When I looked at the couple in front of me, their smiles and shining walk towards the twin throne of the Empire of Araka . At once I remembered the scene , as vividly as that day When I read the book 'LOVE AND WAR'. it was almost a decade ago when I sat down in a cold library with the company of old yellowing books. it was a miracle that I found such a new looking book with strong bindings and impressive gold calligraphy on its cover

'LOVE AND WAR' was the story of a transmigrated woman named Lisbeth who come into the novel world as a beggar, abandoned by her poor peasant parents she works her way to the top and becomes a knight. Lisbeth also encounters the king and the advisor who were the heroes of the novel .

call it a change of fate or just a ruse that it was her that the two Male leads fell in love for rather than with each other. The most striking feature of the story that the twelve- year- old me found was the number of politics and details of the war with various nations that the three of them experienced, and the heroine having the future knowledge was always the pivot of every major thing . it was safe to say that Lisbeth was the only one who could save the world while other characters were either dead or too dumb in their love for her to understand anything about gravity of the threats.

What about me? I thought

I remembered a character under my name too ... Aria, the count of Bellhouse's only daughter .

I took a deep breath and tired remembering the details of my life in the novel. it was like a miracle that every little twist and turn that were forgotten by me till now, suddenly felt tattooed in my mind in chronological order.

*She was sent to the gallows due to the snarky remark she made towards the virtuous knight Lisbeth and advisor Declan, who once used to be the most loved person to Aria, although only one -side admiration on her part,overlooked her execution with deadly cold eyes *

Fuck!...Fuck!...Fuck!...Fuck!

I remembered the passage and the exact time when it would take place. it was so shocking that the wine glass slipped from my hands,making a loud noise as it smashed on the white marble floor.

All the people took their eyes off the couple and looked at me. Their irritated eyes directed towards me and suspected that I had deliberately created a commotion to humiliate Lisbeth Morton. Declan looked at me from behind the entourage of the king. His black eyes with a stoic face that felt as if it contorted with disgust sent chill down my spine.

These were the eyes he would show me three months from now.

'Aria...what happened?' my mother who standing beside me asked . we shared the same silver hair however her eyes were aquamarine while mine verdant like valleys . After three months she will cry over the dead body of her daughter who which would be left to rot in the bright sun.

'Nothing...I just...I am tired can I go home?!I reassured her by smiling.

A tender expression spread through her face. 'sure...take care and don't stay up till late to wait for us.'

She patted my head and kissed my cheeks.

' Thanks, mom...'

I went out of the banquet and looked at the evening moon. The full moon night and gentle breeze with the rustling of trees on the palace ground filled me with tranquility as I waited for my carriage to arrive.

Haa!... Time was completely messed up ... just half a year ago I developed a mysterious obsession with the king's advisor. It was quite shocking for Declan too as I would fawn over him or gift him expensive things. At first,he retreated politely, but soon it turned more ruthless and relentless. I was worse than him, who would come again like a kicked puppy, not understanding rejection. I never knew why I changed so much, from a respected child of a distinguished family to such a mess and I even questioned myself for this fall, trying to find the answer.

Maybe it really was the influence of the novel that made me the stalker of a man who had no connections with me whatsoever. Truth to be told we have never even talked before in any parties.It was creepy that I suddenly developed such a intense obsession with him.

'Fuck I want to go half a year back into the past. I would have survived then!

* * *

'My lady! what happened? why are you in such a hurry?' the carriage driver panicked on seeing me sprint towards the carriage in heels like a mad person.

'House... right now!!' I shouted.

***

I reached by the Bell house mansion, ignoring the worried faces of maids and servants. I asked for the family butler Jordan.

'Where is the key to the Family Heirloom ? Father has asked me to do something! I lied. Jordan has been serving our family from our grandfather's time. He loved and showed tender affections towards me however he would only take the orders from the Duke of the family.

Getting the key without lying was impossible.

'what... my lady ?' Jordan was baffled, a worried expression crossed his face.

'Right now. That is why I came early'. I assured him with enough evidence. 'Yes ... Right away.' He said as he rushed up to dad's office on first floor.

**

Empire of Araka has three major families: Ajax had the power of dawn, Ares of twilight which was later named Bellhouse, and castor of the dusk. These are the only families that had the three strongest demons shackled in grimoire that later became their family heirloom. The major families were deliberately in count level since they posed a serious threat to the royal family. Fortunately, Bellhouse had the demon of time in their grimoire.

'This is the key, my lady. ' Jordan extended his hands presenting a golden key.

I took it and descended downstairs in the family heirloom room. Jordan could not follow me as a member of Bellhouse was allowed inside. Every month the Grimoire would be supplied with the life of force of the head of the family for its upkeep. my father during these days would become seriously ill or would hallucinate about things his predecessors said. most of time it is my dead grandfather who would come in his dreams.

...****************...