"Da da da daa dah. (I can't breathe you jerk)."
"Sleep now. Shh.." Archer carefully placed his daughter on his chest, patting her back gently. "Comfy now?"
"Da da! (Shaddap!)." You think I'd ever forgive you? Just because you're trying to make up now it won't change the fact that you abandoned me in my first life! After a few minutes of back patting, she finally stopped struggling and unconsciously let go of her anger as she slowly closed her eyes.. falling asleep on her father's bare chest.
You're a tough one my baby daughter. I can already feel how much of a headache you will become.. He let out a soft smile, a hint of melancholy crossed his face. Just like your mother.
ONE YEAR LATER.
"It's almost the princess's birthday!" – maid A.
"Yes, it's going to be a grand one! His Grace truly loves her ohh I'm sooo envious! I wish I was born a Debelvoir too!" – maid B.
The talk of the second birthday of Katriana Maximillian Debelvoir became the hot topic in the entire dukedom. Her father the duke has ordered a preparation of a grand celebration, where all the southern nobles and even commoners would be able to attend. This event would take place at the Central Park in the middle of the Debelvoir Town, and it shall be the first one that'd be recorded in the history; where both nobles and commoners would mingle together in a banquet party hosted by none other than House Debelvoir.
The family was never known for their hospitality throughout the generations, although they've been rather generous with charity nationwide. The House of Emerald Dragon was rather known as a cold-ass family who kept things to themselves (just like the ducal family in the northern region), and always tucked their lives away in the south where they ruled. Archer himself was never friendly. Cold, calculated, cunning. A freezer incarnate. However, in one week time, with the introduction of the southern princess of Debelvoir duchy, a major history would definitely take place.
What is Archer plotting at? This didn't happen back then. What is going on? A grand celebration for my birthday? Come on! But then as a mere infant, what can I really do? I have no say in this and I guess I'll just have to follow along..
"My beautiful Princess, time for your bath!" *beam.
Maryjune, my nanny for about a year now, always has this mary-sue vibe on her. Which is not a bad thing but also uncomfortable. For me that is. I'm the problem here. Trust issue is a real issue. Once Vanessa and Belle are here, I'm sure she'd switch side.. just like Anna, my previous nanny who participated on beating me up in the name of 'discipline'.
Although in the past year the servants of the manor have been completely replaced with the new ones in a smaller scale, I'm still aware that things might turned out the same as my first life. But both replacement and the reduction were rather significant, since looking on how there used to be about over two hundred servants who worked inside the manor, now there are only forty five domestics including the Head Butler, the Head Maid, the Head Chef, my nanny, and Archer's valet.
Some things just don't make sense to me because our ancestral home that is still standing strong for over a thousand years is enormous and needs constant care, but I digress. I almost forgot the part that there's magical maintenance in this world after all. Even without servants, the in-house mages should be able to take care of the upkeep.
I overheard Archer with his talk to his aides (SINCE THE DUKE KEPT ME BY HIS SIDE ALMOST ALL THE TIME AND EVEN BROUGHT ME TO HIS OFFICE AND HIS MEETINGS WITH VASSALS SMH!) that he wanted limitations on workers inside the manor. The access to the estate was also limited and tightened that even vassals of the house would need prior notice upon their visits. And the reason for the big change was still unknown, but one thing for sure that I gathered from the maids' daily gossip; the duke is being overprotective toward his daughter.
I'm sure that it has something to do with my non-stop burping incident a year ago (although I'm sure that it wasn't a big deal, I mean babies do barf a lot), and I tried to be open-minded with everything he's projecting toward me where I believe that he'd try to be a better father in this lifetime.. but for some reason, I can't still completely forgive him.
We've become somewhat close in the past year. I'd pulled my antics a lot on him by kicking him on his sleep, farted on his face, even punch him at times (including pulling his hair off during his meetings with the vassals – zero fuck given by the way), and I couldn't help but feel the odd yet warm sensation I my stomach.. something that maybe, just maybe, a daughter should feel toward her father. A lovable moments that are priceless.. and yet, the bitterness of the past still haunting me. And I can't still forgive him..
Is it wrong?
Am I being too theatrical with the way I think?
What would one do if one were to be in my shoes?
Tell me..
THE BIRTHDAY EVENT.
Central Park was decorated beautifully, grand, and magical.
The Emerald Knights that served House Debelvoir were stationed on every corner to ensure the utmost safety of the event.
When the clock strikes eleven, the people were arriving one by one, with pride and joy written on their faces. The southern aristocrats, the family vassals, the southern gentries, and the commoners of the south.. all have gathered to celebrate the very birthday of the only princess from the most prosperous duchy in the empire.
Archer intended to only celebrate the blissful day with the southerners, hence, there were no other nobles nor guests from other regions. And it created massive news in the capital city that also reached the other regions by the next day. Some become spiteful and envious, some think that it was a typical behaviour of a Debelvoir, some just don't care. The Imperial Family on the other hand, was rather curious.
The moment Archer Debelvoir entered the scene with his daughter that he holds dear in his arms, the crowd started to cheer, giving their prayers and blessings toward the family.
It was indeed a birthday most memorable, and a banquet most wonderful.
Katriana was overwhelmed, that she cried silently in her heart.. Yeah, this regression isn't so bad. Thanks dad. I still hate chu though.. kinda. She looked at her father with a smile, and he returned the favour with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Happiest birthday my little girl." He beamed.
KATRIANA DEBELVOIR: AGE FIVE.
AXEVRAN EMPIRE.
An undefeated nation in the Vast Continent that prides itself for over a thousand years, consists of Central Region where the Magic City and the Imperial Academy stood strong, the Western Region where the Imperial Palace and the Capital City's at, the Eastern Region, the Northern Region, and the Southern Region.
Feudal lords are in charge to handle the regions (except for the Central and Western Regions which are controlled by the Imperial Family), however, among the regions, two of them are considered unique due to their solid lineage. The Northern Lords, House of Wolff, and the Southern Lords, House of Debelvoir.
Both families have been around longer, even before the empire was founded. As the longest and the strongest lineages in the nation, they were considered as threats for the Imperial Faction. Hence the decree from Emperor Kaisar Magnus Axevran III as the eleventh emperor; the marriage alliance between the Wolffs and the Debelvoirs, is at all times, prohibited.
The decree was and still is honoured by the two great houses, who sworn their loyalty to the Imperial Family.. to this date.
But as the saying that goes by with the laws are meant to be broken, some things are inevitable, and just simply.. meant to be.
Or so I thought when I first saw Killian Alexander Wolff.
With a combination of platinum silver hair and deep ocean eyes, I gawked like an idiot back then.
He was beautiful.
So beautiful that in my second life, I still think of him when I watch JJK and see Gojoh Sensei..
He instantly became my childhood crush in my first life. And my delulu brain thought that the stupid decree could be broken by love..
I was five and dumb.
But I genuinely had a hard crush toward him.
However, either if it's because of my old soul that I'm such a bitch or maybe because of the drama in my first life, all I feel is resentment.. and not even a slightest adoration.
I am five and no longer dumb now.. I guess (?)
"Greetings, little Lady Debelvoir. We met a year ago at Debelvoir Hotel in the capital, do you perhaps still remember me?" Damon Wolff shines so bright like a diamond. I remember how he and Archer used to have a lot of meetings in the capital before the war, along with their other pal. "This is my son, Killian Wolff. He's five years older but I think the two of you could be friends." The ever so handsome Duke of the North offered his smile as he introduced me to his sole heir. And of course, the young duke doesn't look so pleased.
Just like in the past, he looked like as if he was forced to be here.
I was annoying to him, I admit it. Due to my naïve feelings toward him back then, I clung onto him like my life depends on his slightest smile. A smile that he'd never reciprocate, a smile that he only offered to Belle. He came to loath me when Belle fabricated the story of me bullying her. And that face is exactly the same face I remember of him. To this day.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lord Killian." I returned the greetings with a curtsey and a flat face. Something inside my heart started to sting, and I can't afford to beam like a proper lady at the moment. And maybe I was being childish, or maybe I was just not interested to be around him at all. I don't know.. "Are you not taking me to your meeting with Duke Wolff, Daddy?" I quickly turned my gaze toward Archer.
Archer looked surprised. "I'm afraid I must discuss something in private with the duke. Why don't you play with Lord Killian for a moment?" Well, I actually don't mind to bring you along baby girl but Mister Wolff here is also a Mister Cigar.I'd rather not let you be around him.
"No."
"…" – Archer.
"…" – Damon.
"…" – Killian.
*awkward.
"Forgive my rudeness, Duke Wolff, Lord Killian. I want to play with my dolls. I don't think it would suit the young lord." I just wanna get out of here though..
The two daddies snorted. But they both reached an agreement where Killian would spend his time at the library as he requested while they're having their meeting at Archer's office, and I'd return to Archer's chamber.. to play with my dolls.
I was going to nap actually but good thing that my lies worked.
**
"She speaks so well for her age." Damon lit up a cigar as Archer gulped in a glass of whiskey.
"She speaks four languages now you know.. and is learning two others at the moment."
"For real? Dang. And I thought my indifferent son is the genius of the century."
"Well, her mother was fluent in twelve languages in total.." He paused with a second of reminiscing. "..anyway, how's Camille?"
Damon's expression turned rigid. "She's.." He frowned. "..holding on."
"Killian can stay here for awhile if you'd like. My daughter needs a playmate that's on par with her early developed brain anyway, or at least one that could match freak. She hit me a lot man. Flying kicks too!" Archer let out a little laughs with a somewhat proudness in his face, and Damon snorted in respond.
"Well, to be fair you weren't exactly a saint when you were her age. But yeah, I was considering that.."
*silence.
"But?"
"But I'm thinking of an early enrolment at the Imperial Academy."
"I see.."
"Well, I'll have to discuss that with him first. Anyway, Caleb sent me this." He pulled up a folded letter from his tux. "I'm guessing one of your birds have already informed you on what it is."
"Well, they worked faster than the Shadows."
"Undoubtedly. So what's the next plan?"
"How long have you handled it before Caleb found out?"
"About a week. I could handle it myself though, but that fucker wanted to get involve."
"They.. resurfaced, Damon. Some were even new. Or is there anything that the north is hiding?"
"…"
"Got it. I've already set a schedule with Caleb, he should be arriving tomorrow."
"I'll have to leave for the capital after this meeting for my bad fucking luck. The Emperor and your psycho ex requested my presence."
"For?"
"What else? They've been dying to have Killian as their daughter's fiancé."
"Ha!" Archer sipped in another chunk of whiskey. "Good luck with that."
"It's not funny. If it wasn't for that dumb decree I would've asked you for Katriana instead." *grit. "Son of a bitch, how do I get out of this?"
"Caleb has a daughter."
"The Archduchess is a devout temple believer. Killian believes in science or some shit."
"Well then.." Archer snorted. "My warmest regards to you Damon Wolff."
"Tch. Shut up."
**
After the meeting with the northern duke, Archer should have another meeting by tomorrow with one of his besties.. Archduke Caleb Vanders Axevran, the emperor's younger brother and the former notorious playboy of the nation, where he'd bring his bastard (but beloved) son along with him to the estate, and that very son of his would become my one and only childhood friend.
Or at least that's how it was back then.
Ethan Vanders. Due to the Imperial Law, he couldn't have the Imperial Family's last name but he was given his father's maiden name for the reason that of his unknown mother. When he was an infant, he suddenly appeared in a basket in front of the gate of the archduke's residence in the capital. Inside the basket, there was also a note, stating that he is the archduke's illegitimate son. The newlywed archduke and archduchess then took a blood test at the temple (yes, there's no such thing as blood test at the hospital in this world, fuck logic!) and he was indeed the archduke's son.
The whole agenda caused quite a scandal for the Imperial Family, but due to Caleb's carefree nature, he did not give a single shit on what people say. His marriage wasn't shaken as well. The archduchess accepted Ethan as her own son, and they lived unbothered, chill like a blue pill, joyful and playful.
Sigh.
I do not wish to meet him.
Archer may have carved a scar in my heart but Ethan hurt me the most.
We were such good friends back then, but he hurt me so badly.
He witnessed Vanessa slapped my face right in front of the servants and right in front of his eyes.. yet he chose to side with them. Judged me without proofs. Cornered me with his harsh words. Killed me softly with his cold gaze.
I was covered in bruises and he CHOSE TO SIDE WITH BELLE.
I was crying, begging for him to listen but he CHOSE TO SIDE WITH BELLE.
You're a traitor, Ethan. You are.. *sob.
Wait. Why am I crying? Out of nowhere?
Ha!
Dammit.
I need to see a psychologist as soon as possible. I really do need help. The ghosts of the past still haunting me like stupid. Non-stop.
Or at least I should see one when my rationality is still intact.
Because the incubuses kept on saying their hellos every fucking day, and my soul is craving vengeance.. as my seven-year birthday is approaching closer.
The war will soon to happen.
And Archer will soon to bring THEM home.
I've been contemplating lately, whether to just simply let it go, or seek revenge.
I was somewhat fine in my second life since I didn't have to face the fuckers who hurt me, but this time is different. I regressed to my first life and it is just simply.. simply painful.
And I'm slowly losing my mind.