Chapter 1

"That's weird," I whispered. I flinched. When did my voice become so childlike? I immediately left my bed and ran to the big mirror in my room. My eyes widened to see a younger version of me. A 6 year old Alliyah Ruby Grandia. My hands went to my face and the reflection did the same. What is going on?

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Princess! What happened?!" Lana came into my room. Worry is etched on her face. I looked at her teary eyed. I don't want to repeat everything again.

"Lana... I don't wanna..." I said to Lana who kneeled in front of me and held my face. Lana looks so young. Maybe she's 15-16 years old. But even so, my mind can't keep up and I cried like a child. I'm a child! I died at the age of 18! Do I need to repeat everything?

"My princess... You're going to be okay. I, Lana will help you, so don't cry," Lana said and wiped the tears from my eyes. I looked at her, lips trembling. Lana, the only person I know who loves me. I hugged her tight.

"Lana..." she picked me up and took me to the bed. She sat me down and picked up a wet towel to wash my face. When I succumbed to my death, I told Lana to leave. Did Lana do what I ask her to do? Or she stayed? I hold Lana's face while hiccuping. "Lana, when I say you leave, leave. Okay?"

"Eh? Why are you saying that, princess?" Lana asked with a confused smile on her face. I pouted. 

"Just listen to me... Okay?" I insisted. Lana smiled and patted my head.

"That will be hard, Princess. I will go wherever you go. I will stay by your side forever," Lana said. She's stubborn as a rock. I sighed and shook my head. Maybe I should bestow a marriage to her? So that, if time comes, her husband will take her away.

"Lana is stubborn," I said. She laughed and continued to help me prepare for the day. Thinking about my situation again, it made me so upset. I need to do everything again. To recruit those people again, and be a puppet to my mother and second brother while opposing them and secretly help my eldest brother without anyone knowing.

I pursed my lips. What should I do now? Even if I choose to support Aslan now, my death will be set earlier than my past life. I just want to lie down and do nothing. I sighed.

"Princess, that sigh is so deep. You're letting happiness fly away," Lana said and giggled. I turned my head to her and smiled.

"Do I deserve happiness, Lana?" I asked. Lana was surprised because of my question. Lana hugged me.

"Of course my princess. When you grow up, you will be loved by a prince and you will leave with a lot of love," Lana said and patted my back. I smiled a little. But it didn't happen. The person I liked hates me and I'm sure he will hate me to the bone again.

Why did I come back here again when I thought that after I've done my part, I will go back to my own world? I laid down on the bed.

"Do I really need to hear those words again?” I sighed and then sat up. I left my bed and went to my table and made a time table of what will happen in the next few years. Note what wrongs I made in the past so that I won't make the same mistake.

And the first one is… That person. I need to bring that person earlier rather than later.

“Lana!” I called for Lana. She immediately appeared after I called for her.

“Yes, your highness?” Lana asked.

“I want to leave the palace and visit the marketplace. Am I able to leave the palace?” l asked. But as if someone cares whether I leave the palace or not.

No one cares.

“I will ask the head steward, your highness.” Lana bowed her head and left to go to the palace Steward.

I've decided to take some trinkets to exchange for that person's alliance. After half an hour, Lana came back with a smile.

“Your highness, the steward let us leave the palace grounds,” Lana happily announced. “Here, let me change your clothes."

I nodded with a smile.

“Thank you, Lana!” I said and pushed the trinkets on the table to Lana. “Pack this up too!”

“What are you going to do with this?" Lana asked while looking at the trinkets.

“We need them later,” that's the only answer I can give to her right now.

Lana helped me change my clothes. I heard her awed when she saw me.

“You look so cute, your highness!” Lana beamed and giggled.

I look at my reflection. Blonde hair, emerald green eyes, pale skin, rosy cheeks and naturally red lips. My face looks like a porcelain doll. Indeed, Ruby is cute. I was also surprised by my appearance when I saw it for the first time. But despite being cute and lovely…

She was hated. I was hated by my own parents. My father, the Emperor. My mother, the royal concubine. My first brother and my second brother hated me too.

Only Lana is the exception. After the nanny left, Lana became my attendant and confidante. She's the only person who is kind to me. But also the Empress. Though it was only for a short while, I found her caring.

If I wanted the same thing to happen as before while avoiding the mistake I did, then this time… Maybe I can have my rest.

Lana guided me and we decided to just use the maid's entrance instead of the grand entrance. I don't even have a carriage. So, while walking… I didn't expect to face the two people I faced before I died on my first timeline.

“Are you really just going to stand there and gawk?”

It's my first brother, Aslan. And his friend, William.

Oh boy.