Chapter 1 - The Dawn of Eclipse

“Father, please! Even for once! listen to me!” The lady fell on her knees as she begged for the person who was looking at her with a cold gaze. Even with her eyes glistening with tears, she knew that no matter how much she cries, the pair of eyes that looked like hers would never soften in her direction.

“What should I do for you to treat me as your own child? Father, I’m your daughter too! I was born first! But not even once have I felt the warmth of your hands! I did everything for you to love me and look at me at least once but......” She yelped desperately as she tried to reach out her hand to him, only to be returned with a sharp slap. Her heart sank as his frigid voice filled with contempt rang in her ear. “Stop being pathetic. I only have Axiel as my daughter.” She stared at the ground in hopelessness as no tear can suffice the pain she felt all her life. The Emperor turned around, leaving the aristocrats gossiping about the disgraceful princess.

“What are you doing?!” The man with auburn hair hissed on her ear as he forcefully pulled her up and dragged her out of the banquet hall. The harsh grip on her arm was barely felt as she entered the carriage. “Shame on you! How dare you, a mere woman bring dishonor to my name! Did you know about the humiliation I felt a while ago? Huh?” He slammed the door real hard and grabbed her chin. Knowing that her sanity has gone astray through her lifeless eyes, he slapped her roughly and left her lying on the ground as his footrest.

‘Someone. Anyone. Please save me. I—I want to die’ She pleaded silently before closing her eyes.

-.-.-.-

“—ister! Big sister! Wake up!” I gasped loudly and jerked right up the bed. What was that? a dream? Why does it feel so real? I continued to heave deep breaths as I began to process my surroundings.

“You’re awake!” Celestine cried and instantly wrapped her small arms around my neck. “W-what’s going on?” I asked with furrow brows. Glaze, my second sibling, reached out his cold hands and met mine with his face full of worry. “You were crying in your sleep. We tried to wake you up but you never opened your eyes.” I blinked a couple of times in disbelief and faked a smile. “I just had a bad dream” I patted his head and diverted my gaze into the window where the blanket of stars that stretched to infinity dominated the dark skies.

“Oh! It’s already evening! It’s time for you to go to bed, kiddos!” I immediately changed the subject and gently wiped Mina and Zeref’s tears as they fell on their bubbly cheeks. I lifted them up the ground and positioned my four siblings together.

“What if I get bad dreams like big sis?” Mina mumbled as her brown eyes glistened with tears once again. I chuckled lightly and tucked them under the blank making sure to keep them warm.

“Don’t worry big sis will fight all the bad dreams away!” I raised both of my fists and playfully boxed the thin air. This made them giggle all their worries away. We exchanged goodnight before they closed their eyes as I sang them a sweet lullaby to sleep. "Sweet dreams, little buddies." I planted a kiss on each of their foreheads before getting up.

Glancing through the transparent window, I started to appreciate the beauty of the droplets from the sudden downpour of rain through the sparkling glass. Noticing a familiar book on the bedside, I hesitantly picked it up and walked towards the balcony. The cold gush of midnight wind welcomed me in glory. The heavy rain surrenders herself unto the ocean, each fragment rippling gracefully and slowly becoming a part of the body of brine sea-lace. I heard each watery gift, softer than the patter on a rooftop, moving in subtle waves of its own according to the wind. Feeling my long caramel hair dancing along with their beat, I closed my eyes and let my anxiety be washed away with the rain. I let out a deep sigh and stared at the crying sky.

'June 23. Just a couple of more minutes before I'll be 16-years old! two more years and I'll be a full adult! I can't wait!'

I smiled excitedly at the thought and brought the book that I've been holding close to my chest. Just like in every story, 18 is the age where life starts to become more interesting. Just imagining scenarios of what could possibly happen just like in books, I couldn’t help but smile broadly. Suddenly, the winds began to blow stronger than ever that the ship began to rock violently.

“Aaaaahh!” I shrieked loudly and immediately grasped the nearest furniture. The waves began to get rough as the sky started to roar with deafening thunder roars. What is happening?! My heart is pounding loudly and my brain is starting to panic. I carefully took steps back to reach the door but then the chair lost its balance and slid swiftly towards the edge of the balcony.

“NOOO!” With my other hand, I instantly gripped the railing, making the book I was holding fall off my hands. My eyes widened in disbelief as I followed the book becoming one with the ocean. My breathing became heavy as tears started to form my eyes. The wind is unbearably cold, the rocking of the ship is making me dizzy, my vision is getting hazy and my body is shaking.

“HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!” I screamed desperately wishing for someone to hear me when almost everyone inside the ship are voicing their uncontrollable panic. The strong wind blew again for the nth time. My grip tightened once again but my weight is pulling me down. I tried to look up and prayed not for my safety but for my siblings inside the room. I hope Mama and Papa are already with them right now. I bet they’re already crying, well, they must have been frightened by the loud thunders. I bit my lip as tears began to fall. I hope they won’t open the door to the balcony or they’ll be swept by the wind. Just when I’m about to finish my prayer, a bright light shined on my face.

“Papa!” I gasped in disbelief. He was standing by the door with mama and my siblings behind him. His appearance was disheveled from panic and the expression on his face left a huge pang on my chest. “Blaire!” He cried loudly and made haste to help me but I immediately screamed back “Papa! No! Stop!” that moment, the wind blew once again making the boat rock wildly. Fortunately, he was able to grasp the handle of the door and mama pulled his shirt back. I saw my parents trembling in fear but the determination in my father’s eyes made my heart swell.

“Papa, Mama, I’ll be fine! Please! I can’t lose any of you!” I cried desperately. My arms are getting numb, I know I won’t hold on for too long anymore. “No no no! Blaire! don’t worry papa’s going to save you, okay? Don’t cry, princess. Don’t worry, I will come to get you!” I smiled bitterly as I stared at how amazing papa is. He is like a Superman, he has always been our superhero. But papa, you can’t sacrifice yourself for me; mama needs you, my siblings need you. Please take care of them for me.

“Papa, mama, don’t worry about me, you’ve raised a fighter. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you after this storm, okay?” I managed to plaster a huge smile on my face before my grip started to loosen.

“I love you” I whispered into thin air as the cold water of the sea welcomed me with open arms. Is this how my life ends? My arms are sore, my legs are numb, and I’m slowly running out of breath. I tried opening my eyes to see the underwater for the first and last time when suddenly something caught my eye.

My book!

It was as if it swam its way towards me and the moment it touched my reaching hand, a bright light pulled me inside. Wait what?! What’s this? I can breathe!

I instantly opened my squinting eyes and there was nothing but white all around me. Am I in heaven? Suddenly, a lady with unusual-colored hair appeared.  She is stunningly beautiful that made my lips were left agape at the sight of her.

"W-who are you?" I asked in between my pants. "Little girl, do you want to live?" Her voice was gentle but there’s nothing wrong with being cautious with strangers.

"Yeah but who are you?"

"I’m Victoria Nightingale Teravania, a character from the book you are holding" My jaw dropped at her sudden revelation. She must be kidding, right? I tried to look for a sign that she’s joking but her eyes didn't flutter and her face is dead serious.

"... but why did you save me?" I muttered hesitantly.

“Because I want to make a deal with you"

"A deal?" I asked in confusion.

"I will save your body from drowning and spare you from death." My face lit up from what she said but was later on interrupted by her next words.

"In return, I want you to possess my body, make me an empress in my world and earn my father's love for me."

"What?!" I shrieked in surprise. "Wait I don't understand! Why are you doing this?! I mean why me?" My eyes grew wide from her words as I ask in panic. She just smiled gently and replied. "Because I know you can help me"

"How can a child like me help a lady like you?!"

"We don't have enough time. I need your answer now. Do you want to accept the deal? or accept your tragic death before your birthday?"

"Wait! what about my body here? what will happen to me?"

"We’re going to switch souls. I will possess your body as well but don’t expect me to do anything other than make you survive. " I raised my brow in dissatisfaction. “That’s an unfair agreement.” Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. I raised my finger and elaborated. “I’m going to accept your conditions but you must remember two things: Never make my parents disappointed in me, and always take care of my siblings, okay?” Her eyes turned into a crescent as she replied happily. "Okay!"

In an instant, a very bright light shined surrounded me once again.

"But remember, our souls and bodies are connected. Don't die in my world and your body won't die in your world as well." That's the last thing I've heard before I opened my eyes once again.

"KKYYYAAAAHHHHH!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I harshly fell from the sky. Luckily, the soft wind gently landed me on the green grass of the garden.

"My lady! I've been looking for you!"

There I realized---

I've entered the world of the novel I just read.