"Will this truly be my end...?" Ariana asked weakly, lying on an old cot, her body already deteriorated to the point that now she was nothing more than a vegetable unable to move, on the verge of death.

"This is bullshit... I didn't want to end like this... I just wanted Morgan to love me... I'm his damn wife but he didn't even give me a warm look despite me saving his life... no one in this damn empire looked at me with any sympathy at all... everything was shit and now that I can't feel anything, I just want to die..."

Ariana laments in her thoughts as tears stream from her eyes and run down her cheeks without stopping.

A miserable life, that is the only definition that can be given to the life of Ariana de Sia, the wife of Archduke Morgan de Sia and princess of the Wihann empire.

Ariana, being the last in the line of succession of the emperor, the third daughter and only woman, and only because she was born a woman and not a man as the emperor and empress wanted, Ariana was never loved by her family, even her brothers ignored her. Ariana was raised by a servant in her own palace since she was a baby. As a princess, she never lacked anything material because even though she was not loved by her parents, she was still the emperor's daughter and never lacked luxuries or an excellent education. Ariana was a princess and was raised as such.

Although what she longed for most was the love of her parents and brothers, and she always tried very hard to be perfect in everything, thinking that her family would be proud, but that never happened. No matter how hard she tried to excel in all possible fields of society, she never received more than a dry and emotionless congratulation from her father, or even a reprimand when she did things or got involved in matters "that were not for women."

All this caused Ariana to only worsen in her obsession with being perfect. Having grown up without any affection led her to the extreme, sacrificing herself in order to please those she loved and longed for to love her too.

But everything was useless. In the end, none of her efforts had results, and once Ariana reached her majority, she was given in marriage to the young Archduke Morgan de Sia once he returned from the war, ceasing to be a princess to become the Archduchess of Sia.

And although Ariana had known Morgan since childhood and had always been in love with him, there was something that afflicted her too much, because it was no secret to anyone that the young archduke was in love with the rose of the empire, the daughter of Duke Voran, Miss Lucia, who was loved by the entire empire for being a humble and kind-hearted young woman who was kind to everyone regardless of their status. Many were in love with her, but the main suitors were Morgan and Ariana's older brother, the heir prince Stephan. Between the two, a literal war broke out for Lucia's love, but in the end, the winner was Stephan because, to remove Morgan from the path, he sent him to the war on the border, and thus he could stay with Lucia, making her his fiancee and then his wife.

And the second fact that afflicted her was that she was not even seen as a wife. Ariana was only a medicine given to Morgan as a reward for winning the war.

Morgan was cursed during the war, and this curse was destined to kill him, gradually deteriorating his body.

But there was a solution, and that was Ariana, or rather her blood, since Ariana was the last heiress of the so-called miraculous blood that was granted to the first emperor as a blessing from God and inherited from generation to generation, but over time this blood was lost, and after almost a hundred years, Ariana was the only one who inherited it.

A miraculous blood capable of curing any evil, disease, wound, or curse.

And Ariana knows that the only reason why her parents, despite not loving her at all, continued to maintain her was because of her miraculous blood, which could be useful at some point, and that moment came when Morgan returned victorious from the war but with that curse, although they often used it to heal the princes or emperors when they became seriously ill.

Morgan didn't love her at all either. He only accepted her as what she was in the eyes of the emperors, a useful medicine at that moment. Instead, he came to hate Ariana for being the brother of the one who snatched away the woman he loved in such a dirty way, so Morgan didn't bother to hide his hatred towards Ariana, regardless of the situation, turning Ariana into the mockery of society as the despised wife who was only accepted by the archduke as a cure for his curse, and it was obvious that once the curse was completely cured, Ariana would be discarded.

But despite being aware of all that, Ariana still clung to her love for Morgan and, regardless of his contempt, she always worried about him and watched over his comfort, taking care of him and doing everything possible to make him happy.

But everything was useless. Once Morgan's curse was cured, he left for war again, leaving Ariana alone at the mercy of everyone without any protection.

Without the archduke, no one respected Ariana because everyone considered her the despised wife whom not even her family loved or respected. She was nothing more than a useless woman who deserved nothing.

Ariana, at that point, was already tired of everything. At that point, she didn't care about anything and only longed to have some peace in her life, which was a shit.

Treated like a commoner inside her own mansion, the maids abused her, beat her, and took her things, and she couldn't do anything since even the butler hated her and considered her an embarrassment as the archduke's wife, and when Ariana tried to ask her family for help, she only received more beatings and was locked up and forbidden from leaving the archduchy. In the end, no one cared about what happened to her, and the servants wouldn't lose the luxuries they were giving themselves at her expense for anything.

The years passed being a victim of all kinds of abuse in that mansion, and Ariana, tired of all that shit, didn't want to suffer anymore and simply lay down to starve to death in the basement bed where they kept her locked up for more than two years.

The days passed, and her body weakened to the point that she could no longer move. Ariana's death was near, but she never imagined that even on her deathbed they wouldn't leave her in peace.

That night, some guards burst into the basement and, like an animal, dragged her outside, taking her out of the mansion where a carriage was waiting for her, into which they put her and took her away.

Ariana didn't care about anything, so she just remained inert and let herself be taken wherever they took her.

The carriage stopped, and Ariana was again dragged outside, realizing that they had taken her to the imperial palace. They kept dragging her, and she could only hear the murmurs of the servants looking at her with horror, frightened by her emaciated and dying appearance.

The guards dragged her to a room where they put her and threw her on a bed, then left and closed the door.

Ariana didn't even care what was happening. Her thoughts were lost at this point, she couldn't feel any emotion. Her only wish was to die once and for all.

A few minutes later, the door of the room was opened abruptly, giving way to Stephan who was shocked to see the state in which Ariana was.

"W-what the hell happened to you...?" he managed to ask, approaching.

Ariana simply looked at him without any emotion in her eyes and said nothing, she simply continued to observe how surprised her older brother was.

"Why have they brought me here...?" Ariana asked with her weak, lifeless voice.

Stephan looks at her ashamed and suddenly kneels at the edge of the bed taking Ariana's hand.

"Please sister, save my wife!" he begs, making Ariana understand everything.

"Lucia is about to die, her delivery was complicated and now her life is in danger, the doctors say there is nothing to do because she has lost a lot of blood and the healing magic no longer works, they say that only a miracle could save her, please sister you can save her, give me your blood please" he pleads desperately.

Ariana simply averted her gaze to the ceiling and once again thought that she wanted to die and feel the absolute peace of death.

"I want to die and rest from all this shit once and for all..." she exclaimed weakly, surprising Stephan with her words, but at that moment he didn't even care about Ariana's condition, he simply wanted her blood to save Lucia, she was the most important thing at that moment for him.

The reason why Stephan was asking for Ariana's consent was because without her consent the blood would have no effect.

"You can take my blood... take it all, down to the last drop... until you leave me lifeless... that is the only thing I wish... I want to die once and for all... grant it to me as a payment for saving your beloved, grant me the death that I long for so much..." Ariana says weakly looking towards the ceiling.

Stephan for the first time seriously wondered what the hell had happened to his sister that she wanted nothing more than death, but beyond caring about it. he was only worried about his wife and if Ariana wanted to die, let it be after saving her.

"Okay" says Stephan with a lump in his throat and a strange discomfort in his chest that he decides to ignore and immediately has the doctor and his assistant enter the room who simply ignore Ariana's state and with the prince's order the doctor approaches taking Ariana's wrist to cut it and put a container underneath where the blood fell.

With her body weakened to this point, the slightest loss of blood would be fatal and Ariana knows it and is happy about it, she will finally have some peace, death will give her the peace that life could not and that is why she surrenders to it.

A little more than a liter of blood came out of her body and not even a drop more flowed leaving Ariana completely without strength feeling how her life was slowly going away.

She simply kept looking at the ceiling until her mind completely faded away and Ariana finally got what she longed for so much; death, or at least that's what she thought...

"this must be a damn joke..." Ariana says, unable to believe what she was seeing in front of the mirror.

"have I really gone back in time?..." she wonders as she touches her face and hair, in her reflection she is seeing her appearance as when she was a child.

long and bright red hair, a pale and milky skin with a pink tone that makes her look soft and delicate and two golden eyes that shine like the sun adorning her angelic little girl's face.

"I must be about 12 years old, right?" Ariana keeps looking at herself in the mirror unable to believe it "honestly I had already forgotten that I was once so beautiful, I look like a porcelain doll although I don't remember my face being so expressionless.... I guess these are the consequences of my past... I feel like I have no emotions"

in the past Ariana gradually lost her beauty until practically nothing remained of it, just a emaciated body with completely ruined hair and two dull eyes without any shine, her beauty was completely lost due to the miserable life to which she was subjected.

after continuing to look at herself in the mirror for a while, Ariana finally became convinced that she had returned to the past when she was a child.

she simply lets herself fall to the floor and stares at the ceiling thoughtfully while sighing deeply.

"I really missed feeling like this... without any burden... without pain... I don't feel anything and that feels really good..."

she says raising her hand in the air looking at her small and delicate fingers.

then the question arises.

"what am I supposed to do now?..."

it is obvious that she does not want to live again in such a miserable way but it is not like she could do anything to avoid that destiny, no matter what she does nobody is going to love her and even less help her, if they did not do it the first time why would they do it now?

"should I just run away and that's it?... at least that way I would have a quiet life, besides I don't think anyone cares if I disappear... although if I run away I wouldn't have any luxury... mmm or should I take revenge?... nah I'm not good for that, besides it's not like I hold a grudge against anyone or rather that I can't feel resentment, although if they cross my path this time I won't hesitate to finish them off... I have become a damn doll without emotions..."

in the end Ariana decides nothing and ends up falling asleep there on the floor, as she had not done in several years, sleeping peacefully without any worries since for now she will be fine but she will definitely do something to change her future...

but unfortunately that dream did not last long since a maid entered the room when she found Ariana lying on the floor she thought she had been unconscious and was alarmed forming a scandal that woke her up.

"princess are you alright?!!" asks the maid alarmed shaking Ariana's body like a crazy person.

"noisy, shut up" says Ariana irritated making the maid silent by instinct because the tone and the intimidating aura that Ariana gave off at that moment was terrifying.

"I was just asleep you don't have to make so much noise Mari" says Ariana looking at her with those expressionless eyes that intimidated so much that it was impossible to maintain eye contact.

"what the hell is wrong with me?" Mari wonders in her thoughts as she sees her body tremble "the princess is terrifying, it's all the fault of that accident"

Ariana stands up and heads to the bed to drop herself on it, she just wants to keep sleeping.

"it seems that you are better princess, I was very worried after the accident" says Mari reacting because it is illogical that now she is afraid of the girl she has raised since she was a baby.

"what accident?" asks Ariana not knowing what she is referring to.

"you don't remember?, ho, it's logical, you hit yourself very hard when you fell down the stairs" says Mari making Ariana search her mind for that memory.

oh, I remember now, once I threw myself down the stairs thinking that if I hurt myself my family would worry and come to see me but contrary to that, nobody worried since due to my special blood any wound is healed instantly but only the wounds, I remember that I had a high fever and spent three days in bed... I was 12 years old when that happened, so I'm effectively 12 years old now, let's see... I was 23 years old before the return so I went back 11 years in the past, when I was in my stupidest stage where I would do anything to get the attention of my mothers and brothers... I can't believe that I even threw myself off a stairs, stupid girl... well, the first thing I'm going to do is stop following my family like a dog, if they don't love me and ignore me, I don't have to do the opposite, screw them all this time!!

"I see... don't worry, I'm fine now, now I just want to sleep please" says Ariana yawning and closing her eyes.

"okay, I will notify their majesties that you are al"

"you will not notify anything" Ariana interrupts

"the fact that they did not come to see me after the accident or while I was sick only confirms that I do not matter to them so you are not going to notify anything, I do not have to report what happens to me or stops happening to some people who do not even care about me, that only makes me look like a fool" says Ariana in a cold tone that leaves Mari perplexed but she understands.

and she is happy that maybe the blow made her realize the reality and is no longer begging for love from a family that does not even care about her and always ignores her.

"okay, I'll leave, rest princess" says Mari and proceeds to leave the room closing the door behind her thinking that the princess has finally matured and from now on she will value herself more.

Ariana just lets out a sigh and closes her eyes falling asleep again after a while.

A week has passed since Ariana returned to the past in her 12-year-old self, and for now, she has only dedicated herself to enjoying her luxurious life as a princess like never before, without worrying too much about the future, as she is sure that by making small changes, things will change.

And one of those changes is to increase her value as a princess, being recognized as a genius.

This idea was born because Ariana's classes would resume today: etiquette, history, mathematics, dance, embroidery, politics, etc... And since she already has all that knowledge, she is not willing to study them again; that would be stupid. So, she has summoned all her personal teachers to carry out her plan to be recognized as a genius.

To kill two birds with one stone, freeing herself from studying and gaining a favorable position that can help her in the future.

If she gets more involved with the duties of the imperial family, she may get a position in the court or a title that exempts her from the obligation to marry, although she doubts that will happen in this macho society in which she was born. But if she gains some power, she won't have to worry about having a bad life since power is everything here; whoever has power has a good life guaranteed, and if she is ultimately forced to marry Archduke Morgan again, she will not allow herself to be trampled by anyone and will take her place using her own power without depending on anyone.

In the main hall of the princess's palace, all her teachers are gathered, waiting for Ariana while wondering what is happening.

The doors open, giving way to Ariana followed by Mari, and they position themselves in front of the teachers.

"Greetings to the imperial princess," they all say in unison while bowing, perfectly following the etiquette towards a member of the imperial family.

The teachers stand up and look at Ariana, waiting for her explanation for gathering them all, although as with Mari, none of them are able to look her in the eyes. That expressionless gaze and that intimidating aura she exudes is terrifying; it's as if they were facing the Emperor himself, who is known for being a cold and cruel man with everyone except his "family," where Ariana clearly does not fit in, despite being one.

"I'll get straight to the point, I'm not going to take your classes anymore," Ariana blurts out, leaving everyone surprised.

The history teacher, Count Marco, is the one who steps forward and speaks, expressing his disagreement.

"Excuse me, Princess, but that decision is not something that concerns you. Her Majesty the Empress has hired us specifically to educate you as the member of the imperial family that you are, so you simply cannot decide that you will no longer take our classes. Our duty is to educate you and not ask for your opinion, Princess," says he, clearly disguising his discontent for the sudden arrogance that Ariana demonstrates in front of them when she has always remained silent, receiving their knowledge.

Ariana notices this and looks directly into the man's eyes coldly, making him shudder, suddenly feeling in front of a dangerous predator.

"I understand your point, Count Marco," Ariana speaks in a cold and cutting voice, "but I am not deciding this just to do it as if I were an ignorant child; of course, I have an argument that supports the fact that I no longer consider your teachings useful," she says, looking at all of them.

"And may I know what your argument is, Princess?" asks the Count.

"Of course, Count," Ariana replies with a sly smile, then suddenly erasing it and looking coldly at all her teachers. "My argument is based on the fact that I already possess all the knowledge that you can teach me, and I can even assure you that I am at a higher level of knowledge than you yourselves, Count, and that is thanks to the fact that I am a genius of knowledge," Ariana affirms arrogantly, leaving all the teachers dumbfounded.

"Please, Princess, stop joking, or I will be forced to file a complaint with Her Majesty the Empress for your bad behavior and mockery towards us," says Count Marco, looking at Ariana with disgust. He can't believe that this stupid girl whom not even her parents want is so arrogant.

"Do you think I'm joking, Count?" Ariana asks, looking at the Count coldly, causing him to shudder once more at her gaze, feeling a terrifying chill.

"I don't expect you to believe me just like that, I'm not that ignorant," Ariana continues, "therefore, I propose that you give me a test that confirms it. At this very moment, you prepare the final exam of each of your areas, and I will answer each exam in less than five minutes," Ariana proposes, "and if that doesn't seem enough, you can do an oral exam that reaffirms it once I finish the written exams."

The teachers look at each other surprised, and it is the Count who seems most disgusted. He really can't believe the arrogance that this brat has developed. It seems that he will have to give her a lesson.

"Very well," says the Count, raising his gaze full of anger. "We will do that, Princess, but if all this turns out to be an immature joke on your part, you will have to be responsible for your actions."

"Of course, Count, I have already made my proposal, it's your turn," says Ariana.

"If you do not answer each written exam in five minutes, you will have to give each of us a monetary compensation, and you will also have to face Her Majesty the Empress once we file a complaint, and you will not have the right to complain to us when you are punished or when it is your turn to pay our compensation," declares the Count, looking at the princess mockingly.

Giggles can also be heard from the other teachers.

"Alright, I accept your conditions. In return, if I win, you yourselves will be in charge of presenting me to Their Majesties as a genius of knowledge who does not need any of your teachings, and you will also have to apologize to me on your knees for your disrespect towards a member of the imperial family," says Aria, looking at them seriously.

But the Count, confident that this is just a game of an immature girl, scoffs mockingly.

"Alright, Princess, if you pass the test, I swear in the name of His Majesty the Emperor that I will apologize on my knees and kiss your feet in front of everyone in the imperial council," he says mockingly, looking at Ariana confidently.

And Ariana, far from getting angry, smiles slyly, seeing how the Count completely fell into her provocation, and now she will not only be the ladder that will lead her to recognition as a genius before the empire but will also serve as an example for anyone who dares to underestimate her.

She has brought with her a recording device where the Count's words were recorded.

She is clear about one thing, and that is that in this life she will not allow herself to be trampled by anyone, no matter who they are; whoever dares to underestimate her will suffer the consequences, no matter what.

After all, there is nothing more dangerous than someone who has nothing to lose, and that is the case of Ariana. If no one cares about her, she doesn't care about anyone either. She will not hesitate to step over whoever it takes to fulfill her goals, whether by using them or trampling them, as will be the case with the Count.

"Alright, Mari, prepare everything so that the teachers can start preparing their exams," Ariana orders Mari.

"As you command, Princess," Mari replies, bowing and then leaving the room.

"Alright, you have one hour to prepare your exams," Ariana informs, looking at the teachers with her expressionless face, and proceeds to leave the room as well, leaving the teachers who begin to talk among themselves and mock the princess, saying that they will make her swallow her arrogance, but what they did not imagine was that they would be the ones to do it.