Chapter 4

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: Awakening Four Years in the Past

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“Hah!”

Leona bolted upright in bed, gasping for air as if a blocked airway had suddenly cleared.

“Hah... hah... hah...”

She breathed rapidly for a moment, dazed, greedily filling her lungs with air.

As her breathing gradually steadied, focus returned to her eyes.

Leona scanned her surroundings in the darkness.

It was a narrow room.

Moonlight filtering through a small window dimly outlined two beds and a wardrobe.

The space felt familiar, yet strangely alien, wrapping her in an eerie sensation.

Where am I?

Her mind felt foggy, like it was filled with smoke; her memories were hazy.

Leona shook her head and startled at the sight of someone lying on the bed opposite hers.

She froze rigidly for a moment before cautiously peering at the face in the moonlight.

A familiar face.

Who was it again?

Brown hair, a youthful face dotted with freckles.

“Mm...”

As if stirring in her sleep, the figure on the bed shifted, and Leona clamped both hands over her mouth to stifle a scream.

Miranda!

Memories flooded her mind like a torrent. Sensations and emotions tied to them surged in with furious intensity, swallowing her whole.

Leona curled up on the bed, groaning.

Visions of the Imperial Palace engulfed in massive flames flashed before her eyes. The sensation of a blade piercing her abdomen felt vividly real.

After convulsing for a long while, Leona finally regained her senses.

Blinking repeatedly, she thought.

Is this hell? Did I die and end up in hell?

But why here, of all places?

She glanced left and right, then at Miranda.

It was strange.

If that was truly Miranda over there, this couldn't be hell.

Such a kind girl would never end up in hell.

Then where the hell am I?

The same question circled back.

Fighting unease, Leona examined the room.

A rough door, low ceiling, plain, worn furniture without decoration. Dingy bedding, shabby nightclothes. The room chilled by midnight cold.

It was certain. This was the room she'd been assigned right after entering the palace at age sixteen.

Leona stared intently at Miranda.

That young woman was the Miranda from her past as well.

Leona recalled the Miranda from her memories.

Her face, ruined by torture.

Her body shuddered again.

Leona shook her head to drive away the memory.

She slowly slipped out of bed and stood on the floor.

The cold touching her bare soles cooled her mind a bit.

Leona crept quietly to Miranda's side.

Why is the past Miranda here?

Where... is this place?

I died!

Sudden fear welled up.

With a lost expression, Leona flailed about and slipped out of the room.

Before opening the door, she briefly feared another world might await outside, but fortunately, nothing like that happened.

A corridor stretched beyond. The outside matched her memory perfectly.

Whish—

Wind from afar fluttered the hem of Leona's thin nightgown.

Leona dashed forward barefoot on the cold stone floor, past the corridor, down the stairs, and straight out of the building.

It was the dead of night; all was silent.

Leona turned to look up at the building she'd exited.

A three-story stone structure stood there.

The residence for maids serving in the Imperial Palace. The Maid's Quarters.

Leona spun around, surveying her surroundings.

A peaceful scene utterly unlike her final memory.

Where did the fire go?

The screams and corpses everywhere? Where are they?

This place... this...

Dong—

A sudden sound made Leona jump.

Dong—

The sound came from nearby. It was someone marking the current hour.

Leona counted the tolls silently.

It rang five times and stopped.

She realized it was dawn, close to morning.

Soon, hurried footsteps and hushed voices approached.

The presence of maids preparing for the palace's morning.

Sounds of the living.

Leona cautiously pressed her palm to her chest.

Thump. Thump. Her heart was beating.

Am I... alive too?

As she pondered the answer, someone suddenly called out.

“Hey!”

Leona jumped in surprise.

The caller startled in turn.

“Why so jumpy? Anyway, out here at this hour in that getup? Forget the cold— what if the Servant Oversight Department catches you?”

A blonde maid in her mid-twenties.

A face she knew, but the name escaped her.

Seeing no response, the woman eyed her suspiciously.

“What, sleepwalking?”

“What time is it now?”

The abrupt question furrowed the blonde's brow.

“Huh?”

“I mean today—what year is it?”

“...It's Imperial Year 530.”

Leona's eyes widened hugely.

The woman, still doubting her state, wagged fingers in front of Leona's face.

“Still half-asleep? You okay?”

“Four years...”

“What?”

Leona spun and bolted away.

Ignoring the calls behind her, she ran blindly.

Toward that place.

Her mind fixed on one thought.

It's four years ago!

Leona, intimately familiar with the palace paths, guard posts, and shift changes, slipped through undetected to her destination.

Her body froze in the frigid dawn air, feet lacerated and bloody, but she didn't care.

The site of her final memory. She had to go there.

Eyes evading the sentries, Leona infiltrated the Crown Prince Palace.

Her goal: the center of the rear garden, beneath the ancient tree. Where she'd breathed her last, where she'd buried the Imperial Grandson.

Arriving beneath the massive tree, Leona dropped to the ground and clawed at the earth.

Panting raggedly, she scooped dirt frantically with bare hands.

“Hah... hah...”

I buried the Imperial Grandson here.

Right here!

But no trace emerged, however deeply she dug.

Of course not. This was four years ago.

Leona tore at her hair with both hands.

She doubted if all those memories were mere dreams.

But if they were just dreams, could she have infiltrated the Crown Prince Palace so easily?

The "her" of this time didn't even know where the doors were. Yet here she was, freely in the rear garden, relying solely on her memories.

“Not a dream...”

Absentmindedly touching her abdomen, Leona yanked up her nightgown.

“Ah...!”

A dark red scar marred her pale belly.

The mark of the blade that pierced her before death.

Proof she'd returned from the grave.

Leona traced the scar with trembling fingers.

The texture of newly healed flesh was rough and bumpy, like torn and reattached skin.

I've come back to life.

It sank in.

The memories weren't dreams. They'd all truly happened.

Then...

“Why. Why me?”

Why had she returned?

She rose weakly, gazing at the distant sky.

The sun rose vigorously, chasing away dawn.

Morning light bathed the palace in red.

To Leona's eyes, it looked like the palace aflame.

In four years, the Empire would fall.

A future of certain ruin awaited.

Flee? But to where?

Even escaping the palace now, she had nowhere to go.

Nor power to change the future.

She was just a maid.

Who would believe her warnings?

Helplessness and despair crushed her. She leaned against the tree trunk.

“Can I only watch...? Knowing everything...?”

As she lamented bitterly, faint footsteps approached.

Someone crushed leaves, heading this way.

A half-naked man in loose lower garments strode over, long black hair disheveled.

Leona's mouth fell open at the sight.

Steam rose from his thick, armor-like muscles, slick with sweat. Sun-bronzed skin bore countless scars.

He halted squarely before her.

Towering in height and build, Leona had to crane her neck.

He swept his mane-like hair behind his head.

Revealing striking green eyes.

Their gazes met; Leona's pupils quivered violently.

“C-Crown Prince...?”

The man frowned at her words.

He gazed down coldly, then smirked.

“Not officially enfeoffed yet, but it doesn't sound bad.”

“Ah...”

“Who are you? A maid of this palace?”

He scanned her with intrigued eyes.

Only then did Leona register her appearance.

In nightgown at dawn in the garden, hands and feet filthy with dirt, hair a wild mess. She looked deranged.

Leona dropped to her knees, prostrating.

“Th-this servant is... um, this servant...”

The man stepped past her, nudging the dug-up earth with his foot.

“Treasure buried here or something?”

“N-no, it's... um...”

Leona stammered. He waved dismissively, uninterested from the start.

“Enough. Return to your post.”

Leona peeked up cautiously.

A soft smile graced his lips, but his eyes held cold indifference.

Just like in her memories.

In her previous life—before death—Leona had always found him distant and unsettling.

Even amid the Empress's schemes shaking his position and threatening his life, he'd never lost his composure.

Recalling the Crown Prince of her past life, her gaze met his again.

Startled, Leona bowed her head hastily.

“This servant will withdraw.”

As she hesitantly rose and turned,

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

Leona whipped around, startled.

He stamped the ground warningly.

“Don't enter the garden on your own again.”

No reply; he glanced sharply.

The cold look snapped her alert. She bowed deeply, replying loudly.

“Yes. This servant will remember.”

“Mm. Go.”

“...Yes.”

Fleeing hastily, Leona glanced back.

Through the trees, the Crown Prince was visible, leaning against the ancient tree like a forest guardian.

In her past life, he was always there.

Amid the palace's intrigues and plots, he sat quietly in that spot.

That's why she'd buried the Imperial Grandson there.

Hoping he'd rest peacefully in a place touched by the Crown Prince's scent.

Leona pressed her reddening eyes, gazing once more.

Emotions swirled, indescribable.

In her past life, he was the enemy.

The Empress's foe, thus hers too.

A formidable opponent.

An exceptional Crown Prince of great talent. A great general on the battlefield.

Had the Empress not ousted him, the Empire...

Then it hit her.

Yes—the Crown Prince!

Protect the Crown Prince, and the Empire won't fall!

A ray of hope pierced her despair.

Protect him... then the Imperial Grandson survives too!

He can live! This time for sure!

Joy made her tremble.

Leona clutched her chest, steadying her ragged breath.

Protect the Crown Prince. Safeguard the Imperial Grandson!

With purpose and reason to live, her dull blue eyes sparkled with vitality.

This time... no life of regrets.

Not one of harming and taking, but protecting and nurturing.

Reflecting on her sin-stained past days, Leona vowed.

“Leona!”

Miranda called joyfully upon seeing Leona enter the room.

“Where've you been? Since morning.”

Miranda inspected Leona's attire up and down.

Leona had already tidied her hair into a bun and donned her maid uniform neatly.

“All set?”

Miranda opened the door and pushed Leona outside.

“Hurry. We'll be late for morning assembly.”

“Wait.”

Leona pulled a small velvet box from her pocket and tossed it on the bed.

Then exited with Miranda. Miranda asked worriedly.

“Okay to leave it like that? Your mother's keepsake, right?”

“Fine. It's empty.”

“Huh?”

Leona clamped her mouth shut and strode down the corridor.

Miranda hurried after her, afraid to lose her.

The two arrived at the wide open space in the Maid's Quarters' rear yard.

Dozens of probationary maids already formed neat ranks on the flagstone-paved area. Before the senior maids arrived, they whispered excitedly.

Leona and Miranda joined their group, standing side by side.

Miranda glanced around, whispering to Leona.

“Where do you think we'll be assigned? I'm so nervous. You?”

“Me too.”

Her calm voice betrayed no tension.

Miranda didn't notice, grasping Leona's hand reassuringly.

“You're a Lifetime Oath maid, so you'll get a good spot. Sigh... I'm the worry. Term maids like me usually go to tough, menial places... Ugh, just not the laundry, please.”

Miranda clasped her hands, praying.

Leona smiled faintly, murmuring softly.

“Don't worry. It'll all work out.”

Her words drowned in the surrounding chatter; Miranda didn't hear.

Senior maids soon appeared.

The yard fell silent.

A kindly white-haired old woman, supported by a senior maid, ascended the low platform before the ranks.

Curious glances exchanged among the probationaries at the unfamiliar figure.

Maid and attendant ranks were distinguished by vest colors.

Department chiefs wore orange vests, for example.

But the old woman's pale sky-blue vest was unknown to them, leaving her status a mystery.

Only Leona recognized her.

Unconsciously glancing at Miranda, then down, Leona averted her eyes.

“Pleased to meet you all. I am Odel, the Supreme Maid Chief, responsible for your oversight from now on.”

A brief stir at her identity.

The maid behind her glared, silencing the noise.

Excitement buzzed among the probationaries.

The Supreme Maid Chief! Commander of the vast palace's internal affairs.

With no Empress, she and the Supreme Servant Chief were the top authorities in palace internals.

“Ho ho ho... Surprised? Today is special—you complete probation and officially become maid officials, so I came myself. As you know, 'maid official' is an official imperial post. Our duty is serving the Imperial Family. Our master is the Imperial Family alone, so only they command us. Thus, even nobles and officials of high rank show us respect. Hold pride as palace members and bear immense responsibility...”

All listened eagerly, eyes sparkling—except Leona.

Leona sighed lightly, eyes downcast.

Odel appeared the world's kindest grandmother, but was stricter and more rigid on rules than anyone. Verbose too; once started, she could talk half a day.

Leona's legs already ached thinking of the long ceremony.

Ignoring Odel's speech, she recalled the morning.

Learning the date en route back from meeting the Crown Prince, Leona dressed and rushed out again upon returning.

'Today' marked two months since entering the palace and her official maid official appointment.

Probationary maids wore yellow sashes unlike formal ones.

A key ceremony step: receiving the white sash of full maid officials.

Called by name, each stepped forward for sash and maid token, engraved with department and name.

In her past life, Leona was assigned to the Ceremony Department.

She worked there months before bribing her way into the Emperor's Anu Palace.

This time, it had to differ.

To change the future, she must enter the Crown Prince Palace.

Her maid token was prepared, but pre-ceremony, options remained.

Having lived once, Leona knew all maid officials' names, roles, temperaments, factions, and rivalries intimately.

At dawn, clutching the sole jewel from home—her birth mother's necklace—she'd sneaked to the chief maid handling assignments.

“Probationary Maid Leona!”

“Yes!”

Daydreaming when called, Leona replied steadily and stepped forward.

Odel smiled on the platform; below, three maids awaited.

Center: Hanna, Ceremony Department chief in orange vest, mid-fifties.

Young maids flanked her, holding Leona's white sash and token.

Before Hanna, they handed over the items.

“Congratulations on becoming a maid official.”

“Thank you.”

Hanna nodded pleasedly.

In that instant, their eyes met meaningfully, unnoticed by others.

Leona returned with sash and token; Miranda stared blankly at hers.

Leona peeked at Miranda's, then checked her own.

Engraved:

[Leona. East Lake Court - Crown Prince Palace Chief Maid Department]

Rushed script, but Leona was satisfied.

First goal achieved.

Gazing east toward the Crown Prince Palace, she gripped the token tightly.

All probationaries received theirs; ceremony ended.

The yard erupted in chatter.

New maids clustered, examining tokens, sharing worries and excitement.

Senior maids from departments called their assignees.

Leona dragged dazed Miranda to the Crown Prince Palace's chief maid.

Only Leona and Miranda newly assigned there.

The chief maid curtly ordered them to pack and return.

Leona bowed politely, then pulled Miranda along.

En route to Maid's Quarters, Miranda snapped to.

“Wh-where are we going?”

“Didn't hear? Pack your things and come back.”

“Why pack?”

“Chief Maids reside and eat in their palace.”

Palace maids typically belonged to departments by duty.

Separately, 'Chief Maids' attached directly to palaces like rear palaces, Crown Prince's, or princes', assisting the master.

Due to duties, they lived in their assigned palace.

Thus, Leona and Miranda had to move from Maid's Quarters to Crown Prince Palace.

“Unbelievable. Me, in the Crown Prince Palace...”

Packing hurriedly, Miranda murmured dreamily.

Leona smiled calmly.

“And us both together! What luck! Right?”

Miranda grabbed Leona's hand, hopping excitedly.

Seeing her joy eased Leona's guilt slightly.

“Let's stick together till you leave the palace.”

“Yeah!”

Leona squeezed back, vowing inwardly.

This time, protect Miranda unharmed.

In her past life, Miranda suffered because of her.

Unintentionally entangled in Leona ousting the Supreme Maid Chief.

Term Maids could serve till thirty unless marrying.

Miranda, entering to fund siblings' studies, planned till twenty-five: retire with severance, return home, marry.

She'd often told Leona.

Yet in past life, at blooming eighteen, palace intrigue scarred her face.

By Leona's discovery, irreversible.

Leona ignored her conscience.

Blamed bad luck, freed imprisoned ex-friend with money out of old bonds.

Thought that sufficed.

Never heard of her after.

Whether she had her dreamed wedding... Leona would never know.

Bribing today, Leona requested Miranda join her in Crown Prince Palace.

Plan: keep first palace friend—kind, earnest, ever-losing—safe till her exit.

“Miranda. Done?”

“Yeah. Let's go!”

Packed, they hurried back to the chief maid.

She led them to Crown Prince Palace in East Lake Court.

The Hamel Empire's Imperial Palace divides into Outer Court and Inner Court.

Outer Court holds administrative palaces; Inner Court, Imperial Family residences.

Three palaces link from the main gate in Outer Court; Inner Court inward has Emperor's and Empress's Palaces.

Emperor's Anu Palace and Empress's Yora Palace center Inner Court front-back; east Inner Court is East Lake Court, west West Lake Court.

East Lake Court houses princes' and princesses' palaces; West Lake Court, Emperor's concubines'.

Thus, Attendant's Quarters and offices in East Lake Court; Maid's Quarters and offices in West Lake Court.

'East Lake Court' and 'West Lake Court' names from mythic lakes. Palace names tie to continental origin myths too.

Long ago, giants with four arms and stone-hard skin dwelt the continent.

Humans were their toys and food.

Giants hunted and ate humans for sport.

Humans cried to gods in agony.

The cry reached heaven; sky god chose one human guardian to save humanity.

God granted five valiant black lions and a white sword to cleave giant skin.

Guardian battled giants; shamans of powerful spells aided him.

Near a great lake, he fought 100 days.

On the 100th, gravely wounded, he neared death.

His beloved shaman enchanted the lake, dove in, sacrificing herself.

The lake turned red; black lions immersed guardian's body.

Soon, he revived, emerging.

Fresh fragrance emanated, spreading continent-wide.

Dead lands revived; giants weakened.

Fragrant guardian swung white sword.

Giants fell powerless.

Survivors fled northeast to icy lands.

Guardian erected sky-high ice walls, barring return.

Ice lands sealed ever since.

Descendants built palace at lake site, founding nation.

That nation: continent's sole empire, Hamel Empire, continental hegemon.

Early Emperors bore 'Guardian's Fragrance'.

Over generations, it faded; about a century ago, vanished from Imperial Family.

Proof of descent lingers only in palace names.

Emperor's palace 'Anu Palace' after guardian; Empress's 'Yora Palace' after shaman. Outer Court's three: Revival Palace, Black Lion Palace, White Sword Palace.