The Resurrected: Beauty's Vengeance

"That was horrible." She whispered to herself. She found herself in her bed. The world around her shattered. 

Her hand instinctively flew to her throat, expecting the agony of poison. But there was nothing, no burning sensation, no suffocating pain. Yet, the memory of it remained—the essence of death still lingered on her tongue.

"Was it that a nightmare?" Kiara wondered, fingers tightening against the fabric of her gown. "No… it seemed too real. The poison… I can still sense the bitterness of poison."

 "But, if I'm here then…" she exhaled sharply, realization dawning upon her.

"I have returned to the past."

*Before her death*

The distant murmuring of conversation reached Kiara's ears as she sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the gathering outside. The grand estate glowed in golden light, aristocrats in luxurious attire murmuring in the buzzing evening air. 

"How many people will come to this party?" watching elegantly dressed guests step out of their carriages, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of a string quarter.

"Where are you, Yura?" She stood, a frustrated look on her face, and approached the door.

A young maid stood in the doorway. Kiara's eyes narrowed. Something about the girl didn't seem right.

"Who are you?" she asked cautiously.

The maid smiled—a little too slyly. She had neatly tied back her brown hair, her warm brown eyes betraying nothing. In her hands, she carried a tray with a single glass of water. 

"Good evening, my lady! I'm a new maid in the Duke Larousse household." "And Yura send me here" 

Kiara, who is never let her guard down. As she listened to the name of Yura, she stepped aside. 

"Okay, come inside."

Her mind began calculating every danger. 

Kiara took a glass of water and sat in the chair. Drinking water. But the water tasted bitter.

"Ugh…Cough… cough… why water is bitter?" Kiara put the glass down and glared at the maid. "Did you put something?" Kiara stood and started to step towards the maid…

"Oh, yeah, it's a poison to kill you…" mockingly she started laughing, "For the sake of my ***** master, you must die." 

"You…" Kiara's voice faltered. Her body was weighed down. The strength in her limbs drained like sand slipping through her fingers. Her hands reaching to seize the maid…

But before she could touch her--- Kiara's legs gave out, she collapsed near the chair. 

*Manic Laughter*

The maid stood over the Kaira's fallen form. She started laughing manically.

"Thud…Thud…"

"Lady Elara…Opened the door.." 

A voice comes to the door, a familiar voice. Loud knocking on the door cry over and sobbing. Anger voice... Man-woman.

"Elara… Open the door"

"Yura…." "Brother."

 Kiara tried to push herself up, but her body refused to move. Her breath came shallow gasps. The poison was working too fast. 

Kiara's vision blurred completely, the world staring around her. And her eyes were closed. 

***

 the Present

An icy shiver ran down her spine. This was no mere dream. It was a chance, a cruel twist of fate, or perhaps a divine intervention.

"The Goddess granted me a third chance, taking me back to when Elara was sixteen. This time, I vowed not to waste it. I would rise from the ashes, stronger than ever before."

"Next time," she murmured, determination coursing through her veins, "I won't let them win."

"I will become the Resurrected Elara Larousse—unforgiving, unstoppable, and fueled by vengeance; I will make them all pay."

*Dark Alley in Thalassian Concord Empire*

The moon hung low over an abandoned clearing, its pale light illuminating two shadowy figures standing against the eerie silence. Both cloaked in suspicion, their faces remained unreadable. The air was thick with an unspoken tension when, from the darkness, the sound of deliberate footsteps broke through.

A woman emerged, cloaked from head to toe, her face hidden beneath the hood. In her hands were trays filled with glittering gold coins, the faint glow reflecting her restrained fury.

 She approached the two figures and placed the trays before them. Her voice, cold and venomous, sliced through the silence.

 "I don't care for excuses. It will happen, no matter the cast. She dares to take what's mine? Then she'll pay with her very life."

 Her laughter, sharp and bitter, echoed across the clearing. The two figures exchanged wary glances before nodding, their hands reaching for the coin-filled trays. 

"We will do it as you wish," one of them assured her. Without another word, the woman turned and disappeared into the darkness.

-----

*Duke Larousse Estate*

 In her room, Elara Larousse (Kiara) stood before the fancy mirror, admiring her reflection. Her gown was a masterpiece of elegance, and her crimson eyes shimmered with resolve. This was the body of a 16-year-old Elara, but the soul within belonged to Kiara—a woman reincarnated from another world and another life, now armed with the knowledge of her tragic past. 

"I've travelled six years into the past," she whispered to herself. "Back to when I was 16... Back to where it all began."

For days, Elara had remained in her chambers, precisely arranging her plans. She had cut off communication with the outside world, preparing for the coming storm. Her birthday loomed closer—a day that would mark the beginning of her revenge. 

--- On the day of her birthday, Elara emerged from her self-imposed isolation. The duke's mansion sparkled under the morning light, but it was her presence that truly radiated. She moved with a grace born of newfound determination, her steps echoing down the marble halls.

 Yura's voice broke the quiet air. "My lady, the carriage is ready." 

Elara responded softly, her voice betraying none of the storm within her. She stepped out, her gaze unwavering. Her brother Cassius waited for her in the carriage. She smiled faintly, concealing the truth of her plans.

As the carriage moved toward the capital, Cassius spoke to her briefly before disembarking at a restaurant. He promised to meet her later. Elara watched him disappear into the crowd before continuing her journey to the Royal Palace.

 --- The Royal Palace was a marvel to behold, its grandeur unmatched. Elara requested an audience with Crown Prince Keal, but a guard (or attendant, etc.) told her to wait in the garden. The garden was a vivid array of colours, with countless flowers blooming under the sun. Among them, one flower caught Elara's eye—a flower tied to her memories. She forced herself to look away, unwilling to linger on the pain of the past.

 A voice, smooth and teasing, pulled her from her thoughts. "Well, if it isn't the timid little bird who's finally left her cage."

 Elara turned to face the Crown Prince, Keal. She met his teasing smile with an unwavering gaze. Without hesitation, she bowed. "Your Highness, forgive me for the sudden audience. I have something urgent to discuss." 

Keal raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her formal tone. "Sit down and tell me what's on your mind," he said, studying her carefully. There was something different about her, something he couldn't quite place. 

The crown prince, Keal, leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I'm glad you could come, Lady Elara. I was looking forward to discussing a matter of great importance."

 Kiara's heart quickened. "And what might that be, Your Highness?" Keal's eyes narrowed, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "You came here to talk to me, so you speak first Lara"

Elara took a deep breath. "I want to end our relationship; let's break up, Keal." 

Hearing this, Keal froze, then laughed. "Have you started reading minds now, Lara?" he spoke with a soft voice; "I wanted to meet you to tell you the same thing."

Lara, we've discovered unexpected connections between our lives.

Elara met his gaze, her crimson eyes filled with determination. "Yes, because I know the truth about the Royal Family. It's better to end this now before it's too late."

 Keal smiled softly and said, "Goodbye, Lara"

Elara smiled too and replied to him with a soft tone. "Take good care of yourself, Your Highness," she said, turning away. "This is where our story ends."

She didn't look back as she walked to her carriage

 An everlasting smile with Keal Said Goodbye to her but his eyes spoke something else like he was in pain. "I don't want to let you go, but I don't have a choice, Lara." Keal remained rooted in place, his heart heavy. Once alone, he ordered an investigation into her recent behaviours, determined to uncover the truth.