Chapter 2

‘You have something you must…… achieve.’

I didn’t know who it was, but I knew the answer.

‘Yes, there is something I must fulfill, something I must do!’

I was desperate, so I could ask for it without knowing who it was.

‘Give me a chance, give me one more chance, and this time I’ll watch everyone.’

Could this voice be a goddess? Had my prayers been answered?

‘If so… again…, …, …’

The floating voice rang loudly in my ears and drifted off into the distance. I reached out to grasp it, but there was nothing to hold. I felt everything slip through my fingers like I had fallen into the ocean’s depths.

I struggled with all my might. I knew it couldn’t end like this.

“……Laila! Laila!”

Someone called my name loudly. It was a very familiar, warm voice. I eagerly stretched out my arms and hugged the voice’s owner.

What was this vision? Was this a gift from my deathbed?

“Laila, sweetheart, are you okay?”

A nostalgic smell wafted to my nostrils. This voice, this smell, belonged to none other than my mother. My mother, who couldn’t even see me off to be taken away as a slave…….

Even if it was a dream, it was good, a last hopeful torture before going to hell.

“Mother, Mother…….”

I called out to her, whimpering like a child. She didn’t scold me, just hugged me.

“Laila, did you have a bad dream? How bad could it be, my sweet daughter?”

“It was a terrible dream, a lot of bad dreams.“

My mother patted my back, soothing me. It was a sweet, warm touch.

It wasn’t long before my father burst into the room.

“Laila, what’s wrong? Why didn’t you come down for breakfast…….“

“What’s everyone doing here?”

“Is your sister sick?”

Louise, the oldest, and Adam, the youngest. They all gathered in my room, their faces full of concern and nostalgia. I wanted to see them so badly.

I ran to them and wrapped my arms around them. I hugged my younger siblings as hard as possible, even though they were too big to fit in my arms.

My family was taken aback by my sudden behavior, but they soon laughed out loud and comforted me.

“Your sister must have had one hell of a nightmare.“

“I guess so. Here, let me hold my daughter.”

He pulled me into a tight hug. I’ve heard that his neck must have been stuck to the city wall, and everyone’s fingers pointed at him.

But not now. My father’s neck rested nicely on my shoulder, and I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with joy.

I burst into tears, even though I knew it must look strange.

I asked my father, who searched my face with concern.

“This can’t be a dream, can it? I’ve been having a nightmare all this time?“

“Of course. Of course.”

I laughed as I wiped my tears away.

“Come on, let’s wipe you up and join us for breakfast.”

I nodded at my father’s words. My family left my room, each one hugging or comforting me.

Yes, the whole thing had been a terrible nightmare. I thought that nothing had happened at all. No, that’s what I decided to think.

Cringe.

Blood trickled out of my mouth. It was a small amount, but it was definitely blood.

I wiped the pale pool of blood on my palm with my other hand and thought to myself.

This had definitely happened in my nightmares. I’d been to the doctor, only to be told it was just a cut in my mouth or throat. But at the end of the nightmare, I was dying, coughing up tons of blood.

Maybe this time, too.

I flopped helplessly on the bed.

I had traveled back in time.

How did I get back?

I replayed my last moments.

I had been kneeling before the statue for hours before Grand Duke Dukezan came to my aid. Had my blood and tears reached the goddess?

“Lady, are you still here?”

Anna, the maid, urged gently as she stood before the mirror and peered at me.

The face of my nightmare, a face so much older and more vibrant than my former self, stared back at me.

My hair, which had become increasingly gray, was lustfully curly and shining with gold, and my body, which had been so intensely engrossed in swordplay, was toned and smooth.

I stood still with my hand on the mirror and turned around. It doesn’t matter what your face looks like. What matters is protecting your family.

As I descended the stairs to the dining room, I saw my family gathered around the table. They greeted me with even more enthusiasm than usual, likely because they knew I had been crying earlier.

We began our breakfast in the warm embrace of my family’s concern.

Unlike most noble families, the Winsley family’s meals were lively, filled with chatter and laughter.

My mother was elegant yet witty, and my father was dignified but had a gentle smile. It was only natural that my siblings and I, born from such a loving couple, cared deeply for one another. Louise and Adam were always close to me, and I cherished them deeply.

Amid this cheerful meal, my father cleared his throat twice and started to speak, looking somewhat bashful.

“Laila, the Marquis Amber has expressed a desire to hasten the wedding.”

My mother covered her mouth and laughed, playfully nudging my father.

“Why are you the one getting embarrassed about Laila’s marriage?“

“But dear, sending our daughter to marry is quite a task.”

Laughter erupted around the table again. Louise lifted his wine glass with a bright smile.

“I met Marquis Amber recently. He’s not as handsome as I am, but he’s quite good-looking and has good manners.”

Even my youngest brother, Adam, chimed in.

“And he clearly likes our sister a lot. I think that’s the best part.”

Everyone seemed to agree, nodding and raising their wine glasses to toast. But I did not lift my glass.

Kazak Amber. Just thinking about that name made my blood boil.

While my family was dying, he didn’t even glance at them. He didn’t show me a shred of sympathy. The thought of sharing a bed with him again was unbearable.

“I don’t want to marry Marquis Amber. I want to break off the engagement, Father.”

It was akin to dropping a bombshell. Before the marriage, Kazak had captured the hearts of many noble ladies with his handsome face and smooth manners.

When he proposed, I remember the envious and admiring glances from other young noblewomen. I was thrilled and excited back then, but now, all I felt was rage.

My family exchanged puzzled glances. My father was the first to speak.

“Did Marquis Amber offend you in some way?”

The Winsley family, except my mother, were all knights. We all had strong wills. Once we gave our hearts to someone, there was no turning back.

This also applied to me. In my previous life, I had intended to give everything to Kazak. It must have been bewildering to them that I had suddenly changed my mind so drastically.

“Did the Marquis make you feel slighted?”

My mother asked, her voice full of concern.

“Was he treating you differently behind our backs?”

Adam, clearly upset, asked. I shook my head in response to all their questions.

“No, he was polite to me as well.“

“Then why?!”

Everyone leaned in and asked loudly, their concern bringing tears to my eyes. I straightened my back, trying to hold back my emotions.

“I want to marry Grand Duke Dukezan.”

In the chaos that followed my declaration, I remained calm. I wiped my mouth with a napkin and raised my head to see my family’s shocked expressions.

“He is not an option! I absolutely oppose this marriage!”

My father’s reaction was expected but strong. His usually gentle face twisted in distress, and he looked like he was about to leap out of his seat to stop me.

“Laila, why would you want to marry such a man?”

I anticipated my mother’s tears.

“Sister! No! If you don’t want to marry Marquis Amber, we’ll find someone else!”

Louis and Adam shouted, clearly upset.

I had expected their opposition.

It made sense. Grand Duke Dukezan was known as a monster.

The rumors about him were countless. They said his entire body was covered in stone, his teeth were sharp like wolves’, and he didn’t eat cooked meat. Some even said he ate humans.

They said he lived in the North to avoid the heat and to hide from people because of his stony body.

Reflecting on these rumors, I thought,

‘If those rumors were about me, I wouldn’t want to come out either.’

I took a deep breath and tightly gripped the hem of my skirt. I had to convince my family. They prioritized my happiness, so breaking off the engagement with Kazak wouldn’t be difficult.

But marrying Grand Duke Dukezan would require much more effort.

“It’s for the sake of our family. The Grand Duke is wealthy and powerful. I want to help our family by marrying him.”

While my father was too shocked to speak, my mother, Louis, and Adam all shouted in unison.

“Dear, please don’t say such things. You’ll give me a heart attack.“

“Yes, sister! That man eats people!“

“We can live well without you marrying such a monster!”

Their voices, almost wailing, made me close my eyes tightly. I wanted to stand up and shout.

‘No! Our family will be ruined! We’re destined for destruction! I’ve seen it in the future!’

But I couldn’t say that. As I pondered how to convince them, my father cleared his throat loudly.

“Laila, let’s have a word in private.”