Mere Human

Closing the book "Myths and Folktales," I sighed and massaged the back of my neck with my thumb and index finger.

Hours had passed unnoticed as I delved into its pages, each filled with illustrations and symbols that held me captive.

Once again, I found myself alone in the library, surrounded by towering shelves of ancient books that seemed to stretch endlessly into the dimly lit expanse. The musty scent of old parchment filled the air, mingling with the swirling dust that danced in the faint light filtering through the windows.

I came to realize that I was the only one among the creatures here who found solace in the act of reading. While others went about their duties or engaged in various activities, I remained firm in my devotion to the library.

Here, surrounded by the wisdom contained within the pages of countless books, I could momentarily forget the troubles that weighed heavily upon me.

I took a bite of the apple Lily had brought me earlier. When I was deeply engrossed in my reading, Lily knew better than to interrupt me.

Instead, she would quietly leave food and water nearby to ensure I wouldn't go hungry or thirsty.

As I stepped out of the library, the midday sun cast its warm glow upon the castle grounds. I made my way towards the kitchen, anticipating Lily's arrival for lunch.

Along the way, I encountered four women dressed in pastel-colored dresses, their attire indicating their roles as assistants within the castle.

Among them, one appeared to be the eldest, while two seemed to be around my age, and the fourth was younger than me. Their faces bore a multitude of expressions, ranging from irritation to curiosity.

One of them even arched an eyebrow at me, as though I had somehow offended or inconvenienced them with my presence.

As I walked past them, their snickers pierced the air like mocking arrows. It ignited a simmering heat within me. The sensation intensified as my arm inadvertently collided with a woman around my age.

If memory served me right, she was Kyline—a mysterious figure, her kindness reserved for a chosen few, much like Leaf. Despite her youthful appearance, she had been a servant in the castle since childhood.

I made a conscious effort to avoid escalating the situation further. I was mindful of the powers they had that Leaf had described to me. I knew that they could easily kill me with a mere thought.

So I opted to swallow my pride and tread carefully if I wished to continue residing here and eventually find a way back home.

As I thought I could finally breathe freely, a sudden tug on my hair jolted me from my daydream. Pain shot through my scalp as I let out an involuntary cry.

Turning around, I was met with a sinister smile from my assailant.

"Just because Prince Liam shows you favor," she taunted, "doesn't mean you're above us. Remember your place – we're all just helpers here." Her words dripped with malice as she glared at me.

I had hoped the elder among them, the one who should have known better, would step in. But to my dismay, she wore a twisted grin. Her wrinkled features betraying her amusement at the scene unfolding before her.

"It's bad enough that we have to serve the Witch, and now you're adding to our troubles? What are you anyway? Why are you always with Leaf?" Kyline stepped forward and yanked me up by my hair. Her grip was tight, sending sharp jolts of pain down my scalp.

"The Ministers have already made it clear that you don't belong here with us. But since you're still around, it just means your hold on Prince Liam is strong," she sneered as she pulled me closer.

I winced as I pulled my hair away, feeling the sting of their nails scratching my scalp, drawing blood. Desperate to break free, I shoved Kyline and her cohorts, but one of them retaliated with a sharp slap across my cheek.

The force of the blow left me momentarily deaf to anything but the ringing in my ears, my cheeks burning with humiliation.

I couldn't believe that even the elders were condoning this behavior, standing by and watching without intervening. The onlookers remained passive, too afraid to step in and stop the chaos.

"Know your place, weakling," their words cut through me like a knife as they taunted me with their sharp tongues.

Before I could fully recover, they shoved me again, sending me stumbling dangerously close to the ground. Only quick reflexes saved me from kissing the gravel below.

I couldn't recall doing anything to offend them. I typically kept to myself, avoiding those I didn't know well. Lily was my constant companion, and occasionally I joined Bloom, Leaf, and others if they weren't too busy. My time was mostly spent in the library or the Greenhouse, leaving me with little opportunity to get to know anyone else.

Despite the pain and tears, I summoned all my strength to stand back up.

The thin red lines of the scratches continued to ooze blood. Despite the pain, I knew I had to tend to my wounds.

I made my way back to my room to treat the injuries.

However, as I approached, I spotted Lily in the distance, no doubt searching for me to share a meal. I couldn't let her see me in this state. She would undoubtedly be concerned and would likely inform Prince Liam, or worse, Prince Ludwig.

That was the last thing I needed.

Swiftly changing course, I silently slipped away. Lily's kind-hearted nature would compel her to intervene if she saw my bruises, and I couldn't bear the thought of her getting involved.

It was better to keep my troubles to myself and avoid any further complications, whether they were my fault or not.

It was clear that confronting Kyline and her group would only lead to further conflict. As a mere human among beings with supernatural abilities, I knew I stood no chance. 

As I stepped into the Greenhouse, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the beauty and tranquility that surrounded me.

The vibrant colors of the flowers filled the air with a sense of wonder and magic. Each bloom seemed to pulsate with life.

I wandered through the rows of plants. Some resembled the flowers I knew from Earth, while others were unlike anything I had ever seen before, their petals shimmering.

As I sat on a nearby wooden chair, I carefully examined my wounds, wincing slightly as I touched the tender skin. The scratches were shallow but stung with a burning sensation.

I sighed.

Despite the discomfort, I was glad to wear a long-sleeved dress to conceal the wounds from prying eyes. The fabric would provide a protective barrier and prevent further irritation, even if it meant enduring the heat of the Greenhouse. Concealing my injuries felt necessary to avoid unnecessary questions or unwanted attention. 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a voice chillingly spoke. "Who did that?"