"I won't deny that your visit surprised me; I would love to know what the flower of society is doing in my home."His scrutinizing gaze would have frozen me in the past, but not now; I was determined, and that man would be my husband, there was no turning back this time. Bastian Chevalier was going to be mine.

"I'll be direct, do you want to marry me?" It was the first time I saw surprise on his face. Bastian Chevalier was not just any man, he was the Archduke of Terra Nova, an unscrupulous man, who had been widowed years ago and had not remarried, although he enjoyed a bad reputation because several noblewomen tried to hold the title of Archduchess by entering his bed and even so they did not succeed, leaving Duke Chevalier with a terrible reputation among the young women and ladies of high society.

Since the sudden death of Lady Hamilton, no woman dared to try to entangle the Archduke, despite his connection to royalty.

"I see that Lady Margare Vitaly does not fear for her life. Do you know how many have lost their lives to such an insinuation?"

"I know, but unlike other ladies, I don't just seek to hold the title of Archduchess; I seek to have the Archduke by my side. I am the daughter of a very important Duke, one of the pillars of the empire, the only woman who was allowed to be single after her coming of age without being frowned upon by society. As well as meddling in political affairs and my father's business, I have been endowed with great intelligence. And, apart from that, I do want him as a man; that is what differentiates me from the others"I said with my chin up, looking him directly in the eye. After going back in time, I have been braver than I was in my past life. When I woke up, the first thing I did was get ready and meet the only man who truly loved me in my previous life.

"I understand that Lady Vitaly was deeply in love with a Count, the same one who claims to be the lucky one to marry her this year. Besides, I am a widower twenty years her senior."I couldn't back down; not now, I refuse to.

"I have had a childhood friendship with said gentleman, but that does not mean that he is going to be my future husband. Besides, the man I desire is in front of me." I felt my face burn as I felt his dark eyes shamelessly watching my body, but I knew him better than anyone.

He got too close and cupped my face with one hand. I know he was trying to intimidate me, but it was causing a different emotion than the one he wanted to provoke in me.

"What would Earl Derby say if the woman he has so professed to marry is in front of me asking me to marry her and, furthermore, saying that I am the man she desires?" His lips brushed against mine, his hands were on my waist. I know this is morally wrong, but it is inevitable to let myself be carried away by him.

"He has nothing to say, the man I want is you."I couldn't help but put my hands on his neck and join our lips in a longing kiss on my part. At first, he was stiff, but then he let himself go, taking control. A raw, wild desire was the most dominant thing right now, it was what we both felt the most; his hands ran over my body over my dress. I know what he wanted to do, but I wouldn't let him, not yet. I gathered all my strength and pulled away from him; we were both shaken by such a heated moment, but it was necessary to set boundaries, it is one thing to give him a little taste, another very different thing is to let him devour me whole.

"If you want me in your bed, you're going to have to marry me. I'm not going to be another one of your flings. I expect you tonight at my father's mansion for dinner. If you don't go, I'll understand that you're not interested in my proposal, and I'll have to look for another gentleman. You will understand that my father is very ill, and he does not have much time left, his greatest dream is to see his daughter marry, with your excellency's permission."I left as quickly as I could, what I said about my father wasn't entirely a lie, but I know he had more years to live, I'll have to investigate further, the origin of his illness, I covered my face again."I asked the butler to be as discreet as possible; one wrong move and my reputation would be ruined."

I am Margaret Vitaly, daughter of one of the most important Dukes of the Terra Nova Empire. Being the only daughter of a very influential family, I had too many privileges, the same ones that led me to stand out in society, but none of that saved me from my tragic end.

In the past, I was in love with Count Agustin Derby, and when my father died from a terrible illness, I married him.

The day after my societal debut, I rejected the Second Prince. The Empress offered me an advantageous marriage to her son. I could have more political participation and the backing of royalty, but the Emperor also proposed marriage to me, though with his brother, Archduke Bastian Chevalier, who didn't enjoy a very good reputation among the ladies. He felt that I was the perfect woman for his precious brother, but, just the same, I politely rejected him, alleging that my father still needed my help, though I would consider his proposal. This happened when I was fifteen; I am currently eighteen, but in my other life, I died at twenty-five.

Marrying the Count was my condemnation. My father had established that apart from his daughter, the only one with the right to the title would be my firstborn, but I didn't know that, and that triggered my misfortune. After a few months, I got pregnant, but I lost the baby after an accident in my carriage when I was going to a tea party with the Queen. That day, in the midst of my misfortune, I met Archduke Chevalier, a totally different man from what the rumors said, who offered me his unconditional support.

Every time I got pregnant, I would lose the baby again. It had me devastated and my husband furious, accusing me of being the only one to blame for each one of my losses. The one who was always there for me was Bastian. As the months went by, Agustin threatened to bring in a concubine if I couldn't have a baby, but since he didn't have the title, I was the one who made the decisions in the Dukedom, and without my authorization, not a single concubine could enter. And of course, I wouldn't allow that, but it happened again; with this one, it was seven losses in our first two years of marriage.

After my last loss, I discovered Agustin was having an affair with one of the employees, an extremely beautiful commoner who had started working as my maid when I was fifteen. I began to get suspicious; Agustin couldn't obtain the title, only our son could. That made me doubt his idea of being a father, besides, without me, he still had the title of Count. I kept my suspicions to myself.

I remember.

"Margaret, I can't keep hiding these feelings I have for you. You can't imagine how much it hurts me to have arrived late in your life. How my soul burns and my spirit fades every time I see you with him. I know that society wouldn't accept a divorce, that's why I also boldly ask you to escape with me. Let's live our lives far from this Empire, just you and me. I have the Emperor's support to approve your divorce and take you far away with me. I'll come looking for you tonight; you have until nightfall to make a decision."

That day I felt my heart accelerate. I couldn't leave the estate that had cost my father so much, but by not being able to have children and being gravely ill, I wouldn't be able to enjoy anything. I know the Emperor wouldn't allow Agustin to take the Dukedom into his power. I had a few months left, so I would live my days as if they were my last. When I arrived home, I locked myself in my room, taking the most important things, which were the family jewels. I kept them in a case and waited patiently for Bastian to come for me. The anxiety got the better of me, and I decided to go down, but when I was going down the stairs, someone pushed me.

Bloody and a few minutes away from losing my life due to the heavy bleeding, I saw how Agustin and the commoner kissed as if nothing had happened. This had been planned by the two of them, wretches. How could I have been so naive as to marry such a despicable and vile being? They both went back to their disgusting business, while I bled without help from anyone. Mysteriously, there was no one in the mansion. I felt weaker and weaker, until I saw a figure. I was even more surprised to see that it was Bastian.

"Margaret, oh, heavens! Margaret, hold on, I'll take you to the best doctor. Just hold on a little longer."

"Bastian, there's no more time. My dear Bastian, if I could turn back time, I would run into your arms and ask for your hand in marriage."

"Margaret, don't talk, you'll be fine."

"No, Bastian, I want you to fulfill my last wish: give me a kiss. I don't want to die without feeling your lips." He was crying, as was I. It was a sweet but melancholic kiss; I took my last breath in that kiss. After dying, I didn't feel anything else; I was in complete darkness. I have no idea how long I was like that until I saw a light and, following it, I woke up when I was eighteen years old. How did I know? Because of my room, I remodeled the colors every year, and it just so happened that the decoration was golden.

When the carriage arrived at the Dukedom, I took a deep breath; it was time to put that harpy in her place and investigate my father's illness.

"Your Excellency, I don't mean to be imprudent, but I would advise you not to tarnish the honor of the flower of society. That young lady is not like the others; if it is rumored that you are seeing her, they will force you to marry her. You know very well that the Emperor and Empress have had their eye on her since her debut."

"My dear Fermin, it's nothing like you imagine. That intrusive young lady came to ask me to marry her." Fermin gasped in astonishment at my words; he didn't expect such an event either. "Can you believe it? Me, the man with the worst reputation among the ladies. I want you to prepare the best dowry there ever was, as well as my mother's ring, the former Empress. Not even the late Archduchess could wear that ring, and since it was a gift my mother gave me before she died, the Empress didn't have access to it either. It will be perfect for Lady Margaret. Have everything ready before nightfall; I have a dinner to attend and a father-in-law to convince."

"As you wish, Your Excellency, I will prepare the best dowry; I will send the coachman to get the carriages ready. Lady Margaret will be a perfect Archduchess." Fermin jumped out of happiness; I'm sure he'll make a whole caravan.

"I don't know what you're up to, Margaret, but you won't be able to escape me, especially now that I've tasted the sweetness of your lips. You will be my Archduchess, my wife, and anyone who dares touch you will die by my hand."

For her part, Margaret was making arrangements with the staff; she had all her maids in front of her, including the one who was part of her misfortune in her previous life.

"Vivian, Cloy and Adani will continue to be my maids, Lea, unfortunately I no longer require your services as one of my main maids. Here is your pay for your years of service. As you can understand, the mistake you made yesterday was too serious." The woman was clutching her hands in the skirt of her dress, although her face showed sadness. She knew her true colors very well. When I arrived at the duchy, I remembered a fatal mistake she made that day when she "accidentally" stained a dress that belonged to my late mother, rendering it unusable. In the past, I forgave her, but now I will use it as an excuse.

"But, miss, I need the job. My mother is very ill; the truth is, I need it. I will not tire of apologizing for my mistake." The advisable thing would be to keep her close, but I can't risk it; nor can I allow her to be hired by another noble house.

"The duchy is overflowing with staff; we don't need helpers in any area. Even in the laundry there are enough staff. You can retire. Guards, escort Miss Lea to the village." The woman was furious, but there was nothing she could do. If my suspicions are correct, Count Derby will be here first thing tomorrow morning to see me.

Once I dealt with that harpy, I went to see my father. He was in his study, immersed in documents. Although my father was ill years before my debut in society, in the last three years his health has declined considerably. Despite his condition, he has been able to continue fulfilling his duties as Duke perfectly, while I fulfill the duties of Duchess.

"Father, you don't know how much I've missed you," I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly. I would do anything to keep him alive.

"My little one, we saw each other last night at dinner. The butler reported to me that you went out to town on personal business. Do you have any ideas for improving our business?" And I told him to be discreet.

"Father, we have a dinner guest. It will be a discreet dinner; only the butler and my personal maids will attend.

"What's all the mystery about? I hope it's not a visit from that Earl I don't like. It's one thing for them to have been childhood playmates and quite another for him to say he's going to marry you without even making me a decent proposal."

"Don't worry about that. I wouldn't marry Earl Derby in a thousand lifetimes; you'll like this guest."

After the pleasant chat, both continued with their respective duties. Margaret gave the day off to almost all the employees of the duchy; only the most loyal remained. She could not allow it to leak out who the guest was.