By the River
Noel sat on the riverbank, staring at the rippling water.
Noel: "Man… this kingdom is so beautiful. Even the poor have decent houses. Even though life is hard… it's comfortable. I want to stay here!" 😤
She nodded to herself, admiring the peaceful scenery.
Noel: "Honestly, if I could get a job here without being forced to train, I'd happily settle down. Fresh air, beautiful rivers, historical architecture… and probably delicious food!"
She grinned.
Noel: "Maybe getting thrown into the past isn't so bad after all!"
A gentle tap on her shoulder made her spin around.
Someone: "Do you have a problem, girl? Why are you shouting like this?" 😐
Noel: "What the—!" 😱
She nearly slipped into the river.
Noel: "WHO ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU TOUCHING PEOPLE FROM BEHIND?! DO YOU WANT ME TO DIE BEFORE I EVEN GET MARRIED?!"
The stranger blinked.
Someone: "...I only tapped your shoulder."
Noel: "THAT'S HOW HORROR MOVIES BEGIN!"
The figure stepped closer, calm, with both hands raised in peace.
Someone: "Stop worrying. I'm not the king. I may look like him from afar, but I'm not." 😐
Noel narrowed her eyes.
Noel: "Then… who are you?" 😱
Someone: "Hello. I'm Adam." 😐
Suddenly, a flash of memory hit Noel like lightning.
Flashback
Noel sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by books, notes, and an alarming amount of snacks.
Noel: "Why do we have to memorize the author's name? Isn't history already hard enough?!" 😤
She stared at the page again.
Author: Adam.
Noel: "Okay… just… think. Huh, yeah… add him. Yeah… Noel, you're intelligent, I know." 😤
She nodded confidently, despite having absolutely no idea what she was doing.
Noel: "Adam. Adam. Adam. I'll remember that."
A moment later, she flipped the page.
Noel: "Wait, what was the author's name again?"
End of Flashback
The memory faded, leaving Noel blinking at Adam in the present.
She slowly looked him up and down.
Noel (thinking): (Wait… could it be… the same Adam?) 😶
Adam tilted his head.
Adam: "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Noel: "Nothing."
Adam: "You look suspicious."
Noel: "And you look like a history exam."
Adam: "...What?"
Noel: "Nothing! I said nothing!"
Noel's thoughts:
(PLEASE tell me this isn't the same Adam who wrote that book about King Aaron's downfall.)
(Because if he is… I have approximately one thousand questions.)
(And if he isn't… why does the universe keep introducing suspiciously important men to me?!) 😭
To be continued...