2 - Chapter

In the morning I was awakened at 4:00 a.m. The maids, as always without ceremony, began to wash me, holding me almost roughly by the shoulders. Before I was fully awake, I was already in the process, not at all like a caring morning. Then I was hastily dressed in warm but new clothes. Wow, I didn't know I could look so good! Wow, you're a beauty.

But except for those scarlet eyes... If I had sapphire eyes like the Emperor, I might have been recognized. Maybe I wouldn't have stayed in the shadows like I always have. Maybe life would have been different.

But there was nothing to complain about... After all, those eyes weren't just strange, they were a sign that Harmony herself had cursed us. It could be worse. I'm getting out of here anyway. And it's even better that I don't have sapphire eyes, otherwise I'd be recognized. Only Noctons have such eyes. Not every Nocton has them, of course, but they're a sign of wealth, a sign that their kind has been chosen for something great. I'm better off in the shadows, even with these eyes. As long as no one recognizes me, I can be invisible - and that gives me a chance.

I sat down in a chair from which even my head couldn't reach the table. In the past, in my past life, when I was 8 years old, I was the tallest among my peers. And now... Well, we have to fight to survive. I climbed up on the chair and started to put all the necessities for my growing body on my plate by myself. Normally, the maids would have done it for me, but they didn't care.

– If you eat there without ceremony, I won't forgive you, – Mom said, her voice filled with irritation.

I don't care, I'm going to run away to Vivetha anyway. There, among the elves, I can live the life I want.

After a few of her humiliations, I went to my room and pretended to get my things. In reality, I planned to take all my savings and hide them under my dress. I had to prepare myself. I wanted her to think I was just an obedient daughter, but I'd decided to run away a long time ago. If I couldn't leave right now, at least I would have my money.

And now it was time to leave. I sat in the same carriage with my mother and tried not to show my worries. I wonder if it's really as cold as the legends say. What does the future archduke look like? They say he's an exact replica of the first emperor. And if I'm not mistaken, they even share the same name. It's amazing how everything in this world is connected, as if fate itself had woven this pattern.

I know for a fact that I missed out on fantasy. After all, the real Middle Ages were very different. Ugh. I'm getting sick just thinking about it. Oh, well, I'm definitely in a manhwa. I can't remember exactly, but it feels like I know this world and have read about it before. Everything is so familiar, like it's part of a story. I wish there was an N (my best friend from a past life). She would definitely have put things in perspective.

I remember her as N because I can't remember her full name. I can't even remember what I looked like. All that's left are scraps of memories that don't add up to a whole picture. Sometimes I feel like my whole old life is just a fog that I can't clear. But it used to be so vivid. ....

One thing I know for sure is that I used to be older than I am now. I didn't feel so helpless and young then. Now I'm about to spend two months of hell in the same carriage with that witch. The whole time I'll have to endure her humiliation, watch her be pleased with herself and ignore everything that matters to me. How I hate this woman....

I never believed that carriages could actually cause motion sickness until I sat in one myself. This is my first time, and frankly, it's not as magical as the books make it out to be. Oh, my God. I'm going to throw up.

I tried to focus on something else: the patterns in the carriage, the scenery outside the window, but nothing worked.

Every jolt, every squeak of the wheels on the rough road only intensified this terrible feeling.

My mother sat across from me, and of course she didn't care about my painful appearance. She sat with her back straight and stared at me intently, as if she expected me to complain.

– If you start squirming here, don't be surprised if I leave you in a roadside ditch, – she said icily.

Well, thanks for the encouragement, Mom. It's a great start.

At the end of the day, when we finally stopped at a small hotel, I didn't care about anything else. I ran to the nearest tree and laid out everything I had eaten so diligently that morning.

– I'm sorry, tree...– I whispered, leaning exhaustedly against its trunk.

I didn't even have the strength to look at my mother. I could feel her icy gaze burning into my back.

– You're a disgrace. Eat less next time,– she tossed dismissively, adjusting her dress and not even thinking about helping me.

"There won't be a next time, I hope," I thought with a heavy sigh. The hotel looked a little nicer than my usual abode, but I wanted nothing more than to fall face first into the bed and never move again.