Unshackle

(They finally left…but...)

She glanced over her shoulder, only to see a familiar face walking towards her:

The Crown Prince, Noah Morningstar.

"Lady Ainaira." His voice was soft and full of affection.

Ainairi felt a weight on her heart.

She felt her heart breaking.

"Your Highness..."

(Your Highness…?)

Noah was taken aback at her sudden formality.

She never treated the prince as a prince, but instead someone who is an equal with her.

"Ah! Wait, Lady Ainaira!" Lost in thought, he suddenly noticed she was leaving, so he grabbed her hand.

"What do you need, Your Highness?"

"Do I need something to talk to my fiance? I'm hurt." He tried to brush it off in order to hide his confusion.

Why the sudden formality? A week ago, she was completely and utterly possessive and obsessive.

It was still fresh in his mind when she harassed a noble lady who blushed after seeing the Crown Prince. He and the knights had a hard time calming her down. Eventually, she stopped when he gave her a peck on the forehead.

He was the one who would always joke and tease her, so maybe this is her form of payback.

It was a joke, even though she never joked with him. The possibility of her teasing him was the only reasonable one.

"And, just call me Noah like you always do." he whispered as he winked at her.

Her eyes were like daggers and filled with disgust.

He didn't notice it, as he was too confused to process anything.

"Filth." she clicked her tongue

"What-?"

"Nothing, Your Highness. I just saw something filthy."

His mind was clouded with only one question: Why was she acting so different?

"..."

Noah didn't realize Ainaira was already gone until he snapped out of his confusion.

—

It was a hectic day for her. She greeted people she didn't want to meet again and had to hear the same things for the second time.

She rested on the balcony so that no one would bother her. It's a neglected part of the manor due to its reputation as the 'cursed hall.'

It doesn't matter to her though, since she forgot why people avoided this particular hallway. Although, she knew it had something to do with her mother.

The rustling of the soft wind slowly swayed the leaves. Birds chirps in melody as they peacefully feed their young birds.

At that moment she heard a faint noise near the curtains. She glances, only to see a young boy with pink hair and red eyes. It was her half

brother, Ainsley.

"U-um…I'm sorry!"

He bowed frantically at her like he was caught doing something bad.

"Sorry for what?"

Ainsley flinched at her hard tone.

From Ainaira's memory, Ainsley would be adopted by the Duke Eseiwi after the constant neglect of the marchioness and marquess.

(He would be living a happy life 2 years from now at the Dukedom. No use talking to him.)

As she was about to leave, he tugged her clothes

"Um…I-..." He was hesitant "Congratulations on your debut...L-Lady Ainaira"

She flicked his forehead after momentarily looking at him dumbfounded for a few seconds.

Why did she do this? She just felt like it.

Once he opened his eyes, he saw a book being handed to him

"This will be useful for you"

(It's no use for me anymore)

He took a closer look.

<Book 1: Fundamentals of Ancient Magic>

Ainsley eyes looked surprised as he stared at his older sister

but she only remained calm and distant with her eyes.

"How...But why?"

He couldn't understand the emotion he was feeling.

Confusion, shock and happiness. These emotions were what this young boy was feeling

She didn't answer his question, and only left balcony.

Leaving Ainsley with many questions.

-

It was unusually noisy at the party. However this noise was familiar to her.

She quietly observed the center of attention, a girl with pink, long, curly hair and black jewel-like eyes.

She's here.

Josephine Eseiwi, the one and only Saintess of Ethereal Empire.

Her eyes pierce through the crowd and focus on Josephine.

She left the premises shortly, but not before Josephine felt like someone was intently observing her.

–

In the first timeline, during the first time they met, Ainaira caused a scene.

She pulled Josephine hair, splashed wine at her, belittled and told her that she should stay away from her fiance.

Remembering those memories made her sad but was relieved,She can avoid her death now.

(It's no longer here, I'm free)

For the first time, she felt like a bird being freed from its cage.

Despite being free she still feel empty and lifeless.

Why is that?