It started with an explosion in the central plaza.
The statue of King Opal had been destroyed with explosives. There was no victim in the incident, but everyone was wary. A rumour about rebels had scattered through the capital. Sinner Punishment had worsened the crisis. People across the street whispered about it.
That rumour soon proved to be true. A small group spread their ideology, resentment and injustice toward their condition. More people joined the rebellion until they had evolved into a recognisable force. Their target was the source of their pain and loss: the nobles and royalty. The uncontrollable chaos led to the Bloody Riot. People became frenzy and blindly assaulted everyone they found suspicious. No one knew what was wrong or right anymore. Even innocent servants or children were not spared.
Helena died before Bloody Riot ended. She had no idea what ensued after that wreck. Karl stated the rebellion led to a successful coup d'état. They managed to replace the king with someone else. Ironically, that change led to tyranny and the ruin of the kingdom.
Helena rushed to write new information she had on her secret notes. She and the rest of her family still had time left. The rebels blocked the way out from the capital in the third week. As a result, many people were trapped inside the capital. Helena and her family thought they would be safe inside their house.
How wrong they were. Despite having plenty of food and resources, they had no way to defend themselves.
Helena was anxious and ate her breakfast in silence. Her mind was busy planning a way to survive. The capital would turn into a bloodfield. She should flee from this place as soon as possible.
Helena talked about the explosion. "Did you hear the loud sound this morning?"
"We will know about it tomorrow." Her father reassured his daughter. "I'm sure it's nothing."
Helena feigned a fake smile. She already knew what would happen. Her parents died protecting her in the past. She did not want such a tragedy to repeat again. Helena must save them this time. She put down her spoon and spoke to her parents.
"I met Duke Vermillion some days ago. He told me to leave the capital for good."
Her father was stunned. "The Duke said that?"
"Yes."
Helena continued talking to them about the Duke's advice. Her father listened to her attentively. He sighed after hearing her whole conversation.
"I guess you are right. The situation in the capital has not been good lately. We should move to the mansion on the border of the kingdom. We can always escape to a different country if something goes wrong."
His wife was a bit concerned. "How about your work? Won't it be a problem?"
"Business is doing fine. Besides, this family safety is more important."
In the afternoon, Melvin Blackmoore gathered the servants in the main hall. The Count cleared his throat and spoke in a high voice.
"Due to safety concerns in the capital, my wife and my daughter Helena will live in the countryside. Some servants are welcome to move with them or stay in here."
The servants were speaking among themselves. They discussed which one would be the better choice. Like their master, they were also worried about the situation in the capital. Meanwhile, Helena was shaken by the announcement. She walked to her father and pulled his sleeve.
"Father, why you don't come with us?"
"Ethel is still under house arrest. I can't leave her alone."
Helena gritted her teeth and vented her irritation. "Why did you care so much about her? She's in this condition because of herself!"
"Helena, I'm sorry, but..."
Helena refused to hear his explanation and left him. Her mother would be enough. They could live without him. She had hoarded enough dresses and jewellery. They would not fall into poverty if the communication inside the capital was cut off.
The next day, the news of the explosion was revealed in the newspaper. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the situation went downhill. Many servants, including her personal maids, decided to move. Violet, Azure and Scarlet were busy preparing her baggage.
"Sister, should we put this dress in the suitcase?" asked Azure.
"Yes, bring some winter clothes, too. We don't know until when we remain in the countryside."
"How about these high heels?" asked Scarlet.
"No. Those are for the ball. We will attend some saloon, but no need for heels that fancy."
Helena took her hidden note and hid it in her briefcase. After closing the bag, Violet came to her. She brought an old and worn-out mantle in her hand. Helena was surprised to see Adham's overcoat.
"Lady Helena, are you going to bring this too?"
Her mind wandered thinking about him. She recalled their first meeting in her third life. Helena discovered many new sides and went through many experiences with him. She touched the coat and smiled bitterly.
"Yes. Please take care of it, Violet."
The moving preparation took three days. Helena had finished her business earlier, but her mother insisted on carrying more items. Helena could not stop her mother. Her luggage filled three carriages.
She could finally depart from the capital after the preparation was over. Her father and servants were standing at the entrance to bid farewell. Astrid Blackmoore held his hand. "Honey, please don't stay up too late because of work. Remember to eat well."
"All right. Please don't forget to send me a letter when you arrive at the mansion."
"I will." That woman then glanced at her daughter. "Helena, do you have anything to say to your father?"
Helena hung her head. She was still mad at her father. Despite that, Helena ran and hugged him tight. Her father smiled and hugged her back.
"Take care, Helena."
Helena said nothing and released her hug with a weak smile. Perhaps it would be her last time to see him.
She stared at the window where Ethel was imprisoned in her room. Her sister looked distressed. Ethel pushed her father to go without her, but he refused to follow her advice. Ethel regretted aiding Paradise Star. The whole family could not leave because of her.
"Let's go, Helena. The coachman is waiting."
Helena walked next to her mother. She finally could escape from the haunting terror that would occur in that kingdom. Helena would live a peaceful life in the countryside.
But why were her steps heavy?
Helena closed her eyes. Adham's memories were still vivid in her mind. His sorrows, wishes and sacrifices were buried under the broken shard of time. Was Adham going to make the same mistake again? Would he offer his soul for the third time? Could he change their fate?
What was the difference between her past and this life then?
The shadow of her past kept following her figure. She saw how her second life stared at her first life and how she did the same with her second life.
Helena opened her eyes.
Despite learning the reason behind her regression, she resolved nothing.
Helena's mother looked at her when she stopped walking. "What's wrong?"
"I can't go like this..."
Helena turned around and bolted away. Her mother called her name, but she paid no heed to it. She entered a carriage and shouted her destination.
"Go to church!"
Helena could not abandon him again. He had given up his life for her and people. This must be the reason Helena remembered everything through all of these timelines. Helena would not let go of this chance. She had to be the one who brought the miracle for him.
When Helena visited the church, Sister Mary greeted her as usual. However, her expression turned dark when Helena asked about Adham.
"Lady Blackmoore.... That kid is not here."
"What?"
"He did not return to the orphanage or the church for a few days..."
Helena asked the children, but they gave her the same answer. She became uneasy. Was Adham alive out there? He was strong, so he would survive. What did he do out there then? Helena recalled the memories the demon showed her. What if he joined the rebels? No. Helena hated herself for even thinking of the possibility.
Helena decided to use her spare time to see the explosion. The Central Plaza was deserted because of the incident. Before she sneaked around the place, someone tapped her shoulder. Helena almost screamed when someone caught her.
"Lady Blackmoore? What are you doing in here?"
Helena was relieved when she recognised the officer on patrol. "Hello. It's been a while."
Matthew Brown crossed his arms. "You know you cannot just waltz into the crime scene."
"Can't you just make an exception for once?"
"No."
"Aw..."
"But..." He grinned. "There is no order to keep information away."
Helena also grinned. "What a nice loophole."
"Well, you must know some details from the newspaper. There was no victim. Only King Opal's statue was destroyed. However, our main consideration is the explosive. The distribution of gunpowder is extremely restricted and scarce. So, it leads us to one clue."
Helena touched her head. "Is it Paradise Star?"
"You're not the only person with that thought. However, the people we apprehended were not members of Paradise Star. The cult, however, gave the gunpowder to them. Perhaps Paradise Star takes advantage of the rebels and the rumour."
It was new to her. "Huh? What rumour?"
Matthew examined his surroundings. He whispered to her after he was sure the coast was clear. "Prince Ruby used his personal force to execute people."
Helena swore her blood was frozen for a moment. She had a bad premonition about this. "Is that true?"
Matthew shrugged his shoulders. "No one knows the truth. Some folks were found dead, and the perpetrators were Prince Ruby's knights. He went missing when they were going to investigate him."
Helena drowned in thought. No wonder she recognised some names in the newspaper. Those people were part of Sinner Punishment in the past. They were executed along with her. Yet, another incident had taken place. The fact that the rebels still existed without the Sinner's Punishment made her shudder.
After learning about the matter, Helena got back home. She could not shake the bad feeling. However, a more crucial matter had waited for her. Her mother was standing in front of the house. She was fuming.
Ah, crap. Helena forgot about her mother.
"HELENA BLACKMOORE!"
Helena was terrified when her mother sprinted in her direction. The first thing her mother did was slap her arm. Helena yelped in pain when her mother struck her.
"Aw, aw, aw! I'm sorry! Please stop hitting me, mother!"
"Do you know how worried I was? How many times have you done this? If I die, it will be your fault! You are going to give me a heart attack!"
Her father and servant appeased her wrath. It took them two hours to cease her anger. Helena could not blame anyone since it was her fault for running without explanation. Her parent demanded an answer from her. However, they decided to talk about it tomorrow morning. Her mother must rest because of a headache.
Helena survived her mother's fury and excused herself to her room.
She slept like a log the moment her head touched the pillow. Helena only woke up to a blood-curdling scream. She jumped from her bed and opened the door to her balcony. Helena saw rebels trying to break into her home.
"God. I never catch a break."