I Choose The Heroine's Route

5 Fow Now, Endurance Is The Key

The sound of a slap resounded inside the room.

"You're late! Didn't I told you to always come immediately whenever I call for you?!" The Duchess – my mother, Oceana, exclaimed. She was glaring at me, and if looks could kill, I would already be dead. It's already the next day after I got reincarnated, the Duchess called for me and I went to her bedroom alone. Amy was worried, but I was able to convince her that I'll be fine.

"I apologize." I politely said, voice, monotone, and face, expressionless. I received another slap, because of the force and pain, I can't help but close my eyes for a moment.

Despite that, I kept my head up and straightened my posture again. Me and the original Aksia might have more similarities than I thought. We're both good at hiding our emotions, and while I'm not cold and stoic like her, I can pretend to be. In my past life, I was always told that I always look expressionless and intimidating, but that's only because I can't properly express my emotions.

"That's all you have to say?!" She shouted again. I receive a push that almost made me lost my balance.

"Please forgive me, mother. It is not my intention to make you wait." I said then looked down, my hands that I'm hiding at my back, are trembling. Not because of fear, but because I'm holding myself back from doing anything that I might regret.

My body was still aching from what she did last time and yet, she's back to abusing me again. But I guess this is much better than before, considering that she's only slapping and pushing me right now because last time, she kicked me until I was barely conscious while lying on the floor.

"Get out of here!" She gave me one final slap before ordering me to get out which I immediately obeyed.

On my way back to my room, I can't help but think about my family, the one when I was still called 'Shana'. I'm really lucky, unlike the Duke and Duchess, my family is supportive, kind, and loving. Although I sometimes fight with my little brother, I do miss him. I miss them.

I stopped in my tracks.

It's true that I don't regret wishing for this.

But I really do miss them. I wonder how did they react when they found out about my death? I'm truly selfish and horrible. But I'm sure that they'll be fine, I know they will be and all I could hope for is that they will live a happy life.

"My lady!" When I came to my room, Amy immediately checked me from head to toe then she gasps.

"Your lip is bleeding!" She said. I frowned and touch my lips, when I looked at my hands, there was indeed blood.

"I'll go get some ice and a towel!" Before I could say anything else, Amy was already gone. I decided to sit at a chair while waiting for her.

3 years, I have to endure everything for 3 more years. Right now, I'm still 15, and next year, an engagement proposal from the Crown Prince will come and I must do my best to reject it. Even though I did say that Aksia was given a choice about it, the Duke, Duchess, and everyone will still pressure me to accept it.

There's no way they will let an opportunity like that pass, specifically if it means having a bond with the royal family. Even if the tie that will connect them is a 'cursed' child.

When you think about it, it's weird for the Crown Prince to get engaged with me. After all, I was surrounded by bad rumors. I'm sure the royal family is also aware that I'm being ignored and abused by my own family. Amy said something about informing the others about my situation, but I doubt it would change anything.

Some are already aware of it, yet they still didn't do anything. The reason is simple; they don't want to offend the Duke. Besides, what benefits would they get for helping me? Nothing.

The royal family also doesn't meddle when it comes to things like this unless they will get something out of it.

The Duke and Duchess of Euridice only have 2 children, me and my younger brother, Hariz, who, according to my memory, has been working in the Castle for 3 years now. He rarely goes home. I'm older than him by 2 years, but although we're siblings, we're not really close with each other. In-game, Hariz doesn't care about Aksia at all. Like the Duke, he didn't do anything even when he knew that Aksia's being abused by their mother.

Unlike Aksia, Hariz inherited the Duke's earth magic and because of that, both mother and father dote on him.

Maybe the royal family wanted to have more power and connection. The Euridice family is known for their strong magic power, no matter what attribute it is, as long as they came from our family, it's bound to be strong – is what they said. Besides that, our family also has some military power. My father – the Duke, has been personally training some of the best knights.

So that made me the best candidate as the Crown Prince fiance.

"My lady, I'm back!" I looked up and saw Amy with a towel and a pack of ice. She went near me and put the pack of ice inside the towel. She handed it to me.

"Thank you." I murmured, I pressed it on my cheek and lip.

"Amy, no matter what happens, don't stop my mother, okay? Because I'll be fine." I seriously said and she immediately shakes her head.

"But lady Aksia, I can't just stand still and do nothing! What they're doing to you is wrong, I just can't accept it. If you want, I could go and inform the other about this already!" She said and I smiled a little.

"I appreciate your worry, but nothing will change even if we do that. They won't get anything even if they help me."

"But that's –!" She bit her bottom lip and looked down, "That's just unfair..."

Amy is really an airhead I guess, and she's a little naive. But I guess it's that part of her that saved Aksia.

"Don't worry, I promise that I'll be fine."

Compared to the feeling of emptiness, and the pain I felt when I was dying and bleeding on the cold ground, this is nothing. Now, my wish was granted. All I need to do is seized this opportunity.

I'll wait.

Patience is a virtue, those who wait will be rewarded.

And when the right time comes, I'll attack.