*.*.*.*
Imperial Year 983rd, 6th Month, 4th Day.
In the town square, many people gathered like they wanted to celebrate something. But it's not. The people gathered to witness the execution of the villainess, Denallie Nayanika Isvara. Accused of attempted murder of the Crown Princess of Mangata, Princess Tavisha Nirva Praya.
Three weeks in the dungeon, the villainess, remains graceful without any bruises. That's because the alleviation given by the Emperor considering the Isvara Family's service to the Mangata Empire.
Denallie Nayanika Isvara, the Rose of War. She was also known as the Sword of Isvara. Her achievements were known to all the people of the empire, even to other kingdoms. But, all of those achievements were useless. When she returned with the triumph of the Great Three Continent War, she was told that her division would be executed because it was considered a threat to the empire. And unexpectedly, it was the Crown Princess's doing.
Filled with anger, she went to the Crown Princess's palace, the Amber Palace. She killed everything in her way, no matter whether it was servants, guards, or even maids. Arriving at the Crown Princess's room, she immediately raised her sword to cut off Tavisha's head. Fortunately, the Crown Prince and his guards arrived and thwarted the assassination attempt by Denallie.
Denallie was immediately given the death sentence for her crimes. Her family, and also her lover tried hard to defend her from being executed. Despite all those efforts, Denallie's death sentence was unavoidable. They were only able to free her division and alleviate Denallie's sentence while in the dungeon.
In the town square, Denallie knelt for the last time before the Emperor and the rest of the Imperial Family.
"Are there any final words from the accused?" said the executioner.
Denallie looked up at the Imperial Family. She opened her mouth to speak her final words.
"Cough...Glory to the Empire of Mangata. I, Denallie Nayanika Isvara, swear on the blood on my sword, on Isvara's name, if there is a time when I reincarnate, I will sacrifice my body and soul for this empire, and not for the Imperial Family. May the Imperial Family suffer more severely than me. Glory to Mangata" she said, smiling wholeheartedly.
"...Hurry and cut off this woman's head!" shouted the Emperor.
*(Slash)
....
"Stupid author. Why would they kill her like that? She did everything for the empire, yet they taint that achievement by doing something dumb like that. If it was me, I would make her use the power she hid from everyone and become the strongest. Oh! I will save the lover too. It's such a sad ending for their love. You got me, right?"
"Okay okay, I got it. You've been talking about that since we left the office. Anyway, why don't you tell me about your novel? Going somewhere?" asked Nies.
*(Gloom)
"Don't bring that up, please. The ideas are flowing like a flood, only to be stopped by my own writing skills. That's why I'm asking for a date with you now to help me!" I said, with a big smile.
"No wonder you're acting sweet before we clock off. Wait, it's a red light, Ard" said Nies.
As I turned off my phone, I heard someone whispering behind Nies. When I took a glance, I realized that person. He was the one who got rejected by Nies a few days ago. I was just about to ignore him before I saw the knife in his trembling hands. Without even knowing what might happen to myself, I hugged Nies and turned around.
"Nies?!"
*(Stab)
Nies who looked surprised immediately shouted at me.
"Hey! What the hell are you doi-?!!"
A terror filled her face whole. I don't even know what she's saying anymore. I felt a warm sensation on my chest. When I looked down, I finally realized it. Blood stained my suit.
"Well…see you later?...ugh"
"NO!!! ARDIANA!!!!!"
Although I don't really hate the life I lived until now, it really sucks I can't talk about Denallie again with Nies. She looked really sad before I left. Ah, I should've told her at least.
....
*(Gasp)
*(Startled)
"M-Miss Denallie!!" shouted someone.
An unfamiliar ceiling, a bit lavish to my taste. There's a smell of herbs around me. I can barely move. It's not muscle pain, but more like unfamiliarity with my own body. The person who shouted earlier helped me to sit.
"Ugh, my head's ringing like crazy. Am I in the hospital? No, the room is far too luxurious for a hospital" I asked.
A person who dressed like a maid from those common novels appeared. Possibly a higher person in hierarchy, considering the person next to me bowed to her. A head maid? Somehow the uniform looks familiar.
"I am really glad to see that Miss Denallie has woken up. When sparring with Dame Maya, her sword that was parried by Young Miss accidentally hit your head really hard. We immediately summoned the physician to help Miss Denallie. Is there any discomfort, Young Miss?" said the head maid.
"N-no, it's good. I just want to ask abo-?!"
*(Sting)
"Miss Denallie?!"
A sharp pain suddenly pierced my brain. Memories flooded my brain endlessly. I'm assuming it was Denallie's and mine fusing into one. No wonder it hurts like hell. Only after a few minutes that the pain subsided, along with my consciousness fading. Drowning the cry from the servants around me.
...
A few hours later, I finally opened my eyes once again. The moon is already up there. No, it's more like the moons are already up there. Just like what was described by the author, this world has two moons orbiting this planet.
Feeling that my soul was already accustomed to this body, I tried to stand up.
*(Stand)
A tidy room, with minimal personal belongings. Not even living beings like plants exist in this room. It matched the owner's situation perfectly if I am really that person.
A lone mirror placed on the corner of the room, showing that the owner rarely cares about her appearance. I walked up to it and moved it so it got a better view with the moonlight. The figure finally comes out of the mirror reflecting myself.
"A hair blessed by the sun, yet filled with darkness. A handsome face, some scorned for being unbefitting of a woman. A mana full of dark attributes that somehow I was able to see. I really became Denallie, huh"
I gazed up at the twin moons, making sure once again. The knowledge I possessed might come in handy if I want to avoid that stupid ending. But, it would be naive thinking that everything will follow the novel's plot. Since, the plot already changed the moment I became Denallie.
"Still, it should be good to write down the important things from the novel. A background story, events, characters, even culture shifts. Maybe not everything will be the exact same, but at least it can be a useful guide for me"
But, writing it in some diary may expose the contents if somehow a stranger opened the book. I should hold onto this information until I find a secure way to store it.
...
Using the excuse to recuperate, two weeks went by in this world. Magic, sword arts, and even my physical capabilities as Denallie is terrifyingly incredible. Relearning all of that only took this much time. No wonder she's feared among the knights.
*(Open)
A maid with a crate of my breakfast finally came in.
"Good morning, Miss. Did you have a good sleep?" asked the maid.
"Good morning. I slept well last night" I said.
*(Thud)
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"M-Miss answered me?! A-are you hurt anywhere, Miss?! Let me c-check your body!" said the maid while rushed to check my body.
Denallie…
I know that you're quite cold to the maids, but at least answer their greetings. Now that I think about it, there's one magic that I haven't tried according to Denallie's diary.
*(Pull)
I then pulled her arm and made her sit on my bed. I lifted her chin to face me.
"I was hurt a little before. But, I wonder what makes the pain go away, hm?" I said while looking straight to her eyes.
*(Blush)
*(Look away)
"M-M-Miss Denallie?! Y-y-you were hurt before? L-let me call the physician right away!" said the maid struggling to leave.
*(Flick)
As I flicked my finger, a bubble wrapped the maid instantly. Inside there the maid enjoyed being 'eaten' by Denallie. Well, it's just an illusion. But, what happened inside the illusion still counts as a memory.
"A Memory Gem, huh? Extracting a memory and condensing it into a gem and absorbing the mana inside. A clever, yet harmless way to gain power. Since it's an illusion, the brain won't count what happened as memory. So she extracted those 'supposed' memory without harming them"
Is this your way to avoid using the dark mana, Denallie? Don't worry, I will combine these two powers without fail.
Oh, I forgot, there is no rule that forbids same sex relationships. It even mentioned in the novel that every maids in the duchy fell in love with the Lady of House Isvara, Denallie Nayanika Isvara. Even when they were about to be rewarded by Denallie, they only asked to spend some time alone with her.
Denallie, who loves her maids, wouldn't refuse any of their requests as her thanks for taking care of her. They asked to take a walk together, have lunch, tea, even sparring with her. There's a reason the maids followed Denallie despite the reputation she gained outside the duchy.
...
An hour later...
Powerful as it is, this method is really draining my stamina like crazy. Though, it's worth it since I gained a lot of mana just from this small gem. Once the absorption is done, the bubble popped and the maid never remembered anything that just happened. To her, it's only like dozing off in the middle of the conversation.
"Thank you for the breakfast. You can leave it there. Oh, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Miss"
"What year is it?" I asked.
No calendar or anything that shows a date in this room really bothers me. It's like time itself doesn't matter to Denallie. Is it around this age that Denallie lives only to see the next day?
"It's Imperial Year 971st, Miss" she answered.
Twelve years before my execution. That's a lot of time to refine my power and set up the stage. I should avoid anything troublesome while I'm still this weak.
"Thank you"
*(Startled)
"N-no, Miss. You don't need to thank me" said the maid.
I knew the reason, but it's interesting to hear it straight from them.
"Why were you so surprised when I answered your greeting?" I asked.
"U-um, please forgive me if it sounds rude to you, Miss Denallie. Before, Miss never answered our greetings, and only talked about our rewards. But today, you answered it and even smiled a lot" she said.
Denallie…
"F-f-forgive me, Miss" she said while bowing her head deeply.
*(Approach)
"It's okay. Now, I need some time alone. Tell the chef I liked today's breakfast, okay?" I said, tidying up the maid's uniform.
*(Blush)
"U-understood, Miss Denallie!" said the maid.
Damn…I unconsciously did it again. Even though Nies warned me every time.
"Let's try to control the mana again before starting my day"
Without my knowledge, a new rumor about Denallie around the mansion started to spread that day.
~~~ Page 1 ~~~