ㅤㅤThe stars can clearly be seen and the moon is shining beautifully. The warm breeze would be enjoyable if only it didn't carry the stench of blood and the smoke from the burning castle.
ㅤㅤAngry and pained cries can be heard throughout the place. The sound of swords clashing and bodies being beaten can be heard anywhere.
ㅤㅤPrincess Viv is running towards the Youngest Prince's palace, trying really hard not to step on the dead bodies scattered across the hallway.
ㅤㅤWith tears continuously flowing from her eyes, she whispered to herself..
ㅤㅤ"Theo, sister's coming to get you."
ㅤㅤShe ran and ran as fast as she could but as soon as she reached her destination, she felt her soul escaping from her body.
ㅤㅤBlood was coming out from the young Prince's room. She hurriedly opened the door and was welcome by a sharp object that pierced through her chest. She coughed up blood and fell directly to the floor.
ㅤㅤHer eyes wandered across the room and even with a blurry vision, she recognized the man who just stabbed her with a sword.
ㅤㅤ"Hello, Princess Viv."
ㅤㅤThe man said before pulling the sword from the Princess' chest.
ㅤㅤLeo. A priest that guided the Princess ever since she got her second name from their God. He's older than Viv by 12 years but they always treated each other like close friends.
ㅤㅤBlood rushed out from the stab wound and Viv couldn't do anything to ease the pain. She doesn't even have the strength to speak anymore. She wanted to confront the man. She has so many questions that needs to be answered. Since when? How? Why. Why. Why. WHY?!
ㅤㅤ"Looking for the cute little prince? Our men already took his body outside. I waited here since I know that you'll come"
Said Leo as he sits down in front of Viv.
ㅤㅤThe priest lifts his hand, gently touched the Princess' cheeks and wiped the tears falling from her eyes. If only there was no stabbing involved, this scene would be quite heartwarming.
ㅤㅤ"Your eyes really are the most beautiful when you cry. Do you remember? You used cover your other eye with your hair before because you were ashamed that it's not the same color as the other one. But I always find them fascinating. Especially when they're all wet from all your crying."
ㅤㅤLeo lifts Viv's head and placed it on his lap. He slowly strokes her hair like a brother tucking his sister to sleep.
ㅤㅤ"I've never been good with swords but tonight, I got you and the youngest Prince. Aren't you proud of me? Shouldn't you give me a reward?" The priest said with a gentle smile.
ㅤㅤViv can't do anything but silently cry. Her consciousness is slowly drifting away and she can already feel her eyes closing but the pain definitely isn't leaving.
ㅤㅤ' It hurts. Why does it hurt so much? '
ㅤㅤWounded both physically and emotionally, Viv felt that this night was the most exhausting.
ㅤㅤSuddenly, she thought about her other brothers and their parents. Ah, the flashback before death. How peaceful yet terrifying.
ㅤㅤ' Brother Kai, Brother Kiel, Jae, Mother, Father. We didn't even had the chance to say goodbye to each other. '
ㅤㅤ"Ah, right! Today's the youngest Prince's birthday! I totally forgot to greet him before cutting down his throat. Can you greet him for me when you see each other?" Leo exclaimed.
ㅤㅤRight at that moment, memories played through Viv's mind like a flashback of a movie. They planned to go watch the birds to celebrate Theo's birthday.
ㅤㅤ' Sister's really sorry, Theo. I couldn't save you. If only sister came a little earlier, maybe I could've done something. I'm really sorry. Please forgive sister. '
ㅤㅤAmong the siblings, Viv and Theo have the strongest bond. Ever since the youngest Prince learned how to walk, he would always go to his sister's room. He always followed Viv wherever she goes. They were inseparable.
ㅤㅤJust as the Princess was about to close her eyes completely, she heard Leo spoke.
ㅤㅤ"You know, the new saintess was really smart. She has been planning for this ever since she got the title. It was a perfect plan."
ㅤㅤWhen Viv opened her eyes, a familiar ceiling welcomed her. Painted in the shade of brown that she loves the most and has little stars infused with a little bit of magic that makes them shine brightly at night time.
ㅤㅤ' I had those removed years ago. Why are they back up there? '
ㅤㅤViv heard a sharp ringing as memories starts to flood her mind. She died and she knew it. She could still feel the pain from when she was stabbed by a sword and was betrayed by her trusted person. She clutched her chest hoping to ease the pain that she's currently suffering from. Tears started to escape from her eyes. She couldn't breathe. She was gasping for air but ended up choking.
ㅤㅤ"Ah, look at the state you're in. You need to calm yourself down."
ㅤㅤAfter hearing the voice, the Princess felt a pat on her head then she found herself floating above her bed. She felt really comfortable and calmed. It was as if her body is being cuddled by a cloud.
ㅤㅤ"Mn. I think you're fine now."
Shocked, Viv immediately opened her eyes to find where the voice was coming from and she saw a man with long white braided hair sitting on her bed. The man is just plainly staring at her while lightly scratching his horns.
ㅤㅤ' Wait. Horns??!? '
ㅤㅤThe Princess' eyes widened as she realized that the man in front of her is not just an ordinary man. I mean, what kind of human has horns growing out of their head, right?
ㅤㅤ"You look so shock but you aren't asking me any questions. Don't you find this confusing? You died but you're here."
ㅤㅤThe man said as he stands up and slowly approached Viv to get her down.
ㅤㅤ"W-who are you and h-how did you- mmph!"
ㅤㅤViv covered her mouth when she realized that her voice had changed.
ㅤㅤIt doesn't sound like a 20 year old princess anymore. She now sounds like a child who haven't even come of age.
She glared at the man, thinking that he was the one who caused this but the man just raised both of his hands and snapped.
ㅤㅤA full body mirror with shiny black frame appeared in front of the Princess which allowed her to see her current appearance.
ㅤA young girl with long and wavy sky blue hair is reflected in the mirror. The child has a black cloak around her that's obviously too big for her. Her eyes are red from all the crying but the colors still pop out beautifully. Her right eye is gold while her left eye is as blue as the ocean.
ㅤㅤViv gently lifts a hand and touched the mirror to confirm if what she's seeing is true. It is real. She looked at the man once again like she's asking him to explain what's happening.
ㅤㅤ"Ask your questions so I can answer them. I'm a Devil, not a fortune teller. How am I supposed to understand what you're eyes are trying to say? You didn't lose your ability to speak so speak up! For hell's sake." The man said, obviously annoyed by the silent treatment that he's getting from the Princess.
ㅤㅤThe Princess was too stunned to even think of a response. She stared at the man with her mouth open for a few seconds before finally snapping back to reality. Viv finally spoke as she started to fix herself.
ㅤㅤ"I'm sorry. I was just so confused about this whole situa-"
ㅤㅤ"The cloak." The man cut her off.
ㅤㅤ"-tion.. Yes, I'm taking it off right no-"
ㅤㅤ"Don't take it off. If you take it off now, you'll start to feel the pain from your wound again."
ㅤㅤThe Princess looked at the man, confused.
ㅤㅤ"But I am not wounded... anymore."
ㅤㅤThe man just quietly stared at her before letting out a sigh. He walked towards Viv, lightly tapped the cloak which alters it and made it fit to the little child's size.
ㅤ"Physically, you are not. But your soul is. I didn't have enough time to give you a painless trip back because your soul was on the verge of shattering. That's why you still feel the pain from the thing that caused your death."
ㅤㅤ"You mean, by body did not change? I am really in the past and you were the one who brought me here?"
The man nodded.
ㅤㅤ"You catch on quick. This is exactly ten years before your death. I actually meant to send you to another timeline but something keeps on pulling your soul here."
ㅤㅤ"Why did you bring me back? And how are you capable of doing that? Who are you?"
ㅤㅤThe man let out a smile for the first time. That smile could've been a beautiful one if only it wasn't an evil smile.
ㅤㅤ"Nothing serious. I just wanted to teach that bastard a lesson. I mean, look. Instead of overseeing the temples and his people, he's just running around and make random things! No wonder that demon disguised as his chosen saintess managed to execute her plan."
ㅤㅤ"Wait. Wait. Wait. Did you just call God 'bastard' and the saintess 'demon'?"
ㅤㅤEven Viv herself couldn't count how many times she's been shocked in this chapter.
ㅤㅤ"Yes, I did. That Riye that you praise isn't doing his job properly so he's a bastard and that demon is definitely not a saintess."
ㅤㅤ"You still haven't told me who you are. Why are you talking like you and God Riye know each other personally?" Viv asked. She was curious, can you blame her?
ㅤㅤ"Oh, we know each other. We're brothers!"
ㅤㅤ"Brothers? God Riye's brother is the King of.. Oh my Riye, are you Kri?!"
ㅤㅤ"Dear princess, is that the proper way to address a king?"
'Kri' jokingly said.
ㅤㅤ"Y-your Majesty, the King of Devils." Viv immediately said.
ㅤㅤ"Hey, I'm just kidding. Kri is fine. We'll be talking to each other a lot from now on so we need to get comfortable with one another." Kri laughed as he pat Viv on the head.
ㅤㅤ"You're really small."
ㅤㅤViv slapped the hand that was patting her head.
ㅤㅤ"I'm currently 10 years old. This height is normal for kids this age!"
ㅤㅤ"When I was 10 years old, I was taller than this. Even Vitheo of the future isn't this small." Kri continued to tease the Princess.
ㅤㅤAfter hearing her little brother's name, Viv thought of something.
ㅤㅤ"I think I know what pulled my soul in this timeline."
ㅤㅤKri looked at her, waiting for her to continue speaking while he's slowly undoing his braid to tie it into a ponytail.
ㅤㅤ"If this is ten years before, then today... is the day that Vitheo will be born."
ㅤㅤAs if on cue, multiple knocks came from the other side of the door. Viv remembers this scene. It's her younger brother, Jaesev, and he's here to excitedly tell his sister that their youngest brother has been born.
ㅤㅤViv's maid, Lettis, stood in front of the door and calmly spoke.
ㅤ"The Third Prince is here to see the Princess."
ㅤㅤViv panicked and immediately looked at where Kri was ㅤstanding but she saw no one.
ㅤㅤ' Did he hide? '
Not seeing Kri anywhere, she looked at the direction of the door and spoke.
ㅤㅤ"Tell him to wait while I get ready."
ㅤ' Crap. Was that too formal? I already forgot how I acted as a child. '
ㅤㅤ"Yes, Princess."
ㅤㅤFew moments after the conversation, Lettis and 3 other maids (Sarah, Marie, Thalia) walked into the room to help Viv get ready. She let them do everything. From dressing her up to braiding her hair.
ㅤㅤWhen she's all done, the maids left leaving a little girl with twin braids with green ribbons that's wearing a dress in a darker shade of green sitting on the couch.
ㅤㅤ"Let the Third Prince in." She said.
ㅤㅤThe door opened once again and a 7 year old boy came rushing. His eyes wandered all over the place, finding his older sister until he saw her sitting on the couch beside the window. He ran up to her while shouting.
ㅤㅤ"Sister! Sister! Sister Viv!"
ㅤㅤSeeing her younger brother again, the Princess couldn't help but feel so happy.
ㅤㅤ"Why are you always running? Slow down. You'll probably cry again if you trip."
ㅤㅤJae pouted and hugged his sister.
ㅤㅤ"But I have something important to say! It's about mother!"
ㅤㅤ"What about mother? Is she ill?" Viv asked, pretending to panic.
ㅤㅤ' I'm a great actress. T^T '
ㅤㅤ"Of course not! Why would you think that?"
ㅤㅤ"Then what?"
ㅤㅤThe young prince let out a bright smile and lifts his little hands to lightly squish his sister's face.
ㅤㅤ"Mother just gave birth to our little brother! Can you believe it? I'm a big brother now!"
ㅤㅤ"Really? What did Father name him?"
ㅤㅤ"Hm.. that.. I forgot! Hehe" Jae awkwardly smiled.
ㅤㅤ' Just like before. '
ㅤㅤThe princess just laughed ang ruffles the young prince's hair.
ㅤㅤ"Silly. Why don't we go there and ask them ourselves?"
ㅤㅤ"Oh! Yes, let's do that! I want to see our baby brother!"
ㅤㅤJae jumped down from the couch, held his sister's hand and ran.
ㅤㅤWhile running, Viv can't hide her smile.
ㅤㅤ' Theo.. Sister's here. '
tbc.