CHAPTER 2

...Duke Ferelith's expression was inscrutable as he held his daughter steady. "Meluna," he said gruffly, her name a heavy weight on his tongue. He had avoided her for so long, the pain of looking at her too much like her late mother. Especially her wide ocean green eyes which reminded him of many beautiful memories....

..."You're not usually so clumsy,"...

...He remarked, helping her regain her balance. There was a moment's hesitation before he gently patted her hand, a rare show of affection. "Be more careful, child."...

...Meluna was left stunned realizing that the man was none other than the original Meluna's father....

..."Yes... father, I apologize."...

...'Ah, right the Emperor didn't come by himself, he sent a letter instead. How could I forget...guess I'm loosing my last memories. I can't let that happen.' She thought to herself....

...Duke Reynard turned to Meluna with a serious look, his brow furrowed. "I've received a letter from the Emperor,"...

...He said, his voice taking on a serious tone....

..."He's expressed his desire to take you as his bride, citing our family's wealth and..."...

..."...and our mines," Duke Ferelith finished grimly, his jaw clenching. He looked at Meluna, really looked at her for the first time in years, seeing not just a reminder of his lost love, but his daughter - a pawn in this game of thrones....

...Refusing the emperor wasn't impossible, but it had some consequences. The cruel Emperor didn't tolerate any kind of disobedience. Refusing the Emperor's proposal would be a dangerous gamble, one that could cost them dearly. The Duke knew the Emperor's reputation for ruthlessness, how he crushed any who dared defy him. But he also knew that marrying Meluna, his one and only daughter, off to the Emperor would be a betrayal of everything he held dear......

...Meanwhile, Meluna examined her father's expression, 'Is the Duke...angry? No way, wasn't it a forced marriage?'...

...Meluna thought. She had many questions going on in her mind, which seemed to forget the original storyline. Meluna looked at her 'father', hoping he'd say something which might help her clear her confusions....

...The Duke cleared his throat and said with a firm tone, "Meluna, what would be your choice? Remember, it is not a simple answer of yes or no, everything...our lands, our mines, and you would be on stake."...

...Meluna's eyes widen, stunned that the Duke was asking for his daughter's choice, 'Did this happen in the original storyline?' She wondered, then suddenly a thought struck her mind, 'The marriage was not forced by Meluna's father but...the Emperor!'...

..."But rejecting the Emperor is also not a great choice! Father, is there no other way?"...

...Meluna looked at her father, hopefully....

...The Duke looked at her, slightly surprised by her reply as the Meluna he knew was quiet and timid who couldn't even look directly at him....

..."If only you were already married, things would have been different, but don't worry I'm not blaming you my child."...

...The Duke answered, his voice seeming more gentle than it was before....

...Meluna thought for few minutes then a brilliant idea came up to her mind. "Father, what if the proposal is delayed? I can pretend to be unwell and by the time, we can find other solutions."...

...The Duke was stunned by his daughter's remark, but he felt proud. "That seems to be a great idea but if we get caught, there will be consequences Meluna."...

..."I understand father, do not worry, I shall act to have lost my memories so that nobody gets suspicious even in this manor." Meluna replied with a confident and determined look on her face, a strike contrast from the past Meluna....

..."Very well, then, you can leave". Just as Meluna turned to leave, the Duke called her again, "Wait, did you have your breakfast?"...

...Meluna froze, not expecting that from Duke Reynard, she turned back and answered with a smile, "Yes, Father"....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

...It's late evening of the autumn and Meluna was in the library of the manor, scribbling something on the papers under the dimly lit candle....

..."I'm forgetting my last life memories, I can't let that happen, let's right everything I remember from the story before I forget everything."...

...Once she was done, she released the quill pen from her hands and released a heavy sigh. ...

..."Huff! Life as Meluna isn't as easy as I thought, writing with bird's feather isn't as easy as I thought, wearing this dresses isn't easy as I thought...and...and everything else is so difficult!"...

...She muttered to herself in irritation....

..."I never wished for this life in the first place....why me?"...

...With that, she fell asleep on the desk of the library, the lit candle already dead and the only source of light was the moon, it's light entering the library through the window casting a soft glow on Meluna's beautiful black hair, the colour as deep as the ocean....

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***