Chapter 3 :Death Again

It's been four days since I woke up from that long, heavy sleep.

I was bedridden for a whole week. My body was weak, and I could barely move. Thankfully, I woke up yesterday with a clear head and strength slowly returning to my limbs.

Sir Hale, along with the court mages, has been taking care of me. they have examined me carefully and given me enough mana to store my core. Looking at myself in the mirror now… I almost look like someone who could live a long life.

I stared at my reflection, still not used to this unfamiliar face. 

…

Click… Clack…

…

Lately, I've been walking around the duchy. A few days ago, I found a hidden library inside the estate—huge and old, but surprisingly well-kept. It looks like no one has used it in years, yet everything is clean

It's very well maintained by magic I heard from natasha

Even though the cold of winter surrounds us, the library is warm.

I've spent most of my time here, digging through old books—searching for anything about mana, magic, and this world's history. I need answers.

I sat by the window, looking down at the snow-covered land. The trees were bare, frozen by the harsh wind. It was a beautiful view, even in the dead of winter.

If it were summer, I'm sure flowers would be blooming everywhere.

…

Let's go back to the story.

The witch's death wasn't too early… but it wasn't far off either. At this rate, I might die even sooner—because of this unstable mana inside me.

The plot is already changing from the original. Still, it's too early for the villain to kill Lir Orian. If I remember right, we're both just children—probably five or six years old around this time.

My biggest problem now is that I don't remember the witch's past self before she became…you know —a witch.

Did the author even write a backstory for her?

Sigh.

I don't know how Astra—the witch—survived the mana rampage. But I remember the things she did… the connections she had.

She used poison and dark magic. She bought strange tools from the black market… later, she even own and supply some.

She was clever, crafty—she made everything herself. But her jealousy was too strong. She used every dirty trick to kill the female lead, even going as far as turning on dark magic itself.

But her childhood… I'm sure she was never part of the Orian Duchy.

So why am I here?

If there's a war happening right now… 

!!

That's right! In one of the later chapters, just before her death, there's a hint in that line..Ummm—

..

….

I remembered!!

—cold winters and the smell of blood.

I guess …she must've been one of those children thrown into the battlefield during the war.

Then why did I end up in the Orian Duchy? The duke and the witch never even crossed paths in the original story.

Was I sent here to save the duke? Or… am I meant to use him too?

In the end, we share the same enemy—Kire Ashvael, the man who killed us and took the throne.

If I want to survive… I have to act before he makes his move.

And maybe, just maybe, I can stop this mana from destroying me too.

…

[POV: Duke Orian]

"Your Grace… the girl you brought to the duchy... she fell ill after your departure. I've just been informed—she collapsed shortly after you left and has remained unconscious for the entire week during our return to the battlefield."

"…I see."

I turned sharply. "Send word to the duchy. Bring the most skilled mage-healers available and report her condition to me directly."

"Ruvan."

"Yes, Your Grace!"

"We'll make this quick. Assemble the knights. We finish the sweep and leave the rest to the imperial army. Handle the demonic beasts—kill every last one in the area."

"Yes, Your Grace!" the knights echoed in unison.

The Orian army surged forward, following my command without hesitation. For the next week, we fought without rest. Day and night, blades clashed, and blood stained the snow, until every last enemy lay frozen in the crimson field.

"Your Grace!"

A breathless attendant rushed toward me, clutching a letter. "News from the duchy—about the little lady."

He was nervous. His hands trembled. I narrowed my eyes.

"What is it?"

"T-The little lady… She doesn't have much time left. The assistant of the Tower Mage sent a report. They examined her mana core… It's starting to collapse. Her life force is weakening fast…"

I froze.

"…Ruvan. Call the knights back. Our work here is done."

I don't know why—why this girl, who I barely know, could make me feel so restless. A stranger, nothing more than a brat I brought back on a whim.

And yet… the thought of her dying in my duchy while I'm away—

Tch.

She better not die before I return.

[POV: Astra]

…

!!

I must have fallen asleep while thinking… When I opened my eyes and rubbed them, everything looked blurry. As my vision slowly adjusted—

Is… is that the duke?

"Y-Your Gwayce!"

My voice came out small and wobbly. I sat up quickly, eyes wide.

Why is he here? Isn't he supposed to be at the battlefield right now? He's part of one of the Empire's main vassal houses…

…

Nobody dared to speak.

The silence felt heavy—painful. He just stood there, looking at me without saying a word.

Why's he just staring…? Is he mad? Is he going to kick me out? What did I do?

This silence is worse than dying…

And then—

"Aren't you hungry?"

His deep voice broke the silence.

"Ah—N–"

Before I could answer, my stomach grumbled loudly.

I froze, cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

Looks like I skipped dinner during my time here…

I shut my mouth tight.

He gave a glance toward the servant, who moved quickly to prepare food. In no time, a table was set up—right here in the library. Now we were eating together.

Just the two of us.

…

I couldn't even chew properly with him staring so hard at me. It felt like he was digging a hole into my face.

Is he judging me? Thinking I'm useless now? Maybe he already knows about my broken core…

While eating, my thoughts started racing.

Is he going to send me away? Kick me out of the duchy…? If he says it now, what do I do?!

Before he could speak, I blurted out,

"Yo-Your Gwayce—"

But he beat me to it.

"About your proposal… What do you have to offer me?"

!?

I froze.

"U-Um… S-Safety! I pwomise to pwotect the duchy! A-And y-you too!"

My voice trembled, but I kept going.

Before I could even think my words are blurted out my mouth …every possible idea I have— which I know is meaningless and impossible for this frail body to do…

"I-I will help in the battlefiewd! I kn–"

But he cut me off.

"Don't you know? You're dying. So, what exactly can you help us with?"

Those words…

Dying.

Hearing them from his mouth made my chest tighten. Reality hit me like ice through my veins.

What if… What if I really can't make it?

…

No! I have to try!

I hope I wont die for this

I lifted my trembling hands, magic sparking at my fingertips.

"You—!"

I clasped my hands together, eyes shut tight.

Please… help…

In the novel, Astra used to summon spirits when she was lonely. They comforted her. But after she turned to dark magic, the spirits disappeared, never answering her again.

She thought they abandoned her.

But now… I could feel it.

This could take a toll in my core considering its the first time I summon it in this timeline

My Mana will run out fast.. If It wont come out

My core was burning—too hot. But the spirit came!

A soft light formed.

Even if I die here… I want to prove myself. I want to live.

"Stop—!"

The Duke's sharp voice rang out.

The spirit vanished.

Pain shot through my chest. The taste of iron filled my mouth.

I coughed—blood splattered onto my clothes.

My body was drained.

What a damned life…

I made a scene again..

My vision blurred..

Footsteps. The sound of someone yelling.

Strong arms lifted me up.

His voice… It was the Duke's.

He was carrying me.

My lips moved, barely a whisper.

"Pwease don' kick me out…"

That was my last thought before everything turned dark.