I quickly headed to my room and dressed appropriately for the ball. I wore a delicate turquoise dress with see through puff sleeves that suited my red hair perfectly. My hair is tied up by Charlotte in braids.
“Lovely.” Charlotte smiled and said, “I can’t believe you’re turning 18 soon.”
Right, that would also mean I’m nearing death so I was not as excited as I should be. I shook my head and reminded myself that I could change my fate. I have to. No matter what, I will take back my fate and continue to live. Be it as the cursed princess, I will still continue to live.
I glanced at my graceful appearance at the mirror with my unsightly red hair and green eyes, then averted my gaze at Charlotte, as much as I try to be hopeful, if all fails, this might as well be the last time I get to smile and laugh with Charlotte, so I said, “Charlotte, you have been my only friend and that, I am forever thankful.”
“I am more grateful, my lady, if it wasn’t for you, I would have been beheaded a long time ago. I owe my life to you.”
Right. Charlotte was a slave who was held captive by some royal werewolves and was meant to be a comfort woman to them. I bought her to save her. These memories are not mine nor what I wrote but it feels all too real. These are the real Erin Lockheart’s memories.
I didn’t immediately realize it but my memories from my world and Erin’s are mixed together, which explains why I can feel her pain and suffering all those years for being cursed and outcast, even by her own family.
We share the burden of being alive but for some reason, I still don’t understand why I’m brought to her world but perhaps, it was because we share the same desire to keep on living. It was desperation.
I smiled at her, “Shall we?”
“I’m sure you’ll be the prettiest at the ball, unfortunately, as a mere servant, I am not allowed to such occasion.” Charlotte worried, “You have to go on this one your own. Will you be okay?”
I nodded, “Stop worrying so much, Charlotte, I shall be fine on my own and I shall bring you delicacies from the ball. Macarons?”
She snickered, “People might tease you for stealing their food.”
“I’m not stealing; I’m merely taking some foods home.”
“That is stealing.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and laughed, “Everyone would be too busy celebrating Emperor Cadmus’ return to notice a few macarons missing. Everyone would be busy transforming into werewolves and enjoying their hunt and all. Trust me.”
“Just be careful, okay?”
I knew what she meant. The gathering would be packed with werewolves and royals, as someone who's basically mortal, it's like a prey being sent to a room filled with predators. On top of that, they all hate me.
Still, I didn't want her to worry too much so I fought the urge to frown and nodded as I was finally entering the grand ballroom. Everyone there was dressed elegantly from head to toe. Their body were draped with gold and fine jewelries. Anyone who was anyone was there mingling with their political and power schemes.
The room was very grand with white and gold tapestries, blinding chandeliers, and exquisite designs all over. The servants were those who have served our kinds for generations, from one father to another, bound to serve forever.
It looked magical and the classical music swells befitting such atmosphere.
Even my parents were there along with the favorite daughter, Princess Eunice Lockheart. She’s the realm’s delight for after a cursed daughter, she was the golden child. She is able to transform and she got the family’s signature golden brown fur coat, it is closer to white among any other.
In this realm, the closer the fur was to white, the higher the status and family lineage. We have the same green eyes and looks strikingly similar. The only difference was my red cursed hair. I got used to it so it didn’t matter as much.
I avoided them as much as I could. I shouldn’t lose sight of my goal here. I need to find Luna Woolf and let her and Cadmus meet. From what I remember, Luna is a human, or at least, that’s what everyone thought at the beginning, who secretly enjoyed going to the garden to sell flowers to make a living.
With that in mind, she’s probably by the garden.
So, while everyone was busy, I snuck out to the garden and tried to look for her at the giant maze there. The moonlight was really dazzling but looking at it hurts because while everyone else who basked in it could turn into a strong and powerful werewolf befitting of their royal lineage, I remained human.
I have always loved looking at the moon and its enigmatic beauty but the moon, to me, was a constant reminder of my limitations. Do they even have any idea how cruel that is? To have a piece of your identity denied forever as if I was bound to never be whole.
I shook my head. No. I have to find Luna, everything else could wait. As long as I kept on living, I would have another tomorrow to try again.
Surely enough in the midst of my thoughts, I found Luna. She was standing near the red roses and picking some. She has that main character vibe with that long and wavy pastel pink hair and aqua blue eyes.
She looks so beautiful under the moonlight with her delicate features and white dress. It made me slightly envious. This was Luna. Now, I just have to find a way to get Cadmus here too, I turned around to go back to the ball room but just then, a group of girls threw a red wine at my face.
I gasped from the surprise but they were all giggling. It was my sister, Eunice, with her friends. Eunice smirked, “Well, red really does suit you best, Erin. Even mother and father named you that horrible name that meant death. Do you know why?”
"I'm sure you have interesting things to say but," I stood up and continued, “I have some matters to attend to, I’ll be going on first—“ I said trying to avoid even more trouble but trouble seems to take its liking on me because Eunice didn’t even let me finish and had her girls grab my arms.
I couldn't move past them.
“Who said you could leave easily? I haven’t had my fun yet.” Eunice grabbed a pair of scissors and started to cut my hair. She cuts off my fringe and continued to laugh, “You were named after death, Erin, because from the first place, you should have just died. Mother and father were just too soft to finish the job.”
Eventually, everyone came out to enjoy the spectacle. I could feel their glares at me and didn’t even bother to stop them from bullying me. My parents stood them and looked at me as if I deserved it simply because I was born.
None of them bats an eye as Eunice and her friends continued on picking on me. I felt my stomach turn upside down, not from their violent assaults but from the way that everyone else just stood there, looking at me.
No, I reminded myself, I will never give them the satisfaction of my pain. I was trying my best to hold it all in and keep it together. I said nothing but deep down, I was shaking and I wanted to hide or run away. I wanted it all to disappear.
“I told you, you should just die, sister.” Eunice grinned devilishly, “No one here wants you alive.”
I didn't know for sure if this was Erin's emotions or mine or both but it all felt... too much. It felt like dying. I shut my eyes and bit my tongue so hard that I could taste my blood. Make it stop. I want it all to stop.
I felt the pain all at once. Erin’s pain and my own. I could feel my head spinning and my heart throbbing painfully. Why is it that fate was always cruel to me? I tried to be strong. I tried so hard! So why do I always have to keep suffering?Even in my original life as the author of this whole world, I felt the world against me and just when things were starting to look up for me, I died so suddenly. Now, even in this world, I reincarnated to still be in pain!I stood up and pushed them all away. I grabbed the sword from one of the knights and pointed it at them. I finally broke down and cried out, “Why? Why should I just die so helplessly? Why can’t I live? What’s so wrong with wanting to live?”“You’re a cursed child.” Eunice snickered, “As long as you live, we are bound to misfortune when the blood moon comes. You are destined to die, sister. Accept it.”The blood from my mouth drips to the ground and I saw my red hair cut so horribly. Tears fell down my cheeks but I scoffed, “Wel
Each morning since that chaotic night, I woke up with one thought in my mind: I was still stuck in this world. I came to the conclusion that all of this wasn't a dream and that this was, indeed, my life now. Everything was as is. I still had the same green eyes and red hair. I still have these memories of the book and the plot and my death in my original life but they are slowly fading away each day. I tried to write them down but almost too magically, it just disappears the next day. Plus, now, there was only three more days until my birthday and well, my death. I have to search of other ways to make Cadmus and Luna meet before then. Time, for me, was literally running out. Just as I got ready and was about to leave, I opened the door and saw Cadmus standing outside as if he was about to knock. Cadmus looked regal as his blue eyes stares directly into mine. There is a pause then he cleared his throat before saying, "Good morning Lady Erin, unsightly as ever," he cleared his thro
So with that, I immediately left the palace and headed downtown with my plain dress and shoal to blend in among the people and hide my standout red hair. I searched everywhere for Luna's flower shop and after a while, I saw it. I saw her gently tending her flowers. Her delicate cream dress fits her perfectly. That pastel pink hair and aqua blue eyes definitely stands out in a good way. In a way that mine doesn't. Our eyes met and she smiled at me, "Are you searching for flowers, my Lady?" I cleared my throat. I was completely flustered, "I, uh, was wondering if you could recommend me some?" "Sure! I'd love to." Luna smiled as she asked, "For what occassion are the flowers for?" "Just... a love interest perhaps." "Is it a one-sided love?" I flinched as I heard that. I immediately denied, "No, I, uh, I... It's not for me." "Oh, I see." "Just..." I looked around the flower shop and one stood out the most for me because for some reason, it reminded me of him. It reminded me of Cad
"Why? What is it? Lady Erin?" Tristan reached out his hand to me but I still felt scared. That vision definitely meant something. It felt all too real. He continued, "Lady Erin?"But I was frozen on the ground. I wanted to just vanish. The thought of dying in their hands sickened me. Those cold stares. I couldn't believe it. How could someone as gentle as Tristan stare at me like that? It was... impossible but then again, was it really?I heard Cadmus' voice among the crowd. It was faint and soft, almost hesitant. There was a hint of worry in those eyes. He muttered, "Erin?" He found his way back to us along with the flower I gave him.That was the second time he uttered my name. Such sorrow and gentleness with hint of deep regret. He really does remind me of a hyacinth indeed.Then again, Erin Lockheart died in the novel, perhaps, she was still meant to die and I still haven't changed anything yet? With my unclear mind, I ran away from Tristan. I took advantage of my small and petite
Erin Lockheart's POV For a while, I felt so lost that I thought I had to choose between this life but abandoning everything else or staying but eventually dying that I forgot that it was within my power to change my fate. Having only two options was an illusion, it's not always choosing one and losing the other. I'm a writer so I believe I could write my own fate. Be it a miracle or heaven, I got a second chance at life and I wouldn't waste it on running away. I don't plan on dying either so I will see this through. I wouldn't lie. I wanted to run away. It seems like the easy way out. There would be no complications and I could start a new life instead. Somewhere far away from my death but I realized I've grown fond of them. I've spent time with the people around me and they weren't just important to me because I have Erin's memories, if anything, Erin's memories were all happy memories, it was odd until I realized that most of those memories weren't real. The character, Erin, fak
Erin Lockheart's POVRight. Before worrying about something that would happen in two months from now, I have to deal with family matters first. I dressed decently for my family. I wore a navy blue gown with a corset that accentuated my waist laced with silvery and mirror-like silk for its layers. My hair was neatly combed and was decorated with silver hair pins.Charlotte sighed heavily and said, "Are you sure you'll be okay? The last time, your sister almost-""I'll be fine. It's just family matters as usual." I smiled trying to assure her. Honestly, I had no idea what could happen but after Cadmus' threats, I doubt that they would directly hurt me like the last time. I continued, "How do I look?""Prim and proper.""Great." I sighed heavily too and said, "Wish me luck."I, then, headed to greet my parents and my sister. They were all very displeased to see me, as usual, I greeted them with respect, dignity, and a curtsy, "Mother, Father, and sister, it's so great to have you here. W
Erin Lockheart's POV What was that about? I looked at Cadmus who was buttoning up his shirt and asked, "Who... was that?" He seemed extremely furious, his tone was aggitated when he answered, "That was Kai Griffin, you have no idea how dangerous that man is. He could have killed you. Kai is the Raewavell Kingdom's lone wolf. He's their emperor." Cadmus was clearly frustrated, "How could he managed to slip past the guards? Stay here." But almost too recklessly, I grabbed his hand and said, "I'm fine, Cadmus, I'm not hurt." "But you could have died, Erin." Cadmus said sharply, "You can't keep bringing people down with you. You're not a kid anymore so stop acting stupid." "I'm not stupid." "Then stop acting like one!" Cadmus continued, "If you had finished your reading like you were supposed to as a royalty, you would have known who he was and what he was capable of. If you weren't born a cursed-" He stopped as he realized what he was about to say. He saw the tears on my eyes falli
Erin Lockheart's POV After a few more hours, the grandmasters questioned me all about the books I have just finished reading, becase well, almost dying doesn't excuse me from my duties and that is to be pawn so my sister, Eunice, could have a better shot at marrying Cadmus and elevating the family status and power. Duty and sacrifice. Those in higher status have heavier burden. It's not all tea time and pretty dresses. "Excellent." The grandmaster scribbled notes in his paper and said, "You passed with only two mistakes but we can work with that. Get dressed for later, you will be taking lessons for social dancing for your birthday tomorrow." "Preparations are done by your mother, all you have to do tomorrow is impress them." I wanted to roll my eyes out loud but I can't be that immature. The grandmaster listed down all the names of whoever's coming tomorrow in trying to get my hand. He even mentioned a few powerful families likes the Damons, Ironhearts, and Chengs. Some of the o