Blood Contract with her Royal Villainess

♕CHAPTER 2♕

♕CANA ANNALIS ♕

Did I really travel through time? Or should I say, through the book itself? What was that black smoke? I messed my hair as I stared outside the window while apprehending the things that happened to me. I couldn't even eat nor sleep because of some unexpected events that happened to my life. Two weeks have passed, and I still don't know how to get back to my own body and time.

As I stared out the window, I saw the difference between my country and this place. I was so used to living in a populated place with tall buildings and a booming city, but here, the areas and building structures are way too different; even the way they lived their lives here are also different from what I'm used to.

What should I do? I thought and sighed before turning around and walked back to my bed; then, I laid my back on the soft mattress. As I stared at the ceiling, I remembered my parents, my biological parents.

I wonder what you guys are doing right now? I asked in my thoughts. I started thinking about my life now as I stay here inside the story.

If ever my parents could not contact me, I'm sure they will be so worried. Not only that, I still have a lot of dreams and responsibilities that I must fulfill. Plus, I still don't know if I'm dead already or that black smoke just brought me inside the book by swallowing my soul.

Is this some kind of magic or fantasy? Or am I just having a long dream? I thought as I sighed once more.

I also don't have any idea on how I should start my life as the character of Kiera since I knew her fate; she's destined to be killed by Viggo, the vampire slave.

As I remembered the scene where Kiera was killed, I shuddered as the fear surges throughout my body. I can't imagine experiencing the same way how Kiera died. Besides, I still want to go back to my own life as Cana.

Wait, come to think of it, this is also an excellent opportunity for me! I thought.

This is what I have always dreamed of; to know the truth of our history and everything in this era is all I've been looking for. All the history information that I've been studying for. This whole place and era are what made me so addicted to that black book.

I think it's possible to spend my time studying most of this place as I look for a way to get back to my own body. Furthermore, I want to help Kiera to survive and avoid her death. But how am I going to do that? I need a plan! I thought to myself as I sat up on the bed and started tapping my right foot on the floor as I tap my chin while thinking of a plan.

"Where should I begin?" I mumbled then an idea pop into my mind.

'How to survive as a Villainess?' That's it! This should be my top priority! I have to ensure my safety as Kiera for me to have enough time to look for a way to get back to my own body. I thought and snapped my right fingers as if I'm talking to someone else.

I need to plan everything and make sure that I won't fail. And lucky for me, I know every part of this story, and I will make use of that to my advantage. I knew where and when everything would happen, so I just have to avoid making the same mistakes as Kiera did in the past to ensure our safety and lives.

Okay, so my primary goal is to return to my own body and time; the second one is to make sure that I, as Kiera, will not be killed before finding a way to fulfill my primary goal. I thought to myself and nodded my head. I stood up from the bed and walked towards the full body mirror, and stared at my reflection, or should I say Kiera's reflection.

These past few weeks, I still can't believe that I'm here now, living inside the book that I love so much and that I am now one of its characters. For how many times I've waited for the time when I will wake up and get back to my own body, but time passes by, and I'm still here, nothing changed. The longer I stay here, the more I can understand how Kiera lives in this mansion; How the servants and her father, the Duke, treats her; How her stepsister, Keisha Antonette, looked at her with disgust and mockery; and how Kiera's mother worries about her.

For now, what I'm sure of is that I can only trust myself and Kiera's mother, the Duchess, Duchess Carla Romulus; she used to be a p********e, but when she married the Duke, he granted her the title of Duchess. Duchess Carla is the only one who's been visiting and taking good care of me these past few days as I still grasp the changes in my life; every time she came here, she's always asking me what I want to eat or if I need anything. The rest of the people here thought that their second Miss is just acting stubbornly and that this is just one of Kiera's usual stunts every time she's seeking attention. 

Nobody cares if I eat or not or if I feel better or not; they treat me like I'm just a pest in their lives, which is very annoying and heartbreaking, but thankfully, the Duchess is here; she's very kind, so the Duke favors her, but I can't understand why he treats Kiera so different. Maybe it's also because of Kiera's attitude? Or perhaps it's because of Keisha, who's reporting ill news about Kiera to their father, and clearly, ruining Kiera's name.

I really don't like that stepsister of Kiera. I scoffed as I remembered what that woman did to Kiera when they are still young.

That's another thing that bothers me; I don't have any idea why I can remember all of Kiera's memories; it all rushed into my mind the moment I opened my eyes as Kiera; it's giving me a feeling like Kiera is also living inside this body, sharing with me, and telling me her story.

Speaking of Kiera's story, if I remember it correctly from the book, Kiera will graduate soon from the academy where she's currently studying; together with Diana, the main character of the story, it's also the same day where the current emperor of this empire will crown Diana as the princess of Lumire Empire.

"Then that means Diana will soon meet Viggo in the underground market," I whispered to myself as I stared at my reflection.

That's right, base on the book, it was Kiera who leads Diana to the underground market to watch the slave auction held in an illegal coliseum. Kiera wanted to ruin Diana's reputation as a princess, so she planned to leave Diana behind and let the people of Lumire see their princess attending an illegal auction. However, for Diana, this is her way of observing the slave auction, which is illegal in the Lumire empire, and she comes up with a solution to dissolve such an act. And in that place, Diana met Viggo, whom she bought in a sum of five thousand Zeno or an equivalent of one million Zeno in my time. If the value of our currency did not decline, then one Zeno is equal to two thousand Zeno.

"If I want to escape from the destined death of Kiera in the hands of Viggo, wouldn't it be better for me to have him as my slave?" I mumbled as I started walking back and forth in front of the mirror as I cross my arms in front of me. Then, I remember the Mythology class where my previous professor discussed how a vampire slave lives. Vampire slaves are a type of vampires that lives only in the blood of their masters; in exchange for their blood, the vampire slaves must give their complete loyalty to their masters, and if, in any case, that the vampires chose to disobey or harm their master, then the vampires will suffer excruciating pain in their head to the point where they could no longer move.

"This means, if I am Viggo's master, then he won't be able to harm me, and that I can even use him to protect me...But, where am I going to get that huge amount of money?" I asked myself as I stood in front of the mirror. I can't just ask Kiera's father for money; I'm sure he will not give me even just a single zeno, and even if I use Kiera's graduation as an excuse to ask for a gift; I know he still won't give me that much money to purchase that vampire. I sighed as I spent my time analyzing my plan.

"What should I do? What should I do?" I asked as I started pacing back and forth again.

"Aha! Why don't I sell Kiera's jewelry? If I sell those in the pawnshop at the central market, then I might have enough money to purchase Viggo," I said and went to Kiera's cabinet; I checked every drawer and boxes she has in this room but only found two sets of jewelry.

"Seriously? This is it?" I mumbled as I held the two boxes of jewelry in my hands. I cannot fathom why Kiera, the second daughter of the richest Duke in the Lumire empire, only has two sets of jewelry?

"This is absurd!" I commented, then I looked around and noticed that the room is a bit messy for a Duke's daughter.

"Oh, right, Kiera doesn't have any personal maids; she always does things on her own," I uttered with a scowl on my face. This past two weeks, the servants here only came into my room to deliver my food. I'm not complaining about cleaning this room at all since I grew up with no servants to depend on, but Kiera is different; she's the daughter of a Duke, which means she has noble blood in her veins, so she should have at least one personal maid!

All this mistreatment for nobility like Kiera will undoubtedly lead her to be jealous and angry towards her stepsister and Diana because they can have all they want even if they don't ask for it. At the same time, on the other hand, Kiera was deprived of her rights as one of the royal family.

I massaged my right temple as I sighed and decided to sit back on the bed.

With my current situation, it will be hard for me to proceed with my plans. I need to have a backup plan for me to survive in this world. I was in the middle of my thoughts when I suddenly heard someone knocking on the door, so I turned around and saw my mother, I mean, Kiera's mother, peeking her head in the open door.

"Darling, your friend, Diana, is in the lobby now. Would you like to talk to her? I can send her here if you want," Duchess Carla said.

What!? Did she just say, Diana!? Is she referring to the main character of this story? Is the time for me to meet her has come already? I thought to myself.

"If you don't want to, I will just tell her that you're still not feeling well, and you don't want to have any visitors yet," Kiera's mother said.

"Huh? Ah no, Madam, it's okay," I replied. Then I saw her sweet smile faded.

"Don't you want to call me mother again?" she asked. I can see her pained expression, so I quickly shook my head and smiled at her.

"No, mother, I'm sorry, it's just that my head still hurts a bit," I responded and smiled. I saw her puzzled look as if I have two heads sprouting from my shoulders. I gulped as I look at her nervously.

It's too early for me to be found out! I thought as my heartbeat continues to beat faster.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked again, and I nodded to her.

"Very well, I will let Diana in and send out snacks for the two of you," Duchess Carla said and smiled at me before closing the door.

I sighed as the feeling of guilt rise. I know she loves her daughter so much, and yet, here I am, taking control of her daughter's life.

"Don't worry, your highness; I will ensure your safety, and I will make sure that you will get the justice that you deserved in your life in the black book," I whispered as I stared at the closed door. I knew that Kiera's sister would kill her soon and that she will die without any mercy. As I remember how the Duchess died, I clenched my fists.

Now that I am living as Kiera, I will not let that happened again. She's a good person, and she and Kiera don't deserve to be killed just like that. I thought to myself as I turned around and looked down at my clenched fists on my lap.

After a few minutes, I heard another knock on the door, so I stood up and turned around, facing the door.

"Come in!" I answered, and the door opened as she gently steps her way in. With her exquisite beauty, I couldn't help but admire the first Empress Regnant of the Lumire empire; deep blue eyes like the ocean, her white porcelain skin like pearls, and her long golden hair that glows brighter as the sun touches each strand. Just like what's written in the history books, she's genuinely a beauty like no other.

"How are you feeling, Lady Kiera?" she asked with her soft voice as she looked at me, filled with worry. I scratched my nape and awkwardly smiled at her.

"Ah hahaha, I'm fine, Diana," I answered, which shocked her. Her eyes are now wide open, as if she couldn't believe the way I replied to her. As soon as I realized my actions, I quickly covered my lips with my hands.

Sh*t! Kiera never laughed like that, stupid Cana! I thought to myself.

"Wow, that was the first time I saw you laugh like that," she said, smiling. I shyly smiled back at her and invited her to take a seat. The two of us stepped our way to the couch and took our seats.

"Anyway, are you sure you're feeling better now? Our graduation is just around the corner," she said, and I nodded at her as she looked straight into my eyes.

"Will you be able to attend the graduation party?" Diana inquired.

If they are about to graduate, then it means that today is the year 1645. And a year from now, Kiera will die. I thought to myself as I looked at Diana. She started talking about something which brought me back to my senses, so I listened to her.

"The Duchess told me that when you woke up two weeks ago, you started acting...different, and you don't even want to eat the foods that the servants prepared for you," Diana said worriedly as she looked straight into my eyes.

"Ah, that was because I have a fever, but I'm feeling better now, so I'll be attending the graduation ceremony and the party right after," I answered back, then I saw her heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness! I couldn't imagine attending that party without you, Lady Kiera," she replied. As I look into her eyes, I can see the sadness in them. I'm sure if Kiera weren't there with Diana, she would be all alone as she spent her graduation party since most of the people, especially the students in the academy, tend to bully Diana before she was crowned as a princess.

This is because the higher-ranking people tend to look at the commoners as if they know nothing about the world and are not allowed to enter the world of the aristocrats. So if a commoner gets to enter a prestigious academy as a scholar, the aristocrats will only look down on you, they will think that you're just someone who got in because of luck, someone with no talent nor intellect, and worst, they might think that you used your own body to seduce a rich man to pay for your academic expenses. This is how an empire works with the royal families on top.

I looked at Diana as she looked down and played with her fingers on her lap. Then I noticed her clothes.

How sad. I thought. If Kiera's clothes are not that pretty already, then hers are like old recycled clothes.

"Hey Diana, have you prepared your gown for the graduation party?" I asked her, so she looked up to me and shook her head as an answer. I stared at her for how many seconds before I came up with an idea.

Since she will be crowned on that night, why don't I act as her fairy godmother? I thought.

"Hehehe," I laughed as I crossed my arms while looking at Diana. I saw her nervous expression, but I can't blame her. With my villainess looks, anyone who sees me laughing like this will surely think that I am plotting something terrible to Diana.

The hell with that! I have decided already that from now on, the Kiera that they used to know will be of no more and that I will change the fate of Kiera Deidamia Cicero Romulus.

TO BE CONTINUED