Author's Note: Hello, it's been a while. I apologized for the long wait. Class had started already and so preoccupied with my subjects. Might not update as often but I will if I had some time.

PLEASE READ: I had revised a few points that had been written in this story after finalizing the plot and oh, instead of Jellal being 12 years old, he's now 21 years old and Erza's turning 19. Kindly reread the first chapter on the last part because I changed it. Thanks.

It has been a while since she had spared some of her time for herself. Sighing deeply, she relaxed her shoulders as she leaned on the seat beside the window of her room, watching the lovely hyacinths dance against the rhythm of the wind through it. After a couple of moments, she rested her chin against her left hand and started to jot down some notes onto the empty papers on her desk. It has been a week since she had been reincarnated into this body, but she still couldn't justify any reasons for her to get used to this kind of luxury. She could vividly remember the moment she dropped out of college for work in her previous life. She worked relentlessly for days and nights, doing all sorts of jobs she can to save her mother.

"I've got no time for that," she said as she slapped herself, bringing her back to reality.

After composing her disarrayed thoughts again, her eyes sparkled with determination as she thought. First, let's eliminate the possible death flags Erza might encounter in this story. Letting the tip of her pen dance across the paper, Erza tried to write all the clues she had from the original story.

If the plot develops similarly to the original story, the novel started with Jellal's bloody revolt during the prince's birthday, when Erza died. Currently, I have three more months before the crown prince's age-of-coming ceremony. I still have enough time to loosen all those threats at once. Ah, there's only one possible way to eliminate the death flags, and that is, avoid any contact with the imperial family. It might've seemed likely given that Jellal's estate dwells far from the palace. Knowing the nature of his curse, the emperor sent him to this isolated village of Leger, situated on the western border of Fiore. It's a small village home to a beautiful range of mountains and a large lake near the southern region. If the book were right, it would take a day to reach the capital with a carriage and a half by riding a horse. That might sound a good excuse not to attend banquets and tea parties hosted by the imperial family, but who am I to reject their offer? They might've sent my head flying off if I carelessly provoke them.

She slumped to her desk, feeling exhausted from her helpless situation. She looked back to her bed and heaved as she suddenly felt empty. Has it been three days already? She asked herself as she grabbed the pen once more. Was this immense feeling of longing yours, Erschelle? She asked as she poked her cheek with the pen. Her lips curled as she savored the sweet silence and closed her eyes. Soon after hearing a knock on the door, Erza's thoughts were disrupted, and she immediately rose from her seat as the knock resounded again.

"Your Highness, Princess Erschelle. It's me Cedric. A meal has been prepared. Should I ask them to serve the food in your chambers, Your Highness?" asked Cedric.

Her bright eyes soon lost their brilliance as she heard not Jellal's voice. For some reason, she bit her lips, trying to swallow her frustration. What was I expecting? It might sound funny, but somehow, I'm concerned that it took him longer than I had expected. She thought as she titled her head towards the freshly picked flowers, inhaling their scent.

"Princess E-Erschelle?" asked Cedric again.

"A-ah, right. Do it." She said as she realized she hasn't replied to him yet.

It's strange to be addressed as Erschelle rather than Erza. I'm not used to her name yet. At least Jellal is addressing me by her nickname. Hearing him call me Erza makes my stomach feel butterflies. I never thought I'd feel this empty after three days. How clumsy of me? She asked herself as she sighed and turned to him.

"How long does it take before Jellal returns to the castle?"

"Usually, it takes a month or more before he returns, Your Highness."

"That long?" she raised her voice, obviously appalled with his reply.

"Yes-"

"Butler, His Highness, Prince Jellal has arrived!" announced the maid.

As if a toddler hearing her mother's arrival, Erza ran down to greet him, not minding the prying eyes of the servants who were blatantly flabbergasted with her unladylike behavior. After hearing her voice calling his name, Jellal turned to her, and she jumped into his arms, embracing him. He blinked twice before wrapping his arms around her waist, surprised by her rare display of affection. Although he's not complaining about it, he was rather curious about what made her act this way.

"What took you so long?" she asked as he loosened his grasp on her waist.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you," he said as he cupped her cheeks before clasping her hands and kissing the back of them.

Slightly blushing, she pulled her hands and started her onslaught of questions. He chuckled as he stared at her eyes gleaming with both joy and anxiety. After calming down for a bit, he managed to ask her for breakfast after being greeted by Cedric.

"I appreciated my wife's concern however your hands are rather freezing. It would be better to head inside first so that you won't catch a cold." He said as he wrapped his coat around her slightly trembling shoulders.

"I heard it takes at least half a day to reach the castle with a horse. Don't tell me you left the capital during dawn, Jellal?"

"The journey was nothing much of a bother. How could I ever tarry there any longer when my wife's been waiting in this empty castle by herself? I couldn't help myself but be worried after leaving you behind in that state."

"I really am alright now, Jellal. What about you? You must be exhausted from the long journey. Rest now. After this meal, I'll ask the maids to prepare a bath for you."

"Rather than staying on the bed for the rest of the day, I'd rather spend it with you." He paused as he stared at her surprised eyes.

"Ah, r-really?" she asked as her cheeks flushed.

"I heard there would be a lantern festival in the village tonight. Are you interested in it? Well, you don't have to force yourself. I'm fine with everything you choose." He said as he reached for her hands.

"I'll go but with one condition."

"Y-yes?"

Later at night,

I should've declined her request to go out without any escort knight. The night market was more crowded than I had anticipated. He thought as he walked in the crowded streets, his face twisted as his shoulders slightly bumped into someone. Keeping the hood not to come off was also adding to his frustration, but with the swift movement of her hands, his imperceptible discomfort faded away.

"Are you alright?" she asked as she smiled.

"Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself, Erza. How can you take off your hood?"

"Nobody would recognize me with this black hair, Jellal. You should also take that off. You seem uncomfortable with it. Why don't we enjoy the night and have fun, yes?"

"Fine,"

"Alright. Why don't we eat some sausages over there?" she asked as they strolled towards the food stall.

"Are you serious you'll eat that?" he asked as he watched her order some seasoned sausages.

"Of course. This might not be as palatable as the chef's delicacy but it's worth a try." She said as she accepted the food offered by the old man.

"This is the first time I've seen you have that appetite for food," he blurted as he solely stared at her eyes without touching the food.

"Is that so?" she asked, remembering something.

Seeing these stalls at night brings me nostalgia. Back when my mother was still alive, she often treats me with food in the night market after working in a small bakery downtown. She turned around and bit her lower lip, restraining the burning sensation in her eyes.

"I miss my mom," she said making Jellal flinch.

"D-did you recover your memories already?"

"Ugh, not yet. I heard it from Cedric, Jellal. He said she's a great archmage of her time. I wonder what was she like?" she asked as she tilted her head towards him.

"I don't know. Apart from the books that declared her great contributions to the empire, I never met her in person,"

"It's such a shame that I can't even remember the woman who gave birth to me,"

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You'll eventually remember everything, Erza."

"I hope so," she replied as she continued to walk towards the other stall.

"Yay, thank you, mom" a voice shouted from afar.

At that moment, Erza's eyes stumbled upon a child in the next store, happily accepting the cotton candy from the merchant. Meanwhile, her mom awkwardly handed out the last coins of her purse. She sighed as she watched her daughter show her the cotton candy. Erza couldn't help herself but feel pitiful. Was mom like that too? I guess I was too young to notice how much trouble she'd been through to raise me. To think she'd also spent all her pennies left for me. She gritted her teeth, sensing another memory creeping into her mind.

"Madame, you dropped this." She said as she approached the lady.

"Pardon? I still have my-" she blinked in disbelief.

"Yay, does that mean mom can still keep her promise and buy me a lantern for my birthday?" asked the child staring at the purse.

After giving her the gesture to take the purse, the woman couldn't stop herself from bursting into tears as she accepted it. She bowed and thanked her sincerely. She nodded to her child and then asked her to thank the young lady for returning the purse and Erza smiled as she drooped down to her level and caressed her hair.

"Be a good girl to your mom, 'kay?" she said before earning a nod from the child.

"I am very thankful for receiving such kindness from you however I can never compensate you for this much amount, my lady. A single gold coin is already enough for both of us," she said as she returned the purse after taking a single coin.

"Keep it. You haven't treated yourself to a meal yet so please, take it. Your daughter's smile is enough as a token of appreciation."

"My lady, I really am grateful for this," she said after bowing again.

Erza smiled as she felt her hands on hers. "Allow me to know your name so that I can pray for you every night, my lady. That would be the last thing I can do for you," she asked.

Seeing her desperation, Erza smiled as she answered, "Erza. My mother calls me Erza."

Hearing her name recklessly uttered by a stranger, Jellal grabbed her hands and eyed the woman as she retreated back to her child. Upon seeing them disappear from their sight, Erza lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"Stop being reckless," he said as he adjusted the hood on her head.

"I'm sorry. I was just amused with the child."

"You're amused to the point of giving them all the money that we had?" he asked as he slid her fringes next to her ears.

"Oh?" she blinked several times before realizing.

In a split of seconds, she felt her inner self screaming to her heart's content. How can I be that dumb? Oh heavens, Erza! Think of away! She thought as she nervously bit her nails as they left the stall. After taking a few steps forward, Erza heard music from afar, and immediately, an idea popped up in her mind. Slightly flicking her fingers in delight, she grabbed his wrists and ran towards the center of the market. As soon as they arrived, Jellal watched Erza draw closer to the piano. He looked sideways as his heart started to pound with anxiety. Watch me, those were the only words she left him before ascending upstairs. He marveled as he mindlessly watched her take her seat and began touching the keys. He closed his eyes as he began to relish the moment. As she played the nocturne, he felt lulled with both pain and longing. He clenched his hands as he opened his eyes to see her smiling with faint tears in her eyes.

"Did you miss her that much?" he thought to himself as he watched her play.

After receiving a hefty number of coins during her play, they were able to rent a boat and bought two lanterns with them. Slowly paddling through the still silvery waters of the lake, Jellal stopped as they neared the center and inhaled sharply before asking her.

"What are you wishing for tonight, Erza?"

"It won't come true if I tell you," she pouted as she continued writing.

Hearing him chuckle at her words, she lifted her eyes to meet his emerald ones. Like the waters below, his eyes reflected her face back to her. "Won't you get tired of staring at me like that?" she asked as she handed him the pen.

"I won't. How about you? Will, there be a day you'd get tired of having me by your side?" he asked as he watched her touch the water.

"Why would I get tired of you? You're my husband now. Though that marriage was out of convenience, I hope you're sincere with your actions towards me, Jellal." She said as she clenched her hands.

It's quite ironic asking him to love me sincerely when I already know that he does. However, why do I feel jealous that your feelings were meant for Erschelle and not me? Was I too greedy to ask for your affection? I just wanted to be loved this time 'round. I'm embarrassed of myself. How could I ever take advantage of this man?

"I didn't marry you out of convenience, Erschelle. I marry you out of my own desire to do so," he said as he reached for her hand.

Her heart sank as she heard him call her name. Yes, it's good to be reminded that you married her and not me. She thought as she tried to laugh, feeling her heart breaking. Afraid to let out the broken sobs swelling in her throat, she chuckled as she turned to light her lantern after hearing the church bells from the town.

"Will you light mine, too?" Jellal asked he drew closer to her.

"Of course," she said.

She had been so adept at masking her bright smile yet she wondered why it was different now. She heaved then looked up to the starlight sky to cheer herself. C'mon, your sole reason to exist here is to make him happy. I don't care whether he loves me or not but I will keep that promise. She then smiled after rearranging her thoughts.

After tucking the sheets on her, Jellal paused as he reached for her face. Sliding the scarlet locks to her ears, he gritted his teeth as he ventured to kiss her forehead. Leaving a slight stain of saliva on her forehead, he kneeled and kissed her hand. The stars' brilliant light may reflect brightly in your eyes but just like starlight, it's dull and it couldn't conceal the pain you're hiding. How long will you keep everything from me, Erza? He loosened his grip as he sensed someone's footsteps and then rose from his position.

"Sleep well," he said as he exited her room.

"Save your greetings. Has Caleb returned?" he said as he watched Cedric bow.

"He is currently waiting in your office, Your Highness."

"Do you have something to say? I told you to not follow us during the night yet you have the audacity to disobey my orders now, Cedric Hexion?" He asked and glared as he paused, watching Cedric open the door for him.

"I just wanted to confirm something, Your Highness."

"Confirm?"

"I apologize to speak ill of the princess but did you ever realize that she's not acting her usual self after the incident. It's almost as if another soul has taken over her body." He said, keeping his eyes low.

It's almost as if another soul has taken over her body. His eyes widened as he heard his words.

A/N: Truly sorry for the revision because I just had hastily posted this story. Hope you appreciate the update. Please spare some time to review! Thank you.