Chapter 8 (1/2)
Flash!
When the executioner lifted the ax high into the sky and its blade shone briefly, reflecting the sun, I saw him laughing at me.
As if he was so happy to get rid of me, he was laughing.
“Hahaha,” I feigned laughter.
In a lonely and empty world, he was once my only light and salvation. I thought he was the only reason for my life.
Even though he had never taken care of me, I tried to comfort myself, thinking that someday he would pay attention to me.
I was happy to think that I could be of some help to him even though I spent every day subbing for the clumsy empress who didn’t know anything about her work and role in the kingdom.
But obviously I was just a hindrance to him.
The moment the ax fell, I saw the empress covering her mouth and turning her head as if she didn’t have the nerve to see me, and the empress cautiously hugging her.
I flopped down.
My consciousness faded. A stream of tears flowed from my eyes.
If I could start all over again… I’ll never… love… you…
***
<You are the woman who will receive my attention, the one who pioneers your destiny.
The way you go is your destiny, and what you want is your way.
Your name means the one who pioneers destiny,
Aristia Pionia La Monique>
I opened my eyes. There was something blurry and out of focus in my eyes. I blinked my blurry eyes and slowly got up. As I opened the white curtains on my bed, I noticed a carpet embroidered with a silver shield and four spears. I also saw a full-length mirror whose edge was decorated with silver with the same emblem.
‘Why do I see the crest of my family here?’
I felt something strange, so I got out of bed and looked around. I approached the window and opened the white curtains. I stiffened when I looked at the scenery outside the window.
‘What happened? Why do I see my garden here? ‘
I stood in a daze for a while and then looked again at the room.
It was strange. I can’t believe this is my room. It’s the same room inside the mansion owned by the Monique family that I left shortly after my sixteenth birthday.
Tilting my head, I approached the silver mirror that was shining in the sunshine. My silvery hair was curled down to my back and my golden eyes looked back at me. Obviously, it was me. But why do I look so short? My eyes, facial expressions and body are slightly different from what I remember about myself in my memory. It looks like me in my childhood…
“Good morning, my lady. You got up early this morning.”
“Lina?”
I opened my eyes wide at the brown-haired girl coming in, wondering while looking in the mirror.
Why is Lina here? When I entered the palace, my parents married her off to a good man. This is very strange. Why does Lina also look so young?
“I know you find it difficult to get up early in the morning, but you woke up early today. You must be excited about the good news. ”
“Huh? What news? ”
“Oh my gosh! Don’t you know you have decided to take the courses for the role and duty of the empress, starting today. Three days later, you are supposed to go to see the emperor. ”
What the heck is this? Am I taking the empress course? To the best of my knowledge, I took it when I turned ten.
‘Very strange. Did I have a nightmare? I was definitely arrested and beheaded for treason… Wait a minute, daddy?’
“Lina, where is my father?”
“I guess he is on the training field. As you know, he is usually practicing around this time. ”
“Thanks!”
“Well, where are you going, my lady?”
I had to check. I thought I could be relieved after I checked with my own eyes that he was safe. I was not sure if what I experienced was a dream or reality, or if I’m dreaming now or not. All I wanted to do right now was go and see my father right away. As a nobleman’s daughter, I am not supposed to run no matter how busy, but I didn’t care about such manners now. I missed my father so much.
Ignoring Lina’s loud call, I grabbed the cumbersome hem of my dress and ran. I ran downstairs through the second floor corridor where my room was, to the entrance, past the beautifully decorated garden, and to the training field.