This woman's father, the Duke of Aderthon, is known to be the best swordsman in the kingdom and, without a doubt, even in the whole continent of Soltera.

Duke Theofred Marvalov earned his duchy at the age of 25, when he, together with the then Crown Prince Hadrianus I, led the Rovian Army to victory against the Riverian Army. This was also the victory that convinced the late King Rodolfus III to immediately abdicate to his son.

During the war 50 years ago, not even five years after the victory against Riveria, the Duke went to war again and led the Solteran armies against the Varistan armies. He also represented Rovia in an armistice and eventually signed the treaty which followed on behalf of King Hadrianus I.

Much of the accomplishments of King Hadrianus I are thanks to the Duke and even the royal family acknowledges this up to this day. The people of Rovia have also named him a hero and the nobles never dare cross him. It is due to this prestige that the other members of the Marvalov family do not mess with him and just let him be, despite all of his attempts to thwart their scheming plans.

One may think that the Duke is some old fart with creaking and cracking joints but they're wrong. Despite his human age of 80, he actually retained the appearance of a man in his 30s.

In this world, there are sorcerers and alchemists. All living beings have mana reserves but only those born with magical affinity can tap on their mana reserves and harness magic. People with magical affinity can choose to learn how to use their abilities and become sorcerers. Whether they choose to become sorcerers or not, they live longer than most.

The Duke of Aderthon is one of those with magical affinity. Although he chose to not cultivate it and rely on his unparalleled swordsmanship, he still receives the life-prolonging effects of it. According to the description scattered in the novel, he looks so young and handsome that he may even pass as the Crown Princess’s older brother.

These days, the Duke of Aderthon spends most of his time managing his duchy and teaching the Crown Prince. He also offers advice to the King when needed. He meets every important person in the palace but never the Crown Princess so I don't understand why he's on his way right now to the palace to see the Crown Princess, not the King or even the Crown Prince.

I know that I should be eager to meet him even just to see how true the novel was regarding his appearance but I am so exhausted from meeting powerful men that I am so ready to let the opportunity pass. My life back in my world will go on whether I see him or not.

The carriage shakes as it moves across uneven ground. I clutch the envelope tighter in my hands, the message it burns in my head: Your Highness, I wish to inform you that my entourage nears the palace as I write this letter. I hope to meet you as soon as I arrive. I apologize for the short notice.

From an outsider's viewpoint, he may seem polite towards his one and only daughter but as a reader who followed his relationship with the Crown Princess, I notice the subtle expression of dominance. No matter how high the Crown Princess may climb the society, she will always remain the daughter he can choose to meet anytime he wants.

Krista's voice cuts through my thoughts as she says, “we’re almost there, Your Highness.”

Fortunately, nobody asked why I had to go out of the palace to meet my father although it was every bit suspicious. I just told them that the Duke said in his letter that I should come to him and everyone followed my instructions immediately. I asked for a carriage to take me there, with only Krista as my other companion. Lady Rowena had expressed her concern about my safety but I was able to assure her that my father would not let me be in danger.

By the time the Duke arrives at the palace and they figure out I lied, I'd be back in my world. Krista will be with me until the end so I know the Crown Princess will be fine. She said once that she's a good swimmer and I know she is.

I look at Krista and try to memorize her face. These past few days have been bearable because of her and I'm very grateful. I don't want to forget her. In my next life, I wish she'd be my younger sister.

Once she comes back home, she'll find a pouch in her pocket which I sneaked in there before we left the palace. I made sure to put things in there that are valuable yet unrecognizable, things I secretly bought when we sneaked out once, so she won't be framed as a thief if someone sees them. It's the only way I can think of to repay her, although I bought everything with the Crown Princess’s money.

Krista notices me watching her and asks if I need anything. Look at her worrying about me.

I smile and say, “you should leave the palace and live the life you want, Krista.”

“Your Highness?”

“You’re a pretty girl. You’re smart, bright, and capable. The palace is too small for someone like you.” I'm saying this because I want to at least save her. The novel did not treat the Crown Princess’s servants who sided with her well. Krista, after the Crown Princess’s death, was outcasted. She went to look for the Duke and cared for him until his death. Until the very end, Krista will take care of other people. She deserves more than that.

“Your Highness…”

I see confusion in her face but I continue, “say you’re not the Crown Princess’s attendant. What are you doing right now?”

She looks reluctant for a moment, until she answers, “I don't know, Your Highness. All I want is to serve you for as long as I live.”

“Serve this spoiled brat forever? Endure her tantrums and mean tongue? You've got to be kidding me!” The Crown Princess has done mean things even to her! Why is she this nice?

“That’s not true, Your Highness! Your Highness is very kind.”

I know I won't get a good answer like this so I change my question to, “then if I can go with you, where will we go?”

“With Your Highness?”

“Yes. Should we open a flower shop?” I offer.

“Well,” she seems to be deep in thought, then reluctantly she says, “I always wondered what opening a tailor shop would be like.”

“A tailor shop! Can you sew?” She can. She makes the dresses she wears and they’re all beautiful. I must say, I kind of guessed that would be her answer.

“A little, Your Highness.” So modest.

I smile as I try to bury a seed of hope, “then someday, sew this woman a dress.”

“A dress for Your Highness?”

“Yes. But you need to do it in your own shop. Only sew one when you open your shop. Don’t ever try it in your room back in the palace, okay?” I tell her, still with a smile on my face.

She looks embarrassed as she stammers “that’s not going to happen, Your Highness! I'm going to serve you forever!”

I laugh at her reaction and say, “who knows.”

The carriage suddenly halts and someone gives the carriage a knock, announcing that we have arrived. I let go of all feelings and emotions, the carefree atmosphere I donned earlier is now gone. I peer through the glass window of the carriage and there, not far from where we stopped, covering the huge expanse of space at the edge of what seems to be a village, I see a lake.

“We’re just outside the village, Your Highness. Please wait here while I check where the Duke’s entourage is resting.”

Krista is about to alight the carriage when I hold her arm. I tell her, “I will do it.”

“But Your Highness—”

“My father must have a reason why he asked to meet here, Krista. I need to go myself.” I say. I can't believe how good I've become at lying.

She says, “still, it's dangerous.”

“I’ll be fine, I promise. When I get back, let’s go to the market on our way home.” The lightness in my tone surprises me. Why am I so calm about this? When in just a few minutes I'll be drowning?

Krista gives up. She goes back to her seat, reaches towards me, and pulls my cape’s hood over my head. She says, “please excuse my rudeness.”

“Thank you.”

Deciding to hug her here will be so awkward and strange, I alight the carriage without saying more. I give the coachman a nod and start walking towards the village. I don't enter though, instead, I walk around the lake and to the other side, the carriage is still visible. I see Krista looking at me, watching me, and I know she's confused why I went here.

I'm sorry if you have to see me do this. For the heart attack I will give you, I sincerely apologize.

Terrenvern Lagoon is supposed to be the only lake not man-made in this area but it looks nothing special. I don't understand why they will leave it untouched, unlike the rest. The water is dark green, denoting it goes deep, and almost reaches the banks save the two to three feet space. Shrubs are growing along the edges, and lotus floating on the water. The gently blowing wind is the only disturbance to the surface. Birds are chirping in the distance and if you listen more attentively, you may hear voices of people carried by the wind from the village nearby.

I walk towards the edge of the lake, careful not to slip and fall ungracefully. I look down into the water and under her hood, the Crown Princess looks back at me with her bright blue eyes. I swear her reflection looks to be questioning me, “what the fuck are you doing?”

“Let’s go back to how things were, Your Highness.”

I lift my right feet over the water, brace myself and lean forward. I feel myself falling, gravity pulling me downwards into the water. I wait for the impact.

It never comes.

Suddenly, a force so strong pulls me back up. I hit something hard, like a wall, and when I open my eyes and look up, I am greeted by a towering black-haired man with bright blue eyes standing behind me. He's gripping my arms tightly on both sides, my back is pressed against his body. Fury is evident in his handsome and youthful face.

He roars angrily, “what in God's name are you doing, Nelfera?!”

“Father,” I say before I can even think of it.

This man is the Duke of Aderthon and it doesn't make sense that I recognize him with absoluteness and familiarity.

Suddenly my head starts to ache, a throbbing, pulsing sensation spreading from the center of my head all the way to my eyes. I'm remembering things that I shouldn't, feeling emotions that I don't understand, and recognizing faces that I know I've never seen before.

Images flash before me, memories that aren't mine and yet are so familiar. I'm a little girl, looking up at a young man whose eyes are as blue as the summer skies and hair as dark as the night. I reach out my small hands to him and for a while, he just looks at me. Then, his face twists into something I am to see for the rest of my life: Anger. Disgust.

It rings loud and clear: These are this woman's memories.

Desperate to get the rushing memories out of my head, I shake free from the man's hold. I sway as I try to keep my balance. I turn away and close my eyes, my hand pressed on my forehead. The pain is gradually increasing and it takes me my everything not to crumple where I stand.

I hear the Duke say icily, “have you lost your mind? That was dangerous!”

Before I can even think of what to say, I blurt out, "you do care about this woman."

“What?”

I don't understand why I feel so frustrated, angry even, but I force myself to look straight into his eyes despite the pain in my head. Slowly, I say, “your daughter has always been waiting for you. You should show her how you really feel. Don't wait until it's too late.”

I don't wait until he snaps out of the confusion my words just gave him. I hurriedly take a few steps back until there's just an empty space beneath my foot.

I let myself fall into the water.