[ DISCONTINUED ] Reborn: Runaway Bride

Chapter 02: Reborn

Ai opened her eyes, squinting her eyes slightly to adjust to the brightness of her surroundings.

"Am I dead?...", she wondered, "Where am I?..."

A familiar wall with light blue lanterns decorated her room.

Wait, isn't this her room at the Shizuka?!

How did she end up here?!

Suddenly her room door opened and her handmaiden Kiya poked her head in. The moment Kiya's eyes landed on Ai, she smiled widely and exclaimed in relief.

"Miss Shizuka! You are awake! Lord Shizuka and young master had been worried sick since you fainted!"

Ai's pale golden eyes grew wide at the exclamation. Kiya looked younger than she last remembered. With her bouncy pigtails, Kiya seems to be in her teens, just like how Kiya was before Ai got married into Omaru household.

Wait, Kiya mentioned Papa and brother, does it mean they are alive? I must find them!

A very worried Ai immediately dashed out of her room to the general study, even though she was in the state of undress.

"Papa! Brother!", Ai burst open the study door and rushed forwards, immediately hugging the two figures in the study as tears streamed down her delicate face.

Ai's father and brother stood shocked as their eyes landed on Ai. The young miss of the Shizuka family was in her pyjamas and was bawling her eyes out as she hugged the two Shizuka men tightly. It was almost as if she was terrified of losing them into the thin air. Concerned, Hakura leaned down to face his very distressed daughter.

"What happened, little Ai? Did someone bully you?", Hakura asked softly, wiping away the tears of his young daughter.

"Ai, tell me who bullied you, brother will go settle with them!", Saito agreed, his eyes flashing with anger at whoever that bullied his baby sister.

Ai shook her head rapidly, her face turned into happiness as she took in the sight of her father and brother. She didn't know how this was possible and perhaps she was dreaming, hallucinating or perhaps she reunited with her family in the afterlife. But, all these did not matter to her. If it is a dream, she doesn't want to wake up. If it is an afterlife, she would hold onto them tightly. And if it is a second chance in life, well... she knew one thing for sure. She would treasure this chance greatly and would never allow any calamity to befall her family ever again. At all cost.

Hakura and Saito turned to look at each other, if anyone said they were shocked, that would be an understatement.

For a quiet child like Ai, the sight they saw was indeed a rare occasion. Ai, being a headstrong girl, had never once cried out since she was 3 years old. What could have made their little Ai be this emotional?

Nevertheless, Ai looked happy now and that is all that mattered to them. Yet their little family reunion didn't last long. A short while later, their servants announced that the Lord and Young Masters of Omaru household had arrived.

Hearing that, Ai froze as dreads started to fill her veins. She snapped her eyes towards the calendar that was hanging on the wall. Big bright letters that stated the current year and date stared eerily back at her.

Year 1576 April 23.
Exactly 6 years into the past.

Memories immediately flooded into her brain. She remembered now. Today was the day she met "him" for the very first time and today was also the day that marked the beginning of their downfall.

Looking at her surroundings and the turns of events that were taking place, Ai vaguely guessed that perhaps the time had rewound and she had been given another chance, a reborn.