4 4

How did I not see this coming?

Nervously, I was tapping my feet at the floor.

The sun was now completely gone.

The tray of food was half eaten. The glass of water untouched.

The clock, which was above the door ticked very loudly.

Tick

Tack

Tick

Tack

Tick

Tack

...

The fear of being stuck in this book, or world was overwhelming.

Not knowing what may happen in the future. Not even estimating what might happen.

What will happen to me.

The thought of not being able to return to my world drove me crazy.

I had a knot in my throat.

Suddenly I remembered, that I had the book.

Maybe like this I will be able to learn more about Lady Zephyra. Or what will happen in the future.

I went over to the desk, where the book was.

I took the book and opened it.

I took a deep breath.

But before I could open it, someone knocked on the door.

It was Mina.

"My Lady, I wanted to tell you that the preparations are done for renovating your room", she said.

I took a glance at her as she played around with her fingers.

She was nervous. Did she wait to get scolded?

I have to admit, I was strict on her. No one chose to be in the situation in which they are currently.

"Thank you", I said, giving her a little smile.

I could see that her eyes began to sparkle.

"I-It's a pleasure for me to do whatever you order!", she said, a little bit too excited. I chuckled and told her that she could go rest now.

After she was gone, reality hit me again.

Too many information on barely just one day. I came to this world merely hours ago. Everything still feels unknown and cold. I never know if these people mean it, being nice and caring, since it's Zephyra they're talking to.

Not me.

It's dangerous.

Whenever I think about the fall, how I entered this world, I get goosebumps.

What if my family— no my aunt is panicking because I'm unattainable?

Will my family even react to my sudden disappearance?

I can't trust these people, although they care for me.

I have to act as if I trust them. Showing them that everything is fine— that I'm Lady Zephyra and not me.

What if one day, I have to face Aelia?

What if she notices, that I'm not the Lady, one of her good friends?

To stop my overthinking and overwhelming thoughts, I walked around her— for now my room.

It was really big. As if two classrooms where put in one.

My room back home was not even one quarter of this room.

I looked at the desk and the table with the three chairs.

It looked like if someone sat down on the chair, it would collapse.

So, I decided to sit on one of them.

To my surprise, they were pretty stable. I looked to my right, where the glass door of the balcony was.

I shouldn't fear it.

Seems like I'll be longer than expected here. In this world. In another body. In another life.

So, I stood up, opened the door. I was welcomed with a warm breeze. I looked around.

The right side of the balcony was surrounded by two trees. From the left side, a road, a few carriages and grass were to be seen.

Suddenly I felt a shiver on my back.

I don't know from where it came, but I felt a gaze.

As if someone was stalking me.

My heart almost dropped.

I immediately turned around and went in, just to hear a knock on the door.

Mina came in, and told me that I have to change, so I could sleep comfortable.

I could swear there was something—someone, who watched me.

"My lady, are you okay?"

There she goes again. Caring for her lady. It's just uncomfortable. Knowing, that I'll never be like the Lady Zephyra.

"I'm fine, Mina. I just feel a little bit tired.", I said.

I changed into a sleeping dress.

"Mina. Could you tell me about my personality?"

At first she hesitated, but soon she started.

"My lady. I believe that every human being has their reason to be how they are", she said.

If she starts like this, it means Lady Zephyra could've been a horrible person.

"To me, and I assume to all the other maids, you are a kind person.", she continued.

"Mina. Please be honest. I'm not going to punish you or scold you for whatever you're going to say now. Be honest, and this is an order", I said.

I can't believe she thinks I would believe her good words. What an innocent soul. Something has to be off. Something about lady Zephyra.

"Well, as I said this is my assumption. And in comparison to other noble ladies, you are in the middle."

Now she's spilling it out.

Good.

"You can use all the language you want just to describe my personality. And not just from your assumptions. The gossip you all make in the kitchen or in your dorms. I promise I won't do anything."

I could see how her sweat dropped from her forehead.

So, she began.

The conversation was very long. After she told me literally everything about me, I reassured her once again, that I wouldn't do anything.

I was laying on the grand bed.

Apparently, lady Zephyra's personality is trash.

I don't know how Mina could try to speak so good about me, even though I literally tortured people. Sometimes physically, when I came across maids. And sometimes mentally, when I saw other noble people. How could I be a good friend of the second princess, when I was being so disgusting?

I was just another spoiled lady in this monarchy.

No wonder why people hated me. I would hate myself too. But I'm not Zephyra. So I guess hating her, might be okay.

"Good night, lady Zephyra."

"Good night, Mina. Don't forget that you're going to show me around in our mansion tomorrow...

And thank you. For being honest."

She gave me a smile.

"That is the least I could do to you, compared to what you did to me", she whispered.

What did Lady Zephyra do to her?

I assumed, that Mina thought I would know it, so I didn't ask further.

"Keep the little light on", I whispered back, loud enough so that she could hear me.

"As you wish", she said as she left and closed the door.

I couldn't sleep.

So, I decided to read the fantasy novel.

Wait.

Come to think of it... I didn't finish reading it!

I rushed to the desk to take the book.

I just read till... Page 39?

Wait. How many pages does it have?

I turned to the last page to see how long this book was.

As I saw the number 458 I shook.

458?!

My eyes were still wandering on the page as I noticed.

The page is empty?

I thought it was weird, so I turned onto page 457.

Empty.

Page 450.

Empty.

Page 369.

Empty.

This has to be a joke.

Right?

I went through that book from 39 upwards. Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Now I couldn't sleep at all.

So, I wrote in my notebook I got from Marriel. From everything I knew about the Great Kalindi Empire, to the big and meaningful events.

Why Aelia, the second princess of the Kalindi Empire wanted to corrupt the monarchy and the class system.

Why everyone saw her as the villainess and my theories about it.