The air was filled with the smell of blood. One could understand easily that this was the place of wars.

A brown haired woman in armor stood still in the middle of the corpses that belonged to her enemies. Lenais Poen, despite surrounded by dead bodies, she was dazed by herself as she was thinking of her beloved ones.

The girl had a very stunning face and a delicate air loves to twirls around her, yet the girl brought another victory to her beloved country.

She was a general of an empire named Shern. She was a strong woman with a strong background. She has fought many wars, battlefield is her second home. The reason she was willing to fight while facing death every time, was because of that person, the crown prince.

'He said he loves me and cherishes me more than anything, so I want to give him victories and happiness.' was what she always thinks about.

But...One day, when she visited her beloved prince, she found him cheating. He slept with another woman. Her body freezed, she didn't want to believe her eyes and instead, she asked him, hoping that it was a mistake, but he, instead, imprisoned her... He said he did not know her and she trespassed illegally. As if it was not enough, her own family also turned their backs against her.

'Why? I gave everything to them... And ThIs Is hOW ThEy treAT Me?!

Unforgivable, unforgivable! I'll make them pay...'

With her skills and her strength, she easily escaped the prison. She took down the empire's manpower, little by little, torturing them with despair. She then killed her own family, the nobles and everyone in the palace, she spared no one.

Finally, she aimed for the terrified royals. she killed them brutally and smiled one more time for the prince who was then got slitted on his throat.

The palace was drown with red crimson blood all over the ground and walls. She stood there all alone while the others are laying on the ground, lifeless. She slowly lifted her hands that was covered in red and widen her eyes slowly as if she has finally woken up.

"... what?"

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The little girl opens her eyes in shock.

All those scenes flow into her head without a sign of stopping.

"No!" She screams as she sits up, pressing her head with her two cold hands.

"Sona! Sona! You finally awake!" The mother of hers, Nichole Ein Vallade, exclaims and cries while she hugs her lovely daughter.

"... Mom?" The girl called Sona shutters, she tries to gather her thoughts as she is still haunted by what she saw.

What was that? That girl had my face... Was that me? It felt to real to be a dream, will that happen in the future...? No... our empire is not Shern... perhaps...

As she keeps herself busy in her thoughts, the door bursts open and reveals three men from the other side.

"Sona!!! You're awake!!" A man with black hair runs to her first. His name is Edwin Vallade, the second son of the Vallade Dukedom. He is 5 years older that Sona.

"My dearest daughter! I thought I won't be able to see you again!" The shouts continued by her father, one of the Duke of The Empire, Geraldene Vallade.

While Sona's oldest brother, who is seven years older, Albert Vallade remains silent, his black dark hair covers his eyes as he leans to the walls, but a smile is formed on his face.

"Calm down dad! Brother Ed! What happened?? My memories are fuzzy..." She asks as she is confused.

"You don't remember?" Albert asks as he brushes his little sister's hair gently. She shake her head in return.

"My dear daughter, you fell into the 'Deep Water' when you accompanied me in the Imperial Palace. It was your first time going to the Palace and you looked like you were having fun in the garden, I don't dare to disturb you. But then, I heard you fell into that place. How could you do this to your dad, Sona!" Her dad whines in sadness as he explains to her, "Not to mention how scary your mother was when she learned about this accident."

Sona laughs and smiles softly after hearing her silly father.

But I fell? Was I that reckless?

The 'Deep Water' in the Imperial Palace is located in the West Palace, Silver Palace. The Silver Palace was originally a palace that was given to the Empress by the late Emperor. The 'Deep Water' inside its garden was discovered not long after several servants drowned there. Since the truth has been revealed, people are scared to get close to it, no one dared to get close to it because many people died in there, that includes the current Emperor's mother who fell some decades ago. Since then, Silver Palace has been abandoned, only few people come there to keep the place clean.

I fell to a place like that and I'm still alive and well?!

"How was I able to get out from there?" She asks. She has a hard time believing that a mere 10 years old girl survived after falling to a place where many adults died.

"It was a miracle! Really! The water that is supposed to pulled everyone and everything in, was calm. That's why we were able to pull you out easily." Duke Geraldene says, his face shows just how much glad he is.

"What did you do, Sona? That was incredible!" Edwin asks, looked excited.

"I didn't do anything..." She mumbles then goes quiet as that dream when she was unconscious strikes again in her head.

Is it connected to my dream? No, what was that really? It felt too vivid too be a simple nightmare. Judging from the surroundings, perhaps it was something that happened a long time ago? Like a novel I read, where past lives exist...

"Sona, are you alright? You look pale..." Albert asks. She jumps a bit when she realized her brother's face was in front of her.

"Yes... I just need to rest for a bit more." She replies after and smiles.

"Aww? Don't you think you need my hug to calm down, Sonnie?" Her second brother asks as he approaches her, but got held by the older one.

"Just stay still if you don't want her condition to get worse." He sighs and pulls Edwin away from Sona.

"Alright then, Sona. Have a good rest okay?" Geraldene says and orders everyone in her room to leave.

"Call me if something happens or if you feel something is wrong!" Nichole says with a worried tone as she grabs her daughter's small hands. Everyone move away from Sona's room, leaving the young lady alone, as her own request.

Sona lies again on the bed as she stares at the ceiling.

"If what I saw really is my past life... That's terrible..." She mumbles to herself as she frowns.

Really, what a tragic life. It makes me feel more grateful to have a good family.

... Let's not think about that.

She slaps her cheeks, making them slightly red. She then gets down from her bed and walks towards the mirror. She touches the mirror as she looks closely to her light blue eyes. And then touch her hair too.

my eyes and hair were in different colours. I wonder what would it feel like to have a brown hair instead of peach? But I like my pastel too...

She thought as she twirls her hair and smiles. But soon after, her gaze becomes slightly serious.

"... A general..." She mutters.

To be fair, our family has always been the sword of the Empire from generations. Vallades are known to be the best military forces. Is it fate that I will become a swordwoman again? After all, I think I can be more familiar with swords and other weapon because of that past. Huhu, I am pretty lucky, aren't I?

She thinka as she gets a little too excited.

Hmm... Should I learn military arts too?

Sona smiles at her new goal.

Oondora Empire is a strong empire that rule over the whole continent in the north. They have the biggest force than any other empires in the entire continent. Other than the imperial family, there are three dukedoms.

The first is the royal duke, Colheln Helstle Oondora, as the duke of the Helstle dukedom. He is the emperor, Georlen Rousich Oondora's older brother. He, who was the crowned prince, gave his tittle to his third brother after the rebel of the second prince. He choosed to help his brother instead of becoming a ruler himself, therefore, he became the duke and is known for his wise actions.

Then, there is Dukedom of Vallade, the current Duke is Geraldene Vallade, Sona's father. The Vallade family is known as the sword of the empire. Sometimes they were to be called the shield too. Vallade family, who vowed to protect the empire, from generation to generation, never failed to bring victory to the empire. Many says that they are very much likely equal to the Royal Duke, but with the great respect and loyalty towards the imperial bloodline, they have never step onto that great title. And this is why, Vallades are adored by the royals.

On the other side, Duke Veilthon, is a also great but due to the fame that the Vallades have, they have always been the second to them. With that, for many decades, Duke Veilthon and Vallade are never on the good term, plus, Duke Veilthon is siding with the aristocrats and Vallade to the Imperials. Even the duchy of Veilthon and Vallade are located in opposite ways. The current duke is Walrn Veilthon.

2 days later.

"Daddy! Daddy!!" Sona yells as she rushes through the hall surrounded by tall windows that are facing the garden in her estate.

She runs past the shadows of windows that are imprinted on the ground as the morning sun shines brightly, stomping her way to the duke's office while many servants and maids begging her to be careful.

"Daaaad!"

"What is it, Sona? You rarely come to my office, is there something that you want?" Geraldene smiles at his daughter's adorable acts. He is sitting on his desk with piles of documents as always.

"Hehe, you'll be proud to know that I am willing to learn using swords, no, weapons!" Sona exclaims proudly, after panting because of the run.

"No. You shall not." The duke firmly answers. He did not even look away from his paper when he said that.

"What? Whyyy?! Am I not the daughter of the famously known Vallade family?? I should learn how to fight too! Shouldn't you put some more thoughts in it, dad?" Sona whines for her rejection.

"I've got reports that you studied about fights and weapons these days. I've already thought this through more than enough."

"No- But I... Then why?"

"You are a woman and I don't want to harm my daughter's hand or anything else because of those kind of thing." Geraldene says again, still reading his documents.

"Sir Ferse! Say something!!" She whines to her father's assistant, A.K.A the head butler who is standing beside him, helping him with the papers.

"I'm afraid I'm also against it either, young miss." He says as he looks away avoiding his young lady's eyes who are glaring daggers at him.

"What?! No one is on my side! Brother Al, Brother Ed, mommy, and daddy won't support me and even Sir Ferse? Ugh!!"

"Sona dear, please understand. Noble women should stay away from the battle... Especially with your clumsy attitude and fragile body." The Duke sighs, finally puts down his documents. He stares at the flustered Sona.

"I- I will train my body! And besides, there were a record from our ancestors that a female became a hero, we also have some women knights!"

"... Just why would you suddenly ask for something like this? You were never interested in this before? You are already an excellent girl, why would you need something like this?" Geraldene asks, he is referring to her excellent studies. Many actually praised her for her intelligence without them knowing that she is actually more of a carefree maiden in the estate.

"..." Her dad sends Sona speechless. She couldn't say that it's because of her probably-pastlife vision.

"Hmph! No matter what, I'll become a knight too! Well then, please. Excuse. Me. Your Excellency." She bows and walks out from the office with calm posture despite being flustered, as she rarely failed.

Just you see, I can also fight! I was a general after all! No matter how hard, how painful it will take! Fufufu.

She yells in her head as she is now taking a stroll in her flower garden to take a fresh air. In the garden that she loves to walk very much, a person appears in front of her.

"Good morning, Lady Vallade." A middle aged man with white silk hair appears in front of her says.

"? Good morning... My apologies, but who may you be...?"

"I am Dein, the head butler from the Imperial Palace." He answers while giving a small bow.

"Palace...? Is there something wrong?" Sona asks, surprised.

"His Majesty has requested your presence at once, My Lady. No need to worry about the Duke, we already informed his grace before hand. Shall we provide a wagon, my lady?" Dein says in one go. As expected of the butler that The Emperor personally choosed.

"Ah... No need to trouble yourself. Nia, escort Mr. Dein to the parlour." Sona orders.

"My Lady, my apologies, but it is not necessary as I will immediately go back to the Palace." Dein says before Sona's maid could run her order. Sona glances at Dein and smiles.

"I see. Then Mr. Dein, please inform His Majesty that I will be there immediately."

Dein nods at her words and finally bids his farewell before leaving.

What happened all of the sudden?? I have only been to the palace once before, but it was with dad! Now His Majesty is telling me to go alone?! Ugh...

"That's great miss! The Emperor wants to see you personally!" Nia, Sona's personal maid cheers with her sparkling eyes. Nia's retired mother has served and took care of Sona ever since she was born. That's why, these two are close.

"... Aaah... What should I do...." Sona on the other hand, sighs in stress.

"There is no time to waste! We need to dress you up and immediately set off to imperial palace now!" Nia says. She pulls Sona inside and dresses her up.

Nia is completely serious when she dressed her miss. Sona chooses a light blue dress with a slight split on the front, showing her legs a little, that is dressed with a blue sky ribbon on one of her foot. She wears a heels that matches the dress.

A few minutes later.

"... Is it okay to go by yourself?" Nia asks as she looks at Sona from outside the carriege.

"Of course, the palace is a safe place right?"

"Well..."

"I'll be going now"

"Ah yes, have a safe trip, miss!" Nia shouts as the carriege moves away.

"Is it okay? Of course not!" Sona whimpers to herself, "it's not a good thing to be going to the Palace in the first place. I recall bad memories, you hear? Bad memories!" She wails.

There were two incidents that happened on the first day she got into the Palace, she met the youngest Princess who without any reason, despite her. And the second incident would be the accident in the Silver Palace.

"oh, dear me, why would fate be so cruel?" Sona cries her misfortune out along the way.

Time pass by, Sona finally arrives at the Palace that is like 15 to 30 minutes away from her family estate.

"Miss, we are here." The couchman says as he helps Sona down from the carriage.

"... Thanks..." She says as she hesitantly walks out from the coach. She stares at the main palace in front of her with an uneasy heart.

Lets hope nothing bad happen. ...Is what I want to say, but of course that is just a small impossible hope, since it was already bad enough for the emperor to ask for me... The palace is just a scary place and nothing more, seriously. Hic...

She whimpers.

"Lady Vallade, I am glad you have arrived safe and sound. I will escort you to The Emperor, please follow me." Dein, who suddenly appears besides her, says.

"Whoaa...! Ahem... Yes." Sona awkwardly acts like nothing happened and follows the royal butler to the throne room, to have an audience with the emperor. Every steps that she takes makes her more and more anxious.

I really don't want to do anything with the royals...

Sona grips her own hands tightly.

Not long after their walk, they finally arrive at the throne hall.

"Please wait for a moment, lady Vallade." Dein says as he goes inside, leaving Sona outside for a little while with the guards that are guarding outside.

huft, okay, let's stay calm. Just do as I usually do when I meet the other nobles... And like my past self, who were always calm, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Act smart, Sona. Act calmly and wise.

She breathes in and out quietly to calm herself. It is true that she has a different image in front of the others, since she needs to act elegant as the daughter of the Vallade family, she is calm and intelligent in times, but this time, she can't deny that her nervousness almost snapped her.

"You may come in, my lady." Dein pops up from the door suddenly and the doors open, welcoming Sona.

"Lady Sovina Vallade, from the Dukedom of Vallade family is entering to meet with His Majesty, The Emperor." Someone that stands besides the door says loudly so that everyone in there can hear it.

Sona slowly steps in, her dress flutters a little as she moves forward. She looks so elegant and graceful at every steps that she takes, taking all of the attention from everyone in that hall. It is as expected, since she is the daughter of a high ranking noble.

... Why are there so many ladies here? Ah. The Prince's fiancée candidates, of course. They are doing it this year too. It looks like there are also princesses from other empires this time too. Let's see... Golea, Herileo, Saru.

She observers secretly while she walks. But something is surely bothering her.

why are they staring at me so intensely...?

After some couple more steps, Sona finally faces The Emperor, who is sitting on his throne. Sona, who had her gazes observing, now looks at The Emperor and The Prince who is standing next to him.

The Emperor has a blue ultramarine colored hair with a bright golden eyes, and for sure, The Prince inherits the same hair and eyes as The Emperor.

While the prince has the emperor's features, I heard that his face is actually takes after his mother. I also heard that the first princess also has a golden eyes with a ruby coloured hair. While the youngest princess takes after all of her mother's gens, with Red ruby hair and eyes.

She observers them at a quick glance as she faces the royals, the people that she was only able to know from history classes and books.

It doesn't take long for her to stop observing them and gives a greeting to the royals.

"I, Sovina Vallade, gives her greetings to The Emperor, and The Crown Prince with her utmost respect." She says. giving a curtsy to the two royals.

"You have finally arrived. I'm relieved to see you here, Sona~" The Emperor says in return, but his words just now caused a huge shock in the hall.

he- he- did he called me by my nick name just now!? No way! Wasn't nicknames only to be used by one's family or lovers or some close friends?! Did he purposely make it seems like we are close? But why? What benefits does he gains by doing this??

Sona groans in her head although she doesn't looked effected at all from the outside.

She could feels many pricking glares are stabbing her from all sides. It's from none other than from the fiancée candidates in the hall. Some of them are quite angry.

"... I am greatly honored to be at Your Majesty's present. How could I decline your invitation, Your Majesty? Of course I will come." Sona replies after some moments of silence.

She knows that even though it will brings her troubles, she can't do anything with it, since it's the emperor himself who called her like that.

"How dare she appears in the day when the crown prince will choose his fiancee?!"

"She must have been sluting over to the Crown Prince, thinking she can be his lover just with her beauty."

"But she is really pretty."

"What is she doing here anyway?"

"She must be doing this on purpose!"

Voices and small talks as well as whispers from the ladies all pass through Sona's ears. But being taught to be calm, stay pretentious, and to have a high self esteem, Sona acts indifferently, never really effected by any of those remarks. She would only glances once at them and ignores them the next second.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, may I ask why do you want to meet a subject like me?" She begins to ask. Ignoring the atmosphere from the ladies. The emperor then forms a smile on his face. He seems to be watching Sona's behaviors.

"Sona, do you know that it has been a month since the crown prince's fiancée candidates entered the palace? And do you know what day is it today?" The emperor asks, still smiling.

Sona stays quite for a minute and nods.

Sona's face shows discomfort, she doesn't intends to actually hides it all, but she also only reveals her emotions just a tiny bit, since she would be disrespectful towards the royals.

"... Yes, I do. Today is the last day for the esteemed candidates to be in the palace for the selection for The Crown Prince's spouse, and also in other words, the day for The Crown Prince to choose among the candidates so he can take her as his wife... On such a day... Why-"

"Hahah, well, it is indeed an important day, and that is exactly why I want you to join the event today as well, so please, as the daughter from a good friend of mine, could you be the special guest that will attend this eventful occasion?" The emperor says, cuts her words before she could finished her sentence.

"..." Sona widen her eyes, surprised by the sudden request. She blinks for a few times. Then closes her eyes and slowly opens them.

"If Your Majesty is not bothered by my presence and is even asking your subject to stay, it would be my greatest honor to fulfill your request." Sona says as she forms a smile with her unpressured face.

Sona, being not able do anything about it, just obeying her Emperor. The Emperor nods and gestures her to be besides The Crown Prince.

Sona nods slightly and walks up some stairs to head to The Prince's side. They both stay in silent.

Is this even allowed...?

As the event then continues, Sona just stays quietly and watches the whole scene. Then she glances at the two royals.

The Empress is not present? Is this event not that important for her not to come?

And The Crown Prince... I pity him. He can't decide about his own future love ever since he was forced to find his spouse when he was ten. For two years, he has been rejecting everyone but The Emperor keeps bringing new ladies? Well, it's good that His Majesty didn't forced The Prince into a girl without giving any chance to choose... but still, I would be depressed if I were him.

Sona stares at The Prince with pitiful eyes, who then notices her and glances at her too. She flinches a little but then bobs her head slightly as a small voiceless greeting, but her eyes are still pitying His Highness.

"...?" The Prince, who glanced at Sona, moves his eyes back to his front.

The crown prince is now 12 years old.

In Oondora, the average year to get married is 18 for boys, and 15 for girls. Or to put is short, when they have their coming of age.

It's quite unique, but in our empire, it is okay to choose a fiance at the age of 10. Even father once told me to find one... So The Prince is just too pitiable.

"So, my son, who would you like to choose?"

The emperor asks.

"None." The princes sturdily answers in return. The same answer he has been given all these years. He doesn't even glance at any of them at all.

So that's how fast he rejects, I was doubtful when I heard the rumors about his speed. Anyway another failure this year too. Now it has been like 3 years since the emperor brought candidates for the prince and got rejected. That Prince is tough alright...

"Ho-how come?! I was so sure he would pick me!"

"Noo, which part of me is wrong?"

"Is it because of that girl?"

The candidates chatter along and also vent their angers on Sona, who has a hint on her face, saying "Oh? why me?"

"It is unfortunate, but, it seems that the crown prince have made his decision." The emperor says as he still maintains his smile.

All of the candidates fall into sadness and disappoinment. But since that means the event is all over, the candidates will have to leave the palace, even if they are unwilling to.

it's another disappointing rejection, but why is his majesty's face are not gloom at all?

Sona asks to herself.

Is it because his majesty already knew the outcome?

As the last person left the hall, there are just The Emperor, The Crown Prince and Sona, also some servants. Sona soon realizes and walks back to face The Emperor once again.

"Now that the event is finished, should I take my leave as well?" She asks.

"No, actually, there is another reason why I called you here." The emperor chuckles, noticing that Sona actually wants to leave as soon as she can.

"... What may that be, Your majesty?" She asks again.

In her inner self, she is screaming desperately.

"Nothing serious. I just want to check on you since you fell to that lake in the west palace right?"

"Ah...? Yes..." Sona replies, a little embarrassed about that incident.

"Are you really feeling alright? I am glad that you are safe and sound but that was a rare occurrence for someone to survive after fell to that lake."

"I am perfectly fine, your majesty. Instead, I am sorry for causing such trouble in the palace."

I was very reckless back then, wasn't I? To be curious on something dangerous like the the deep water lake... ahh... past me, why did you do that...

"Sona, you do know what the deep water is, right? Even an adult will have a difficulty to fight its gravity, yet you're only ten and you survived, it was a miracle that you are alive. It's a blessing for us." The Emperor says and laughs. Joy is actually spotted perfectly on his face. Which makes Sona a little confused.

"you have quite the luck. Now, since I know you are fine, let's skip to the main reason you are here, shall we?" He smiles which makes Sona had a bad feeling.

"... Please go on." Sona answers after some seconds of confusion.

didn't you say the reason to call me is for asking that and just that?!

is what she thinks behind the kind smile of hers that is displayed.

"I had my eyes on you, ever since your father, the duke, started to praise you openly. He had always mentioned you and said a lot thing about you. Which leads me to my curiosity. But since you haven't even debut yet, I began to wonder how wonderful you may be." The emperor says, his smile then turns into a grin.

"And since now I know just how good you are, I am hoping, that you would be my daughter-in-law. What do you think?" He asks. His finishing sentence makes both Sona and The Crown Prince startled in shock.

So sudden?! That doesn't make any sense! What was that again about not shoving a girl to the prince's face? I want to take it back!

Sona exclaims in her thoughts.