Maria had always been a quiet girl, often lost in the shadows of her father's authoritative presence. But that night, something within her had ignited—a flicker of rebellion against the darkness surrounding her, particularly the grief of the innocent soul connected to her , although she died the pervious night, her mind keeps flashing back to Maria's mind slowly, the previous Maria, who had been unjustly punished and now lay ensnared in pain.
"I will punish them for you" she whispered.
As she descended the stairs, her footsteps echoed like thunder through the quiet house, resonating with her growing determination. Her father's booming voice rose up against her, "Maria, so now you have lost respect for elders?"
Maria's heart raced, not out of fear, but out of a daring defiance that surprised even her. With each step, she felt the weight of both grief and righteousness.
As She focused on Jennie, who sat trembling on the chair, tears spilling down her cheeks. Calmly, Maria laid her hand on Jennie's shoulder, pressing an acupuncture point that sent a sharp pain through Jennie's body that she gasped, "Aah!... that hurts, what have you done to me?"
With an irritated swipe, Jennie knocked Maria's hand away, but Maria merely smiled, a serene expression that belied the tempest raging within her. Her brother and fiancé rushed to attend to Jennie, panic lining their faces. "Are you okay? Should we take you to see a doctor?" they asked, their voices a cacophony of concern.
Amid the chaos, Maria's father, with a protective instinct, patted Jennie gently. "Dear, don't worry, I will get justice for you."
At those words, Maria burst into laughter, a sound that reverberated through the room like glass shattering. "Justice?! Did I hear you right? You will get justice for her? What about the life that was ended last night?"
The atmosphere grew heavy with disbelief as everyone processed the boldness of her words. But in reality she met their real daughter Maria who died in waters before she transmigrated into her lifeless body.
Anyway nobody knows about that.
Maria had always been the obedient , dump child, but glancing at how she stood tall, radiating a newfound maturity that all present sensed but could not yet understand.
Scarcely able to take the weight of the moment, Jennie's voice rose softly, as if to defuse tension. "Dad, please don't blame Maria. I was the one who slipped and fell down the stairs."
Maria's father enveloped Jennie in a warm hug, oblivious to the dynamics at play. "You're so sweet, always taking the blame for others' evil deeds," he cooed.
Yet, Maria couldn't hold back any longer. "Evil deeds, justice... But Dad, what if you find out that I'm innocent? How will you then enact justice for me?" The room fell into stunned silence once more. Facing her father's fury head-on, she steeled herself against the familial ties that were slipping away with each accusation.
"You rebellious child," her father snarled, his face a mask of anger. "I will show you that I am still your father." He summoned a maid, who soon brought forth a polished black box, laying it before Maria's feet. From it, he retrieved a long, glistening whip, its very presence heavy with historical menace.
"Now kneel down or else," he commanded, eyebrows furrowing menacingly.
Maria's heart raced, but she could not let fear dictate her actions any longer. "Or else what? You'll whip me like you did last time?" She could still remember the welts that had marred the former Maria's skin, the feeling of betrayal snaking through her , when Jennie accused her for stealing other people's properties . "Go ahead. I hope you enjoy it," she uttered, her voice tinged with a mocking calm.
Just as Maria knelt, a whisper echoed in her mind, a primal instinct rising within her: "Maria the lioness won't kneel for others, not in any timeline" She rose abruptly, standing with a fierce glare.
"How dare you!"
Before her father could unleash his fury, the door slammed open. The room filled with a radiant presence—a stunning young man strode in, golden hair catching the light. His voice was tempered with charm. "I guess I come at a wrong time?"
The crowd froze. Mr. Princz, the scion of one of the wealthiest families in town, stood at the threshold with an intrigued smile.
"M—Mr. Princz!" Maria's brother sputtered, astonished.
As the young man stepped further into the room, all eyes turned, momentarily diverting attention from the escalating turmoil. Maria sensed an unusual kind of energy surrounding him. He looked past her father, then back to her, a serene curiosity piqued.
"Perhaps we can settle this without anger," Mr. Princz said smoothly, his voice a balm to raw emotions. The unresolved grief of the previous night was still heavy in the air, yet something about his presence hinted at the potential for transformation.
With a guest like mark even Maria's dad wouldn't dare to continue whipping Maria , but their eyes widen with suprise when mark princz calmly said to them.
"Am here for Maria." The house brok in much silence as if they were all mutes , as they wandered how Maria who had spent all her life at home get to meet s rich guy like princz from.
M_mr princz, why ...do you want Maria? Maria's brother asked , his words trimbled like a kid speaking.
"Why l need her is non of your business."