Worried Reyna

Irene woke up with a start as she gasped for air. Sweat trickled down her cheeks and neck, and a few strands of her hair stuck to her skin. Her eyes were filled with fear as she looked around her in trepidation. She stopped trembling and closed her eyes to soothe her anxious nerves when she was sure she was safe and sound. Her heart was thumping madly, and Irene could hear its beat clearly.

But the moment she closed her eyes, her dream played like a broken record, reminding her of the bizarre events that had transpired during her sleep. A frown marred her sweaty forehead as she went through her dream slowly. Unlike when she had found herself standing in front of the castle usually, this time, she was chased by someone until she ended up in front of the castle.

But what terrified her more was that her predator had vivid red eyes that glowed in the dark, just like the man in the castle. Throughout the chase, Irene had not once seen his face other than his eyes. Just his eyes were enough to send chills down her spine. Though the man in the castle too had red eyes, they did not regard her coldly or treat her as his prey.

Irene wiped her forehead but stopped suddenly when she recollected another part of her dream. 'Did the man just call me by my name before I woke up?' She wondered, her face turning pale in fear. 'This has never happened before. So, why did he call me by my name now? What is happening?' She held her forehead as she tried to clear her thoughts.

However, nothing she did could shake the fragments of her dreams, especially the man who had chased her in the jungle. Whenever she thought about his red eyes, she shivered in terror and goosebumps rose on her skin. The man sure had etched himself in her mind, even though he had appeared only once in her dream.

Irene sighed lightly, wondering why she was having such bizarre dreams for years. They had not stopped haunting her even after transmigrating into another world and body. All of a sudden a strange premonition filled her heart. 'Does my dream and my transmigration have a connection?' She pondered. But the next moment, she shook her head, discarding her thoughts. Even to her, they felt incredulous. How could her dream possibly be even related to her transmigration?

Irene waited until her heartbeat returned to normal before she dragged her body off the bed. Out of habit, Irene lifted her right hand to check the time, only to realize that she did not have a watch with her and she was now in another world. With a frustrated sigh, she pressed her forehead lightly, unable to believe where she had ended up after being murdered.

With nothing else to do, Irene stepped out of her room, hoping to find Reyna on the way. But, no sooner had she started walking that her stomach grumbled in annoyance, reminding her to feed it. Fortunately for her, she remembered where the dining hall was and quickly made it to the place.

"Milady," One of the maids who was walking her with a basket full of fruits bowed at her.

"May I get something to eat? I am hungry." Irene asked sheepishly. This was the first time she was asking someone for food and not preparing it herself. Since the time she had become independent, she had done all her work herself. She was now unsettled to ask and order people around for her necessities. Given a chance, she would have rushed to the kitchen and whipped up a sandwich for a quick bite before she started to prepare a grand feast for herself.

"Yes, Milady. Reyna was just about to call you for supper. She is getting your plate ready." The maid replied with a smile.

"Thank you. May I know what your name is?" Irene smiled at her return and picked up an apple from the basket.

"I am Amy, Milady."

"Great. Thank you, Amy." Irene sat on the chair as she waited for Reyna. Though she was yet to learn the names of the servants in the mansion, she did not forget to smile at them as they passed by her. All the servants seemed to be in a hurry, and Irene wondered what was happening.

"Milady, here's your supper." Reyna placed the plate she had prepared in front of her and waited beside her.

"Why didn't you wake me up for lunch, Reyna?" Irene started to eat her food, completely forgetting the dining etiquette she was supposed to follow. Although she was not unruly and messy, she did not have the elegance of a lady either. Reyna frowned on seeing her actions. But she did not comment a word about it.

"Milady, I did try to wake you up. But you were deep asleep. So, I could not..." Reyna's voice vanished at the end, and Irene understood what might have happened. After not sleeping the previous night, her exhaustion got the best of her and she slept like a baby. Irene was a deep sleeper, nobody, not even an orchestra playing beside her, could wake her up when she fell asleep.

"What is happening, Reyna? Why are the servants in a hurry?" Irene queried as she watched another maid hurry by them.

"Milady, His Grace sent us a message. A guest will be visiting us in the morning. We are following His Grace's orders and preparing everything as he wants." Reyna replied and Irene nodded thoughtfully.

"I see. Did Father return then?"

"Not yet, Milady. His Grace will return soon."

"When will the Mid Autumn Festival start?"

"Milady, there is still an hour or so for the festival to start. But.." Reyna stopped suddenly, and Irene raised her head as she blinked at her in confusion.

"But...? What happened, Reyna? Is there a problem? Do you not want to accompany me?"

"No, no, Milady. That is not the problem." Reyna shook her head at once.

"Then?"

"Milady, you got up after being unconscious for a long time. I was just worried if your body could take it. The festival will last until midnight, sometimes even beyond."

"Aww, are you worried for me, darling?" Irene teased her with a smirk, and Reyna blushed as soon as she heard her word of endearment. "Sweetheart, don't worry. I am not that weak. I am sure I can manage."

"But.." Reyna was still not convinced.

"If I were to feel tired, we will return home immediately. Alright? Will this make you feel better?" Irene compromised, even though she was certain she would stay the entire time and gave her a look of understanding, and Reyna nodded at her in return.

"Great. We will leave once Father returns."