002

I cannot escape the chains that bind me to make decisions against my will, I can not break free of the chains that are clenching around my fate, leaving it restricted to the point in which I cannot speak freely. A supernatural phenomenon had occurred in my previous lives as well, when I wanted to take actions that derailed from the ‘original storyline’ I was pulled back by chains.

The chains appeared abruptly yet only I could see them. It was as if I was hallucinating but the pain of the cold metal freezing my skin was all too real, being controlled by the icicles of fate as if I was a marionette. I was chained to my death bed the day I was born and, why? It was all for Evie Luxiere, the perfect daughter of Baron Luxiere, there made no difference whether I was caged or not. In any situation, even in the face of credible sincere evidence, a single word from Evie would be enough to cause everyone else, even my blood-related family, to hold my words in a lower worth than dirt.

She truly lives up to her name. Her surname being derived from 'lux', meaning light, suitable for her title as the blessed child with light magic and as applied in real life, where there is light there is a shadow.

True to this phrase Evie displays the pure bright luminesce expected of her name but behind the mask, where the curtain falls, are shadows. The darker, more vile means that she takes to secure her position, taking credit for the product of the blood, sweat and tears of others, all lying behind her façade.

Although, after my excessive attempts to live a stable comfortable life I have lost the drive to alter my fate or otherwise 'I'm done with this s***,' apologies for my vulgar exclamation. This time I will simply succumb to the void that has been engraved into my path of life where the early end to my journey is used as a stepping stone for others to climb the social ladder.

Though I am thinking quite far ahead into the future, as of currently I am trapped in the body of a baby. Restrained by the undeveloped muscles and cognitive abilities of a young child, I sit here in my cot waiting for the time to pass like every other life I have lived as I have been reborn into the Veronique Dukedom again.

I may have never realised this before but familial love, my parents didn’t betray me in any life, I was abandoned from the start. Mother, she held such a kind smile the moment I was born but now, I’ve seen her true colours behind that façade. Father is a reputable man, the Duke of this kingdom, the royal Empire of Merillis, they only married because of politics.

I have speculated that Father had to marry to secure his position as Duke and to be more ‘normal’ though from what I have reflected on in my previous lives, his exterior of a carefree countenance is not what it seems.

Mother only married Father because of her greed for more materialistic possessions despite having already been born into a noble family that provided for all her desires. Now, using her position as Duchess of the largest Dukedom in the kingdom, she spends all her money on dresses and various useless items that have no practical use. Everything she buys all contributes to the worthless façade that she tries to create to gain the reputation of a perfect person.

Though they are still my parents so I must give them the benefit of the doubt, despite only realising it in this life I won’t fret or falter it won’t affect nor change my predetermined fate. I don’t wish to become an empty shell or merely the husk of a person, but with how these events are unfolding it won’t be long until I fully succumb to the darkness of my destiny.

“Young Lady, please proceed to the dining room, your parents are waiting for you to begin their dinner,” my maid, Isabelle, who was the spy for Evie in my previous lives and caused my life to go haywire. If it weren’t for the experience I gained from my past lives, I would’ve gotten lost in this maze of a mansion and required a maid to escort me.

As I approached the large mahogany doors leading to the dining room where I expect my parents to be waiting, my palms started to sweat, a ringing sound reverberated in my ears and my heartbeat seemed to get louder and quicker. What if they would kill me for some absurd reason?

I took a deep breath before entering.

“I see that you have finally decided to join us, Corlissa,” greeted my father, though his voice seemed to be laced with boredom.

“Yes, father, apologies for my tardiness, it will not happen again. I was simply too engrossed in a book I have recently started reading,” this seemed to pique his interest, I can conclude that most 2 year-olds don’t start reading yet in this civilisation.

“It’s great that you’re progressing with your studies, Corlissa,” my mother replied but I could see through her mask, perhaps she has another man, she isn’t the slightest bit interested in what I have to say.

“I agree, Duchess Veronique,” though I can agree that this was quite a cruel response, she is undeserving of respect when she is unfaithful and blinded by the sin of greed.

I want to live in the present. I want to feel emotion in the same intensity that I did before, I don’t want to become an empty shell.

“Father, may I gain your permission to temporarily leave the manor to attend the annual Spring Festival held at the Royal Palace?”

“Your reason?” he questioned, he had slight suspicion evident in his facial expression but one would need a keen eye to notice since he masked it right away.

“I merely wish to live the life of a child, I hope that isn’t too much to ask for. If it inconveniences you, I can be sent with fewer guards or possibly a single guard, I do not doubt the safety of this kingdom so I believe a single guard will suffice,” I phrased that wrong, he will most likely send one of his soldiers so they can spy on what I do at the festival or he will send shadow guards to monitor my actions in case I pull anything suspicious.

“Very well, permission granted, I will prepare a carriage for you to leave tomorrow, ensure that you will not disgrace the Veronique name.”

“Rest assured father, I have no motive to bring harm upon my own family.”