People might find it hard to acknowledge that I traversed back in time. No one will surmise that this failure will attain such sympathy. May it be pure luck or God’s will that I travel back to where everything, my misfortunes, started. I don’t know whether to be thankful for this second chance or be in misery because I could not change my fate.
I managed to go back in the past when the only thing I could do was bobbed my head and said yes.
That time, when I was about to be killed by the love of my life, Jaeda, I was ready to die by his hand. I was adamant about it. I was happy that the person who showed and showered me the kindness I had never felt before would be the one who’ll end my life. Though I was deeply in misery for the reason that he, who promised me his loyalty, abandoned me. I am a verdict but I am no criminal. Jaeda didn’t believe me and locked me up in the darkroom where people with great sin will forever be staying and would every night be haunted by nightmares. But Jaeda couldn’t wait for me to die in that room and decided to solely handle my demise on his own hand.
This vengeful lady was accused as the Duke’s killer. Though I am evil by nature, I couldn’t possibly kill the person who saved me from my trashy father. I was set up.
I am innocent but no one believed me. The fact that I am a verdict though I am innocent didn’t crush me, I was still in great grief when every person whom I thought would stay turned their back. I was abandoned. I have no one.
I was in a daze when I woke up again inside the palace after Jaeda executed me. The suffocating room, the despiteful and heinous gossip, and the ton of malicious ridicules. In that room where I couldn’t find any warmth, I saw a beautiful lady who once died because of her sickness. The dazzling smile that beams with happiness and warmth that I couldn’t witness in the years I spent in the darkroom, gleams in front of me. The day I traveled back, I found the person I wanted to protect. But in the end, this failure couldn’t protect the person she treasures most.
I have so much regret in my previous life and I still have so much regret in this life. The princess, who showed me kindness and love, was now slumbering peacefully and would never wake up to caress my cheek and tell me everything would be okay. She, who loved me, left me. Likewise, I am being abandoned.
Yet again, in this life, I still have no one.
“The Duke wouldn’t let you leave, Haleya. You’ll inherit the princess title. That is what Amber wanted,” Young master Arnold announced.
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking while he was saying that absurdity. The fact that I am adopted couldn’t be bothered even when I inherit the title. My blood is far beyond being royalty. Even though I spent the Duke’s fortune on luxuries to cover myself with jewelry and elegant clothes, I am still from a commoner’s blood.
“What Amber wanted contradicted the former Duke’s command and that is the absolute rule that this Dukedom possesses: a commoner should stay as a commoner until death. Amber’s wish is everybody’s dream come true. If you let a commoner sit at the royal perch, do you think aristocrats and the king would stay adamant at this hypocrisy?” I asked. “I am a very greedy person, Young Master. But I don’t yearn for what I can't have.”
That’s right. I am very greedy. This greediness inside me was the root of my misery. I caused my demise. I shouldn’t have crossed the boundary. Now that I was reincarnated, I’ll make sure to not make the same mistake again. I am a commoner and should live as one. A commoner shouldn’t be greedy or else will meet the misery no one could ever imagine. In this life, I’ll make sure I’ll die peacefully.
“You’re an odd person, Haleya.” The Young Master’s remark shocked me, but I choose to not let it shake my wavering faith.
“That’s what others declare. I guess I am a strange one,” I said indifferently. I again looked at Amber who was so beautiful wearing a white dress. If God does exist, I am sure that he’ll take care of Amber in bliss, after all, this dukedom believed that Amber is a child of God and was blessed by the Angels. I am grateful that Amber will find her happiness there.
Just a few moments later after the Young Master Arnold pressed his mouth to shut himself, a group of aristocrats came forward. Their faces are pessimistic like they are really grieving for the Princess’ demise.
If I were someone clueless, I would’ve believed their facade, but I know better than anyone. Some of these people plotted the Duke’s death and blamed me for it. Young Master Arnold, who never showed affection towards me, believed the lies that these Aristocats made. I, who was the victim, became the verdict for the crime I wasn’t even aware of.
“I send my heartfelt condolences, Young Master Arnold and Lady Haleya,” the old man with a white beard came and said. The Young Master just bobbed his head and I ignored him. Baron Cohen is the king of greediness who first persuades the other aristocrats to rebel against the dukedom when the Duke falls ill. I may be greedy but I can’t be compared to the Baron.
When the Young Master sensed that my indifference didn’t falter in front of the Baron, Arnold bowed his head and apologized in my stead. “I deeply apologize for the Lady’s attitude. She was deeply in sorrow for the Princess’ death. I hope this didn’t offend you, Baron Cohen.”
“Of course! I know that the Ladyship is the closest to the Princess. I hope that my sincerity reached the Princess’s family,” the Baron said.