"Ah!"

  It was so cold that her teeth chattered and her lips slowly turned blue. Her long eyeshes brushed her cheeks as her vision blurred. The world tilted sideways and she fell striking her head on the side of the fountain. She was still conscious but she couldn't move her limbs even though water filled her mouth and nose. Her lungs burned as the icy water filled them and she was certain she was going to die. She could only ugh at herself for being too weak and so easily bullied by those beneath her feet.

  It was hot. She felt the heat on her lips as she opened her eyes and vomited water and bits of the dessert she had partaken in earlier. It burned terribly and she was shaking like a leaf but she couldn't worry about that now. Someone had removed most of her clothing and she now only wore a thin chemise. Soaked through as it was her body was exposed to the group that had gathered around. She recognised everyone though it felt strange as if she hadn't seen them in a long time.

  She coughed violently spewing out the st of the water but inside she was ughing.

  "I'm finally back. He really kept his promise"

  With that thought she took a clearer look at those that had gathered. The young man who had administered the kiss of life was Cude Pendragon the only heir of the Northern Dukedom. He was as soaked as she was and he appeared concerned about her as his silver eyes scanned her face. They had never been close but they still grew up together as "pymates" of the Second Prince.

  Her own brother Iraniel was standing to the side looking pale but making no move to help her. Although they were twins, the simirities ended there and she had always known he hated her the most.

  A red haired man with a cunning look had a bored expression on his face as he watched her. His gaze almost seemed to say

  "Why didn't you just die"

  A man with long flowing silver hair looked guilty as he avoided her gaze and stared resolutely at the ground.

  The final two culprits captured her attention causing everyone else to fade into the background. A girl with brown hair just to her shoulders and a cute and innocent face stared at her with obvious fear. She leaned into the embrace of the man nearest to her who watched everything with a bnk expression. These two were the adulterous pair that brought her to ruin in the past, but fortunately for them she hadn't returned for revenge.

  With a sigh she got shakily to her feet and without a word she left the garden. She had to limp due to twisting her foot when Lancaster pushed her into the fountain. The wound on her forehead was also throbbing but it was quickly healing due to the strange constitution of her family.

  Although she was brought back to this moment, she felt a little gd. It would save her from trying to break the engagement or cut off her ties with those annoying people. As expected none of them followed her, for whenever Teresa cried the world would end. They would come to regret their choices soon but that wasn't her concern.

  The coachman looked appalled at her state but he knew better than to ask questions. He provided her with a bnket then drove faster than normal to get to the estate. Even though the ride should have been uncomfortable, the wards on the carriage protected the passenger from most disturbances. It was a relief since her body was still rather bruised from being thrown around.

  It took longer than she liked to provide an expnation to her older brother who was unfortunately informed of her condition. He gave her leave to return to her quarters but the dark look on his face did not bode well for Iraniel. Duecalion was the eldest son of the Duke but not the true heir. He was from unknown origins but the Duke brought him home from the battlefield and no one dared question it. He was probably the only person who cared for her but his end was miserable as well. She remembered his desperate face as he tried to prevent her exile only to be executed as a traitor.

  That memory reminded her of something. She had to prevent the current Emperor from being assassinated. His death was the beginning of the end. It was one of the truths revealed to her by her family's guardian. After she passed his trials in other worlds he warned her of the things she must prevent before sending her back. It was almost like a dream, but the stigma shaped like a butterfly that was now on the back of her hand said otherwise. In her past life she hadn't awakened and had to remain in the civil section of the Royal Academy. Now it would be different. She smiled as she closed her eyes succumbing to the horror that awaited.