Reborn?

I am Emerald Hazelwood, the only daughter of the Hazelwood family. I have one big brother, Albert Hazelwood, who works as a commander in the royal palace.

August 3rd, 2023... It was when my wedding with the third prince took place. I guess I was the only one who was excited about the wedding. I was 24 years old and I was offered to marry the third Prince, Harvey Hernandez. I was given the option to reject the proposal but I accepted it because I did not dare to turn down the king's offer. It was a loveless marriage. I mean, what did I expect?

For one whole year of our marriage, we had never spent a night together nor had a proper meal together. From what I remember, even though they had different mothers, Harvey loves and respects Philip as if he was his brother from the same mother. I believed this is why he show no interest in me, the reason for his beloved brother's death.

One year after our marriage I found out that Harvey was having a child with another woman. This news put me in so much pain and grievance that it led me to severe depression. I ended up passing away on the day he got married to another woman.

Somehow, a miracle happened and I was given a chance to go back 2 years before I married the prince. To be honest, it would be better if I can go back to 15 years ago instead of now.

I held out my left hand and looked at the bracelet that was made by Philip. A green gemstone which he said is representing me attached to the red string next to a blue gemstone which represents his birth month.

It was getting kind of old, but because it was the last thing he gave me so I kept wearing it until now.

Philip and I were very close. I often went to the events in the palace with my father when I was young since my father is working in the Royal palace too as the royal family doctor. That is how I met and get close to the Prince. Philip was 15 and I was 8 at that time. His mother was the concubine of King Ethan-king of the Eastern State, sadly she passed away after giving birth to Prince Philip.

I remember him being the most kind-hearted person I had ever know. I still remember his blonde silky hair, his cheerful expression, his fair skin, his tall figure which was taller than kids his age, his tall nose, and his thin lips which always smile brightly.

The tragic incident occurred while we were playing by the river at the back of the palace, I tripped and fell into the water. Philip jumped in to save me from drowning but ended up drowning himself. I remember that day vividly. I thought I will receive punishment from the king, but he did not punish me and also promise that no one will know about this matter. So the cause of death of the second prince was announced to be cancer instead of drowning which brought so many questions to me.

Although I was very young back then, I felt ashamed that after the funeral of the second prince I do not dare to step my foot inside the palace again.

I facepalm myself in exhaustion trying to shake off the dream from my head, then I go lay down on my bed to get some sleep before the sun comes up.

Morning comes, the beam light shined through the window into my room. I got up and went to the window to shove the white see-through curtain to the side. It wasn't snowing anymore, but it sure left its trace. The ground and trees are all covered by white snow.

I remember I own a flower shop as of now that I haven't married the third prince yet. After I washed up, I spent a few minutes deciding what to wear. I came to my final decision and chose a white blouse and blue skinny jeans. Because It's freezing outside I put on my brown Jaket to keep myself warm. I braided my long brown hair and placed it to the side of my shoulder.

I went down to the kitchen to have breakfast with my family. There I saw my mom busy cooking something while my dad and my brother are busy with their tablets. Normally my dad and my eldest brother wouldn't have time to have a nice meal with us because they both work in the royal palace, but since it's Christmas and they were granted a day off.

"Emmy, you don't look good, did you get enough sleep last night?" Asked my dad, as soon as I sat down at the table. His face showed his sincerity and worries not much different from my brother's as they both looked at me.

"Just having a bad dream ​​​​as usual, please don't worry" I gave them a smile to rest assured that It was not the first time I encountered this matter.

"Nightmare again? Oh dear, why do you have to suffer like this?" my mom joined the conversation as she placed the toast on the table. She wasn't just speaking but she also hugged me from behind and kissed the back of my head.

Gosh, how long has it been since I last felt like this? The warm hug and kiss from my mom, the worrying look from dad and Albert. I truly miss this feeling.

"Spending time with everyone like this is enough for me to be at my finest, I miss spending time like this"

"Why do you speak out as if you were away from us for too long? Has your nightmare made you go insane?" Albert replied jokingly but ended up getting pinched by mom and I just laughed.

I took a few bites of the toast and bacon on my plates "Oh no the traffic will be very busy if I don't leave now" I grab my purse and a toast to put in my mouth as I rush outside.

"Hey, you just said you missed spending time with us and now you left us for your work just like that?" My brother shouted from the table. I couldn't reply because I still have the toast in my mouth so I just wave my hand as a farewell without looking at him.

"Drive safely honey, and don't be late for dinner this evening!" My dad walked after me to the door to send me off. I got in my car and drove off without forgetting to wave goodbye to my dad.

Some time pass

I finally got to my shop. I got out of the car looking at my biggest treasure. I miss it so much that I couldn't explain. With excitement, I unlocked the door and I felt a warm welcome from the flowered with its pleasant scents. I, then, started preparing the flower with the hope that there will be more customers than usual.

With luck on my side, I met my expectations. The shop was very crowded and almost all the flowers got sold out. It was a very exhausting day yet the happiest day I had so far.

"Welcome, how may I help y-"

I was about to greet a person who I thought to be my last customer for today but I stopped because I saw his face.

The gaze is colder than ice, the thick eyebrows, and long lashes. The tall pointed nose and the full lips. The dark brown hair and the perfect facial structure. It's him, Harvey Hernandez, the third Prince. I remember him as clearly as the day. Now it reminded me that the old day before I went back in time he also came here to purchase flowers too.

"Please, give me all the remaining lilies please, thank you" His raspy, cold voice sent me a chill down my spine.

"Please take a seat over there, and I will prepare the bouquet for you" I gestured my hand to the chair and then pick out some flowers.

He didn't say anything and just sat himself down on the chair at the corner of the shop.

Now that I look at him, he wore all black from head to toe. I wanted to ignore him, but because he only looked down all this time so I put my feeling aside and broke the silence between us.

"The person who will receive these flowers must cherish Lilies so much" my hand moved along as I spoke, grabbing each flower to put them together

"I hope she does" His reply made me regret my decision to speak because I felt like I only made the situation worsen.

"..."

"It's for my mom, her name is Lily and it is her death anniversary today" his voice became soft and he looked up my way. His dejected gaze caused me to feel guilty for trying to make conversation with him.

"I'm so sorry"

"No, don't be. It is not your fault." he looks down again but I can see him smile bitterly.

It went silent from there so I focus solely on finishing the bouquet.

"Here, sir, your bouquet is ready" I handed a big bouquet of many different color of lilies to him, "How much does this cost?"

"It's okay sir since you're my last customer for today I won't charge you anything, Merry Christmas"

"Thank you and Merry Christmas" he responded with a gentle smile I had never seen before and it has the potential to make my heart skip a beat.

He left. I stood there, stared at his back and my eyes follow him until his car departed away from my sight.

I remember before I went back in time, he also came to my shop on Christmas but we didn't talk. Is that why it feels different this time?

No, forget it. Let me just close my shop and go home, everyone must be waiting for me.

I prepare everything to its rightful place. I locked the door, got in my car, and make my way home without forgetting to drop by at the department store to get something for my parents and my brother.

As I got home, we all had a pleasant dinner together. I gave them my gift and they gave me mine.

I came out of my bathroom in my pajamas with a towel in my hands for drying my wet hair. I sat down on the floor in front of my mirror and got lost in my own thoughts.

It's okay. It's not like I will see him again I try to avoid him. I do not wish to ruin my life again by engaging with him. That's right I received overflowing love from my family and Philip sacrifice his life for me I have to protect my precious life. If there is any marriage proposal in the future from him I will just turn it down.

I know it sounds so bold of me but I feel better and lighter as if I put down most of the burdens on my chest.