Personal Space

As I lay on my bed, I found myself over thinking about what was written on the book. I really wanted to take a rest for now, but I can't because I keep thinking about what I read earlier.

I stood up and took a pen and paper and wrote the exact words written on the book.

'You, my reader, must change and ask for forgiveness. You shan't take anything away from anyone anymore, and know how to lead your own life without stealing others'. Be careful of your actions, and be mindful of your words. Destruction shall befall you, should you not do what I say. The path of evil can never be as endless and positive as those who are good. The only ending that awaits evil is death, for they deserve it the most.'

Does it have anything to do with what the voice said before I found myself 5 years prior to my death? What did the voice say again...?

'Find the reason why you were sent here. Change the past, for it has been so cruel. Do not suffer just like you did before, and note that one mistake could end it all.'

That's it... right?

I wrote in on the paper, below the message from the book and read it out loud. "Find the reason why you were sent here. Change the past, for it has been so cruel. Do not suffer just like you did before, and note that one mistake could end it all," I said and sighed.

How does that have anything to do with the message from the book? I do not understand. Maybe it has nothing to do with it and I'm just overthinking things. I should just... go to sleep and get some rest.

I went back to my bed and tucked myself under my blanket. I have to rest. Maybe this is just because I'm tired. It is true that I haven't been able to sleep properly for several days already, even when Vaughn has arrived here in the Imperial Palace.

I closed my eyes shut and slowly fell asleep.

I found myself standing alone in the darkness. "Where am I?" I whispered to myself as I walked around. Is this another dream?

"Welcome." I immediately turned to the direction where the familiar voice came from. A very handsome man with princely features stood before me. He was absolutely stunning and looked out of this world.

"Who are you?" I asked as I looked straight into his eyes. "Let's say that... I'm your savior," he said as he took a step closer to me. "Savior?" I asked, confused, for I did not understand what he meant. "Yes, I brought you back here," he replied and smiled.

I realized what he meant by that immediately and said, "For what reason did you bring me here? Was it really because you want me to change my past?" His smile did not fade as he answered my question, "Yes."

"Now, let's cut to the chase. I'm going to tell you why I brought you here into my personal space," he said. "What do you mean by personal space?" I asked. "This. The very place where you are right now. This place is the borderline between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Your body is asleep, but your soul is here," he explained.

He snapped his fingers and the surroundings suddenly changed. From a pitch-black space, I found myself standing inside a library. "This place is familiar to you, right? Of course, it is, for it is the main library of the Imperial Palace," he said as he sat on one of the chairs in the library. "The answers to your questions lie in the restricted room. However, that is not the only place where you could find the answers. As you know, you are not allowed to enter the restricted room, for it is only open for the Emperor and the Crown Prince. The other place where you can find the answers you seek is here," he said and snapped his fingers once again.

The place was also filled with books and is almost as big as the palace's library. He was still sitting on a chair and was looking at me from his seat. "This is the library of the most prestigious academy in all of the Mortcombe Empire. Its size is almost on par with the Imperial Palace's main library. And here, my princess, is where you can find the answers. Although, it is up to you whether you'd want to sneak into the Imperial Palace's main library and get punished severely or you'd go to the academy's library," he said and shrugged.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He's definitely threatening me.

"Thank you for telling me. I want to ask you something," I said as I walked towards him. "What is it, princess?" He said as he smiled. Before I could even open my mouth, he looked at his wrist and said, "Oopsies! Time is up, my lady. Till we meet again."

He stood up as our surroundings changed into complete darkness. "Wait!" I yelled as I ran after him. He waved goodbye as I chased him. "Wait! I haven't—"

"I haven't asked you yet!" I yelled.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Ellen said as she ran to my bed. Huh? It's... morning. I'm already awake. I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut. "Yes, I am alright. Please get me a glass of cold water," I said as I breathed heavily.

What was that about? Was that really not a dream? If it wasn't a dream... then maybe I should do what he told me. He even knew about me. I've never told anybody about my current situation, so it's very unlikely that he was just toying with me. I should just trust him for now if I want to change the events that are going to happen five years from now.

"Your cold water, Your Majesty," Ellen said as she handed me a glass of cold water. I drank it to the last drop of it and gave the glass back to her. "Thank you," I said as I breathed out.

Well, then. I guess I should start finding a way to enter the academy's library.