Chapter 14 - Do Over

Waking up to darkness, I spring to all fours. Looking around in alertness, not sure where I was. I spot a figure of someone sleeping on the floor. Cautiously I crawl out of the mat as quietly as a toddler can. Bringing my face close to the others to try and see their face to no avail, it's just too dark. Doesn't seem to be a moon tonight. Suddenly a familiar voice fills your room, "Ha you're awake." It's the old man from before, he sounds tired however I can quite get what he's saying, I tilt my head in confusion. "Uxolo?" (Sorry?). Somehow he regains his thoughts cause he laughs and translates is what I'm guessing what he said earlier. "Ndithe phinda ulale, kuse early," (I said you should go back to sleep, it's still early)

The little girl nods her head and crawls into the old man's blanket, scared to sleep alone. Luckily the mat was big enough for the both of them and still had room left. The two sigh happy to not have to be alone anymore. Soon morning comes and the little girl was to the sound of a knock on the door. She's still a bit ansty due to being in an unfamiliar once again. She keeps quiet, scurrying closer to the old man's back. The knock persists till finally the old man calls out for them to enter. The door immediately swings open as the girl helps the old man sit up and gives him morning greetings. Surely rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. The elder smiles and gently rubs her head, then ushers her to wash her face. The girl stares at him at a loss before doing as she's told. After having washed her face, the girl is served by the servants. She's attended to and dressed like how a young master or mistress of the household is treated. She is stiff throughout the whole process while the servants giggle and coo at the girl's adorable behaviour

Finally done, she steps out to see she's dressed in boy's clothing. Looking around for the old butler, the maids signal for her to follow them. That's how the little girl has been surviving, she's been using sign language mainly, using the most basic knowledge of the Korean hangul she can recall and learnt so far from her common knowledge as a adult in her previous life in modern times. While holding the maid's hand, they end up at a table with the mansion's owner and his family. Except this time the old man is seated with them, in the spot where the elder of the family usually sits. Most of the people at the table were either shocked, surprised or disgusted by this display. However none said a word as it was the Lord of the mansion who personally made this seat for his butler. The little girl stands at a loss starting at everyone, the third wife snorts at her lack of manners. "This child is too dumb to be your child my lord, you can take the rat out of the gutter but you can't change the fact that it's a rat!" Yep fifth wife joins in, "A rat will always be a rat". One look from the Lord has them zip their mouths shut and the fourth wife smiling in secret, meanwhile girl can't help but grip the maid's hand in fear

The maid has been nice to me so far, she squeezes back to reassure me. I let out a deep breath and let go of her hand. Playing them over my stomach as one hand was under another, I bowed my head then say my greetings, "Good-od morning grandpa, father, mother co-concubines and siblings". Internally I kick myself in the mouth for stuttering. The room is filled with silence. I. Don't. Move. An. Inch. Too scared I would be told I'm being impolite so I just remain in place, eventually I hear the Lord's voice who is now my father. "Get up child." Then another that seems to be translating his words, "Phakama mntwana" (Rise child). I lift my uper body looking at the old man who's smiling at me. I can't help but show a small smile, my hands still folded together. The old man gestures for me to come sit next to him but I can only look at my "father" for permission. He nods his head as the old man calls out to me, "Yiza uhlale apha" (Come is here)! He seems so happy, extra happy. I hurry over to my seat looking at my hands in the lap once I take a seat

"Great let's eat!" The old man grins as he says those words, one thing I know is that line. I may not be familiar with their dialect but I do know what 'let's eat!' means. I look around to see the Lord picking up his chopsticks after the old man has grabbed a piece of food from the bowls. However instead of placing the food in his bowl he places it in mine, I look up to see him smile. He pats my head handing me my chopsticks. "Kufuneka utye ngakumbi, umncinci kakhulu sithandwa" (You need to eat more, you're so underweight dear). It's only then that I truly evaluate myself. I've been skipping meals due to my old habit but it isn't good for my growing and still developing body. I nod my head while grabbing my chopsticks and start eating away, well not as fast as I had hoped since I haven't fully mastered eating with chopsticks. I managed to a bowl and a half of rice with varied vegetables and meat to my delight - at the cost of the wives losing their appetite. I could feel their gazes piercing my skull but I still ate to my hearts content. After eating my fill, I sat a while as everyone did too. Soon the maids came to take the dishes away, I quickly stand. Bowing before stacking my own plates but a hand holds my wrist. I turn my head to see the old man shaking his head, he puts back the plates in my hand onto the table. Then gestures for me to sit back down. For a second I stare at him in confusion, I look around then point at myself. He nods his head as he starts laughing, so does the two young masters. I catch a second glimpse of the corner of the Lord's lips lift. I sit down and put my hands in my lap so as to not attract anymore unwanted attention

The old man looks down at the child fondly, he pats her head then raises his head. "Today I come as a messenger of the elders to choose an heir of the family". The whole dining room goes silent, one of the concubines waves a hand to dismiss the servants. He pats my head, "The elders have decided to make this child part of the family since 'he' was discovered to be the Lord's eh- outside child". Instantly snickering and chuckling is heard by the three women. "Oh and here I thought I thought she was a threat- wait did you just say, 'He'?!" Her words are cut short sooner than later, "Since he is the only child that has the Lord's blood in his veins, he is ultimately the sole heir of the family and is to be treated as such". The room falls silent once again, even the girl had a shiver run down her spine. The butler patted her head and translated, she stood up and bowed refusing the offer. She's met with silence. "Awukwazi ukwala oku, luxanduva oluwela kuwe. Okwethutyana nje kuya kufuneka unxibe njengenkwenkwe" (You can't refuse this, it's a responsiblity that's falling to you. Just for a little while you'll have to dress as a boy)

She wanted to object but the old man placed a hand on her shoulder, "Khumbula into ebendiyithethile ngaphambili" (Remember what i said earlier). I look at him eyes furrowed, "Nanini na xa izinto zikongamela, ungafika ukhalaze, ukhale kwaye uzikhulule kunye nam" (Whenever things get overwhelming, you can come complain, cry and relieve yourself with me). The girl tears up as she hugs the old man, they pull apart then nod at each other. Over the short period of time, they seem to have formed a close bond in a short period of time. The girl sat back down still feeling insecure while trying to reassure herself in her heart, 'If I can prove useful they won't kick me out yet. I need to become stronger, by this time next year I need to be ten times stronger! Wait-why?' She turns to look at the old man, her eyes softening, 'Grandma... I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have done that. She must be so sad or even worse-?! She could of had a heart attack! I need to get back, I need to get stronger and find a way to get out of this timeline!' Everyone leaves feeling disappointed, with shocked expressions on their faces. The Lord calls for his sons, along with the butler and his long lost 'son' to follow him to the study room