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**Chapter 1**
The world was deathly silent as she took her final breath. The feel of the cold blade lodged in her chest, the warmth of blood spilling across her fingers, and the cruel eyes of the one she trusted the most—those were her last memories. It should have ended there. It should have been the final chapter of her story.
But the universe had other plans.
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[Season 1] The Awakening
The darkness slowly peeled away. Warmth crept into her limbs, and the sensation of soft fabric brushed against her skin. She gasped sharply, her eyes flying open, but the room around her was unfamiliar. High stone ceilings, dim candlelight, and the smell of herbs—none of it made sense.
She sat up too quickly, her head spinning. Her heart pounded against her chest, but it wasn't the chest she remembered. Her hands flew to her body, frantically touching her skin, her arms, her face.
*This isn't me.*
Her body had been cold—broken—lifeless. She had died. She had felt herself die. How was she alive now?
"Careful," a soft voice spoke from the shadows. "You've been through a lot."
She whipped her head toward the source of the voice, a woman standing at the edge of the room, watching her carefully. The woman was older, perhaps in her fifties, with kind eyes and silver strands in her hair. She was dressed in simple robes, the kind worn by healers.
"Who… who am I?" she asked, her voice a rasp, as if unused for days. But she knew, somehow, that this wasn't her voice either. It was softer, lighter than her own.
The healer approached, kneeling by her bedside. "You're in the palace infirmary. You were found unconscious at the edge of the Dark Forest two days ago. It's a miracle you survived."
The **Dark Forest**? She had no memory of such a place.
"Who am I?" she repeated, her panic growing. Nothing made sense. She wasn't supposed to be here. This wasn't her body. *This wasn't her life.*
"You are Lady Elara Althea," the healer answered gently, looking at her as if she should know her own name. "The daughter of Duke Althea. You suffered an accident."
Elara. The name felt foreign, wrong. *That's not who I am.* She remembered another name—another identity—but it was slipping from her grasp, fading like a dream. And yet, deep inside, she knew she was not Elara. She had lived another life, another story.
*I died.* The truth hit her like a hammer, and a cold chill ran down her spine.
**Memories of a Past Life**
Memories began to resurface, hazy and fragmented. She was someone else—someone who had been betrayed, loved, and lost everything. Flashes of her previous life came in quick bursts: a grand castle, a forbidden love, a man with intense eyes that had captured her heart, and the final moments of her death. It had been tragic. The man she loved had died for her, and she had followed him into the abyss.
But now, she was here. Alive. In a different body. In a world she didn't recognize.
Her hands trembled as she looked down at them. This wasn't her skin. This wasn't her face. Her pulse raced. How could this be possible? Reincarnation? Was that even real?
She grabbed the edge of the bed, trying to steady her breath. She couldn't fall apart now. She needed answers. She needed to know why she had been reborn. Was it fate? A second chance?
Or something darker?
"Is everything all right, my lady?" the healer asked, sensing her turmoil.
Elara—or the woman in Elara's body—shook her head, trying to push down the panic. "I… I don't remember everything," she lied. "The accident… it's all a blur."
The healer smiled sympathetically. "It's to be expected. You've been through something terrible. But don't worry, with time, you'll remember. Your father will be relieved to know you're awake. He's been worried sick."
"My… father?" she echoed.
"Yes, Duke Althea. He's been by your side for days, waiting for you to wake up. He'll want to see you right away."
**The New World**
The healer left to inform the Duke, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her head. Her reflection in the mirror across the room caught her eye.
A stranger stared back.
Long chestnut hair framed a delicate face, and her skin was pale, as if she hadn't seen sunlight in weeks. Her eyes, however, were the most striking—a deep, unsettling shade of violet. This body… it wasn't hers, but the reflection was undeniably real. She was no longer who she used to be.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors creaked open, and an older man rushed in, his face etched with worry and relief. "Elara!" he cried, rushing to her side and clasping her hands. "Thank the gods! I thought I'd lost you."
She looked up at him, struggling to find the right words. She had no memory of this man, but the warmth of his affection made her heart ache. "Father…?"
"Yes, my dear," the Duke smiled tearfully. "I feared the worst when they found you near the Dark Forest. But you're back with us now. Rest, and we'll talk later. You've been through too much."
She nodded, her mind reeling with confusion. Who was this body's father? Who were these people? And more importantly, why had she been brought into this world?
As she lay back down, exhaustion taking over, one thought consumed her.
*I need to find him.*
Somehow, deep within her heart, she knew her lover was out there. Somewhere in this new world. And she would find him—even if it meant reliving the heartache all over again.
**A Mysterious Presence**
As she closed her eyes, trying to find solace in the darkness, she felt a strange, unexplainable sensation. It was as if someone was watching her. Not the healer, nor the Duke, but someone else. A presence, ancient and cold.
In her dreams, the shadows whispered to her.
*You have returned. But the curse remains. And this time… it will consume you both.*
She woke in a cold sweat, her heart pounding with dread. This world was far from safe, and her past wasn't done with her yet.
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