Chapter 2: The White Rabbit

The gentle breeze of the afternoon whispered over the quiet palace balcony, rustling the shoulder-length white hair of a small girl around seven years old.

She sat still and silent. Her petite body was wrapped in a lace dress that seemed to melt into her pale skin.

A pair of rabbitman ears poked out from her head, marking her as a member of the rabbitman race. Unfortunately, her ears always drooped downward—never once standing upright like those of other rabbitman children.

Though her face was sweet, not even a hint of a smile touched her lips. Only silence lingered in her violet eyes as she stared blankly into the vast blue sky.

"Where are you, really?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

Her hand clutched tightly the silver necklace around her neck, the crescent-moon pendant swaying softly. It was the exact same necklace that had once borne witness to the tragedy of her former life.

Faint memories of her past life filled her. Of a cheerful girl cooking. Of city lights that illuminated the night. Of the noisy rumble of iron-clad vehicles.

And above all, the blurred image of the man she had loved so dearly. The one who had laughed with her, cried with her, and shielded her from death... before she awoke as Princess Elysia Alveria Lunéstre.

The only thing she could never quite recall was the name—her own, or his. All of it was gone, erased, until she opened her eyes as a little girl named “Elysia.”

“I don’t remember your name, but... I miss you so much. I still know everything about you. When will we meet again, my beloved husband?”

Silence once again reclaimed the lonely balcony. Only the whisper of the wind remained, carrying Elysia’s thoughts to places no one could reach.

That silence was broken by the hushed voices of the maids in the adjacent room, caught clearly by Elysia’s sharp hearing.

“Hey, don’t you think Lady Elysia is strange? I mean... she’s always so quiet.”

“You’re right, newbie. Lady Elysia isn’t like other children. She never smiles, never plays. Even the king, queen, and her siblings have given up trying to cheer her up. She’s... I don’t even know what to call her.”

“You’re right, Aina. Honestly... I kind of feel sorry for her.”

“Hah~ Everyone does, Velna. I wish we could see our little lady smile, even just once.”

Elysia lowered her head. She knew what everyone in the palace felt about her, but she chose not to respond.

She was no longer the cheerful girl full of smiles from her previous life. She could no longer pretend. Deep within her heart, there was only emptiness, and an unrelenting longing.

Elysia bit her lip until it almost bled. “I... want to smile again like I used to.” Her hand clutched her chest tightly. “Please, hurry... I’ll lose my mind without you.”

Time passed swiftly. The sun climbed higher, nearing its peak.

Elysia stepped back into the cool shade of her room. But just as she did, a knock echoed softly from the door—a familiar knock.

“Ely, are you inside? May I come in, my daughter?”

Elysia opened the door.

A woman in her mid-thirties stood there. Her hair, eyes, and even the color of her ears were exactly like Elysia’s. A gentle smile played on her lips.

Elysia tried her best to smile back. “What is it, Mother?”

“No need to force yourself to smile, my daughter.” Her voice was full of understanding, calming anyone who heard it. “I just came to invite you for lunch. Your father has something he wishes to tell you.”

“Is this about the new tutor?”

Her mother chuckled softly and gently patted her daughter’s head. “No, sweetheart. You already completed all your royal lessons last year. We have something much bigger planned for you.”

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Elysia tilted her head slightly.

As a reincarnated soul, she possessed the mind of an adult. She had easily finished the basic noble curriculum. By the age of three, she had already mastered the written and spoken language of this world.

“I see. I understand.”

Her mother smiled again and extended her hand. “Come, I’ll take you there. It’s been so long since we held hands, hasn’t it?”

Elysia didn’t smile, but she still accepted her mother’s hand. She felt it was only right to respect the woman who was now her mother.

The two walked away from the silent room. Their footsteps echoed across the palace corridor lined with red silk carpets embroidered with golden threads.

The maids bowed as they passed, some offering faint smiles. One maid swiftly turned the gem-studded doorknob, opening the way to the family dining room.

At the end of the dining table sat an elderly rabbitman with red eyes and a gentle smile. Wisdom radiated from his presence. Beside him, Elysia’s eleven siblings had already gathered, waiting for their youngest sister.

“Take your seat, Ely.” Elysia pulled out the chair that belonged to her, sitting down beside her twin sister.

Among the rabbitman race, having many children was considered normal. They could give birth to two or three at a time.

“Ely, I’m glad to see you at the table.”

“Yes, Sister Irine.”

The maids served the food. Steam rose from soups and roasted vegetables, filling the room with a savory aroma that stirred anyone’s appetite. Everyone picked up their forks and spoons and began to eat.

After the meal, her father—the king—looked intently at Elysia. “Ely, we’re planning to send you to a magic academy.”

Elysia tilted her head, repeating the word with careful calculation. “Magic?”

“Yes. Do you agree? You’re a prodigy. You might have the potential to become a great mage one day.” His voice carried a hint of excitement, though his eyes dimmed slightly behind his gentle smile. “And maybe... you’ll make some friends there.”

Elysia fell silent. Her gaze dropped.

Friends? She didn’t need them. But magic...

“What good is being a mage?” she asked flatly. “It’ll only lead to trouble. I might be told to slay monsters, to read the future, or to search for someone...”

She suddenly stopped. Her heart trembled. A blurry image flashed in her mind. Someone who always made her laugh. Someone who protected her. Someone she wished to see again.

“Father... can magic be used to find someone?”

Her father’s eyes widened. “Why do you ask that?”

Elysia’s gaze was sharp, filled with sincerity and... hope. It looked like a faint flame rekindled after a long, cold slumber.

Her father fell silent, then nodded slowly. “Yes... Magic can be used for that.”

Elysia gripped the hem of her long skirt tightly. “Even if I’ve never met that person in this world?”

“Hmm...” The King closed his eyes in thought. “I’ve never heard of magic like that, but... it’s not impossible. This world is vast and full of mysteries. There’s magic that can transcend space—even time.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at Elysia. They had always seen her as the cold, withdrawn youngest sister who barely spoke, let alone smiled. But now...

For the first time, Elysia straightened her back. A soft curve rose on her lips—not one of courtesy, nor a polite facade, but a real, genuine smile, full of hope.

The dining room fell into stunned silence. No one spoke. Even the maid carrying the tea tray froze in place. Every eye was fixed on the little girl at the end of the table.

Elysia... smiled.

“In that case... I accept. I’ll study magic seriously. I promise.”

And within her mother’s gentle gaze, in the astonished eyes of her siblings, and the deep breath of emotion from the King, a small spark of hope began to bloom. Perhaps... this girl was slowly rising from her darkest depths.

Or perhaps, this was the beginning of a long journey to find the soul she had always been searching for.

*******

Night crept gently over the kingdom of Lunéstre.

The sky was clear of clouds, adorned with clusters of stars that twinkled softly. Among them, the crescent moon hung high. It was as if the universe itself was celebrating Elysia’s smile.

From her open window, Elysia gazed outside. The night breeze stirred the sheer curtains and brushed against her cool cheeks. For the first time, she looked at the sky with a genuine smile gracing her face.

The little girl sat at the edge of the balcony, her feet dangling freely. Her nightgown was simple, pale blue in color, matching the shade of her moon-white skin. Her hair was left loose, swept gently by the night wind.

She raised her hand, fingers closing around the crescent-moon pendant that always hung at her neck. She held it softly, as though cradling something fragile and precious.

“You’re looking at the same moon as I am, aren’t you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her violet eyes fixed on the full moon above. “Or... are you in a place darker than this? But I hope you’re somewhere brighter.”

There was no reply. Only the night wind answered, carrying with it the faint fragrance of evening blossoms from the palace garden. Elysia closed her eyes, trying to recall that face. That smile. That voice. But all of it was blurred. Like a dream that vanishes the moment morning comes.

“I don’t know your name,” she continued, “but my heart... it knows who you are.”

A single tear fell, landing on the surface of the pendant. But there was no sob, no weeping. Only silence swallowed it all.

Then, for the first time in so long, Elysia lay on her bed without a burden in her heart.

“Tonight... I hope I dream of you.”

Until now, Elysia had never known a pleasant dream. Her sleep was always haunted by the same bitter tragedy. And if not that, then only void—empty and terrifying, keeping her from wanting to close her eyes.

But tonight, she wrapped her small body in a thick velvet blanket. The smile still lingered upon her lips. Slowly, she closed her eyes, untroubled by fears of nightmares.

She believed, this time she would have a beautiful dream. A dream of the reunion she had always longed for.