- 3 -

"There's one thing..." Caroline started. "I'd like to stay in the same room as my mother."

I narrowed my eyes down at her. What an outlandish request, albeit it wasn't something I couldn't fulfill. I just found it odd that a seventeen-year-old girl would be so intent on spending time with her parent. But, I wasn't seventeen. Only Feiya's original body was. I had no say in judging Caroline.

"That's fine," I replied, turning away from her. I waited by the door, my hand slipping down the wooden surface as I tilted my head sideways. "You two, come."

Caroline and Maple shared a look between each other like a secret code which I found to be irritable. I smiled, strained, before something clicked in their mind—ah, I have to follow her. I wished it dawned on them sooner so I wouldn't have to wait so awkwardly, but Caroline stepped forth, blocking Maple from my view, which she could easily do so. Caroline must've been a head taller than me.

But, she wasn't intimidating. More... like a lifeless statue than a mobster. I'd imagine she'd become a model if she were in the 20th century.

Maple closed the door behind her since she was the last to exit. Servants who had been waiting beyond the door entered the room as soon as we departed. The three of us resembled penguins—no, more like Maple and Caroline were, as they waddled behind me like babies following behind their mother duck.

There was a relaxed atmosphere between all of us, but no one dared to speak up. The three of us were as quiet as crickets chirping at night. Until I finally took a sharp turn towards the left. More burgundy carpets led towards the end of the hallway which on the wall was a single wooden door; plain unlike the others in the Manor.

According to my memories, I thought that this must've been the Head maid's residency. Inwardly, I was hoping with all my heart for it to be. I rapped on the door with my knuckles and after a few seconds, the door slowly creaked open, revealing a pale face and ginger hair. I realized it was Karr. There was no way I would ever miss the blotches of freckles on her face. Although, she seemed less of the merry-go-person that she always was.

"M.. Mistress..." Her voice was hoarse, like speaking through the hay. "How did you...?"

I pretended as though I had been checking up on her to cover up my blunder. I pressed my palm against the door and pushed it further, revealing Karr who was dressed in her white night-gown. She grasped at her own shoulders as though humiliated by her own state.

"Karr," I tried to sweeten my tone, putting on a show for Caroline to see how good of a master and person I was. "Are you sick?" I lifted my hand and clamped it over Karr's soaked forehead. Skin burned against my metacarpus. The temperature was undoubtedly high if I were to assume, 38 degrees Celsius. It was a mild cold.

I frowned. "You're burning up, Karr."

"Mistress—" Karr coughed, averting her face away from my hand. "Please.. don't touch me. I'm afraid Mistress will catch my cold."

"I'm more worried about whether you can survive," I pulled my hand back and wiped the sweat clinging onto my palm on my skirt. Though a cold was certainly normal in my times, it couldn't be said the same back in the old ages. A cold might as well kill people here since they didn't have the immunity, nor prescribed medicine that they could take once a day to chase the illness away. And, doctors back then were really expensive, though I guessed that factor didn't change during the modern period.

Caroline's disembodied voice sounded behind me. "I think I can help."

"Are you saying you can help Karr?" I whipped around, facing her incredulously, almost grabbing her shoulders. I stared her down ardently. Caroline rubbed her nape, but this time she didn't shy away from my gaze. She embraced it rather quickly.

"Yes," she peered back. "I know a lot of medicinal herbs. I learned it when I was... a lot younger. I can scout the area for some herbs." She peeked at my expression. "Of course, if you allow me to."

I rubbed my face with the hand Karr's sweat didn't touch and murmured. "If you know, then don't hesitate to act on it. Alright, I give you the full permission."

Caroline's face brightened.

"But, I'll follow you to keep an eye on you."

Her previously bright expression crumbled apart. She turned her head sideways, attempting to hide her face. But, even from her side profile, I could tell that she didn't want my presence tagging along. While she thought the opposite, I thought I could use this opportunity to show Caroline I could be down-to-earth. Whatever misconception she had of me, I could reconstruct my image.

"My mother..." Caroline glanced at Maple.

"No, no, I'm okay. I'll stay here and keep watch over the girl," Maple shook her hands vehemently. I didn't know whether she was ditching us out of respect, or because I had told her my sob story of how lonely I was as a single child with a dead mother, but at this point, the fact that she was creating an opportunity for Caroline and me to be alone together was gracious enough.

"Then, that's settled," I looked at Caroline who couldn't even hide her defeated mien. I stretched out my hand, expecting Caroline to take it. "I hope you take good care of me on the short trip."

As expected of the Duke's daughter, she knew her etiquette to the T. Grasping my fingers lightly, her own, calloused ones lifted my palm. There were quite warm, in opposition to my ice-cold temperature, like a bag of lukewarm water. I clutched her hand even tighter and Caroline stared back at me in surprise.

"Let's go," I said briefly and released her hand as though I had been scalded. I left the room in a hurry and Caroline trailed behind me, slow, but steady.

The two of us, like stray kittens, managed to arrive by the front gate in twenty minutes which was my new record. Caroline had begun to doubt whether I even explored my own mansion when she watched me struggle to find the correct path for the tenth time. My excuse that time was that I had knocked my head pretty hard, kudos to Liliana so that I had lost a few fragments of my memory.

Caroline seemed skeptical. And I couldn't blame her. I wouldn't even believe myself if I were in her shoes. But, as long as she didn't act on her suspicions, I didn't mind it staying that way. In the end, she and Feiya were fated to be friends.

As soon as we set foot before the grand entrance, a few guards stormed our way. When they realized that one of the girls was the daughter of the Baron, their attitudes immediately took 180 degrees. Saluting as if I were a general, one soldier boldly stepped forward.

"Miss, are you going outside? Should we prepare a carriage—" He was elbowed in the stomach by a much older looking man, perhaps around my father's age, if not older. Though, unlike my father, his expression was doting. I felt as though I were meeting one of my overly friendly uncles and I stepped back, managing to stomp hard on Caroline's front toes with my heel. She winched and I side-stepped.

"If the Lady is going outside, then, of course, she needs a carriage, you twat! Fifty laps around the yard. Go.. now!" His voice held an authority that couldn't be refused. Like a kicked puppy, the novice knight lowered his head and skimped away. After such a boisterous introduction, I was curious about the identity of the man who seemed to be the captain of the knights.

It was a little embarrassing to admit that I knew nothing of Feiya's daily life whatsoever. I only knew Caroline's story. If God had really intended for me to transmigrate, why couldn't he just shove my soul into Caroline's body? Actually, no, that would've been horrendous. I wouldn't want to become the protagonist of a revenge story with brutal murders, lots of backstabbing, and scheming. The number of times Caroline was on the brink of death only to be saved by one of the male leads was astounding.

If my survival depended on the hands of men who only spouted lines of "You're mine," or, "I only see you," I think I'd die of embarrassment before even surviving.

Frowning to myself at my own thoughts, I raised a single palm-like Buddha's statue. "No thanks. We're not going that far anyway. Besides, I have my... most trusted maid beside me."

Upon the mention, Caroline instinctively puffed out her chest. But, the captain looked hesitant. He gave Caroline a once-over then returned his focus back onto me. He rubbed his fancy mustache which curled outwardly at the ends in the imitation of a French mustache.

"I can't let two young ladies go alone to a scary and dark forest. My lady, at least take my most talented student along with you to calm this old man's heart."

I opened my mouth to refuse, but the captain pushed a teenager who was hiding behind him using his shoulder. Under our gazes, the gazelle-like-looking boy shuddered as if we were more intimidating than beasts. I doubted that such a craven youth would be able to protect us before dying first himself, but I didn't care about him. The most important variable was Caroline and I, and the deep and intimate friendship the two of us would grow.

I regarded the boy like he was air and turned to face the captain, hiding my true irritation behind an amicable smile. "If that's all, then I'll be taking my leave. Carol, come here."

I beckoned Caroline forward like a pet dog. I supposed this was my first mistake in raising a loyal friend—treating them as you would towards a pet. Though, Caroline was more interested in returning back to the forest than to grow displeased at my name-calling. Her golden gaze shimmered with anticipation and she reminded me of a golden retriever. Her blonde hair was mainly the reason why I could only think of a dog retriever whenever I looked at her.

The golden gates were cracked open as if they were the doors to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I was the first one to step outside the guarded perimeter, then Caroline, then the skinny knight. The three of us entered the rural forest which wasn't far from the estate, hence the captain's insistence on bringing along at least one knight.

At first, we had to trek down a thorny path. Bushes and brambles coiled around my feet and I regretted wearing heels to a fucking forest. Because of that, the knight surpassed us, hacking away at the twin twigs with his silver sword. He cleared a pathway that was difficult for me to cross.

Every step I took was like walking on knives. The last straw was when my heel tripped over a large root of a humongous tree that towered over our heads. I lurched forward, about to hit the leaf-coated dirt ground when an arm grabbed my waist. I thought it must've been the knight but as soon as I lifted my head, I saw Caroline's beautiful face a few centimeters away from mine.

And an owl I became, for my eyes widened to the size of saucers. For a moment, I thought I saw an angel. Her brandished, blonde hair reflected the specks of pale sunlight that peaked through the bushy leaves, leaving a hazy glimmer that made Caroline seem like a dream. My pupils must've shaken then.

"I think you need rest," her breath smelt of milk. "You clearly don't seem to be well. It's because of your heels, isn't it?"

"Why? Do I seem like I might drag you two down?" I smiled.

Caroline drew her eyebrows together. She pulled me up back on my feet and release my waist. There was a noticeable loss of heat on my hips. The one that was unfamiliar but melted down the little cold I felt from the breeze that crawled up my skirt.

Suddenly, she knelt down and plopped her raggedy shoes off her feet. Her fingertips brushed against my ankle as she steadily grabbed the back of my heels and unfitted them. My breath stilled as though something blocked my esophagus. What the hell was Caroline doing? I had a vague idea, but I didn't want to believe it.

"You are hurt," she whispered. When her finger-pad pressed against a certain, aching spot, I gasped and almost kicked her in the face. Fortunately, she leaned back. She looked up, her eyes dark and questioned in a low voice. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I parted my lips.

"Lady?" The knight's voice intercepted nervously. Both Caroline and I turned to face him and he cowered, but then we ultimately decided to ignore him and return back to our original positions. Caroline staring up at me and I back down at her.

I lifted my foot away from Caroline's hand that was cradling it, uncomfortable by the sensation of another person's skin on my sole. It was as though I had become Cinderella and Caroline the Prince Charming. The sheer thought of the baloney snapped me back to reality.

I pursed my lips. "If you're going to put it on, then hurry up. We can't stay here until afternoon, can we?"

The corners of Caroline's lips upturned just even the slightest which I considered was a win in my book. She lowered her head and the tips of her blond hair grazed against the top of my feet. She finally fitted the worn-out shoes on mine. Though appearance-wise, it seemed on verge of tearing apart, my feet felt more comfortable than they were in the exorbitant heels.

"It's a little ugly," Caroline murmured, rising to her feet. She patted non-existent dirt off her skirt. "I hope the Lady doesn't mind."

"I don't mind," I peered down at her white feet which contrasted against the ground and cocked up an eyebrow. "I'm more concerned about whether you're going to stay barefoot throughout the whole trip."

"...that's nothing," she dangled the high-heels in her hand. "I can manage."

I narrowed my eyes, smiling crookedly. Well, if Caroline insisted on climbing the rocky path with her bare feet, then who was I to strip away her freedom of choice? Without another word, I followed the knight who had been awkwardly waiting for us to finish our conversation, albeit it wasn't finished. I just decided when to end it.

We must've traversed for at least 10 full minutes when we stumbled upon an open field filled with various wildflowers, bushes, and herbs, all looking green to my eyes like a magic carpet. It was like a gladiator's field, but replace the stone walls surrounding it with trees. Long, thick trees.

I heard Caroline beside me inhale, then exhale sharply. And I tried to do the same. My shoulders hiked up as I breathed in through my nose deeply. Caroline, hearing the noise, turned to look at me. Her face maintained a faint smile; more curvature of the lips and high cheekbones. She resembled a goddess of agriculture. Her modest attire and her gentle and golden eyes. I came to a realization that the color of the dress I wore resembled them.

"My house is quite nearby," she knelt down on the field, uncaring whether the wild roots would scratch her knees. She plucked a random leaf from the ground and I approached her, curious about what was so special about a green leaf. She lifted it up to show me. I noticed that the leaf was quite pointy and when I palpated it, it was hard. This was an aloe vera.

"Normally, it's hard to find. They mostly grow in sandy and rocky soil. Luckily, there's a ton of these near my area," Caroline, as she spoke, seemed invigorated. I didn't want to spoil her mood so I kept my mouth sealed and turned towards the guard.

"You there," I called out. The teenager craned his neck back like I was a vengeful ghost aiming for him. He had been examining the field, nervously clutching his sword that was tied to his waist as though a beast could pop out of nowhere. Well, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious. I poked at my inner cheek with my tongue and gestured at him. "Follow me."

Suddenly, I felt a shadow loom over me. I turned my head sideways when a voice entered dangerously close to my ears. "Where are you two going?"

I glanced at Caroline's expression which was now more neutral than the previous mien of felicity. The difference between her two faces gave me whiplash. I was at a loss for words since she was standing so close to me and when I tried to insert more space between us, Caroline knelt down abruptly. Now, I really didn't know what to say. It was as though ever since we had met, Caroline had been kneeling and catching me more frequently as though we were two leads in a romance story.

"I'm just going to explore the field. Is that such a crime?" I frowned. "Or do you not want me to venture near your house. Afraid I might find it?"

Caroline pursed her lips. "It's not that. You're.." she gestured towards my feet. "You're hurt."

"Oh," I said meaningfully. So, she meant that.

As though it were a natural thing, I slipped one of my feet from the shoe and hung it in the air in front of Caroline's face. I wasn't afraid that it might've been dirty. After all, Feiya was a noble. It was beyond a shadow of a doubt she'd care for her hygiene. At first, I thought Caroline might've been perturbed. After all, it was clear to me she still had her pride as an aristocrat. So, you could imagine my surprise when she was not only turned off by it, but she even wrapped her fingers around my ankle.

A delicate and feather-like touch caressed my feet. Caroline broke the aloe vera in half with brute force. She scooped up some of the salve with her index finger and palpated at the sound on the back of my foot. The wound stung as though a million bacteria were screaming to live. I winced and unconsciously tried to kick away her hand. But, she grabbed my ankle more steadily this time.

Bashful, I quietly murmured. "I didn't mean to do that."

"It's fine," Caroline replied in a smooth voice. Her head was bowed which made it unable for me to determine what sort of expression she was making. "This is the second time you've almost kicked me, my Lady."

"It's not on purpose," I pushed my foot against the end of her palm, then lifted it away. Caroline's action stuttered at the suddenness. Finally, she tipped her head back, revealing exotic facial features. Every time I looked at her, I was always left in awe. Wonder struck me. Was it because the author wrote her in this way? She was brighter than the Nothern Lights in Alaska. I coughed, having realized I had been staring at her so blatantly. She was probably trying to be polite by not pointing it out, but it only made me more embarrassed.

"Your other foot..." Caroline trailed off.

"It's fine," my own voice sounded snarky to my own ears. I shoved my foot back into the shoe. The sting was now reduced to a low throb. "Grab what you need. It's almost evening by now."

I tipped my head back, viewing the gradually darkening sky which was a shade of bloodthirsty orange and deep red. The sun teased the line where the sky met the ground, like a hemisphere. I heard Caroline stand up behind me by the crunching of leaves.

"Caroline?" I called out without turning back.

"Don't move," Caroline's taut voice immediately shut me up. Threatened by her tone, I scoffed to myself and turned back, expecting to meet Caroline, but what faced me was not her pretty face, but a dark, hairy snout, piercing blue eyes, and sharp, gleaming canines as though they were grinning at me. A scream got stuck in my throat. I noticed Caroline on the ground, as still as a statue. And the guard behind me erupted into a scream.

The wolf, no, it was bigger than a normal wolf. The beast lunged for where the noise erupted and I ducked down. The thing jumped over me and catapulted itself for the knight. Caroline shot up from her kneeling position, reeled me in by my wrist, and took off, pulling me behind her like a rag doll. I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing her to lead me. I didn't turn back to look at the scene, afraid I'd only see gore.

I heard wailing, screaming and flesh being torn apart. And one thought bore through my mind: What the fuck was that thing?