CROWNS FOR TITLES

So this is how I die?

The whole place smelled like rust and it was suffocating. Blood pooled the whole marble floor tainting the glittering white dress of the woman. The dress now has the color of red, too sinister and too disgusting to look at.

She gasped for breaths several times but the more she does, the harder it gets. Everything was getting blurry and she knew to herself that she can't be save. She was dying. Slowly and painfully.

Clenching her teeth, Neirin Circe Haverstone finally realized that her blood was warm and disgusting.

"Sister," A voice that she had grown fond off after living with him for how many years. She never thought that a day would come that he was crying like this. She tried to lighten up the mood by chuckling but her wounds hurt and she was losing blood. In the end, she gave a gentle smile wanting to assure him.

Despite of her blurring vision, Neirin finds Vincent eyes to be mesmerizing.

Vincent, Don't cry, She wanted to say but her lips felt like it was frozen.

She wanted to say she was sorry. She was sorry for stealing everything he had but everything was blurry and the numbing pain she felt on her stomach was getting hard to bear the longer she tried to fight for her consciousness.

This was her ending. An ending she regretted for she was swallowed by her feelings taking mistakes on her way only to be a burden to Vincent.

"Don't! Don't close your eyes!" Her little brother who was so cold to her before was now crying in front of her eyes. She stared at his beautiful purple eyes that seemed to glimmer because of his tears. She smiled genuinely pouring all of her feelings into one smile.

"I'm sorry," Neirin's voice was hoarse. Vincent shook his head hands trembling but he continue to held her hand like his life depends on it.

"Don't speak anymore! The magicians and the healers are on their way."

There was an urgency on his voice but they both knew that she can't be save. Everything was washing on her right now that she was dying. Like the life's jokes about all of her sins replaying on her mind now. And just like what they said, regret was great when someone is dying.

"I'm really sorry, Vincent. I wanted to come at your wedding." She mumbled remembering that he was engaged right now. It was something she always look forward to but now, it seemed like she can't be there anymore. He won't be there to send him to the altar and say her farewells hoping he'll become a good father and husband.

"I'll invite you sister!" He shouted even more. "I'll be good. I won't be cold. I'll listen to your words more! Just don't leave me! Just don't leave me! I'm afraid! You told me you won't leave me! You should keep your promise! It's a promise, sister! It's a promise!" He insisted. He was persistent. Vincent's voice was hoarse as tears were streaming down on his face. Despite crying like this, he was still beautiful.

"I am sorry, Vincent. I should have treasured you more." Her voice was coated with regret. Neirin meant every word she had uttered.

I'm sorry. Sorry for stealing your money.

Sorry for exploiting your reputation.

Sorry for being stubborn.

Sorry for ruining your future.

Sorry For leaving you like this.

If second chances and second life were true, I'll promise to treasure you more, Vincent.

"Sister, don't leave me. Please."

Feeling her eyes closing down, the last thing she saw was him crying again. Don't cry, Neirin wanted to say more but it seemed like it's time for her to go.

--

"PAPERS AND FLOWERS FOR SALE!"

"IT'S ONLY AVAILBALE FOR A LIMITED TIME! SINCE IT'S THE EMPIRE'S FESTIVAL. WE'LL GIVE YOU A DISCOUNT!"

Loud! Ugh! It is so loud!

Huh? It's loud. Stop, please. Why is everything so loud?

Loud?

Wait!

In that very own moment, Neirin opened her eyes once again. Her eyes were moist as if tears were threatening to fall but her expression was distorted and confused. She touched her stomach where she was stabbed moments ago. What joke is this? She uttered in her mind not knowing what to do. She knew perfectly well that she had died moments ago but now? Why is she awake and in a different place?

loud noises can be heard from outside. And her place- an old cabin house. What is the meaning of all of this?

Neirin's shoulders stiffened as she was terrified and confused. She immediately scrambled out of bed nearly falling on the wooden floor. It was a good thing that she managed to balanced herself. Neirin headed to the window to see the view from outside.

In that very moment, the wind's breeze felt as though it gave her a greeting. Flowers were being tossed up only to be blown by the wind. People had smile on their faces. The music can be heard and people were dancing. Different festival decorations were placed in different houses and there was even a parade.

Where? Neirin looked to her left wanting to confirm if her hunch was right. In that instant, The empire in which she had known before dying came into view.

The Vresea Empire.

What? This doesn't make sense! I really died!

I died! There was blood!

Numerous questions started to eat her mind. She knew perfectly well that she died! She was stabbed in her stomach and Vincent- that's right, Vincent! Neirin stood up instantly looking for the traces of Vincent but with this old cabin house she was staying she was the only one inside.

I don't understand, Neirin muttered.

Trying to calm her beating heart. This place. She looked at every corner feeling a little bit familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Her clothes were scattered everywhere as if she just jumped into bed without cleaning. There were papers scattered on her table.

Walking to the kitchen she was a newspaper and begun reading the headline.

BOUNTIFUL FESTIVAL FOR THE YEAR 1356. THE EMPEROR GAVE AN OPENING SPEECH ON THE PLAZA.

Upon reading, Neirin stared at the date wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her. Year 1356. It's 3 years before I die. It means I am twenty right now. What is this? How could this be possible? Did the time turn back or was I given another chance?

Questions after questions emerge on Neirin's mind but no matter how hard she tried to deny and think of this, she can't come up with only one possible explanation: The heavens had given her a second chance to redeem herself and make everything she ruined right.

Upon this realization, her eyes begun to tear up. Bursting to tears, Her heart stinging and the relief washing over her was overwhelming. She never believe in gods before but she felt like she wanted to believe now.

This was a miracle.

Another chance.

A form of grace and forgiveness.

Feeling her knees shaking she knelt down on the wooden floor, hugging herself. She then made a promise under the bells of the palaza and the descending flowers coming from the sky.

This time, I'll make everything right!

--

After crying for nearly an hour, Neirin tried to fix herself. Looking at her surroundings right now, she realized that she was in her house before she was adopted into the House of the Halstead duchy. Since she was given another chance and she knew everything well as if her memory was fresh. Neirin concluded that this time also, she had to meet the duke once again.

And if what she knew was right, then, Duke Sebastian Halstead will come looking for her to propose a deal.

She vowed to make everything right and this includes all the things she had ruined after being adopted by the duke. This time, she knew the future and the courses of action she'll need to take. She'll make it right. She have to make it right in order to make everything up for Vincent.

Upon remembering the name, Neirin smiled.

That's right, Vincent. Her soon to be little brother.

Neirin knew that her soon to be little brother won't accept her presence even before she came back. He never called her sister. Well, he did once, in the verge of death, he had called her sister. How nice it will be if she can add that to her goal.

In this life, she swore not to be driven by her irrational emotions and her greed. This time, she will do everything right. After ensuring the position of Vincent to the family that will only be the time she'll come back to investigate.

To know the reason of her life, her vengeance, and what fate holds her. She will do it all once she repaid the Duchy of Halstead the favor of their grace.

In this second chance, she'll put the Halstead family before her. This much was what she was willing to sacrifice for she had ruined them all before.

Upon setting up her goal, Neirin looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a beggar with her clothes not being washed and has the stain of oil, sand, and even blood. However, her blue eyes sparkled as if it found another reason to live. She looked determined. Like nothing could ever stop on her way.

A smile touched her lips. Her cheeks were flushed as she was just crying a while ago.

She needs to prepare before the Duke of Halstead find her. She needed to tidied herself before she become a noble. She needed to erase her infamous reputation and be clean. Realizing that she had so much to do, Neirin can't help but smile even more.

"Ha, for someone who just died, you look quite happy." Neirin mocked herself laughing.

--