Episode 2

The young blonde man opened his eyes, surveying his surroundings—it was the same room he had occupied since childhood. Sitting up with a slight headache, past memories flooded back; it was as if he had just emerged from a horrific nightmare. He couldn't comprehend what was happening or why he was in that room, when he was supposed to have died. He touched his lips, recalling the faint brush of delicate lips and the words of that woman.

He rose from the bed and dashed to the window to draw back the curtains. Below, the servants were busy; they cleaned and arranged tables in the garden. Was it all just a nightmare? He heard the door open; an older man entered, wheeling a cart filled with assorted dishes.

"Good morning, Prince Aiden. What a surprise to see you awake so early. Are you excited?"

Aiden approached the man, clasping his shoulders, unable to believe he was seeing him—if his memory served, this man had died.

"You're alive, Miller...how is that possible..."

"What are you talking about, Prince? Are you delirious with excitement for your birthday?"

"Prince? Birthday? What's going on?"

He couldn't make sense of it. Miller had passed away before his wedding to Daisy, and yet here he was, addressing him as prince when he was supposed to be the emperor. He sat on the bed trying to digest his situation, when the last words of the Shadow Witch echoed in his mind, "Return and do not let it happen again." He tried to stay calm to understand the meaning behind those words.

"M-Miller, what day and year is it today?"

Miller looked at him oddly, pausing from pouring the coffee.

"It's the year 980, April the 19th."

"Today is my birthday? How old am I now?"

"My, what odd questions Your Highness; today you turn eighteen. And before you ask more, yes, there will be a celebration; your father will also officially name you heir."

Aiden gave no response, just stared into the void, struggling to believe what he heard; he had gone back in time to the day he was named heir, which according to his memories, was also the day he met Daisy Rose. It was the day he danced with her, initiating everything until he made her his fiancee, despite his father's disapproval given her status as the daughter of a mere Baron. He clenched his fists; this time things would be different, he must not fall for that woman again.

Miller finished preparing breakfast and then moved to Aiden's closet to select appropriate attire for the party, knowing that if left to his own devices, Aiden would likely choose something ill-fitting and inelegant. Aiden sat to eat but barely touched his food, still perplexed by why the Shadow Witch would send him back in time. He had been cruel to her, keeping her chained for two long years, and had it not been for the magic that sealed her powers, she would have surely perished by now. Once Miller arranged the clothing on the bed's edge and left, Aiden requested to be left alone; he needed solitude to ponder his situation. If he had returned to the past, it meant he had a tremendous advantage, to know future events and prevent them from unfolding, including marrying and trusting that pair of traitors.