The Mage/Witch Regrets

Valleria's POV The first day of winter arrived with a strong rush of wind that swept through my room, jolting me awake. I tossed off my thick dark blanket and leapt out of bed, curiosity getting the better of me. As I glanced at the clock, a broad grin spread across my face, and I couldn't help but beam with excitement. "Cynthia!" I shouted excitedly and my butler rushed inside my room. "The long wait is over, Cynthia" I laughed. "Happy birthday, my lady" she greeted happily right after she closed the door behind her. Cynthia is in her early 30's, with dark hair that neatly pulled back into a sleek bun. "Did you already send the letters?" "All the kingdoms received it already, my lady. They're on their way here." She announced. "The palace is so busy right now preparing for your 18th birthday, it is time for you to get ready as well." I got up and headed straight to my bathroom, with Cynthia and the other five servants trailing behind to help me get ready. I shed my nightgown and slipped into the spacious bathtub, feeling a thrill of anticipation. I'd been waiting for this day for what felt like forever, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud with excitement. Finally, I can get out and explore. There are so many places I want to visit and see. I am an Arcana Mage in my past life. Upon awakening after centuries of my death, I found myself enveloped in an aura of dark magic that surrounded the whole continent. Confused and disoriented, I realized I was inhabiting a child's body, with no recollection of how I ended up there. A vivid memory suddenly surfaced – a girl with raven-black hair and crimson eyes, carrying and hugging me, looking incredibly happy and relieved, with tears in her eyes. I had no clue where I was, what family I was with, or what lay ahead. All I knew was... I had been reborn. The most funny part is that it turns out that I was reborn in the kingdom I hated the most in the past. It is the very kingdom who help me dig my grave. I am aware that this universe hated me for some reason, but I didn't expected that it is to this extent. I was lost in my imagination and didn't notice how many hours had passed. I glanced in the mirror and saw that my black hair was already styled – my bangs looked a bit straighter than usual today, with soft, flowing waves, and a black rose adorned my ear. My gown was a vibrant red with sapphires sparkling throughout the fabric, and the off-the-shoulder design showcased my neckline and cleavage. The blood-red dress made my skin look even paler. "My lady, are you sure it is the dress you chose?" She asked in disbelief. "How dare the head tailor made such a bold dress like this" "Relax Cynthia. This is the design I instructed." I calmly replied. I expected this kind of reaction from her, she's a very modest lady after all. "Enjoy your day, Val." Cynthia sighed and kissed me goodbye. I hurriedly get out of my room and headed straight to where my guest are. While I'm walking down the hall, I can already visualize the hall ground full with different faces with their laughter blending with the melody, colorful dresses, busy musicians, delicious foods, and people dancing. I can imagine how the palace party hall shimmered with elegance and how the marble floors gleamed beneath the crystal chandeliers. But after I arrived at the grand staircase curved. I saw an almost empty room below. There are only a few familiar guests in formal attire mingled in the corner, whispering silently with each other. The grand ballroom stood silent, its chandeliers casting a frosty glow. Empty champagne flutes lined the tables, and many different kind of foods that are untouched and forgotten. The band's instruments lay untouched and a single chair sat out of place on the dance floor, as if its occupant had vanished. This wasn’t what I expected. I stood frozen, unsure of the feeling building in my chest—was it sadness, loneliness, disappointment? Maybe it was all of them at once. "My lady!" Cynthia rushed at me. She's chasing her breath. She looks so terrified. "Hey, why making that face, did someone died?" I raised my left eyebrows. "Valleria!" It's my older brother this time, coming towards me from the open entrance. "What have you done?!" He shouted furiously. "Hey, I didn't kill somebody." I act defensive. "Valleria!!" A deep voice echoed. I gasped when I saw the King, my father, climbing the stairs so fast together with the Queen. I genuinely don't know what I did this time that made their blood boil again. But the way they act, they're scaring me. I hide as fast as I can at the back of Cynthia. My legs are shaking under my dress. I just realized that I developed trauma with this kind of scenarios since I am a kid in my past life. When everyone's chasing me as if I commit a grave sin as killing somebody. As the king reached us, Cynthia immediately kneeled. Her face is facing the floor and her right hand on her chest. "Your Highness, on my knees, I beg your forgiveness." Though her voice was firm, her trembling hands betrayed her fear. "I failed in my duty and I didn’t verify the letters Her Majesty sent, assuming they were invitations. My failure is inexcusable. Please punish me fully, but show mercy to the princess, Your Highness—I implore you." Now I understand what's the origin to all of this drama. It's because of the marriage proposal letter that I sent to the remaining three kingdoms. The king's sharp gaze is focused on me. "What are you thinking Valleria?" He started. "I'm starting to get worried because there's no guests that are coming. But it turned out that it is all your doings... AGAIN!" He shouted. I feel like my eardrums are going to explode. "I don't quite understand why you're so upset, Your Highness." I calmly speak. "I'm in a right age to get married, I don't see anything wrong about the marriage proposal letters I have sent. I know your point is to stay modest and stuff, BUT YOUR LITTLE PRINCESS HERE IS SO DESPERATE TO GET OUTSIDE THE WALLS" “But who in their right mind would send a marriage proposal to the Northern Kingdoms?!” my older brother shouted, voice cracking with anger. “For a hundred years they’ve lived like animals—hunted by monsters, swallowed by cursed woods, drenched in blood just to see another day! You think they’re like us? They’re not! They’ve become something terrifying! And now you want to bind us to them by marriage?” "Oh Valld, I am not aware that you cared for me so much." I teased. "Don't worry older brother, if those bastard northernians comes here, I won't let them bite you. I promise." I saw how his faced turned so red in anger. "Well, as for you to know, they're already in our front yard, blocking the gate!" The queen yelled. "And they're scaring all of our guest!" My eyes widened. I cannot hide my smile, the sadness in my chest earlier just vanished into the thin air, I cannot contain this so much happiness. "Why are you smiling like crazy? Can't you hear me? THE NORTHERNIANS ARE HERE!" Yes, that's the best news I have heard my entire life. Finally, I can now repay the debt I have a hundred years ago. When the time that my fellow mages closely met our ends, the northernians are the only kingdom that help us fight the witches, they also sacrificed so much, and unfortunately even died with us. I cannot just sit peacefully anymore, doing nothing when it's their turn that needed "our" help. "Your Highness, I will now excuse myself" I bowed infront of the king before I exit myself. "I will now prepare a room for my husband. Don't worry anymore now, Father, I will take care of this myself" The king said nothing, but his clenched fists, gritted teeth, and throbbing veins said it all. I knew he wanted to drive them out, but with the Northern Prince here in person, all he could do was pray this supposed joyous day wouldn’t end in bloodshed. "Cynthia, guide my soon to be husband and his guards to my room, tell him I'm waiting for him there." I walked straight to my room and sit patiently to my favorite dark red sofa. After a few minutes of waiting, the door creaked open, and a man with broad shoulders and a strong build came in. His hair is dark and messy, often falling across his forehead. His eyes are as deep as the ocean, piercing blue that seem to see all types of darkness in this world. His jawline is sharp and chiseled, giving him a stern look. He has a small scar above his right eyebrow from a battle wound. His nose is straight and his lips are firm. He wears his armor with confidence, there's still a lot of blood stains on it. His presence is commanding, and his gaze is intimidating. How can men be this so freaking fine. "Let me remind you, miss—I only came because of what you promised in return for marrying you. I left my kingdom for this, and right now, my people are dying without me. So if you're not serious, I’ll slit your neck and bring your head back for them," he warned coldly as he sat down. I chuckled. So freaking romantic. "Fine men really introduce themselves in their very unique and cute way... I like you, you're unsettlingly beautiful and disgustingly cool." I playfully respond looking at the blood in his body. I saw his veins bulge in his large hands as he aggressively drew the sword from his waist and pointed it at my neck. Relax," I said. "Everything in the letters is true. But first, you need to sign this—just a paper saying you agree to be my husband, and I’ll be your wife." I slid it across the small wooden table, careful not to move as his sword pressed against my neck. He withdraw his sword and read what's written in the paper for a few second, grab the pen and put his signature beside mine. "Perfect." I said. "Now, as written in my letters I have two favors before I'll give you the foods, medicines, weapons, clothes, and blankets that I promised." "You don't have to say it twice, my men and I will take you outside the wall safely" he seems in rushed. I stood up and started to head outside. "I didn’t prepare a wedding ceremony—I know every second matters to you," I said, walking silently behind me as we left my room. "Let’s head beyond the walls; everything I promised is already loaded in the carriages outside." "Hey wait, how about the King and the Queen?" He stopped me by holding my left arm. I paused and faced him. "We still need to ask for their blessings before we go." "Did you see how high my room is located?" I asked. He paused for a bit, looking at me puzzled. "Maybe 13 feet's high?" "Exactly. When I was ten, I even jumped out my window just to force them to let me out. All it got me was a broken body and five years locked in a windowless room on the ground floor, forbidden from ever going upstairs in this damn palace." "So what do you want me to do?" He sounds so annoyed. "Kidnap me, sir."