We arrive at the palace, everything was prepared carefully, from the food to the embellishments. The ceiling had a stunning mural like the ones painted by Michelangelo. A set of elegant appetizers and a vast collection of luxurious wines were displayed in a separate room for the guests to enjoy during the celebration.

As everyone enter the palace, their chattering started to fill the space, you could hear anything: from the latest gossip on how a Lady had an affair with a butler to forced business deals, all stopped by the arrival of the Emperor.

"I, Ditrian III introduce to you, the next sun of Cairon, Crown Prince Alastor!"

Alastor stepped forward waving at the crowd, thanking them for the warm welcome.

Flashing dresses of different colours,were waiting for their moment to shine like peacocks in search of approval from the Prince. And the Emperor without making them wait quickly gave his response:

"Let the dances begin!" He ordered excitedly, as a joyful music followed it.

A man surrounded by a crowd of ladies courting him made his way to me, slowly, having difficulties passing through all his admirers that looked at him dreamily.

He finally reaches me and bows as a sign of respect.

"Could I have the honor to dance with Lady Vinéyard?" The man kissed the back of my hand gently.

I glance in the direction of the Marquis to send a signal of help, which he completely ignores, the Marquis simply smiled and nodded his head, not understanding my situation.

What does this mean? That I have to dance with him?!

You all might think, 'why not?' but it wasn't any regular noble, the man in question was the Crown Prince himself, in front of me asking my hand for his first dance. Not knowing how to reject him, I accept reluctantly, faking a smile of confidence and praying to the skies that nothing happens.

"The honor is mine, Your Majesty"

I could see a glimpse of surprise in his eyes which completely hid as we began to move.

We started dancing, my body moved on its own like it was made for this. At least I won't make a bad impression and won't put shame on myself by tripping over him.

I laugh thinking about what all the ladies would do, but on one side I understand their jealousy.

He was truly fitting to be the male lead of this novel, his face was like a creation from Heaven, he had ash blonde hair, emerald eyes, and his facial features even if delicate, made him look confident and elegant at the same time.

The dance continued well until he came closer and closer to me, making me sweat violently, and then here it was, a whisper that seemed like Death himself talking.

"It's been a while, Laura."

My heart dropped in an instant.

I started to store all the outcomes and possibilities of the end and proceeded to ask a hundred questions in a second.

Does he know me? We should meet properly when the Emperor's concubine will try to kill him.

"Pardon?" I answer confused.

"Why are you behaving like we are strangers?"

His certainty put a break on my confidence and my goal of finally having a good life.

So we DO know each other. Great, now I have to add something to the list 'what the hell is happening right now'.

"I'm sorry if it offended you in any way, I lost some of my memories, my father preferred to keep things confidential for the safety of House Vinéyard as I'm the heir" I try to cut the tie he is knotting me with, I don't want us to connect like this.

His tone changed quickly to a one of distress.

He starts to cut the distance between us more and more.

"Laura, you don't remember me?"

"I'm sorry, I can't recall anything" I take some steps back, intimidated by the situation I didn't predict.

Luckily the first music stopped, signing the end of the first dance, no one noticed my weird behavior towards the Prince they were only talks of envy on how I possibly got his first dance and theories of using tricks to seduce him, they really are something to come up with this.

"I apologize, I don't feel very well" I escape from his grasp and head in the direction of the Marquis, stopping all the questions and badmouthing of the ladies that watched me like they were eagles ready to hunt.

"How was your dance, my daughter?- Are you sick? You look so pale-"

"I'm fine, don't worry" I say with the last breath of air that my lungs could catch.

This is too different from what I read, everything is going in the wrong direction, and now that I finally started to feel important to someone. What am I even saying? I'm important to him only because I'm in his daughter's body, no one would care for who I really am.

"Laura..." the kind voice made itself hear again. I raise my eyes to make sure no one was calling, I look right, left, everywhere but there wasn't anyone that was talking, I immerse in my thoughts again thinking it was just my imagination.

I would like to understand what's happening, what if I die like this? I might be selfish and wish to live as someone else but after all, it's not my fault if I'm here.

Tired of the suffocating ballroom, I staggered to the balcony, it was only on the other side of the room and it felt like a far mountain. My feet wouldn't stop trembling, I couldn't put myself together.

Why? Why me? What did I ever do? I never hurt anyone, I was a good girl. Then why things don't go well, even after I received my second life?

An ocean of tears fell down my cheeks, I breathe in and out in an attempt to control myself, after all, I wasn't alone, there were a lot of people at the event. I collect all my courage and go back.

"Oh my! Lady Vinéyard, you are as beautiful as the rumors say" a random noble lady started the conversation.

"I completely agree!" another joined.

"I just learned that you are the next heir to your house, shouldn't ladies dress and feel beautiful? You will ruin your smooth hands and leave scars on your body if you train as a successor" she proceeded to laugh trying to mask her discourtesy.

Translation: women are just showcase dolls, it is embarrassing for a woman not to know their place. Hah, seriously? Do I really have to hear this from someone who can't even wipe their own ass?

"I think that the honor of being a great successor exceeds the need to be always beautiful, after all, safety is really important"

She closes her silk hand fan in offense and loses her composure. It makes me laugh, how childish her behavior was, only because she is the wife of some rich noble, she assumes everyone should lick her feet.

"Excuse me? Do you know who my husband is?!"

I'm too tired, I can't do this shit anymore.

Somehow her voice started to feel more distant, I didn't realize I used all my physical strength to behave as if nothing happened.

I could only mentally laugh at myself, in the books it said that I need to build endurance to use the stone, and here I am falling to each slightest shock.

I see the Crown Prince, hurry his steps in my direction as I felt my body slowly collapse.

"I'm sorry My Lady, I don't seem to"

"My apologies, the Lady doesn't feel well"

A familiar yet unknown voice came in my help.