Rising Queen: The Chronicles of Aubriana:

Chapter 1: The Burnout to Rebirth

"What do you mean I died because I overworked? Are you kidding me?" Michi snapped at the carefree deity before her. "And now you want me to be a queen? Oh, you've got to be kidding me! This can't be real."

Michi Tanaka had always been known for her dedication. Some people called it work ethic, but others might say obsession. Every day was the same for her — wake up before dawn, commute through Tokyo's relentless crowds, and sit at her desk, drowning in emails and reports until her eyes blurred. Lunch was often skipped, breaks were nonexistent, and by the time the sun set, she was still chained to her computer.

Michi wasn't just an employee; she was the glue holding her team together. At least, that's what she liked to tell herself as she worked past midnight. The truth, though? She was utterly exhausted. The only thing that kept her going was the belief that one day, it would all pay off.

But that day never came.

Late one Friday night, after a week of endless deadlines and meetings, Michi collapsed at her desk, fingers still resting on her keyboard. Her vision swirled, and in a moment of sheer disbelief, she whispered to herself, "Am I really dying from overwork?"

The last thing she remembered was the familiar hum of her office's fluorescent lights.

When Michi next opened her eyes, she found herself in a strange place. The dull gray tones of her office were gone, replaced by soft pink clouds and shimmering golden light. She blinked, expecting this to be a dream, but the sensations were all too real. She could feel the cool air, smell the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms, and hear the distant sound of a gentle breeze.

"Where... am I?" she mumbled, trying to stand, only to realize her body felt lighter, almost weightless.

"You're dead," came a cheerful voice from behind her.

Michi spun around and saw a tall figure lounging on a cloud as if it were the most comfortable armchair in the world. He had long silver hair that seemed to float around him, and his clothes were an odd mix of ancient robes and modern streetwear. A playful grin spread across his face as he sipped from a cup of tea.

"Excuse me?" Michi frowned, trying to comprehend the words.

"Dead," the man repeated, more nonchalant than anyone should be while breaking such news. "You worked yourself to death. It happens more often than you'd think."

Michi's mouth hung open as she tried to process this. "So, I'm dead? Just like that? I didn't even get to finish my presentation for the client."

The man chuckled, setting his tea aside. "I know, tragic, isn't it? But that's corporate life for you. Humans really need to learn how to take breaks." He hopped off the cloud and stretched. "But don't worry, I'm not here to judge you for your poor life decisions."

Michi narrowed her eyes. "Then what are you here for? And who are you?"

"Name's Zephyr, but you can think of me as a guide of sorts. I oversee the afterlife department for souls who've worked a bit too hard in life. You know, the ones who forget to have fun." He winked. "Now, here's the deal: you died, but I've got a proposition for you."

"A proposition?" Michi asked, incredulous. "What kind of afterlife is this? Shouldn't I be, I don't know, floating off into the light or something?"

"Sure, we could do the boring 'light at the end of the tunnel' thing," Zephyr said, waving his hand dismissively. "But where's the fun in that? You, my dear, are special. You've earned yourself a second chance."

Michi's brow furrowed. "A second chance?"

Zephyr nodded, his grin widening. "Yep! Reincarnation. You get to start over, but this time in a world a little less... stressful. No deadlines, no corporate hierarchy, and definitely no office politics. Instead, you'll be reborn as Aubriana, the first queen of a magical kingdom called Veloria."

Michi blinked in disbelief. "A queen? I don't know the first thing about being a queen. I'm barely holding it together as a mid-level manager."

Zephyr shrugged. "You'll figure it out. Think of it as a fun challenge. Plus, in Veloria, you'll have magic! Dragons! Adventure! Way more exciting than filling out TPS reports."

Michi stared at him, her mind racing. "Wait, you're serious? This isn't some weird afterlife dream?"

"Nope," Zephyr said, popping the 'p' sound. "Totally real. All you have to do is say yes, and I'll send you off to your new life. Think of it as a promotion, but with magic."

Michi hesitated. The idea of escaping her exhausting life was tempting, but stepping into the unknown? It was terrifying. She thought about her office, the endless emails, and the clients that would still be demanding her attention if she were alive. Then, she thought about how utterly drained she had felt in her final moments. Maybe this was her chance to live a life she could actually enjoy.

"Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "I'll do it. I'll be this queen... Aubriana. But if I hate it, I'm coming back to haunt you."

Zephyr clapped his hands together. "Excellent! You won't regret it. Now, just close your eyes, and when you wake up, you'll be the most powerful woman in Veloria."

Michi barely had time to process his words before a soft light enveloped her. Her body felt like it was being gently pulled away, and the last thing she heard was Zephyr's voice, playfully calling after her, "Good luck, Your Majesty!"

When Michi opened her eyes again, she was no longer surrounded by pink clouds or lazy deities. Instead, she found herself lying on a massive, luxurious bed in a grand room that looked like it came straight out of a fantasy novel. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and sunlight streamed in through tall windows, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floor.

She sat up slowly, her body feeling strange — lighter, more graceful. She looked down at her hands, and they were no longer the tired, calloused hands of an overworked office lady. They were delicate, smooth, and adorned with rings that glimmered with magic.

"What the...?"

Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, the door to her room burst open, and a young man in armor rushed in, bowing deeply. He had sharp features, dark hair, and an intense gaze that made Michi — no, Aubriana — feel a bit uneasy.

"Your Majesty," he said, his voice firm but respectful. "The council awaits your presence. The kingdom is in turmoil, and they need your guidance."

Aubriana blinked, still reeling from the shock. "Wait... I'm really a queen?"

The knight straightened, looking slightly confused but determined. "Yes, Your Majesty. You are Queen Aubriana, ruler of Veloria. And your people need you."

Aubriana stood up, her new gown flowing elegantly around her. She caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror — a young woman with long, flowing silver hair and piercing blue eyes stared back at her. She looked powerful, regal... but inside, Michi was still freaking out.

"Okay," she muttered to herself. "You've got this. Just... rule a kingdom. How hard can it be?"

As she followed the knight out of the room, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and terror. This was her new life — one filled with magic, dragons, and a kingdom in need of its queen.

She just hoped it wasn't more stressful than her old one.

As Aubriana is led to the royal council chamber, she overhears two advisors whispering about a prophecy — one that foretells the rise of a queen who will either save the kingdom or destroy it. But there's more: this prophecy involves not just ruling a kingdom but taming a dragon that will either become her greatest ally or her ultimate doom.

And with that, her new life as Queen Aubriana officially begins...