Reborn

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“Hara… wake up…”

An unfamiliar voice pierced through the haze of Hara’s deep slumber.

She stirred but found herself engulfed in impenetrable darkness. Her body felt eerily cold and numb, as if she were suspended in some void.

“W-who are you?” Hara’s voice wavered, barely more than a whisper in the overwhelming silence.

She attempted to sit up, her movements slow and cumbersome. Despite her best efforts, the darkness remained a solid, impenetrable blanket.

The situation was absurd and illogical.

Yet, there was an undeniable, almost magnetic pull towards the voice.

“I’m a wandering spirit, and I’ve chosen you as my host. Coincidentally, my name is also Chihara. You can call me Rara.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

“You can’t refuse. The Universe has decreed that I inhabit your body. I’ve been waiting for centuries to be reborn. I can’t waste any more time. I must get my revenge!”

Hara’s heart pounded in her chest, confusion and dread mixing in equal measure.

“What about me?” she asked, her voice strained.

“You? You will remain here, trapped in this limbo. But don’t worry. After I awaken, I will ensure justice for your wrongful death. Consider it my repayment for sharing your body.”

Hara was stunned, her mind struggling to process the gravity of the situation.

“I... I’m dead?”

She reached back to touch the back of her head, and her fingers recoiled as they encountered something damp and sticky. The cold, dried blood on her hand was unmistakable.

Recalling Arabella’s betrayal, Hara clenched her fists, her eyes darkening with fury.

“I merely had a crush on your boyfriend... and... you killed me?” she scoffed, her voice filled with disbelief.

Rara’s laughter echoed eerily in the darkness. “You poor soul. You’ve truly encountered a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Enough reminiscing. I want to wake up now.”

“Wait!”

“Tch, what else do you want?”

“Please take care of my parents...”

“Fine, fine! Don’t make this awkward. We’ll share the body, but I will be in control. You can keep our memories.”

Rara opened her eyes to an unexpected sight—a man in a black hoodie hovered above her, his presence both mysterious and intimate.

No, wait.

He’s kissing her forehead!

‘Hara, quick! Slap me!’

<You idiot, wake up and slap him! Don't let him touch me!>

Yet, Rara found herself strangely enchanted.

His warm breath gently caressed her skin.

His scent was intoxicating, a mix of something earthy and wild that made her head spin. She wanted to stay close to him, bask in his presence.

Moreover, his soft lips on her forehead felt oddly comforting.

Suddenly, her heart began to race, a flush rising to her cheeks.

Maybe it’s because he has an alluring aura?

“Ahem!” she cleared her throat, trying to shake off the strange sensation.

She didn’t try to push him away or shout at him. His presence exuded a reassuring warmth that made her feel at ease, not threatened.

Without a word, he vanished in a blur, leaving her stunned.

Her mouth formed an O in shock, astonishment etched on her face.

‘Holy shit! Did you see that? What is he? Is he a vampire?’

<Stop cursing and wake up.>

‘No one can move that fast. This hoodie guy’s movements are straight out of a supernatural thriller.’

‘Is he supernatural?’

Shrugging off her bewilderment, Rara sat up, her mind racing through the events of the last few hours.

As she pieced together the fragments of Hara’s final moments, a bitter chuckle escaped her lips.

‘Say, Hara. Do you know anything about magic?’

<I don't do magic; I never believed in it.>

‘Tch! You’re no fun...’ Rara grumbled.

A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts.

“Come in.”

A woman in her 30s, dressed in a refined, pastel-colored gown, entered the room. Her demeanor was both gentle and authoritative.

“How are you feeling?” she asked with a soft, reassuring tone.

Rara touched the back of her head and frowned in confusion. Hara’s head had struck the ground with considerable force.

Wasn’t there supposed to be a visible bruise or blood?

Unsatisfied, she prodded her left ribs with her hand.

Strange. It doesn’t hurt.

Rara gave the woman a questioning look, seeking an explanation.

“You’re lucky to have a mate like him,” the woman said, her eyes shining with admiration.

“What do you mean?”

Rara raised her finger before the woman could answer. “Wait, how long has it been since I passed out?”

“Only three hours. It’s fortunate that the master found you outside the gate.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

So, the hooded figure is her savior, and she hasn’t even thanked him.

‘Hey, people outside are really heartless. They might watch a murder and do nothing.’

Hara remained silent.

“He’s the one who healed you,” the woman said softly.

“H-heal me?” Rara asked, bewildered.

The woman nodded.

‘But how is that possible?’

Her mind whirled with questions.

‘How can a person heal a dead person like me?’

‘What’s more astonishing is that I healed in only 3 hours!’

‘No way.’

<Isn’t this how it’s supposed to be? Wasn’t my body supposed to heal after being reborn?>

‘No. Usually, a reborn person still bears the marks of their previous injuries.’

‘Tch! How is that possible? He only kissed my forehead—’

<That’s my body!>

‘What do you know? Anyway, we don’t know if he did something else while we were asleep.’

<What do you mean?>

‘Perhaps he bit me on the neck and claimed me as his mate...’

<Ew! Ew! Ew! Stop thinking! I could see it! Pervert!>

“Can I go back now?” Rara asked after she snapped out of her daze.

“No one can leave before tomorrow,” the woman said with a sigh. She then ushered Rara toward a new destination. “Join the party now. It’s nearly time.”

“What time is it now?”

The woman glanced at her watch. “10 minutes before midnight. The dance, quick!”

She helped Rara freshen up her makeup and donned a new dress that looked almost identical to the previous one.

It was a pity that the exquisite gown given by the stranger had been torn and soiled.

“You’re pretty and smart. You’re a perfect match for the master.”

Rara choked on the compliment.

“So, what’s his name?”

“His name is Xav—okay, done!”

The woman helped Rara to her feet before pushing her out the door.

‘What the hell?’

Rara looked around, taking in the opulent surroundings of the castle gate. The grandeur of the architecture and the faint strains of music emanating from within made her heart race.

After standing in the dim light of the hallway, she gathered her courage and decided to join the Prince’s party.

It felt oddly solitary to go alone.

The gravity of the situation seemed to suck the air from her lungs.

Biting her lip, she took a deep breath, mustered her resolve, and walked through the grand entrance as the guard opened the door.

This time, Rara didn’t forget to present Hara’s invitation card, which was still tucked in her small, white pouch.

As she walked further into the ballroom, she noticed the myriad of stares from the crowd. The room was a dazzling display of luxury, with sparkling chandeliers casting a warm, golden light over the guests.

A girl in a blue waitress dress approached her and handed her a glass of deep red wine.

“Thank you.”

Rara took the glass, her fingers brushing against the cool, smooth surface. She gave a polite nod and a faint smile before the waitress slipped away into the crowd.

Rara moved towards the center of the grand ballroom, her eyes scanning the sea of elegantly dressed guests. The room was alive with the sounds of laughter, soft conversation, and the occasional clink of glasses.

<I’m curious about the Queen of the day, who must have been chosen by now.>

Her gaze darted around, and she was shocked to see the throne in the front was conspicuously empty!

A wave of anxiety washed over her as the crowd’s whispers grew louder, their eyes fixed on her with growing curiosity.

Rara took another sip of her wine, her nerves fraying as the room fell into an uneasy silence.

Suddenly, she felt something cold touch her lips. She lowered the glass, and the faint sound of metal clinking against the glass echoed through the ballroom.

Rara stared at the glass in disbelief.

‘Holy shit! It’s a ring! The Queen’s ring!’

<My god! You...you...how can you cause trouble the first time you're reborn?>

‘Don’t ask me! How would I know this creepy ring would choose me! It must be you!’

The crowd gasped, their murmurs escalating into a crescendo. Rara trembled slightly as the attention became overwhelming.

A tall figure emerged from the throng. With a graceful yet commanding presence, a large male hand reached out, retrieving the ring from the glass and sliding it onto her ring finger.

“My Queen.”

Rara froze, her breath catching in her throat as she looked up to see Prince Ariel standing before her.

‘My dear ancestor, bless me...’

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