🌹 Episode 1 — Flames of Rebellion
The night sky was overcast. Flashes of lightning occasionally broke the darkness, while screams echoed from outside the palace. Torches blazed, thousands of them, like a sea of fire surrounding the majestic walls of the Ardelia kingdom.
A blood-stained soldier ran hastily into the throne hall. He was panting, his knees trembling as he fell prostrate.
Soldier: "Your Majesty! The people have occupied the west gate! They demand justice! The palace is about to collapse!"
The King of Ardelia, an elderly figure with a heavy crown on his head, stood back. There, the nobles were making their recommendations. The shouts of the crowd grew closer, and the pounding of the iron doors could be heard, as if the world outside was ready to overtake them.
On the steps of the throne, a girl in a luxurious, blood-red dress stood proudly. She was Princess Yuri Ardelia. Her blonde hair glistened in the torchlight from the shattered glass windows. A faint, captivating smile.
Yuri: "Let them scream as they wish. They are nothing but ignorant commoners."
His words sent a tense atmosphere throughout the hall. Some nobles bowed their heads, others glared with hatred.
The building shook. The sound of glass breaking and doors being smashed grew louder. Outside, the oppressed people could no longer contain their anger. They carried torches, sharp weapons, and despair.
Another soldier shouted: "Your Majesty! We can't hold back any longer! They demand punishment for Princess Yuri!"
Yuri was present.
Yuri: "Punish me? Ha! I am the blood of this kingdom. They are mere worms who dare to defy the sun."
But at that very moment, the main palace door burst open. Hundreds of people poured in, their faces filled with rage, their eyes red from the torchlight.
The people shouted in unison:
"Punish Yuri! Punish Princess Ardelia!"
"Your insults are enough! You are the cause of this country's downfall!"
King Ardelia merely snorted, his face grim. He knew it was all over.
—––
⌛ Execution Scene
A few hours later, the main palace square was filled with thousands of people. The sky remained overcast, as if refusing to shed any light on the tragedy of that night.
In the center of the execution platform, Yuri stood with her hands tied. Her luxurious gown was torn, her face still sporting a haughty smile, though her eyes trembled slightly.
Before her, the executioner stood with a large sword.
People: "Down with that tyrant!"
*"He's the Source of Our Suffering!"
Amidst the crowd, a young man stood still, distinct from the others. It was Ash Leonhart, the prince of a neighboring kingdom, with whom Yuri had once had a political engagement. His gaze was cold, without mercy.
Yuri glanced at him. Her smile faded for a moment. Her heart trembled—not from fear, but because, for the first time, she realized who she was.
Yuri (internal monologue):
"Is this how it ends? Everyone hates me... even him."
The executioner raised his sword high. The people's shouts grew louder.
Yuri (closing his eyes, tears falling):
"...I... if... I were given another chance... I wouldn't have come back."
The sword descended. Darkness.
—––
🌹 Awakening
Suddenly, Yuri woke up gasping for breath.
She found herself in a luxurious, yet familiar room. The white curtains fluttered gently, the morning sunlight filtering in.
She glanced at the mirror beside her bed. Instead of her haughty, mature face, she saw her face ten years younger—when she was only 14.
Yuri: "...Is this...a dream? Or...am I alive again?"
Her hands trembled. She vividly remembered the screams of the people, the coldness of Ash, and the sword she had sheathed.
Tears fell uncontrollably.
Yuri (whispering softly):
"God...is this a second chance...? If so...I swear...I won't repeat it."
Outside, the palace bells tolled, signaling the beginning of a new day.
The day Princess Yuri Ardelia would rewrite her destiny.
The servant left, still bewildered, while Yuri sat in contemplation. Her tears had dried, but her heart remained haunted by guilt and trauma.
Visual images of Ash Leonhart's execution and cold gaze continued to surface in her mind.
Yuri (internal monologue):
"Ash Leonhart… even at the end of my life, his gaze is filled with hatred. If I want to change my fate, sooner or later… I will have to face him again."
Before she could dwell on her thoughts, another knock sounded at the door. This time, louder and more decisive, different from the servant's earlier knock.
A voice from outside: "Princess Yuri, His Majesty the King summons you to the main dining room."
Yuri was stunned. Normally, she would walk with her head held high, looking down on everyone at the dining table. But now… she felt strange—embarrassed, anxious, even a little afraid to face her father, King Ardelia, after remembering how disappointed he had been in his past life.
She stood slowly, her dress still stained with tea. Her hand trembled as she held the doorknob.
Yuri (whispering):
"…Perhaps this is the beginning of my test. I must show… that I am not the same Yuri as before."
As he stepped out of the room, the long palace hallway greeted him. Some of the servants and knights passing by bowed respectfully, but others whispered behind his back.
The servants whispered:
"That's Princess Yuri…"
"Be careful what you say, you'll be fired."
"She's notoriously cruel, it's best not to attract her attention."
Yuri heard it all. Once he would have rebuked her angrily, but now his heart ached. He lowered his head slightly, holding back tears, and then walked faster toward the dining hall.
—––
In the hall, King Ardelia was already seated with a cold expression. The nobles and the empress were also present. When Yuri entered, all eyes were on him.
At the head of the long table… was a figure that made his breath catch.
Ash Leonhart.
Young, dressed in the uniform of a neighboring kingdom, his sharp gray eyes stared at him coldly. It was the same gaze he remembered before his execution—a merciless gaze.
Yuri stood there, her heart pounding.
Yuri (in her head):
"…Ash Leonhart… I really have to face him sooner than I thought."
Yuri stood in the dining room with dignity, even though her heart was pounding because she had just rejected Prince Ash Leonhart's arranged marriage. She bowed deeply, then lifted her dress with both hands, a graceful gesture typical of a royal princess.
Yuri: "My apologies... Prince Leonhart. For my impudence earlier."
Ash didn't say much, just smiled faintly. A faint smile that was hard to decipher. Yuri bowed even deeper, then hurried out of the dining room.
The servants near the door began whispering, their tones clearly directed at her.
Servant A: "See that... Princess Yuri apologized? Impossible..."
Servant B: "Normally, she would have shouted loudly."
Servant C: "It's no use. Everyone knows her nature. She can't change that easily."
Yuri's steps slowed. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, her lips still smiling faintly, gracefully, but deep inside…
"Really… these servants' tongues never change. Do they think I can't hear their whispers? Hmph. If this were my old self… I might have slapped them all away. But no. I'm no longer that arrogant Princess… I can't be provoked."
Yuri straightened her back even more, gently swishing her dress to maintain her graceful appearance. Her steps were slow, dignified, but behind her faint smile, she sighed in annoyance.
"But seriously… don't they have anything better to do than gossip about their own master? If this keeps up, my hair will turn gray prematurely…"
She finally reached the long corridor leading to her room. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, her eyes widened.
In front of her room door—standing upright, leaning lightly against the wall—was Prince Ash Leonhart.
Yuri: "…Since when has the Prince been here? Weren't you in the dining room… just now?"
Ash's gaze was cold, sharp, as if reading Yuri's entire heart. He didn't say a word.
Yuri fell silent, her heart pounding. Until the next second—Ash disappeared from sight.
Yuri: "Eh—?!"
She was startled, her body tensing. In an instant, she felt something behind her. Sure enough—Ash was standing there. His fingers casually lifted a few strands of Yuri's hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
Ash (coldly, almost a whisper): "Like this… I did it."
Yuri turned her head abruptly, but Ash disappeared again. In the blink of an eye, he was back in front of Yuri.
"Shadow movement… a skill belonging to the Leonhart family. So this is what his true power is like…" Yuri thought, trying to remain calm.
She took a deep breath, controlling her pounding heart.
Yuri: "…What is it? The Prince wants to see me all this way?"
The atmosphere froze, with only Ash's sharp gaze and Yuri's feigned calmness masking her nervousness.
The corridor fell silent. There was only Ash's piercing gaze, and Yuri trying to maintain a dignified demeanor.
Ash (cold, sharp): "Your reason just now… is the worst of the worst. Refusing to cooperate with Leonhart? You know how much he means to Ardelia."
The words were like a whip. Yuri froze, but his heart was thundering.
"That's right! Cooperating with Leonhart is excellent and profitable. The only condition is engagement… but I don't want to go back to that route, you idiot!"
Yuri forced a faint smile, trying to control the atmosphere.
Yuri: "I'm sorry, Prince… I was just—only thinking for the sake of this kingdom. There was… another reason, though it's hard for me to explain."
Ash narrowed his eyes. His gaze sharpened, as if seeing through the lie. His face seemed to hold something between annoyance and mockery.
Suddenly, in a flash, his body vanished. Yuri was startled to feel Ash's presence right in front of him. The man's cold fingers gently but forcefully lifted her chin, forcing Yuri to look directly into his dark gray eyes.
Ash (sarcastically, dryly): "The rumors about you weren't exaggerated... Princess Yuri, who often abuses servants, dismisses them at will, and always vents her anger. Just think... what other prince would want to be engaged to a woman like you?"
Yuri's eyes widened. Her cheeks heated, not from embarrassment, but from seething irritation.
"This man's words... really irritate me!" she thought, gritting her teeth behind the forced smile she was desperately trying to maintain.
Ash then released her chin. A moment later, her body disappeared again.
Ash (a cold voice heard behind her): "...Goodbye, selfish princess."
Light footsteps echoed down the corridor, then vanished. Leaving Yuri standing frozen, her dress trembling gently as her hands clenched tightly.
Yuri opened the door to her room, her face still flushed with anger. But she was immediately surprised to find her personal maid, Ayane, waiting inside with a sincere smile.
Ayane: "Welcome back, Princess."
Yuri fell silent. She lowered her head deeply, her heart clenching. In her previous life, she had often hurt, yelled at, and even fired this girl. Yet, Ayane—innocently—could still smile sincerely at her.
Ash's words echoed in her ears.
"…Princess Yuri, who often hurts servants, fires them at will, and always vents her anger."
Yuri gripped her own hands tightly, holding back the turmoil in her chest. Ayane approached, confused by the change in her master's expression.
Ayane: "Princess…?"
Yuri lifted her head. Her eyes were watery, her face almost breaking with tears. Then, without holding back any longer—
Yuri: "Uwahh!! Ayane… I want a hug!!"
Quickly, Yuri grabbed the petite maid and hugged her tightly. Ayane was suddenly startled, her body stiffening, her cheeks flushing red.
Ayane: "E-ehhh?! P-Princess… w-what are…"
But as she felt Yuri's warmth, Ayane slowly softened. Her smile was faint, her eyes warm. She silently said, "Princess Yuri… is different… but I'm happy. If she does change, I'll always be by her side… until I die."
Yuri let out a small sob, then said softly:
Yuri: "I'm sorry… Ayane. Because I've been so cruel to an innocent and cute girl like you… all this time."
Ayane shook her head rapidly, her face growing redder.
Ayane: "N-no, Princess… You… y-you actually look… more beautiful… when you smile like this."
Yuri slowly released the hug, then smiled wryly as she wiped her eyes.
Yuri: "Really? But… never mind. I'm upset right now."
Without waiting, Yuri threw herself onto the bed, her dress in disarray, her hair a mess. She kicked the small mattress like a spoiled child.
Yuri: "Baka! Baka! Baka!! I hate you, Ash Leonhart! I swear I'll make you suffer!!"
She buried her face in the pillow, then mumbled again in annoyance in a spoiled tone.
Yuri: "Why do that guy's words always really stab me in the heart… ughh, annoying! You arrogant prince!!"
Ayane just stood beside the bed, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and disbelief. But then a small smile formed on her lips. She covered her mouth and giggled softly.
Ayane: "…Fufu. The Princess… is really like a child."
Yuri turned quickly, her face red with embarrassment.
Yuri: "Don't laugh!!"
Ayane bowed politely, but her small laugh could still be heard faintly.
The atmosphere in the room became warmer—a far cry from the past.
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✨ This Chapter ends ✨