For some reason, the Witch expected herself to be blessed by the Goddess and be the world’s protagonist. To be loved by everyone in this world and live a happy life despite being a stranger from another world.
But the reality was that she didn’t receive anything, and apparently, the Goddess claimed that she had nothing to do with her transmigration at all.
This enraged the Witch, and caused her to sign a contract with the demons. A dark power, which this world wasn’t very familiar with due to the influence of the Goddess. Since then, she had been plotting to take vengeance on the Goddess, not caring about what she had to do in order to achieve this goal.
I went to the Imperial Library, hoping to find some books to read about demons and curses. The enemy knows so much about us, but we hardly know anything about her at all. But I just plainly walked and in just a few minutes, I’m already gasping for breath.
I held onto the shelves to maintain balance and try to shake off the dizziness I’m feeling, when I accidentally bumped into someone.
“Ack!”
I stumbled and almost fell, but the person I bumped into grabbed my arm and pulled me up, preventing me from falling and helping me regain my balance.
As for who it was, well…
Once my blurry vision cleared somewhat, I was able to make out the face of the person I bumped into, which is also the face of the person I really did not want to see.
White hair and golden eyes, a strong physique, and an aura that matches that of a majestic lion, Leonard, the Holy Empire’s First Imperial Prince, stood looming before me.
“What are you doing here alone when you can’t even walk properly?”
He asked but I remained silent.
Louis, you were right again, I’m sorry.
I should’ve listened to you.
I’m scared.
I clenched my trembling hands and looked up at him, squarely in the eye, I spoke.
“What are you doing here?”
“This is my home.”
I glared at him, while he broke out in laughter.
“You’re very cute, Cena.”
“Don’t touch me!”
He reached out to pinch my cheeks but I slapped his hand away and shouted. My intense reaction caused me to lose my barely regained balance.
“Ah-!”
Like before, Leo tried to catch me, but again, I slapped his hand away and let myself fall into the floor instead. It was a painful fall since I used all my strength to get away from him, but I didn’t care.
“I said don’t touch me!!”
It was only for a moment but his eyes grew cold. He didn’t say anything. But that look made a fear that lay dormant within me to rise again. But I didn’t let that fear consume me, instead I glared at him.
I just barely escaped last time, I will not let this man get a hold of my life again!
I swore to myself as I bit my lips.
The First Imperial Prince only sighed. Then, he threw the book in his hand that I didn’t notice he was holding in front of me.
“This is what you’re looking for, no? This is the only book that contains the information that you want.”
“I don’t need your help.” I growled. But he only shrugged his shoulders.
“I just finished reading it when you bumped into me. Since I know that it’s this that you’re looking for, I am merely giving it to you, so that you can quickly go away and not disturb me any further. If you don’t want it, then don’t read it. It’s not my problem.”
He said, in a tone that infuriated me.
“Well then, Princess, I shall get going.”
The First Imperial Prince walked away without looking back. I waited for him to vanish from my sight completely, and the sounds of his footsteps to disappear before sighing.
I miss Louis.
I didn’t have strength in my legs to stand, nor did I have the energy too. As it was, it took all it had from me to prevent myself from passing out.
My breathing was still erratic and I had a pounding headache. My vision was really blurry and my hands wouldn’t stop trembling. And the bruises I got from falling hurt.
I really overestimated myself.
I laughed to myself in ridicule. If only I had listened to Louis, none of this would’ve happened. I tried my best to be strong but in reality, I was still a weak girl. I was so pathetic. All I wanted right now was for my brother to come and save me.
I thought redoing our life would allow me to be stronger, but I hadn’t changed at all.
“Cena!”
Huffing, Louis called out to me.
I hated it, but I felt relieved.
It’s like the light had finally dawned on me after a long night. Louis had come to save me, just as I wished he would. I was relieved and felt bitter at the same time. It wasn’t a very nice feeling.
“Are you okay?”
He asked, to which I smiled.
“How come you always come exactly when I need you?”
Louis didn’t answer and kept silent as he only stared at me. I tilted my head and laughed.
“Is something the matter?”
Again, he didn’t answer. I felt my heart drop, but I kept my smile and asked again.
“Louis?”
“I’m sorry.” He finally said.
“About what? It’s my fault for being so stubborn so you shouldn’t apologize. I know, I know, I should’ve listened to you.”
I said but Louis shook his head.
“No, not that. But you’re right. You really are the one at fault this time. You always land yourself into trouble everytime I lose sight of you even for just a moment, you dummy. You keep rushing and pushing yourself more than what you can handle. I know we’re pressed for time, but there’s really no need for you to be so cruel to yourself. You’re such a fool.”
I giggled at a familiar nagging.
“Yes, yes, you’re right.”
I reached my arms out towards him like a toddler begging to be carried. Louis only shook his head and smiled.
“Dad’s going to scold us later.”
Louis carried me on his back while I happily wrapped my arms around his shoulders, nuzzling my head with his as I made myself comfortable. I spoke.
“Say, Louis, want me to tell you a story?”
Without waiting for him to answer, I said.
“You know, once upon a time I got married…”
I was fourteen years old. I had just come of age when that happened.
It was a political marriage wherein the Imperial Palace wanted the House of Aleister to belong to them.
The Emperor at that time was only eighteen years old, and his position was unstable. Not to mention the tragedies that happened all over the Holy Empire after the Blessing died, they desperately needed the wealth, power, and influence that the House of Aleister possessed.
The solution they came up with was through marriage.
It was a big risk that they decided to take considering that I was widely referred to as the Curse at that time. Moreover, everyone was aware that I could never produce an heir for the crown.
Father was unhappy and strongly opposed it, of course.
But the decision ultimately lied to those involved.
“Why did you agree?”
“I had a good relationship with the First Imperial Prince at that time. He wasn’t a bad man. And he was the one who took care of me since you weren't around. To be honest, I did like him. But most of all…”
I didn’t want Aleister to end in my generation.
I had a weak body, which I wasn’t even sure when it would break down on me. I barely survived after Louis sacrificed himself to change my fate. Naturally, I couldn’t possibly give birth. We had no other relatives either. If I didn’t do anything, then I would become the last heir of the House of Aleister.
I didn’t want that.
I agreed to the marriage in the condition that the young and healthy Imperial Princess would be the one to inherit the Archduchy. The Imperial Family were our closest relatives, so I thought that they would be the only hope in keeping the name “Aleister” alive.
And so I married Leonard, who was the Emperor at that time.
“Fourteen is too young to marry…”
I laughed at my brother’s cute remark.
“Is it?”
“Yes. But anyways, how did it go?”
We arrived at our room so Louis laid me down on the bed, while he sat at the edge of it and started tending to my injuries.
“The ceremony was a disaster.”
We had just finished our vows and got pronounced as husband and wife. It was customary for the newlywed couple to end the ceremony with a kiss, but in our case, instead of a kiss, our marriage ended with devastating news.
Father had died. Esen, the House of Aleister’s most trusted servant, died too.
No one could’ve foreseen such an event happening.
I was the only one left in our family.
Things only went downhill from there.
Father was the sole remaining hope for the people at that time after Louis had died. Everyone despaired and their despair turned to wrath.
There wasn’t even a marriage night, people started quickly pointing their fingers at me. Saying that it was bad luck that I got married to the Emperor, and my Father’s death was a sign of the Goddess’s wrath for that decision.
I tried to defend myself, but no one listened, much less believe me. In that regard, Leo was the same.
He was so caught up in trying to fix the mess, desperate to save me from being ripped to shreds by the rageful people.
In the end, he locked me up in a tower where no one could reach me, and likewise, I couldn’t escape.
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