Chapter 1: A Tragic Betrayal

The night was deep, and the air was thick with an unsettling stillness. Alicia lay peacefully asleep in her luxurious bedroom within Eisha Castle. The room was a testament to her noble status and the wealth of her family. Rich, velvet drapes adorned the tall windows, keeping the night at bay. An ornate chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its crystals catching the moonlight and casting delicate patterns on the walls. The bed, a grand four-poster with intricately carved posts, was dressed in the finest silks and satins. Plush pillows and a soft, downy comforter enveloped Alicia in warmth and comfort.

Her vanity table, adorned with delicate perfumes and an array of jewelry, stood by the window, reflecting the moonlight in its polished mirror. Shelves filled with books lined one wall, showcasing her love for knowledge and adventure. A tapestry depicting a serene forest scene hung above a cozy sitting area, where a plush armchair and a small table invited her to spend quiet moments with a book.

In her dreams, Alicia was once again a carefree child, running through the lush gardens of Eisha Castle with her childhood friend, Leon. They laughed and played, their footsteps light on the soft grass. The sun was warm on their faces, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. They ventured beyond the garden, pretending to be brave adventurers on a quest to find hidden treasures and mythical creatures.

"Come on, Alicia! Let's see who can find the most magical flower!" Leon called out, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Alicia giggled, chasing after him. "Wait for me, Leon!" she shouted, her heart filled with joy.

Their adventure led them to an old, twisted apple tree at the edge of the forest. Leon picked a shiny red apple and handed it to Alicia with a grin. "For you, my lady," he said, bowing dramatically.

Alicia took a bite, savoring the sweet, crisp taste. But soon, her joy turned to panic as a strange sensation spread through her body. Her vision blurred, and she felt a tightness in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Leon... I don't feel so good," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Suddenly, Alicia jolted awake, her heart pounding wildly. The scent of smoke filled her nostrils, and the sound of crackling flames reached her ears. She realized that it wasn't the apple that had taken her breath away—it was the thick smoke now seeping into her room, suffocating her.

“Help! Is anyone there?” Alicia's voice was filled with panic, barely audible over the crackling flames.

At that moment, the door burst open, revealing a familiar figure. It was Leon. Seeing him brought a glimmer of hope to Alicia's heart.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Leon! What's happening? Help me!” she cried out, her eyes wide with terror and confusion.

However, Leon's expression was a mix of pain, resolve, and something deeper—something unspoken and intense. He seemed eerily calm in the face of the chaos, his eyes fixed on her with a strange, unreadable look.

“Alicia… I’m so sorry…” Leon’s voice trembled with sadness, the words heavy with regret.

Before Alicia could react, Leon pulled out a dagger from his cloak. The blade shimmered with an eerie light, as if imbued with some dark power.

“Leon, what are you doing?” Alicia’s voice was filled with confusion and fear. She saw the torment in his eyes, a reflection of her own bewilderment and dread.

Leon’s hand shook, but the determination in his eyes didn’t waver. Taking a deep breath, he plunged the dagger into Alicia’s chest.

Pain seared through her, a burning agony that stole her breath. Alicia felt her life slipping away, her vision dimming. She couldn’t understand why the person she trusted most would do this. As her consciousness faded, she saw tears streaming down Leon’s face. He whispered, “For you, I have no choice…”

The last thing Alicia saw was a brilliant light enveloping everything before darkness consumed her.

…

When Alicia opened her eyes again, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar bed. The room was modestly furnished, with simple wooden furniture and a small window letting in the soft morning light. The air was filled with the scent of fresh linens and blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the fiery nightmare that haunted her memories.

“Where am I?” she whispered, her voice trembling. The memories of her past life surged through her mind. The burning sensation in her hand, the piercing pain in her chest—it all felt so real, as if the wounds were still fresh on her skin.

“It can't be... Was it all a dream? No, the pain was too vivid to be an illusion.” Alicia’s thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of her situation. Her mind kept returning to Leon, her childhood friend and the person she trusted most. “Why would he do this? We grew up together, we shared everything... Why would you betray me, Leon?”

…

Alicia rose from the bed, her body feeling strange yet familiar. She walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains. The familiar sight of Aisha's vast, fertile plains greeted her, bringing a sense of comfort. This was undoubtedly Aisha, and she was still the beloved daughter of its leader... or so she thought.

“This is Aisha, my home. I am the cherished daughter of the Aisha family,” she murmured to herself, trying to anchor her thoughts.

But then, her eyes fell upon a scene in the courtyard below that made her heart skip a beat. Her parents were sitting there, and beside them were two children who looked strikingly similar to her. “When did I have siblings?” Alicia's mind reeled with confusion. “This can’t be right. I’m not resurrected... I’ve been reborn. And everything is different this time.”

Alicia's thoughts spiraled into chaos. The realization that she was living a different life, in a different time, where her very family structure was altered, was overwhelming. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

Alicia was indeed the daughter of the Aisha family. However, she was not an only child in this life. She was the youngest, with two older brothers and an older sister. As she investigated her new reality, she discovered that her family was far from peaceful. Tensions simmered beneath the surface, and the household was rife with conflicts that she had never experienced in her previous life. The most heartbreaking revelation was that no one had ever heard of Leon, the person she trusted the most. It was as if her childhood friend and betrayer had never existed in this world.

In this new life, what fate awaited her? What challenges would she face? Alicia was filled with questions, but she knew she would write her own destiny.