Darkness.
No sound. No light. Just an endless void that swallowed everything whole.
Then—
Elowen opened her eyes, her breath catching sharply in her throat. Her hands instinctively flew to her neck, her fingers frantically searching for the wound that should have been there—the place where her head had been severed from her body. But there was no blood. No scar. No injury at all. Her skin was smooth and unbroken, as if none of those terrible events had ever taken place.
"Where… where am I?" she whispered shakily.
She realised she was leaning against the trunk of a large tree, her body resting beneath the shade of leaves swaying gently in the breeze. Just ahead of her, a fountain flowed calmly; the sound of trickling water was crisp, distinct, and undeniably real.
She was inside a garden.
Elowen looked around her frantically, taking in every detail. She knew this place. She knew it all too well.
This was the old royal garden—the very place she and Celestia used to visit secretly, back when they were just children, away from the eyes and expectations of the court.
"Why am I here…?" Her heart began to pound wildly against her chest. Her last memory was still vivid and burning bright inside her mind.
The heavy iron blade falling.
Agonising pain.
And then… darkness.
Elowen slowly stood up, her legs feeling weak and unsteady beneath her. Her breathing was still ragged and uneven.
"Am I… dreaming?" she murmured.
But the wind brushing softly against her skin felt far too real. The sweet scent of white roses surrounding her was too strong, too familiar to be an illusion. Everything around her felt alive, tangible, and true.
She looked down at her hands once more. They were steady. Unmarked. Whole.
"Elowen."
A voice called her name softly, making her freeze instantly.
She turned around sharply. Standing behind her was Celestia—looking exactly as she remembered her, holding two cups of water in her hands.
For a moment, the whole world seemed to stop turning. Elowen could only stare at her younger sister, completely lost for words, overwhelmed by emotions she could not describe.
Celestia stepped closer towards her and held out one of the cups.
"Are you alright, sister?" she asked gently, her voice soft and filled with warmth and concern.
Elowen flinched slightly. "...Did you save me?" she asked, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
Celestia furrowed her brows, clearly confused by the strange question. "Elowen… whatever are you talking about?"
"Tell me… what is today's date?" Elowen asked urgently.
Celestia paused for a brief moment before answering calmly.
"It is Autumn, the seventh day of the month."
Elowen froze completely, her blood running cold within her veins.
It was exactly one year after their parents had passed away.
Her mind became a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts and emotions. Was it possible… had she truly travelled back in time?
But how? And more importantly… why?
Celestia looked at her sister, who had suddenly fallen silent. She assumed Elowen was still deeply affected by the loss of their parents. Yet deep down in her heart lay a secret guilt she had never spoken of—part of her had once secretly hoped that everything would come to an end sooner rather than later. Because for as long as she could remember, her entire life had been defined by constant comparison to her older sister.
"Elowen..." she called softly. "I don't mind at all if you wish to take the throne... but please, I just hope you won't leave me all alone."
Elowen immediately lifted her gaze. Without a moment of hesitation or second thought, she pulled Celestia into a tight, desperate embrace.
"Forgive me..." Her voice shook with emotion. "Forgive me for being so selfish and blind all this time."
Celestia stiffened in surprise, completely caught off guard by this sudden warmth. "Elowen... what has gotten into you today? Why are you acting like this?"
Elowen slowly loosened her hold, yet her eyes remained locked firmly upon her younger sister's face, filled with sincerity and regret.
"Celestia... I do not want to become Queen."
Celestia went completely quiet, her eyes widening in pure shock at those words.
"We don't have to worry or think about the throne right now," Elowen continued gently. "What do you say... we start everything over? Just like real sisters should have been from the very beginning."
Celestia stared at her closely, as if trying hard to search her words and expression for hidden meanings, or to understand what was truly happening. "So... are you saying we should just leave the throne empty and unclaimed?"
Elowen shook her head slowly. "No. What I mean is... I truly believe you are far more worthy and suited to rule as Queen than I ever could be."
"And why would you say that?" Celestia asked quietly, confusion lacing her tone.
Elowen gave a faint, sad smile. "Because... I am not a good person, Celestia." She paused briefly before continuing firmly, "But no matter what... I promise I will always stay right by your side, forever."
Celestia offered no reply in return. She simply stood there looking at her older sister—the same woman who, ever since their parents' death, had kept her distance and shut everyone out... yet today had returned to her as though the great distance and coldness between them had never even existed at all.
And despite her happiness, it all felt strangely unfamiliar and surreal to her.
Celestia looked at her sister and gently patted her shoulder, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"I agree that you want to mend our relationship... but truth be told, it was never broken in the first place," she said tenderly. "You simply... withdrew yourself ever since Mother and Father passed away."
Elowen fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "I know," she replied quietly. "And I am truly sorry."
She took a deep breath, as if trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within her heart and mind. "Celestia... I wish to rest for a little while. If anything happens or you need me, just let me know."
Celestia merely nodded in response, her eyes following Elowen's figure as she walked further and further away until she was out of sight.
Elowen stepped inside the palace. The cold stone walls, the quiet and endless corridors... everything felt painfully familiar. This was the very same place she had once seized by force. The place where she eventually lost absolutely everything she held dear.
"What a terrible mess I made of everything..." she whispered softly to herself.
Her feet naturally led her towards her own chambers. She closed the door gently behind her, shutting herself away from the rest of the world and its noise.
Silence surrounded her completely. Elowen leaned back against the wooden door and closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting her thoughts run wild.
Why was she still alive? The memory of the guillotine was far too vivid and agonising to be nothing more than just a nightmare. The heavy blade falling swiftly downwards. The blinding pain that instantly severed her existence from this world.
"...There is absolutely no way this is just a coincidence or chance," she muttered under her breath.
She slowly opened her eyes, a sharp glint appearing within them. "If it is true that someone possesses the power to rewrite time and turn back the clock..." Her voice trailed off, lost within the stillness of the room. "Whoever that person is... their abilities are far greater and more terrifying than anything I have ever imagined or encountered before."
However, after pausing to think it through, she slowly shook her head, dismissing the thought for now. "But none of that matters anymore."
She walked forward until she stood in front of the large mirror, staring deeply at her own reflection. What stared back at her was no longer the cruel, ruthless Queen feared by all, but simply a woman who had been granted a miraculous second chance at life.
"What truly matters now..." she whispered firmly, "is that I will become a better sister to her."
Her gaze grew calm and steady, yet the determination burning within her was unshakeable and absolute. "The throne belongs rightfully to Celestia. And this time... I will protect her properly, without ever taking anything away from her or standing in her way."
For the very first time since waking up in the royal garden, Elowen clearly set her new purpose and goal in life: to live peacefully, to shield her younger sister from all harm, and above all else... never, ever repeat the same tragic mistakes that cost her everything before.
Yet deep within the darkest corner of her heart and mind... one heavy question remained unanswered and lingered constantly like a shadow.
If I was sent back to change everything and correct my wrongs... then why does my heart tell me that this time, the price I have to pay might be even higher than before?
..................
The morning was bright and beautiful. Celestia sat on a wooden swing in the palace gardens, holding an open book in her hands. A gentle breeze blew through the air, lifting strands of her hair and making the surrounding flowers sway softly in the wind.
The sweet songs of birds filled the atmosphere while warm sunlight bathed the entire garden in golden light, though Celestia herself remained comfortably shaded beneath the small canopy built above the swing.
Footsteps approached steadily from behind.
"Elowen?" Celestia turned her head, a soft smile naturally forming on her face the moment she saw her elder sister walking towards her.
"Hey... I was actually just about to come look for you. But this book is so incredibly interesting, I couldn't put it down," she said, closing the book gently and placing it aside.
Elowen stood there observing her sister quietly for a moment. It had only been two days since the passing of their parents. Yet, looking at Celestia now... she hardly seemed sad or grieving at all. Or perhaps... she was simply hiding her pain and sorrow in a different way, burying it deep inside her heart where no one else could see.
"There will be an official meeting regarding the succession to the throne next week," Elowen eventually spoke up, breaking the peaceful silence between them. "Before things become official and final... can we please delay everything just a little while longer? Let us take some time to truly understand the state and condition of our kingdom together, side by side."
Celestia looked at her sister, slightly surprised by this request, yet she offered no argument or objection whatsoever. Instead, she simply smiled warmly.
"In that case... would you like to go out somewhere with me?"
Elowen raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly confused by the sudden suggestion. "Go out?"
Celestia stood up from the swing, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous and excited glint. "We shall disguise ourselves as ordinary commoners and take a stroll through the city streets together."
Elowen fell silent for a moment, taken aback. Such an idea... would have never even crossed her mind in her previous life or timeline. However, now that she had been given a second chance, she simply nodded in agreement.
"Alright. I will go with you."
Celestia immediately beamed with happiness and grabbed her sister's hand excitedly. Together, they headed toward Celestia's private chambers, their steps lighter and more carefree than they had been in such a long time.
Once inside the room, Celestia opened her wardrobe and pulled out two dresses. One was a soft shade of green, while the other was bright and cheerful yellow. She held out the green dress toward Elowen.
"Wear this one."
Elowen glanced at the garment hesitantly. "Do I really have to put this on?"
"Of course," Celestia answered firmly and confidently without hesitation. "If we dress in our usual royal attire, everyone will recognise us instantly."
Elowen let out a soft sigh of resignation, though a small hint of amusement played at the corner of her lips, as she accepted the dress. "Fine... I will wear it."
Not long afterwards, both sisters were fully dressed and ready. Celestia wore the modest yellow dress, which suited her bright personality perfectly, whilst Elowen wore the soft green colour—a shade she almost never chose for herself or wore before.
Now, they no longer looked like noble princesses of high status. Just like that, they simply appeared as two ordinary young women enjoying their time together.