Chap 2 : The Meeting Between Lucia and Elora

God, who hears every human heart's cry and knows all that transpires, granted them a second chance. Lucia, having lost all will to live or to change her own fate, underwent a soul-swap. Elora has been chosen to become Lucia, while Lucia's soul will vanish, never to return.

In the timeless space where their souls meet, Lucia seizes the chance to chat with Elora.

"Elora... Elora Russel," a soft voice startles Elora who is sleeping under a large tree in an endless white space.

"Ummm, who calls my name?" Elora wakes, rubbing her swollen eyes as if roused from a very long sleep.

Elora's eyes widen. All around her is pure whiteness, like being in the sky but without a sun, yet still bright. Not a single cloud is visible.

"Uwahh, what place is this?" Elora's voice sounds very shocked.

"This is the space between life and death. Where human souls will temporarily reside." Lucia says, standing next to Elora, looking ahead with a very beautiful smile.

Elora looks up, stunned by Lucia's beautiful smile. She'd never seen this girl, yet she feels a strange sense of familiarity, as if they'd met before.

"So, I'm dead." Elora looks down, tears welling up in her eyes. Sadness washes over her; she is dead, without a chance to do anything.

"Elora... Don't be sad. Because in a moment, you'll replace me." Lucia sits down next to her, moving her body so that their eyes meet.

"Replace you? What do you mean? We're both already dead." Elora is speechless.

"That's right, but God wants to give you a second chance. Remember when you asked for a second chance?" Lucia says, trying to help her recall her wish.

"Yeah... I remember now." Elora murmurs, the memory of her desperate wish just before she died crystallizing in her mind.

"So, Elora... Before you replace me, I'll tell you my story. That way, you'll never make a decision like I did." Lucia's voice holds a firm emphasis on 'decision.'

......................

"So that's what happened to you... Lewis Greexen... He must be terrifying." Elora isn't sure if she can truly change Lucia's fate after hearing her story and understanding Lewis Greexen's capabilities.

"Don't worry, because you will get love from him. You just need to stay by his side and make him happy, forever." Lucia's voice is sincere, yet tinged with sadness.

"But why me? You've been here watching spirits for ages. Is there really no one else good enough? And you and Lewis have been dead for a long time. Why change a destiny that's already over?" Too many questions swirl in Elora's head, but she can't ask them all.

"Well, Elora, you can say it's been centuries. But here, it feels like only a few hours. Besides, we died on the same night but in different eras. Time works differently in the realms, between life and death. I chose you because I saw your strong spirit, and your ultimate desire to change for the better, just like me. That's why I chose you."

"But how is it logical? Does God allow it?" Elora, a genius girl, thinks this is absurd.

"God isn't just swapping souls randomly. God waits for the right one. That's what happens now. I haven't met anyone suitable to switch with. But God already knows what kind of soul I'd pick, so you lived and died at just the right time." Lucia tries to explain it clearly, so Elora can understand.

"So, you mean God planned my whole life just for you to choose me?" Elora seems to get what Lucia means.

"That's right, your birth, your life, even your death - it was all God's plan, so you'd be the right one to take my place." Lucia smiles. She is happy to finally leave this place, no longer having to feel bad about what she did to her husband.

"Well, if I go back to your time and become you, will I go to the time you'll die?" Elora needs to know so she can be prepared.

"Don't worry, I've chosen a good date and time. You'll see for yourself." Lucia chuckles at Elora's face which shows that she is getting interested.

"Well, I can live in your time, how about you live in mine?" Elora sounds excited by her own proposal.

"It's impossible. God has decreed that my soul will only be here until I meet the right one. After that, my soul will disappear." Lucia sounds sad but she still maintains a smile on her face.

"But that's not fair right? And I didn't even wish to be you and live in the past. I think I'm going back to the time when I hadn't met my fiancé yet." Elora begins to feel sad, remembering the moment she died.

"You want to see what happens to your fiance now?" Lucia asks in an excited tone.

"Of course!" Lucia's eyes light up.

Lucia plucks a leaf from the large tree that they lean against. She asks Elora to blow on it while thinking about her fiancé. Then, in the blink of an eye, the leaf turns into a screen showing her fiancé's current condition. It appears that he is being arrested by the police while trying to bury Elora's body.

"That jerk! I hope he rots in prison!" Elora is furious but satisfied to see that he will receive a fitting punishment.

Lucia chuckles; Elora's strong nature and stance are perfect for the new Lucia.

"Lucia, I want to ask you a question that doesn't make sense to me. Lucia... if I were to live as you, and die as you. What would happen in the future? Will I go back to living as Elora?" Elora is serious.

"That's right, your soul will stay in here and you will again be reborn as Elora Russel. However, your past memory, everything that happened - you being killed by your fiancé, our meeting, and the memory of becoming Lucia - will disappear. As if you never experienced any of it." Lucia is also serious with her words. This is a secret of nature that is not logical to humans but not impossible for the Power of God.

"But, what if I'm killed by my fiance again? It means that I will go through the same thing I went through before?" Elora starts to shrink and get nervous thinking about it.

"Calm down. God will change your destiny if you bring good and fulfill my wish for Lewis to have a good ending." Lucia smiles, she wants to show that everything will be okay.

Elora doesn't know why, but she also smiles as if she is happy to see Lucia happy. She intends to do her best if given a second chance even though it isn't in her time but in Lucia's time. A time that is very different from hers.

"Then, I'll try. No! I promise I'll make him happy!" Elora declares, determination shining in her eyes.

"Then, that's a promise between us. Good luck." Lucia's smile is calm, a sense of peace settles over her.

Lucia regrets her past foolishness. She longs to make Lewis happy, but knows she doesn't deserve a second chance herself. That is why she'd only asked for someone else to change her fate. She knows Lewis will die a year after her own death, unable to accept that his wife, the woman he loves, Lucia, has chosen death over his love.

"Don't worry, I promise I won't fail!" Elora smiles to dispel Lucia's worries.

Lucia's lips also form a sweet smile. As a sign of farewell, they embrace for a long time. Then, the time comes, and Elora's body shines brightly like starlight. Her soul disappears, then Lucia's soul also turns into dust and is gone forever.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Elora Russell, a girl from the future, has died and is reborn in the 17th century. She is now married to Duke Lewis Greexen and is the young Duchess of Emerald, Lucia Greexen.

Lewis, the King's nephew, is a wealthy and influential man who is respected by his Duchy's citizens but feared by his enemies. This is a magical world where dragons are fearsome, wizards are good, and people have special powers. Is it possible for a modern-day Elora to accept this new world? The problem is that the old Lucia hated Lewis because she thought he had ruined her family. But Elora is here and has promised Lewis a happy ending.

She suddenly behaves freely and without fear arounds her husband. What does Lewis, a cold and intimidating duke, think of Lucia's unexpected change? Can they build love and become stronger for each other? Can Elora adapt to her new life and deal with all the trials that come her way? What changes will she make to their history and world? Above all, will Elora keep her promise and give Lewis the joy he deserves?

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