Chapter One

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gunshots echoed.

"ARREST THEM!"

As soon as the sound of firearms vanished, inaudible screams echoed all over the place.

"MEDICAL TEAM IS NEEDED! THERE IS AN INJURED ONE HERE!!!"

As the policemen apprehended the man who tried to rob the bank after drowning in debt as a last ditch effort to get away from the encroachment of poverty, three individuals were injured after the man unintentionally pulled the trigger.

"....."

First responders looked at the body on the ground with a conflicted expression.

".....Cause of death, internal bleeding..... Gently move the body and tend to the other injured"

The man who tried to rob the bank, now cuffed, was facing an onslaught of cursing from the relative from one of the individuals who was injured.

"BREAKING NEWS! Today, at 2:10 pm in....."

A few hours later, the unfortunate event was then broadcasted across the nation. Despite the death of an individual society carried on flowing.

While those who were involved became frightened, anxious, or enrage the rest of the world could not care any less as they were not a part of it.

...

"Ack!"

A stinging and pressuring pain.

The sensation of a bullet passing through my chest, the vivid memory of falling to the ground after losing energy, and the desperate reach for air as my vision eventually became void.

"I... died...."

The girl curled up as she burrowed onto the blanket, crying her heart out as the pain of dying flashes her mind.

"Sniff.... sniff...."

Slowly, she lied down once more, trying her best to relax her body by easing up the tension and spreading out her body on the bed despite the lingering pain.

"....."

She took shallow breaths which then slowly became deep breaths.

"Haaa~ Dying.... sure is such a shitty feeling..."

Now that the sudden tension was gone, the girl drifted to sleep as her eyes slowly closed.

"Buck! Buck-Buck Buuuckk!!!!"

The sound of chickens woke me up.

As I got up, I realized I was not dreaming nor was I hallucinating.

"I've already witnessed the so called flashback upon death. I suppose this is me recalling my past life's memory considering the fact that I can remember my memories from this world"

The girl covered her face with her hands as if to hide her expression.

"How ridiculously exciting, haha. I hope this time that I will pass away in a more peaceful manner.... now my name is no longer Elizabeth but as Lalaine" She said dryly.

I stood up and looked around, seeing the decorations and furniture in my room that can be considered as very old even in the countryside.

Floor made from wood planks and a room filled with furniture made of wood, unlike the room a modern person was accustomed to.

"Unless God is playing a prank on me, this sure is a reality check assuring me that I really have recalled my past life's memories"

Knock! Knock!

"My lady, may I come in?"

A maidservant said in a gentle tone.

"Of course you can, Layla"

The door opened and my personal maid who would take care of my day to day need entered the room and sat down beside me.

"You sure are early today. The sun has yet to fully rise even"

"But of course my lady! We have to prepare as it is lady Cecilia's seventeenth birthday today!"

Layla enthusiastically said as she massaged my hand.

"That... is correct"

Lalaine frowned as the stinging pain on her chest has resurfaced, though not as painful as before.

"...? Is there something bothering you, my lady?"

Layla stopped moving her hands and looked at me with concern.

"No... let's just say that I had a nightmare. Something like that"

Layla had a pained expression as she saw her lady breathe slowly to erase the pain.

"Then, should I use your old music box that would put you to sleep every night?"

"I am no longer a child, Layla"

"However, to me, you will still be someone who needs care. How time have passed so quickly that you no longer need my lullabies"

"We're only four years apart. Why word it in a way that makes you sound so old?"

Layla continued to massaged Lalaine's hand and wrist after her proposal was rejected.

"But you were like a cute younger sister to me, my lady. I cannot help but spoil you even now"

After a few more minutes, once Layla determined that her master's thoughts were no longer bothering her, she gave Lalaine a bath while she massaged her scalp and thoroughly brushed her hair as she hums to the birds' tune that were chirping nearby.

"My lady which dress would you like to wear today?"

On her left hand was a beige dress and on the right was a blue one.

"Cecilia's favorite color is blue, so I will wear the beige one. Knowing her, she will pick a blue dress and adorn herself on accessories. I don't want to steal the attention for the main character who rarely ever doll herself up"

"The beige one it is"

After dressing up, I immediately headed to my mother's office.

Along the way, the cool morning breeze that would brushed against me reminded how real the situation I was in.

Even while taking a bath just now, was very soothing and refreshing, making this vivid sensation impossible to be a dream.

Lalaine then arrived in front of a fairly large wooden door that was carved with a cat symbol.

Knock! Knock!

"Mother, may I have some of your time?"

"Of course dear. Come on in"

Layla opened the door and stayed outside as I entered mother's office.

"Is there something you need to inform me about that you would come straight to my office first thing in the morning instead of barging into your sister's room and congratulating her a happy day like how you used to?" Lalaine's mother said as she continued on reading the documents on her hand.

Now that I am remembering those times, I am starting to feel chills from the embarrassment while considering my actual age.

"Well, yes, there is something I have to tell you"

Mother placed down her pen and looked up to my eyes with an amused look.

"I would be happy to hear if you are planning on marrying someone but I am sure that is not what you came here for. So, what is it?" She asked with an one of her brow raised.

"I would like to hand over my position as heir to Cecilia"

"....."

Baroness Annabeth Reosra, my mother, smiled upon hearing my words.

Despite her age, she looked young and vibrant. Obvious that she took great care of herself. Or perhaps a youthful appearance is natural in our blood.

"Is this your way of avoiding marriage that you hate so much?"

"No. Cecilia is simply more deserving to become the heir.

As you know she is more well versed in management and administration than I am"

"True. She inherited that from me, while you inherited your talent from your stubborn father. But, are you saying that you are giving this position to her as a gift?"

"Yes"

Annabeth turned around to look through the mirror as if she was looking for a reason why her daughter came up with this and turned back to face Lalaine again and said, "You do realize that there is a small possibility that she might feel insulted after the position she tried so hard to reach only to be served on a silver platter, on her birthday no less, right?"

"That is correct"

Annabeth tap her index finger on the table as she looked at Lalaine with curiosity. Both displeased and intrigued at the same time.

"While there is rivalry between you two, I do believe that you both love each other. Lalaine, my daughter, are you truly alright with giving your position as heir to Cecilia?"

"Yes, mother. I wouldn't have come here otherwise"

Seeing her daughter's resolute eyes, Annabeth decided to back off regarding the matter at hand.

"Good"

The baroness smiled gleefully but hid it by using the documents on her table in a noble like manner.

"You may now go. I will be sure to tell Cecilia about this 'gift' of yours without her misunderstanding your intention"

I bowed slightly and replied "Thank you, mother"

Now, there is nothing that could shackle me to this place.