Chapter 1. The Prologue of a Tragedy, Part I

When I first regained the memories of my past life, I was merely a dirty and homeless girl who lived off by eating leftovers from the trash. It was a sunny day and I was begging on the streets as usual, when two noble ladies passed by me.

"Grand Duke Averill has returned as a hero after successfully defending the north, so the imperial family is hosting a ball in celebration of his victory." One of them explained.

"And there's a festival for commoners, I heard?" The other lady curiously inquired.

Grand Duke Averill. A ball hosted by the imperial family. A festival for commoners.

Hearing those phrases made my heart skip a beat and a rush of fear came into me. All this time, I was too busy trying to fill my stomach that I haven't had the time to closely observe this world where I was transported to. Only when I heard those phrases did I realise that I transmigrated into a novel I once read, "A World Without Light".

As far as I remember, the novel begins with the Grand Duke of Averill returning as a war hero and the Empire of Cecil greeting him with a warm welcome. However, while the royals were enjoying themselves in the ball, a group of rebels bombed the plaza where the festival for the commoners was being held. Thus, what was supposed to be a festival turned into a bloodbath, and it almost encouraged a rebellion afterwards.

Well, no shit. If that's really the case, then I gotta get out of here. Call me selfish or cowardly, but what could a five-year old kid like me possibly do? As if anyone would believe me if I told them!

You see, I was reincarnated as a beggar. Yes, a goddamn beggar. I initially thought, maybe I was the hidden heroine? I was okay with being born as a villainess, too, or even a side character will do.

As long as I can eat three times a day with a roof above my head, it was fine. But no, I just had to be so unlucky that I was reborn as a nameless beggar.

So no, count me out. All of you can die while I move to another city. So long, fuckers.

Just when I was making a run for it, a big and callous hand grabbed me from behind.

"This rat will do." A crook with a huge scar across his face lifted me from the ground with one hand. He looked like the type of minor villain who wouldn't last a chapter.

"L-Let me go!" I squirmed from his monstrous grip. "Where are you taking me?!"

I whimpered when he slapped me across the face.

I could only tremble in fear as he brought me to god-knows-where. No matter how much I screamed, the people on the streets paid no heed to my cries. They just went on with their lives.

When we reached a dark alley, he met with a man who looked like a mage. He was cloaked in a red robe and there was a glowing orb on his hands.

The man knocked me unconscious by bashing my head against the wall. These guys... What exactly do they need with a scrawny kid like me?

---

When I came into my senses, I was all alone in the desolate street. For some reason, my body was heavy, and my small tummy felt especially tight.

When I lifted my clothes to take a peek, there was a strange beeping device attached on my stomach.

Those assholes... I hope I'm wrong, but is this a freaking bomb? No, please, hell no! According to the novel, a group of rebels bombed the plaza where the commoners were enjoying the festival.

Don't tell me I was reincarnated in this book for this role? As the carrier of the bomb, seriously? Why am I being used to advance the plot?!

No, calm down. I may be a five-year old kid on the outside, but I'm mentally twenty.

First things first. I need to get some help. No one would believe a commoner like me if I told them that the plaza will be bombed in two hours. But if I show them that there's a ticking bomb on my body, they might take my words seriously.

I mean, they should, or else we'd all be fried potatoes. No one wants that, right? So they better treat me like a princess and get this damn thing off my body.

"You can do this." I encouraged myself and slapped my cheeks with my little hands.

With an air of confidence, I emerged from the dark alley. The sunshine struck my face as I ran an eye over the plaza. Everyone was busy preparing for the war hero's return. Some were gathering flowers, some were practicing their dance and music, while others were simply waiting idly by the city gate, anticipating the arrival of the star.

It must be nice to be treated like a main character.

Well, he deserves it. The neighbouring kingdom, Larraine, made an attempt to invade the north, only to be defeated by the Lohefalter Knights, led by Grand Duke Cyrus Liben de Averill.

He's the second male lead's father, by the way.

His Grace was already a man of eminence prior to the invasion, but this whole war business warranted him even more prestige in the empire.

"Grand Duke Averill and the Lohefalter Knights have arrived!" The man by the gate shouted in excitement.

With that, the massive city gates were opened to welcome the northern troops. The whole city went into a frenzy and everyone was eager to thank the heroes for their bravery in the frontlines.

As I jostled through the crowd, beads of sweat rolled on the side of my face. Unlike them, I wasn't here for that. I wasn't here to celebrate them.

There's a ticking bomb on my tummy. I might die today, along with these people. I have no time for fangirling or throwing confetti at the troops.

"Alright," I took a deep breath and tried my best to calm down. "I'm gonna jump in front of the carriage. Far enough not to get killed, but near enough to make them stop."

You see, the best way to make nobles listen to a mere commoner like me is to offend them. If I jump in front of the carriage and interrupt the parade, the Grand Duke will surely take offense.

Once I have his full attention, I'll plead for mercy and show him the bomb. Sure, it may cause panic among the crowd, but raising alarm would also emphasize the severity of the situation. That way, they'd have no choice but to help me.

The troops became visible as they approached the city gates. From afar, they proudly waved the crimson flag of the Lohefalter Knights, printed with the image of a shield and a red butterfly.

"Okay, it's now or never." I braced myself.

Just as I was about to surge forward to block their way, a small hand grabbed and pulled me back. Shocked, I turned around and found a silver-haired kid with golden eyes, whose grip on my arm felt like he meant to crush my bones.

"Are you dumb? You could've died!" He fumed.

He was dressed casually and spoke crudely like common folks, but his facial features were handsome and definitely regal. His skin was fair, his hair was silver, and his cavernous, golden eyes looked like that of a dragon. He was a child brimming with charisma. There's no way this kid was a commoner. He must be a noble in disguise.

"Hey!" The kid shouted through gritted teeth. "Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"

As the troops' horses trotted past the throng, I couldn't hear anything else other than my own heartbeat. I only have an hour and a half before the bomb detonates. What should I do?

Amidst the cheering of the crowd, I stood rooted to my position. Before I knew it, tears streamed down on my cheeks. This was the first time I cried ever since transmigrating into this world. Despite sleeping on cold ground and starving for days, not once have I ever shed a teardrop.

I always told myself that it will get better. That this life will get better for me. But now that I'm on the verge of dying, I'm so scared and I feel so helpless.

"W-Why are you crying?" The silver-haired kid flailed his arms around in panic.

I burst into sobs. "I don't want to die..."

After saying those words, I lifted my shirt to show him my tummy. His eyes widened at the sight of the bomb strapped around my body. Why am I even telling this to a kid? I'm sure he's gonna cry and panic-

"A bomb." The young lord blurted out and took a closer look at it. "Who put this on you?"

"I don't know... H-He knocked me out. A crook. And a mage. Yes, there's also a mage." I stated incoherently. "When I woke up, it was already there."

"Is that so?" The child offered his hand. "Come with me. First, let's move somewhere else."

I wasn't sure how exactly a little kid like him could help me, but he looked so calm and dependable at that moment compared to any adult I've seen in this world. And so, I took his hand with hopes that I'll be able to survive this chapter.