Chapter 2
974 Words
"Christ... what?" he asked again.
"Christine Perez, that was my name before I came in this world," she said as she sat on the sofa.
"What are you talking about?" the Archduke asked with a bewildered look drawn on his face.
"Well, basically, my soul is not from here. My soul came from another dimension, in the other dimension, I was a successful young lady who was about to be promoted to a higher position in a company. However, while I was out to buy my dinner, a truck ran over me," she said.
"truck? company? dimension?" the Archduke asked.
He was completely baffled by the new words he heard.
"A truck is a kind of vehicle that transports things and runs on fuel," she explained. "I came from a world where everything was possible. And when I died there, I found myself in your daughter's body. That was why I couldn't remember or know anything back then."
He remembered when she was still 8 years old when she suddenly woke up, frightened by everything and everyone she saw. They all thought she lost her memories.
"If that is what happened, why are you telling me this now? And what happened with my daughter's soul?" the Archduke asked.
"I don't know where your daughter's soul is but I also died when I became your daughter," she said with a sad smile on her face. "The moment I woke up this morning was my 3rd chance at life. In my first life, I was an orphan who crawled her way to the top. On my second life, I met you and my brothers and fell in love and got married."
"But why did you die in your 2nd life?"
"We were framed. You were killed after my husband was murdered. I-I couldn't forget how you and his body were hung on the gate," she said while holding back her tears. "You all protected me."
"And yet, you still died?" her father's voice became solemn.
She nodded silently.
"I was burned. Like a witch," she said as she closed her eyes.
The Archduke saw that the pain in her eyes was real. And that she wasn't joking. He stood up and knelt in front of her. He gently wiped away his daughter's tears.
"Is this why you decided to talk to me?" he asked.
"Yes. I want to prevent the dreadful future from happening," she said decisively.
The Archduke looked at her and then calmed her for a little more while before asking who she was supposed to marry.
"Elrik Von Bertrad."
"The Duke of the North?"
"Yes. Until we meet, there will be no further plans as of yet," she said.
"When is that?"
"It's in 5 days. A fire will burn a part of the banquet hall in the palace. I have to stay inside for the Duke to come and save me. But I would need your help for some contingencies in case he doesn't arrive," she said.
"Alright. I will discuss with the Emperor that you bring in a knight with you," the Archduke said.
"Thank you," she said.
"Christine or Annalize, either way, you are still my daughter. Will you call me papa again?" he asked.
She smiled at him sweetly and nodded.
"Thank you, papa," she said.
They talked more about what happened in her second and first life until it was time for the Archduke to go back to the palace for some work. But before she could exit the door, he called her again. She stopped in her track and turned to him.
"Why did we die?"
"We were framed, papa. I do not know who or why. All I know is that the Emperor and Luxerion don't want us dead. They were probably pressured," she said. "Are there any more questions, papa?"
"No. for now, go and rest. I'll handle everything from here on out," he said.
After Anna left, he called for a messenger. A letter will be sent to the House of Bertrad.
Annalize rushed back to her father who was just putting on his coat.
"Oh, papa. I'd like your permission to learn the sword," she asked.
"Why?"
"I wish to make a secret unit of knights," she said.
"And you'll lead them?"
"Yes. I wish to. But those unit will only be composed of female knights," she said.
"Female knights?"
She nodded.
"For now, go and do what I asked you. Rest. Let's talk about this ridiculous request of yours later when I come home," he said as he kissed her forehead goodbye.
She watched her father leave. She needed to be intellectually and physically strong so as to protect those whom she loved.
She went back to her room and found Colette waiting for her.
"How was your talk with the Archduke, my lady?"
"Oh, it was pleasant. Are there letters for me?" she asked.
Colette nodded and went and gave her the trayful of letters.
"Go and get me some tea while I read some letters," she said.
Colette said yes then left. After a while, she served her mistress tea.
"I'd like to read my letters alone. Go and rest for a while, Colette. I'll just go and ring the bell when I need you," Anna said.
Colette smiled.
"Alright, my lady," the maid said then left.
She opened the letters one by one and read them thoroughly. There was no mistress of the house that is why all the things that a mistress of the house should do fell on her, the only lady of her family. Almost all of them were invitations to banquets and tea parties and yet in her entire life, she never attended any except for the banquet at the palace.
Then, a particular envelope caught her eye. The seal in it was a rose in between 2 swords. It was a peculiar seal as none of the families in the nobility possess this kind of crest or seal.
She went and got her letter knife and opened it.
As she slowly read the letter, her eyes grew wide.
"Ha, I never thought this could exist. Such a perfect timing," she exclaimed.
- Writer
