The moment I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a quaint ceiling. I instantly surged from the bed, and that's when I realised that there was a group of women crowded around me. There were six of them, all wearing a black dress and a chiffon apron, and a white headdress. Are they maids?

"Belle!" The redhead with notable freckles exclaimed. "You're finally awake!"

"How do you feel?" The black-haired woman with slanted eyes asked. "You were unconscious for three days. Do you remember what happened?"

My eyes roamed around in bafflement. Where exactly am I? Who are these people? No, more importantly… Aren't I supposed to be dead? My body was literally bursting in flames just a while ago! How come I'm still alive? This doesn't make any sense!

I examined my limbs and touched my face. I don't seem to have any burns at all.

"Huh?" I blurted out while staring at my hands.

What the… They look way bigger than they're supposed to be? These aren't the hands of a five-year old at all! These are the hands of a grown ass woman who had tried sticking a finger inside her butthole at least once! In my past life, I admit that I did, but not in this world! Whose hands are these?!

"Belle, get it together!" One of the women shook my shoulders. "Do you know who I am?"

"Jesus, is that you?" I nervously answered.

"I don't know who Jesus is, but it's definitely not me." The redhead cupped my face. "I'm Leila."

"Doesn't ring a bell to me." I confessed.

All of them exchanged worried looks.

"Oh, dear. The poor girl must've hit her head so hard." The middle-aged woman who seemed to be the oldest here commented. "Isabelle must be in shock, so let's give her some space. Leila, go enlighten her about the recent events."

"Yes, Ma'am!" The redhead answered enthusiastically, even making a salute.

I charily watched the rest of the maids as they left the room one by one. Well, they don't seem like bad people, but I can't be too sure yet.

The girl named Leila, who was left alone with me inside the room, suddenly burst into sobs.

"Belle, do you know how worried I was?!" She hugged me so tight that I could barely breathe. Jesus, I can feel her snot all over my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea who you are."

"It's okay." She hugged me tightly. "Even if the mind forgets, the heart always remember."

Girl, I hate to break it to you but I'm pretty sure my heart doesn't know shit about you either.

I pulled away from the hug. "Excuse me, can you please bring me a mirror?" I politely asked her.

Leila fulfilled my request with much zeal, stepping away for a moment and returning immediately with a mirror. As soon as she displayed the mirror in front of my face, the reflection that I saw had me surprised. It's still me, but… an adult version?

My blonde hair and azure eyes were still there, but my overall appearance was no longer that of a child. My legs were longer, so that made me taller than before. I also got fat… in the right places, I guess? To make sure that I have indeed become an adult, I grabbed and squeezed my breasts with my own hands. Gosh, they've gotten so big!

Leila shot me a horrified look. "W-What are you doing, Belle?"

I faked a cough. Right. She's here, too. Can't have her thinking that I'm a pervert.

"Where exactly are we?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"We're currently in the Sun Palace, serving the imperial family of Solaris."

Solaris. I'm relieved. At least I'm still in Cecil.

"Who's the current emperor?" I queasily inquired.

Leila seemed confused, but answered anyway. "It's His Majesty the emperor, Pierre Maggio Von Solaris."

It's the same ruler, I see. "How old is Crown Prince Dion right now?"

The redhead thought for a moment. "I think he just turned twenty-one last spring?"

My eyes widened. Twenty-freaking-one? Are you kidding me?

"What the hell," I covered my mouth in shock. "Did I travel into the future?"

The male lead of this novel, Crown Prince Dion, was only eight when I died during the bombing incident. That means thirteen years have passed.

The time skip makes sense because the prologue occurred thirteen years before the main storyline, which means that the novel is about to begin its first chapter. I understand that much, but what's perplexing is the fact that I'm still here when I'm supposed to be dead!

"Gosh, I'm not even in a new body. It's the same blondie, only with bigger tits…" I muttered to myself while groping my chest part.

"Belle, you must like your own breasts very much." Leila commented, seemingly disturbed by my constant groping.

"What? My body, my rules." I argued back.

"W-Well, that's true." The redhead scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "Let me call the physician to check on you. I'll be right back!"

As soon as the lively lass left, I got up from the bed and started looking around. It was a drafty room with two beds, with each of them having a wooden drawer on the side. There was also a huge closet on the corner of the room. When I opened it, there were maid uniforms and a few casual dresses.

I also found a big mirror on the back of the closet's door, so I got a better view of myself. Indeed, I'd become an adult. Taller, plumper, and, well… definitely prettier. My azure eyes go well with my blonde hair.

Anyway, thirteen years have passed, so Alistair must be a full-fledged adult by now. If I remember the contents of the novel correctly, he should've taken over the duchy since the former Grand Duke's collapse.

Should our paths ever cross, would he even recognise me? For me, it feels like I've only seen him yesterday, but it's been thirteen years for Alistair. I'm sure he's been through a lot, so there's no way he'd remember a random orphan he met as a kid.

Besides, even if he does recognise me, what would I even say? How would I explain myself being alive when I literally burst in flames in front of him? I might be accused of using black magic to revive myself, which is taboo in this kingdom. Associating yourself with black magic will warrant you an execution. Of course I don't want that.

"Well, it's not like I'll ever meet him. What are the chances of a lowly maid like me coming face to face with Grand Duke Averill?" I mumbled.

Frankly, I want to thank him for trying to save my life back then, but I'll just keep that gratitude to myself. Until I know why exactly this phenomena is happening, no one can ever know that I've already died once and came back to life.

---

After the physician's examination, he said that there seems to be no issue with my body so I can go back to work. The other maids told me that I fell down the stairs three days ago, and I've been unconscious since then.

Everyone seemed glad that I'm finally awake. Looks like this adult version of myself was quite popular and well-liked here.

That aside, it was my first time stepping foot inside the Sun Palace, where the imperial family resides. Since I was previously a homeless child, I had only ever spent my life on the streets of the capital. Therefore, this opulent place was like a whole new world to me.

The walls made of granite were so majestic, while the palace itself was massive and spacious like it could fit a dragon inside. Most furniture were made of either glass or marble, up from the chandelier down to the stairs. Everything just screams expensive. I wouldn't be shocked if the dirt here costs a lot, too.

"Everyone's so busy." I commented upon arriving at the main hall, where a lot of maids were running to and fro.

"It's because a banquet will be held a week from now, in celebration of Princess Odette turning nineteen." A soft voice answered behind me.

I turned around and saw the black-haired maid with slanted eyes who was also in the room when I first woke up. She's quite the head-turner. A woman with sharp eyes, silky long hair, and tall stature. Looks a bit of an eastern beauty.

"You seem to be in good health, Belle. I'm glad."

"Who's that girlie?" I nudged Leila on her arm. "Are we close? If so, how close?"

"That's Rumi." Leila whispered to me. "And you're close enough to borrow each other's underwear."

I gave her a disgusted look. "That's so gross!"

"In case you forgot, it was you who borrowed my underwear." Rumi crossed her arms then chuckled heartily. "Enough with the chit-chat. As you can see, it's hectic right now, so go regroup with the others and welcome the guests."

"Guests will be arriving today? But I thought the banquet would be a week from now?" I pointed out in curiosity.

"Yeah, but some nobles will be arriving early for official business." Rumi explained nonchalantly.

"I see."

"Grand Duke Averill, for instance, was summoned by His Majesty to discuss the border's current affairs." Rumi added, which got my heart pounding.

"I-Is he coming today?" I asked nervously.

"Well, we've received word that he has already entered the capital, so he should be here any minute from now." Rumi affirmed while pushing me and Leila out of the main hall. "Now, go join the others and welcome them. Make sure to lower your head."

My hands trembled from excitement. I didn't think I'd meet Alistair this early. Well, he is the second male lead, so he's bound to make an appearance in the story. I just didn't think it would be this soon!

When we stepped out of the palace, the maids were already lined up in parallel to welcome the guest. Leila and I furtively positioned ourselves to blend with the group. The head butler, Sir Edward, stood at the end of the line in a dandy suit with a calm and dignified face.

Soon after, an approaching carriage became visible on sight.

"Lower your heads. Grand Duke Averill has arrived!"

Everyone, myself included, lowered their heads in respect as the carriage stopped in front of the Sun Palace. The carriage opened and a man's figure came out, followed by his small and careful steps.

Even though I couldn't see him, my heart couldn't stay still at all. As he walked past by me, I couldn't resist the urge to steal a glance from him. I raised my head slightly, only to get a glimpse of his tall and well-built stature from behind.

For some reason, his back gave the same impression just as he was young – someone honourable, someone who wouldn't abandon his people even at the cost of his own life.

This person is the second male lead, the one who once tried to save my life despite only meeting me for the first time, Alistair Kirsten de Averill.

---