Mockingbird

[Portia's POV]

Anthony's worried face is the first thing I see when I get down from the carriage. He dashed as soon as possible when seeing us.

Anthony probably already heard about the assault incident at the palace garden.

I am pulling over to let him meet his wife and daughter, but what happens next surprises me.

"Portia, are you okay?"

He hugs me and looks into my eyes with full concern. His strange behaviour makes me fall in confusion. Suddenly, I turn around to see Adeline, who smiles genuinely at the back with Yuri sleeping in her arms.

"I'm fine, Father."

"Really?"

The corner of my lips twitched as I replied, "Well—I collaps after getting bumped with one of the assassins, and it's still somewhat dizzy. Can I come inside to rest?"

Anthony's eyes widened in shock. He gets up and calls one of our butlers, Caleb, who always follows him everywhere as his private assistant. He is the head butler of our house. Caleb is a fine-looking man with a neat appearance. He is also a kind-hearted person, just like my Diane. I remember how he still treated me as a lady of this house even though everyone resented me.

"Caleb, make an appointment with Oliver. Tell him to put us on the top priority list and send a carriage to his house."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Wait … what?

Oliver Wood? Is he talking about the best doctor in this empire?

He turns around when I pinch his leather coat with a worried face. "F-Father, wait. I don't need a doctor; I need a little rest."

Anthony crouches and taps my head lightly. "It's okay, he is a long friend of mine. He will come to check if you have another injury. Adeline and Yuri will get the same check-up, too."

Is he mad about something, or did I make an unforgivable mistake until I get this kind of impossible treatment?

As far as I know, Oliver Wood is a genius doctor who lived far from the empire in his secluded castle surrounded by medicinal herbs and magical plants.

He is known to have a hot-headed temper and will not take care of random patients even though they are from the empire family.

In my previous life, Oliver once treated Yuri when she fell sick during hunting season. Yuri got a broken ankle after falling from her horse. She recovered within an hour with Oliver's special medicine, a mixture of certain herbs and magical plants.

That same 'Oliver' will come here and treat me?

"He's right, My Lady." With a gentle voice, Caleb interrupted my busy mind. "It's better to check if there are other injuries before it's late. Sir Oliver is a reliable doctor. You can trust him."

I nod. "Well, if you say so, maybe it's okay for me."

Anthony let out a relieved sigh. He smiles wide at Adeline, which gives him a genuine smile too.

"It's getting a bit chilly out of here. How about getting inside?"

Adeline raises one of her eyebrows as if giving a sign to move inside. I could not agree more with her. The wind blows fierce, wild, and cold as the cruel autumn. It is hard to stand straight for a long time in this weather. I have already dreamed about drinking hot chocolate and lying on my warm bed.

"Of course. Let's go."

When I go through the entrance door, a strange feeling approaches me. There is a part of me that feels relieved, and the other part feels somehow worried.

Is this because I manage to build a relationship with Raeliana? The future rich businesswoman? Or because I can prevent the incident before it gets worse?

Nath did not get bad injuries, thanks to me. All the assassins are arrested and will be interrogated under the empire judiciary. Moreover, Nath, who always takes his head high, thanking me even though his rude gratitude form makes me want to punch him right in his face.

Still, an uneasy feeling crept inside me. What is it?

'I told you not to interfere with the main story.'

'Don't ever fall to God's voices.'

'You're destined to die.'

'Still, everyone gets their second chance.'

"Portia?"

A light tap comes and wakes me up from reverie. I blink and stop walking. "Yes?"

"I … ah, forget it. Don't forget to come down when dinnertime. Got it?" This is the third time Adeline has acted like this. She seems like she wants to ask something, but she constantly changes her mind before she can speak about that.

Honestly, I do not want to overthink what she wants to ask me. It is better not to talk about my 'hidden' power because it will be difficult for me to explain.

"Of course. Please have a good rest, Father and Mother." I bowed, then left the main room and headed to the south hallway, where my room was located. I will make sure to sleep all day without thinking too much about everything.

*

Yup. I am failed.

I sigh and go to look over the pile of paper Diane has brought for me when there is a knock at the door.

"Lady, I bring your hot chocolate."

"Thanks," I utter without turning around and focus scribbling on the paper. She places the hot chocolate on the table beside the ink pot. After that, Diane goes out without saying anything. She knows that I do not want to be disturbed right now.

Have a good rest … huh? What huge nonsense. I can not sleep and end up sitting here, writing down almost everything I can remember from my previous life.

I know nothing will stay the same as before, especially after what happened in the empire palace. Maybe my actions will change the future, even though I have no idea if they will lead to a bad or good future. However, is it selfish to relish my memories and cling to the past?

What I know for certain is there is nothing good about my past memories. I only need the basic information, so I can survive by changing the bad event for my own opportunity.

"After the assault incident … the next important event is this." A bitter grin appears on my face when reading that sentence.

Imperial Knight General's assassination. Which will happen three months later in … Palmerston, our house.