The atmosphere was calm… inside a refreshing room filled with the scent of clean fabric and curtains dampened by the morning breeze. Karina slowly opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling for a long moment, as if the entire world had paused at the edge of her eyelids. Her face looked pale, her eyes hazy, as though her memory was lost somewhere within her temples. After a few seconds of staring, the memories began to return gradually—she remembered everything.
She remembered everything that had happened during that time: the wind that shook her body, the faint voice that whispered deep inside her, all the scenes that had been thrown before her broken mind. But when she reached the phrase "second chance," her thoughts suddenly stopped, as if that one sentence had unlocked certain sealed doors within her chest.
She immediately became aware of the ceiling around her, and then images of her comfortable bedroom began returning like old pictures displayed before her eyes. It was the room she had always loved—the light curtains, the neatly arranged pillows, the furniture that had embraced her since childhood. She got up at once, tears shining in her eyes as she looked at it. She didn't stop to think whether this was a dream or reality—everything felt completely real. The room was exactly as she remembered it as a child: the small furniture, the familiar objects her heart had been attached to. A strange lightness filled her chest, as if her body had truly returned to a time when she was small.
She stood up on her feet and suddenly said in a trembling voice:
"What happened…?"
She was startled that she spoke, then repeated the words as tears poured from her in joy and astonishment:
"…I can talk… really…"
She moved toward the mirror, watching the reflection of the room, and was truly shocked. She saw herself—smaller than she remembered, more like a child. She let out a childish gasp, "Ahhh—" a small scream, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. To her surprise, she heard sounds responding from outside.
She heard quick footsteps approaching, the sound of someone running to her door, which then burst open. A woman entered, her features filled with worry and tenderness—Carla, Karina's caretaker. Carla was the woman Karina had believed to be dead, and yet here she was, standing alive before her.
Karina stared in shock, tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed with disbelief. Carla, her eyes shining with concern, leaned closer and gently wiped her face with a motherly hand. She held her shoulders and shook her lightly—her touch carried a deep warmth Karina had once known.
"My lady… Rina… what's wrong, dear?"
Carla's voice—full of care, worry, and love—was the same voice that had filled Karina's childhood. Karina couldn't respond immediately; instead, she hugged Carla tightly, her memories of everything before waking returning one after another.
She wondered: Had she truly been given another chance? Was this a new life… or just another nightmare? Countless questions flooded her mind without a single clear answer.
"Rina… what's wrong? Tell me, I won't tell anyone…" Carla whispered gently.
Karina wiped her tears, unsure what to say.
"It's… I feel tight…"
Carla looked into her eyes and said softly,
"My lady Rina, what's bothering you? Tell me."
Karina bit her lip, avoiding her gaze.
"I don't know…"
Carla sighed gently and said with soft firmness,
"Then a bath—fresh water and soap—will improve your mood. I'll have the maids prepare it and bring your clothes. I'll help you bathe…"
Karina's face flushed red, and she said quickly,
"No, no… I've grown up. I can bathe myself. I don't want help."
Carla laughed warmly.
"Haha, you're still little in my eyes… even if you're twelve now."
That information struck Karina like a spark. She hadn't been sure of her age, but hearing "twelve" made her suddenly remember something. She rushed toward Carla, grabbing her shoulder in shock:
"Wait! Aunt is coming to live with us today?!"
Carla was surprised by her reaction and nodded calmly.
"Didn't your father tell you? Yes, our guests will arrive today… it will be nice. You'll play with your cousins."
Karina felt a wave of tension and fear—she had returned six years into the past. This "chance" had come on the very day her aunt arrived.
Carla left the room after confirming the bath preparations, leaving Karina sitting on the floor, trying to process everything.
She sat on the bed, gripping her hair, thinking seriously:
"My God… what should I do? I… I came back, but how? I don't know… Was it someone? No, stop thinking about that! What matters is how I deal with Aunt. Should I tell them everything? No… that's wrong!"
Her eyes shone with fear and determination as she decided to hide the truth until she understood how to face the future.
---
Karina remained lost in thought until a knock interrupted her. Carla entered with a gentle smile.
"Come, my lady, the bath is ready…"
Karina moved hesitantly, as if still in a dream. Warm water washed over her small body, easing some of her tension. Afterward, she sat as Carla brushed her hair gently.
Suddenly, Karina asked urgently:
"Carla… is Father here? And Uncle… and Grandmother?"
Carla raised an eyebrow.
"Have you lost your memory? The duke is in his office. Lady Osana is in her homeland and will return soon, and Lord Yuri is still traveling."
Karina's heart raced as memories flooded back.
After dressing her in a soft pink dress, Karina rushed out, her heart pounding as she looked around the palace—everything felt both familiar and strange.
She approached her father's office, trembling.
"Father… I…"
She opened the door, saw him—and broke down, running into his arms, crying uncontrollably.
Theobald lifted her gently, smiling.
"Stop crying, little crybaby… did someone take your sweets?"
Despite everything, she laughed softly.
"Father… I'm not a child…"
He smiled warmly.
"You'll always be a child to me."
Then his expression shifted playfully.
"Hmm… I heard 'Father'?"
She smiled shyly.
"I mean… Papa…"
They both laughed.
But suddenly, her laughter stopped when she saw her mother's portrait—Rivelina.
Her breath froze.
Theobald noticed and said softly,
"Karina… she's watching us, happy to see you grow. So smile for her."
Karina nodded and smiled at the portrait.
Then he added quietly,
"And be kind to her sister and her children… it was her wish."
Karina's heart tightened. A forged will… lies in her mother's name.
---
Later, Karina sat at her desk, writing a plan.
1. The second prince stabbed the emperor.
2. A white light appeared.
3. I felt relief.
4. A great power burst from me.
5. People were blown away.
6. The second prince disappeared.
7. I felt another presence inside me.
She concluded:
"I must get rid of Aunt and her children…"
She laughed quietly at her own dark thought, then muttered:
"I'm crazy…"
Then she wrote:
"How will I heal myself? … The purification stone."
---
A maid knocked.
"My lady… the guests have arrived."
Karina swallowed hard.
She walked to meet them.
The courtyard… the same place where she once saw her family's corpses.
Her father noticed her tension.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…"
They entered.
Aunt Elena stood smiling falsely, with Sina and San beside her.
"Welcome," said the duke.
They sat.
Elena spoke sweetly, introducing her children.
Sina glanced at Karina with a faint smile—one that felt like a dagger.
"Sit," said the duke. "Be like siblings."
Then he stood.
"I have work. Karina will show you your rooms."
Karina froze.
"No… Papa, I don't want to…"
But he insisted.
She obeyed.
"Let's go… Aunt."
She led them upstairs.
"This is your room."
Elena admired it, then asked,
"And your rooms?"
"Third floor."
Elena's smile stiffened.
Karina showed the children their rooms.
"Now you know them?"
Elena replied sweetly,
"You're like my own daughter…"
Karina smiled coldly.
"We are nobles… so know your place."
She left.
Elena whispered angrily,
"What an ill-mannered girl…"
---
Karina returned to her father.
"They're settled."
He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"My wonderful heir."
She laughed softly, warmth filling her chest.
---
Later, she read quietly before asking:
"Papa… what is something bright… that brings peace?"
He replied:
"That must be… magic. Purification magic."
Her heart jumped.
"I read it… in a book!"
He laughed and hugged her.
---
A knock interrupted them.
The assistant entered, holding a sealed letter.
"My lord… an urgent message from the emperor's palace