Have you ever felt looking at a task that it was very easy but then when you had started doing it had you realised that it was not what it seems then it had taken all the energy and had further drained you?

That’s how I felt when I started studying, though not with flying colours I had passed the academy exams in my last life and had completed my four years of studies too.

So I had thought that it would only take half an hour, for just revising and then I would be done. But the reality was far away from the dream. I hardly know anything written in it.

Which made me confused, I furrowed my brows and started reading the history of the empire but it was also hazy too.

I furrowed my brows as I stood up and started practising the fencing steps with a wooden piece in the air. These moves I had used in the 21st century too and had gained various awards. I knew the moves by heart as I had learnt them after years of heavy training, but the truth was I was not able to practice any. As if the memory was there but I could not recollect it.

Like a box had been closed and no matter how much pressure did you put, you would not be able to open it. Only then did I realise except remembering the major event of my life, I don’t have a recollection of things well.

“That little girl had tricked me!” I yelled as I let the wooden piece go. See, that was the reason I hated kids, they always lie and trick you!!

“My lady, you are looking tired, why don’t you take a break and eat some snacks. Even my mind did not work when I am hungry, food gives us energy and strength to our mind too” she wheedled me as she looked at me mumbling foreign words and speaking nonsense.

I sighed as I sat back on the chair, even if I shouted all day, there was nothing I could do. I felt like my brain was also working like a fifteen-year-old kid. The only thing I could do now is to bear with and train myself again, as I still had the advantage of knowing my enemy in advance.

Taking the cookies in my hand, I tried to think of a way to save someone around me, if I would not be closer to the person whom I had to save, how would I save him, and if I would not save him then how would I get all my memories back, but I didn’t even know who I had to save. ah! It’s so frustrating.

“I am taking a nap for an hour,” I announced, “make sure, no one came to disturb me this time” I added and Beth nodded, though I knew that Isabella wanted to enter there was nothing much that Beth could do.

Soon when sleep took me into her arms, I heard that starting voice again.

“Save the life of the crown prince and protect him, and in exchange, I will return your life and your memories in advance or else you will lose your memory and the history would repeat itself, Abigail.” those were the last words I had heard when I closed my eyes, and they have shot open again “I would save your life, as I could not die without taking my revenge.“

“What are you saying my lady, did you have a bad dream again?” she asked worried as she walked towards me.

“Nothing, I am fine, I am good,” I mumbled as I tried to collect my thoughts. So to get my memories back, I had to save the crown prince, as I clearly remember that he was assassinated before Gerard took the crown.

Though it was not mentioned ever who had killed him, it was clear that it was Gerard, who else would have the motive and courage to do so.

But now it had become more difficult as it was not easy to meet the crown prince much less stay with him all the time in order to protect him.

‘I need information, a lot of information. But now, my stepmother would not allow me to go out of the palace in the name of she was mankind sure that I study well.

But then my eyes fell on Beth who was still standing in the corner since the start.

“Beth”

“Yes, my lady”

“I want to know about recent gossip,” I asked and she paled.

“My lady, I swear that I never take part in gossip, I just do my work with my full concentration.” she started swearing and pledging like the newly appointed knight with her shivering and scared body, what a contradiction!

Moving towards the table I took out a silver coin and handed it to her, her eyes shone more than the silver in my hands, and she even forgot that she was scared just a moment ago.

“I need to know each and everything you know, Beth, that also daily, keep your eyes and ears open and bring a lot of gossips for me daily” I ordered,

“My lady” she tried to make an excuse again when I showed her another silver coin and finally her pretence fell.

“Ah, suddenly I seem to remember, the announcement of winter ball had created a new sensation all over the empire as the emperor had announced that the wife of crown prince would be chosen in the ball party” she replied, after a pause, she added,

“There is a tea party organised by Duke Strangford this Friday as their daughter had learnt violin and even was praised for it by the music academy. Many are going there especially to hear her music” she took a pause as she concentrated hard to remember more,

“Lady Isabella is going to the town to get herself a new dress as the duke will be invited to the palace for dinner.”