That morning felt more alive than before. Not because her surroundings had changed, but because she was no longer trying to avoid everything inside that residence.

Her feet stepped slowly. The corridor that was usually gloomy, silent and dark now felt more alive. She then took slow steps toward Ophilia’s room.

However, during her journey. Her eyes briefly fell on her wrist. In an instant, the thread that had been beating strongly earlier had returned to normal as if nothing had ever happened.

She let out a soft breath. She did not know whether that condition was a good thing or not. In that uneasy feeling, she held her heart that was beating fast. For some reason, she felt something would happen.

However, she tried not to think negatively in the morning. She shook her head and clenched her fingers tightly.

" Tomorrow Ophilia Coming Age Ceremony... I need to be energetic!! "

She said while smiling as if happy. Then, she continued walking toward Ophilia’s Room.

"...I did not expect 7 years have passed without realizing... "

She intoned. However, her feet stopped for a moment. The busyness outside that residence made her eyes not leave the outside, amazed at what she saw outside the window.

Half of her face that was slightly exposed was touched by the gentle wind. In a moment she pulled her head back inside. Cold. Very cold until it made her smooth white cheeks turn pinkish red.

"...So winter has arrived...."

Olivia murmured. For a moment she let out a slow breath, trying to calm herself, even though she herself was not sure what she was calming. Then she walked again...

As it was a...

Fear?

But no..not completely.

That question kept circling in her mind until she did not realize her feet had already stopped in front of Ophilia’s room door.

From outside, the soft laughter of Ophilia and Celine could be heard. Without realizing, that laughter unintentionally removed the feeling of worry that haunted Olivia.

She slowly looked up at the brown door that had carvings.

For a moment, she just stood there. Silent, staring.

"...when did all this start?"

That question appeared without being asked. When did she start caring this much? About this place. About them.

Her chest felt a little tight. Pieces of old images appeared in her mind for a moment, scattered but enough to make her silent.

After so long Olivia being in that world... memories of her life in her old world were fading... becoming more blurry... as if slowly trying to tell her to bury all those memories.

She stared blankly..

" ....I was supposed to only want to survive here" .

"That’s all "

...that is all she always believed. To survive, to leave, to not be too attached to someone Because she believed....a relationship no matter whether it is family bond or love bond...

" Nothing lasts forever..."

Because she believed everything would always end the same. Lost. Come, go and cannot be reached again. She closed her eyes for a moment.

And in that darkness she saw... everything she considered precious and very important in her life... all gone. Without warning and without words. Then,

Creakk..

The sound of the door opening was heard. Olivia’s closed eyes opened slowly. Celine could be seen shocked seeing her standing in front of the door.

"Olivia....why are you not coming in?"

Celine said. Olivia did not answer....she only looked at Celine’s face which looked like she was thinking deeply. Celine’s expression changed....feeling strange about Olivia’s behavior.

"Olivia...why not come in??..."

Celine asked again...however, Olivia truly did not hear Celine’s call at all. Her mind seemed to drift far away.

"Olivia??.."

once again Celine called her while tapping her fingers several times in front of Olivia’s face. Olivia immediately startled. As if she just returned to reality.

"Ah...yes what is it?"

Olivia blinked. Celine shook her head then told her to come in.

" Come....come in!"

Celine said again, Olivia nodded then followed Celine from behind entering the room. As soon as she entered Olivia saw Ophilia who was choosing a gown. Olivia frowned.

" My lady, why are you choosing a gown again don’t you already have one?..."

Olivia asked while approaching Ophilia. Ophilia shook her head. Then pointed her finger toward Celine.

" Now i want to choose for Celine... she also joined "

she said while smiling looking at Olivia. Celine blushed shyly hearing it.

" My lady...you do not need to trouble yourself looking for me... I can find it myself.."

Celine said.

" Oh I see..." Olivia replied. Then her hands immediately opened one by one the gowns.

However, before her hand touched the gown... suddenly...

The thread on her wrist started vibrating slowly again. Olivia frowned.

What is this again!! It never ends..

Olivia said with a sigh. However, Olivia started thinking.....

Could it be during Ophilia coming age ceremony...something will happen?

She whispered softly. Because all this time whenever that thread vibrated, something would definitely happen soon. Whether someone close to her or far....

Impossible...

Olivia murmured. She glanced at Celine and Ophilia. Not just a normal look, but to see the thread on her wrist. As if wanting to confirm something. Olivia’s eyes widened....

True....

Both threads on their wrists were vibrating softly....as if trying to deliver a message to Olivia. She was silent....confused, until she started biting her nails. Wanting to make a plan.

But...is what I assume this really true?

She said as if she herself was not sure if it was true. Meanwhile, she looked at Ophilia who was smiling happily choosing a gown for Celine.

Then,

I do not remember if....there was any event during Ophilia Coming Age Ceremony...

Olivia muttered, her whole body felt like it wanted to explode. She almost wanted to shout but cancelled it because there were other people besides the three of them in the room. Her eyes did not leave both of them. Ophilia then turned toward Celine.

Celine frowned, slightly confused seeing Olivia suddenly frozen silent.

"Olivia...are you okay?" she asked softly.

Olivia startled slightly, as if just waking from her thoughts. She forced a small thin smile.

"Ah... yes. I am fine."

But her eyes could not lie. For a moment, she looked again at her wrist. That thread... still vibrating. Soft... but enough to make her heart beat irregularly.

She bit her lower lip, trying to calm herself. It cannot be a coincidence... Her gaze slowly shifted to Ophilia and Celine.

Both of them looked so calm laughing softly while choosing gowns, not noticing anything. If something really will happen... Olivia’s fingers unconsciously clenched the edge of her cloth.

But why... both of them?

"Olivia?"

Ophilia’s soft voice called her. The girl was now standing facing her, a pair of gowns still in her hands.

"Which one or which one is more suitable for Celine?"

she asked while lifting both of them. Olivia stayed silent for a moment, trying to force her mind to focus again.

"...The one on the right, my lady. The color is softer."

Celine smiled shyly, while Ophilia nodded satisfied.

"Good. Then we choose this one."

For a moment the atmosphere became light again. But for Olivia, that bad feeling did not disappear. Instead.... it became stronger.

Suddenly, Ophilia turned back toward her. As if wanting to tell something to Olivia.

"Olivia."

Her tone this time was more serious. Olivia lifted her face. Wondering what was in Ophilia’s mind that made her calm and gentle expression turn serious.

"Yes, my lady?"

Olivia replied.

"Tomorrow... I want you with me throughout the ceremony."

That sentence fell calmly, as if it was something normal. But Olivia’s heart felt like it stopped for a moment

"...My lady?"

Celine also looked, slightly surprised but did not object.

"I want you to be my personal attendant tomorrow," Ophilia continued, a small smile forming on her lips.

"I feel more comfortable if you handle everything."

Olivia stayed silent. The thread on her wrist vibrated again, this time clearer. As if giving an answer she herself did not want to hear.

"Besides," Ophilia added lightly,

"you are the one, I trust the most ..arh you also Celine.."

Those words made Olivia’s chest feel slightly tight. She lowered her gaze.

So... it really cannot be avoided.

She whispered.

But...wait... if I become a personal attendant... I can monitor the surroundings...

She said. Her eyes slightly sparkled while thinking about it. Happily Olivia answered.

"...Alright, my lady," she replied softly but full of excitement. Celine smiled.

"That is also good. At least I don’t need to worry if anything happens," she said casually.

Olivia only nodded slightly. But deep inside her heart... that feeling became clearer.

Tomorrow... I am sure... something will definitely happen

And this time, she will be right in the middle of it.

No matter what happens....

As long as I can still stand strong

I will change everything that happens...

Even if I have to defy fate itself!!.

She said. Her eyes were burning with determination, full of spirit.

Then, The thread on her wrist stopped moving completely then pulsed once, as if responding to something that had already begun elsewhere in the palace.