It was said that long ago, the Empire of Windhurge was a land of endless skies and ancient winds, a place where the bond between humans and mythical creatures beings of the wind, the sky, and the very fabric of nature

was unbreakable.

The first emperor, Aelindar Windsworn, a mage of great power and wisdom, forged an empire that soared above the earth, built upon the magic of the winds. The people of Windhurge lived in harmony with creatures like the Sylphs, the Drakynths, and the Aetherians, beings whose very existence was tied to the kingdom’s prosperity.

But as time passed, the kingdom grew, and with it, so did the ambitions of the royal bloodline. It was in the tenth generation, when the Windsworn family was at the height of its power, that disaster struck.

The rulers of Windhurge, drunk on their newfound strength, sought to control the very creatures that had once helped them rise to glory. The creatures, who had been bound by an ancient promise to the Mother of Life to protect the balance between the mortal and mythical realms, could no longer bear witness to the human rulers' greed.

And so, they left, retreating into the hidden corners of the world, their bond with humanity severed forever.

The kingdom was never the same again.

Now, centuries later, the Empire of Windhurge stands as a shadow of its former self. The skies no longer shimmer with the presence of the Drakynths, and the winds no longer sing the songs of the Sylphs.

The once-thriving capital of Aelinthar, a city that once floated high above the clouds, now stands silent, a monument to the past. The royal family still holds power, but the trust of the people is slipping away with every passing year.

And yet, there are whispers whispers of something that could change it all. The Three of Life, ancient relics that hold the secrets of both the mythical and mortal realms, are said to be hidden somewhere in the empire.

These artifacts, once believed to be mere legend, are now the key to restoring what was lost. Some say they hold the power to bring the mythical creatures back, to restore the balance between the realms. Others believe they hold the secret to controlling the very winds themselves.

But there are darker forces at work as well.

The Dreadwind Order, a shadowy group of rogue mages and scholars, has begun to search for the Three of Life, believing that with their power, they can break the ancient promises and call the creatures back to the mortal realm for a price.

The winds grow restless as strange storms and unnatural phenomena begin to plague the land, and the boundary between the mortal and mythical worlds weakens with each passing day.

And so, the empire is torn between those who seek to restore the past and those who wish to rewrite it. Among the royal family, there is one who holds a secret Alara Windsworn, the emperor’s sister, whose gift to commune with the remnants of the mythical creatures is as rare as it is dangerous.

Drawn by visions of the Three of Life, Alara embarks on a journey with a band of unlikely companions Rydan, a rebellious wind mage; a mysterious wanderer who claims ties to the creatures; and an ancient guardian who once served the first emperor.

Together, they seek the Three of Life, hoping to restore the lost bond between humanity and the mythical creatures. But the Dreadwind Order is never far behind, and with every step they take, the winds grow darker.

The Empire of Windhurge stands at a crossroads, and its fate rests in the hands of those who dare to challenge the winds of fate. Will the secrets of the Three of Life bring salvation, or will they shatter what remains of the world forever? Only time will tell, as the winds of destiny swirl once more.

This is an interesting story... "Her phone rings with an unknown number." Huh? "she muttered, curiously answering the call." Who is this?

She couldn't understand what the person said it was just a faint whisper—or so she thought. The line cut abruptly, leaving her hanging.

Strange... "she thought, settling back into her bed and placing the book on her table." I'll continue reading you tomorrow. Watch out, "she playfully added."

“Miss... miss... miss!!” A faint voice of a woman called her out, breaking through the silence.

Ugh… five more minutes... she groaned, curling deeper into her bed, unwilling to wake.

“Miss... You need to wake up, miss...” The woman’s voice was gentle as she softly patted her shoulder, urging her awake.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the door, jolting her from her drowsiness. "I'm awake! I'm awake..." she muttered, sitting up quickly, wide-eyed.

"Lady Arwenzylle, this is not the proper conduct for a lady," the woman said firmly, her tone unyielding.

"Huh? Wait... where am I?" Arwenzylle's eyes darted around the unfamiliar room in confusion. "Am I dreaming...?" Her gaze landed on the lavish furniture, the sparkling chandelier overhead, and the gold accents decorating the walls. "Wow, this dream feels so real..." She sighed in relief, her heart racing. "I wish I’d never wake up..."

"Lady Arwenzylle... Are you alright? Do you still have a fever?" The woman, now dressed in a maid's uniform, asked with concern, her voice softening.

"Wow... I even have a maid... Hehe, this is breathtaking," Arwenzylle smiled, enchanted by the luxury around her.

"Lady Arwenzylle Thalamus," The woman stood at attention, her posture perfect, eyes sharp with an air of authority. "Your etiquette class starts at 9 a.m. Don’t be late!" She glanced at Arwenzylle’s disheveled hair and the untidy bed, shaking her head slightly. "And please, sleep like a princess, not like a baby." With that, she turned and left, her footsteps fading away.

3 hours later

"Ugh... This is surely not a dream!" she muttered, sitting in her chair and slipping off her shoes.

Wanna know what really happened? To make it short I died. And what's even worse? I reincarnated. Well, I’ve mostly read reincarnation novels and always wished to experience it, but this... this is on another level! Why did I even reincarnate?! I don’t even know the novel! I only read the first part! So why?! Why?! Why did I reincarnate into this novel?! And what's even worse is the plot!

My friend recommended this novel, Wish for Your Death. It has such a captivating title... but with a horrible plot!! She said it’s a love story with a twisted plot, but all she told me was, "The protagonist you think isn’t the real one." Huh? Fudge! Why?! Why did I reincarnate into this?! I didn’t even finish reading the novel... or even start it properly!

I mean, seriously, how does this even happen? One moment I’m living my life, minding my own business, and the next thing I know, I’m stuck in a story I barely even know. What kind of reincarnation is this? Is this some kind of twisted joke from the universe?

I should’ve at least done some research or finished reading the novel my friend recommended! But nooo, I was too busy with other things, thinking "It’s fine, I’ll get to it eventually." And now I’m here, playing the role of someone in a story where I don’t even know the full plot.

All I know is the main character is supposed to venture on a journey to the three of life and some messed-up love story, and somehow, I'm... I might be involved in it. I have no clue what's going on. All I can say is, if this is what reincarnation is like, someone really needs to fix the system.

I mean, is there a way to get out of this? Maybe I can just find a way to avoid being part of this messed-up love story even the world is messed up! Who knows this well end today! Even tomorrow!. But wait... if I change anything, won't I ruin the whole plot? I can't even trust the characters in this story nor knowing them.

Ugh, I'm not ready for this kind of mess. "Well, here we go," I muttered, taking a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever insane turn my life is about to take next.

Just as she braced herself for whatever came next, the door swung open again, this time more gently.

"Lady Arwenzylle," a calm voice called from the doorway, "Your breakfast is ready."

Arwenzylle turned to face the maid, who entered with a small tray of delicate dishes. Her stomach growled in response, reminding her that while the world around her was falling apart, her physical needs were still very much intact.

"Thank you," she said, trying to mask the frustration in her voice. "But really, can you tell me more about this place? Why does everything feel so... surreal?"

The maid set the tray down on the table beside her. "This is Windhurge Empire, Lady Arwenzylle. And this is the mansion of the Thalamus family." She paused, watching the young lady with a concerned expression. "You’ve been unwell, but I believe you’ll be fine now. You are the daughter of the Duke Gilbert Alexander Whales . Your role in the empire is important, and I assure you that you have everything to live for here."

Arwenzylle’s mind raced. The last name Whales it had some ring to it. She couldn’t place it. But why did it sound so familiar? Was this part of the novel too?

The three of life, she remembered with a shudder. That was part of the plot of Wish for Your Death the mysterious, ancient tree that held the power to alter the fate of anyone who reached it. But what did this mean for her now? Was she supposed to go on a quest for it? Was that her purpose in this world?

"Ugh, this is so messed up," she muttered again under her breath, before taking a deep breath and picking up her fork. There was no use complaining. The reality of her situation was far stranger than anything she’d ever imagined. If she had any chance of figuring out what to do next, she would need to learn more about this world, its rules, and possibly its plot.

Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to look through this twisted love story and avoid her inevitable death or so, just like in the novel. But was it possible to change fate? She wasn’t sure, but she had no choice but to try.

"Lady Arwenzylle," the maid’s voice cut through her thoughts, "His Grace, the Duke, wants to see you in his office."

Her heart skipped a beat. The Duke? Was that... her father? And why was he calling her now? Was it time to face the consequences of her reincarnation? She could only hope it wouldn’t be as painful as the last time she faced someone she didn’t fully understand.

"Okay," she said, setting her utensils down and standing up. "Let's get this over with."

Taking one last glance at the luxurious room around her, she steeled herself for the next chapter in this chaotic, unpredictable life that was now her reality. Who knew how this day would end? Or the next?

With her heart pounding in her chest, she walked toward the drawing room, determined to make it through whatever plot twists came her way.

"What's this?" she thought, her body trembling, her heart beating so fast it made it hard to breathe. "This... This isn't my emotions..." Suddenly, the creak of the door opening echoed, and she saw a man sitting on a chair, facing her direction. His eyes pierced through her. As she walked into the office, each step made her knees tremble. "These emotions... they're from the original Arwenzylle. She trembled like a scared puppy abandoned by her mother," she thought.

"I heard you recovered," he said in a cold voice.

"Y-yes, father," she replied, her voice trembling. I can't breathe... Why is Arwenzylle so scared of this man?

"If so, why don't you tell me what happened in the royal palace, in the prince's garden?" he asked. "Your sister, Aelita, said you pushed her, but you drowned in insistence," he continued, his voice stern.

"I... I..." she stammered, struggling to find her words.

"And the prince helped you, instead of your sister, his fiancée. Now tell me, Arwen, did you and the prince... did he give you something?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"N-no, father," she replied, her voice trembling. How would I know that the original Arwenzylle and the prince met... and even exchanged letters?

The duke showed her the letter. Arwenzylle's face turned pale. "How will you explain these letters?" he asked coldly.

Suddenly, Arwenzylle knelt, crying and begging. "Father, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" she begged, her body shaking. Huh? What's this? I can't control my body... Is the original Arwenzylle still alive? Why is she begging as if her life depends on it? She trembles so much...

The duke stood up from his chair and walked past her. "Pit," he said, his gaze cold, and he left her kneeling on the floor. A knight dragged her away as she continued shouting until they reached the pit—an underground basement. The thick, dark walls and the smell of blood and chains filled the air. She was chained and placed in a chair, while a black magic circle surrounded her.

"Let's start reading while giving your punishment," the duke said with an eerie smile.

"F-father... I'm begging you..." she pleaded.

"Dear prince, I'll cut my greetings short with a small favor to ask, which I dare say your highness, a favor to help me escape the Whales mansion," the duke said. "This is quite a bold favor, Arwenzylle," he added.

Suddenly, the magic circle glowed, and Arwenzylle felt a strange numbness spread through her entire body, as if a knife were piercing her, cutting her in half and absorbing her light.

"It hurts... It hurts so much... Please... Please stop this... Please!" she begged until she lost consciousness.

The duke left his conscious daughter in the pit.

Meanwhile, Arwenzylle woke up in a strange, empty ocean. She was standing in the water, looking at her reflection. There, she met the original Arwenzylle, who was also gazing into the ocean. She approached her.

"You know," the original Arwenzylle said, "they say eyes are windows to your soul. And that soul determines whether you're good or bad... But how can you see that soul if you don't have one?" She turned to face Arwenzylle.

"Are you... the real...?" Arwenzylle began to ask, but the other Arwenzylle cut her off.

"Arwenzylle," she said, smiling at her. "Your soul is brighter than any other, and she chose the right person for it," she said with a smile.

"What? I don't understand..." Arwenzylle replied, noticing the scars and bruises on her body. "Why? Why didn't you fight back?" she asked.

The original Arwenzylle smiled and held her hands. "Nothing would have changed if I did. Besides, I waited long enough, and this 'enough' is enough for me to let go."

"What do you mean?" Arwenzylle asked.

"You'll know soon enough. Good things will come, so endure, have faith, trust, fight, and love, my dear Arwenzylle," she said. Suddenly, her body slowly started vanishing.

"Wait... you can't go yet! I have so much to ask!" Arwenzylle cried out.

"Try to remember, Arwenzylle nyur Whales," she said.

Arwenzylle gasped as she woke up in her bed and realized she was back in her room. "A dream?" she whispered. But as she attempted to stand, her body ached. "Ughh!" she groaned in pain. "Yeah. Definitely not a dream," she muttered.

Arwenzylle winced as she slowly pushed herself up from the bed. The pain in her body felt real, too real. She stumbled to the mirror and gazed at her reflection, but the face staring back at her was not the one she knew. It was still her, yet... something was different. Her eyes, once filled with uncertainty, now carried a strange intensity, as though everything around her had shifted. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed deep within her.

A knock on the door startled her from her thoughts.

"Your Highness, the duke requests your presence," came the servant's soft but firm voice.

The duke... Arwenzylle felt her stomach tighten at the mere thought of him. She had barely survived their last encounter, and now... now she felt an unshakable sense that something much more dangerous was unfolding. Still, she couldn’t ignore his summons. There were questions that needed answering, and she wasn’t going to be left in the dark any longer.

With a deep breath, Arwenzylle steadied herself and stood tall, ignoring the persistent ache in her body. "I’m coming."

The walk through the cold, empty halls felt like an eternity. The silence seemed heavier than before, and each step she took reverberated in the hollow spaces around her. She knew she wasn’t just walking to another confrontation; she was walking toward the answers she had been desperately seeking.

The duke sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable. As Arwenzylle entered, the door clicked shut behind her with an ominous finality. The tension between them was palpable, but this time, it was different. It wasn’t anger that filled the air—no, it was something darker, more calculated.

“Come in,” the duke said, his voice carrying a chilling calm.

She stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what he would say this time, but she knew it wouldn’t be any easier than before. She took her seat, eyes cast downward, as her father’s gaze never wavered from her.

“So,” he began slowly, as though savoring the silence, “I trust you’ve learned your lesson?”

Arwenzylle nodded, her throat tight. “Yes, Father,” she whispered.

“You understand the gravity of your actions, don’t you?” His voice was still deceptively calm, but there was an edge to it now an edge that made her shiver. “A letter to the prince. A desperate plea for help. How do you think that makes me look?”

Her lips trembled as she spoke, but she pushed the words out anyway. “I never meant for it to be seen. I was just... lost.”

The duke’s gaze softened for a brief moment, as if considering her words. But the moment passed, and his expression hardened again. “Lost?” he repeated, his voice filled with cold disbelief. “Do you think you have the luxury of being lost, Arwenzylle? Do you think the empire will allow you to be lost in your own fantasies? You are a princess not some wayward girl searching for a fleeting escape.”

The weight of his words pressed heavily on her chest, but she held her ground, refusing to let herself break. “I know my place,” she said quietly, though her voice wavered. "This won't happen again, father "

The duke’s eyes flickered with something almost imperceptible something like disappointment. He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk in front of him, his fingers tapping gently.

“You see, Arwenzylle,” he began, his tone more measured now, “that’s the problem. You don’t understand the difference between fantasy and reality. You don’t know what it means to serve this family to serve the empire. To serve me. You are not the center of the world. You exist because the empire needs you. Because your sister needs you. And because I demand your obedience.”

His words struck her like a blow, and she had to fight back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “I didn’t mean to disappoint you,” she whispered.

The duke’s gaze softened for a moment, and Arwenzylle dared to look up. “I’m not interested in your apologies, Arwenzylle,” he said, his voice strangely calm now. “You’ve made your mistakes. But now, you will make them right.”

Her heart clenched in her chest. “How?”

“By showing true loyalty,” the duke replied. “You will undo the damage you’ve done. You will write the prince an apology letter.""

Arwenzylle swallowed, her throat tight as she nodded. “Yes, Father. I understand.”

The duke’s gaze remained fixed on her, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he said, almost to himself. “Perhaps there’s still hope for you yet.”

But then he stood, signaling that the conversation was over. “Remember, Arwenzylle,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “I am always watching. Don’t make the same mistake twice.”

With that, he turned away, dismissing her without another word. Arwenzylle stood there, her legs unsteady beneath her, as the door clicked shut behind her.