Chapter II

A bit of knowledge

Opening my eyes, I see two men standing in front of me with curious faces. Their chests practically bare they wore loose but expensive looking trousers that hung dangerously low. A man with long black hair, sees that I'm looking at them and he gets on his knees. His eyes dark, it felt like staring in a black hole. Slowly getting closer, it felt like I was in a trance. It wasn't until I felt something sharp on my stomach that I realized my ultimate doom. He was like a snake, when he has his eyes on you, it's over.

"It seems the doctor was correct, I thought he was a quack." The dark haired man said pulling the knife off my stomach.

"W-who are you?" I asked completely disoriented.

"My duchess, we are your concubines, Cyric, and Ary. Your husband Pyrice wants to see you. Your father will be coming in a few days." Ary said offering his hand. The soft looking blond, smiled a beautiful smile but something told me to not take that hand.

Deciding to just push through this feeling. I stand up on my own and push my hair out my face. I stood waiting, I didn't know what to do. Cyric staring at me, he step closer. Flinching expecting him to stab me he pauses, looks at Ary and then back at me. "My Duchess, I will not hurt you." He said before taking my hand.

"Do you want to get dressed?" Ary said smiling. The smile didn't sit well with me. It was like he was forcing it, and I didn't know why.

"I think so? Did I dress for my husband before? I should if it's an important conversation." I muttered, letting the man guide me to the mirror. My hands gently slide down my figure. This is me, I'll be this person for now on.

Feeling a hand on my shoulders, I look up at the mirror and Cyric looked at my body. His hands light his fingers danced on my skin, biting my cheek I didn't want to make a sound. Gripping the nightgown, his lips softly land on the side of my neck and I flinch slightly. Trying to suppress this twisting and fluttery feeling, his warm breath hit my ear. "My lady, you're shaking? Are you sure you want to get dressed? You seem unwell." He said looking through the mirror at me, his eyes never left mine.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to straighten up. "L-let's get dressed. My husband is waiting for me"

They slowly stripped me, their hands rubbing and sliding fabric on me. I wonder if this was what Aryla concubines did to her often. Ary, pulling up my tights his fingers glided across the lips and I whimper. Covering my mouth, Ary and Cyric look at me in shock. Covering my face, I wanted to sink into a whole. They continue to dress me and I was ready to go. Wearing a long wine red silk dress that sifting laid off my shoulders and hugged my waist and legs. With a singular Jewel at the front, it was fairly simple but gorgeous non the less. Putting on my shoes, the men stood in front of me.

"My lady, are you alright? I've heard of your memory loss. But to think you've changed so drastically."Ary said, his voice almost like an angels he stared at me with low pleasing eyes.

"I-I'm not alright, I have a sense of danger. But I'm not sure where it's coming from. My instincts are telling me to run." I said softly

"I was wondering why my wife was talking so long. She's spending time with concubines." Pyrice said his voice filled with disgust

"My husband?" Walking to the man, I reach to grab him but he slap my hand away. Wincing I step back shocked. What's wrong with this man? What's going on? Are they not on good terms?

"B-Behave yourself, there's people around." Pyrice said angrily.

"My apologies, I just wanted to grab your hand. I thought I would feel something." I muttered.

"You wanted to hold my hand?" Pyrice said shocked.

Silence fell and I take a deep breath, being honest isn't helping. Whatever is happening, these people aren't helping me. It's best to just be alone and figure out what's going on by myself. Pushing my hair back, I straighten myself up. "I want everyone out, don't come in until I ask for you." I said walking back towards the bed.

"My Duchess w-we have t—

—I SAID GET OUT!" Slamming my hand against my dresser it smashed into pieces and I jump. Looking at my hand it looked and felt perfectly fine. Looking at everyone around me, they hurried out to leave but I couldn't forget about this look that Ary gave me, it was like he knew something. Was he the reason why I'm here?

Flopping onto the soft bed, I grab the soft pillows and close my eyes. What am I missing? Something not write. Closing my eyes, it felt like I was being rocked to sleep.

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Feeling a hands on my face, I open my eyes to see myself holding myself.

"So this is how I look up close, I have very soft and supple skin." The woman said rubbing my face and arms.

"Who are you? Where am I?"

"You're in a world between mine and yours. And I'm actually dead, but the god hythus felt pity and decided to let me live but through you."

"What? Why would he do that? Is that the reason I died? What the fuck!" I screamed trying to hit the woman my hand just phased through her.

"Calm down, you being here was by mere coincidence. Hythus is the god of life and death, when one of his subordinates was collecting souls hythus found you interesting and decided to pick you to take over my body."

"But I'm not from this world! I cry just from stubbing my toe! How the hell am I gonna survive in a house that filled with people that's trying to kill me! Why are they even trying to kill you in the first place." Sighing I slide down trying to grasp what's happening. The small hope that my body is actually fine vanished and now I'm stuck in some mythical world.

"Little one it'll be okay. When I connect to your soul you'll have my memories. You'll have my abilities and you'll understand this world. I just wanted to talk to you so we can be compatible. If this goes wrong, you'll actually die this time and my soul will never reincarnate." The woman sits in front of me, smiling she offer me her hand.

"What do you want me to do? Is there a goal you're trying to meet?" I said taking her hand.

"I was….disgusting. I was a human that deserves to be in the deepest parts of Fyris." The woman said sighing.

"Fyris? Is that another word for hell? Like it's a place where you spend eternity suffering?"

"Yes. You see Egypt, we are taught to be disgusting creatures. It's your duty to change and learn from your surroundings on what's good and or bad. But sadly my surroundings failed me. By the time I truly understood the weight of my actions, one of my lovers killed me. I wouldn't be surprised if all of them had something to do with it. I did try to fix everything before my death but my years of abuse would never erase the bitter emotions in their hearts."

Wind picking up, I look at the woman whose eyes shone white. A warm feeling started from my hands to my arms and up my shoulders. It felt peaceful and safe, relaxing my body I accept her. If I'm already dead, it's best to just live than waste a new life with ifs and fears. Like a movie I watched her life, from the day she was born up to her death. I've seen things I didn't want to see but I didn't turn away, I didn't reject. If this truly is because she wants to repent, I will try my hardest to fulfill her wish. Because though she's a terrible person, her family, and the people surrounding her failed her. She was a byproduct of failed adults and I hope that I can at least just stop them from killing me.