Grumpy Savior

"Ella? Can you hear me?"

Someone's calling me.

"Did you find the reason I told you to?"

Yes, it's the same cold voice that I heard.

I slowly opened my eyes. Everywhere I look, there's light. I walked forward and found a mirror reflecting my image. I kept touching my skin.

"It's really me."

"My eyes, my lips, and my messy braided hair, just as always."

"Have I returned home?"

A smile broke on my face. I started jumping in happiness until I saw Ellanious, the one whose body I was possessing. But there was something different about her. She appeared full of confidence, unlike what I imagined. It's as if she's a completely different person. Then why does the person in my memory always cry in pain as if someone might kill her at any moment? Why does she always shiver at everyone's voice? Why does she sound so cautious before doing something, as if she has been placed under many restrictions? When walking, while eating, while sitting, why are so many restrictions tying her down, as if she is a kid who still needs her parents' guidance to help her do those tasks?

"Ellanious?" I asked to confirm.

"Yes, I am Ellanious De Olger Usoro," she replied with quiet dignity.

I bowed, something I don't usually do. A strange current ran through me, giving me chills, a feeling I'd never experienced.

"So, did you summon me here?" I asked.

"Summon?" she spoke. Her voice was icy.

"Yeah, I mean, I was possessing your body, so I thought you were the one who brought me to your world when I had no idea what was happening." I was playing with my fingers and fiddling with my shoes, my typical behavior.

"No, I didn't summon you," she replied, which left me shocked.

"You didn't summon me? Then how did I end up here?" I asked.

"Ella," she called my name, sending shivers down my spine.

"You are not aware of many things in this world, but you should be aware that your existence is not what I pray for. It was not what I could do but you could do on your own, and which you did. So, whatever is happening is by your will. No one has the authority to move without your consent, nor can you be here if you don't want to be here. So, remember this very well." She is telling me just like a real adult, but I understood nothing.

She said I can't be here if I don't want to be here, then why am I here? I didn't come here because I wanted to. This wasn't what I wanted. I don't want to marry a royal. I don't want to skip my meals, but still, I was forced to, which is completely different from what she is saying. Then what is the truth?

"What about you?"

"Why didn't you resist when we switched souls?"

"Why didn't you push me away when I entered your body?"

"Why didn't you do anything?"

I fired question after question, but she remained as calm as ever. How could she stay so calm when the person who took over her body is right in front of her?

"I couldn't," she replied.

"What do you mean, you couldn't?" I asked.

"Ella, I believe you need to find the answers on your own."

"Your own body will guide you to find the answers."

Everything was going over my head. My thoughts were spinning, feeling like pesky flies buzzing in your ears.

"Now, you should wake up!"

"Someone's panicking," I thought. I couldn't understand the point behind her words, but I saw her vanishing in front of me.

***

"Princess."

"Open your eyes!"

"Princess."

It felt more like nagging.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in an unfamiliar place.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"At my place," that same voice.

Oh, so this person brought me here from the hotel.

"Where is Misa?" I asked.

"She's in the kitchen," he replied.

"Then why are you here?" I questioned.

"Because you may need anything, that is why," I don't know if he is so fluent or if he has everything ready beforehand before someone asks something.

"Why did I end up here?"

"You were unconscious, so I brought you to my place." As he spoke, I accidentally looked around the room. It was quite spacious, even larger than my room. I placed my feet on the ground, which was icy.

"Be careful; it's cold."

He gently seated me on the bed and gave me socks with tiny bunny ears on them. Just my style, which made me giggle.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked, still with a serious expression.

"Because I didn't expect you to be this kind of person," I said, struggling to control my laughter.

Now I noticed. Yes, now I was studying his face. He had blue-black hair, not entirely black, not entirely blue. His teeth were sharp, as I could see when he spoke, just like dragon's teeth. No, like a vampire's, as they feast on virgin women's blood to become immortal.

"I once knew someone who liked these socks," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

"You knew someone? Where is she now?" I inquired, although I was venturing into his privacy.

"It's a 'she.'"

"I know she's with me, but I'm not sure if she's with me or not."

His words tugged at my heart. I didn't fully grasp the context, but I suddenly felt a lot of heartache. It's as if I have someone like that, but I'm not aware of where she is.

"Your name?" I finally asked

.

"Arthur."

"Arthur Andrei Everson," he added.

"Who are you?"

"Why are you helping me?"

"Do you have any requests for me?" I asked.

"He..." he mumbled something I couldn't hear.

"What did you say?" I inquired.

"It's nothing. You don't have to repay me; I'm helping you because I want to," he said, maintaining his poker face.

He's quite grumpy.