(Chapter 4) Some History

Astrid had slowly been recovering over another week. She sat in the living room reading a history book.

'If I'm to survive in the world. I need to know more about it.' This was Astrid's objective.

The history of this world seemed to be slightly different than where Astrid once lived. Still being on earth, the countries formed slightly different. With more of a balance between countries due to fewer wars in the past. However, with fewer wars, came slower technological development.

Wars were often the cause of technological advancement. Transport, supply, science, technology. All of these weren't bolstered by countries trying to aggressively one-up each other.

That didn't mean the world wasn't advanced, in comparison. Many countries were stable, a large group of countries established many charitable organizations to help the poor, unhealthy, even those who were in jail.

Many of these organizations were much better equipped and much more willing to work together than in the previous world Astrid lived in.

Astrid lived in the Defa country. Named after the founder of the country and his dynasty. It was formed close to 600 years ago after a civil war. With his victory. The newly crowned king fully modernized the country for the time. Advancing diplomatic and administrative measures in the country.

It was around the size of modern-day Italy, with the countries shape being quite similar, with only a few kilometers of land being different.

The country was rich, with many businesses being able to set up due to relative freedom in being able to set up public companies.

Astrid put down her book and lightly sighed. This world seemed to be similar, but at the same time it was different enough to make some significant differences. For example, English wasn't the most reliable language in the world. And China managed to advance technologically faster than in her former world.

With Astrid having more knowledge, she realized that this world was quite nice. At least she didn't have to deal with too many differences.

But then again, she understood why she could comfortably speak Italian now. The Tuhs family lived in central Italy, with a large online app business, they had a large amount of potential to rule the world.

Astrid stood up and slowly walked over to the front door. The door was wide open, as Mrs. Tuhs wanted to let fresh air to keep Astrid the best chance of becoming healthier.

Astrid judged that it was in the middle of June. With less pollution in the world, the heat was extremely bearable and was quite comforting for Astrid. In her former world, pollution had reached points where Italy could easily reach 40 degrees in the summer. While now it was around 25...

Astrid took a walk around the garden. Mrs. Tuhs kept appearances high, having a large and maintained garden. She loved flowers, and along with a gardener hired, the flower patches were always beautiful to look at.

The Tuhs house wasn't the largest mansion in the world. Comfortable for a large family along with servants. But with only one daughter, the other rooms were used to fill space. With some rooms used for business and pleasure. While the outside had a large gravel road surrounded on either side by flowers...

'My mother's eyes are good.' Astrid complimented, as someone who wasn't very aesthetic, she could at least respect good design when she saw it.

"Young Miss!" A female attendant walked over to Astrid.

Winoa, at Astrid's age she was a child that one of Mrs. Tuhs' maids had. She was brought up to be Astrid's main attendant. Growing up, they were close. But with Astrid becoming ill, they could barely see each other for many years.

Her straight blonde hair waved in the wind, while her wide cheery smile could bring light in people's hearts. She could be described as 'cute and innocent.

"I'm so glad you're okay! I heard from my mother that you were able to walk again! I... I-I" Winoa seemed excited, she hadn't seen her good friend in years despite living so close. Especially when she learned how ill Astrid was, she was distraught...

"Mm, the flowers are beautiful." Astrid took the conversation away from those topics. She wasn't good with crying girls.

Winoa gained her vigor. "I know! Madam said that if the flowers seen by others weren't the best of the best. Then we would be seen as ugly too." Winoa seemed to have glowed when looking at the flower patches.

'Hmm, that seems like something my mother would say.' Astrid was also slowly learning more about her new parents. While she had Astrid's memories, she also wanted her own opinion on them.

Mrs. Tuhs was a beautiful woman, the saying that could be used is 'Beauty to bring down countries'. She was someone which Astrid was sure was as pretty in her heart, as her outside appearance.

While Mr. Tuhs wasn't a 'lady-killer' he was still handsome, he had reputable brains and is known to be extremely intelligent. But what made him set apart from others were his eyes. His eyes were like a phoenix, those that would look down upon people. It was why he was so highly respected by the servants in the house. He held himself high, but he wasn't egotistical.

Astrid knew how much he loved his family, and by extension, he cared for all servants. None of them were mistreated, they were paid well. Not forced to do what they didn't want. He was a man with a golden heart.

Winoa looked over the frail and ill-looking Astrid and sighed heavily. She was, and still is, her best friend. She grew up wanting to be her attendant. But seeing her now... She was relieved, relieved she was alive.

"Is the training difficult?" Astrid asked while slowly sitting down and looking at the flowers.

Winoa took a seat on the bench alongside Astrid and smiled. "Not really, it's nothing too difficult. I also want to be your attendant... So hehehe."

Astrid felt Winoa's embarrassment so she didn't ask much.

Astrid looked at the violets dancing in the wind and subtly smiled. This place was quite relaxing...

"Hey, do you remember when..." Winoa looked over to Astrid, and stopped speaking.

Astrid had fallen asleep, her frail body sleeping in the wind... People's hearts would move at the sight.

Winoa gave a smile, as she took a small handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped Astrid's forehead. "Have a good sleep, Young Miss." Winoa also closed her eyes and relaxed in the wind...

.......

"Hehe, look at this! Isn't our daughter the cutest thing!?" Mrs. Tuhs spoke with sparkling eyes.

Mr. Tuhs looked at the photo on her phone and immediately smiled. "Of course, she seems to be getting better... Even Winoa fell asleep."

Mr. Tuhs chuckled as he handed his wife's phone back over. "Truly a lovely child, she is perfect to look over our daughter."

Mrs. Tuhs nodded. "Of course, I have good eyes."

Seeing his wife praise herself, Mr. Tuhs just nodded with a smile. 'Of course, you have the most beautiful eyes...'

Astrid woke up the next day back in her bed. She wasn't surprised in the slightest, if she ever fell asleep somewhere. She was carried back to her bed. Most likely by her father.