After consoling me, Aveline had left, something about my debutante dress needing some last-minute altercations due 'my' request from yesterday and preparing tea for my younger sister Lizzabeth, nicknamed Lizzy. I cannot recall this small request from my sixteen-year-old self, so I simply stated that I changed my mind and that there is no need anymore.

With a nod and smile, she replied "wise choice" before saying that the duke and duchess had returned from one of their special 'outings'.

Cut back to the present; this is why I am kneeling with both hands up in the air, and a book on each palm while balancing a teacup on my head in the livingroom right in front of my mother and father who are seated.

"Cordelia. Mimmly. Stormcrest!!!" My usually calm mother shouted, "Where have your decency gone? Have you forgotten your status? Daring to run in the hallways, nevertheless in your NIGHTGOWN?!"

Despite facing my mother's anger, I could not help but foolishly smile and laugh, instantly tearing up again, "I just missed you both, mother and father."

My father laughed, telling my mother to stop shouting and let me off this once for showing such a childish side despite usually being calm and composed. My mother slapped my father’s arm saying, "This is how you've spoilt rotten the eldest; she will be punished! We cannot have her running around like this or else her reputation will be ruined!"

Despite how stern she is being, she still ordered a maid to put a cushion under my knees, ordered the knights to guard outside and designated Aveline to supervise my punishment.

As she stood up with my father, she looked at me and said, "Stop grinning - you look like a fool, Cordelia!"

While she left in a huff, my father chuckled and said to me before following her, "Keep grinning; you look just like your mother in her youth - very lovely, hah!"

After they had both left, I was alone in the room as Aveline had to bring tea to my sister, so I slacked off my punishment and walked around the room.

The painting that we sold in the future for 20,000 sennies due to our declining situation hung majestically on the wall behind the couch. As I continued walking, on top of the fireplace was a glassware art piece imported from Wasstania—a gift for my mother on their anniversary before my father's death. It, too, was sold off, but for a meager 10 sennies, as it turned out to be fake.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Coming to a halt, I reminisce the smile from my parents, thinking that it is surreal that I can see joy on their faces, especially seeing my father walking despite having attended his funeral. My mother although gentle and always held an up-tight air around her, fell into despair and became a mess. I never want to see my mother like that again, so I will prevent this from happening again!

With a chuckle, I sit on the couch thinking to myself that 'this is much too real to be a dream even if it’s unbelievable'.

The clear vision, sensations, smells, and the way everything from the past looks so vivid - it cannot be an illusion. Did the plea I make really get heard? Is there really a being akin to God? Maybe I should research into the temple of light... Otherwise, how else would I have gone back in time? I can't even use magic!

As I hear footsteps from the hallway, I was woken up from my thoughts.

I turn around and see Aveline entering the livingroom with Lizzy, "Sister, aren't you getting punished? I came all the way here instead of playing just to see you on the ground! I'm going to tell on mother!"

Chuckling, I ask my bratty sister, "Unless?"

She pouts and says, "Unless you let me and Lieon go on the trip to Easstania!"

Although she's already 12, she is still bratty and childish - how I miss her silly remarks and joyful face whenever I agree to her shenanigans. To think in the future, because of me, she will get bullied in the academy to the point she fears leaving her own dorms and having to drop out of the school due to never attending her exams…

Wait. "Easstania?"

"Yes, of course! You slyly left us out! You know I want to go to Easstania to see their newest play that isn't available here yet!"

Freezing up, I recall the start of where everything went wrong.

After my sixteenth birthday, as a gift, my parents booked me a trip to Easstania to sight-see, and although the view was amazing... I had set my eyes on not the landscape, but a man.

He was a newly appointed knight named Theo, without a surname nor a lover. I never learned where he was from since his accent was clearly not local. However, his blonde hair shone like the sun, and with his tall posture, he stood proudly, gazing at me gently with his blue eyes. He embodied a textbook gentleman despite being a wielder of the sword. Then adding on the fact that in our kingdom, where most knights are ungentlemanly plus – you know, a tad stinky – being dazzled by such a refined knight makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

Although the time we shared was a small, we danced, laughed, and even held hands! I thought he was the love of my life but honestly, I just fell in love at first sight.

That is, until I saw him again at the Noxarian Empire's annual ball, where he danced gracefully with another woman in the ballroom. Later, he was revealed to be Theodore Blackiron, 2nd son of the Blackiron dukedom and the man engaged to the 2nd princess of Noxarian, Cassandra von Noxarian. And indeed… the woman he danced with was the 2nd princess herself.

I unwittingly incurred the wrath of a princess from a powerful empire, infatuated with the very man who caught my eye. Absurd, isn't it? I merely cast a glance his way, and he was the one who eagerly approached me! Picture the spectacle: your family's prestige going downhill due to your own foolishness, duped by a charming young man with an overly fixated fiancée. Yes, it's foolish, I acknowledge. But mark my words, this blunder won't be repeated. I refuse to go to Easstania, regardless of who stands in my way!

Suddenly, my mother’s voice rang out loud and clear from the living room entrance, "Cordelia! Why aren't you kneeling!"

Caught like a cat that had been caught stealing fish, I turn around and give my mother the most flattering smile I could muster up.

My mother gave me a look of disgust before smirking playfully, "Actually, since you disobeyed me, your trip will now be you taking your sister and brother to Easstania. Oh, and I will NOT be taking it back."

... Fuck.

“And since you are too busy to be punished, hurry up and decide on your partner for your debutante! There’s a list of suitors asking to be your partner! If you can’t decide… Just pick your old friend” Laughing, she elegantly walked away with her fan over her mouth. Clearly, she’s eager to see me suffer with my sword obsessed childhood friend Roland Redsteel of the Redsteel dukedom. And yes, he also stinks and this time, not by a tad bit…

… Double fuck.