Second Life's Revenge

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, lived a young girl who wished to be out of the door. She wondered how it felt to play with the green grass and drink the cold water from the streams again.

However, she knew that there was no way she would be able to get out of the door because she was the cursed child.

The young girl was different from the other girls. She never enjoyed playing with dolls, nor played teatime.

However, one day while she was playing with the other children, an accident had happened. This incident was a tragedy that caused all the children's deaths who she was playing with. All the deceased children's parents called her a monster and a cursed child because she was the only survivor.

Since then, they had locked the young girl in an abandoned house and waited for her to die.

One day, while she was on the verge of dying, a Prince had opened the door, and the first thing he saw was a lifeless figure of a young girl on the floor. Upon seeing this, he quickly ran towards her.

"What happened to you?" he asked, kneeling on one knee, looking at her worriedly.

"Why did you open the door? Now you will be cursed by me and die."

"I don't believe in that. I'm a prince, and I'm here to save the people who are in need."

"Then… will you take me out of this place?"

"I will bring you to my palace, and everyone there will serve you."

Years passed, and the young girl had become the prince's wife, who is now the ruler of the kingdom. The people praised them and were envious of their relationship because the king truly loved her.

However, their love story did not last long.

One night, as the king and queen were sleeping, the king was killed in his dreams, and his wife, the young girl, had witnessed his death. The following day, the kingdom's people had mourned the king's death, and slowly the queen was called a curse to the kingdom.

Rumors raised as the citizens found out what and who she was in the past. But because the king was no longer alive, the young girl didn't have anyone to lean on.

The young girl fled back to her village and locked herself back inside the abandoned house. She continuously cried each night, wishing for him to come back.

No one knew where she went, but it was said that in a village in a faraway land, a girl who resembled the queen would be heard at night, weeping and crying for help. It was indeed a pity for her to die without anyone by her side.

It was the tale of a cursed girl who became queen and the king who died in his dreams.

The sounds of the birds singing and the bright rays of sunlight hit Erwin's eyes, waking him up. His eyes fluttered, and his eyes were struck with a sunray, which made him shield his eyes away. He used his hands to shield the ray and slowly sat up on the bed.

What a nostalgic dream, he thought. The cursed girl and the prince is one of his favorite fairy tales. He chuckled, reminiscing the old times when his father used to read it to him. An old memory that he held dearly to.

He also realized that the story of Laura and the cursed girl was somewhat similar. Trapped in the dark and only was able to get out when the prince came to save her. A tragic life, a tragic story.

"Good morning, young master," Blaine greeted, opening the curtains.

"Morning," Erwin greeted back.

Blaine picked the pitcher up, pouring water into the cup, and handed it to Erwin. Another busy day, but Erwin's face was lit up and brighter than usual. And it was because of yesterday's encounter with Laura.

"It looks like you're in a good mood today," Blaine smiled, standing by the bed's side.

"I am," Erwin agreed.

The events the other day cheered Erwin up. After seeing Laura, his energy fuel went to its limits, and he had finally gotten enough rest to start a new day. He got out of his bed and stretched his arms.

"Just a reminder, but Her Grace is coming today," Blaine said, tying the curtains.

"Of course, I remember. Why would I forget about my mother?" Erwin chuckled.

"I just thought you might have forgotten about it," Blaine continued.

"Impossible," Erwin sneered. While Blaine shook his head, laughing. "I'm going to tell mother that you smacked me on the head."

"Ha?!" Blaine exclaimed.

Meanwhile, the maids in the Ferguson estate were all in a rush. They were cleaning the windows without a speck of dust to be seen. The cleaned the floor, making it shine brighter than ever. Suppose the Duchess saw one part dirty. She would nag all day long.

Which is something nobody would want to experience.

Right as they had everything prepared, outside the estate, a woman in her forties stepped out of the carriage, holding a fan covering her mouth. She looked at the enormous door and smiled as she thought about the past and the person she loved.

"Your Grace, it has been a while," Blaine greeted and bowed.

"How are you, Blaine?" The Duchess asked.

"I'm doing well. Please come this way, the young master is waiting for you," Blaine said, directing her into the estate.

All eyes were glancing at the Duchess, and no one could compare her beauty to others. As she walked past them, her silver hair flew, and her gentle golden eyes shined. The maids squealed, inaudibly praising the Duchess.

As they both turned to the right, the Duchess noticed a painting and stopped walking. She had a look of sorrow as she touched the artwork on the wall, greeting her deceased husband. Under the painting, a label, 'Silver Moon,' was shown. The previous duke called their estate silver moon as it represents them as royalty.

Just seeing the painting reminded the Duchess about her past and why she left for the countryside. Months after the previous duke passed away, the Duchess fell ill. It was a piece of sudden news to the people, and many thought she got ill mourning over her husband's death. But in fact, the Duchess was just born with a weak body, to begin with.

The doctor recommended the Duchess to live in the countryside because it was quiet and peaceful. She regrets leaving Erwin alone in the estate at a very young age, but she was left without a choice because he forced her to listen to the doctor.

"I miss this place," The Duchess whispered.

"Everyone in this place misses you too," Blaine smiled.

"Haven't your ears grown older? Just when will your good hearing sense of yours fade?" The duchess jokes.

"I don't think it will ever get worse," Blaine chuckled.

"I just wished that my husband would be here and see Erwin's growth. But instead, he's up there watching over him, right?" The Duchess said with remorse.

"I'm sure His Grace is guiding him," Blaine added.

They both arrived in the room, and inside was Erwin, who was sitting on the couch reading Angelo's reports. He was so focused to the point he wasn't able to notice Blaine and his mother entering.

The Duchess shook her head in disbelief. They were supposed to spend time together that day as they haven't seen each other so long, but right now, the report he was reading was in the way of their enjoyment. But there was nothing she could do. 

Ever since Erwin took over his father's work, he had been busy and spent less time with the Duchess.

"Excuse me, young man. What in the world are you doing?" The Duchess acted mad, impatiently tapping her foot onto the foot.

"Mother! I'm sorry. I got carried away with the reports. After all, it's a piece of information I need," Erwin apologized and walked up to his mother to hug her.

"I'm just kidding. How have you been?" The Duchess asked.

"I'm fine. I just got my energy back," Erwin chuckled.

"Right, I almost forgot about your partner to the pa-"

"I have one already," Erwin exclaimed quickly, and his eyes grew softer.

"And who might be the lucky girl?" The Duchess teased. Erwin hesitated to tell his mother, but he trusted his mother.

"Laura Alvarado."

The Duchess stayed quiet and smiled. She didn't care who Laura was despite the rumors about her. She only cared about her son's happiness, just like how the Duchess and the previous duke were.

Both weren't involved with a political marriage but married out of love.

"The girl with black hair," The Duchess stated.

"Yes," Erwin said with seriousness. "Honestly, she reminded me of the cursed girl."

"The fairy tale your father used to read to you?" The Duchess questioned, and Erwin nodded his head. 

He doesn't know why, but somehow Laura's first life resembled the cursed girl. At first, The Duchess thought it was a joke, but she noticed the seriousness in Erwin's eyes and was speechless. It seems like he was really determined about this.

"If you're that serious about her, get her heart," The Duchess laughed.

"I think I already did," Erwin sheepishly said.

"If you do, then don't leave her side," The Duchess said.

"Of course, I won't. I'm serious about her. But she'll be the one who needs to profess first." Erwin said in all seriousness

"Just like your silly father," The Duchess shook her head.

In the fairy tale, Laura was like the cursed girl. Waiting for someone to accept who she really is. While the prince was like Erwin, helping the cursed girl out of her shell and will protect her with all his life.

But we all wish that their story wouldn't be tragic, but full of love.