Life After Reborn as Twisted Heroine

The King massaged his temples, his countenance darkened with concern as he studied the kingdom's expanding list of problems. He sighed and then spoke in a calm but strained voice. "Luna and William, you are dismissed for now."

"What? But—" Ren and I said in unison.

"We will inform you of our decision after further deliberation and coordination." His deep tone was full authority and left no refutation.

"Understood, Your Majesty." We rose from our chairs and bowed respectfully before leaving the King's chamber.

As soon as we were far enough down the empty palace corridor, I grabbed Ren's arm and dragged him to a secluded alcove. "What were you thinking!? Why did you tell them about your LIGHT EMBLEM?" I hissed, my voice low but sharp.

"What else was I supposed to do?" Ren yanked his arm free and glared at me. "Master Ix cornered me with his questions. He practically knew something was off already!"

"You… You didn't tell him about your Translucent Veil spell, right?" I pressed, my heart pounding at the thought.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Ren rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Chill, bro! I only said my second emblem awakened during training and I hadn't fully tested its capabilities yet."

"Phew... That's good." A small amount of stress was released from my chest as I let out a sigh. "Because if they found out we've been sneaking around the palace using your translucent magic…"

"It'd be game over," Ren finished the sentence for me while crossing his arms. "But forget about that. Didn't you hear what they just said?"

"You mean about the possibility of us being sent to the magic academy?" I blinked.

"Not just that. I'm talking about Magnotech. Don't you realize what it means?" Ren's tone darkened.

I frowned, recalling Owen's ominous words about Magnotech's expanding influence. "You think the empire has its sights set on this kingdom?"

"Not just this kingdom, maybe all magical territories even," Ren said grimly.

"How do you think so?"

"Well… I got some intel while you were asleep after your catfight with your mother." He smirked.

"It's not a catfight!" I kicked his right leg instantly.

"Ouch!" Ren gritted his teeth as he pulled his leg. "Sheesh! I was just joking!"

"Not funny." I scowled.

"Are you absolutely sure Magnotech wasn't mentioned in Twilight's Chronicle?"

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. "No! This wasn't part of the story. So many things are diverging from the original plotline… It's giving me a headache!"

Ren placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening. "Alright, calm down. We can't control the bigger picture right now. Let's focus on what we can do. Okay?"

I scoffed, shrugging off his hand. "And what exactly can we do? We're just kids. No one's going to take us seriously, especially in political matters."

I turned on my heel, starting down the corridor.

"Hey, where are you going?" Ren called after me.

"To visit Shilien," I said over my shoulder as I walked away from him.

My chest tightened with guilt as I approached the wing of the palace where Shilien's chambers were located. The memory of her collapsing, how her body became limp and pale from mana exhaustion, flashed in my mind.

Ixius had warned me that mana exhaustion could be fatal, even leading to death, if left untreated.

What if she died because of me? The thought sent a chill through me. I would never intend for her to die… Even in the novel, where Luna's revenge against Shilien was absolute and she decapitated her as a way to save herself.

I glanced at the DARK EMBLEM on my left palm and recalled my earlier conversation with Shilien. That woman… Is she truly as evil as she was portrayed in Twilight's Chronicle? Seeing her so weak and fragile because of the small pranks I pulled… now made me question everything. Well, maybe I did go overboard.

People aren't simply good or evil, black or white, right? Even though her treatment of me since childhood is inexcusable, and I don't expect motherly love from her… Perhaps if I could understand her character better, with a little sympathy or empathy, I could prevent us from hurting each other any further…

I paused in the palace flower garden, where a gentle breeze rustled the vibrant blooms. My fingers brushed over carnations and daisies before I picked a small bouquet. Carnations for regret, daisies for hope. Symbolic gestures, perhaps, but I didn't have the words to express what I was feeling.

When I reached Shilien's chambers, her maid, Elise, answered the door. She looked startled to see me.

"Princess Luna… is there something you need?" she asked cautiously.

I held up the flowers. "I'd like to see Mother. Has she awakened?"

Elise hesitated and glanced back into the room. I could sense that she likely feeling guilty for letting me in earlier, which had led to my altercation with Shilien and her current condition.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. She is still resting. The healer advised against any disturbances for now."

"I see…" I murmured, my gaze dropping to the bouquet in my hands. "Could you give her these when she wakes up? Tell her I wish for her speedy recovery."

Elise smiled gently as she accepted the flowers. "Of course, Your Highness. I'll make sure she knows."

"Thank you… Elise, right?" I asked, suddenly realizing I didn't remember her name for certain, despite having seen her often.

"Yes, Your Highness," she said with a nod.

I gave her a small smile before turning to leave. As I walked away, I glanced at the DARK and HEAT EMBLEM on my palms. Its faint glow became a reminder of the power I wielded now, and the damage it could cause.

Perhaps Ren was right… For now, it's better to focus on what I can do, like preparing for my debutante. I can't cause more trouble.

Even so, I made it a point to visit Shilien and bring her flowers every day. I wasn't sure if it would change anything between us, but at the very least, I wanted her to know I really wished for peace. And even if she remained angry with me when she woke up, I wouldn't let it bother me.

***

Time passed until the night before the kingdom's anniversary celebration, which coincided with my debutante. The palace was alive with preparations as servants bustled through the halls, carrying decorations and trays of food. The air buzzed with excitement, but I felt detached from it all.

That night, as Anna brushed my hair in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but voice my doubts.

"Anna, do you think I deserve this debutante?" I asked softly.

Anna paused, her hand stilling for a moment. "What do you mean, Your Highness? Of course, you deserve it."

I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. "Father mentioned I might be sent to the magic academy. What's the point of having a debutante if I'm going to leave the palace? Wouldn't it make more sense to postpone it?"

"Perhaps," Anna said, resuming her gentle strokes. "But His Majesty must have his reasons. And besides, a debutante is not just about you. It's about your role in the kingdom."

I met her gaze in the mirror. "My role in the kingdom…"

Anna set the brush down and wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. "Don't be troubled, Your Highness. You're stronger than you realize, and there are people who will support you no matter what. Like me!"

The sudden gesture caught me off guard, but I found myself relaxing in her arms. "If only you were my mother instead of Shilien," I muttered without thinking.

Anna pulled back, her expression stern yet kind. "Princess! You mustn't say such things! Lady Shilien is your mother, no matter the circumstances."

I nodded reluctantly, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Alright, alright. I'll stop."

The next day, as the night of the kingdom's anniversary celebration arrived… the palace was resplendent in gold and emerald decorations. The air hummed with anticipation for my debutante.

But as I stood at the edge of the ballroom, watching the nobles gather, I couldn't shake the feeling that this day would be more than just a turning point for me.

This would mark the beginning of something far greater and definitely for good! I convinced myself.

Little did I know that this day would mark a different turning point than I had thought, which shaped my life as Luna D'Emeralia and the fate of the Emeraldine Kingdom.