Villains also get Second chance

Roselia came and coughed, poor girl! She was bound by the code of conduct of knights, yet trying to gain a part in the conversation. I smiled brightly looking around. These were the ones who loved me, 

"You are still a kid, Dami, running around complaining about me. What shall I do with you.'' I replied, shaking my head and laughing.

"Calling him childish, just let me look at you and see, how mature you are Mari?" my mother replied and I giggled.

"Alright, then let's go to my chamber and have a good lunch together,'' I replied, clapping my hands and my mother shook her head, but there was a bright smile on her face.

They all nodded and we started walking back to the duchess chamber, holding one hand with Killian.

"Mother, I can walk by myself." he replied looking around, 'oh my, look at my baby, he was so shy and cute. Sometimes I just want to pinch his cheeks all day'

"Of course, you can. It's just I was feeling tired, so I decided to take your support.'' I replied pouting, but he did not believe me, his eyes narrowed at me, and I wondered if he would be angry now.

"Grandmother is right," he replied sighing and my brows furrowed.

"About what?" I asked.

He shook his head, like a tired old mother and said "you are still childish." 

I was dumbfounded, while everyone around me laughed. How! When did the serious baby adult start cracking jokes?

"Alright, let's move, there may be rain today." said my father in his strict voice, but I could see his twinkling eyes. He was enjoying the conversation but would never agree to that. That's how he was, just like coconut, strict from outside while softer inside.

Just look around, my family, my friends Rose and Dami, and even my killer of my last life, my son Killian, they all are with me, my chest filled with happiness and pride. 

As we finally reached the sitting room of my chamber, everyone sat around and started chatting like they had known each other for ages. Now I feel so loved and pampered.

I wonder why they were not with me in the past! Was it because I was cruel back then, but then I would never have become cruel if they would have been here!

"Mother"

"Yes, Mary"

"Why did you never come before." I couldn't help but ask, it's not about this life I was talking about, my past life too.

She smiled, as she patted my head, "we were always here, Mary. You were the one who had closed herself in these four walls. You just needed to extend your hands and you could have us." she replied and I was lost.

Had I never tried to be with them before?

"Alright, don't be a sentimental person today, it's time for celebration. You should treat us with that special chocolate brownie cake today." exclaimed my gourmand rose.

"Hey, I am the one who has given treats to you since childhood, you know." I realised and she nodded.

"What can I say, mother had given desserts for you, but I had always eaten them on the way as I had been hungry," she replied, shaking her head with a sigh and I was stunned.

"You know we like a few steps away" how can anyone turn hungry in such a less distance!

She nodded, 'of course, I know, I have come here daily." she replied as if I was confirming the distance and I did not know what to say anymore.

"I still am not sure, how you even became a knight, with all this food in your stomach."

"By working hard" she replied shrugging her shoulders.

And all laughed.

"Lisa"

"Yes, your highness"

"Go and ask the chef to cook his best dishes for around 30 people."

"Yes, your highness" although confused, she bowed and walked back to follow my orders.

"Mari, we are just seven people, why are you ordering this much food," asked Dami.

"Oh, is it because you are counting me like 10 or you are going to invite others too," asked Rose.

"No, but I am going to repay the favours" I replied, smirking and they looked at me, bewildered.

I ignored them and asked my mother, "how have you been?"

She looked surprisedly at me and laughed, "what would happen to me? I am fit and fine,"

I wanted to ask then why had you stooped going out, why have I not see you at an empress party, and why were you not enjoying your life as before. I could see the dark circles and dull skin which was not there before. but I bit my lip and controlled it, it was a happy moment for everyone and I did not want to ruin it. I will get plenty of chances from now, I would make sure of that.

"Even your brother is going to return finally, so I am over the moon," she added, when she found me lost in thoughts.

That surprised me, in my past life, my brother only returned I was in jail, he had come to meet me once, saying he would bring justice to me, but then I had told him the truth, that all the accusations were right, and he was heartbroken, after that he never came back, he must be disappointed with me.

"How did he suddenly decide to come back?" I asked with widened eyes.

"We told him that you are going to jail, and within three days, we received a letter that he was already on his way to come back." the mother replied laughing.

And father shook his head, "he is going to bring a hurricane, when he would've come back, just because of your lie." said father, in a grave voice, but his eyes were telling that he was very happy with the outcome.

"But why did you say that mother," I asked, surprised, my mother was not the one to lie with her children.

"I did not lie, I told him the consequences that would have happened, if Dami, would not have joined," she replied and I shook my head, but before I could say anything, Dami spoke first.