The celebration hadn't even ended when I rushed back to our mansion in the city, a place we hadn't lived in for years, but thanks to the servants, it was well-maintained.
After the children fell asleep, I quickly locked myself in my room and stared at the glowing screen.
Compared to the screen that appears when confirming identity and magic level, I didn't know of any other magic screen. This one was different because it glowed red and had a warning at the top, unlike the screen that appeared for the Marquisess.
I read what was written, and my hair stood on end. "What is this? Nonsense!" I shouted in anger.
It listed characters, and below them were their weaknesses and other information. Each category was like a book.
As I read the characters, I immediately went to the plot option and confirmed the meaning of the character descriptions.
My husband and the Marquisess will fall in love after my death?
Second wife?
Rebellion?
I almost couldn't finish reading because I couldn't fathom the absurdity of this screen. I wanted it to disappear, but no matter what I did, it wouldn't go away.
I ignored it until it caught my attention again when a yellow light popped up with the word "Mission" on it.
"Mission: Donate funds to an Orphanage and create a medical charity in the military camp," I read.
I shook my head. Who would waste such a large sum on a drop-in center? To accommodate the medical needs of the knights, a vast amount of money is needed. The empire struggles to provide it, let alone one person.
I laughed and calmed down because it was impossible for this to be real. But after just a few days, I heard about the Marquisess being awarded for donating funds, just as the mission on the screen said. To my surprise, the screen said "Mission accomplished" and gave me a new mission.
"Mission: Save Mathias and let the bandits kidnap you," I read. My mom furrowed her brow.
"You seem deep in thought," she asked.
"Huh?" I asked, lost in thought.
"I was saying, when are you going to plan to settle in the city? Out of all my children, you're the only one who wants a simple life. And I'm not trying to interfere, but don't you regret this, my child? You hardly ever see your husband because he's always on the battlefield. I feel sorry for the children because they're growing up without their father for long periods," my mom worried, but I quickly calmed her down.
"Mom, Mathias is a hero of the empire. It's natural that he's always on the battlefield protecting the country. I'm proud to be his wife, and so are the children," I explained, but I was a little bothered by the mission on the screen.
When we returned home outside the city, I tried to carefully read the plot and connect it to the mission.
"Jasmine was kidnapped by what she thought were bandits, but they were actually a secret military group who wanted to kill her.
Mathias saved her and took her home.
His wife looked after Jasmine, healing her wounds.
During her stay, Jasmine realized Mathias's wife had the life she'd always dreamed of, envying her kindness—a stark contrast to Jasmine's own vicious and greedy past life.
She noticed how elegant and graceful Mathias's wife was and tried to copy her, a fact Mathias's wife noticed and used to teach Jasmine proper ladylike behavior, skills Jasmine could use to gain an advantage. But their happy life ended when the bandits attacked. To save her child, Mathias's wife gave her life, letting Jasmine and the child escape. Mathias found out and led the Holy Knights to attack the bandits, wiping them out. Sadly, he was too late to save his wife. She was dead. Jasmine was furious and swore revenge."
I shook my head, unable to accept what was written on the screen. It seemed like... I contradicted myself to avoid believing what I read on the screen and ran outside to the garden.
"Mommy? Are you okay? You look unwell," my child worried. Without saying anything, I hugged my two children tightly.
The perfect family I have, I don't believe it will disappear, and I won't let it. I won't allow it.
"Mommy, I can't breathe."
"Mom, it's too tight, and Dana's so fat!"
I let go and forced a smile, trying to hide my tears. "Sorry, Mommy just missed you. Why don't you go play?" I suggested.
"Then let's play tag, Mommy. You're it!"
They ran off laughing, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mom! We're here!"
"Mommy, we're here! Catch us!"
Laughter filled every corner of our small backyard. A simple house filled with joy—a life a humble wife dreamed of.
"Mommy! Hurry up," my daughter Dana urged impatiently, while my son Josh played with the white dog we'd adopted.
I named my children Dana and Josh. Twins, four years old. It had also been four years since I married the so-called great general, Mathias Riverlilies, the hero who emerged during the war between the two empires.
I am so lucky to have this family, and I can say that if my life were a book, I would happily turn every page and reach the happy ending with my two children. Period.
That's what I expected; that's the life I have, but...
"Gracia! Gracia, open the door!" my husband shouted, and I hesitated to open our main gate because I was afraid—afraid that what I expected would happen.
"Mommy, is that Daddy knocking? Let's open it; maybe Daddy has a surprise," Dana said, pulling slightly at my skirt.
I signaled the maids, and they gently opened the gate. I almost dropped my child's toy when I saw my husband.
I was filled with confusion, wonder, nervousness, and fear when I saw my husband carrying a woman. She was unconscious, and her clothes were covered in blood.
"Is this real?" I asked myself, shaking my head, but I tried to calm down when my husband shouted, filled with worry.
"Gracia, let us in; Jasmine's life is in danger!" he shouted, his voice filled with concern.
My brow furrowed as I stared at him. "Jasmine? Do you know her?" I asked, but he didn't answer me and ran into the house, bumping into me.
"Daddy, who is she?" Dana asked.
"Dad, let's just go to Mommy's room; it's closer," Josh said.
My legs felt like jelly, so I collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down my face.
"Madam, I know you're worried that the general might like her, but that won't happen. Please don't be jealous," my husband's right-hand man advised before following him.
You're wrong... You're all wrong...
I wasn't afraid of jealousy, but of what was written on the mysterious screen in front of me that only I could see: "He discovered a secret military force planning a rebellion disguised as bandits, so they planned to kill her, but Mathias arrived and saved her. Mission: get Mathias' sympathy."
That's what was written on the screen, and that wasn't all, because it also said I would die. A terrifying screen that recorded my destiny.
I didn't want to believe it, but as my husband brought the woman mentioned on the screen, I slowly started to believe it. The good life I had was destined to vanish.
"No. This isn't real. I'm the wife, the mother, and the light of this home; you can't just replace a member of the family like that. No!" I panicked, trying to throw the screen in front of me, but it wouldn't disappear.
"Go away, please! Please go away!"