"My lord , the Duchess has given birth to a beautiful princess".

"She resembles a snow fairy"

"Ah... what's up with this people? why are they here".

When i woke up and opened my eyes, i found myself surrounded by three maids and a very handsome looking man with platinum hair looking towards me.

"Wa-wait a second!. Where am i?"

"Is this a dream? or a reality", i pinch myself just to realise it was not a dream. I have actually reincarnated as a princess!.

As i was still confused about what was going on the Duke took me up from my cradle, closed his eye and casted a magic spell. I felt warm and full of energy as the Duke's magic ran through my body.

He opened eyes and smiled as he said "Looks like my daughter has a strong magic core"

The Duke hold me closer to him and declared "From this day onwards, you will be known as Leonicia eus Lionheart".

"Lionheart? why it sounds so familiar to me", as i thought about it. I remembered about a novel which i had read in my previous life. Because one of my colleague was a big fan of the novel and had recommended it to me.

"The records of Astrid wars", a popular novel about a monstrous tyrant called Azrael von Bernhardt who had conquered half the continent and had fallen in love with the heroine of the story Adele Auclair from another kingdom.

Empire of Empearl, always have been a military powerhouse in the continent.But under the rule of the Blood thristy tyrant who killed his own family to take over the throne, no one on the continent could challenge their authority.

Even before the novel's story takes place , it had a small back story. About the events which shaped the current situation of the empire and it's tyrant emperor.

Amongst many events was the "Tragic winter of Credia". The Duchy of Credia was part of the Empearl Empire and was well known for its strong military might and economic power. Credia was a peaceful region and people were leading a happy prosperous Life, under the rule of the noble House of Lionheart.

The Duke of Credia was Lord Bernard eus Lionheart. A celebrated hero of the Great war, who defended the Empire when it was on the verge of losing during the war. The enemy knights had infiltrated into "Rundale" the capital of the Empire.

When even the Royal family including the then Emperor Ivan retreated from the city. Duke Lionheart fought with the royal knights till the end, holding the enemy's advance further in the country and later turned the tide of the war in favour of Empearl with his strategies.

After the war Duke Bernard eus Lionheart was given the title of "The Silver Sword" by the people.

Due to his achievements during the war.

The House of Lionheart had a great history of producing many great Leaders and wizards throughout the kingdom's history. Some respected them , while others saw them as a threat.

Duke Lionheart had two children, the older son named Alexander eus Lionheart and a young daughter named Leonicia eus Lionheart.

Alexander eus Lionheart was next in line to become the Duke of Credia was described by many as his father's shadow because he resembled the Duke in every way. Tall handsome young man , with short Silver platinum hair. He was also popular among the young noble ladies and excelled in swordsmanship and magic.

But due to having a weak magic core he couldn't caste high level magic skills. Alexander eus Lionheart was later revealed as the tyrants childhood friend, whom he was very close.

On the other hand Leonicia eus Lionheart was a beautiful young lady. She was described as a snow fairy. She had long platinum hair , smooth white skin like snow , a lovely face. Along with a Calm nature, which made her looked like a goddess in disguise.

Amid the calm and peaceful life in the Empire and the Duchy. Some people were worried about the rising popularity of the "Silver Sword" , the Duke of Credia.

Mostly his political opponents and the Emperor Ivan von Bernhardt, who felt threatened by the Duke's popularity within the country and there were rumours that the Duke might dethrone the current Emperor Ivan and become the next Emperor.

This rumours might have been baseless , but it made the ruling Imperial family worried about a possible coup d'etat in the future.

The Duke was the most powerful figure in the country, but sometimes even the most powerful people can't escape from the evil hands of the conspirators and betrayal of the traitors.

It was on the new year Eve, in 1228 of the Imperial calendar. The Duke was invited to the Imperial Palace by the Emperor himself. After the Duke left from the Duchy to attend the Royal Ball in the Capital with the Duchess.

The Knights of the rival Duchy called Kruiteze, along with the Emperor's loyal knights and wizards attacked the Duchy in the night with an combined force of fifteen hundred. The Knights of Credia were caught off-guard and the Duchy suffered heavy casualties.

Alexander eus Lionheart died in the hands of the Kruiteze Knights , protecting his sister from the enemy. The princess Leonicia eus Lionheart saw her brother dying in front of her eyes.

In a few hours everything was over the Duchy of Credia had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Alexander Lionheart was stabbed to death by the Duke of Kruiteze.

And the calm lovely princess got captured before she could escape the Duchy and was confined in the tower. They say the princess kept waiting for her father the Duke to return back and save her and the people of Credia.

But she didn't knew that the Duke has been assassinated in the Royal palace along with the Duchess and it was a conspiracy by the Emperor Ivan himself and the loyal retainers.

This incident was called "the tragic winter of Credia". After the fall of the House of Lionheart , no one really knew what happened to the princess. Neither did the author cared much about the tragedy of just a side character nor did his audience.

Azrael van brenhardt tried to find his childhood friend's sister after seizing power by overthrowing his father, but he never found her.

Rumours says Leonicia the last Lionheart died of illness and starvation in the tower and was said to have cursed the Duchy of Kruiteze before she took her last breath.

"But who would have thought that i would reincarnated as the same princess who met a tragic death!"

"I never wanted this!." I screamed in my mind.

A few weeks later, slowly slowly i got used to her new life, being a little baby can be boring and frustrating. But the maids took good care of me. Getting pampered is actually not that bad.

In my past life, i spent most of my time studying and later working as an intelligence officer in the military before retiring at age twenty nine.

But , now i am a princess and daughter of one of the most powerful figure in the country Duke Brenard eus Lionheart. My maids always tell me, how everyone in the Dukedom is happy under the rule of my father the Duke.

His planning and schemes have helped many poor people to improve and live a better life. And had made Credia an influential region in both economic and military power.

Well you would be surprised, how fast the Duchy fell into ruins. If i could tell you that.

I thought to myself as i looked outside the window from my room towards the infamous Rose Garden, which according to my maids was a present from my father the Duke to his wife.

"I wonder if i will be able to survive the trajedy of the novel and lead a peaceful life".

"Maybe i should use my skill to gather information and prevent the Duchy from the tragedy?".

---------- Year 1217 of the Imperial Calendar ----------

It has been five years. Since, i got reincarnated as the Duke's daughter. I have learned some magic spells in secret, to protect myself and become stronger.

The Great war will take place in next seven years and the tragedy three years after that. Since the Duke's military resources were depleted due to the war. It was the best time to launch an assault on the Duchy.

The Duke just like in the story, has been very busy with his work. But, he still sends me new gifts everyday and visits me from time to time to keep a track on my growth.

I had never experienced any fatherly love in my past life, still i can feel that my new father the Duke cares a lot about his children and the people.

After being reincarnated, i have been getting vivid dreams. This dreams were mostly memories of Leonicia from the novel, in a chronological order.

I don't know the meanings of this dreams, but i am sure about one thing. That something important will happen by at the banquet celebrating my fifth birthday.

I still haven't met my Older brother Alexander, as he is still away from the Duchy. Elina told me that he will be attending my Birthday banquet, which will be held soon.

Everyone at the Duchy is busy preparing for my fifth birthday banquet. According to the traditions of Empearl, when a child born into nobility reaches the age of five. He or she is introduced to the aristocratic society in form of a birthday banquet.

Since , i am the daughter of a Duke. The banquet is considered to be an important event for the aristocrats to attend.

Finally the day arrived, when the birthday banquet will be held. Many important aristocrats and noblemen will attend it, not to forget those traitors of the Duchy.

Elina helped me dressed me up for the occasion. Even today, i get mesmerized by the beauty of this body i have reincarnated into.

"Young miss you look adorable!" said Elina

"Thank you Elina, u are pretty too". I replied back with a smile.

[ Elina is Leonicia's personal maid. A beautiful young lady, but only very few people knows that she is a talented assassin. The Duke assigned her as a secret bodyguard to keep her safe from danger. In last five years, Leonicia and Elina had became very close. She was like a big sister to her . As for Elina, she had sworn to protect the young princess with her own life. ]

"Princess, it's almost time for you to enter the banquet hall"

"It's okay if you are nervous my princess".

Elina said with a smile looking towards me.

"I am fine Elina. Let's go in". I replied back.

Elina signalled the Knights to open the gate to the Banquet hall and announce that the princess has arrived.

"The more cunning a man is, the less he suspects that he will be caught in a simple thing. I hope you are prepared for your downfall Duke of Kruiteze".

To be continued.....