Ally's Pov

CHAPTER 2

The first thing I did when I laid eyes on my twin brother was to pull him into a tight hug. Although I was the older of the twin, Alan still towered over me with 3 or so inches in height. 

"Lys?" Alan hugged me reluctantly, his voice telling of his confusion. Above my head, he was no doubt looking at Laura and Peter in confusion. 

I gave him one last squeeze before I pulled back. I looked up into worried lilac eyes that were identical to mine, only brighter than mine in their innocence. I stood on my toes and laid a kiss on his forehead before placing my forehead against his. 

"I love you."

"I love you too." Alan whispered back immediately. "Are... are you okay?" 

I gave him a wide, warm smile. "I am now."

Alan blinked, still confused.

"Hello, Peter."

"Good morning, My Lady-"

Peter was stunned into silence as I pulled him into a hug as well. It was nice smelling his usual lavender and Almond cologne. Just like Alan's usual sanderwood and vanilla scent, it was highly nostalgic inhaling his scent again.

When I pulled back from Peter, a gloved hand was gently pressed against my forehead. 

"Are you quite alright, Young Mistress?"

I nodded, a bright smile on my face. "Never better."

I moved back, settling my eyes again on my brother. "Where's uncle?"

Alan blinked owlishly at my question before cooking a brow. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course, I am! What made you think I'm not?" I gave him an amused look.

"... because you're mad at him?" 

I blinked. "I am?"

"Yes. You blew up on him because he was making excuses for Crown Prince Luther not making it to the Manor to have a date with you. You have been in your room since yesterday afternoon, refusing to see him or anyone."

"Oh..." Ahhhh... no wonder they were worried. I'd forgotten how dramatic I was in my teenage years. "Right." I chuckled nervously, averting my eyes.

Alan's eyes narrowed. "Truly, are you okay, sister?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" I waved him off. "Well, if you all don't mind, I'd be heading over to the library for research!"

"But we're on break..."

"But that doesn't mean we shouldn't study, dear baby brother of mine." I shook my head in disapproval. "See you all later!" I waved them goodbye before walking away, my hands clasped in front of me. I was humming under my breath, happily returning every servants greetings, Laura following behind me.

Some minutes later I was in the library, looking at the ancient tomes and diaries in the private family section only accessible by the family itself. I had various books on the single table in the room and combing through various pages on magick and gods. 

Someone or something might be the cause of my Regression. I had zero once of magick and was just a werewolf who had ancient blood coursing through my veins.

But what if I had an ancestor down the line that had possessed magick and it caused this? 

I went combing through the various family registers and various history and after hours later, I found nothing. I groaned in tiredness, rubbing my head.

"Is there something specific you're looking for, My Lady?"

I looked up and I was met with Laura walking into the secret room with a small trolley bearing tea along with the necessary wares and a half portion of cake.

"No... just something that I was confused about..." I heaved a sigh.

"Care to share, Lisa?"

I shook my head, waving her off. Laura dropped the topic and poured a cup of tea for me, placing a plate of cake on the table for me before she started arranging the books in their rightful places. I stared out of the window, warm tea in hand.

My death came as the consequence of my current betrothed being a weak Alpha. After what had happened, I couldn't defend him and had come to accept that he had merely being a puppet for Empress Consort Hytia, his mother. Their sheer disregard of hers and the councilmen's advises and worries had led the Empire to its ruins. The Empress Consort, although cunning and manipulative that she had successfully killed both her competition for her place, proved to be utterly stupid in the end. The downfall of narcissistic people tend to be dreadful.

"If only he had been as wise and resourceful as the 3rd Prince..." I heaved under my breath. I closed my eyes and brought my cup up to my lips to take a sip.

Wait.

My eyes snapped open as my brain started formulating a plan.

The 3rd Prince, the Duke of the North, had been one of those who had escaped death from what I knew. He had been a General of the army and would have won the war if only Luther hadn't moved him to another place. He was my ticket to survival. 

I dropped my cup onto its saucer with a loud clink and I jumped up from my seat, the legs of the chair scrapping the floor.

Yes, the 3rd Prince was a better choice for the survival of the Empire. Because let us face it: I'd be dragged into this no matter how hard I tried to avoid or run from it. If war was coming – which looked inevitable because I didn't even know how and why it began in the first place – then I need to ensure that we all had the best security. And what better security than having the 3rd Prince, the infamous Duke of the North who was well know for his battle prowess and intelligence, as the Crown Prince and later on the Emperor. 

The current Emperor just had a year to live before this whole Empire starts its journey to its destruction, I thought to myself. I need to ensure that Prince Lucien is the heir and the Crown Prince before then.

"Laura, where is my uncle right now?" 

"From what I heard, he might still be in his office- my Lady!"

I hurriedly walked out the room, Laura rushing to follow me, closing the secret door behind her securely. Servants moved out of my way as I all but ran over to what was once my late father's study, now my uncle's – but which would be mine and then Alan's after I marry. I barged into the room, causing my uncle to jump a little and dropping his quail pen.

"Uncle, I'd like to head over to the North for the upcoming festival!"