Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Rebirth (8)

She returned to her pocket dimension, Cresencia, one last time. The plants she had collected thrived there, a testament to her resilience and ingenuity.

She harvested the spiritual energy she had cultivated, infusing it into the space, ensuring it would remain a haven for her future endeavors.

With her preparations complete, Ahcehera activated her interstellar communicator and charted a course back to Sirius.

The portal she had used before was broken, but her mastery of light energy and her understanding of spatial dimensions allowed her to create a temporary wormhole.

It required immense focus and energy, but she was ready.

As the wormhole shimmered into existence, Ahcehera took one last look at the wild beauty of Cazumi 0071.

This planet had been her crucible, the place where she transformed from a confused soul into a beacon of light.

“I’ll return someday,” she whispered, a promise carried on the wind.

With that, she stepped through the portal, her heart steady and her purpose clear. Ahead lay Sirius, her family, and the challenges of a galaxy teetering on the edge of chaos.

But Ahcehera was no longer afraid. She was ready to face whatever awaited her.

–

The day Richard returned to his family estate in the northern territories of Sirius, he immediately noticed how much had changed since his childhood.

The sprawling lands, once a vibrant tapestry of life and activity, now felt distant and unfamiliar.

The towering mountains that framed the estate and the icy winds that swept through the grounds no longer carried the warmth of home.

Yet the most jarring change was within himself.

His heart ached in a way he couldn’t quite articulate, but he had learned to bury the pain, to shove it deep enough that it became a dull throb in the background of his existence.

Richard stood before his parents in the grand hall, his shoulders squared and his face devoid of the playful charm that once defined him.

“Father, Mother,” he began, his voice steady, “I wish to apply for imperial training. I intend to prepare myself to inherit the northern territory and take on the responsibilities of Duke.”

His words struck like thunder. Duke and Duchess Mors exchanged shocked glances, their expressions filled with disbelief and hope.

None of their remaining children had ever shown interest in taking on the burdens of the northern territory.

The role had always been meant for the eldest, Riezekiel, whose untimely death had left the family grappling with grief and uncertainty.

“You’re serious about this?” Duke Mors asked, his deep voice laced with caution.

Richard met his father’s gaze without flinching.

“Yes. I will train, study, and prepare myself to lead. The northern territory deserves a Duke who understands its needs and can secure its future.”

The Duke leaned back in his chair, a mixture of pride and sorrow flickering in his eyes. “Then you have my blessing, Richard. But know this, it’s a path of immense sacrifice.”

“I understand,” Richard replied, his voice firm. From that moment, Richard’s life shifted entirely.

His focus narrowed to three goals, mastering the intricacies of governance to prepare for his role as Duke, excelling in the imperial academy to solidify his reputation and connections, and building a power base of his own.

His days were relentless.

In the mornings, he pored over historical records, financial ledgers, and territorial maps, familiarizing himself with every aspect of the northern territory.

The harsh winters, the trade routes, and the challenges faced by its people, all became imprinted in his mind.

At the academy, he poured his energy into honing his skills.

His demeanor was no longer the carefree charm of his younger years but the quiet, unyielding determination of a leader in the making.

His peers noticed the change, the once jovial Richard was now reserved, focused, and relentless in his pursuit of excellence.

By night, he strategized ways to build his influence.

He met with trusted allies, recruited talented individuals, and ensured that his network grew strong enough to rival even the most powerful figures in Sirius.

But through it all, the ache in his heart persisted. Memories of Ahcehera lingered like shadows, unspoken and unresolved.

Her absence was a void he refused to acknowledge, and yet it shaped every decision he made.

In the solitude of his quarters, Richard would occasionally glance out at the snowy expanse of the northern lands. The icy winds howled like a reminder of the past he couldn’t escape.

“I will make something of myself,” he murmured to the emptiness. “And when the time comes, I’ll prove to her and to myself that I am more than the boy she left behind.”

The northern territory would have its Duke, and Richard would ensure he was ready to bear the weight of its legacy.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight broke through the frosted windows of the northern estate, Richard’s routine was interrupted by unexpected news.

A messenger from Sirius Palace arrived, dressed in the royal insignia, and delivered a simple but earth-shattering message.

“Her Highness, Princess Ahcehera Bloodstone, has returned to Sirius.”

Richard froze. The air seemed to thin as his mind raced to process the words.

Ahcehera was back.

After months of silence, of unanswered questions and lingering memories, she had returned.

His heart leaped at the thought of seeing her, the familiar ache in his chest intensifying.

He could picture her vividly, her sharp gaze, her confident stride, the way her presence commanded attention without effort.

Yet the image was tinged with uncertainty. What would he say to her? How would she look at him now?

His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening. No. He couldn’t allow himself to fall into that trap.

Seeing her now, when his resolve was still unsteady, would only complicate everything.

Richard took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He had come too far, worked too hard, to let emotions disrupt his plans.

He had vowed to prove himself, not just to his family and the northern territory, but to her as well. That resolve had been his anchor, and he couldn’t let it slip now.

“She has her path, and I have mine,” he muttered under his breath, his voice firm yet laced with an undercurrent of pain.