The Resurrected: Beauty's Vengeance

The sun bathed the streets of Altheria, the bustling capital of the Larousse estate. And one of the busiest and most beautiful streets in the empire. In warm light. Elara adjusted her gown, which she had never worn before. She and Cassius sat on the Carriage and went through the crowded marketplace. The City was alive with activity, shouting price, hatting, and hammering away at their work.

For Elara, this scene should feel unfamiliar, but comforting because in Korea she knows about that type of market. 

'Ugh…so noisy. It's the same as in South Korea.'

She knew before her reincarnation that the soul who lived as Elara had died many times. This new life didn't come with any guarantees. 

[If I wanted to survive, I needed to find out why she died multiple times. Is it the only reason our souls crossed dimensions or is something behind this?]

And Cassius, who sat beside her, looked at her curiously. Her twin sister, he knows acting weird in a few days, which is suspicious. And he asked her finally.

"Hey," Cassius said, breaking into Elara's thoughts and silence.

"You're distracted. What is on your mind?" 

Elara looked at her brother, her lips pressed together. Cassius was smart, loyal, and protective, but he didn't know the truth about his sister. She had been reincarnating into this body, inheriting the problems of a girl who lived had lived and died many times.

"…Ah.. it's nothing… I'm fine. When will we arrive in the salon?" Elara replied, forcing a small smile. She started to avoid her brother's questions and started looking out of the window. 

"We have arrived. Your Highness." And that carriage driver stopped the carriage and said. 

"Which store is the best for a birthday gift?" 

Elara stepped out to the carriage and nearby stall filled with colourful scarves and trinkets.

"Let's go to that store over there." 

Cassius pointed to a famous store of the estate. They were standing on the road's nearby store and going ten feet away with a story. 'The Golden threads.' 

A noble lady originally ran this store. If you want to buy something, you have to make a reservation. However, it wasn't necessary for Elara and her brother.

Elara nodded and stepped toward the store, her eyes scanning the items.

Technically, this was her actual family—and she only had memories of that girl's life before reincarnation—but these people were all she had now.

She didn't know what awaited her in this world, but survival meant forming an alliance and learning as much as possible about the forces controlling her fate.

Yet, this time was no different from those lives, but she knew now. 

Her younger sister's birthday was next week and the tragedy of Elara and Cassius' life. She knew what was coming to them. But Elara wanted to find her something truly meaningful. Something that showed her love and care. Even Elara know the good deeds she was doing come back in bad fortune. 

The shopkeeper is an elderly woman with kind eyes. Greeted them warmly. "How may I help you, my lady?" 

"Umm.. something unique for my sister," Elara said. Cassius scanned the items on display.

Their gaze landed on a simple wooden box, a box made of magic, carved with intricate patterns of flowers and stars. The store owner noticed their interest and smiled, "That's a memory box" 

She explained. "It's enchanted to hold memories and record precious moments."

"… you mean like smartphones or cameras?"

"Hu…Smartphone? What is that?" The shopkeeper and Cassius whispered together.

"Ah.. never mind,"

Elara picked up the box, running her fingers over the delicate carvings.

"I'll take it," she said softly said.

Elara went to the Salon and bought some dresses and jewellery. Her thoughts drifted. 

By the time they returned to the palace, the sun was sinking low on the horizon, casting the marble halls in hues of orange and gold. Elara Stepped towards her room. 

Elara closed the door and instructed her maid not to disturb her. Her pale skin contrasted with her darkening eyes. It was her first time venturing outside the palace.

"I want to go back," she said. 

"Every moment I'm afraid. Death is coming for me. If you know something is coming, you can never find peace," she thought to herself as she sat in her study chair. 

"I bought some books too." She had visited a bookstore and purchased several titles. Kiara, her friend, had been searching for forbidden books, but the bookstore owner informed her, "If you want those books, you'll have to go to the black market." 

Meanwhile, her brother waited outside the store for her. 

"Let's read this tomorrow," she said sleepily before drifting off to sleep in her bed.

On the other side of Duke Larousse's palace, in the Duke's office, the atmosphere was tense. 

*Knock… Knock…*

The Duke stood by his study table, gazing out the window at the lavish office adorned with the Larousse family crest, which displayed a blue "L" encircled by a golden rose, flanked by two swords. It was a striking emblem. 

The head butler opened the door, and a young man in his early twenties entered the room. It was Cassius. 

"How is she?" the Duke asked in a cold voice, his silver hair falling over his sky-blue eyes. He held some documents in his hand while Cassius stood at attention in front of him, adorned with swords at his side. 

"No, Father. When we were outside the palace, she was unnervingly silent. I've never seen her like that before," Cassius replied, concern etched on his face.

"Perhaps something has happened to her?" the Duke pondered.

"Take good care of her, and don't leave her alone," he instructed.

The Duke, a man of dignity, was one of the most powerful figures in the empire. He had five children, of whom four were magic users—holy power and magic alike. But Elara had not awakened her powers. Everyone viewed her as a disgrace to the family, as no one in their lineage had ever been born without mana, the source of magic. Even Duke Edric was renowned as one of the most powerful fire swordsmen.

"If any harm comes to her," the Duke's voice hardened with promise, "I will ensure those responsible face punishment."