Rewind time

Death is laughing as he helps up Cece. She scowls, taking his hand, and grips it tight.

"I'm going to be honest, I thought it was going to be longer wait than that." he said, guiding her towards a pathway away from her body.

Cece was nervous then; she could feel herself aging or shrinking.

"Am I going back in the womb?" she asked him, and he laughed, shaking his head.

"I'm not sure yet, but seeing you fight your pregnant friend, and your betrothed was quite amusing. Your other friend is trying her hardest to wake you up." A scream sounded behind them, and Death chuckled. "Looks like she shook you hard enough to show the exact spot your neck broke."

Cece fought back shivers, staring straight ahead. "Was I that much of a fool?" she muttered, mostly to herself.

"No; just because you followed what you were taught, and they didn't don't make you a fool. It just makes them impatient and imponet." Death replied.

Cece said nothing, though she felt a bit better at that point.

She was still growing and shrinking, a sort of back and forth thing that left her with goosebumps. Briefly, she wondered if she would see something in this other side of life.

Death gave her hand a gentle squeeze, trying to comfort her, but continued on to walking.

Again, Cece could feel her body moving and shifting, and she felt old pains and new pains as they continued on the path. Death hummed, and whenever Cece tried to ask him a question, his hums got louder.

When they stopped, Cece's body thrummed with energy, and she stared at Death. He was beautiful, and even as he smiled, she could see that there was something sad about him.

"You've been offered a second chance, Cece. Get your revenge, and live your life. This is the only chance I'm giving you." And then he kissed her cheek, a small moon mark forming on the spot where he had kissed.

Cece touched the spot in wonder and then felt a pain in the side of her neck. There was a snap, and she let out a gasp, eyes flying wide open.

"M-my neck! It hurts!" She cried out.

"In order for you to come back, you have to heal how you died. You died of a broken neck. It's healing now, and the bone snapped back in place." He explained, sounding apologetic.

Cece briefly saw stars, and she dropped to her knees, letting go of Death's hands.

But he kept a hand on her back.

"I don't need you getting lost in this part of the afterlife." He explained

Cece was too busy being lost in the moment of pain and then clarity.

She no longer felt Death's touch, but she heard him whisper goodbye.

When I wake up, the concept of time is lost on me. I have no idea when I am.

The sun peeks through my curtains, and I look down at myself.

I grab my chest, noting that they're the same size, and I throw the blankets off of me.

The doors to my room slam open, and my maids rush in, holding my gowns and tsking at the sight of my hair.

"My lady, it's time to get you ready. You have a date with your betrothed soon." the maids say, giggling to one another.

"A date under the stars sounds so dreamy." The one with the blonde hair says.

Father always switches the maids, so I don't bother learning their names.

They catch my attention, though.

A date under the stars.

This must mean that Death took me back to when Mason and I were engaged and it was close to the party.

And to where I discovered the truth.

An angry blush overcomes me, and I sit up straight in my bed.

"I don't want that gown. I want another one." I say, and the maid holding my gown bows before disappearing back into my closet.

I follow my maids into the restroom, where they take off my nightgown and get my bath drawn.

I have plans to go through.

The memory of Isadora braiding pearls into my hair is what caused me to order my maids to throw all of those away. They follow through, but I see the looks they exchange before throwing it all away.

I sit down as my maids pull up gown after gown. None of them call to my attention, and I tap my fingers in annoyance.

"That was the last one my lady." the black haired maid says as she bows.

"I'd like for you to go through my mother's gowns. And any of her red ones, bring forth."

They begin to leave and I snap my fingers, stopping the last one in her tracks.

"While they're at it, fix my hair."

She nods, brushing through my hair in gentle motions with the brush. I say nothing, waiting for my other maids to arrive.

It takes them about fifteen minutes for them to come back with five red gowns. They show each one, the last one being the one I'm satisfied with.

My hair is twisted into a bun, the top having a braid to make it look like a crown. My face is washed and powdered, and I have a daring shade of red on my lips.

The maids help me with my corset, placing it on tight, my breasts bulging at the top. I'm careful not to move too sudden, as my hair must be kept in place.

Thankfully, the dress is easy to place on, holding my arms out as they tie the back, adjusting the plunging neckline, and ensuring my bodice is covered.

I slip on some basic flats, the gown long enough to cover my ankles, and my maids nod in approval at what I'm wearing.

"That Mason is one lucky dog." one of the maids say and I wince. It's the same thing Isadora said.

I look in the mirror and sure enough, I'm a different me. My hair is fixed the way I instructed, making me look like a queen, my eyes highlighted by the black eye paint carefully adorned around them. My lips are rose red, and I smile looking seductive.

My breasts were already big, but the corset really makes them pop out, the neckline just barely covering my corset. The dress hugs my frame, making me look slim and curvy, accentuating my buttock.

"I look amazing." I agree, and the girls clap and curtesy, as they help me out of the room.

As we make our way down the stairs. Mason is standing there in a crisp uniform, his unkempt black hair wild. I grimaced, remembering how I had found that attractive.

Now that I knew better, he looked like a sleazy bum, and I kept my face devoid of emotion.

I could see the moment Mason noticed me though; his honey colored eyes stared at my face and then traveled down to my neckline, as he eyed my breasts. His eyes continued down my dress, and I fought the urge to shudder as it felt like he was undressing me.

"My darling, you look rather spruced up for a night out under the stars." He said. I could tell he wanted to say more, but didn't due to the company that was around.

I smiled then, shaking my head a little.

"You believe I did this for you?" I replied, and my maids turned to me, a question in their eyes.

Mason looked confused then, letting out a small laugh.

"Then what for?" He asked, and at that moment, I saw Quill walking over, as he came to greet me. I believed he had business with my father, but a thought came to me then.

"I wish to look good for my lover." I said, looking directly at Quill, who had now gotten close enough to hear.

Mason stiffened as he looked, and the maids backed away, sharing whispers.

And I still wasn't done.

I turned to Quill, smiling up at him, as I motioned for him to lean down.

Confused, he did, and then before anything else could happen, I pressed my lips against his, sharing a kiss.