In the past, I was in love with Count Agustin Derby, and when my father died from a terrible illness, I married him.
The day after my societal debut, I rejected the Second Prince. The Empress offered me an advantageous marriage to her son. I could have more political participation and the backing of royalty, but the Emperor also proposed marriage to me, though with his brother, Archduke Bastian Chevalier, who didn't enjoy a very good reputation among the ladies. He felt that I was the perfect woman for his precious brother, but, just the same, I politely rejected him, alleging that my father still needed my help, though I would consider his proposal. This happened when I was fifteen; I am currently eighteen, but in my other life, I died at twenty-five.
Marrying the Count was my condemnation. My father had established that apart from his daughter, the only one with the right to the title would be my firstborn, but I didn't know that, and that triggered my misfortune. After a few months, I got pregnant, but I lost the baby after an accident in my carriage when I was going to a tea party with the Queen. That day, in the midst of my misfortune, I met Archduke Chevalier, a totally different man from what the rumors said, who offered me his unconditional support.
Every time I got pregnant, I would lose the baby again. It had me devastated and my husband furious, accusing me of being the only one to blame for each one of my losses. The one who was always there for me was Bastian. As the months went by, Agustin threatened to bring in a concubine if I couldn't have a baby, but since he didn't have the title, I was the one who made the decisions in the Dukedom, and without my authorization, not a single concubine could enter. And of course, I wouldn't allow that, but it happened again; with this one, it was seven losses in our first two years of marriage.
After my last loss, I discovered Agustin was having an affair with one of the employees, an extremely beautiful commoner who had started working as my maid when I was fifteen. I began to get suspicious; Agustin couldn't obtain the title, only our son could. That made me doubt his idea of being a father, besides, without me, he still had the title of Count. I kept my suspicions to myself.
I remember.
"Margaret, I can't keep hiding these feelings I have for you. You can't imagine how much it hurts me to have arrived late in your life. How my soul burns and my spirit fades every time I see you with him. I know that society wouldn't accept a divorce, that's why I also boldly ask you to escape with me. Let's live our lives far from this Empire, just you and me. I have the Emperor's support to approve your divorce and take you far away with me. I'll come looking for you tonight; you have until nightfall to make a decision."
That day I felt my heart accelerate. I couldn't leave the estate that had cost my father so much, but by not being able to have children and being gravely ill, I wouldn't be able to enjoy anything. I know the Emperor wouldn't allow Agustin to take the Dukedom into his power. I had a few months left, so I would live my days as if they were my last. When I arrived home, I locked myself in my room, taking the most important things, which were the family jewels. I kept them in a case and waited patiently for Bastian to come for me. The anxiety got the better of me, and I decided to go down, but when I was going down the stairs, someone pushed me.
Bloody and a few minutes away from losing my life due to the heavy bleeding, I saw how Agustin and the commoner kissed as if nothing had happened. This had been planned by the two of them, wretches. How could I have been so naive as to marry such a despicable and vile being? They both went back to their disgusting business, while I bled without help from anyone. Mysteriously, there was no one in the mansion. I felt weaker and weaker, until I saw a figure. I was even more surprised to see that it was Bastian.
"Margaret, oh, heavens! Margaret, hold on, I'll take you to the best doctor. Just hold on a little longer."
"Bastian, there's no more time. My dear Bastian, if I could turn back time, I would run into your arms and ask for your hand in marriage."
"Margaret, don't talk, you'll be fine."
"No, Bastian, I want you to fulfill my last wish: give me a kiss. I don't want to die without feeling your lips." He was crying, as was I. It was a sweet but melancholic kiss; I took my last breath in that kiss. After dying, I didn't feel anything else; I was in complete darkness. I have no idea how long I was like that until I saw a light and, following it, I woke up when I was eighteen years old. How did I know? Because of my room, I remodeled the colors every year, and it just so happened that the decoration was golden.
When the carriage arrived at the Dukedom, I took a deep breath; it was time to put that harpy in her place and investigate my father's illness.
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