Chapter 5

Last year, out of pure jealousy, Evelyn broke my hairpin, the only keepsake my mother left me.

But she twisted the story, accusing me of smashing it to show off and humiliate her.

Back then, everyone looked at me the same way they did now.

I had tried to explain myself then, pleading my case like I was doing now.

In the end, they'd shut me away in the family chapel for three whole days.

Deep down, I was bone-tired, too drained to even fight back.

All I wanted was for it to end, and fast.

I shoved away the maid who tried to grab me, my eyes landing on the fruit knife lying on the table.

The blade was sharp, glinting coldly in the light.

That looked perfect for what I had in mind.

I rushed over and snatched it up.

Edward's eyes widened in panic. He tried to rush over, but his injured leg kept him rooted to the spot.

"Cecilia, what are you doing? Put the knife down!" he shouted.

But Evelyn latched onto his arm, putting on a terrified act as she cried out, "Be careful. Cecilia's lost her mind. She's out for blood."

Watching Evelyn's pathetic act, I grinned, blood staining my teeth. "Kill? Nope. I'm gonna apologize.

"Isn't this what you all wanted? My existence is a nuisance to you, isn't it?"

Alexander, Leonard, and Julian looked like I was some kind of monster. Without even glancing at them, I plunged the knife hard into my chest.

The chilling sound of the blade piercing flesh rang out in the quiet hall.

Everyone started screaming.

I let out a laugh, and tears slid down my cheeks.

"I'm paying with my life. Is that enough for you, Evelyn? Does this finally make you happy?

"You can have it all, the title of Crown Princess or the status of the Blair family's golden girl," I said.

Hot, sticky blood gushed out, soaking through the wedding gown I had been fitted for.

The dizzy rush from losing so much blood made it impossible to stay on my feet.

In the chaos of screams, my vision darkened. Still, I saw the stunned, terrified looks on Alexander, Leonard, and Julian's faces.

Julian's usual cold, untouchable mask was cracking wide open.

Edward lunged forward, ignoring his injured leg. He caught me as I fell, cradling my body in his arms.

"Fetch the physician!" he roared, his voice cracking with desperation. "Leonard, what are you standing there for? Save her."

Right before everything went dark, I heard the System's voice.

[Host, hang in there. Looks like you missed your heart this time. You're not gonna die from this.]

Fuck! Not even this can kill me? I was indestructible or something?

*****

The strong scent of herbs hit me as soon as I opened my eyes.

The familiar bed curtains came into view, but I knew this definitely wasn't my room. I was in Leonard's clinic.

Great, I still wasn't dead. Just my luck.

I was so irritated I almost wanted to hurl the medicine bowl in front of me.

I turned my head and met Alexander's bloodshot eyes.

This was the same general who could cut down enemies on the battlefield without blinking. Now, dark stubble shadowed his jaw, and he looked utterly exhausted.

The moment he saw me wake up, the panic in his eyes was instantly replaced by angry shame.

For the first time, his hoarse voice grated on my nerves.

"Cecilia," he said, "who taught you to make a scene with this suicide act to get attention?

"Are you trying to make the entire Betrico laugh at our family?

"If you really want to die, at least do it somewhere out of sight.

"You committed suicide in the main hall, then dragged Evelyn's name through the mud. How twisted you are."

This was my so-called elder brother, huh?

I nearly died, but all he gave a damn about was the Blair family's reputation and whether his darling Evelyn felt wronged.

My irritation grew. Then, I felt something hard poking at me from under my head.

I reached under the pillow and fished out a tattered good luck charm.

It was a clumsy little thing, strung on a frayed red cord, the gold thread on it already fading in spots.

When I was twelve, Leonard went off into the mountains to gather herbs and went missing. I was so worried I couldn't sleep for a whole week.

In the dead of winter, I climbed a thousand steps to the Sanctuary of the Holy Light to pray for a good luck charm.

My knees got frostbitten from that, and now they ached every time it rained or got cold.

When Leonard finally came back safe and sound, I was so happy I handed him the charm right away.

But the very next day, I saw that charm hanging around Evelyn's pet dog's neck.

Evelyn laughed and said, "Leonard said it was way too tacky to match his status.

"So it's right for Snowball to keep safe."

And somehow, that ugly charm was under my pillow now.