CHAPTER 1

"YOU WILL NEVER BECOME a part of this family!" I shuddered upon hearing my brother's painful words, a direct rejection of my own existence.

I've heard this before when I was still a child but hearing it again at this age hurts me more.

I staggered to my feet, swaying a little as I took a step back. Why didn't I realize this before? They've been treating me differently ever since I came into this house, like I'm some trash instead of a human.

Even the servants working here are treating me the same way, with disgust and hostility. And I've been wondering why they have come to hate me when I, as a child, only wanted to be loved.

Was it because of the 'common blood' flowing in me?

Right. I caught myself smiling as I stared down on the ground, the thoughts filling my head starting to make sense to me. Illegitimate children are unwanted children in this empire. But it's not like we begged to be brought upon this world.

If I had the choice, I would've chosen not to be born.

"Get out of my sight!" I heard his thunderous voice again, but this time, it didn't make me flinch.

Would it be fine to just die and disappear? My skills, talent, and power would be wasted, but who cares about that? My own family couldn't acknowledge me anyway.

The cold breeze sipped underneath my skin, and it made me feel calmer than ever. I've always liked this part of the garden, maybe it's because of the lake that reminded me of my mother.

Ah. My mother.

I turned my head to the lake beside us and it glistened as the ray of the sun hit its surface.

What if I drown myself in its majestic waters? It'd be wonderful to join my mother soon enough in the afterlife.

I could feel Caspian's gaze following me, then he scoffed. He must be thinking that I look stupid with how I am acting right now. But I ignored him. The self-loathing seeping under my skin distracted me.

My feet moved unconsciously, approaching the lake closer. I could no longer think rationally, and before I realized it, I felt my body moving on its own, a loud splash of water rang in my ears as I threw myself in the water.

The icy water hugged my body, as if it was welcoming me. Instead of struggling to escape my impending end, I chose to close my eyes, letting myself be taken to the deepest part of the lake. For some reason, having to die like this feels better than staying in that burdensome place.

I was sure that I had already lost consciousness as the events that happened in this life flashed right before me.

I've read in a book that you would experience a series of flashbacks that happened throughout your life before you completely succumb to your death.

It was sad having to watch my younger self beg restlessly for their affection and attention. This made me realize how pathetic and pitiful I looked back then. How regretful. I should've lived my life for myself instead of clinging onto their nonexistent love.

What intrigued me the most was the fact that I was able to see the events from my previous life. It was as if a seal connecting my past life and my present life was suddenly broken because of this tragic turn of events.

Ah. So, I was also a hardworking woman that no one loved.

"It's not yet your time, my lady." A familiar, soothing voice occupied my head, then a burning sensation soon enveloped me. The memories of my previous life soon disappeared as darkness swallowed me.

"You must return and live a life you won't regret." The same voice uttered and before I could respond, my eyes sprung open.

Huh?

I stared at the familiar ceiling of my bedroom. I could feel a faint stinging pain in my eyes. My head felt heavy, and my body was sore as I tried to move. The people that I didn't notice when I woke up soon went closer to my bed.

I looked at them in confusion: the new maidservant that was assigned to me a few days ago, the head butler, and the family physician.

I often got sick when I was still a child, yet no one—not even the head butler—would visit me to check on my health. So, what are they fussing about now?

"Lady Elisse!" It was my new maidservant, Marina, who spoke. "You're finally awake. We thought that we had lost you." She sounded worried just now. Are you trying to pretend as well, like what the other maids do?

"Don't move just yet, my lady. I will have to check on you first," the physician said as he went closer to check my pulse.

"I will inform the duke and the young masters. Please excuse me," the head butler announced then left my room.

I wonder what happened for them to act like this. I was only on the verge of death, it's not like I died, right? I couldn't hold back the amusement that I was feeling that I let out a soft chuckle, making Marina and the physician look at me weirdly.

Though, I wonder, why was I saved? I did find out that I didn't live long in my previous life. I was a businesswoman who enjoyed reading a lot of books. But because of a tragic incident, I lost my life without even having the chance to enjoy the life I worked hard for.

If it wasn't for that car crash, I wouldn't have ended up dying back then. But thinking of it more, dying back then was more reasonable since I was also caged in a family who was taking advantage of me.

How cruel. I didn't have a nice family in my previous life and even this life gave me a family who never wanted a child like me.

Well, if that's the case, then I should just do what I want. I couldn't enjoy life even before this one, so let's enjoy it this time.

"So, what does she need?" The positive energy that was starting to fill me up quickly vanished when I heard a familiar cold voice.

I pursed my lips as I threw a glance at them. My father and my brothers came, how unexpected. They don't even look worried. I bet they're just here to make sure that the illegitimate child living with them did not die in their estate.

Maybe if I tried killing myself in a different place, they wouldn't bother saving me.

"You seemed alright for someone who just came back to life." It was the first born, Eclipse. He was always cold to me.

Was I being obvious? Maybe my lips curved up unknowingly.

I bowed my head to them instead of answering them. Talking sense would only stress me out.

"Did you bite your tongue off when you drowned? You should be grateful that I saved you." That's the second child, Caspian, whom I was with before I drowned.

There's still that third son, Kaiser, but he's currently out at war.

Why should I be grateful to someone who saved me from my supposedly peaceful death? Oh, well. Let's just express gratitude. "Then thank you for saving me, young master," I said in a monotonous voice.

I'm not sure, but they looked surprised. Was it because I addressed him formally instead of calling him brother, like how I used to? But then again, they never liked it whenever I called them brother—or even father. They should get used to this formality from now on.

"I will now take a rest. Thank you for giving me a bit of your time, your grace, young masters." I tried to bow my head as humbly as I could before lying back on my bed.

I didn't bother looking back on them, I just covered myself with my blanket. I should take a lot of rest and eat something good, so I can get my energy back. I couldn't help but smile as I felt a refreshing energy flowing inside of me.

That must be my mana. I have managed to inherit their dark magic, and what's more to that is my ability to summon mystical creatures. I should practice wielding these gifts. I shouldn't fear anything anymore since I'm now planning to live a fulfilling life.

I could still hear their faint voices as they all left my room. And I was left to think of myself and my future.

I should think of a few more things that I could do, so I wouldn't be penniless in the future once they find their real youngest child. Or I should get out of here once I've reached the legal age of 18 and register in a guild.

I will get out of this empire as soon as I've accumulated enough money to support myself. I'm already 17, I only need a year to endure everything from this wretched household.