The Evil Concubine Awakens

Salvia

"Live Salvia, you are no longer a servant bound to this land" were the words that kept repeating inside my head.

The voice that was so familiar from my distant past, I haven't heard that voice for a hundred years so why am I hearing it now? I have been dead for only goddess knows how long.

Not only my master's words echoed inside my head, I also heard murmuring voices, I hear chants and mellow hymns.

My body felt heavy and pain started shooting from everywhere, the thumping of my heart, my ragged breathing, my dried throat and my gradually opening eyes...why do I feel alive again!?

I bolt up straight with the realization "I'm alive!?" I shouted.

The voice that came out from my throat wasn't mine! Far more mysterious are the unknown faces shockingly staring back at me.

"Lady Reida has awaken!" shouted one of the woman in white, she dropped the basin she was holding and all the people inside the room clasped their hands as if they were praying and bowed down their heads.

Everything is happening so quickly that I found no time to grasp the situation I'm in. Who are these people? Where am I? Aren't I supposed to be long dead?

As if on cue, the wooden door opened wide and men in combat and metal attire that looks so uncomfortable marched inside. Everyone inside the room bowed their heads even more, seemingly kissing the ground.

"Reida! Daughter! Glory to the goddess, you're finally awake my dearest" An old man with wrinkly teary eyes embraced me.

He was crying, just like how my master would cry for me every time I'm hurt.

"I...I'm not Rei..." I was trying to construct my words, finding the right thing to say at this confusing time. But far more confusing is the guy standing behind the crying old man, his tall frame towers over me while his arms are crossed in front of his chest.

For a time being, a shudder run across my body.

When our eyes met there was an unexplainable feeling, as if his presence demands respect and obedience in itself.

The old man, peeled away from his embrace and wiped his eyes.

"Are you feeling well now? I have gathered the best healers from all tribes, all the merchants also dropped by and gave healing herbs and medicines, is there anything else that father could give you?" his voice was gravelly and weak but his eyes looked happy.

This man must have loved his daughter so much, but there has to be a mistake. I am not Reida, I am not his daughter.

And though my body is aching, I tried to move and lowered down my head. Kneeling in front of the people whom I never recognized or met.

"Please forgive me...I am sorry but I'm not Reida, I'm no one's daughter, in fact I don't know anyone of you. Please forgive the confusion I may have caused"

There was silence, as if the room don't have a single breathing soul.

"Raise your head" commanded by a deep masculine voice.

It was the voice of the big intimidating man standing behind Reida's father.

I wonder why his voice makes me tremble? Not only I, but I believe everyone inside this room is wary and afraid of his presence.

"Don't make me repeat my words Reida" He said again, this time more firm and it sent me a warning that I should follow him right away.

Lifting my head, I met him eye to eye.

Gray eyes that felt cold and lifeless, dark unruly hair that drapes down his shoulder, a large man with a deep baritone voice that makes everyone bow down. This man must be someone great for the people to recognize him like this.

He was quiet for the time being, he was looking at me as if dispersing my soul every passing second. If I say a word now he might turn vile.

Reida's father, the old man seems to be afraid as well and have excused himself and stood near the doorway.

"You blabbed something foolish, can you repeat that Reida?"

My hands are trembling and sweating, in my past life it was always like this. Me trembling while kneeling in front of the tribe's ruler, his family and everyone from Yumina, except my master.

"Speak" He ordered, disrupting my thoughts

Breathing in, I tried to speak again

"Please believe me, I am not..." and my words stopped mid-way.

If I am long dead, then why am I here? Why do I feel fear, despair and even pain? My body should have rotten for ages, there should be nothing left but the skeleton of the servant Salvia. So why? why goddess of the sea, whose body is this!?

The man let out a pissed out 'Tsk' before taking out his sword and pointed it to my neck. "Woman, didn't I order you to speak?"

It was that time that I caught a brief glance of a reflection on the man's shiny sword.

It was the reflection of the body I'm in. But what shocked me most is that Reida looked just like...me!

"No this can't be!" gasping, I took a step back and placed my hands in my mouth. This must be a dream, I'm supposed to be dead!

Rationalization left me and all I could feel is my shaking body and ragged breathing, never tearing my eyes away from the man whose sword is still pointed to my neck.

All of a sudden, the scary man forcefully grabbed my chin and neared his face to mine. He was warily looking at me, more confused than the first time.

"Your eyes..." He said, his voice didn't sound confident at all

"Since when did your eyes became this blue?"

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