CHAPTER 4: a cat

A week had dragged by, and all I'd done was the same mindless routine: eat, sleep, pee—then repeat. That's all I dared to do. It was safer this way. If I stayed invisible, I wouldn't get killed.

Now I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, utterly useless. I didn't even have the excuse of being busy. That was my plan: do absolutely nothing, and hopefully, they'd leave me alone.

I turned my head to the left and stared at the clock. A thought crept into my mind.

"Wait… what if they kick me out for doing nothing? Or worse, kill me for it?" I sat up and looked down at my small hands. They didn't feel like mine. They weren't mine. Why would I ever get used to this body? It wasn't where I belonged, nor did I want this body.

"That stupid old man," I muttered bitterly, clenching the blanket in my fists. "If he'd just called an ambulance or even tried to help, I wouldn't be dead. I wouldn't be here."

Or maybe if I'd paid more attention to the road instead of obsessing over that dumb novel. Or if I'd just skipped school altogether that day.

I slumped back against the bed. "It's too late now," I sighed. "But if I had a choice, I'd rather be a bird. Or a rat. Anything's better than being stuck as some villainess."

I shut my eyes, and the memory of my deceased mother came back, unbidden. Back in my real life when I was just a small child, she'd told me not to give up when I'd wanted to quit something. I could almost hear her voice, warm and full of love.

—

"Sweetheart," she said as she cupped my cheek, "don't give up so quickly. If you fail, it doesn't mean you stop trying. Mistakes are part of the process. Learn from them and try harder. That's how people succeed."

Her words were so kind back then, so encouraging. I nodded eagerly, full of hope, as she ruffled my hair.

—

But now? What is there to succeed? I'm about to die anyway... in probably... I put my hands up, counting my fingers.

In like 11 years...

I let out a loud sigh as I sat back up. "Mom is right... don't give up," I mumbled under my breath. I stood up from the bed and looked at my pajamas.

"Oh well." I shrugged like I didn't care, but I did wear slippers since the floor was cold.

"Where was the garden again?" I walked down the hall. "Ah, this way, I remember."

I arrived as I walked out of the door that led to the garden. The garden was beautiful and mesmerizing. There was a huge lake to the west where people could ride boats, and there were flower gardens in the middle. If you went a little deeper, you would enter a forest.

"I want to go to the forest. I want to have my own little secret quiet spot where I can ease my mind a bit anyway!" I grinned as I started walking toward the forest.

I entered the forest and looked around. My red eyes slowly gazed at a white and blonde-spotted fluffy cat sitting, looking directly at me.

Oh my, that is so cute! I should go pet it! I love cats!

I slowly approached it. The cat stood up, turned around, and looked back at me like it wanted me to follow it.

Should I follow it?.. I should, there's nothing for me to do anyway.

I started following the cat, who started to run, making me run because I didn't want to lose it.

"Will you slow dow—WHA!" I got cut off by a small fall that sent me rolling down a small hill.

"Oww..." I looked at my body, checking for any major injuries. I hadn't been injured badly, just a couple of bruises.

"My nightwear is messy and dirty now, and also my hair…" My gaze turned upward, looking for the cat. My eyes widened with amazement.

"Woah…"

The land I landed on was beautiful. There was a field of colorful flowers, a big tree in the middle, and behind the tree was a small lake. The spot was surrounded by trees.

"This is pretty…" I shook my head, not wanting to be distracted. I looked in every direction, but there was no sign of the cat.

"Where the heck is it?" I stood up, brushing off the dirt on my nightwear and fixing my hair a bit.

"Whatever... At least I found a cool spot to relax! Oh, I could make a small treehouse in that tree or a little cabin near the lake when I get my allowance." I smiled with sparkling eyes as ideas filled my mind. I was clearly happy about this, I had never seen such a place in my world.

I started walking back to the palace. Being smart, I began to place red flower petals on each tree I passed so I could remember where I was or know how to get back.

"YOUR HIGHNESS, ELENA?" Mary's voice echoed through the palace garden, her tone laced with worry. I stepped out from the shadows of the forest, brushing my messy hair aside as I tried to look presentable.

 "Mary, I'm here," I called back, waving a hand. Her face lit up with relief as she hurried toward me, her skirts swishing with every step. 

"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!" she scolded, but the tension in her voice betrayed her genuine concern.

"You can't just wander off like that. What if something happened to you?"

 "I was just exploring the forest," I replied, scratching my head a bit. Mary sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

"Your Highness, please remember, it's dangerous to go off alone." "Eh? It's alright, I'm strong enough to defend myself." I said with confidence, even though I hadn't worked out in this body or done anything to make myself stronger. 

"Ha... Elena..." Her tone softened as she took my hand. "Let's get you cleaned up. Your dress is ruined, and your hair—oh, your hair! We need to get you cleaned up." I couldn't help but chuckle at her fussing as she led me back toward the palace. 

"Mary... how much is my allowance?" I asked, looking at her as she brushed my hair after I took a bath. 

Mary looked at me with confusion. She was puzzled because the original Elena would've known that, since she buys every single dress she likes with her allowance. 

"Well, as I remember, 5,000,000 Lita a month." Lita? 

It's probably this world's currency or something. But 5 MILLION?! THAT'S AMAZING!

My eyes sparkled as I heard how much money my allowance was. I wanted to explode. I was never rich in my past life. This is the only good thing in this life. I'm rich, a princess, and have unlimited food. I'm greedy about money. Everyone is, but I might help the poor in this life since I know what it's like. 

"Elena," Mary said my name to grab my attention. My gaze turned to her in the mirror. She had a warm smile on her face. I liked it. It felt comforting to see someone care for me in this life. 

"Would you like to go to the Lumora Festival this evening? It is located in the plaza. There will be lots of food and different things you might like." 

The Lumora Festival is an annual celebration held to honor the legendary Aurielis, the Hero of Light, who is believed to have brought warmth and illumination to the world during its darkest age. It would be nice to go to a festival. I haven't left the palace since I arrived here.

 "Yes, I would love to!" My voice was full of excitement, and my eyes were filled with happiness. It seemed I was warming up to her. 

She looked at my reflection through the mirror. "Oh my! You're so adorable!" She gently squeezed my cheek, and I started to feel embarrassed when she said that. 

"Sure, whatever!" I stood up with a flushed face, but my focus shifted toward the door when I heard someone knocking. Mary made her way to open it. She opened it, and it was the white-haired man, or rather, the king's assistant.

 "Greetings, Your Highness, Elena." The man bowed his head. "The king has requested your presence." 

What the heck does the king want now? He is so annoying... 

I nodded and started to follow him as he led me to His Majesty's office. His assistant knocked on the door. "Her Highness, Elena, is present." 

"Enter," the king said coldly from behind the closed door. The assistant opened the door for me and waited for me to enter. I sighed as I took a step inside.

 I was confused about why he even summoned me. I'm trying to live peacefully and not worry about getting killed at all. 

His cold gaze pierced through me. He raised his head and fixed his posture, clearly displeased to see me, even though he was the one who summoned me.

"I heard from your teacher that you are a genius at math. I see you've grown." 

"Thank you, Your Majesty?" I tilted my head, clearly confused about where he was going with this. 

"Elena, I'm proud. After all, I am the one who raised you." I looked down and clenched my fists, feeling anger. Not me... Her soul, Elena's soul, was angry... I couldn't say anything. I didn't want to get in trouble. I couldn't risk talking back. 

He looked at me as if he were studying me, then sighed and leaned back in his chair, waving his hand to dismiss me.

 I nodded and quickly left. Why now? Why didn't he acknowledge Elena in the novel like he is right now? It's so confusing.

 I sighed, holding my chest. My chest felt heavy. I took a deep breath and started walking away. 

"Let's just distract ourselves with the festival I'm about to go to!"