CHAPTER 3

Agatha Aglaia Hermosillio, A noble lady of the Hestia Empire, youngest child and the young lady from the house of Hermosillio. Has a long curly hair at the bottom part and it has the crimson red colored hair on it, the living proof that there's blood of Hermosillio runs through her veins and eyes that is clear as the ray of sun, a colored Golden-yellow. In her past life, she thought that she only born to live quietly at the corner and never show interest in such, she thought that she's like a doll that was only bought to be decorated in a room, especially to the face that is beautiful and would attract to much attention to the crowd. Unexpectedly, A very playful fate played at her and no one ever could imagine a disaster will appear before them, she got killed and got even destroyed her dignity as a woman, never she knew that this would happen to her. Once you put your trust on one person, it will be harder to regain it again to what is was lost. Agatha, believed that her adopted sister loved her and cared for her, however before she passed away, her adopted sister told her the truth that she was the one whose behind all of the catastrophe that befall to Agatha, and her name was Kiara Ginger, Adopted child of the Duchess Hermosillio has a long straight dark colored hair and eyes that colored green resembles the skin of a green snake. After Kiara appeared in the picture, numerous of unfortunate events fall to Agatha.

Agatha was given another chance of life by unknown being, by going back to her young age of 16 years old. She knew that this will be her chance to save herself and to save her family from the catastrophe that befall them, she's determined to make things right as it should be, claim for what is for her and to make revenge.

Whatever fate lies ahead, only you who could change it. For this is your own fate.

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Agatha and Kiara finally confronted each other at the estate, the game of fate will soon begin for both of them. They both currently going ahead to their destination, The Jade's Villa. When Agatha finally came at the villa, there are already well-known noble ladies waiting at the table such as Lady Boternger from the house of Boternger, Lady Hamisht from the house of Hamisht, Lady Friniya from the house of Friniya and many more ladies in the list, The host of this gathering is Lady Regondola from the house of Regondola.

"Oh my~ Lady Hermosillio, what a surprise~ it is nice to see you here and thank you for accepting my invitation" Lady Regondola welcomed and telling her appreciation to Agatha for coming. When Agatha sat down to her chair, she stares at them and then smiled.

"Why wouldn't I dare to refuse such invitation coming from you Lady Regondola, I'm very much happy to be here" although she's smiling, the words that she said is just for the show. In Agatha's mind , In order to be part of this society, you have to play a certain role either you become the prey or the hunter, Agatha knew better than anyone that she will not be the prey of this time.

"My Lady Regondola, it seems like there is no one we're waiting for"

"Yes, why don't we start-?"

"Good day ladies" A lady that suddenly came out of nowhere greeted them with grace, like the way how of the noble ladies greeting someone.

"Oh my, who is she?"

"Let me introduce myself to you, Kiara Ginger Hermosillio from the House of Hermosillio, gladly to make your acquaintance"

"He-Hermosillio, you say?" Finally Kiara, appeared. She is standing and smiling infront of those ladies with confidence, while Agatha doesn't seems to be bothered at all, she remained calmed while drinking her tea. The ladies seems to be confused to what is happening, a sudden appearance of another lady from Hermosillio came at the tea party.

"Could you explain this to us, Lady Agatha" Jane Regondola exclaimed.

"Is it true, that she is now part of the Hermosillio?" Followed up by the next question of Lady Brudette Boternger.

"Of course I am ladies, right sister?"

"Well, Didn't anyone told you that coming here uninvited is disrespectful, especially to me, did you know who am i?...Anyway,why don't you sit down and let's have the tea party started. Lady Kiara" Jane smiled at kiara and it seems that kiara doesn't mind since all she wants is to enter the noble society immediately.

...AGATHA'S POV...

Kiara is already came at the picture, she did a quite an entrance awhile ago, after this, they will ask few question about kiara's background and everything.

"Excuse me for being rude lady kiara, is it true, that you are an adopted child of the Hermosillio?"

"Yes, as the matter of fact I am very thankful to my family that I have right now, without them I don't know where I would end up to." Hilarious. Very Hilarious, how come that she could talk such things like that? really...

"Lady Agatha, you didn't tell us that you have such beautiful sister like Lady Kiara here."

"Yes, she's right. Oh my, Lady Kiara are you already preparing for your coming-of-age?"

"If so, don't forget to send us an invitation, we're gladly to come"

Such hypocrites. Coming-of-age...As I remember clearly, I didn't celebrate my coming-of-age. Well, back then they were so busy preparing for the coming-of-age of kiara to the point they forgotten about my coming-of-age,Well... It doesn't even give me a slightest interest right now. What's more important is now.

"You see, ladies. It will be rude to my sister to prepare for my coming-of-age, since sister will celebrate it first before me, I understand Mother that she wants to prioritize her real daughter unlike to someone like me who is an adopted child" Ohh~ it seems like she already started to gain pity to these ladies, if that's what you are trying to do then let me do the honor to be part of your act.

"Please, don't say that sister. As a matter of fact, I'm already thinking to what kind of celebration would be perfect for your coming-of-age. It's alright, if we postpone the celebration of my coming-of-age, since I understand you, sister...you don't know anything yet with the society. thaf's why I'm here to help you " I said it. Sarcastically, though, and by looking at her facial expression right now, what I did is indeed a big impact to her image. Every nobles at the empire knows that my family adopted an unknown child that has no background, no parents, no status, no classification to whereabouts at all in other words "Commoner".

The fact that she is "just" a commoner, a simple person iy won't last in this kind of society if it has a weak-hearted person, It's not that I discriminate commoners, there are still commoners that are evil and trying so hard to gain power to the nobles whenever they were given a chance to and few are scared to commit a crime, you could call that their "pride". Unlike Kiara, she belong to those who are thirst for power.

"Lady Agatha, I didn't know that you have this kind heart, you are indeed a very good sister"

"I agree."

"Lady Kiara, you are very lucky to have a sister like Lady Agatha, I'm very jealous of you"

"Y-yes indeed, Thank you sister, I cannot wait to celebrate my coming-of-age with you..." Kiara stuttered while saying that.

I smiled at her and it seems like I served my purpose here, seeing kiara acting like that up is beyond satisfactory, therefore I must leave this place, it's getting hard to breath.

"Ladies, if you may, I must excuse myself, it seems like I was not feeling well of a sudden." I've said an excused.

" Oh my~ it's fine lady Agatha, till next time, I hope you get well soon"

"Of course Lady Jane, Thank you for your kind words"

"T-then sister..."

"You can enjoy yourself, Kia I don't want you to miss this opportunity to get to know these beautiful ladies and I'm sure that they too, want to know you more." But that was a lie, even though these ladies are smiling and acting smushy, behind that mask is a face of hunters that are ready to hunt their prey. For today's prey will be Kiara, Be happy kiara because I'm giving you this opportunity to know what kind of society you'll be entering, until our next confrontation, will be more interesting.

After I bid my goodbyes to them, I get back at my carriage and while on the way home, I saw a familiar place and faces. It is the children that I used to visited in my previous life, but at that time they were already at age of sixteen or seventeen, when I first met them, I was at age of twenty, But right now they are nine or eight, I think. Oh my~ I couldn't believe that I could see them here at this moment, looking at them their faces are still the same, I told the coachman to stop the carriage and wait for me at the center of the plaza, Eli was a bit of confused to what I was requested and as I jump out of the carriage I ran very fast and went to where the orphanage it was. Then I knew it, it is still there, The orphanage that I used to visit whenever I sneaked out of the estate. Those are the moments that I couldn't forgot.

"who are you?!" I was shocked, I heard a very loud voice of a boy, I turned around and I saw a familiar face, from that moment when I looked at his face, he is exactly like the Geo that I used to know. Is he...?

"G-geo...?"

"H-How did you know my name?! You're a noble right?!" I'm right! But, I don't know why Geo seems so angry at me, I can feel his Magic air immersing through his anger, I know the fact that geo is very good at handling his magic when he and I met however, this would be a problem since he is still a child at this time. It will hard for him to control his magic air at this age.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you..."

"LIAR! all the nobles are bad people!"

"w-what?"

That voice, I knew that voice, I saw that there was a young girl hiding at the back of Geo, when she finally came out, She is...Jasmine!

"You nobles are bad people! you stole what is ours! you came here every single day and we bet that you came here today to get some money and hurt us again!"

"w-what did you say?" without thinking , I checked her head to toes to see if she is hurt, then I saw some small bruises all over her body. I feel so angry at myself, I was crying, blaming myself that why couldn't I met earlier, that way they couldn't get hurt like this. All this years, I didn't know anything, they don't even tell me anything, They were hiding it from me. I'm sorry...

"I-I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you..." My legs gives out, I'm already down on my knees and I was crying so hard, the tears from my eyes won't stop, I keep blaming and blaming myself, I wish I have the power to protect all of those people who are dear to me, I wish that they couldn't get hurt by protecting me, I wish to be strong like them. All of these wishful thinking is all over my head.

"S-stop crying, sister" Jasmine touched my cheeks, her hands are colder like a snow, Jasmine's magic air is coldness while Geo's magic air is hotness. Although her magic air is coldness I can still feel warmth from her eyes that she's cared for me.

"Sister my name is Jasmine, what's your name?"

"H-Hey jasmine, how could you give her your name easily?!" and they started arguing.

"why not? I don't feel any dangerous thing around sister, besides isn't she so beautiful?"

"hmph!" Geo still has his stubbornness even at this age, funny to think that he carries that until he grows older.

"Don't cry sister and please smile~ it suits you even more, your eyes will more shine if you smile, so smile please" I couldn't explain the feeling that I'm feeling right now, I was so touched to what she had said to me, I know I don't deserve this but please, let me be selfish for this time, I want to make up with them, by this time I'll protect them with everything I got.

"My name..."

"huh?"

"My name is Agatha, but you can call me Aggy..."

"Aggy...Gladly to make your acquaintances, Sister Aggy"

"Likewise..." My tears stopped and replaced it with a smile. After what happened we went together to the stores and I bought them foods and clothes to warm theirselves on the upcoming cold season, I even bought the other children at the orphanage the things that they needed. After that I promised that I will be back again to play with them and spend some more time to the children.

"Do you really have to go?~" A child clinged at my leg and don't have any intention of letting me go, she is Fresnishia the youngest among the children. I told her that I'll be back for sure and will be play again with them. I kissed her soft-chubby red cheeks that is so cute!!! I must maintain myself, no matter how cute these children are, must control myself.

On the way back, I saw some unknown men, hiding at the dark alley, as if it they were waiting for someone, while walking, I noticed that they seems to be following me, that's why I walked fast, fast as I could. I felt the fear that I felt awhile ago when I was in the carriage. My heart is beating fast then I ran fast, fast as I could then someone just grabbed my hand and pulled me to another alley. I am scared right now, I used all of my strength to pushed this person and slapped it with my hand.

"Don't you dare come near me!" After what I did, I noticed that this person is a man, he has a brown colored hair. It seems like I used to much of my strength, he is currently on his knees and touching his face with great pain, I guess... since I cannot use to much of magic air, I used my all of my strength in that slap, Hmph! don't ever underestimate a lady!

"ow..ow...you sure have a brute strength for a lady"

"Who are you?! If you're with those men who're chasing me, better to give up because I won't give in to your filthy hands!"

"I won't hurt you, okay? As a matter of fact, I saved you from those men, so a simple appreciation would do."

"Yeah, right! I won't fall for that same trick, you won't fool me!"

"Same trick??? what are you-"

I looked at him with anger, I admit he sure looked nice, but this time I promised that I don't want to trust someone that easily, for the sake of those who are dear to me.

"Brother! she is here!" what?! they're here already! I should've leave awhile ago, I shouldn't wasted my time with this man. I suppose that I don't have any choice, I'll use my magic air with these men. I should've known better than anyone, I couldn't get out of this problem if I don't do anything.

"Hey there, missy~ you shouldn't run like that, you make us so tired, so why don't we enjoy ourselves for the mean time? great idea right?" they were laughing. It seems like he is the boss, he look so weak to me, still my magic air won't be enough to make this men fly.

"You look so beautiful, you are a rare jewel, I must say~ HAHAHA!"

"What?...too bad for you, I won't be spending some of my precious time with a bunch of birdbrains like you"

"wha-what did you said?!"

When I saw them coming at me , I immediately cast a incantation, but all of the sudden a very strong wind make them flew high above the sky, I didn't know what just happened, I turned around and it seems like the man that saved me awhile ago used his magic air using his sword, in just one swing he has a very strong magic air. Using sword to use magic air is careless however, he easily used it to those men and it is indeed that he don't know those men.

"Once again, I saved you. Now, you already owed me *smirk*"

"wha-?"

"My lady! where are you?!...."

"Eli..."

"My lady!" Thank goodness, I finally found you. Where have you been all this time!"

Eli found me, but the mysterious man is gone. Who is he? After what happened, I returned home safely, I requested to Eli to drew me bath then I took a bath and finally I was able to lay down to my bed. What a long day! a lot of things happened , first at the tea party with the ladies and Kiara, second was I visited the orphanage and played with the children then 'that' ...I was chased by random guys then saved by a mysterious man... I wonder who is he? .... why did he saved me?

*knock knock*

"Who is it?"

"It is I my lady" the head butler, Juli?

"My lady, Sorry for disturbing your rest at this time, but I would like to report that the Lord and the Madam will be back by tomorrow morning..."

"I see, thank you Juli, you may go and rest now"

Father and Mother...In my previous life, they used to locked me up at the house where no one would dare to know me and looked at me, even my presence at that time was very minimal, I only attended once or twice of a social gathering only when I was given the permission to. The person who most attended the social gathering in my stead was Kiara. That's why, I knew only few people's faces, but I know where family they came from. While thinking, I walked towards my window and look at the stars and the moon, it was peaceful and beautiful night, indeed. I wonder, why would mother and father wants to locked me up at my room, they didn't even mentioned anything at all in my previous life.

I guess there's no point of thinking any of this, since I've decided that whatever happened, I'll make sure to not make the same mistakes ever again. This is me now, I have to face everything and stop hiding with this rooms. The night has passed and yet another night that gives me the same nightmare. A dream where I was running so fast at the very dark vast space and no place to go or to hide, I just keep on running as if there was someone wants to catch me. Then there these clips of my past, all of them appeared to me one by one as if it wants to remind me every moment that happened to me that night, The night that I was destroyed, The night I knew the truth and The night that I was betrayed and passed away. Then I woke up again, breathing so hard, I was catching my breath. having these repetitive nightmares I found myself so hard to sleep at night.

*knock knock*

"Good morning My la-! Why do you look so pale today?! did you had a nightmare? Are you alright? Do you want me to tell to the chef to make a herbal tea for you my lady?"

"E-eli please, get off to my face, you're too close...I'm fine It's just that I couldn't get enough sleep last night, Don't worry about me"

"But My lady..." she looks like a puppy, how cute hehe.

"We have to prepare already, Mother and Father will be here soon, I should be greeting them."

"You know my lady, you're strange..."

"wha-what? haha what are you saying eli?" I was shocked to what eli just said, that I looked strange,Did she noticed something? Do I really look that strange? or does greetung someone is strange to her? Oh God!!!!

"Strange in a good way, I mean."

"eh?"

"Usually, you just don't bother whether the Lord and the Madam came back home, you usually stayed at your room and that's it, as if its you are shy or embarrassed on greeting them..." Eli...she noticed that too, I looked down and clenched my fists. I don't want to make Eli worried about me anymore, what she did to me in the past is more than enough, this time let me do it, let me be the one to help you, Eli.

"My lady, you should stand up and be proud, For you are belong to the Hermosillio, you are the only young lady of Hermosillio and you are my master. I will serve you and follow you till death. I'll do anything for you My lady. That is what we shared an oath to the Hermosillio..."

"Eli...Thank you" I felt the heavy feeling that I feel finally comes off, I can finally breathe properly. After our conversation I prepared myself for the welcome greeting of Father and Mother, they left home after several days, they went to social gatherings, business gatherings and many more , this will the first time that I'm going to meet them personally after I turn back in time. Its not that I don't want to see them because of what they did to me, I'm just feel so happy right now that I know that they're okay.

Just like what Eli said, I used to be in laying down on my bed or just staying inside of my room, since they won't let me go outside too much. That was before, everything changed, everybody changed including me. The servants are so busy preparing, I even greeted 'good morning' to the head butler and he was shocked when I greeted him then asking me what I am doing here, I told him that I am an Hermosillio, I should welcome my Father and Mother, then he let me go but when I looked at his eyes, as if its was an eyes of relief. He told me it's to good to see me so well and everything, I was also gave my appreciation for him for working too long at our estate.

Me and Kiara, we both greeted Father and Mother at the entrance , I bowed at them since that is the proper way, unlike kiara she immediately went up to them and mother stopped her for being rude. But I am not kiara and I am not the usual Agatha that they used to know.

"Greetings to you Father and Mother, It is so nice to see you arrived safely"

"Agatha..." Father's speak as if he was shocked to see me greeting him like this.

"How are you, Agatha?"

"I'm fine, Father but it seems like I took too much of your time, I suppose that you are very tired on riding too long at the carriage, If you excuse me" I turned around then suddenly Father called me.

"Agatha, would you please join us in having a breakfast..." That was the first request I heard to my Father, he even used 'please' I was shocked because not only father but also mother!! and by looking at their faces they really do want me to join them, it is hard to refuse them when they make such expressions.

"Father, Mother , I bet sister is very busy at the moment why don't we-!"

"Well, of course Father, Mother. Shall we go to the dining room?" I know what you're trying to do Kiara, you're trying to tell father and mother what happened yesterday, you going to pushed your coming-of-age celebration before having mine. We went to the dining room, my father and mother is already seated to their designated places, while kiara is seated at the opposite side of mine.

"Kiara, I heard from Juli that you attended tea party at Jade's Villa..." Mother said.

"Yes, Mother. Actually, I went with sister then she-"

" You went there without proper invitation?! what do you think you're doing?!"

Mother is angry, If you are a noble you should learned the proper etiquette and manners, It is very rude to go someone's house or gathering without a prior notice. It is a sign of disrespect to the noble and its house, since Kiara is not yet officially announced at the public, what she did will have a great impact to the empire and to our family. I'll let her do what she wants since she insisted that she wants to come, however just like what have you said to yourself you are an Hermosillio, but being part of a noble you should already know some basic manners. Hermosillio's are well-known for being elegant and dignified family and what she did, doesn't considered being a Hermosillio, such irresponsible decision and action. Well, let her reap what she sow.

"But...but sister gave me permission to-"

"Mother, don't be so angry at Kiara, since kiara is now part of Hermosillio, she insisted to come with me to make friends with the ladies I'm very concern at her well-being so I gave her permission to. Since she doesn't even know basic manners, let her be. I'll help Kiara to learn her manners, Right Kia?"

"Very well...Kiara, look how well-mannered you sister is, you should learn from her. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes Mother."

Kiara left the dining room and went to her room, she seems to be embarrassed to what happened. After she left, everything seems to be quiet, somehow it is very awkward.

"..."

"Agatha..."

"Yes father?" They looked each other and seems to be hesitating to ask a question. I know what they feel, they don't want me to go outside too much, I bet they will tell me to stay inside my room instead of going outside...

"How are you these past few days?"

"Did you have fun yesterday?..." Eh? What did Father said? Did I heard it right? Eh? no...wait...really???

"Y-yes, I d-did..."

"Thank Goodness..." I don't understand what mother and father meant just now. Right now, I cannot understand things with my parents, I left the dining room just like that, without saying anything to them, on my way back to my bedroom, I saw the place where I used to hide and stay whenever I feel alone and sad. It sure brings back memories, however, I know better than anyone that there is no time to reminisce those moments, I lived a quiet life before, then it started to crumble in just blink of an eye. I wonder... by this time, how my fate will change...

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...TO BE CONTINUED...

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...INTRODUCING THE SIDE CHARACTERS...

DUKE OF HERMOSILLIO, DUKE LUCIUS HERMOSILLIO

-The head of the Hermosillios

-Father of three children; Two sons and a daughter

-Married to Marquess daughter (ADALIA OPHELIOUS)

-He used to be the Commander-in-chief of the blue knights, but after he retired for being a commander, he gave his position to his eldest son.

-Have a very stern and strict appearance however despite his appearance he's really devoted to his family, he is willing to do everything for them ; especially on his daughter, he is very overprotective on her , but it doesn't really show too much, he is shy, very shy...

-Has a Red colored hair, A living proof that he is an Hermosillio. Eyes that is colored silver.

DUCHESS OF HERMOSILLIO , DUCHESS ADALIA ' OPHELIOUS ' HERMOSILLIO

-The Madam of the Hermosillio

-Mother of three children ; Two sons and a daughter

-Married to Duke's son (LUCIUS HERMOSILLIO)

-The one who adopted Kiara Ginger

-She is very elegant noble lady, back in her days she used to be the Flower of the ladies because of her beautiful looks

-She has a confident personality, well-mannered but back on her days when she at the same age like Agatha, she used to go outside and explore places and meet various people.

-She also supported various organizations and orphanages

-She is deeply inlove with her family, same as the duke, she's willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of her children.

-Has a Silver colored hair, her hair really stands-out the most because it is very rare at the empire to have silver colored hair. Her eyes has a golden yellow colored.

HEAD BUTLER JULLIAN GRAHAM

-He's been the head butler after the current duke take over his Father's position as the duke.

-His family been with Hermosillios through generation.

-Has a son that is also belong to the blue knights

-His wife passed away after giving birth to their son.

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