22 I am the Daughter of the King

I am the Daughter of the demon lord.

***

My body feels as though it is being burned from within. It's unpleasant, and my body feels heavy.

I wonder, is this the cosmos drug's effect? 

Oh yeah. Why don't I open my eyes? I think I recovered from what happened before. Given that I fainted even after I got treated. 

Sigh. I'm simply exhausted.

"Oh. You are finally awake. Good morning." 

I carefully elevated my body to securely seat myself. Even after the treatment they gave me, I still had this headache. My head feels like it's being smacked.

"How are you feeling? I supposed you should have recovered by now. The Physician said that the drugs have a huge effect on you… but looking at you… It doesn't appear that way... Say. Are your hair natural and even your eyes?" 

She sounds like she was expecting something to change. Honestly, anyone could quickly tell that. 

"Yes. This is my natural appearance. I am a cursed child apparently, well that's all people around me believe." It was a bit disappointing that me, insulting myself like this. I sounded like I hate my existence. 

"No, you aren't a curse. However, the cosmos drug should be giving an urge to turn into something like that appearance. People that consume cosmos drugs will change into beings from another realm. Gaining a prohibited strength, which is also my hunch, but I think... They are also acquiring magical abilities. However, this is only a hearsay. I don't have any fundamental information to back that up."

"Magic Ability? Isn't that all made up? There's no way people can possess magic." Although, I already met some creatures in another world. Why can't I just face the reality?

"Though there's no concrete evidence. Some people indeed possessed magic. Aren't you familiar with Alice?" 

Alice? This is my first time hearing that name. 

"No. I believe I've never encountered that name before." 

The woman who was talking to me went to my bed as she sat. Then, she began explaining things that were all new to me. 

"Alice is a magus from the wonderland. She possessed unbelievable magic power that was sealed by a God named Jack. Jack, better known as the Cheshire cat, cast her magic power away because the Abyss had planned to destroy both realms from the start." 

"Why, though? And why are there two realms?" 

Perhaps I've already heard this one. The one that the maids are talking about isn't this one?

"Because a long time ago, ah… there were these royalties. However, born in the family, brother and sister don't have a relationship that goes pretty well. The brother was an ordinary person, and the sister possessed magical power. But people only recognize her brother as the leader, and for the girl who dreamt about many things for her kingdom, she wouldn't just accept it." 

Then, the girl ended up her brother's adversary.

I knew it. I've heard this before. 

"I know that story. The God who remained in the human realm split the realm into two so that they can have each one's kingdom without killing each other. He did everything to maintain the balance. However, humans are such greedy creatures." 

"Yes. That is the same story for those two. And for Alice, she is the one who killed the Abyss in the end. However, some believe that she still exists. I think Alice is no longer in this world. Thus, the Abyss doesn't acknowledge defeat. He then scattered a way to reach the humans, for he was dispersed the darkness after all. No one knows where the cosmos drugs came from, but these drugs don't disappear no matter what the kingdom does about them. I think there's a kind of source that no one like a commoner like me wouldn't know." 

That's explained. The cosmos drugs, huh? 

"But how did you know that the cosmos drugs are from the Abyss?" 

"The proof is on its effect. People who were born in another realm have white hair and crimson eyes similar to yours. Well, the effect of cosmos drugs has the same result, however. One cannot control his mind any longer. Whoever made the person drink the drug will become subservient to him. The drug effect will not also do that, and it will also turn you into a mindless monster that all you want is to kill. This is the Abyss's remorse." 

I lose a gap in my mouth when I hear those explanations from her. Furthermore, she said people who were born in another realm possessed something like my appearance. Then, those people who I saw in another realm had almost my appearance. They are all… like me. 

"That is why. I'm asking if you are born in that appearance or the effect of the cosmos drugs. I couldn't tell the difference. The little boy said, you drank the medicine but speaking to you right now, you don't have submissive behavior towards the man who made you drink the medicine. I don't understand. But we should keep it a secret."

I don't understand, but she appears like she is trying to help me. 

"Are you trying to cover it up for me? You don't need to do that…." I faced the bed rather bashfully. 

"I like creatures with such enticing appearances. My mom was also like you. But she was killed for that beauty… by the humans who believe that she is a seed of the Abyss. I don't have her appearance, so people disregarded me. Having that appearance is pretty dangerous, you know. It would be best if you were hiding, or you would also become a victim. A slew of inexplicable events are circulating around the kingdom. This kingdom is pretty dangerous for the King, who seems broken due to his Daughter's death. This kingdom is doomed." 

My eyes widened when I heard her saying such a thing to my Father. I was speechless. 

Father, what happened? Aren't you always firm about decisions? Is it because of my absence? Then I shall go back to you immediately. 

"Crimes are rising. But it's good that the Prince is doing something about it. Though, it doesn't appear to be sufficient. At least, there's still an action." 

I clenched my fist because of the frustration lingering within me. I need to go back no matter what happens.

"Hey. What is your name?" I asked though she could hear my voice quivering. I ignored that, "Mia. Oh, we've been talking quite a while. Sorry if I forgot to ask your name either!" 

"My name Scarlet Fuchsia Vi Leiheighne. Daughter of the current King of Luan Guo and now saying, will you become my knight to help me go back to the place I am supposed to be?" 

  "...W...what now…?"