6: Eirlys Rose Cromwell
Would I sound crazy if I tell you that I was in a game? Which I really was! Not the crazy part though.
It's been a year and a half since I got tangled inside this game.
I could say I was already dead in my real world if only I knew how I died. The thing was, I didn't have the slightest idea how did I got here and how could I go back.
So the only solution I came up with—after narrowing all the theories and research that I made for almost a year—was to finish the damn game.
Another problem was, I had a vague idea of the game since I never played it before.
Somehow, I was glad that my little cousin always crashed in my house just so she could play her gaming console all day without her parents restraining her.
It was her latest otome game, the Court of Cards.
According to my research, otome game usually have handsome men surrounding the heroine. Each men has it's own routes and if you get a lot of points by choosing the correct wirds to say then you'll have a happily ever after ending.
Back then, I was half listening to my cousin since I had a busy schedule even at home with a little brother to look after and all. Vinny have his own nanny but when I didn't work or study for school, I would use those free time and bonded with him so he wouldn't feel alone.
Maddie told me a brief background of the story and about the characters but, it entered my ear and flew out off the other ear. With this unexpected event it became essential for my part that I really regretted it until this very moment. Sooner or later my life will intertwine with these characters of this game whether I like it or not. Without any idea how the story unravel, I just prayed that I would survive this game without getting myself get killed, if there's such a scene.
Eirlys Ruby Cromwell was the heroine's rival and unfortunately was me. She was the only daughter of the Duke of Heart and the youngest among the siblings which made her—like any other rich kid—a spoiled brat.
I have no idea why I had the same name and physical feature as the villain. Maddie didn't make fuzz about the villain that look exactly like me back then.
I was not in the place to judge Eirlys's attitude towards the people that surrounds her since I myself grew in a powerful family. Just like Eirlys, I had done bratty thing as a child. But one thing we don't have in common was respect. Oh, and brain. That would be two.
"Eirlys, are you ready?"
I turned towards the opened door where a beautiful woman stood. Her long stawberry blonde hair was braided around her head like a crown.
"Do I need to go? Can you just tell them I got sick or had broken my bone on my pinky, mother?" I said with pleading voice and round eyes.
With graceful movement she crossed the room and knelt in front of me. She touched both of my cheeks. I couldn't help but to leaned on her left hand. I love these fingers. I didn't have any weird fetish in me, I just love the roughness of her finger tips.
Shit. It did sound like I have hand fetish.
Eleanor Megan Cromwell was a daughter of a marquess and a famous musician, a prodigy they say, that was before she married the young handsome duke, Caleb Healani Cromwell. She settled down and left the stage to became a mother of three and a member of the Court of Cards.
I used to have those same musician's hands but now, it's smooth and soft. After I arrived in this game I never once touch any instruments. Never felt those instruments pulling me, begging me to play them.
"It's the crown prince 8th birthday," she said softly. I was about to say some random excuse when she continued, "Eirlys Ruby Cromwell, as the candidate of the prince fiancé you should be there."
I didn't know whether I was cringing or wincing but in the end I didn't like that word.
Even though I was just one of the seven candidates I couldn't relax that I won't be chosen. There's still a chance of becoming the prince's fiancé.
Eleanor saw my expression before I could mask it off. She sighed. "You used to have a huge liking towards the prince."
I refrained myself from groaning in frustration. "Mother, yes, I used to like the prince," I said emphasizing the word. "But it's gone."
Her gem like blue eyes stared at me for awhile before slowly smiling. There was some hidden meaning on her smile that I couldn't put my nose. Her hand fell on my small shoulders. "You look lovely, I have no doubt the prince will notice your beauty."
"Mom," I groaned.
She stood up, chuckling. "Come now, my Eirlys. Your father is waiting."
My brothers—here in this world—Rowan and Garrett were at the Ace Academy. Rowan's on his seventh grade while Garrett was in fourth grade. And I will start attending school this spring as a grade three student. I didn't entered school in grade one and grade two because it would be huge hindrance on my research.
At first Caleb and Eleanor was reluctantly about it, but hey, I was a bright child and Eirlys' parents love me so much. I was homeschooled. . . used to be homeschooled and now I was self studying.
I reminded myself to call my brothers after the party.