Chapter 1: Second Life

Second life.

Not everyone would be lucky enough to achieve such miracle, except me who's now on the verge of crying.

"Oh my, she's going to cry, Adler stop teasing her!" I heard the woman-- my mother scolded my brother when he teased me about not being able to properly hold a rattle.

Yes, a rattle.

Guess what am I now when I returned back in time?

16?

10?

Lower.

8?

Nah, it's the age where a person cannot properly control his muscle-- specifically, an infant who's overly dependent on the people around her.

"But she's just so cute. Look she's practicing her grip! That's my girl!" His eyes were twinkling as he watch me trying so hard to open and close my hands.

I wanted to roll my eyes on this exaggerated brother of mine but it would only make me dizzy.

How I wish I could grow up quickly as I can so I could start investigating on what caused my death before my regression. I have to find it out so I could plan for countermeasures. I just can't let myself die and waste this second chance given to me by whoever was it.

Oh wait I'm feeling my eyelids becoming heavy all of a sudden. Oh yes, I'm still a baby so baby instincts overrule my body.

"Adler, go back to your room because your sister seems sleepy."

"But mother can't I stay for a little longer? I want to watch her sleep--"

As my eyes started to close in oblivion, I couldn't properly hear what they're talking about but it seemed like my brother didn't have a choice but to leave me so I could sleep. Well, it's actually helpful though because I, too wanted to sleep in peace.

"Slowly."

"Take it easy."

"Right, that's right milady."

Their sincere encouragements touched my heart so despite it being hard for me to do it. I didn't want to let them down, so let's do this.

Starting with my right foot, I then proceeded with my left, then my right again. I felt various eyes carefully watching my every move as if they would all jump down to catch me if I fall. Don't worry this is just a small piece of pie for me.

"Milady!"

"Call the doctor immediately!"

"Are you hurt?"

"My goodness, butler call my father!"

Oh well, maybe this small piece of pie isn't really for me. That's what came to my mind when I fell onto the ground. Well, maybe this body is just so small that no one would think a mature mind would exist in this body.

"You're just so beautiful milady!"

"Right, every boy in the party would surely look at you!"

"Maybe even the girls would be so envious of you milady!"

"Oh maybe someone would propose a marriage on our beautiful lady!"

Just what are they saying on a 10-year old kid in front of them?

Do I look like I'm ready to marry?

"What?"

"Marriage?"

The buzzing bees immediately stopped and craned their necks towards the door where my escorts -- my brothers are standing while crossing their arms as they pierced the servants with their blazing gazes.

"Y-young master, it's just a joke--"

"Joke? But you're blurting it in front of her as if giving her some ideas?"

"Marriage? To be saying that in front of a 10-year old kid, what are you my mother?"

"Brothers, stop it, I'm okay they're just praising how beautiful your sister is. Just let it pass, they're not saying anything wrong."

I motioned the servants to leave so they won't be targeted by these crazy brothers.

"Besides, they can't help it because your sister is too beautiful anyway."

"What, they also told you that lie? Who told you that preposterous lie? I'm going to execute him immediately!"

Immediately rolled my eyes at him and he received a punch at the back of his head.

"You really. Stop teasing her."

"Ha ha ha ha, very funny brother. Don't worry this ugly sister of yours won't dance with you today since I don't want to humiliate you. I'm only going to dance with brother Archer."

"What Archer, it's Adler."

"I'm sorry Lily, can't you give me one more chance. This ugly brother of yours really wanted to dance with his beautiful sister. Can't you give him a chance?"

"Hey bastard what are you talking about?"

A sweet smile crossed my lips as a I looked at him.

"As you wish, I would only dance with father, it seems like my feet will get hurt. This heels are kind of high for me anyway."

I left the room with a smirk and gracefully greeted our parents who was walking towards my room.

"Father, mother!"

"Our Lily is so beautiful. How fast time passes by, you looked like an infant yesterday but today I cannot even carry you anymore." Father emotionally said as mother laughed silently and teased him.

"Father, I'm already a grown up now, and it's not befitting for a 10-year old lady to be carried by her father." I said as a matter of fact.

Instead of consoling him, he only indulged himself into misunderstanding what I said.

"Oh I think our daughter doesn't love me anymore my dear."

"Milord, I apologize for disrupting you but the part is about to start and we need to be in position, especially the young lady."

"Alright we will go over there now, Lily, remember what I told you, this is your day so enjoy it as you wish." Mother said and lovingly kissed my cheek. My father then carefully tap my head so as not to ruin my hair.

"Lily! No entertaining of marriage proposal okay? Tell me or this bastard beside me, if a boy approaches you."

"And don't forget I'm going to be your second dance okay?"

I just nodded at their reminders so they would go to their positions and for the party to start right away.

"The Young Lady of House Wescott, Lady Emily Wescott will enter."

I tried my best not to twitch my eye as I was welcomed by bright lights and not to be overwhelmed with the sea of people watching me as I walk down the staircase.

Right, time came faster than I thought it should be, 10 years since I restarted my life. There are still no danger lurking around our family and me. So I can still stay still until this year ends.

However, when the next year begins, I have to start working on four most important things I need to acquire in this life.

Money.

Defense.

People.

Knowledge.

With these four, I know I can stay alive for a hundred years. But I need to stay low as possible, so as not to attract unwanted attention.

I smiled innocently in front of the swarming people. I have to project an innocent and elegant young lady image. So they would have an impression that I'm just a stupid ugly kid who's not worthy of raising their defenses against.

But then that's what I thought.

"Emily, I had fallen in love with you ever since you held my hand and gave me a chance to dance with you. So will you be my wife?"

What the hell happened with this life?

Love is not supposed to be included in my plans. I have yet to learn about my death and why and how did I restarted my life. So why the hell is this happening.