Marriage is an event that every girl dreamed of in their life. I always thought that there would be a prince on a white horse to propose to me, but that event never happened.
I live in Aurora Kingdom. Our kingdom has different rules than other countries. Every girl will have a fiance when they turn 18 years old. A noble will never marry a lower noble in the kingdom. If they want to marry someone of lower status, they must give up their position.
A man has a higher status than a woman, so their job is only to be a good mother. Men can have a job, but women can't have a job at all.
It is unfair, but these are the rules; no one can go against them. Every time I thought about my last life, I felt a cold shiver behind my back. I could remember the first time I met him, the crown prince of Aurora Kingdom, Allen Evan Aurora.
I walked towards the forest behind my house. I liked to wander around without a knight. It is my house, so there would be nothing dangerous, right? I was too naive at that time. I was only five years old, yet already so brave to face the wild nature. I was too young to understand that forests are full of hidden dangers. I sang loudly throughout my journey in the forest.
I never realized that something was hidden in the grass. It suddenly attacked me, and it almost killed me.
I closed my eyes tightly and tried to protect myself, but it didn't hurt me.
"Groaaaalllllllll"
There was a painful roar from the animal. A beautiful boy stood beside the dead creature.
He is so handsome. He has a pair of red eyes, and his long silver hair falls around his shoulders.
I had never met someone so handsome before. It left me amazed by his appearance. I tried to control my expression so he wouldn't find me staring at him.
He wore black clothes like a knight. They looked perfect on him. He held a sharp sword and put it back in the hilt. He looked so cool.
He looked at me with a gentle smile.
"Are you okay?"
His voice was so gentle and tender it could melt me.
"I am fine."
I could only answer him and look away, my face red. I smiled at him naturally. I could see how firm his body was.
It was clear this was not the first time he wielded a sword. I could see his sharp hands and his tough muscles. He looked thin, but his muscles were firm and strong, like he had trained for years.
Training in martial arts was not easy at all. It looked like he was used to close combat.
He is still a young boy, yet he already has skills in combat.
"Why are you staring at me?"
His question brought me back to reality.
"You were amazing."
I said sincerely with a bright smile on my face.
"Amazing?"
He tilted his head to the right at my statement.
"I meant your martial arts. It is so amazing for a young boy like you."
"Pfff."
I was shocked when I heard him laugh so hard.
"You said I am young?"
There was a slight smile on his face.
"Am I wrong?"
I looked at him with confused eyes.
"No, you are not wrong. It is the first time someone praised me for my skills. Everyone else praises me for how I look."
He looked a little sad for a moment, but his expression turned cold as if the sadness was just my imagination.
"Appearance is not the most important in life. Having skills is more beneficial."
He looked at me with a strange expression.
"You sound like an adult. How old are you?"
He stared into my eyes. I felt shy under his gaze. I have blue eyes like my mother and long black hair like my father.
I am the only one who looks different from my twin brothers, who take after both parents.
"I am only five years old this year."
"You are so young, yet you think like an adult."
"My father always said that looks are not everything. You need skills to survive in this world."
"You have a good father."
I could hear the sadness in his voice when he spoke about a father figure. I didn't know what had happened, but I sensed it was not a good memory for him.
I wanted to know more, but it was not my place to pry about someone I barely met today.
"Thank you for saving me."
I said with a smile and ran back toward my family mansion. He didn't stop me. When I looked back, he had already disappeared somewhere.
Mira ran toward me like a torpedo. She was so fast. Mira is my maid. She has taken care of me since I was a baby. She is only fifteen this year, yet she has cared for me so well all this time.
"Miss, where were you? Everyone is worried about you."
"I am sorry, Mira."
I said with a smile. I didn't know his name, but I knew we would never meet again.
His silver hair was so beautiful. I never knew at the time that I had already fallen in love with him. He never knew me, and I never knew his identity.
But I never realized that it was the last time I saw his smile. When we met again on our wedding day, I could see how cold he had become toward me.
The smile I once saw in the past vanished completely. I even felt that he was no longer the same person, though I knew he had no siblings beside him.
It was our journey in life until he killed me, unknowingly, in the cold palace he gave me as his Empress—a place he never touched willingly.
---