Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I playfully tugged at his shirt, a mock punishment for his teasing words.

I've always felt a bit detached from my parents, so their passing struck a chord of discomfort rather than deep sorrow within me.

"People come and go, but life must go on," was my philosophy. Take my sister, Lily, for instance. She's been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders for far too long.

"Chin up, buttercup! The grand ball hosted by the Bravenland royalty is just around the corner. Time to slip into something more fitting for an auction-led soiree," Max chimed in, his words pulling me back from my reverie.

Just then, Helen arrived with two maids, bringing along a dress and a full set of ruby jewelry.

It dawned on me then how obscenely wealthy the Bravenland royals must be, owning countless mines and treating jewels as though they were as common as blades of grass or, perhaps, as plentiful as strands of hair - abundant and taken for granted. "All this?" I questioned, eyeing the bracelets, anklets, tiara, armlets, rings, and necklaces laid out before me.

The dress was an exotic concoction, adorned with jewels and dangling gems that probably added an extra ten pounds to its weight.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

The only snag? No shoes were to be worn. In this country, a woman's feet were considered precious, warranting palanquin bearers for even the shortest journeys.

Max, observing me now dressed, gently covered my face with a veil, "I almost wish I could keep you hidden away."

Helen chuckled, handing me a mirror and said, "If I were a guy, I'd hate to let you go too."

Gazing at my reflection, I realized that some people are born with a natural air of nobility. Yet, in this country, such nobility seemed to trample over countless lives. No fairness, no freedom, just the opulence of the aristocracy.

"Do we even have an invitation?" I suddenly pondered, doubting that the nobility would bother with the likes of the Hilton family.

Max raised an eyebrow, whispering

teasingly in my ear, "You think too

little of your beloved if you

doubt his

capability to match you

Max was becoming an enigma to me.

"When we marry, will you itemize your

exact alth for me? Just so I k

what I'm entitled to in case divorce."

I had become an expert at provoking Max, regardless of how patient he was.

At my words, Helen and the maids made a quick exit as Max pulled me into his embrace, positioning me across his lap.

I instinctively covered my rear, "Max, it'll hurt..."

My coquettish whining did the trick,

as he merely tapped lightly, then turned me around to plant a kiss on my forehead, "In my mother's family, divorce isn't an option unless you're prepared to literally take the other's heart."

I froze, understanding now why Alan Hilton had to resort to such barbaric measures...

"Max, let's just forget about the wedding. I don't need your wealth."

But he playfully spanked me again, "Quit your nonsensical talk."

I snuggled closer to him, daring to caress his abs, "Is Lily in danger, just like you said?"

"Yes, surrounded by enemies on all fronts, trusting no one," he confirmed.

How did my sister endure all this?

"Does she have someone who loves her? Someone as lucky as me?" I mused.

Max fell silent as the plane touched down, ushering us into a new realm of unknown dangers and challenges...