"You should stay alive and live freely…"
"Mother, I'm scared."
"Only time can tell. When it comes you won't be scared anymore…"
I can't breathe. It's really hard to breathe. I feel like drowning and my body is falling but then all I can hear is the loud sound of a clock. It sounds like it's getting closer to my ears.
"Valeraine, are you even listening?" a woman in infront of me said. She is wearing a bright blue long gown with sparkling jewels.
Where am I? I'm not dead yet?
"Studying means nothing, Valeraine. Women like us should only know how to serve our husband. Your living purpose is to find a respectable husband and serve him with your life." she added.
Before I could even speak, she walked out of the room leaving me so confused. Then I saw a lot of books on the floor. "Where am I?"
The room is dark but I can see that it is somehow extravagant. It is bloody red and it has a beautiful bed similar to a princess bed. Whose room is this? Why am I here?
A few steps more I scream in horror. This isn't me!
"Lady Valeraine?" a young woman entered my room. She's wearing a maid dress and runs directly toward me. "What happened to Milady?"
"M-mi lady?" What did she say? "W-what did you call me?" Even my voice is different!
"Lady Valeraine..?" her face looks as confused as mine. I don't have any idea what is happening right now. My hair color is cream blonde paired with green eyes and very white skin toned. I have a very light body which is why I can breathe fine. My dress looks expensive and so does the jewelry I am wearing.
What is happening?
"Did Duchess Herona scold you again?" she said then picked up the books on the floor. "I'm sorry for not hiding them where your mother can't see them, milady. "
Mother? Is Duchess Herona my mother? "W-what did you say? Duchess Herona? Duchess Herona Thornfield?"
"Y-yes milady. Duchess Herona Thornfield is your mother and Duke Mandel Thornfield is your father. " she answered, she walked toward me. "Are you okay Lady Valeriane?"
I turn around and look at myself in the mirror again. Duke Mandel Thornfield is a known Duke in Westeria Empire. How come I'm her daughter? How come I become the duke's daughter?
Is this my second life? Or am I reborn?
"WHAT?!"
______________
I don't know what to do, what if I am really reborn? Did God hear my wish before I died in that execution?
I am so happy, I want to scream!
I am reborn as a Duke's daughter meaning I don't have to work anymore just to live. This is so fun! I rolled over to my bed and kept shouting as I put a pillow in my face. My bed smells like new with a hint of lavender scent. Only the royal family can use this to wash fabrics. This is life!
But wait, judging from what Duchess Herona said earlier, looks like I am a kind of a rebel daughter. According to my father before, a royal family daughter can only prepare themselves to get a husband and when they get one, they only need to assist them. That's why what Duchess Herona said earlier is actually true.
I get up and walk to check the date today. 14th of August, year 2022. My execution date is 14th of August 2024. If Duchess Herona existed in my first life as Ayaka, then everyone I know before exists in this time too. But I never knew that Duke Mandel had a daughter. From my academy they said that Duchess Herona can't bear a child because of what happened in her teenage years. Do I exist in this life too? This is giving me a headache.
But aside from my headache, I think being reborn into a royal family is a good gift to me. Maybe God saw my hardships and gave me this life so I can live freely, live as I want to be. Living as Ayaka is quite painful. My mother Ayano and my father Noctis Bharain are the owners of Ayaka Company. They are merchants that sail ships around the world. But father died while he's still in Japan. Mother can't take the sadness of losing father and chose to follow him leaving me alone in our residence. After that I lived alone for almost twenty two years with no one to rely on, just myself. Maybe that's the reason Lord Bastian used me to do their evil plan because no one is protecting me. No one will look for me once I'm gone.
I am nobody as Ayaka, but I'm no longer Ayaka anymore. I am Valeriane Thornfield, a daughter of the Duke. I'm no longer alone, I'm no longer sleeping in a maid quarters. I'm no longer struggling to fight for my life. As Valeraine I will try to survive this life, live longer and freely.
"Hug this new life, Ayaka." I whispered to myself before I closed my eyes, falling into the realm of dreams.