Chapter 2: Coming back to life

"Aah"

I woke up screaming. All I could see in front of my eyes was my bed, the bed I shared with Cassius after my marriage.

"I… definitely"

Died. I had died.

I could still remember the bleak blade touching my neck. It was a frightening and terrifying memory. I trembled without realizing, feeling the way my head was cut off. What was more was the feeling of fear. But how?

Was all that a dream,' I thought but the pain felt so real. And I could still feel the pain in my ear. My ear! My eyes widened when I touched my ear.

There was a scar, a cut mark at the same place where the blade has cut me in my dream. Then why was it here now? I was sure I never had any other incident to have a mark there.

Did that mean, I really had faced that catastrophe? But then how was I here. I remembered my last words. "If only I could have a second chance. I would make a new start. I would love and care for the child. And forgot about what couldn't be mine."

But what if all this is a dream, I touched the silk mattress, the touch definitely felt real. But for being more certain I pinched myself hard. "Aah". I felt the pain and the red mark formed on my fair skin. It was now certain that I am alive.

Does it mean that I got a second chance in my life? Had I come back after dying. But why, I wasn't a good or kind person.

I had done nothing worth praising in my whole life. I was only filled with greed, envy and hatred towards others.

Then how could a villain like me get a second chance? But if this is true, then I wouldn't remain a villain anymore. I would turn into my own knight this time.

And not only myself, but I would save Killian from doing crimes also. But how much time has passed since my marriage? Had I already committed my crimes?

I looked down at my body with confused eyes, trying to assess my current age.

"My lady, the duke has asked for your presence." Said the lady in waiting bowing her head.

Although her head was bowed, I could see the disgust in her eyes. It only means that I have started my acts. But how far had I gone?

And if God wanted to give me a second chance, then why not before marriage. I would have never fallen for that heartless man. I would have never married him.

And even if, the god wanted me to still marry him, then why not before I had committed all the crimes. Why was I back in between?

Now they have already started hating me. And there was suspicion in their eyes. That's so unfair with my second chance.' my reverie was broken by the lady in waiting.

"Apologies Duchess of Forchestiere empire, but Duke wouldn't prefer waiting much," said the lady still bowing to her.

"As if I care anymore" I mumbled to myself. If it had been past, I would have gone the moment I had heard it. But now I despised him.

All the hatred in my heart was developed because of that man. If only I hadn't loved him, I wouldn't have been this blind.

"I have just woken up, I want to take a bath first and then I will have breakfast. Only then I am free to meet someone. Ask Duke if he could wait, if not he could leave a message. And I will reply to him later." I replied touching my body.

I still wanted to feel my younger self. I have no interest in hearing his cruel words just after coming back to life.

My reply stunned the lady in waiting, she is the head maid of Duke, and everyone gave her due respect.

Even Marianne did, till yesterday. Then what happened? 'Had the women go crazier now? And since when did she deny meeting the Duke.'

'Normally she is the one who requests for a meeting every time. She just tries to find the reason for it. Then is she plotting something different this time?'

Finally, the lady stood straight and looked at the woman who is called their Duchess.

'She is looking the same but there is something different. The look of her eyes had changed. Or is it just her illusion?'

"Is there something else?" I asked to the lady who was still standing there like a statue. She is one of those people who despised me most.

She had never left a single chance in the past to tell the people around that I was not the real duchess, I was not lady Elizabeth, the mother of future Duke Killian.

In the past I let it pass and didn't blame this lady. Because I was filled with envy. My mind was blind to notice her tricks to make me furious every time I was around Cassius.

But I didn't care anymore. I didn't want to be Elizabeth anymore. "What is it?" I asked again to the stunned lady standing there.

"Nothing, it'[s nothing my lady" the lady in waiting replied bowing her head.

"Then, you may leave." I ordered her and she bowed one last time and turned back to leave.

"Ask Lina to come in when you go out." I Added stretching myself. In the past, I was even afraid of stretching my numb and sore muscles. Afraid that Cassius would think I was not like demure ladies.

"How ridiculous I was in the past" I chided myself looking around the room. Nothing has changed here.

{hey, readers, this is my new book under wpc#153. Hope you would like it.

Please do votes and comment. Add it to the library for further updates.}