2. Memory Lane

As we continue to travel down the road during the night and leave the snowy mountains where my castle resides. I close my eyes to rest but never expect to recall Alice Von Rozen's memory.

Being an illegitimate of a duke and a lowly maid became a target of bullying and mistreatment. I never received the same treatment as my sister and older brother, Julian, who are both legitimate of the Duke and his wife, Lavender. I was treated below the social status of servants.

In this Alice's memories, she was weak and timid, easy to get picked on by others. The maids and servants around Rozen's estate treated her like an insect. Easily disgusted and hated, and easy to stomp on. The only person who treated her nicely was her grandfather, Cornelius Von Rozen.

A decorative war hero who fought during the war many years ago against the monsters. He was given the title of a duke after the war was over given by the king.

The Rozen family are a long lines of warriors, born to fight in the war and have solid military power. My father fought in the war, and my brother is already stationed at the barracks to fight the current chaos with the monsters on the other side of the country.

For the record, I did not release them to create havoc.

Or did I?

It's the reason why the king is wry about the Rozen family and tends not to anger them as the gods bless them to become this powerful even to take over the kingdom.

Cornelius was the only one who treated this body with love and affection to Alice, but after her death, Cornelius was devastated and went to seek out the truth. After five years of searching, he discovered I was alive and well, and invited me back for his sixty-nine birthday celebration.

At first, I was skeptical of going since I left when I was eighteen. It took me five years to rein my kingdom in the Dark Forest and Death Mountain. I took over Pandora Castle after my predecessor, Lady Octavia. And during those five years, I spent my time training my magic to its full content and even reigning over the monsters lurking in the area. I grew stronger each day but what made me stronger was when my hands were stained with blood. I hunted thugs, bandits, and dangerous creatures to increase my magic.

I became known as the Red Witch by the village living in near the Dark Forest.

"I am still worried that something will happen during your stay there," Zayn says as I open my eyes.

I sigh.

"Zayn, it's my dear grandfather's birthday. It's not polite to attend since it's been five years. He misses me dearly."

A cold and slithering black snake crawl around my arm to my hand as I reach to pet it. Nagini's tongue stuck out and scratched his long neck with a sharp fingernail. I cooed as he enjoyed my affection.

Ironically, I named him after a Harry Potter character, but he seemed to like it.

Plus, Nagini in the film was a girl, but my Nagini is a male and a familiar.

Once my magic grew stronger, Nagini appeared from my magic and took a form of a snake, a cunning and sneaky creature representing the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Another is that although they are considerably beautiful, getting close to one can cause destruction.

"But-"

"Zayn," cut him off and looked to the beast man-wolf as I pulled on a smile. Nagini slithers around my neck, carefully not to choke me. "I appreciate your concern, but it's been too long since I visited my parents. Plus, Mom would want to see me."

This body's mom died during childbirth, and to add to the insult of being the daughter of a lowly maid but also entitled to being a cursed child.

Everyone at the estate didn't want to look or talk to me. They think being close to me will give them a bad omen and the girl who killed her mother.

Damn, this body lived a pitiful life.

I had loving parents in my previous life, and they loved me equally. But this Alice had it hard. No one loved her and treated her disrespectfully for being a low-born.

People in Whithold know of this Alice's reputation. They didn't want to get close to her, or misfortune will rain upon them.

Pathetic.

Stupid.

And ridiculous.

"Miss Alice," Zayn reach for my hand, making me cringe suddenly, returning from my mind. "No matter what happens. I will kill anyone who insults you."

I smile and pet his head as his wolf ears and tail move excitedly.

"Thank you, Zayn."

It's going to take a whole night to reach Whithold. Five years I left home and went into hiding. Five years to go back to the people who wanted me gone.

Once leaving the snowy mountains, the carriage takes off to the clear and peaceful climate. I rest my chin on my hand as I glimpse the full moon above the night sky.

I recall both my previous life and this life. I have both memories, and to compare the difference between this Alice and me, we were both blinded by love.

Fell in love and was betrayed by the same man.

Although, the David in my previous life was nothing but a money grabber, sucking all my life earnings when he was lazy and inconsiderate. While David is here in this world is worst than a prick in my previous life. This David is the crown prince of Whithold and next in line to the throne.

Since they were kids, this body was engaged to him because I was the only daughter of Duke Von Rozen, but since Rebecca was born, everything started to fall apart.

I was close to Rebecca since young, I've taken care of her, and she would flash me her beautiful smile. With her long beautiful hair and ocean blue eyes, she was the image of an angel. I've grown to love and promise to protect her. But her mother would forbid me to get close to her, but Rebecca would secretly play with me without her mother's watch.

I would never receive my father's or Julian's affection before she was born. Rebecca gained my attention from them more and had me left with nothing.

Then as we grew older, our feelings changed. Rebecca's attitude towards me became fake. She would force her innocent yet devilish smile and insult me in my face with that angelic face.

Everyone in Rozen Estate despised me. So, the only person I wanted comfort and love was in the arms of another, and that person was none other than my precious sister.

Thinking of being betrayed and degraded by the same people made the rage boil. It made my heart blacken ever more than before.

Now that I'm returning after five years. I want to see the look on my family's faces once they see me alive and out for blood.

I twirl my hand around. When my mind is adrift, I would often place with my magic. The magic in my hand feels warm and comforting. Red heat swirls in my hand, and I watch as it dances around my fingers. Just looking at it pulled me into a trance.

The color of my anger and rage.

The color of blood.