Reincarnation

At first, I was the legitimate daughter of the Minister's residence.

When I was fourteen, I met Song Yan.

He said he wanted to marry me.

Sure enough, his betrothal letter arrived at our home before long.

Father asked if I truly wanted to marry him.

I nodded.

My elder brother said, "Your marriage will ensure two generations of prosperity for the Xue family."

Truthfully, I didn't have to marry him, nor did I have to become his secondary consort.

I simply wanted to experience love. It didn't matter with whom; as it happened, this time it was Song Yan.

Later...

Of course, I never received his love.

I burned down the palace he had given me, then calmly waited for death amid the flames blooming like trumpet creepers.

A voice asked me, "If you could live again, would you still love him?"

I thought, no. I wouldn't. Probably.

After the flames flickered, there was only endless darkness. Then, one afternoon, I suddenly opened my eyes, released from a nightmare.

This year, I was fourteen again.

*This started as a piece of madness written while working on my thesis. Now it's a piece of madness written while working my day job.

*The main story is in third person. Anyway, the blurb gives you the idea. Brace yourself for angst. Everyone is a villain.

Theme: Courage