My name was being called out by voices that were getting louder and louder. I closed my eyes simply because I was unable to endure it any longer.

I awoke in my bedroom in the ducal's estate.

My father, Elliot, Zian, Celeste, Shan, and Stella are all gathered in my room, and also they're all lying asleep.

"Stella..." I murmured as I gently stroked her right shoulder. She was peacefully asleep right beside me.

She blinked her eyes, astonished when she saw me obviously alive and well.

She shouts with delight, "Lady Eloise! You're awake!" then embraced me.

Stella's scream awoke Elliote as well, and he wipes his eyes and asks, "What are you babbling about? Eloise is still---"

He failed to continue with his statement mainly because he paused after he noticed me.

I merely gave him an informal glance since, at that particular moment, he tried to lock me in the bedroom.

Shan and Celeste leapt onto my mattress and greeted me, "Lady aunt."

Zian said with tears in her eyes, "Welcome back, lady Eloise, I'm ecstatic that you're okay. I really thought I'd lost you like my brother."

I simply laughed and caressed her on the top of her head.

"Eloise.."

Redness can be seen in Duke Gomez Ophelia's eyes as he looks at me. He seems to be sobbing endlessly.

"You've remained asleep for five days straight, m'lady, and Zian, Sam, and Raiden helped you to recover your consciousness," Stella explained.

"What happened to them?" I wonder.

"Malcolm had been turned over to the Western Empire, while the monarch ordered the death sentences for both Veronica and Sera for committing attempted murder, deceit, unauthorized possession of black magic, and mass slaughter."

"So, they deliberately murdered all of those kids who went missing..." I said.

"Indeed,"

"Lady aunt! Zian gifted me with a jewelry! Look!" Celeste flashes out a stunning ruby ring on her ring finger.

"Shan and I have become friends with her," she claimed.

"Lady aunt... I want to protect you... I wish to master how to operate any sort of weapon so I am able to defend those whom I value more than anything," Shan added as he tapped my hands.

"I am completely certain thou will be the most outstanding swordsman that will ever live throughout this kingdom in the foreseeable future," I replied as I patted his head.

"Do you really believe I can manage to pull things off?"

"I certainly do, Shan."

As soon as he heard those words, his smile brightened the day for me.

Days have whizzed by, and I am currently enjoying tea in the shade of the garden.

I've been waiting for Prince Severus to get here; today is the public execution of Sera and Veronica. It is scheduled to be held in the very center of the Empire for everyone to witness, even commoners.

I sipped the beverage while reading the latest edition of the newspaper.

The headline terrified everyone across the nation, they feared for their children's sake.

"Four years after her death, Thalia Ygritte resurrected in order to seek vengeance on the Lady from Ducal's State.

Reports of kids who had been missing for months proliferated across the Northern Empire, with eyewitness claiming that the youngsters were abducted by a huge serpent that left nothing behind after performing the heinous act.

Together with Veronica, a former servant who had served the ducal's state, a woman by the name of Sera—who was working for Thalia Ygritte—killed the kids and fed their souls to Thalia, a black magic practitioner. His Imperial Majesty declared that the two individuals were going to be decapitated for disregarding laws."

Perhaps it is preferable for all individuals to be knowledgeable of everything that is going on throughout the territory of the Northern Empire.

Stella says, "Lady Eloise, his highness is here."

I rose up and fixed my garment. Theodore bowed his head on me, and Severus presented me the bouquet of blooms.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," I answered.

"The vehicle awaits our arrival, shall we go?" he inquires, extending his hand to me.

I took hold of his hands and walked over to the spot where the carriage was waiting.

"How are you?" I inquire.

He simply grins at me, "I have been doing great for the last couple of days, lady Eloise, and today I have some good news for you," he says.

"What exactly is it?"

"Gabriel already gained his consciousness hours ago, and he immediately wrecked up the entire room shortly as he woke up, he began calling your name."

"Gabriel must be worried," I giggles, "I didn't anticipate that someone could survive after that strike, Gabriel's incredibly tough."

"He is. Anyway, is this an appropriate moment for me to ask if you'd prefer to be my girlfriend?" He abruptly stated, he's pretty excellent at articulating himself nowadays, but it's bizarre because he did it while maintaining a straight-faced expression.

I smile before I shook my head and stating, "I am afraid I cannot be the one who you will need for every aspect of your existence, your highness. I appreciate you and your efforts, I like you as well, your highness, but it would be preferable for us to set off as companions. I would rather not engage in to an intimacy for now, considering that we are still young and both of us still have plenty to learn and experience."

"I understand, lady Eloise, but I know that emotions won't go away as easily as that. Can I keep pursuing you until the time you're prepared to be in a relationship?" he stated as he kissed the back of my hand.

"I'll be thinking about it, your highness," I respond with a grin on my face.

As soon we finally arrived to the center of the kingdom, there were numerous aristocrats.

I am completely astounded by the sheer quantity of attendees who have come together to witness the execution. Sera and Veronica were both traipsing around with chains on both of their hands.

It brought back memories of the moment I was publicly put to death.

The armed men who were following them from behind lashed their backs, causing both of them to groan in anguish.

They were chained on a the Guillotine and the person performing the execution counted from one to three before releasing the rope.

Their heads have been cut off and their own blood flows throughout the ground.

I became aware that I had been weeping as I felt that my cheeks were moist.

I felt satisfied after seeing their final moments.

After the execution, the guards buried their bodies, and the aristocrats began to depart the area.

"Lady Eloise! I missed you!" Adelaide hugged me.

"It's been so long, Adelaide, are you feeling any better now?"

"I am, lady Eloise," Adelaide nods.

"Let's have an afternoon tea party later; I'll coordinate it with Princess Shae."

"That sounds good, lady Eloise, I'll be there!"

My brother and father approached me a minute later.

"I have to go; I'll see you later, lady Eloise!" Adelaide waved goodbye as she walked away.

"My apologies, Eloise, I let my guard down; I had no comprehension that I was being deceived during that moment." Elliote confessed.

"I understand, I have already forgave you," I explained.

My father immediately embraced me.

"I am delighted that you returned to us, daughter,"

I feel like weeping again because it appears that this is the very first time father has addressed me as his daughter.

He loosened his hug and grinned at me, saying, "We'll be waiting for you on the carriage."

My emotions couldn't take the delight I was experiencing today, I have no reason to return to my actual world; I have an entirely new family as well as individuals that I must protect.

"Master..."

My heart is beating more quickly than usual. The tone of that voice sounds similar to Gabriel's. I turned around and recognized him; he had gauze all over his body but didn't appear disturbed by them. He smiles as if we've met for the first time.

"I'm back, master," he muttered.

I ran towards him and hugged him. Seriously, I thought I was going to lose him.

He reciprocated my hug before Raiden tapped him on the shoulder.

"You need to rest because you're not completely recovered yet."

I stroke Gabriel on his head since he appears very annoyed and I do not want him to express his displeasure. He follows Raiden's words without saying anything; he probably realized by now that Raiden was the one who rescued him promptly as he lost consciousness back then.

Nonetheless, I'm pleased that I survived as the story's antagonist.

I extended my arm upwards. I believe it is appropriate for me to declare my victory and finally indicate that I have succeeded.

THE END.

__________________________________