I lived a life filled with simple luxury. My father, the Count, is a hardworking man. My mother, the Countess, is an intelligent woman. My older brother who will succeed the Count one day, is very reliable. While my younger brother is as brave as ever.

And here comes I, the middle child daughter, who is a simple lady living her simple life with no pressure, stress-free!

Our parents weren't strict, but we are well disciplined. As a part of the Lamperouge family, we all have each of our own unique charms that no ordinary family, noble or not, could have.

My father who never complained and is hardworking. A definition of a workaholic. My mother who used her intelligence for the good. A wise woman, indeed. My older brother's brilliance and leadership. My younger brother's bravery no matter what.

They may sound simple and common personalities. But what I meant was that, they are the epitome of their personalities, where no one else could compare to their greatness.

In other words, no one is as hardworking as the Count. No one is as intelligent as the Countess. Nobody can compare to the leadership of a successor. And nobody can hold a candle against the bravery of my younger brother.

As for me, I'm just a simple lady with no unique qualities. As such, no one pays attention to me. And I'm fine with it, since it never bothered me.

I can still play around in events, meet other noble ladies to gossip with, eat as much food as I want, sleep for how many hours I like, buy things I want to buy. That was already a routine I got used to from childhood until the day I reached the age of 16.

Such a naive girl I was.

Ah, but ofcourse, there were quite a few events that supposedly ended my perfect routine. It started with an accusation of treason.

We could never! Our father was a loyal man who helped and supported the current Emperor to sit on the throne. He is a workaholic to boot, so there is no way he'll even think of commiting treason. None of us ever thought so either.

How could they do this?

Not only were we stripped off the noble title, we also lost everything we could call our own. It didn't matter if it was just valuable things, but to think they would also walk us towards the guillotine.

They are taking away our right to live. The gift of life we got from God, must only be taken away by God himself. And yet, these cruel people who blindly accused us of false crimes, tries to be a God?

"This is insane! We have never commited treason!"

"Your majesty, we are being falsely accused. Please let us have a trial and investigate thouroughly."

"We shall not die for a sin we didn't do!"

My family's protest fell into deaf ears. It seems we supported the wrong man to become Emperor. A powerless fool with no brains, as he let the aristocrats control him and rid off the important pieces from nobility.

This is unfair.

I lived a perfect life.

But I'll die a meaningless death.

In the end, everything swiftly proceeded. I surprisingly went last, despite being the middle child. I should have gone before my younger brother, and yet, the world seems to be playing with me.

Having to witness the deaths of my own family members made me feel regret. I focused on my simple life too much that I disregarded the time to bond with them.

To think my last time with them is through death. Not even a single one of our family's noble friends helped. They all watched the scene unfold, indifferent.

I held no emotions, I felt numb to the core. When faced with death, others may feel sorrow or fear. But I did not.

As I hang my head low and waited for my demise, I opened my blue eyes once more. A suspicious hooded figure caught my attention as he raised an index finger, positioning it on his lips.

As if he's signaling me to silence, before everything turned black.

Aculeatus Lamperouge. A lady, a middle child daughter, who simply lived a life of luxury. As the only daughter, she's used to being pampered by her parents and brothers.

She had no hardships to experience. They were all handled by her own maids. She lived a very comfortable life, one would say she's lucky to be born a noble. She's not as spoiled as other nobles. She just focused on living her life to the fullest.

However, despite being a Count's daughter, she didn't have as much power as her family does. First, the Lamperouge family is known for having their own unique talents. But the young lady doesn't seem to have any.

It didn't bother her the least. She thought it was better, since she's free to do anything she wants. A lady who is not entitled to reach the expectations of others for her. 

To think she managed to grow until the age of 16. Everything changed at that point on.

"Father, mother, what's the matter?" The oblivious daughter asked, concerned of her family's strange behavior.

The Count gave her a weak smile, patting her head. "It's nothing, Lettuce. You don't have to deal with it. We adults can do it."

The Countess agreed as she embraced their confused daughter. "Everything will be alright, my lovely girl."

She glanced at her brothers, the older one and the younger one. They both look solemn and troubled, but when spared with the glance, they easily masked it with a smile to reassure their sister.

They didn't want her to know the problem. They believed they could solve the problem and get rid of the false accusations of treason that is thrown to them. They don't wish to burden their sister with such stress.

However, it seems it was just a wishful thinking.

Imperial guards soon gathered and entered the Lamperouge's mansion. All of the staffs of the mansion are brutally killed on the spot. The bloody mess of a scene was a new experience to the simple lady as she shuddered at the sight.

Her brothers tried their best to fight back, but with the quantity of the knights, they knew they are at a disadvantage. The Count and the Countess tried to talk and asked for the Emperor, but the knights did not listen.

They had been ever so harshly dragged out of the comfort of their mansion. A place they call home, yet is now being taken away from them.

"Mother, father, what's going on? Did the Emperor want to throw us away?" Despite being clueless, Aculeatus wasn't a dumb girl. She's already 16, and she had her fair share of education together with her brothers.

They all fell silent, feeling guilty for not telling her anything. The girl's blue cyan eyes held fear for the first time. She knew that they could face the worst possible outcome.

Alas, they were dragged into the Imperial palace. As they kneeled before the Emperor, there were also other nobles watching.

"The family of Lamperouge is a prestigious and respectable noble family. However, your crime of treason is what reveals your true nature. Hidden in the innocent facade lies your greed." The Emperor spoke, as he is surrounded by aristocrats.

The Count gritted his teeth.

"This is insane! We have never commited treason!"

Murmurs echoed inside the palace. The family felt insulted and humiliated, seeing that the nobles whom they are connected and friends with, are now indifferent towards them.

"Your majesty, we are being falsely accused. Please let us have a trial and investigate thouroughly." The Countess remained calm and rational, yet her request was denied.

The younger brother couldn't hold it in any longer as he yelled. "We shall not die for a sin we didn't do!"

"Insolent." The Emperor spat that one word filled with venom. It didn't affect the kid, but it didn't mean it was a win for their side. "The Lamperouge shall serve as an example to those who plans to commit treason. Kill them by the guillotine."

They all gasped. "Your majesty, please! Exclude our children from this! They had done nothing wrong!" The Countess cried desperately.

"They are still young. Please, I'll gladly accept death. Just spare my wife and my children." The Count pleaded, but then again, they were ignored.

The brothers looks shocked, before worriedly glancing towards their sister. She did not know how to feel. Now that she's heard of their death, she doesn't know how to feel about it.

Be sad? Be angry? Be scared?

Would it really help her and her family?

Not only her family, but the servants of Lamperouge were also killed. No matter how she look at it, it was all unfair.

She hang her head low, before laughter errupted inside the palace. The murmurs of the nobles died down, as the only sound came from the laughter of the young lady they didn't expect.

"Ha! How funny!" It seems everything broke within her, instead of crying, she can only laugh at the injustice. "Not only do you deny a thorough investigation, you also don't want to listen to our side. We are innocent, your majesty. Yet your stupidity got the best of you."

The Emperor stayed silent. The aristocrats made a fuss, as if the insult was directed to them.

"We shouldn't have supported your majesty. It was our biggest mistake!" She yelled, in fury and rage. "You let those bugs around you to control you? If only—"

A harsh slap planted on the lady's face. It was so hard she almost fell down to the floor. She felt as if her jaw was broken, and the neck twisted.

"SISTER!"

"ACULEATUS!"

It was an aristocrat who dared to slap a noble lady. He kneeled down the pitiful lady, a smirk evident on his face. "What are you going to do about it? Bitch, you'll die altogether. Whatever you say, it won't prove your innocence."

"Yours won't prove our non-existent crimes either." Despite the blood dripping down from her lips, she managed to hiss at the man.

He laughed, before standing up. "A feisty woman. Too bad you'll die young." As if his words weren't insulting enough, he kicked and stomped on her.

She bit her lower lip, preventing herself to groan out in pain. It was a direct hit to her abdomen, and now he's about to aim for her head.

Not until someone else took the hit, shielding the battered lady. The aristocrat is not pleased. "Move."

Another person blocked him with an arm. The two brothers couldn't idly stand by and watch. Despite the knights holding them down, they managed to shake them off out of rage.

"Sister! Are you okay?" The youngest of the brothers asked, his sapphire eyes stared at her with worry.

"Brother, are we going to die?"

Her question resulted to a squeeze of sadness, regret, and guilt into their hearts. As much as they wanted to, they can't escape this injustice.

"No! Your majesty, please spare us!" The Countess begged as soon as the Count was dragged out. Other knights soon dragged her as well.

"M-Mother!"

Their mother glanced at them one last time, eyes filled with tears. She mouthed the words I love you and I'm sorry.

Everyone's attention landed back to the children of Lamperouge. "Will they be spared, your majesty?" The Duke asked.

"I guess they should be—"

"Not." The aristocrats, once again, voiced out their opinion. "If the Count and the Countess managed to commit treason, what more for their own children? We shouldn't take the risks, we shall eliminate them!"

The eldest son, successor to the Count, glared at the aristocrats. "We had never and never will commit treason. You are baselessly accusing a crime to us with no evidence."

"See how he acts? Your majesty, you have the power to get rid of these people. You won't need them anymore."

Aculeatus can only watch them talk, argue, and yell. She can no longer feel the energy of her body. It was as if she's accepted her fate.

In the end, she noticed that they were already outside. There she took notice of the guillotine, where the Count is now about to be beheaded.

Her lips parted slightly, voice hoarse, as she called for him weakly. "Father!"

Glancing towards his daughter, he gave her a bright smile, before the blade fell and chopped his head off.

The sight was more than enough to cut the nerve of rationality from the simple lady. She who only simply wanted to live her life. She is now about to face the harsh reality of living in a cruel world.

Her mother, the Countess, went next. Tears were still rolling the woman's eyes as she managed to glance at her children. The eldest son had an unreadable expression. The youngest son was angry yet filled with despair. While the middle child had no reaction nor emotion.

As soon as the blade killed the Countess, the eldest son came up next. Before he was escorted, he looked at his siblings. "If there is another life, I wish we can be together again."

The youngest, who was deemed to be brave, finally broke down. "Brother...hic..."

Aculeatus hang her head low, not knowing how to feel, her emotions mixed.

He was soon placed into the guillotine where their parents died. Not even a minute passed as the next one to be killed is her.

The last of the brothers glanced at his older sister. He wanted her to have more time to live, so he stood up before the guards can drag her. "Me! Take me first!"

That made his sister flinch, coming back to reality. "W-what are you doing?" She looked up to her younger brother, in disbelief.

"Sister, I'm sorry." He smiled, despite the tears flowing down his cheeks. "I promise I'll be a good brother in our next life."

As he was being dragged into the guillotine, she tried to reach out to her brother. Tears flowed endlessly as her arms tried so hard to reach what was unreachable.

"N-no...PLEASE! KILL ME FIRST!"

They ignored her as usual. The world must have not been on her side. She could care less even if she is no longer dignified as a woman.

"NOT MY BROTHER! PLEASE!"

Her screams fell into deaf ears as they easily killed off the brave kid. Now all that is left—the unstable lady.

She stood up, letting the guards drag her to her demise. The guillotine was so bloody, yet she could not feel anything else anymore. The trauma took a toll in her mental state. Her tears were all dried up. Her vocal chords gave up from all the worthless screaming and crying.

No sadness. No anger. No fear. Just nothing.

Shoved harshly into the guillotine, she inhaled sharply. Ah, it was a life short lived. She had regrets, yet there is nothing for her to do in this situation.

Closing her eyes, she heard the knights preparing the blade.

"Hey."

Flinching, she opened her eyes. Blue, cyan eyes roamed around the crowd who watched her family die, and is now going to watch hers.

Who was it?

She heard a voice, yet she can't tell who it was and where it came from. It could be from the people who's watching. Desperate, despite the blade about to be dropped to slice her head, she still tried to look for that person.

"Interesting."

There, she saw a suspicious hooded figure among the crowd. With his index finger raised to his lips, she knew it meant silence. Yet, she felt hopeless as the person didn't move to do anything to save her.

In the end, she felt how the blade got dropped into her nape. How it sliced off her head, dropping into the pail prepared below. She felt the immense pain no one could ever want to feel.

Aculeatus Lamperouge, age 16, lived a simple life yet died meaninglessly. Her lifeless cyan blue eyes remained open that day, until death.

The hooded person grinned, yet his eyes devoid of emotions. With a snap of his fingers, the whole world stopped moving as it rotated reversely.

"We shall meet again, my lady."

A sudden rush of chills in my whole body managed to wake me up from deep slumber. I opened my eyes wide, not knowing what to react. I felt myself panting and sweating, as if I ran around the world without a break.

"That is how it is..." I gasped for air as I recalled the memories I may or may not have had from the future events. They felt so real and vivid, everything happened in a flash. I can't call them a normal dream.

"I'm alive...thank God.."

The door suddenly opened, making me jump from my skin before I can even look around and process everything else in my mind. There peeked the faces of familiar people I hold dear to my heart.

"Sister, are you feeling good now?" My older brother, Yuniszheff, inquired. Unlike the day we got executed for false accusation of treason, he looks younger now.

Beside him stood a smaller boy, my younger brother Yurinzhel. "She's awake! Mom! Dad! Sister Lettuce is—oomf!"

I felt like tearing up. Despite the weak body staggering to stand, I forced myself to run to them and locked them into an embrace. They managed to catch me, both brothers confused of my action.

My brothers...they're alive too!

"Sister...?" Zheff worriedly called for me as he tried to glance at my face. It felt as if I released a heavy burden from my chest, the pain of watching their deaths took a toll on me. I don't ever want them to die like that.

"I'm okay..." I responded, not wanting to worry them anymore. As I released them from my hug, both of them eyed me suspiciously. "What is it?"

Zhef sighed. "You really..."

His words got cut off when we suddenly heard footsteps running wildly towards the room we are in. As if on cue, the brothers made way for the couple to enter, both their appearance appeared to be younger as well.

"My lovely girl!" The Countess, Aleandrice, cried as she embraced me into a bear hug. "You made us worry! Are you alright? Do you feel any pain? Quick, tell me what's wrong!"

The Count, Leandro, looks concerned too. "Aculeatus, is there anything you want?"

Despite the sudden embrace in which almost knocked the wind out of me, I can only feel blessed upon seeing the life in their eyes. Not the dull lifeless ones the moment they died.

My parents...my whole family is alive!

I pulled them into a hug as well, making them confused and concerned. "My dear, do you feel sick? Please tell us, we can't watch you be in pain."

"I'm alright now." Releasing from the hug, I roamed my eyes around as I managed to shot a question. "Where are we? Ah, what day and year is it today?"

Since I can't comprehend what truly happened yet, I'm not sure what timeline I am in right now. I am too stunned to be crying at the moment, even if I felt like tearing up.

I also pinched my cheeks. Who knows whether this is just a dream I had, to escape reality of dying? But I don't think so, since I felt the stinging pain in my pinched cheeks.

They fell silent for a split second upon hearing my question, before everyone screamed in both horror and terror.

"SHE'S GOT AMNESIA!"

"CALL THE DOCTORS!"

"Should I punch her head?"

"Zhel, don't."

"Aww."

I sweat-dropped, a hand raised on air yet dejected of attention. "Please...let me have a say with this situation."

They forced me to sit and lie down the bed again as the couple discussed what they needed to do.

"Honey, stay here. I'll call some of the imperial doctors as well." The Count stated seriously. The Countess gave him a firm nod. The brothers glanced at me pitifully with concern, and I sighed.

Hey, atleast hear me out first. I'm about to cry.

"Please listen, I am perfectly fine." I decided it is best to interrupt them, and their attentions all landed to me. "I don't have amnesia. If I did, I should have asked who you all are."

"But—! How can you forget a normal day, and this place?" Mother almost cried again. "Oh no, it can't be. Is it retrograde amnesia?!"

They soon fell into chaos once again. I sighed, and for the second time, I tried to explain.

"I was sleeping for so long, so I only got curious. Please do not misunderstand. I am perfectly healthy now."

They all blinked their eyes, squinting at me. "So, sister has no amnesia?"

I nodded in response to Zhel's question. "Yes. I didn't have amnesia, or retrograde amnesia. I'm just asking weird questions since...as I said, I'm curious." I hoped my reason wasn't suspicious. This is the best I can come up with which fits my personality best.

I have always been the forgetful and confused type. This shouldn't be a surprise for them.

And it seems my explanation worked. They all look relieved unlike earlier. "It seems sister is really okay. We worried for nothing!" He exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter. Our needless worries paid off with good results." Zheff responded as he crossed his arms, leaning his back on the door.

"If that is your question, then it is the 430th year, month April, and day 2, my girl." Mother answered my question in which I smiled at. "We are also here at our mansion in the capital city."

It seems I did return back in time. The year 430 is when I turned 10 years old, and there is still 2 months left before my birthday. Which means my older brother Zheff is now still 16, and my younger brother is 7.

So reincarnation is possible.

I thought it existed only in fairytales.

Father sighed as his forehead creased. "But to be honest, we are really worried about you."

I looked at father who released a distressed sigh. "Why? What happened to me?" I questioned, curiously.

Since there wasn't an event like this back then, I'm sure what caused this situation is because I came back from the future where I am dead.

"You fell sick all of a sudden and collapsed. We were so shocked we almost called out every doctors out there." He responded, and it was as if his soul left his body momentarily.

"Oh.." I scratched my head. So, is it possible that the me here suddenly collapsed because I was about to go back in this time? I don't understand, but whatever sorcery caused this reincarnation, I am forever thankful.

The Countess brushed my hair as she glanced down to me. "Do you want to rest? Or do you want to wash up and eat?"

I smiled at mother. "I want to rest for a bit. I'll wash up and eat later."

"Alright." She kissed my forehead before she stood up from the bed. "We'll be outside, okay? Your maids will tend to you later."

"Rest well and take it easy, daughter." The Count chose to pat my head.

Zhel waved a hand. "See you later, sister Lettuce!"

Zheff only nodded at me. I gave them a bright smile in return, something I rarely showed to them since I was too focused living my own simple life of luxury.

As soon as they all left the room, my smile faded as I clutched into my neck. My bright cyan eyes suddenly held fear, my lips quivered, and my whole body trembled as I recalled what happened.

"Huff...huff..."

Everything now sank into my mind. Right after rejoicing for my family and I being alive again, I recalled the vivid memories of suffering.

How I died from the blade of the guillotine.

How I felt the pain of getting beheaded.

How I had to watch and endure the deaths of my family.

How we are humiliated and accused of a crime we never did.

I can never wish to experience it again. It makes me want to not die ever again.

I shivered, feeling unknown chills that ran through my neck. The feeling is alike to how the blade sliced my neck. It seems I will be having nightmares about the future starting today.

Fear. Despair. Hopeless.

These emotions mixed within me. And yet, I can feel a stronger desire than that.

Revenge. Vengeance.

I tried to calm myself first. Roaming my eyes around, I finally got the chance to observe the surroundings. Indeed, we are in the mansion in the capital city. I am inside my old bedroom when I was a child. This is the room in our estate in the capital city before I changed rooms when I turned 12.

The space was huge, and I had quite a lot of cabinets to store all my personal stuffs. Now that I think about it, I've spent a large sum of money for my own luxury. I feel bad, no matter how I look at it, spending lavishly cannot be called simple.

Not even money can buy a life. Should I sell all the stuffs I bought?

That way, I can have my own pocket money. And if fortunate, I can try to start a business myself once I grow up. Since Zheff is the one to become Count in the future, while Zhel is to become a knight, I have no idea what will become of me.

I shall not let my life be just about marrying a nobleman. It is too simple and predetermined. Besides, I have to tell father to choose another candidate for the Emperor and support anyone, but not the Emperor who killed us.

Emperor Rowell is the worst.

But it is not easy to do as I say. Everyone else is just as worse as Rowell. It just so happened that he managed to get the favor not only of the nobles, but also the commoners. The aristocrats weren't pleased, but they easily got to manipulate him somehow.

Someone like him does not deserve to be the leader of the Empire. But if changing the Emperor won't work, I might have a lot of changing to do, go with the flow, or use the same strategy they use against us towards them.

Standing up, I positioned myself infront of a mirror. I saw my reflection, and indeed, I am a child who's only 10 in age. My cherry-blonde hair is quite messy yet remained elegant. My cyan blue eyes stared intesely at the mirror.

My eyes that once teared up from hatred and despair. It seems my tears dried up, for I no longer feel like crying.

Revenge. I really want it so badly.

Seeing and feeling that my head is still intact to my neck, I sighed in relief. However, I cannot be relieved yet. The main problem is still there. Whoever framed us could not be the Emperor, since he is obviously dumb.

Then, could it be one of those pompous aristocrats around him? Probable.

I clenched my small hand into a fist, nails dug deep into my skin. Biting my lip, I felt the rage within me again. That man, who slapped and kicked me, he was an aristocrat who held no respect for someone like me.

Whoever he is, I have to keep him in check. No, not only him. But the other aristocrats as well. Even the nobles are included. They all didn't bother to know and investigate the truth. They wholly accepted the accusations against us.

I was too naive. Now that I see it again, I think I know why.

They were planning to end our family lineage.

They never intended to hear the truth. They only want to believe their own version of the truth. Self-righteous nobles who does more horrible things than we innocent people is hideous and disgusting, such hypocrites makes my blood boil.

I guess I have them all in my list then. The Emperor, the aristocrats, and the nobles are people whom I should be wary of.

"Ah.." I unclenched my hand as I saw blood from my scratched skin. Suddenly, another person came into mind. The hooded figure, whoever he may be, I had a gut feeling that tells me he is connected to this situation somehow.

Was it possible that they are a sorcerer? A mage? An alchemist? The way they looked with that kind of outfit was already suspicious for them to stand out.

I...want to meet that person.

I'm not sure if he had ulterior motives in saving me and my family. Or did he help us because he think we are truly innocent?

Ofcourse, I am only thinking that the hooded person is the one who had me reincarnated back here. There is no other explanation, as it is too suspicious already.

The voices I heard at that time. Even the way they signaled for me to be silent. I wonder why I had to die, why did we have to die, when someone can actually already stop it?

But maybe I understood it wrong. The hooded person could be a red herring, and maybe I just heard nonsense thoughts since I was about to face death at that time.

Sighing, I decided to think about it later. I picked up the bell by the drawer. Ringing it, the maids immediately entered my room.

"My lady, we are here to serve you."

I simply smiled at them. "Prepare my bath."

They bowed down and did as told. Breathing in and out, I calmed myself once more as I hid my bleeding hand. This time, I won't be simply living a simple life. Our life is about to get complicated soon.

My only mistake is being ignorant and naive—but not anymore.