Aiko_Aikawa2256

Each story has a protagonist. She has everything: incredible abilities, a loving family, brothers and a caring father. It all comes from the beginning, like a gift from fate. Ah, those stories of rebirth..... I love those stories.  

I used to dream of living in a world like that. But...  
Damn it, why didn't I have the perfect family? Why wasn't I born beautiful? Or was I born beautiful?  

Why did I have to go through pain and hardship to get everything on my own, step by step? It's so unfair! Of course, I have no regrets. Everything I've gone through has made me stronger and helped me find my destiny. But why didn't things turn out the way I dreamed?  

Now I have it all - status, wealth, respect. My friends and I saved the world. We've been through so much. But why won't this cold archduke leave me alone?  

- Your Lordship, – I said irritably, –why do you visit me so often?  
- Have I? It's been nine hours since we last saw each other.  
- Exactly! Nine hours! If you've come back with your... 
- Yes, I've come back to ask for your hand in marriage.  
- No. 
- Emilia, how many times can you say no? What more can I do to prove my love?  
- Respect the rules of etiquette, Your Lordship, – I said coldly. - And please address me formally.  

How absurd this is. It was only twelve years ago that we first met. He didn't even feel the need to speak to me. How many times did I cry because of his coldness? How did I get to this point?  

It all started the day I decided to run away.....

I will survive even if the world is against me

-... Wake up, ....! What are you doing?

Who is this? Why can't I hear the full name?

I opened my eyes. The face of the girl in front of me looked strange, as if she was half asleep.

- Come on! - She almost shouted.

- I wasn't asleep. I'm... - the words came out of my mouth, although I had no idea why I was saying them.

Who is she? Why don't I recognize her?

- Come on, or you'll be late home, – the girl said.

Home... I really should go home. I stood up and looked out the window. Winter...white snow, cars whizzing by. I put on my jacket and walked out of the school. Walking beside me was... who?

- ... There's a call for you. Can't you hear it? - It was her voice.

- Oh, I was just thinking. Hello, I'm on my way.

A voice I hadn't heard in a long time came from the other end of the phone.

- ..., are you out yet? If so, go to the pharmacy and get some pills, Your brother has a fever. I think he drank something cold again.

He's always like that. He's always causing trouble. Wait. What am I thinking?

- What did your mother say? - The girl next to me asked.

- That's it, then I'm with you. Oh, the red light's going to change, let's run!

She sprinted forward and ran into the street.

- Hey, wait, watch out! - I yelled, but she didn't stop.

She was always like that, at her own pace, running like the wind.

- Suddenly there was a thud. A car hit them.

I froze. Everything froze. No... Not this.

- N... - A name slipped my mind. A name I should know, but for some reason I couldn't remember.

An unbearable sound pierced my head, as if the world was being torn apart.

I woke up in a cold sweat in my room at the palace. A dream... I think it was just a dream.

I looked around and tried to calm myself. The room was dark, the light of the moon shining softly through the heavy curtains. Everything around me seemed real, but inside I still felt like I was there, in that dream.

What was it? Why did I feel like this wasn't just a dream?

I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing. But the images from the dream wouldn't go away: the girl's dull face, the voice that seemed so familiar, and that moment when...

- No, it's just a dream, – I whispered to myself and pulled up the blanket.

But then why did I feel so cold, as if the dream had taken something from me?

Also. Oh my God, the boy! I was in the backyard trying to help him. Is he all right?

I got up from the bed, my mind racing with anxious thoughts. I made a beeline for the door, but suddenly I froze. I heard a conversation. Voices. Male voices.

- Dr. Astil, how much strength has she lost? Will she wake up? Are you sure it's the healing magic? - The voice sounded cold, without any emotion, like an icy wind.

- Master, she might have unknowingly used magic. Maybe that was why the young master's condition had improved. As for her condition, she will wake up tomorrow. There is no need to worry, – another voice replied, even but softer, with a hint of respect.

What are they talking about? Healing magic? Me?

- What do you suggest I do? - The first voice asked, keeping its icy tone.

- I think it would be better to leave the young master here until the Winter Ball. By then, we'll know if the little princess really has healing magic, – the doctor replied.

A little princess? That was definitely me.

I took a step back from the door, feeling a shiver run down my spine. Everything they had said didn't fit in my head. Magic? Healing? What did that have to do with me?

Strang drem