A World Without Light. That was the title of this novel where I transmigrated into. Strangely, no matter how much I rack up my brains, I cannot seem to remember the entire plot of the story.

I only know the names of the main characters and some description of them. Other than that, I can't remember what the story was all about. I vaguely recall that it was a dark fantasy novel, though.

Well, regarding my situation, I have a theory.

I first recalled the contents of the novel when the prologue was about to start. I failed to change the story and died as a result, but instead of dying, I woke up in the same body on a different setting.

I then managed to take over this body, the maid Isabelle, a week before the first chapter starts.

In the beginning of the story, I was a random kid who was used as the carrier of a bomb. Now, I'm a maid who will be murdered during the banquet.

What if that's my fate in this world? To restart my life every time a new chapter starts, only to die to advance the plot? And so, the cycle continues.

"What a shitty role." I mumbled to myself while staring past the window. If my surmise is correct, then the gods owe me an apology for this bullshit.

Anyway, what greeted us as the carriage arrived in town was the festive market with a huge variety of stalls. Merchants of different trades could be seen running to and fro, which means that business must be booming even on this humid morning.

"We have arrived!" The coachman announced.

The whole ride felt like a babysitting session. Well, at least for Grand Duke Averill and myself after listening to Sir Louie prattle like a three-year old.

"Jesus, we're finally here." I begrudgingly got out of the carriage when we arrived in the town.

"That was the most insufferable hour of my life." Alistair whispered while massaging his temples. He looked dead inside. "And here I thought I was already immune to that running mouth of his."

Now, I'm pretty certain that the two of them have a bond that goes beyond a knight and his master, since Alistair exhibited tolerance to Sir Louie, no matter how rudely the latter behaved or spoke.

"Eh? You two look so tired." Sir Louie commented with an innocent face. "We just sat in the carriage the whole time. Why do you look ten years older?"

A vein popped on the side of my forehead. It's all because of you, dude. You wouldn't stop talking.

"Your Grace," I furtively called the lord. "Would it be possible to get Sir Louie out of my sight?"

Sir Louie pouted. "I can totally hear you."

"Why?" Alistair whispered back. "You desire this outing to be just the two of us, hm? Like a date?"

I couldn't help but stare daggers at him.

"I was merely jesting." The grand duke snickered at my piercing eyes. "Why do you always look like you wish to eat me alive, Isabelle? I feel so hurt."

"With all due respect, that's exactly how I feel, Your Grace." Because you always stress me out.

"Oh? You wish to eat me alive?" Alistair gave me a knowing look. "You better choose your words wisely, otherwise I might misunderstand them."

I fought against the urge to roll my eyes.

"First you wanted the emperor to spank you, now you even want to eat a grand duke." He suddenly covered his chest, as if protecting himself from me. "Do you have a fetish for nobles, Isabelle?"

"Admittedly, yes." I faked a smile. "I enjoy hitting them when they ask about a woman's fetish."

Instead of taking offense from my statement, the grand duke had an impish look of satisfaction. He seemed genuinely amused by my bold response.

"Unfortunately, hitting me here outside would be too humiliating for me as a grand duke." Alistair gestured something to Sir Louie, who then handed him a grey cloak. He placed it over my body. "If you hit me in my chambers, I won't mind."

"Your Grace," My face crumpled. "Pardon my rudeness, but are you sexually frustrated? You keep making dirty jokes. It's concerning."

Alistair blinked a few times in surprise.

Sir Louie guffawed beside us and it gave me a start. Like a volcano, the knight was red all over the face as he erupted with so much laughter.

"Pfft. You're sexually frustrated, she says!" Sir Louie sneered at his master. "Instead of getting turned on by your advances, she's concerned!"

"I give up." The Grand Duke smiled with a hint of shame then raised his arms in defeat. "It seems that my seduction doesn't work on you at all."

"If you wanted to seduce me, you should've done so with food or money." I replied shamelessly.

"I see. It seems that I still have a lot to learn on how to steal a maiden's heart." Alistair brushed his fingers through his hair. "As a token of my apology, tell me if there's anything you want."

I cleared my throat. "Buy me a house, then."

"I'm afraid that's too much of a request." Alistair chuckled. "Well, I'll give you one if you agree to spend the rest of your life with me in that house."

"Tch!" I clicked my tongue. Seriously, this man never misses an opportunity to flirt. "Forget it."

"Wow, did she just click her tongue on you?" Sir Louie gawked at me in amazement. "How gutsy."

"Right?" The grand duke said in agreement. "I find that part of her very endearing and lovely."

His words tickled my heart. I stole a glance from the grand duke and caught his golden eyes staring back at me. Contrary to the stillness of his gaze on me, my heart was going wild, so much that it hurt.

---

What kind of things would shake a man's heart in this fictional world? A maiden, perhaps, if it's a true beauty. Wealth? Sure, more so if it's gold.

To northerners, however, nothing would get them excited more than a sword. My two companions proved so. We came across various shops in town, from jewelry stores to men's boutique, but the grand duke and his knight looked unimpressed.

"There are many shops here, but you seem bored." I politely commented. "I thought you two would be more invested since you are both from the north."

"What exactly do you think of us, some country bumpkin?!" Sir Louie fumed. "Our land may be barren, but we produce the finest clothes!"

"M-My bad," I stared at him in confusion. Why the heck is this dude suddenly getting riled up?

He glared at me. "Just because we live in Chioni, you lot who live in the capital think that you're better than us!" Sir Louie said, referring to the land where the only constant thing is winter.

The knight kept murmuring his quibbles towards those who live in the capital. I decided to leave him alone then scooted closer to the grand duke.

Anyway, we stopped by a weapon shop that we happened to pass by. This time, it was my turn to be bored since I wasn't really interested with blades. I had only ever held of a kitchen knife.

"Y-Your Grace!" As soon as we stepped inside, Sir Louie screamed in excitement then pointed a red dagger displayed nearby. "That must be made from the scales of a crimson dragon! Holy shit!"

"It appears so." Alistair replied dryly.

"My gosh, to think that it exists!" The knight was like a kid who went in a toy store for the first time.

"Is it that amazing?" I curiously inquired.

"Are you crazy? Dragons are close to extinction!" Sir Louie replied enthusiastically. "Where else would you find a weapon of such caliber?!"

Dude, so you really are a country bumpkin.

While the two gentlemen were busy looking around the weapon store, I remembered the bookstore three shops away from here.

"Your Grace, may I go to the nearby bookstore?"

The grand duke turned to me. "Where is it?"

"Three shops away from here." I answered.

He eyed me. "In that case, bring Louie with you."

"No, it's alright. I can manage by myself. It's right in the corner." I declined. Sir Louie will surely be bummed if I take him out of the weapon shop.

"Hmm." Alistair contemplated. "Very well. Don't go anywhere else and return here immediately."

I gave the grand duke a salute before leaving the weapon shop. I sauntered along the street before arriving at the bookstore. The wind chimes sang when I opened the door while the smell of old books wafted through the air. I missed that scent!

"Oh, wow." I blurted out upon entering.

I was expecting the place to be more vintage, but the bookstore looked rather ashy and bleak inside. There wasn't a single decoration, and it looked like the owner simply threw some random shelves and books altogether. The bookstore seemed neglected.

"Heya! Sorry to disappoint you lass, but this ain't a real bookstore." A woman in her twenties told me.

She was tall and plump with straight, purple hair. Wearing a dress with a low neckline, her voluptuous breasts were showing. They were quite distracting for a girl like me, so I surmise that she turns a lot of heads, especially men.

"Oh," I smiled. "I guess I'm leaving, then."

"Well, since you're already here..." The woman stopped me. "Wanna read your fortune instead?"

I blinked twice. Fortune?

"No." I declined. "I appreciate the offer, though."

Who knows if she's only shitting with me?

Also, I know that this is a dark fantasy novel, so I'd rather not dabble in things that might cause trouble. What if fortune-telling was actually a form of black magic? They'd chop my head off.

"Aww, sure." The stranger slumped back on her chair. "Lemme just give you a piece of advice."

Her face had a countenance of devilish delight.

"If you don't wanna die, stay away from flowers." She grinned. "They'd be the death of you, lass."

My face blanched in horror.

I swiftly left that suspicious place. Her words sent shivers down to my spine. God, she's the real deal. If she's not, how in the hell would she know that?

Flowers. She told me to stay away from flowers.

On the night of the royal banquet, I'm supposed to be murdered in the freaking garden, you know?

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