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Luna, an overworked Engineer, had an unfortunate end. Her spirit, feeling wronged, fights Death for a second chance in life. Death grants her the wish, but with a catch.
She gets to live a new life in a new w...
"What is the matter, my dear Lucreatia? Why the long face?" he asked, while he patted my hair.
I looked at him, realizing that if not for his rotten personality, he would have been quite a catch. Neat blond hair, a sharp face with soft edges, blue ocean eyes and a glow that oozed confidence. He wore a navy colour suit with white pants, and a golden pocket watch, the colours highlighting his unhuman perfection. It made him dreamy to any unsuspecting lady. Too perfect. Like a sculpture, a piece of art. He seemed so lovely and such a worried father, yet the knowledge of what he had done was too powerful for me to ignore.
To survive, however, I kept it away from my tongue. Or my thoughts, so I could sleep better with myself.
"Papa, I thought we were supposed to pass the day together..." I sniffed a little to add some feeling to it. "Now you want to get rid of me!"
I let out a sob, worrying the Duke. He was so flustered that he didn't know what to say, choosing to hand me his handkerchief instead.
The silence didn't last, and he talked while I cleaned my fake tears.
"My dear Lucreatia, my work, while important, it would bore a lady as yourself. Unfortunately, there is no one there who can play with you when I am not available. I only wanted you to have an enjoyable time... I didn't mean to get rid of you..."
Upon my insistence on staying by his side, he relented and talked about it no more. He talked, however, about my love for him. Sang it, to be more precise. How big it was and how it made him the happiest father in the world.
My soul puked during the rest of our journey.
Until the palace came into our view. Already from afar, one could see its greatness. I had never seen a palace so big and so grandiose. The walls that encircled it were marble, tall and imposing, while the gates were of pure gold. They were shaped like a great Sun with six rays that curved on themselves. And when they opened, they glided to the side, creating the illusion of a sunset.
The first building that greeted us was the Residence of the Emperor, the center of everything. It was a huge marble round building with a dome of a blinding gold, more powerful than any sun. We turned to the right, passing several smaller buildings of the same white with a splash of gold. Their lines were perfectly straight and hard. There were no other colours and there was nothing out of place.
It was striking. And boring after a while.
The Duke, being the prime minister himself, worked in the government's office, which was close to the Emperor's quarters. It was a series of buildings connected by gilded air bridges, forming a hexagon. The closest buildings to the government office were the utility houses and the Royal Academy, where the princes studied. I had to be careful to not step outside the premises or I could face undesired encounters.
During most of the morning, I stayed by the Duke's side. In the beginning, it was bearable, as he had meetings to attend. I was bored, but at least I didn't wish to puke all over his shiny shoes. All changed when I had the horrific lunch of hell with him. I never thought before that one person could be so full of another that time seemed to stop. The hour I spent with him was torturous, though, for many, it would have looked like we were a doting father and daughter pair. The aides who served him were all smiles and exalted expressions. I guessed, on normal days, the Duke was his cold and ruthless self. This side of him gave everyone a more breathable time.
Everyone except for my sad self...
When the Duke said he could take some time for an afternoon tea with me, I freaked out. Right there, I gave him a flimsy excuse and went to visit the garden just by the side of the building. It was nothing more than a big patch of green with some benches where people could catch some sun or read. Or just enjoy a breath of fresh air.
But at least I would be away from him, and my sanity kept.
The Duke, however, being the overprotective jerk he was, made an aide come with me. When I told him I wanted to be alone, the aide misinterpreted it as a sign that no one should use the garden and went off to warn people to leave the premises.
I watched him go, with the certainty that I would have to measure my words better next time.
A little time after, when I decided for a walk around, I heard a child's voice."So you are the famous Mountnero daughter... I thought you were supposed to be a beauty..." the voice chuckled mockingly.
I should have ignored it and gone my way, but I didn't.
Instead, as an idiot, I turned to where the voice was coming from. And I froze solid.
Black hair.
Olive skin.
Red blood eyes.
And a devilish smile.
I hated it...
But even more, I hated my unlucky ass.
I am so fucked up now...
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This chapter was reviewed to improve readability 2022-11-12.
Author's note:
What do you think about the chapter? And about Lulu's situation? Is she in trouble?
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