Chapter 4

I heard a voice that sounded familiar yet hard to remember who had sung the song for me.

"Hush now, my child, the night's drawing near, 

In dreams, you'll find wisdom, your heart free of fear. 

The stars up above shine bright as a guide, 

A crown of strength waits, with truth by your side."

Such a beautiful voice, who is singing? It is making me sleepy.

"Rest, little leader, the world calls your name, 

With wisdom and courage, you'll rise to your fame. 

The empire shall flourish, and peace shall unfold, 

For you'll rule with a heart both tender and bold."

'Who are you?' I tried asking but I did not hear my voice. The only sound I heard was a coo from a baby. I raised my hand to check, only to find out I had the hands of a baby.

I looked up and finally saw the owner of the voice, my mother. I almost forgot her face. I raised both my hands, trying to get her attention so I could touch her face again. When she finally noticed, she gave me her warmest smile before scooping me up and raising me to her face.

I laughed so hard when I went to touch her again. She continued to sing the lullaby she was singing while trying to make me go back to sleep.

"The sword may be heavy, but your spirit is light, 

With knowledge and kindness, you'll win every fight. 

The winds of the mountains, the rivers so wide, 

They whisper their secrets, a ruler's true pride."

I tried to keep myself awake amidst the singing of my mother. I yawned and my eyes started to water from the drowsiness I have felt since losing consciousness.

"Sleep, my little princess. The empire is not yet ready for you. It is not yet ready to host the incarnation of our goddess, Seraphina. You must remember my precious little princess, no matter what happens, we will be watching over you. Our goddess will be watching over you as long as you do not stray from the path of wisdom that is in front of you. Remember that, as I feel that we do not have a lot of time to be with you."

I watched as my mother shed a single tear while kissing me on my forehead and continued to sing her lullaby.

"Rest, little leader, the world calls your name, 

With wisdom and courage, you'll rise to your fame. 

The kingdom shall flourish, and peace shall unfold, 

For you'll rule with a heart both tender and bold."

Mother hugged my face and started to sway with the wind, still singing her lullaby.

"Sleep now, my darling, the night holds you tight, 

The path to your empire will shine in the light. 

With strength in your chest and wisdom to guide, 

You'll walk through the ages with honor and pride. 

Rest, little leader, the world calls your name, 

With wisdom and courage, you'll rise to your fame. 

The kingdom shall flourish, and peace shall unfold, 

For you'll rule with a heart both tender and bold. 

Hush now, dear child, your empire awaits, 

In dreams, you are empress, through time and through gates. 

Your strength and your wisdom will light the way, 

A leader of ages, through night and through day."

As the lullaby ended, my mother gave one last message,

"Whatever you may decide in the future, we will not hold it against you. For you will be celebrated by everyone in the empire as a wise, caring, and just ruler. Sleep tight, my little empress."

As that memory faded, I started to wake up but I did not open my eyes yet. I heard the people around me buzzing like bees on a spring morning. I tried listening to their conversation but as I was still in a half-unconscious state, it was still a bit muted.

"Can I examine the pocket on her clothes, Ian? I want to examine it." Rose asked Ian.

"No, she is not awake and you need her permission. So can you put it off just until she wakes up?"

Before I could continue to listen to their conversation, a voice I did not get to hear earlier suddenly spoke up and said,

"She's already awake, and she's been listening to your yappings since earlier. Sometimes I wonder if you guys are still kids in the bodies of adults."

Well, there goes my eavesdropping. I opened my eyes and looked to the side where I heard Ian and Rose bickering earlier, and they were startled the moment I twisted my head to look at them.

I smiled at them like a maniac before asking, " Are you done bickering?"

When they didn't answer me, I rolled my eyes before sitting up from the bed that I was lying on. I immediately regretted doing it as a wave of nausea hit me like a pile of bricks was thrown on my head. I groaned at the sudden pain and held my head for support. After a few deep exhales and glaring at the two beside me, I was as good as new.

When all of that was done, I looked at them again and asked, "What happened when I lost consciousness?"

That question brought them back to their senses and Ian was the first to answer my question.

"You fell but Julian immediately caught you before you could hit the floor. He then carried you to this room. You were unconscious for two days with a few hours where your eyes were wet from tears."

'I cried?', I thought to myself. I urged them to continue explaining whatever happened afterward, but they only looked at each other. Why do I feel irritated all of a sudden? Ah! I know why.

"Are you going to tell me or should I figure out how in high hell you are talking to each other? Do not test me and my capabilities, because I will not stop until I figure out how you guys do that." I warned them.

But they did not move an inch. It's as if they didn't even hear me talk to them. I looked at them closely, they looked like they were in a sort of trance. Even when I looked over to the girl by the door who alerted them that I was already awake, she was in the same state.

I gave up asking them since they wouldn't even be able to hear me when they are in that trance-like state. So I waited until they were done with whatever they were doing while I started to remember what I created before I lost consciousness.

I opened the pockets of my clothes and inspected the subspace inside. I even tilted my head to the side to somehow make sense of the extent of the subspace I made. While I was inspecting it, Ian suddenly said,

"He's here."