In definition, a family is defined as a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit. However, I believe these words are roughly defined in the English dictionary, as it depends on the person who was saying it. Some may consider people they shared their house with as a family, while some may consider it with someone who was always there through thick and thin as their family. Moreover, some also consider their pets like family. Whatever meaning it carries, the basis of being a family is someone you can depend on, someone who supports you with every shortcoming that you have, someone who you share good and bad times, and someone you love unconditionally. Family is a just word, that ourselves who gave it a meaning.
However, for me who used to try accepting her as my family, now I felt nothing. If someone dares to say that there are still my family, I will be cross with them. Just because someone is a family, doesn't mean I have to keep them by my side. We should excuse ourselves from the life of a toxic person before they start spreading like wildfire and cause havoc in our life.
I was gasping for air within her clutch, and I know she didn't hesitate to kill me. Suddenly it got me thinking, what will happen if I die here? Whether I returned to my original world or will I be gone for good? Whatever it was, I was not bold enough to verify that theory. So for now, I have to keep on living.
Every time I look in the mirror; I see a different person in front of me. But it didn't bother me, either body was fine for me. Every so often I wondered what happened to the original owner of this body. However, I am only a tenant, when you returned I will willingly return it back to you. For now, I live here.
Lady Chlaricia was a person who was born with a golden spoon. Hence, a person like her who never does any kind of works was as weak as a kitten. Even though she was not that strong for me, I was too weak to fight her right now. I started to gather all the last bit of my strength to fight her.
I reached her little fingers and started to pull them with the means to break them. As little fingers have less strength than other fingers, it was not that hard for me to pull them upwards.
"Aww!" Lady Chlaricia shouted in a single breath. She holds her finger as she was in pain.
"Mother, are you alright?" Eliana said to her mother and started to look at her mother's finger.
"Do I look fine to you?!" Lady Chlaricia shouted at Eliana, for the first time in her life.
"Why did you shout at me for? I told you to stop, didn't I?" she was startled at first, but continued to respond to her words.
I was still on the floor, continually coughing. If I waited for another second, I might have died. Lady Chlaricia who was still enraged walked towards me. While Eliana just stood there, feeling annoyed with the current situation. I tilted my head up and glare at her. Then, she stepped on my hand with her heels, as repayment for what I did to her finger. I started to cry and tried to push her feet away. With my high ego, I didn't lower myself to beg her to release me.
Suddenly, a male figure walked hastily towards us and pushed Lady Chlaricia away. As she was not stable at that time, she falls over on the floor with a splat. Then he bent down and holds my hand with his callous and manly hand. The way he held my hand was very careful like I was made of glass. My eyes were full of tears and the scene in front of me getting blurry.
"Mother," Eliana called her mother with worry as she pulled her mother up from the floor.
"Do you know who I am?! How dare you pushed me?!" Lady Chlaricia shouted at that man.
That man didn't bother replying to her nonsensical words. He just stared at me tenderly. He was furious when he saw the state I am in. Suddenly my mind went hazy, and my view got darker, and I passed out. I, who have had no energy since the beginning of the incident, have been tortured by a madwoman. As I was about to collapse, he embraced me in his arms. Then, he lifted me up and carried me to my bed. After that, he walked towards one of the maids and asked her to call for a physician.
"What are you doing? I didn't permit you to call anyone here," Lady Chlaricia said to him. She knew if someone from the outside knows about this, it will be trouble for her. However, it didn't bother her that much as she can just bribe her way out. The thing that bothered her was the thought of helping me.
"What are you still doing here?" he disregarded her question but responded to her existence. He glares towards both mother and daughter.
"This is my house. You have no right to say what I should and shouldn't do," Lady Chlaricia said with contempt.
"Get out. Before I make you," his eyes were shooting daggers.
"Mother, I think we should go now," Eliana said as she tried to escape from this room.
"Argh! The pain is killing me," Lady Chlaricia said.
Eliana and Lady Chlaricia, who were terrified of him, decided to leave my room.
Then he pulled a chair close to my bed, and sat there quietly, with a loving gaze.
A few minutes ago, a young man with his shimmering blue hair arrived at the Duke's household. He was Prince Lex. He came after finishing his works on the tavern case. He wanted to know how I was, but he kept on pondering and was hesitant whether to go in or not. He was unsure how to act and what to say to me. He worried if he said or acted the way that I didn't like. Despite that, he was the one who asked the coachman to stop here.
He was greeted by the butler as he arrived at the front door. Then, the butler asked the maid to call for me. His mind right now was all over the place. He kept on repeating few dialogues, as he doesn't know which sounded better. The thought of me just a few steps within her grasp makes him nervous and his heart beats faster. At that time, he knew that he couldn't control his thought, but it didn't stop him to do what he wants.
Suddenly, the maid who was instructed before came running towards him. He was startled, as he didn't realize she was coming towards him looking as pale as a sheet.
"My lord, please help my lady. Please," she said with a sniff.
As he agreed, both of them ran towards my room. His long legs were moving fast as he was running. The maid who was in front of him was in tears as she was scared of what was about to happen. He wondered what had happened that makes her cried like that while wishing nothing bad happened to me. The thought of bad things happened to me scared him to death. The maid brought him to where it seems like a room for the maid, though it was a bit better. Moreover, no nobles would want their room to be near the kitchen, but here he was.
The maid stopped moving and cried heavily in front of one of the rooms. She knew she couldn't do anything, but only asked for help. Her face was full of tears and snot, she felt helpless and scared.
Suddenly, he, who was a few steps away from the door heard a shout of a cry from inside the room. Even though he just met me, he knew who the voice belonged to. Without thinking twice, he ran forward towards the door.
He saw me crying on the floor, while the woman tortured me. The sight in front of him makes him boiled with anger. He went in and pushed the woman away with a single push. His heart was broken, and it felt he was the one in pain. The woman in front of him, who always brought love and joys, and helped others whoever they are, was the one who actually needed love and supports the most. At that time he felt disgusted with himself, who seeks help when needed and clapped when given one. He knew I have never care about such things, as I was meant to help those in need. But he couldn't help but feel terrible.
Truthfully, who wouldn't want to be appreciated for the things they go through for others? We don't have to do much but just a simple thanks were more than enough. I used to live my life by expecting others too much. It was not that I wanted them to treat me with expensive things, but I just wanted to know I was appreciated for the things that I do for them. When they were in need, they cried for help, when they were happy, they left me stranded. Am I selfish for asking this much? Or am I petty for hoping so? Why was it easy for them to point out all our wrongs but hesitant to compliment our rights? It doesn't cost a cent, but it seemed like it was the most expensive thing.
During the time that I passed out, I overheard someone calling me. Once, twice, and multiple more times, until my eyes slowly swung open. It was blurry at first, but it got a bit clearer in seconds.
"Deanna," he said.
"He..lios.." I said as I rubbed my eyes.
"Yes, I am surprised you recognize me. How are you?" he asked with a smile. He was the first person that I met when I arrived here.
"Wh..ere am I?" I asked while looking surrounds me.
The wind caressed my cheek as the birds sang in rhythm. The carpet of green grass lay across the open field. The sky was as clear as the cloud hides from the sun. Everything was perfect, to the point it seemed unreal.
"This is the place that was created by yourself. It's beautiful, isn't it?" he said.
"What do you mean?"
"This is the only way for us to communicate, and the condition for me to reach you is through here. As you are the owner, you are the only one want who can allow me to enter," he explained. Since I didn't have malice against him, he was granted entry.
"…," I just listened to him, quietly.
"How are you? How are you coping?"
"I'm fine. I'm alright, just like usual."
"I still haven't discovered the way to bring you back. Deanna, I have to tell you something," he said with a low tone and seemed worried. He worried that I wouldn't forgive him for lying.
"I feel like I owe you an apology and you deserve to know why you are here," he said, feeling guilty. He wanted to conceal everything from me, but only tells when he found the solution. However, he was engulfed by guilt, which makes him suffocated with each breath he took.
"I don't understand. What are you trying to tell me?"
I was puzzled by what he just said. The first time I saw him; he looks trustworthy and benevolent. He told me, he doesn't know why I am here or what will happen to the original Deanna or me. But right now he said otherwise, that all his words were a lie.
I was too tired of all this drama and didn't bother that much about his real intention. As I consistently reminded myself, I am me, wherever I am. The body doesn't change the soul, but the soul that colors the body. However, I needed to know, as I am worried and wanted to know what had happened to the original Deanna Remus. Hence, I let him tell his story where it intertwines with ours.