Chapter One

The sound of the cars crashing into each other was deafening. The broken glass shards were everywhere and I could barely feel a thing. My eyelids were getting heavier and my breath was raspier. There was blood everywhere.

The faint sound of voices surrounded me. People murmuring but none helped me like I was a lost cause.

Maybe I was.

I… want to live. I muttered those words with desperation. I wanted to live. I had so much to live for. I was only 24 years old. My novel just got published and my hard work had only started to pay off. I just started living my life. So why?

Why am I dying already?

I reached out the book from my bag. I was on my way home but I decided to stop by the local bookstore to buy my book. I heard it was trending so I wanted to check it out, then, before I knew it, I got caught in a car crash.

I’m dying. I was really dying. Fate was too cruel, it's so unfair.

Then it was nothing. The darkness surrounded me and I was certain I drew my last breath. But just then, something miraculous happened.

I woke up.

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The light hits my face just right waking me up on time. I gasped for air and felt as if my whole body was aching. It was strange because I felt like I… had forgotten something important but what was it? What was the dream I just had?

It was a complete blur.

My lady-in-waiting, Charlotte greeted me formally and kindly after three knocks on my door, “Good morning, Lady Ernaline Lockheart.”

There was it again. A sharp sting like I had forgotten something. That name sounded too familiar— well, it is my name but why does it feel like it isn’t?

“Are you okay, Lady Ernaline?”

“Charlotte.”

“Yes, my lady?”

I said softly as cold sweats ran down my forehead, “I felt like I died last night.”

“It must have been a bad dream. You had a fever last night, that's why.” Charlotte smiled, “You are perfectly safe here, my lady.”

"A fever?"

"Yes, everyone was so worried. It's fortunate that you are able to have a swift recovery overnight."

I knew I was perfectly fine but at the same time, it felt oddly too real. The death. I felt it all.

But Charlotte’s right. It must have been just some bad dream that I don’t remember. I shouldn’t worry about things like that. It was just a nightmare.

Besides, I had worse problems to think about. I have to attend the full moon ceremony later. Full moons are very important to royalties as the kingdom draws its power from it.

I covered my face with the thick blanket and mumble under my breath, "Must I wake up this early every day?"

"You are a Lady, my lady, a high status in the Lunaria Kingdom. It is your duty to attend such special events and meetings." Charlotte grabbed the blanket and pulled it away with brute force and a gentle smile, "Now, wake up or you're going to be late."

I groaned, "It's not like I'm going to do anything there."

"Still, you must attend to uphold the peace here in the Kingdom. Besides, I think the young Emperor will be visiting sometime soon, hence the preparation for his arrival."

I looked at her clueless. I had no idea who she was talking about. She looked at me like it was obvious and I should have known but I didn't.

“Oh come on, don’t act like that, the Emperor was your childhood friend, it would break his heart if you don’t remember him.” Charlotte chuckled, "Are you still broken hearted that he didn't write you back?"

“I don’t remember him though.”

“Emperor Cadmus Hunter? All you ever do is talk about him, my lady. How his platinum blonde hair falls perfectly in place or how his blue eyes shine brightly? You are in love with him. Desperately in love."

"You say like it's a bad--" I started but before I could finish, the realization had me zoning out.

As she said that, I dropped the teacup filled with chamomile tea to the ground and it shattered. The sound of the shattered glass was terrifyingly familiar. I immediately ran outside and saw the Kingdom. It was Lunaria Kingdom— it was everything I had imagined it to be! What the hell?

The ivy surrounded its pillars, the royal throne could be seen from a distance and the entire kingdom was alive. The green scenery was magnificent and the clear blue skies looked picture perfect.

Cadmus Hunter, I knew that name because he was the protagonist in the novel I wrote! I named him after my childhood crush! What the hell is happening? The realization struck me too hard and I fell to the ground.

That character— if he’s the protagonist then I must be—

I immediately left running as the anticipation struck me.

I really died. And now, I am here, in Lunaria Kingdom. A fictional best seller fantasy book that I wrote!

Wait a minute, so... I am… in my novel?! I am in the “Kingdom of Blood and Moon”! The novel I wrote and had published just weeks ago?

How could this be happening? Nothing is making sense at all! I pinched myself to try and wake up but there was nothing. I was still here! Charlotte ran after me and caught her breath before saying, “Lady Ernaline, how could you run off like that? What happened?”

“I…” That name. Ernaline Lockheart. That is who I am now but I… don’t remember anything about that character.

Cadmus Hunter is the male protagonist, in that case, who am I?

I immediately grabbed a shiny shield from the guards and looked at my reflection. Red hair and green eyes. As soon as I saw that, I immediately muttered, "Ah. I'm doomed."

The moment of realization sinks in. If I’m the character, Ernaline Lockheart, I am in deep trouble because I... was the Ernaline Lockheart, Erin was my nickname and the reason why I couldn't remember writing this character was because Erin died in the first five chapters of my book. Erin was a... side character who's going to die on her 18th birthday.

That death was significant because it was what got the story going.

Was I really reincarnated to die again? I chuckled dryly at the thought of it.