Auteur stared at me with a look that was somewhere between dazed and suspicious.

"How do you know my name? I don't even know you."

Something seemed to break inside me. Maybe it was hope? The hope of having someone with whom to share my fears, my doubts...

Tears began to roll down my cheeks as my mind sank into nothingness, dashing all my hopes at once.

What if Auteur was like that? What about Orias? Did all my former relatives forget me? Was it definitive? Had I lost my old love forever? So should I close myself off from the rest of the world? Or was I still going to undergo a third reincarnation without having tasted happiness? And finally... what was happiness then?

"Oh dear, sighed Fury, look at the state you've got him in. Normally, I'm not allowed to, but I'll make an exception."

Fury stepped forward again and swung a fan at Auteur's head without warning.

She frowned and rubbed the top of her head. Then disbelief took hold of her.

"What is this?"

"This is your past life that I've just awakened in the back of your mind. Do you understand better now?" the blond asked.

"AAAAAAAH!!! I'm dead! How is that possible?? (ﾉ｀□')ﾉ⌒┻━┻ Ah yes, it's true, Soliès is dead".

She suddenly stood up as she said these words and rushed over to hug me, pulling me out of the bubble of depression I'd entered.

"Soliès! I'm so sorry! I am so useless!!! I failed to save your life ヾ( -́д-̀ ;)ﾉ"

I shook my head.

"No, I don't blame you, you can't plan everything after all, I sobbed as I tightened my grip on her, I... I... don't blame you... not... boo-hoo..."

"I'm so sorry Soliès. All the words in the world will never be enough to express how truly sorry I am. My aim was to protect you and make sure you were happy, I failed. I am truly sorry (ﾉД')".

"No... I'm sad... because I've lost Orias... I'll probably never see him again..." I finally whispered as hiccups of sobs came over me.

"No, don't worry Soliès, you'll find him in the end, I'm sure of it! ヾ( -́д-̀ ;)ﾉ"

"And now I have to marry someone I've never met..." I finished, sobbing softly.

Auteur petrified and seemed to lose her words. She remained silent, completely shocked by the news that had fallen from the sky.

"Ho-How??"

"Soliès, whispered Fury as he approached me, I'll make you a deal. You go to the wedding, go through the rites and if you don't feel like spending the wedding night, I'll help you to escape.

- How can I do that? If I run away, Mariana and the rest of her family will be guillotined. I don't want their deaths on my conscience, I said, shaking my head negatively as I pushed Auteur away from me.

- No, I'll make you look dead. And then, would you doubt my talent and my powers? I'm a god after all, Soliès, you're offending me," the blond falsely took offence.

My eyes closed in thanks. In any case, it wasn't as if I really had a choice and I agreed to his request.

"I agree, I conceded, I accept your deal. But don't let me down...".

My voice became pleading towards the end.

"When did I give up on you? Well, I know I'm not the most trustworthy person, but all the same. A promise is a promise," the god promised.

"And I'm going to follow you like a shadow! I'll be your servant, Soliès. If that means I can make up for past mistakes... (˚ ˃̣̣̥Д˂̣̣̥ ) "

I giggled at such enthusiasm, my heart warming at the sight and the commitments. 

At least I wasn't alone. Auteur and Fury were there with me. Even if... Even if I had to face someone I loved and didn't know me, I won't be alone. 

At this thought, my heart clenched. 

How... can I really stand the gaze of the person to whom my heart belongs when I will be a stranger in his eyes, knowing that I will be married to another man, this second prince. How could I still confess to Orias that I love him after that? Or do I have to... move on and learn to love my future husband anyway?

I didn't know... I was lost...No, I shouldn't lose hope. I had to get my act together and not let myself get down. Nothing said I'll be unhappy and maybe I can see Orias. 

I came out of my dark thoughts, shaking my head to chase them away.

Then I suddenly remembered one fact in particular.

"Auteur, you arrived bleeding. What happened before that?" I asked.

She looked embarrassed, then confessed:

"I was fleeing the demon kingdom. Their stupid emperor wanted to marry me but I refused. Looks like my footsteps automatically carried me to you (¯-¯٥)"

"The demon kingdom? Why were you there?, I resumed, astonished.

- Because she's a demon in this life. She went from system to demon. If I remember correctly, the other systems must have been there too," remarked the blond.

"Yes, Cerveau and the others are here too (¯-¯٥)"

The carriage finally stopped, putting an end to the discussion. Fury got out first, which had the effect of turning the gazes of everyone around towards us. I climbed down after him, followed by Auteur, who merely raised a questioning eyebrow, ignoring the general enthusiasm surrounding the blond's presence.

"He's done some service here," I replied to the demon's silent question.

Her mouth quirked in surprise. Fury abruptly took us into a clothes store, pushing us to the back. He advised us on the different styles of clothing, but I only listened with one ear, Auteur taking far more notice of his advice than I did. My mind wandered elsewhere, getting lost in all my memories, all jumbled together, between those with my family and those with Orias, in Cyneria.

My face conveyed nothing of my inner distress, burying all my feelings deep in my crumbling heart. I remained in a daze throughout the shopping, taking no notice of what the other two were doing. They didn't seem to want to disturb my dark thoughts. Suddenly, I heard a cheer, shaking me out of my deep lethargy. I looked up to see both men and women rushing down the main aisle.

"The General is home! The General is home!" the crowd exclaimed.

Curiosity compelled me to approach and see the face of this person. He arrived on his horse, still in his armor, with a straight look and a slight smile on his face, his short, black hair was visible without his helmet on his head, and loosely gathered into a bun. His black eyes roamed the crowd with admiration and pride. I almost choked on my saliva when I saw him. Next to me, a young woman in a tiny purple dress hopped on her two feet, her black hair striking me in the face, and sent a red rose to the general.

"General Tolis! Marry me, big man!" she cried in her tiny voice, her cheeks turning pink.

Her friend beside her, with long white hair, also blushed, mumbling something incomprehensible to the other person. The general slowed his horse, caught the flower, smelled it lightly and then winked charmingly, his smile deepening.

"Thank you, charming young lady", he said in his deep voice.

I thought the girl was going to faint, but she just let out little cries of joy, in chorus with the others.

I rolled my eyes at her naiveté. Auteur, who had embedded herself on the other side, grimaced. I heard her grumble.

"So cliché."

The procession resumed its journey to the praise and applause of the crowd.

"Oh please, I blurted out as I ran to take refuge with Fury, running away from the two crazy girls beside me, don't let me see him!

- Why? Aren't you interested in the harem? ironized the blond.

- Ah?? No, thanks, I don't! And anyway, it'll be my husband who can have a harem, not me," I concluded.

Fury shrugged and grumbled "You're no fun."

"Can we go home now? I have to get ready for my wonderful wedding in two days' time, I sighed, with a heavy heart.

- I'll teach you what you need to know about this time," reflected the god.

"Teaching what? (¯-¯٥)"

As we climbed back into the carriage, Auteur carrying all the shopping, Fury explained:

"Did you know that the Empress doesn't come from the empire of Cyneria, but from the small kingdom of Dania, just on the edge of the empire? This explains his matte complexion and more oriental origins. He's a rather eccentric but benevolent person, so if you see him, talk to him about his native country, it'll put you in his good graces".

He reopened his fan for the fiftieth time that day and began fanning himself again quietly.

"Hmm, not silly (・о・)"

I shook my head and said:

"I'll try to remember".

He nodded, then continued:

"I'm also going to teach you, over the next few days, the history of the country, how to behave, how to express yourself..."

My face decomposed as he spoke, and Auteur gave me a look full of pity and compassion.

Finally, why not a third reincarnation?