Chapter 003: A second chance

"Princess! Wake up!"

My eyes snapped open. Sunlight streamed through silk curtains, and I was lying in... a massive bed?

"Princess, you'll be late for breakfast. Your father is waiting."

Father? I sat up slowly, my head spinning. The last thing I remembered was Xavier's sword, the burning pain, and then... darkness.

But I wasn't dead. And this wasn't the servants' quarters.

I looked around the luxurious chamber, my hands trembling as I touched the silk nightgown I was wearing. A large mirror across the room showed my reflection - the same red hair, violet eyes, and porcelain skin. But instead of a maid's uniform, I was dressed like... royalty?

"Princess?"

I turned toward the voice and nearly fell off the bed. There, wearing a maid's uniform and looking concerned, was Kira.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" She asked, bowing slightly. "You look pale."

I couldn't breathe. Kira, the woman who had helped murder me , was now my maid? What kind of twisted game was this?

"I'm... fine," I managed to say. "Just a strange dream."

"Let me help you dress," she moved toward the wardrobe. "The delegation from the werewolf realm arrives today. You'll want to look your best when you meet your betrothed."

"My what?" I yelled.

"Prince Xavier, of course." Kira smiled, pulling out a beautiful gown. "Though I heard his father, King Franklin, will be accompanying him this time. Quite unusual for the Alpha King to make such a trip himself."

I gripped the bedsheets tightly. Xavier. Franklin. They were coming here. But everything was different...

The Moon Goddess had answered my prayer. She'd given me a second chance, but not in the way I'd expected.

I was no longer the helpless omega maid. I was the crown princess of the witch realm.

"Princess?" Kira's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "We really should hurry. The blue gown or the emerald one?"

I stared at the dresses she held up.

"The blue one," I said quietly.

"There," Kira stepped back after helping me dress and fixing my hair. "You look beautiful, Your Highness."

I studied my reflection. The elegant blue gown, fitted perfectly, everything about me screamed royalty. But inside, I still felt like that scared little maid.

"Shall we go? Your father doesn't like to be kept waiting."

I nodded, following her out of my chambers.

As the dining hall doors opened, my heart nearly stopped. A tall man with graying hair and kind eyes looked up from his breakfast.

"Ah, there's my little witch," he smiled warmly. "I was worried you'd sleep through the entire morning."

"Father," I whispered, the word feeling strange on my tongue.

He signal me to seat beside him. "Come, sit.

I settled into the chair, watching as servants, laid out plates of fresh fruit and pastries. My father reached out and squeezed my hand.

"Nervous about meeting your betrothed?" he asked.

"I..." What could I say? That I already knew Xavier? That in another life, he'd murdered me? "Yes, a little."

"Don't be. If that wolf prince isn't good enough for you, we'll call the whole thing off." He winked. "Though having the Alpha King himself accompany him is... interesting."

I nearly choked on my tea. "King Franklin is coming too?"

"Indeed. First time he's left his realm in decades." Father studied my face. "Are you sure you're feeling well? You seem very tired."

"Yes," I managed a smile. "When do they arrive?"

"This afternoon." He set down his fork. "Giselle, you know you can tell me if something's bothering you, right? You slept in your room throughout yesterday and you look..

“I’m fine dad,” I assured him.

"The delegation has arrived, Your Highness." Kira's voice interrupted my conversation with Father.

My heart pounded as I followed the guards to the grand entrance hall. I'd rehearsed this moment in my head all morning, but nothing prepared me for actually seeing them again.

Xavier entered first, just as handsome as I remembered, but his smile now made my stomach turn. He bowed deeply. "Princess Giselle."

I forced myself to curtsy, fighting back the urge to scream at him. "Prince Xavier."

Then *he* walked in.

King Franklin.

In my past life, I'd only glimpsed him from afar , But now...

His golden eyes locked with mine, and something electric shot through me.

"Princess." His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Your Majesty." I managed to keep my voice steady.

"I see the rumors of your beauty weren't exaggerated," he said, stepping closer.

Heat crept up my neck. What was happening? This wasn't the cold, distant king I remembered.

"Thank you," I whispered, unable to look away from his gaze.

Xavier cleared his throat. "Father, perhaps we should proceed with the formal introductions?"

"Of course." He finally broke our eye contact. "

Throughout the dinner, I could hardly focus on Xavier's attempts at conversation. My attention kept drifting to Franklin. Every time I looked up, his eyes were on me, making me nervous.

This wasn't how things happened in my past life. Franklin had never shown interest in anyone, let alone me. What had changed?

Later that evening, I decided to take some air to clear my head. Just as I was heading out, Kira stood beside me.

"Princess, would you like some company?" she asked softly. "It's getting dark."

Images flashed through my mind, the dark room, the betrayal. My hands started shaking.

"Get away from me!" I screamed, making her jump back.

Kira's eyes widened with hurt. "Princess, I-I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

Seeing her confused expression only made it worse.

"Just... just leave me alone," I managed to say, my voice trembling. "That's an order."

She bowed quickly and hurried away.

I ran to the gardens, desperate for fresh air.

"What am I supposed to do?" I whispered to the moon goddess sitting bedside a tree. “ How can I pretend everything's normal when every face reminds me of that night?"

"Talking to yourself, Princess?"

I jumped up at the sound of King Franklin's voice. He stood a few feet away smiling.

"I-I should go," I stammered, turning to leave.

"Stay." It wasn't a command, but something in his voice made me freeze. "Please."

When I didn't move, he walked closer. "I saw what happened with the maid earlier."

"Want to tell me why you reacted so strongly to her presence?”