Chapter 2: Role reversal?

I am officially awake in my most recent role...uh... life and I think the poison used on this body may have had lasting neurological effects. My brain seems to be seeing things backwards... I'll have to figure this out later but for now, I need to make it clear that I have no idea who any of these people are. Just when I was about to speak, the Empress who had been crying at my bedside suddenly jumped up and wiped her face. She then turned around and started barking out orders...

You! go and fetch the royal doctor! You, go and fetch a priest and you, go find Kaimeras maid! (I better speak up quick!) "Wait! What's going on?! Who is Kaimera?!" Once again the whole room froze. I'm used to this shocked expression since this is one of my favorite wake-up methods. The Empress who im sure, is normal pretty imposing went white as a sheet of paper. (The first time I tried this I felt kinda bad about it but now it's a little entertaining) "You don't know your name?.... do... you know who I am?" From this point onward I can give relatively honest answers. "The Empress?" I tilted my head to the side to play up the innocent, amnesia victim.

I want them to think I have lost my memory related to people but I don't want them thinking I have lost ALL my memories... then I would end up with a bunch of tutors and spend all day every day studying... It would be super inconvenient. The woman standing in front of me is pretty tall for a woman but then again, all the women seem kinda tall. She is dressed in red and gold with high quality silks and so much gold and jade jewelry it HAS to be uncomfortable... then there is the fact that her cloths, head piece and jewelry have phenix's all over them. Empress is a fair guess.

The Empress turned around with a Grimm expression and waved everyone out the door, urging them to complete the tasks she had given them earlier then she turned back to me and sat by the bed again. "I'm sorry... You must have been so confused when you woke up. I hope you weren't too scared" She carefully pushed my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. She seems like a very loving mother. How unfortunate... I wish there was something I could do but it always turns out the same in the end... Im sure she is a very imposing figure when she's not being so tender. With long, black hair and crimson eyes, they are a stark contrast to her ivory like skin. I bet she looks terrifying when she's angry... I'd like to see that before she dies. "So... Are you the Empress?" Her eyes darken again at the question. "Yes, I am... But more importantly, I am your mother." I make a surprised expression (With my expert acting skills) then cast my eyes down. "I'm sorry... I can't remember." She puts a hand behind my head and pulls me into a hug which surprised the crap out of me! "It's ok sweetheart. As long as you are alive, we can make new memories" (....) I wish that were true. Even with her cold armor, her hugs are very...warm...

The Empress asked me several questions to try and Guage how much I had forgotten and soon people started filling into the room. First a servant with the doctor who proceeded to run some basic tests. Then my personal servant (Who I thought was a woman but is clearly not!) My servant wasn't allowed to come to my bedside because I was being examined by the royal doctor so he stood near the door crying. How young is this kid?! He still totally sounds like a girl... or a VERY young boy! He has dusty brown hair, cut short and brown eyes...oh, he has freckles... (OK, he's a little cute)

Before the doctor could even finish my examination, a priest walked in with a very serious expression. I don't have any divine power stored in my body at the moment but he should be able to sence the traces of divine power if he is a real priest... The doctor moved to the opposite side of the bed so the priest could also examine me which tells me all I need to know. Obviously religion is VERY important here. In some worlds, a priest would not only have to wait for the doctor to finish but also wait to be given permission to examine the patient. Since the doctor moved out of the way and no one said anything I guess I picked the right method to wake up. I really can't tell with the doctor but the priest is definitely female. I guess that's not totally unreasonable... Divine power isn't limited to gender. I still find it odd though that I seem to be in a rather ancient time period yet there are so many women in positions of power. (does the Empress just not like being followed around by men?)

When both examinations had finished, the doctor, the priest and my mother walked out of the room which seemed to cause the crying boy in the corner to come unhinged. "Your highness! I was so worried! I though I was going to lose you! You wouldn't wake up and you never made sound and and and..." He said a lot more but with the mixture of tears and snot combined with his voice shaking, I couldn't make out anything else. I could feel his intent though. That's one up side to being a master of spiritual energy. I may not be able to read his mind but I can feel his intentions. I just waited for him to start calming down and handed him a handkerchief from my bedside table.

After a good cry and a few deep breaths he seemed a bit better. he was still shaken but otherwise ok. "Your highness, I heard the Empress and the doctor talking about memory loss earlier. Do you truly not remember anything?" It's not entirely a lie to say I don't remember anything... I mean it would be difficult to remember things you never experienced in the first place right? "No, I'm sorry. I do remember SOME things but I can't seem to remember any of the people I have seen... Or where I am" The boy hung his head with a discouraged look on his face then clenched his fists and seemed to resolve himself to something. This kid is kinda amusing to watch. He then lifted his head with determination, fists still clenched. "It's ok your highness! I will always be by your side! you can ask me anything! As long as you are still alive there is still hope!" (he's such a cute cinnamon roll...) "I see. Thank you. May I start by asking your name? *gasp* "Of course your highness, I'm so sorry, that was negligent of me... I am Lynn, Your personal attendant. I have been serving your highness since you were Ten years old.... Oh, and you are Sixteen years old now so I have been with your highness for six years!" (Was that all in one breath? this kid has some lung power) I nod to Lynn to let him know I understand. "I know my name is Kaimera and now, that I am 16... im afraid I will have more questions for you. do you have some time?" Lynn seemed dumbstruck for a moment but slowly nodded.

Several hours later, the light started to fade from the sky. Lynn has gone to fetch my dinner and I am left to my thoughts... From what Lynn has told me, I am the Fifth princess of the Klain Empire.... (Never heard of it) My Mother is the Empress and my father is a concubine which just made more questions... Turns out that this place is very similar to Ancient China with some MAJOR differences! First, All of the gender rolls are reversed! The Empress is the one running the Empire and she has a Harem of men which the Emperor is in charge of managing. Although Lynn tells me that My mother loves my father very much, because of his status she was unable to marry him and make him her second consort. He was a commoner when they met and fell in love... Apparently they met during one of my mother's war's of conquest. He may be favored by the Empress but because he was a commoner and had no power he was constantly harassed by the Emperor as well as the first and second consort... That is to be expected... It's just the basic Imperial power struggle. What bothers me is what Lynn has NOT told me. Based on his reactions, it seems as though my father and I have a less than happy relationship. My guess would be that this girl blamed her father for the poor treatment she likely received from literally everyone. I know I am going to have a lot more questions for Lynn but for now I just need to take a step back and learn all I can about the new life I am living. Only then can I figure out the best way to leave and Live peacefully and quietly.