Chapter 01
My hands were both trembling.
I remember now!
I died! This isn't a dream! But an afterlife! How could I forgot about that last moment of my life?!
I was reading a book in a store when a man with a gun entered the area and shoot me! I was shot on the chest! Gosh! How could I forgot about that?! I was even reading a book titled 'How to get away from someone with a gun'! That makes it even worst!
But let's set that aside…
HOW IN THE WORLD DID I ENDED UP IN HERE?!
I already died! WHY DO I NEED TO BE IN HERE?! In this timeline! Wherein, a Goddess will surely be mad at me!? Seriously? I was given a chance but… why would be in this world?
If I hadn't read the story of Eros and Psyche, I wouldn't know that this beautiful face would bring me a lot of trouble in the future.
"Should I just kill myself?"
It's a good choice that I told those people that I'm not feeling well and I need some time alone. If I didn't excuse myself, I would probably be cold as dead on the ground because of shock! The situation might also be worsen because of the way I act, and the way I talk. I really need some time alone to process everything and to think of a way so I can avoid the future trouble. Although I know that the story have ended up well and so on, but in reality, it's really scary to face such disaster especially in this kind of world, even if Eros was there for Psyche at the end, it will be a long journey… and I'M NOT PYSCHE! I'm Pepper! I'm just a teen age girl who got shot in a store!
I took a deep sigh and hid myself on the huge curtains.
I'm stressing my self right now but I must admit that I kind a feel relieved seeing these cool furniture in front of me. Everything in this room looks so expensive, including me, myself.
Silly thoughts aside, what will I do now?
Everything will follow the flow of the timeline when men started to notice Psyche's beauty. If that happened, if they continue to praise me and do something for me, Goddess Aphrodite will immediately notice the sudden change that will lead to her hatred.
I need to stop those men from doing such thing… but what do I need to do? So that I could avoid it from happening? From the way I see it, I can't just stop it because I'm not sure if it's not yet happening till this day.
A knock stopped me from overthinking.
Who is it this time?
"Your highness, Princess Penelope has come to see you." It was a voice of a male, perhaps it's the royal guard but, who is Penelope?
I cleared my throat.
Never mind, I'll just see it for myself.
"Let her in…"
I wish that didn't sounded weird.
The huge wooden door was slowly widen open and a familiar gorgeous woman went in, wearing a long and pastel yellow gown.
She's the first lady I saw when I woke up, the one that's caressing me and asking me worriedly.
So her name is Penelope, huh. She's called as 'Princess' so she's obviously Psyche' sister. Originally, both of Psyche's sister will betray her, now that I became Psyche, it is guarantee that those events might happen so I need to keep them on check.
But gosh, if they'll betray me, why so pretty? They even looked pretty kind at first but damn, I can't just judge them based on their looks.
"Sister..." I welcomed her.
She smiled softly, "Are you okay now? How are you feeling?" She then walked towards me and caressed my cheeks, "We were so worried of you… Psyche."
"I apologize for making you worried," I smiled back but cringed deep inside of my head.
"Mother even had a hard time forgetting what you did but thankfully, we manage to calm her down. You owe me and Phoebe for that."
What does that means?
I gulped, "O-Oh… I truly apologize for what happened, dear sister. I'll talk to Mother later to clear everything."
"You really should…" She took a step backwards and eyed me from head to toe, "Father is also worried for your state, it might cause a problem if you became ill before your wedding ceremony."
I froze. "P-Pardon?"
She smirked.
Oh gosh… It's happening. This biatch.
"Did you forget? Father have already found a suitable husband for you, Psyche."
**
The night came but I didn't went outside my room. The servants came to give my foods but I don't have any appetite so I just let it untouched on the table. After that witch Penelope left, I was having a trouble thinking why those events happened so quickly. Who is that 'Husband'? I can't remember a single thing that Psyche has already a 'soon-to-be-husband' before she even met Eros!
"Gosh just kill me now!" I said, half joke.
I tiredly put my self in between of the two pillows.
I already died and yet, I'm stressing myself over this damn second life! But do I really need to change the whole damn thing? On second thought, if I followed everything on the story, Eros and I would live happily ever after at the end. That's a perfect ending even though I would need to overcome a lot of trouble in the future... but thinking it thoroughly, there's already a change in the story timeline and I haven't done anything yet. It's quite bothersome and strange to know that Psyche is getting married because it was supposed to be like this...
'Men were all over Psyche; because of her beauty. But, it was all infatuation, and not love. They were just attracted to her beauty but not totally in love due to the Goddess' wrath.'
It was supposed to be like that!
How come there's a man that will marry me?!
"But it is also possible because they were attracted to Psyche's beauty..."
Does this means that there's a possibility that Aphrodite have already heard of my name?
"Oh gosh... This is driving me crazy."
I took a deep sigh and relaxed my body. I haven't explore this world so I am not yet sure if there are already rumors going around so I guess by tomorrow, I should take a stroll and see the situation with my own eyes.
After fixing myself, I went back to the bed and slept like a dead man.
The next day, I woke up earlier than expected, the sun was still nowhere to be seen but when I tried to peek on the door, there are already guards that's standing near the entrance.
"Early birds huh."
I stood in front of the mirror for about 15 minutes like a dumb girl who's daydreaming, with my eyes still swollen from staying up late last night, messy ginger long hair that I didn't even bother to touch and the same nightgown I wore last night.
"Gosh, I should've accept the offer of the servants to wash my body!"
My plans for todays is…
To walk and take a look of what's currently happening outside, get an accurate information from someone that I could trust and perhaps, I can find someone that can be my 'lady-in-waiting' because due to some turn of events, I would have a hard time trusting the people in here. It is more safe to move if there are people that can protect me regardless of my identity… like a partner in crime!
But can I find someone like that though?
Ugh. Never mind!
The servants went in to help me prepare for breakfast. From what I heard, the royal family usually dine together so as the new Psyche, I should do my best to act the same.
"Ahah!" I blurted out when an idea came into my mind. I glanced at the other servant who's currently combing my long hair. "Do you have any scissors?"
Her eyes widened, "Y-Your highness, what—"
"Then, do you have any sharp thing that can cut through hair?"
She looked confused!
I bit my lower lip, "Forget what I said and call a knight."
She lowered her head before heading outside the room. I pinched the bridge of my nose. This silly idea of mine should make a change or else… I'm dead!
"Your highness, Pablo, the leader of the knights is here."
I stood up from my seat and eyed the man that's kneeling in front of me. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, nice build and kind features. Since the servant mentioned the word 'leader', I expected someone who's a little old for the job but seeing this fresh man here, he looks so young and… fine.
"Hand me your sword."
He immediately looked up with widened eyes. He has the same look with the servant's reaction.
"Y-Your highness—"
"Do you have a knife that can cut through hair?"
He shook his head.
"Then, hand over your sword."
He hesitated for a second but when I looked down on him with an intense eyes, he gave up to my request.
"God…" I murmured when I felt how heavy the sword is. Guess I can't do this alone. I glanced back at Pablo and raised a brow, "Help me with this."
He moved towards me and supported my hand.
"Cut my hair," I said calmly.
I heard gasped but I didn't care. I gathered my hair in my hand and show him the length I want.
"Go ahead."
"But, your highness, the Queen—."
I smirked, "This is my hair, I can do whatever I want with this."
I know that he'll surely hesitate to do what I commanded because he either works under the queen or the King who probably gave him an order to watch every move I do, even these servants works for them, not for me. Hence, I know the moment I do something that they wouldn't like, these servants will turn their backs on me.
I smirked.
They see Psyche as a doll that should always be perfect, should go beyond their standards and go along with their little play but jokes on them because I am not Psyche. This decision will serve as my first move to gain what I'm planning for.
My long beautiful hair slowly turned into a short one in just a second. My head feels so light with this kind of hair that's not even reaching my shoulder. I closed my eyes as I swayed along the refreshing feeling this new haircut is giving me.
"You may go now…" I commanded Pablo before kicking the hair on the ground.
I could hear some whispers coming from the servants. They're standing there, watching me with judgements on their eyes and didn't even think of helping me.
"Am I the servant here?" I coldly asked before throwing a death glare, their voices immediately went down. "I don't remember that I gave you my permission to joke around this hour. Now, clean this mess and help me with my dress."
In an instant, they did what I told them to; with their scared faces and shaking hands. I rolled my eyes.
Later on, the time has come for me to finally meet Psyche's whole family. I didn't moved an inch when my body stopped right in front of the huge door.
This is it huh?
This is where the fun begins.