Scarlet wasn't sure when she remembered her past life; it came slowly, almost gradually. Little, unnoticeable moments that, in retrospect, were tells, little hints that something was different. Scarlet was able to speak from a young age, she was able to walk easily, and understood complex issues and problems. She was especially good at understanding military theories and history. More than once, her nannies had to hide books from her that contained stories of battles and military tactics.

Scarlet took great pride in her position as princess, she had a great sense of duty in her, and she wanted nothing more than to do her best for her people. It was unusual to see a child like her, so aware of her status, but those who knew her well admired her. She was obedient, smart, and a sweet child.

But when Scarlet was eight years old, one night she awoke in a cold sweat, and she was breathing heavily as she heard gunfire and cries for a medic echoing in her mind. She was no longer in her soft bed filled with plush blankets and pillows. She was on the ground in the sand and dirt as helicopters flew over her head. She was terrified and confused; what Scarlet thought was a rock had landed in front of her. Then it exploded, and her vision was filled with white light. All she could hear was her heavy breathing and a high-pitched ring. She came to in her bedroom with the startling realization that she had served in the military. A marine... The title rang clearly in her head. She had passed away in a place covered with sand. Unconsciously, Scarlet reached for her neck to feel for any dog tags, but she couldn't find any. She felt around her body, trying to find them. Her mind filled with panic from losing her tags, and she felt around her bed. Then she noticed the softness of her bed, pressing into a plush pillow, and was reminded... She was no longer a soldier. She was a princess, the kingdom's only princess, and the heir apparent. Her name was Scarlet VonRose. Scarlet felt a wave of emotion overwhelm her, her vision turned blurry, and a sorrowful wail ripped its way out of her lips. It pierced the peaceful silence and was followed by a rush of concerned servants to her side. "Princess?!" The maids cried, and they did their best to ask what was wrong or even to console her. But Scarlet was inconsolable; she couldn't begin to explain the sorrow she felt for the life she had previously. Names and faces she'd never see again; relationships lost for good; a home she'd never see again. She was nearly hysterical from the loss, and her father, the king, was at a loss for what to do. He did the only thing he could think of and held his daughter as she wept. "Oh my poor daughter, let it all out." Her father comforted her, however, his voice triggered something in Scarlet. ‘What a horrible child you are! It’s hard to believe you are my daughter.' Words echoed in her mind, it sounded prerecorded, almost unnatural. Scarlet jerked away from her father, startled at what she had heard. Her father reached for her, "Scarlet!" he exclaimed. Scarlet tumbled out of bed and hit the floor head-first.

"Scarlet? Scarlet!" Her father’s voice was the last thing she heard before everything went black. Suddenly, Scarlet was in a ballroom. The music abruptly stopped, and everyone stared at her. She heard a sob, and she looked over, seeing a young woman clutch her side.

She had dark hair and ruby-red eyes matching Scarlet’s. She was bleeding, and Scarlet’s eyes widened. "Why would you do this?!" She sobbed, Scarlet reached out to help, and she saw the dagger in her hands. She dropped it, startled, taking a step back.

She looked around, noticing the glares on everyone’s faces. Why was everyone upset? Why did she have a dagger? Did she stab that poor girl?! "Scarlet VonRose!" A man’s voice bellowed over the hushed whispers. Scarlet turned to see a man with aqua-colored hair dressed in blue. He glared at her. "You’ve gone too far this time!" He shouted.

"I…" Scarlet tried to reply, "I won’t hear any of your excuses! Arrest her for attempted murder!" The man shouted, and in short order, she was seized by knights, familiar faces were among them. The kingdom’s crest on their chest plates. Why were the kingdom’s knights arresting her?!

Scarlet heard a woman's voice say, "You’ve taken everything from me, and I gave it to you happily!" The voice screamed, "Now you want to be with some worthless bitch! I am the princess of this kingdom!" Scarlet then realized she had been the one to say it.

The man sneered at her, disgusted, as the mages rushed to the young woman’s side. "I have nothing more to say to the likes of you." He replied, Scarlet was dragged off, and everything went dark until she saw a shining blade... And then…

Scarlet awoke panting; once more, she clutched her neck, feeling her heart race. The mage who had been watching her let out a surprised cry. "The princess has awoken!" Scarlet barely had time to process the mage sprinting out the door to find her father or her father rushing in.

"Oh, Scarlet! My darling princess!" Redmond sobbed, going to hug Scarlet, but the man stopped short at the edge of her bed. The expression on his daughter’s face was one of pure hatred and betrayal. Redmond was frozen, and the man was completely stunned. Never would the king have expected that his previously gentle-natured daughter would look at him in such a way.

Scarlet breathed heavily; her head pulsed as her mind was flooded with information. A game… There was a game she played in her free time in the barracks. Colorful Lovers… It was a game about romance and adventure. The main character was none other than her half-sister Ruby Red.

Ruby was the daughter of Lady Lucinda Red, a well-known lady in waiting of Duchess Whyte. Her father had a brief but passionate affair with Lucinda, which resulted in Ruby. Cut scenes, plot points, and endings flooded her mind all at once. In her mind's eye, Scarlet watched herself fight against Ruby, only to lose every time and die every time.

This was too much... Too much at once, but what Scarlet managed to gather were a few key points. First, her father had lied to her, she was not the only heir to the throne. The throne wasn't even hers, despite the existence of a half-sister, the throne belonged to the man from her dreams. Teal Waters.

Teal was the son of Duke Waters; the Duke had helped her father usurp his brother from the throne. In turn, Teal's position as king was guaranteed. The only thing that needed to happen was for him to marry someone from the royal family. With Ruby's existence, it didn't have to be Scarlet.

Her blood boiled and she seethed, all her life she had been told one thing. The throne was hers; she was the only princess of the kingdom. She had a duty and a right to govern her people as she saw fit. Scarlet's dream had been to rule fairly and help her kingdom grow.

But her father had lied to her. A furious glare was sent Redmond's way, and the king took a step back, startled. Teal would be here soon... He'd be arriving at the castle to stay until he was of age. What Scarlet had seen was only one of the endings. There were dozens of possible endings, but all of them ended with her dying and the kingdom celebrating her death.

Scarlet was furious, and she was horrified. The familiar walls of the castle looked unfamiliar now; the silk bedding and clothes on her were uncomfortable, and she missed her uniform. She felt naked without her weapon and her dog tags.

She was also scared, Ruby, she was clever and could operate in high society as easily as breathing. Scarlet on the other hand, while good intentioned had more than once been scolded by her nannies for not following etiquette or speaking too plainly. She couldn’t compete with someone like Ruby, she’d die having to face her on the social battlefield. Honestly Scarlet would much rather die again on a real battlefield than suffer through a tea party or ball filled with social hierarchy and political neuance. Scarlet paused as that thought crossed her mind, her breathing stilled and the sense of panic she felt relaxed. The battlefield… That’s right she’d just go to the battlefield instead! Why should she bother with competing with Ruby for a man’s affections? If she wanted that damn throne she could have it. Scarlet could still have her dream of serving her country well. She’d become both the sword and shield of her kingdom. For Scarlet that would be enough.

“Scarlet?” Redmond shrank under her furious gaze, this was not the looks his daughter used to give him. The king was unsure what to do or what to say, Scarlet had been a reasonable child up until now. What could’ve possibly happened to cause this change? Scarlet let out a long breath calming herself, there was no use in getting angry. Right now, she had to prepare. War was not the same as her last life, even eight years into this life she knew this. She’d have to learn horse riding, magic, swordsmanship, and so much more. But she could do it, she knew she could. After all, She was a soldier in her last life... Why break with tradition? Then and there, Scarlet decided to become a solider in this one as well.