I knelt down and looked at the people watching my punishment. Why is it unfair? Why was I punished for a sin I did not commit? Am I that bad?

*" Vin'nyla Astraea Glazed is sentenced to death in a crime for attempting to kill the Queen of Sapphire Empire"*

Ah, where did it all go wrong? Where did I make a mistake? Did I make a mistake with my beloved? Am I wrong to have reached the point of death?

**Is it wrong to love? Is it wrong to love the man I dream? The man I promised to be with?**

Where is he? Why wouldn't he save me? He is still a friend. Wasn't I, his precious childhood friend? Even if I'm only asking for a friend. But why did it come to this?

I tried my best to be the best for him, I guess it wasn't enough since he still chose her. The Queen who ruined it all, the Queen who wants me dead for good. The Queen who thought she was the main character in this story. Of course she was the main character, she ended up with him.

I didn't mean to hurt her, it was an accident. But I probably deserve this since I was greedy for his love. I was indeed the villain from their love story.

‘***Can you stop being annoying Astraea?’ ***Those were the last words I got from him… Damien Quinn the King.

KEEPING THE PROMISES WE SAY IN EACH OTHER WHEN WE ARE KIDS MAKES OUR LIFE SEPARATE. IM I BAD? Loving you was so much pain in my heart.

If only I can go back to where it was, I won't fall for him. I will stop chasing him. I will stop being the clingy friend who wanted to be the Queen. I will keep distance my self to him. If I will do that before can't I ended up dying?. I will break the promise when we were just kids.

I WILL STOP…

________________________

**“Princess! Princess!”** I was awakened by someone's loud shout.

Huh? Wait? I'm still alive? Didn't I cut off my head?

I held my neck and coughed. Where am I from? Am I wet? Why im here?

"**Thank God your alive Princess, Are you ok? Princess? Princess?”** Princess? I? I held my face and hair, and looked at the one who call me

"**R-Rhea?**" I asked in shock. Rhea was my old maid and a close friend, She was there in my bad days, she was also given the death penalty. It was my fault I drag her to this mess, they give her a death penalty because she's the only one I have.

"**y-yes?"** She asked me confused. "It's you! Why are you-

“**W-what… what date is today?”** I stammered

**"Jan XX XXXX."** AH CRAP...

**pardon?**

**it's Jan XX XXXX princess." holy sh*t

I TRAVEL BACK IN TIME?!

I'm still dumbfounded to this day. I go back in time? Is that possible? I looked at myself in the mirror. I look young and healthy, and Im 15 years old with a mind of a 23 years old? Is that possible?

I still remembered what happened in the past... AAAH I'M GOING CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT.

“Princess, the prince did not come today to find out how you are doing. But his assistant is here." Rhea gave me a weak response.

I scratched my head, did I almost drown just so Damien would notice? I almost died buset, so he won't visit me? It's my fault too.

I stood up and went to one of the drawers. I'm sure I won't regret it, I took scissors and cut my hair short.

"P-Princess? Why?” Maddy screamed in shock. "Princess Astraea, the one who almost drowned just to get the dear prince's attention is right. Your hair is so bad" I smiled as I turned to him.

"Rhea, I will follow" He bowed to what I said. Phew! Why should I pay attention to someone who doesn't like me?

I have to change my destiny or I will die again. This is the second chance that I am asking for, this is the second life that I will take care of so that what should happen doesn't happen again.

But first let me change my look and my gaze. I sighed and looked at my old maid with my cold eyes. Im sorry, in order to achieve my goal I need to be fierce and strong. Im not the same old Astraea from before.

"Rhea, Call me Vin from now on. Princess Vin'nyla Glazed of the Ruby Palace.” I said with confidence.

Astraea is dead already. Meet Vin'nyla, call me Vin.

"You'll be next, Princess Vin" Rhea replied politely.

"Ah, well, don't report about the dear prince" I told him sternly.

"Pardon?" - Rhea.

"I mean, don't tell me what the dear prince is doing. Im sure he's very busy, after all he's taking care of his life" I saw Maddy's eyes widen and she smiled at me like she was relieved.

"Next time"

He went out and I sat in front of the mirror. I still have my blue eyes and silver hair, but my hair is short. It's good, sometimes it's boring to comb. It was too long before I cut it, maybe because men like long hair. So I grew my hair longer for Quinn to like.

I just haven't seen him in the past few days. Of course I already know the reason, he was avoiding me. I was one of the future Queen candidate of the Sapphire empire, only during my candidacy did I see Damien again. It seems that he already likes Seraphina, Seraphina Clement was the future Queen of the Sapphire Empire.

She was kind and soft though. Too kind to be true, a Queen material indeed. I only talked to her a few times but the last time was when I hurt her. And thus I executed. Probably because of jealousy? Hate? I forgot…

“Princess?” I turned to see who spoke. Ah Cairo! He is Damien's assistant, he is the one Rhea is referring to. "Are you ok now?"

"Yes, I'm fine now" I said smiling at him.

"About the prince-"

"I do not have any business with the prince." I said let's go to my seat together. "You have other business here, am I right? Tell me. I did not ask about the prince”

I saw surprise in his eyes. HAAYYSS because everyone knows that I'm dead to Damien. Why am I so dead there?

"A-Ah of course, I'm sorry. It's about the 'Queen candidate'. The King wants to see you" I coughed suddenly. Shit, I forgot that I volunteered to be in the first seat.

Is there a way to back out of this competition?

Rhea dressed me and did my hair.

Oh, I used to flirt, so I'm going to die because of my own stupidity! Buset.

I walked over to the carriages that were ready by the guards. Ruby Palace is a peaceful place full of gardens, it is the only palace with full of flowers and trees. One of the best palaces in the Empire.

I went in and sat down, I had no plans to go anywhere. Of course I'm still very tired from death.

"Princess Vin, we're here." I reluctantly nodded, I modestly got down and walked towards the inside.

'Good day dear princess'

'Princess Astraea is here again?'

'He is here for the dear prince'

'Be quiet, you might be heard there and we will be punished'

I was cursed in my mind. This freaking buset I'm really flirty. I took out the fan and put it on my face. It's embarrassing, was I like that before? REGRETS! EW!

I entered the room where the dear king was. He was sitting on a chair and holding papers. Wow it must be hard to be a King who rules all the Palaces.

"Ah Astraea!" He responded happily when he saw me. I bowed at him and greeted himback.

"Greetings to the King of Sapphire Empire" I greeted while bowing.

"Ahaaa, your etiquette has improved I see! You're really fit to be the Queen.” I coughed at what the King said.

I remembered before how he always supported me to be the Queen, but before the competition started, he was killed by an unknown person. Of course the Kingdom was in chaos, so the search for the Queen was hurried and the Prince was hurriedly placed on the throne.

II was 18 when the competition started and at that time the King was already murdered. Because before the competition, we have to attend school. You have to graduate first before you enter the Queen candidate.

Which means I have to attend school for 2 years. Nice…

"So how are you with my son?" And that's when I almost passed out.

"P- pardon me?" How does he know though?

"I have heard rumors that you have been chasing him. That's good, I want him to marry you" I was screaming inside my head. Rumors my face! Are you really gossipy?

How to back out of candidacy? Because I was a volunteer in the first seat, that's what I've always regretted!

“Um… My King? I have something to say…?” I nervously said. I can feel my palms are sweating hard.

"Oh Astraea, no need for formalities" He replied with a laugh. "You were so bubbly back then, why are you asking now? Did something happen? I'm sorry, I'm not very updated on what's going on inside the Empire."

"A-ah? T-there's nothing more fun- this is good- this is again. *Ehem* I mean there isn't much going on inside the empire.” What's up Vin? I was hit on the forehead.

"I heard you almost drowned. Was it true?” I stopped thinking of what to say. "Or was-

"Y-yes your majesty, it was my mistake. I will never do it again.” What the King hated the most is chasing for someone or paying attention to someone that might end up injuring himself. He also hates lies, so if I lie today. Im doomed.

I bowed as he stared at me intently. Shit.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because it was my fault your majesty. I have caused trouble to some people inside the palace.” I said with a calm voice. I need to be calm, back in the past I always lost my temper.

"But you were the one who was hurt, child. Why are you sorry?” I closed my eyes when the King said, its been so long. I always wanted to hear those kind voices from the King again. He was like my father. "I have promised my dear old friend that I will take care of their only princess."

I inhaled slowly, my parents died from an accident. They were heading home that time, but it was raining hard. They went on a shortcut but they too a dangerous one, many trees are old. Some fell due to the force of the wind and died there.

I was young at that time, so the King took care of me. Then I met his son, Damien Quinn Lament. The future King of the Empire. I don't really plan to be Queen because of the promise and because I want something from her. I tried to be one.

"There is nothing to worry about me, your majesty. I am fine now, you must take care of your health as well” I said, I wanna avoid that kind of conversation about my parents and past.

"Oh, I am fine dear child. Do you remember the promise you made with my son?” Aaaah here we go again. How to avoid this too.

"A...ahh I don't remember any promises, your Majesty." I LIED, I'm so dead when he knows if I didn't. I need a reason! "I might have hit my head somewhere when I drowned" I hope to at least convince sha sizst because he is really dead.

"Oh, is that so?" he nodded and adjusted his seat. "I heard the news from him."

I immediately looked at him. What?

"Yes?"

"I heard the rumors from Damien, the rumors that you drowned I mean. He was worried.” He gave me happy news as if he would excite me or make me happy.

"A-aaah I don't know" I said with my head in my hands, worried my ass! He didn't even visit me. "W-what, I have something to say." I said trembling. I don't want to disappoint him.

"Anything, child" He said.

"I want to back out of the competition."

"I want to back out of the competition." I said with my head down. I don't want to see his disappointed face. I heard a loud sigh.

"Hmmm... Sure" I immediately looked at him. "If you will tell me your reason, then I will consider your request."

He stood up and went to one of the sofas near the throne, the king has some comfortable room. This is probably his work room since there are many books and papers.

"Sit down." I immediately followed. I was still standing. "Now tell me child. What is your reason?” I took a deep breath and explained to him.

"I want to study well your majesty. I am not fit to be the Queen of the Empire, I want to study archery and I want to be a knight instead.”

I didn't really plan to study politics before, I was blinded by love and decided to take what I am not good at. I took politics but deep inside I really want to be a knight. I know how to do archery and swordsmanship, Papa taught me before he disappeared. He would always train me to be one since I don't have a brother.

I was a little rebel back then, I didn't wear fancy dresses and wear fancy shoes. I always go out and play with swords. But when papa had an accident, the King took care of me and dressed me up to be a princess. It's not that I don't want to but I really wanted to hold a sword again.

"Instead of taking politics, I wanted to be a knight." I don't want to be the Queen if it will end my life anyway.

"But do you want to marry my son?"

'If only he would marry and love me too' That's what I would answer in my mind...

"I do not wish to marry the prince. I wish to be a knight who protects the prince.” I said confidently.

*Door opens*

"Father I have something to-"

My eyes widened and my mouth was covered. SHIT ITS DAMIEN!

I immediately stood up and bowed to him. Aaah crap, did he hear what I said?

"Greetings to the Ki- I mean Prince of the Sapphire Empire." I nervously said while bowing at him. I got used to what I used to call him King.

"Astraea? What are you doing here?" he asked with a rough voice.

"I invited her here, son. No need to be mad at her. Astraea you may sit down.” I immediately followed. I swallowed hard looking at the dear King. "What is it that you want to talk about?" he asked his son.

I just quietly bowed to my seat.

"Oh, I thought she's here again because of-nevermind." It continued to speak. "Am I really gonna take all of these classes? Politics has many problems. And I don't want to study magic at all."

The dear King felt a sense.

"Son, you can't just focus on politics to be the King. You must learn to defend yourself.”

"I already studied swordsmanship and combat, I can protect myself perfectly." It used to be boastful.

Wait he didn't study magic? Is that why he has a wizard and a knight from before? They seem close friends from the past too. But I don't think they met yet, where did they meet?

"Well, as long as you can protect yourself. You're good." The King said waving his hand. "Is that all? Astraea and I were just discussing something about the 'Queen candidate'."

I coughed weakly as if I had vomited. Jusko, maybe he will tell everything I said?! The dear king is still very chatty.

"Queen Candidate again? Did she beg you to let her win?” He said coldly. I bowed even more.

Wow harsh, why did I just notice it now? It turns out that I lost from the beginning, maybe he always hated and despised me from the very beginning.

"Son, don't go hard on her. You should be glad she didn't ask any of it” Thank you dear father! It's good that his father is good-natured while he is very rude. Why did I like him again?

"Really... That's new. What did she request this time?” I saw the King laugh and smile. He's happy huh.

"She backed out of the competition."

"What?"