Chapter 2 - The First Ally

BLAIRE

"My lady! I've been looking for you!" I can’t help but feel dizzy from passing through time-and space consciously. I slowly lifted my head and saw a middle-aged woman with ginger-colored hair running in haste towards my direction. 'Who is she?' I wondered while tilting my head in confusion. I don't know her but I think the real owner of this body does. Warmth is surging within my heart the moment I saw her, just like when I saw my father running in worry the last time I saw him. I unconsciously smiled sadly as I remembered the last image of him. Aaah! No! Focus, Blaire! We still have things to do! I slapped my cheeks together to pump myself up. You’re alive and you’ll go back to your family! so hurry up and accomplish your task!

“My lady, what’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere? I heard your scream!” Her eyes are filled with worry as she carefully inspects my body for injuries. Her subtle actions looked very genuine to me. I think she is someone who truly cares for Victoria. I shook my head and gave her a frown. If she treasures the real Victoria then I guess she would find out in no time that I’m not her. It’s better to admit ignorance than deceive the knowledgeable.

“I-I’m sorry but...” I tried to look apologetic and met her gaze with trembling eyes “w-who are you?” Gosh! Can someone give me an Oscar award right now?

The woman instantly froze in horror. "M-my lady, what are you talking about?" She muttered nervously as her hand started to tremble. I’m sorry but I couldn’t tell you the whole truth, yet. I shook my head and stared at the ground.

“I'm sorry. I think I've bumped my head against that rock and lost my memories" I mumbled sadly while pointing at the huge rock beside me. She gasped loudly and covered her mouth with both hands. She blinked a couple of times in disbelief before smiling hesitantly. "M-my lady, this is another one of your pranks, isn't it?"

I shook my head the third time and placed a palm on my forehead, trying to suppress my frustrations. "I didn't know what happened but when I came to my senses, I was lying on the grass with a stone before me. My head hurts quite a bit right now and I can't remember anything, not even where I am or who you are" I sighed and tried to look as regretful as possible to make my excuse look more realistic.

The woman stared at me for a long time as if studying me closely. This made my heart beat nervously as I bit my lower lip. She heaved a deep sigh of regret and offered her hand. ".... if that's the case, we should go inside and treat your wound first." I nodded and took her hand with a little smile.

Only as I got up did I notice the strange dress I was wearing. Wow! Is this the type of clothing they are wearing in this era? It’s quite heavy, and warm; polar opposite of what I tend to wear back home. The woman carefully assisted me as I walked and suddenly, she stopped infront of a huge castle. Wait---! What?!

Upon setting my eyes on it, my jaw literally dropped in disbelief. “A-are we going inside?” She looked back after opening the door and smiled brightly. “Yes, my lady. This is your house after all.”  I couldn’t help but choke at my own saliva. Are you kidding me?! Victoria lives here?!

That’s when a thought hit me. Victoria.... Who is she? My eyes widened in realization. I know she’s a character from a book but...... WHAT BOOK?! I’ve read too many stories! I can’t even remember the main character’s name after reading it; how much more the side characters?! I tousled my hair in frustration and groaned. Remember it, Blair! Remember it! What book did I bring on the ship? I closed my eyes and thought deeply about its image. It was quite a thick book, I’ve always loved long novels though. Its cover.... I think it was blue? Legend of the Blue Ocean? Midnight Lovers?----

“My lady?” My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle voice. I abruptly opened my eyes and smiled. “Ah! I’m sorry! I’m just trying to regain my memories.” I scratched my head in embarrassment and took a step inside the castle. Well, let’s think about it later when I’m alone.

The interior may look old and shabby with its poor decorations but you still can't deny how spacious this house is compared to ours back home! I tried to look around but find no other servant; no maid nor butler, except for me and her in this gigantic mansion. I was escorted towards my room where it looked like 3x the size of our house back home. Wow! This world really feels like a fairytale!

She made me sit on the bed and prepared the first-aid kit. "My lady” She whispered quietly as if preventing herself from shedding a tear. “I-I’m sorry! It is due to my negligence that my lady has to suffer from memory loss!" She bowed her head deeply before me as tears started to run down her cheek.

'Wait! Waiiiiitt! What should I do?!’ I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself from the panic. 'Okay, you're a sister who takes care of your 4 younger siblings, you can comfort another person, Blaire! You can do this!' I softly patted her head and lowered myself to have the same height as her.

"Please don't blame yourself. I was the one at fault." She lifted her head and was about to protest but I continued with a sweet smile. "Instead, can you teach me everything I need to know? and if it's okay, can I ask for your name?" I mumbled while looking at the ground shyly. The woman looked at me in daze and chuckled softly as she stood back up.

"I'm sorry for the late introduction, my lady. My name is Joewella, your personal nanny since the day you were born" I continued to smile at her and asked further questions. "It may sound weird but can you please also tell me who I am, my family, friends, and my current situation?" She nodded obediently and answered.

"My lady, you are the first star of the Kristania Empire, Princess Victoria Nightingale Teravania. The only child of Empress Catherine and Emperor George Henry Teravania. Unfortunately, your mother died after giving birth to you that is why the emperor does not favor the princess even if you look exactly like the empress whom he loved deeply. After a year, he married Empress Diane and they had 2 children which are your younger siblings; Prince Johann Carseian and Princess Axiel. But beware, my lady..." Her voice trailed off as her expression became dark and serious.

"Johann Carseian." I echoed in a very low voice. I remembered that name. He is the male lead of the book “Midnight Lovers” and the crown prince of this empire if I am not mistaken. He fell inlove deeply with Mikaela Strauss, the main character of the story. He is very possessive to the point where he is ready to kill anyone who dares to intervene with their love. Crappy as it may sound but most people are into that kind of guys, I guess I’m not part of that majority. I turned back my attention to Joewella and continued to listen.

"Since the emperor does not pay any attention to the princess, the empress and her children despise you and treats you unfairly. Because of that, no one tries to approach you nor make friends with you." Her voice was implementing her sadness from watching Victoria grow up as a loner from the maltreatment of her family. Ah yes, I remembered how Victoria desperately tries her best to be noticed and loved by the emperor and his family but fails every time. This is also the reason why she switched bodies with me but goodness! Do I look like a god? is she expecting me to do a miracle?! I heaved a deep sigh with a frown.

"But don't worry princess, you still have me. I swore to the late empress Catherine to always be by the princess' side no matter what happens." She smiled softly at me, her eyes beaming with sincerity, reassuring my doubts and clearing up the negativities in my mind.

"... thank you, Joewella" I mumbled while plastering a smile on my face. In this world, Joewella is my first ally. She is the only one Victoria could trust and lean on. Only her. So why do I feel a hidden presence somewhere? Like a rat lurking around the corner. I lifted the scissors inside the kit and impulsively threw it with all my might towards the window, stabbing the oak tree without looking.

"Kyaaah!" Joewella shrieked in fear at my sudden violent action. I gazed sharply in that direction and saw a shadow swiftly disappearing from my sight. Black cloak. I narrowed my eyes and without a second thought ran barefoot on top of the bed and jumped out of the window, supporting myself by grabbing on the strong branches. The suspicious person was extremely surprised seeing a princess chasing after him that is why he jumped off the tree and ran on the ground towards the walls, trying to escape.

"Damn this dress!" I murmured angrily and tore the heavy dress with all my strength and grabbed on the tallest branch. I gracefully ran on it before jumping on the thin air where I landed just above the walls. Thank God I was raised in the forest! A smirk was inevitably formed on my lips as I saw him with a horrified expression. Hah! Got you!

"Wazzup, my boy? are you ready to die?"

........

Author's Note:

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