Renzille remained alone within the confines of her room, the only place in the mansion that she feels safe to be in.
By the time her coming-of-age ceremony had arrived, she had effectively locked herself away, choosing seclusion over participating in the festivity honoring her entry to society.
However, the day unfolded without Renzille's presence, the ceremony continuing without her expected attendance.
Members of the high society and distinguished guests gathered for the once in a lifetime occasion, their anticipation for Renzille's appearance clear with how early they had arrived in the mansion.
Unfortunately, her absence cast a noticeable shadow over the special event, leaving behind thoughts of disappointment and curiosity about her whereabouts because why would the third born of Count Thillion be absent on her own ceremony?
However, Renzille couldn't be bothered with all of that.
She had just found out that she went back in time— that mere fact taking priority over everything else.
Despite the fact that the day marked her coming-of-age ceremony– an occasion she had intended to avoid by intentionally locking herself away— her mind remained fixated on the seemingly impossible predicament she found herself in.
As the hours ticked by, Renzille's thoughts spiraled with questions, drowning out the world and even the importance of the event she had decided to skip entirely.
Renzille stood at the window, her gaze fixed upon the departing guests below, her expression distant and preoccupied.
Unconsciously, her hand shot up to her neck as the reality of her situation began to fully sink in.
With dread and disbelief coursing through her veins, Renzille wondered if the chilling memory of her father beheading her had been a premonition rather than a mere figment of her imagination..
But it felt so real. A voice echoed in the back of her mind, making anxiety grip her heart.
Her pulse quickened at the thought that the grim fate she had witnessed at what she thought was a dream that turned out to be her own reality— or in another word, life..
The life that was taken away from her by her father.
Renzille's face twisted into a scowl as she fully processed her thoughts.
She shook her head in disbelief, her expression hardening as she reflected about what had happened so far.
"So Celine had indeed lured and seduced my husband and lovers.. Father seemed to know about it, but he still chose to side with her instead of holding her accountable for her wrongdoing." Renzille murmured to herself, anger and disgust slowly filling her words.
The injustice of her situation fueled her rising irritation and she clenched her fists tightly as she continued to brood at the window before she let out a biting laugh, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"I've been granted another chance to change my fate." She muttered, a cold fire flickering in her eyes. "This time, I'll ensure that they all suffer the consequences of their actions."
Unfortunately, even though she wants to enact revenge immediately, she still feels cornered.
Fortunately though, she knew where she should start— so she rang the bell, summoning her maid, Sophia, who entered the room with a bright smile, her eyes filled with relief and joy at the sight of her awake.
"You summoned me, my lady?" She asked softly, her voice carrying a note of eagerness to serve.
Sophia is the maid that helped and cared for Renzille when she was unconscious so Renzille decided to ultimately trust the young woman.
She needs someone on her side anyway.
Renzille nodded, her gaze fixed upon the loyal servant. "Yes, but you have to come closer. I have a favor to ask of you."
Sophia did as she was told and went closer to Renzille, but she was suddenly interrupted when Renzille tossed the bell aside, its clattering sound breaking the silence in the room.
"Prepare my finest and most daring gown." Renzille commanded, her voice cold and lilt with eagerness. "I need to have a meeting with my father, but first, we must make haste. There is a place I must visit."
Sophia nodded, her body instinctively stiffening at the urgency in Renzille's voice.
Once Sophia was done with what Renzille told her to do, she quickly helped her mistress to change into the fine and daring attire, her movements decisive and efficient— her fingers working with precision as she made her mistress presentable, the most beautiful if she may add.
When Renzille emerged from her room, she made her way out of the mansion without sparing a thought for the guest who might have spotted her.
The sight of her hurrying down the stairs unceremoniously caught the attention of some of the lingering nobles, their eyes following her out of the door— their breath taken away by her otherworldly beauty.
Renzille simply ignored their prying gazes because her mind was solely focused on the place she must go to.
With hurried footsteps, Renzille strode toward the waiting carriage, its door held open by her loyal coachman, Jay— who served her even in her first life until he had to retire when she left for the war.
She truly felt grateful for his service and she will express this gratitude of hers later because she must not waste no time and immediately issued her command, her voice tinged with urgency.
"To the ceremony hall, Jay!" she barked, her eyes narrowed to show the man that she was in no mood to dilly-dally.
Jay, already accustomed to his lady's impulsiveness, nodded in acknowledgment.
"As you wish, milady." He said, his voice steady and composed as he gave her a slight bow before closing the carriage door, got back to his respective seat in front of the carriage and urged for the horses to move.
In the quiet walls of the carriage, Renzille sat restlessly, her thoughts spiraling as she considered her options.
Her fingers fidgeted absentmindedly with the fabric of her dress, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Should I choose Cross again or should I pick someone else this time?" she murmured to herself, her voice laced with uncertainty.
The future stretched before her like a roadmap with branching paths, leaving her grappling with the questions of which path she must commit to so she can take revenge and get her justice.
"If I pick Cross again.. I can toy with him, make him fall head over heels for me, and then cruelly crush his heart with a divorce— or maybe I can crush his heart by choosing someone else every night." She mused aloud, the plan taking shape in her mind.
However, the thought of choosing someone else was tempting, making her continue to mull over her choice, mumbling to herself in frustration.
"But what if I pick someone else?" She murmured, curiosity mingling with hesitation can be heard in her tone. "Won't it be better for me to choose someone else rather than choose Cross again?"
Renzille's thoughts remained tangled with one another as the carriage carried her to the ceremony hall.
This hall, an important presence in the lives of noble children, always held a ceremony at least once a week, ensuring a steady cycle of age milestones for the noble children that reached their adulting age.
Now, it was Renzille's turn, her coming of age bringing her to the very heart of that hall.
Every week, the hall witnessed the celebrations of noble children maturing into adulthood, and today, Renzille's presence added a new chapter to its never-ending book of history.
"I'm lost." Renzille grumbled as the carriage came to a halt. "Oh, no.. I'm already here.. But I haven't decided yet."
After a brief moment, the door swung open by Jay which allowed Renzille to step out into the ceremony hall, her gaze immediately sweeping across the surroundings, taking in the familiar sights and sounds that she once heard before.
The hall's interior was filled with obvious expensive furniture and splendid decorations.
Servants, personal knights, and nobles alike dotted the area, engaged in whispered conversations and polite smiles.
With Renzille stepping out of the wooden vehicle with the logo of house Thillion, the eyes of several guests turned to observe her arrival— each of them looking flabbergasted after another.
One question lingered in their minds: Why was the lady of this week's ceremony late?
Talk all you want. I don't care. Renzille disregarded the curious gazes directed at her, her focus fixed ahead of her as she made her way inside the hall.
Without sparing a word for her coachman or acknowledging the whispered murmurs that followed her, she maintained her composure and continued forward.
Ignoring the social cues and the protocol that typically demanded nobles some form of greeting or acknowledgment to be shown to their peers, Renzille's disregard on that matter only heightened the whispers that surrounded her.
Renzille walked down the hallway with a familiar feeling of anticipation and dread, her footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor of the building.
Her gaze fell on the knights stationed outside the door to the gathering room, her heart raced inside her chest, the rhythmic pounding serving as a reminder of how her life will change once she walks through that door.
The corridor that she previously walked on in her previous life now presented itself once more as Renzille moved closer to the room.
Beyond the heavy doors, Renzille could hear the soft murmurs of conversation while smelling the faint scent of expensive perfumes and distinct smells that belonged to beastmen which indicated that there were quite a lot of them gathered inside.
Renzille took a deep breath, her eyes fluttering for a brief moment before a determined expression settled upon her features.
The knights stationed outside the gathering room straightened their stances, acknowledging her presence and upon seeing the look on her face, they knew that she was ready to enter.
With them announcing her arrival to the assembled nobles and beastmen, silence settled in the room.
One of the knights spoke with a booming voice, alerting everyone. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the lady of the week— Lady Renzille Drayne Thillion of House Thillion!"