Grand Duchy was collapsed, her former home turned into ashes as well.
"..... How come"
"Did I go back to the past?"
".... So the Gods really give me a second chance."
She gets up from her bed and walks to the mirror. In front of her, stands a charming young lady, with platinum blonde hair and violet eyes in her pink nightgown. Her face shows the naiveness of the teenager and looked fresh as a spring flower.
"Your highness, are you already awake?"
The voice of a maid outside the door, made her come to her senses.
"Yes, you can enter."
Her eyes seem wet as she looked at her maid.
It was Mia, her most trusted maid. She was stabbed by the hands of the royal guards in order to protect her from being arrested.
"Your majesty, you must stay alive." was Mia's last word to her.
"My lady, are you okay? Should I bring the doctor?" asked Mia worried.
"I'm fine. By any chance, what date is it now?"
"Today in 14th February in the 1746s empire's year, and tomorrow is your 16th birthday."
"I got it. Can you prepare a small meal for me? I want to rest a little longer because I'm feeling dizzy"
"Understood my lady. Are you sure you don't want me to bring the doctor?"
"It's okay, I just need to rest. You may go."
***
It was on her 16th birthday banquet in the previous life when she first met Julian. He was still the powerless second prince and the previous crown prince was still alive.
Julian's birth mother was only a palace maid and died after giving birth to him. He was raised by the Empress after that. Although the Empress didn't give him any affection, she never mistreated him. He was born with dark black hair, the same as his mother. Meanwhile, the royal family considers having golden blonde hair and that made him go through countless humiliations from the other nobles. It was the proof of his lowly blood and make it impossible for him to inherit the throne.
Marbella's father, Grand Duke Petrovic is the only Emperor's cousin. Since the Emperor didn't have any blood-related siblings, it makes the Grand Duke Petrovic the second line of the throne after the Crown Prince Wilbert. Even if they only cousins, they resemble each other with golden blonde hair and purple eyes.
Marbella's platinum blonde hair consider rare in the royal family. It was proof that they were blessed by the Gods and will hold an important role in the empire. That makes Marbella the third line of the throne after her father even though she was a girl. Her mother, Grand Duchess Petrovic was the first princess of the Heiderbugh Kingdom and famous for her beauty and pink eyes.
That night at the banquet, Julian shyly approach her for a dance. She still remembers clearly the naive face of Julian and his bright smile.
***
Marbella woke up from her short nap. It was a short dream about her past.
"This time, I'll make sure to destroy that smile of yours."