Chapter 1- The Second Chance Of Life

My chin was wet with sweat as I remembered my nightmare from the past. I was panting and catching my breath like I was physically running from that day. I always sleep to clear my mind, but these thoughts of mine plague it with events I've always wanted to forget.

I leap from the couch as I hear Mr. Falthrom's deafening call from our front porch. When I open the door, I see him with my cat, Calyx. Based on his expression, he is not pleased with my cat. I was afraid Calyx would destroy something valuable to Mr. Falthrom. It's unusual to see him upset with animals.

"Good morning, Mr. Falthrom; you're unusually early this morning; did my cat do something wrong?" He adjusts his monocle and carefully places Calyx on the floor. As he dusts his vest, some of Calyx's hair falls out. He lets out some air, and I can tell he's annoyed by the gesture. His arms were crossed as he was irritated with my cat.

"There's nothing good in the morning, Epiphany! I hope Calyx knows what kind of research I've been doing right now! He just broke my prototype equipment straight down to the floor!" He screamed, his face flushed.

Calyx caresses my feet as I look at him. As if nothing had happened, I hear him purring. This silly cat. I stare at Mr. Falthrom, waiting for my response. I immediately went to the cupboard under the kitchen sink and got my tools. "And what do you think you're doing, young lady?" he wonders as I walk straight out of my house.

"Fixing your problem, Mr. Falthrom, while you were blaming Calyx for destroying your prototype invention." He pretends to cough and points out my clothes. My eyes widened as I looked down. I almost forgot. I am in my sleepwear! Mr. Falthrom's eyes are blank as he judges my actions to be unladylike.

"In your sleepwear? Aren't you supposed to change into something more appropriate?" He asks, crossing his arms. I had forgotten. In this day and age, not acting like a lady is still frowned upon. But that isn't going to stop me from marching toward his house. When I opened the door, there was a pile of junk on the floor. I pulled out my tools and began repairing his equipment. He leans against the wall.

Mr. Falthrom exclaimed, "And what do you think you are doing? I tried to fix that earlier, but nothing happened!"

Seriously? What is wrong with this old-fashioned dude? Is he blind or what? It is simple to fix! I said, as the equipment started working again, "Mr. Falthrom? You only whine because of minor issues, and yet you can't fix your so-called prototype equipment." As soon as his eyes widened, I began to gather my tools. I leave him home alone, dumbfounded. For such a ridiculous issue, he disturbs my sleep. My sleepwear had become soiled just as I was about to fall asleep. I have to soak my sleepwear in chlorinated water to get rid of the stains, even though I'm too lazy to do it.

"How I wished Mr. Falthrom's invention could clean some clothes and dry them quickly,"I sighed.

A Magial Engineer for the Glaustein Empire, Mr. Falthrom. In Nakrias city, he is renowned for his bizarre inventions. His creation was powered by the mineral ore Magialine, which was discovered in the deep caves of Ilira town. Despite being twenty-eight years old, Mr. Falthrom was so outdated that I always referred to him as an old man. He tries many inventions, but some of it end up blowing up. He wears a fine bronze monocle, a coat that resembles a hooligan's brown leather jacket, and curly black hair that is covered in silvery ash.

However, I can't help but be envious of his copper-colored eyes and smooth, radiant skin. Given how hot the weather is right now, I made the decision to take a bath. Due to a lack of water, the roses in the garden begin to wilt. From what I heard, this country is very different. The country of Glaustein was rumored to be beautiful because of its landscape. However, all I can make out are dead plants and a suffocating haze left over from the epic conflict between the three Asulia empires. Glaustein's breathtaking beauty was a thing of the past. It was no longer just "hearsay."

I took a quick look in the bathroom mirror at my face. I have light blue hair with a dark blue tip, which leads me to believe that I no longer exist as Serena. In a previous life, Serena was stupid for thinking that her absent-minded father would assist her in getting away from her stepmother's unfounded accusations. She died, and the news of her demise spread like wildfire.

I wonder what happened to the Zeprailles empire when I was put to death in my previous life as Serena. I enter the tub and begin exfoliating my skin with the bubble bath I purchased from the apothecary in Nakrias. Rose petals and a scent are present in the bubble bath. The city pharmacist claims that roses contain tannins, which are known to be antioxidants. I felt sleepy as I relished the tranquility of the bath, and my thoughts once more drifted to the depths of dreams.

It took place eighteen years ago. As the palace guards pursue me for my father's false accusations, King Cassius I of the Zeprailles empire. He believed I had poisoned Queen Restilia, my stepmother. She was a member of the Clateria family and the Eblein Archduke Clementine's daughter.

She spoke and behaved as though they had purchased the souls of the palace servants, which made me hate her right away. I always gave her a cold treatment for replacing my mother, the former empress, Queen Eleonor. I am aware that the queen despises me. She once gave one of her maids the order to poison my tea, but I switched our cups to save my life. My stepmother had already tried to kill me, but the false accusations made my father furious and broke his heart. I passed away at his hands. My soul fell into the depths of the dark. I keep pleading with the light in my prayers.

"Poor soul, a victim of a lie dressed as the truth," she said with calm.

Her voice sounded as if it were passing final judgment on those who must perish. I pleaded with her for my life. I beg for mercy for the poor souls who will suffer under my father's empire, saying, "I want to live! I want my father to know the truth!

She beams as if she has the power to grant wishes. She has a fairy-like beauty. Her skin tone resembled snow. Her eyes are radiant like the night when stars fill the sky. Her hair is as hopeful as a blue sky. She said, as I felt neutral to her words, "I'm not a genie or fairy to grant some wishes. I am Alethea, the observer of truth. If you wish to clear your name, you can't go back as Serena." I can't tell if she has bad intentions, so all I can do for the time being is trust her words.

Then, as my hope was fading, I asked her, "What should I do?"

Her soothing voice changed to an authoritative one as she touched my face. "You won't have any royal titles when you wake up, but what you do have is courage, intelligence, and moral principles. May your soul receive the justice you long for."

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the bathtub. I sighed and got out of the tub, rinsing myself off. "Alethea, I don't know how to start from nothing." I decided to wear a black dress with a crisscross pattern on the chest and a full back. I'm donning my two-inch black shoes and black high socks. All of my weapons are securely fastened to a belt that I wear around my waist.

I make the decision in my head as I move through the alleys of Glaustein to kill the vampires that threaten the nation: "I am not anymore Princess Serena of the Zeprailles Empire; I am Epiphany Saberblade, one of the witches of the Falcon Order!"