Reborn as problematic Duke's daughter

March 25, 2018

Han Ji Eun walked down to the Mapo Bridge with heavy steps.

The purple bruises on her temples still ached even though she already taken a painkillers.

Her skirt was torn so badly and forced her to wear the sweatpants.

Her mother would scold her because they didn't have enough money to buy a new uniform.

Ji Eun was sure that her mother would also beat her with a cane.

His father also definitely wouldn't care about it.

He might be drunk somewhere or gambling or maybe both.

The handheld of the bridge shining because of the touch from her hand. Illuminate the words written there.

Do you remember what it felt to be in love?

The sun tomorrow will shine brighter.

The best things in your life are yet to come.

Don't you miss the taste of samgyetang?

The words seemed to be insulting her somehow. She hopes that someday someone will delete it.

Since earlier, something bitter pressed against her throat.

Her chest tightened as she struggled to hold back the tears.

No, you can't, she said to herself. Nothing will change even if I cry.

Her memories of school hurt her so much.

She knew that she was an ugly duckling.

And then everyday, everyone always calls her with dirty nicknames.

As if, they had the right to beat her on the grounds because they said that she gave them a sore eye.

The teachers at school also seemed to be closing their eyes. Even though they knew what was going on, they only assumed that it was just a prank and a normal activity for teenagers to do.

Being born into a poor family also adds to the array of her problems. She is very grateful just have something to eat every day. Even it's only just a bowl of rice.

Ji Eun even tries to apply somw part-time job, so that at least she can buy books. Reading books was the only consolation for her.

But with her overweight body and the dull face, even the restaurant did not want to recruit her because she was considered as slow and unattractive.

Was it I, who asked to be born like this?

Why isn't anything right happening in my life?

Ji Eun's steps grew heavier. What to do?

She didn't want to go home or waking up just to see tomorrow.

She wanted to run away.

But where?

Poor Ji Eun doesn't even have any close family friends or relatives.

At that moment, she turned her head down.

The dark sky was reflected on the surface of the Han River. The wave and depth seemed to calling to that girl.

Promising the calmness and comforting vibe for her..

I must be crazy!

But Ji Eun knows that she does.

This life had long drained her sanity.

She can't take it anymore. Even if there is happiness tomorrow, she doesn't care.

After all, there are still days when everyone will mock her, beat her or ignore her ..

Who is a crazy person who wants to wait for that happiness to come by itself?

Ten seconds later, Ji Eun climbed onto the trellis and jumped.

The river water was not as cold as she thought.

In fact, it feels warm and so calming.

Even though she started coughing because her lungs were getting in the water, but she didn't regret it at all.

The only thing that she regretting is maybe, maybe because she didn't do it sooner.

Seventeen years of futility.

Her consciousness began to disappear and a stinging sensation attacked the throat, nose and even her head.

Then out of nowhere, a question emerged from her mind.

Is there someone attending my funeral?

"Are you awake?"

As soon as Ji Eun opened her eyes, she found herself sitting in a small room with dim light.

She felt confused.

Shouldn't I be dead already?

Did I fail?

An unhuman voice startled her, "You troublesome human! You are still seventeen years and choose to dive into the river?"

"Am I alive?" Ji Eun was shocked. She look around but found nothing. A thought about school and home began to loom over her.

Will I got beaten again?

"Of course no. You think everything is over when you die? You idiot!"

Then the creature showed its form. A big black cloud with two white dots as eyes.

Ji Eun gasped, "Who are you! Angel of death? Or god of heaven?"

"Neither of them. You've committed a grave sin, Han Ji Eun. Killing yourself still counts as a murder. You will be severely punished!"

Then suddenly the room turned into a volcanic crater. The chair she had been sitting on had turned into the edge of a ravine with lava flames licking underneath.

"Jump!"

"No! Please stop! I don't want to do it!"

The girl's sweat ran down her forehead. Either because of fear or the hot weather.

Beneath her feet, she could see a thousands or millions of people screaming and begging for her help. Their hands were trying to reach her.

She gulped when saw the sea of ​​fire have melted their bones.

Ji Eun didn't dare move.

Just an inch away, she could join them. She doesn't even dare to breathe.

"Please! I don't want to jump in there! Please, help me!"

The black cloud seemed to be turning over the paper he was holding.

Ji Eun saw something like a glint in the black cloud's white eyes.

Doesn't seem like a good sign..

"The reports of your old life are really lousy. Why do humans like to treat their peers like trash? Earth has become a place for crazy humans, indeed."

Then the crater of the mountain disappeared and Ji Eun returned to the previous room.

But the sudden change made the girl wary.

Maybe this is just another trick?

"Let's make a deal. You will be given one more chance. If it works, you don't need to return to the underworld and we will give you a chance to reincarnate. But if you fail, I can't help you."

Ji Eun forgot her fear and shouted, "Fine! I'll do whatever it is!"

The black cloud's glint began to soften.

"Good. You just have to live right this time."

The girl tilted her head, "Is that so?"

"Don't kill yourself again, okay?"

Ji Eun replied with a nod. Even though deep down, she felt unsure.

"Just remember about the river of fire in the underworld earlier. Everything will be all right."

The girl swallowed hard.

She didn't want to go back there.

The heat, the licking of flames, the screams of those people and also the mass of bodies which melting into mush.

"Alright. Han Ji Eun, with this try to live well."

But before she could answer, her vision blurred and everything turned dark.

***

"Good morning, Miss. Did you slept well last night?"

A young woman wearing a long black dress with a white apron greeted Ji Eun kindly.

"Who are you?"

Her eyes were widen, "You don't recognize me, Miss?"

Ji Eun's head shook her head. Then she just realized that the place to wake up from her slumber is very beautiful.

Her room resembled one of those the royal's bedroom she had seen on television.

Really luxurious and very spacious.

Dominated with elegant white color and the furniture is made of silver. Even the fluffy sleeping bed has a pastel colored netting curtain.

In all her life, she never imagined that she would wake up in a place like this.

But what surprised her even more was that her body felt light.

She is wearing a white pyjamas.

Her arms and legs were thin.

"Can you .. bring me a mirror, please?"

The servant studied her employer for a while before bringing a large mirror one meter high.

Ji Eun held her breath before look at it.

Since long time ago, mirrors were not her best friend.

Then when she saw how she looked in the mirror, she almost fainted.

Not because of ugliness.

In contrary, perfectly straight black waist length hair, pure white porcelain face, natural red lips and bright purple eyes.

Everyone will accept the fact that the girl in the mirror has an extraordinary beauty.

About a quarter of a second later, Ji Eun felt a terrible pain in her head. Memories of the real owner of the body suddenly filled her head.

Her name, her habit, her family. Everything was potrayed so clearly that Ji Eun felt like she was watching a movie.

"Miss, are you okay?"

The servant, who turned out to be Mary, looked worried.

"Please, get me a cup of hot tea, Mary." Ji Eun said as her headache subsided.

Oh no, that's not his name now.

This time, she is Cecilia Margareth Lancia.

The only daughter of Duke Armando Gustav Lancia and one of the candidates for crown princess in the Atrazal empire.

She almost 15 years old, but she already has a terrible reputation. Cecilia known of her bad temper and nasty traits.

Therefore, she has no friends and acts coldly to those around her, including the servants.

Duke Lancia himself was so busy that he only gave money in exchange for his absence.

'Even though you have everything, but why are you acting like this.'

It was then that the new Cecilia was determined to improve herself and her fate.

The thought of the river of fire made her shudder.

At least this time, she was determined not to make any more stupid mistakes.

Cecilia thought to herself, 'Where could I start from?'

"Miss, your schedule for today is tea party at Miss Silver's residence."

"Miss Silver? Oh, I know her." In her memory Miss Silver is Aileen Herrace Silver.

The eldest daughter of Count Silver who is also a candidate for the crown princess. Her relationship with Cecilia is not good.

However, it would be rude to cancel an invitation suddenly.

Cecilia didn't know why the real Cecilia would accept her invitation. Because today she just wanted to lie down all day.

"Would you like to take a shower now, miss?"

"Yes, please." She said while drinking her tea.

Mary nodded and said she would prepare warm water for her.

Cecilia closed her eyes and thought about what kind of attitude she should convey.

Should she be the usual Cecilia so that no one gets suspicious?

Or, is it okay to start being nice?

But she know that it won't be easy to do, since almost everyone hated her attitude.

"Ah, why do I already felt tired?"

"Miss, the water is ready. I will help you to take a bath."

Reflexively, Cecilia crossed her arms across her chest. "Not right now, Mary. Thank you."

Mary looked at her mistress with a full of amazement.

Not because she refused to be bathed, but the thank you which she heard for the first time in fifteen years.

This morning, her employer had not shouted angrily or smashed anything yet.

Even now, the usually harsh expression on her face looks so innocent and soften.

The servant's mind was filled with the questions about her employer's attitude.

It was, as if she turned into someone else.

Cecilia walked down to the stairs and Mary followed her.

After a long debate, the maid helped her dress including wearing a tight corset that pressed against her stomach and the waist. And her dress looks like pastry.

How can they treat humans like this? She asked to herself.

But when she saw her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't complain. Her body is in the perfect shape! Slender, slim and flawless.

Even so, there was a question that came to her mind.

Who is the lunatic who sets such a painful beauty standard?

Although Cecilia's old memories helped her to recognize every corner of the giant house, still she couldn't hide her admiration when she saw it in person.

Jeweled chandeliers, soft carpets along the corridors and stairs, glossy marble floors and a lot of paintings with high artistic value.

Cecilia wondered what happened to the real Cecilia. Was she also punished for a mistake that was considered fatal?

Did she replace Ji Eun?

But if Ji Eun died, wouldn't Cecilia's soul be stray?

There is a slight feeling of guilt.

As if she had stolen her place.

But quickly, those feeling vanished as she remembered the river of fire.

In all likelihood, the real Cecilia would get a second chance just like her.

"Miss, please have the salad,"

A male waiter delivered a small plate of lettuce and spinach which was drizzled with a little olive oil when she had just sat down.

Beside her, were several rows of knives, spoons and forks made of silver and sort into different sizes.

If she didn't have memories of the real Cecilia, she would have been confused.

After the salad was finished, the waiter handed her a plate of eggs, sausage and bacon.

The appearance is so tempting and appetizing.

But somehow, Cecilia remembered her breakfast from the past that she often missed.

Warm white rice with a bowl of vegetable soup and spicy pickled cucumber.

And for some reason, as soon as she put the sausage slice in her mouth, her eyes were blurry with tears.

No matter how busy her mother was, she still had a time to prepare food for her.

Even though, she has to eat all alone at the simple dining table.

Even though, her house smells like soju and cigarette's smoke, she missed her parents.

Just a little bit.

Although it just seventeen years of life is full of the sound of screaming, beating cane, or arguing between her parents.

Deep in her heart, she prayed that her father and mother would find happiness.

Maybe, her mother would filled the divorce form, which she always wanted. In order to be free from the temperamental drunken husband.

His father must have agreed it because he always wanted to live a life without his wife's scolding.

"Is something wrong, Miss?" Mary asked carefully.

The male servant looked scared and didn't dare to look up.

His hands were shaking.

"No. I just missed her. My mother."

That unexpected answer shocked everyone in the room, including Cecilia herself.

"Ah, sorry. I must be still half awake. Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."

This time the servants exchanged glances and sent out the same telepathic signal. Our lady said the word sorry twice in the same sentence!!

Cecilia's stomach was full after finishing her meal.

Either because of the corset or Cecilia's limited stomach capacity.

In her past life, she could eat up to five bowls of rice.

And it can get doubled if she is in the bad mood.

Of course her mother was angry when she notice her uncontrolled appetite. You will be a pig one day, she said at the time.

But now she is determined to maintain her health by adjusting her diet menu.

Cecilia also thought that she should get so much exercise to keep in shape. Now, this is her way of appreciating herself.

The things she can't do in the past.

The male servant, whom she just remembered as Thomas, put a plate of a slice of vanila cake with white cream and strawberry pieces for her dessert.

He also filled her glass with water.

Cecilia drank a little before eating the cake.

"Miss, what happened?" Mary handed her a white handkerchief.

It turned out that, without realizing it, her eyes were teary again!

Of course, it's not tears of sadness but the happiness because she can eat a cake without worry about the money. She did not expect that in this new life, she could eat and feel so many new things that she never experienced before.

This time, she really determined to live a good life.

Not entirely about the river of fire, but because of her gratitude for this second chance she was taking now.

"This is delicious. Can I speak to the chef?" Cecilia said as she finished her cake.

Thomas nodded and walked out of the room. Two minutes later he arrived with a fat man dressed in white and a red tie on his collar. He looks so nervous and his hands squeezed his white hat.

"You called me, miss?"

"Yes. I want to thank you for the dish you've served so far. It's so delicious!"

The cook, named Miguel, could not hide his surprise. His brown eyes widen and his eyebrows rose upward. His jaw was dropped.

Looks like he didn't expect this.

For him, everything was normal if his mistress to throw a plate to his face.

Cecilia then removed her amethyst brooch from her chest and attached it to Miguel's tie, who was still frozen in place.

"Thank you for your hardwork, Sir Miguel," Cecilia smiled and turned to leave the dining room.

Miguel turned his head to look at Thomas who looked just as confused as he is.

"Hey, what does that mean? Is she just fired me?"

"I don't know. Today, Young Miss looks so... different."

"I almost died when you said that Young Miss was looking for me." Miguel said with a sigh of relief.

"Be grateful because nobody get fired this morning."

***

The capital city of Handelburg is very beautiful. Victorian-style buildings neatly lined the road. The green trees add the coolness in the middle of this summer.

It was very different with her hometown back then. The sight was clearly visible from the horse carriage window.

Even so, Cecilia couldn't help feeling uneasy. She went back to biting her nails to divert her nervousness.

She said to herself that everything would be all right. But, it doesn't work.

Until her carriage arrived at the destination, Cecilia slumped back into her seat.

"I wish I could just disappear from this place. Ah, no!"

Her personal bodyguard, Theo Wallace, opened the door and reached his hand out to help Cecilia off the carriage.

"Thank you, Theo."

The bodyguard bowed slightly and did not answer anything.

Cecilia sighed again as she muttered, "Here goes nothing."