Chapter 3: Changing Fate

"AMERIE, why do you suddenly not want to go? Is it because you are nervous?"

It was her mother who broke the silence that engulfed the whole room, even the maids were frozen in their places as both her nanny and Lilia looked quite startled.

How couldn't they feel that way? Just a few days ago, Amerie is overjoyed that the Voulir invited her to their home to make peace.

She knew the Voulir and their history with the Lovette ever since she knew how to walk.

The twisted version was fed to her by the Voulir themselves when they would often visit for the annual family reunion.

Amerie found a friend within Amelia, the Voulir's youngest daughter.

Amerie, being herself, trusted the Voulir. The deceit and lies that they fed her reached the Margrave but he couldn't do anything, seeing how her daughter was happily interacting with them.

Instead, he decided to create a countermeasure if ever the Voulirs crosses the line.

He still hasn't seen them do it in front of them but with the spies he planted, the Margrave feared for her daughter's life.

Even so, for Amerie to change her mind a few hours before she set off to their home…

"Tell us a valid reason, Amerie." The Margrave spoke seriously, his eyes on his daughter.

Amerie would normally cower and her shoulders would shake by how intense her father's aura is, but today she sat still and straight whilst meeting her father's eyes with the same intensity.

This caught the Margrave by surprise.

"I have a bad feeling about the Voulir's."

Once again, this made the maids froze.

They all looked at each other with knowing eyes and were confused by their young mistress' words.

Never have they heard Amerie talk about bad things about anyone, and although she referred to her sudden change of decision as a bad feeling, it held a different meaning to them.

It means that the Voulir is planning something for the young mistress, and the young mistress knew.

Words are often guise into a simple term, and nobles like to play around them whilst hiding their true intention.

It is a common practice for all nobles to know how to manipulate the words for their own favors, without actually sounding wrong to the ears of others.

Amerie has a special way of saying words too, using a much more non-threatening and non-confrontational word that would sound rather innocent to other people.

Almost like a toddler saying things like meanie, bad guy, and so on.

"Bad feeling? Is it because of what they said to you?" Her mother asks worriedly, knowing what her daughter's words meant.

Amerie nodded slowly, her eyes glancing at her mother then back to her father.

"They wanted me to go."

At first, the maids were confused about what she meant. The way Amerie emphasizes the last word to indicate a different meaning and how she worded her sentences carefully.

Lilia, the Margrave's aide, held a breath and stared at the young mistress who was still calm and collected, like the words she spoke held no meaning to her or her own being.

'If I'm understanding this correctly, does she mean that…'

A loud bang erupted from the table.

The Margrave held the knife tightly while it was stabbed on the table, his hand slightly trembling with rage as his eyes were fierce.

Amerie's mother was surprised by the sudden action of her husband, flinching a bit as her hand held tightly on the table cloth.

However, Amerie was serene like a gentle wind. She didn't even quiver when the Margrave's aura turned deadly.

"Are you sure about this, Amerie?"

Amerie looked directly at her father as she releases a smile, one that is completely unlike her naive personality and face.

"Yes."

With just that one word, the Margrave stood up and walked to the door. Amerie gently wiped a corner of her mouth as she also stood up, leaving the dining area.

Seconds later, Lilia followed close behind the two, leaving the dining area with such an intense atmosphere that Amerie's mother sobbed in relief.

Lilia mentally smiled while looking at Amerie who was staring straight ahead, the naive and innocent aura she once had is now gone.

It was replaced by a noble with an elegant aura that one couldn't help but feel drawn to and admire.

It was similar to the Margrave.

'I can't wait to witness this change.' Lilia thought to herself as a small smile spread on her lips.

It was a change that set their fates in another direction.

* * *

AMERIE wasn't feeling anything else and was rather calm, even when the face of her father was so dark that she might've shivered if she was the same as before.

They have arrived at the Margrave's office wherein Lilia immediately set aside the papers on the table and prepared tea for the two.

The only thing that separates the father and daughter is the table.

The Margrave was silent for a moment before he looked at Amerie, the dark shadow looming over his face is enough indication that if what Amerie said is false, she will face serious consequences.

"Amerie."

Amerie looked at her father, a calm and clear voice followed soon after.

"Father, believe my words."

He sighed deeply as he leans on his chair, the only noise that could be heard is the wind outside and the soft pattering of footsteps outside the Margrave's door.

"Why would you suddenly say such a thing in front of the maids? Why not tell me after the meal?"

Amerie was startled for a moment before a smile appears on her lips.

Her father completely believed her words, but it was not because she suddenly spews out what the Voulir intended to do to her but rather, she exposed that intention out in the open.

'Father believed me…'

Amerie finds it hard to comprehend that her noble and just father believed the words that held no evidence nor was it believable.

Amerie knew she is taking a risk by saying it but how is she going to avoid her fate if she worked by herself?

She came back to the time where she held no power and authority over the people of Lovette. Other than being an heiress, she is just a 14 years old girl who has no strength or people by her side.

How is she going to save herself when she has no control over people?

She needs help, and the help that she knew is her father.

"Amerie, is it because you feel that I wouldn't trust you?" The Margrave spoke, his voice was soft.

Amerie shook her head.

"It's not that. It's..."

How is she going to explain that she knew what will happen because she came back when she was 24? The Margrave might think it is all in her head.

She needs a lie that will still make the whole situation believable.

"I heard it from a maid."

Lilia and her father froze, looking at her with wide eyes as they glanced at each other with knowing fazes.

'Did she know...?'

Amerie sighs, "I overheard a maid talk about the route I would be taking and an ambush that the Voulir prepared."

What Amerie said is not a lie, but it's not the truth either.

She later found out in the past that there was a spy amongst the maids planted by the Voulir's, to ensure that she will take the route that the assassins await.

She didn't particularly hear this maid talk but she used that fact as a way to tell the Margrave about the plan.

'It's like killing two birds with one stone.' She stated in her head as she slowly reaches for her cup.

By saying that she, Amerie, heard the maid talk about the planned assassination.

The Margrave will have to look into the identity of the maid and at the same time, prevent the accident from happening.

"Are you sure about this, young mistress? You didn't hear it wrong, right?"

Amerie turned to Lilia, placing the cup down.

"Yes, I'm sure of it."

The Margrave turned to Lilia and raises his hand to stop her from questioning Amerie even more.

He thought that maybe Amerie spoke out about it is because she is scared and the only person, she could rely on is him, her father.

Besides, the Margrave doesn't want Amerie to be traumatized by this event.

He'll handle this with his own hand.

"Alright. I will look into this matter personally."

Amerie stood up and slightly bowed her head towards the Margrave, her expression revealed that she was relieved but, in her mind, she was ecstatic.

She just avoided her fate, her accident.

"Thank you, father."

Amerie then left the room, leaving the Margrave to personally handle this situation and whether to know if the Voulir's actually planned to assassinate his daughter.

It is not a light accusation and it was not like Amerie's behavior to say such a thing.

In the very end, the Margrave chooses to believe Amerie.

Outside the room, Amerie sighed before releasing a smile that adorned her face as her eyes landed on the tree on a nearby window, seeing a nest of birds on one of the branches.

"Now, the past won't be repeated." She mutters softly.

She felt at ease with this, especially with how she handled the situation.

The whole purpose of her coming back is to make things right, and she will make sure it is done.

Now, she doesn't have to be Keres' confidante and she wouldn't owe him her life.

This time, she knew that what she will be doing from now on is hard, but she won't stop even if somebody gets in her way.

She owns her life; she is free from that fate.

She fixed herself and erased the temporary ease within her, her mind recalling the events from the past as she walked further away.

This is only just the beginning.