Rewritten fate: The Duchess's last wish

I walked through the grand corridor, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the cold marble floors. The walls on either side were adorned with portraits, each one bearing the face of a hero. These were the generations of blessed individuals, their lineage stretching back a thousand years—from the ancestors who began it all to the current His Grace.

The paintings radiated power, each figure regal and resolute. They bore the marks of their blessings, symbols of the divine favor bestowed upon them. But behind their confident eyes and noble postures, I wondered if they ever felt the weight of the curse that lingered over their family.

A thousand years ago, humanity stood on the brink of extinction. A brutal war raged between humans and demons, and the frail human forces were no match for the overwhelming might of their enemies. Blood soaked the earth, and despair consumed the hearts of many. But even in their darkest hour, the survivors turned to the heavens, gathering in the Great Temple to pray.

They prayed with all their might, with unwavering faith, even as the demons closed in. They prayed not for themselves but for salvation—for hope, for a miracle.

And then, the miracle came.

Five individuals were blessed by the gods. Their bodies were imbued with divine power, their very beings transformed into something greater. They stood as humanity's last hope, chosen not for their strength or skill but for their unwavering faith. The gods spoke to them, commanding them to take an oath:

"We will protect this world, generation after generation.

We will bring peace and shield humanity from destruction.

We will never betray each other, no matter the cost.

We, the five heroes, will remain united for all eternity."

With this sacred vow, they became known as the Heroes. Together, they turned the tide of the war, defeating the demon forces and finally striking down the Demon King.

But in his final moments, the Demon King uttered a curse—a curse that would haunt their bloodlines for centuries to come:

"A crack will form within your unity.

Your descendants will betray each other.

They will turn against one another, and on that day, I will return.

I will rise again through your bloodline, and this world will fall once more."

The heroes, aware that the curse was inevitable, took deliberate steps to prepare for the day their unity would break and the world would face peril once more. To protect humanity, they forged the Solasterra Empire—a beacon of hope amidst uncertainty.

They founded five great houses, each governing a vital region, bound by the weight of an unbreakable oath passed down through generations. Together, they built a legacy to shield the world.

House Caelithar_

At the empire's luminous heart lay Auralis, the golden capital, where the throne of the Emperor of Solasterra commanded all. Elion Caelithar, the First Blessed of Light and Justice, had shaped his house into the empire's beacon, a symbol of unity and radiant authority. From the gilded halls of Auralis, the emperor's descendants ruled with wisdom bestowed by the gods, their light guiding the empire through shadow and strife. Auralis stood unyielding, its towers piercing the heavens, a reminder of the divine promise that held the realm together.

House Solandris_

To the east stretched the fertile plains of Aurathar, where the sun bathed the land in warmth and strength. Lysandra Solandris, the First Blessed of Sunlight and Courage, claimed the title of Duke of the East, a mantle carried by her heirs with unyielding resolve. The eastern lands, with their vast fields and fortified cities, were the cradle of the empire's might, their warriors standing as the first line of defense against any foe. The east burned with the unrelenting fire of the sun, a testament to the strength of House Solandris.

House Terravayne_

In the west, the mountains of Durnavale rose like sentinels, guarding the empire's wealth and sustenance. Thalienne Terravayne, the First Blessed of Earth and Resilience, became the Duchess of the West, her lineage tasked with nurturing the land and fortifying its defenses. Durnavale was the empire's backbone, its fertile valleys and rich mines sustaining its people and armies alike. Beneath the duchess's steady hand, the west thrived, its rugged beauty a reflection of the unbreakable spirit of House Terravayne.

House Astralyon_

To the north, the misty hills of Celestara whispered secrets of the cosmos, where knowledge and destiny intertwined. Lyrian Astralyon, the First Blessed of the Stars and Cosmic Wisdom, held the title of Duke of the North, guiding the empire with insights gleaned from the heavens. Celestara, a land of scholars and seers, was the empire's compass, its arcane towers and celestial observatories mapping the paths of fate. House Astralyon, ever-watchful, stood as the empire's visionary, steering Solasterra through the unknown.

House Lumireth_

To the south lay Elyndra, the sacred city of harmony, where the heart of divine worship beat. Aurithia Lumireth, the First Blessed of Divine Convergence, was crowned Duchess of the South, her lineage entrusted with preserving balance and peace. From Elyndra's sanctuaries, her descendants mediated between gods and mortals, ensuring the empire's unity endured even in times of discord. The south was a sanctuary of tranquility, its serene beauty reflecting the grace and compassion of House Lumireth.

"Elara, why are you standing there? Do you think His Grace has as much free time as you?" Lina's voice cut through the stillness.

"C-Coming."

I tore my eyes away from the portrait and stood in front of the office door. The sound of paper and pen scratching against the surface filled the air, the noise growing louder, almost suffocating in its familiarity.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. He sat at his desk, papers scattered around him. His face was as handsome as ever, his presence

commanding, even without a single word.

If I didn't know about blessed individuals and their age being frozen at 38, I might have thought he was some sort of vampire. His appearance never seemed to age.

"Greeting f-f-f-"

'I don't want to call him father. I knew I should greet him like a proper noble lady, but I can't bring myself to do it. The words felt foreign, heavy on my tongue.'

"What are you stammering about?" His voice broke through my thoughts.

"I-I am sorry," I stammered.

He didn't even look up, flipping the page of his document with an air of indifference.

"In three days, the third princess's debutante ball will take place. One of my daughters must represent our family. Lysara is confined to her room for two weeks after her disgrace at the tea party. You will go in her place. I'll have all the arrangements made and sent to you by today."

"Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity to attend the royal ball," I said, maintaining a neutral tone.

"You've never attended any social gathering before," he replied, his gaze still fixed on the documents before him. "Since this is your first, Tyrian will accompany you. Do not disappoint me."

"Yes, thank you," I said, keeping my face impassive.

He spoke to me without lifting his gaze, a behavior I had come to know all too well. It was the same as it had always been, just like the father in my previous life.

The last time I was in this room, after waking up, I was shaking uncontrollably, and he had called me pathetic.

"By the way, what's that scar on your hand?"

'Perfect'

umm....ummm....

"What's with the hesitation? Tell me," he demanded, his eyes finally meeting mine.

I bit my lip, pretending to feel sad, and quickly turned to leave the office, hoping to escape before he could speak again.

His fist slammed onto the desk in frustration. "Call Lina," he ordered coldly.

'Living here, I learned something important—I was merely a character in a story, compelled to tell the truth when asked. Even if I wanted to lie, something inside me pushed the truth out. My hesitation wasn't out of fear; it was the instinct to avoid revealing the truth about what I'd done on purpose. I ran because I was trying to hide that my actions were intentional.

The duke could not abide even the faintest blemish on his prized possessions—his beautiful dolls. To him, no mark, however trivial, was forgivable. Every imperfection was an affront to his ownership, and he would not tolerate anything that threatened the perfection he so meticulously controlled.