At that, my last breath drew and the air around me turned black. I have met my end, I thought, before a hand reached out to me and grabbed me by the wrist...
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CHAPTER 2
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That hand was rather cold but strong enough to effortlessly pull me up to my feet, standing in a dark space of black air. Everything felt fine again in the silence, my wound was gone and there was no blood either- it was as if my death by the demands of my fiance never happened.
But then a voice spoke and my mind got bombarded with images of large, snow-white feathers and golden scales being weighed down as if it was happening before my eyes like rapid snapshots.
"You stand before the goddess of mercy," a great voice announced.
It all happened so fast like in Alice in Wonderland like I was falling into an endless pit of darkness where things came up in my mind that I couldn't comprehend. I saw an image of a giant goddess sitting on a golden throne as the wings glowed gloriously just like the white feathers from the snapshots.
"You are here because, despite the immense betrayal you have endured and being involved with the culprit, it has come to another thousand years where I, the goddess of Mercy, save a soul who's been destroyed by the doings of those who hold the grimoire of Callisto."
I kept falling and falling, seeing feathers, seeing golden scales.
"It's not just your life that's been taken, but a million others as well. Hereby, I'll grant you a second chance at life if you ever so accept it."
A second chance, my heart ached at the goddess's words.
"However, there will be conditions to this granting of life, you will become the keeper of the grimoire of Callisto, you'll keep it safe and by no means try to use it for your gain or revenge. You'll be good and keep the lives of those killed in this lifetime safe. Do you accept it?"
I started falling slower and the objects I saw slowly began to disappear as tears pricked the corners of my eyes.
"Yes," I claimed," I will make sure that the people of Querencia won't meet the same fatal doom again, I promise."
"Good, if you keep to these conditions, I'll see you in the next lifetime."
The leftover images started to rewind as I was going up and from pitch-black air, came light so pure it blinded me.
In the next lifetime, I won't be the princess I used to be. In the next lifetime, I won't get betrayed and if I play my cards right I'll make sure of it that history won't repeat itself while I plan to make my escape with the grimoire book in hand.
I'll be villainous and keep myself cast out of society, no one will ever have to know what happened or about the grimoire. And no one will ever expect me to be Queen again.
That was decided, a new goal for my new life.
This time I'll be free...
I opened my eyes and I was in my old bed chambers again at the Oneirataxia Imperial palace. It was like I just woke up from an overly long dream or nightmare and I woke up by knocking coming from the door.
Has time rewind itself to my old life?
Will things be the same as they were in the previous life?
"Princess Nehemiah, are you awake yet?"
"I am now, Clara, you can come in!"
I threw the soft pink and floral duvet off from myself and climbed out of my bed.
Hmm, this bed and room decor was the same as it was 10 years ago.
The door swung open and in came my governess, Clara Sage, as my feet felt the familiar texture of the dark wood floor.
"I was worried for a second your highness, you didn't answer at first."
My eyes barely peered to the dim morning sunlight screening through the window and curtains, when I felt Clara's soft hand pressed against my forehead.
"Seems like your fever is gone, my little lady," she smiled sweetly, glancing at me with her warm brown eyes.
Little lady?
I walked to the mirror across my bed, a rose in my reflection, my heart pounding in my chest.
"I'm eleven again! I'm... A child!"
"Perhaps you're still delirious from the fever, your highness."
I kept staring at my reflection and back at her. 'So I'm reliving my life again, as it was, except that it can't be the same for long,' I kept myself thinking.
The hurt, the betrayal and the disapproval of never being enough no matter how much I tried--I wouldn't allow it to happen again. Hell is other people and if I have to be distant from them to live the life I've always wanted, then I'll do so.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Clara kneeled before me with great concern directed at the way I bit down on my lip, trying not to cry the tears pricking my eyes.
"I'm fine!" I wiped away the tears and Clara hesitated in silence before nodding her head and standing up.
"Alright my lady, if that is so, I suppose we should get you dressed up now," she said, "You have someone visiting you today. Perhaps a new friend will make you happier," She leaned closer to me and winked, taking my hand to lead me to the dressing room as we walked down the halls.
"A visitor? Who could that be?" I asked.
"Why, my lady," Clara smiled, "It's the sons of one of the highest-status marquesses."
My heart stopped, eyes widened as I looked up to her.
"I heard young Ruthven Fortis is especially a dashing young boy, him and his brothers all, I believe you would make great friends."