Chapter 2
It may sound cliché, but I thought it was all just a dream.
What happened with nineteen-year-old Emil wiping out my entire family… maybe it was only a nightmare from last night.
But I quickly shook my head.
Even if I wanted to believe that, the feeling of the cold blade piercing my stomach was far too real.
That vivid sensation couldn’t be fake.
‘What… is going on?’
My legs trembled as I stepped onto the floor.
Noticing it, my nanny, Isana, quickly checked my condition.
“Miss, are you alright?”
Isana looked much younger than the night I died.
Her wrinkles were faint, and the gray hairs were barely visible.
“May I check your forehead? You don’t seem to have a fever…”
“N-no, I’m fine… I just had a bad dream.”
“You look very pale. What kind of dream did you have…? If you can’t calm down, should I bring you some warm milk?”
“Yes… please.”
After Isana left, I slowly walked to the mirror.
The seventeen-year-old me was gone.
Instead, a small child with baby fat stood there.
My hair, once long, was now just past my shoulders.
Soft ivory hair, neatly parted, smooth and healthy.
And bright red eyes staring back at me in shock.
‘This is real.’
I couldn’t understand how I had returned to the past.
But then—
I remembered something.
My mother.
She had also returned to the past.
‘Could it be… Mom too?’
It was possible.
I didn’t see my parents die, but Emil said it himself.
He killed them.
Emil.
The moment I thought of his name, complicated emotions filled me.
And a question followed.
‘Why did he destroy our entire family?’
Even after something like that, the house had been silent.
That meant even the servants were killed.
“…Ugh…”
Just remembering it made me feel sick.
The smell of blood still felt real.
‘Did the madness of the villainess finally awaken in him?’
The Emil I saw… wasn’t the Emil I knew.
‘What did he mean… living like puppets?’
The most likely answer—
He inherited Robellin’s madness.
‘But more importantly… even if I returned to the past, the same thing could happen again.’
Just like my mother hid her regressions from my father—
I had hidden my past life too.
I was afraid.
Afraid they would see me as strange.
Afraid they would abandon me.
Even in happiness… I was always anxious.
On my fifteenth birthday, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and told my mother.
“I remember my life before I was born.”
She was surprised.
But then she smiled gently.
“You really are my daughter… I’ve turned back time too.”
That moment—
I truly felt I had a real family.
People who would understand me.
People who would accept me.
I couldn’t lose that again.
I already knew what would happen.
I couldn’t let it repeat.
‘First… I need to find out why Emil killed my family.’
“Miss, it’s a bit hot.”
Isana returned with milk.
“Thank you.”
As I held the warm cup, my racing heart slowly calmed.
“If you feel unwell, we can cancel the invitations.”
“Invitations?”
I had forgotten.
“I mean your birthday banquet tomorrow.”
Ah—
So I was ten years old now.
My tenth birthday.
The same day Emil first appeared publicly.
“Even Young Master Calixt would understand if it’s canceled.”
Isana smiled warmly.
“But you look much better now.”
“It’s just the milk. I’m fine. No need to cancel.”
“Are you sure?”
“I shouldn’t lie about being sick.”
Because Emil will come.
No matter what, I would meet him again.
I couldn’t miss this chance.
After washing and dressing, I went to the dining room.
My mother smiled warmly.
“Did you sleep well?”
I froze for a moment.
The image of blood in the hallway flashed in my mind.
But I forced myself to answer.
“I had a bad dream… I dreamed you and father died in an accident… but now I’m okay.”
If my mother had also regressed—
She would understand.
But her reaction was different.
“Do you want a hug?”
I hesitated… then hugged her tightly.
“It was just a dream. Your father and I are strong.”
“…Okay.”
Her warmth felt so real.
Maybe… I just wanted to believe it was all a dream.
“Still feeling down?”
“…Is it obvious?”
“You always try to endure things alone.”
Her gentle voice made me smile.
“Let’s take a walk later.”
“Okay.”
Soon, my father entered.
“Happy birthday.”
“It’s not even today yet.”
My mother laughed.
“You’ve been saying that for a week.”
“…Have I?”
“You’re the most excited one.”
He denied it—
But it was true.
‘He stacked gifts like a tree last time…’
And embarrassed me in front of everyone.
‘I have to go through that again…’
‘Tomorrow… I’ll meet Emil.’
I needed to find out where everything went wrong.
And also—
‘I need to meet Duke Calixt too.’
The one most suspicious of all.
The man who neglected his own son.
* * *
The next day came quickly.
“Miss! Please get ready!”
Isana was more excited than anyone.
‘Help me…’
There were over twenty dresses prepared.
Just looking at them was exhausting.
Then—
I saw the dress I wore before my death.
White with gold lace.
I liked it before.
But now—
I didn’t want to wear it again.
“I like that one.”
“The soft sky-blue one?”
“Yes.”
The maids brought it.
“It will suit you perfectly.”
“No need to try others. I’ll wear this.”
After dressing, I styled my short hair simply.
A headband.
A shining topaz pin.
Looking in the mirror—
I saw a nervous child.
‘I have to do this right… or else…’
Fear crept in.
But I shook my head.
‘First, I need to get close to Emil faster than before.’
Only then could I change things.
When I left the room, my father was waiting.
“This time, it’s not early.”
“Hm?”
“Happy birthday.”
Ah—
He was waiting just to say that.
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
He held out his hand.
I quickly grabbed it.
When we entered the hall—
All eyes turned to us.
Applause filled the room.
‘This is bigger than I remember…’
I didn’t like parties.
But this time—
I had a reason.
Standing at the front, I smiled softly.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday.”
It was—
My tenth birthday.
