As I lay on my bed, I couldn't help but wander off in my thoughts. I don't know if it was normal, but this is my own way of falling asleep.
But unlike my ordinary nights, where I have to imagine good plots for my novel, this time, I have to think back to what happened to me today.
At first, I was supposed to eat my breakfast but got transported into this world instead. And then, I met a talking cat whose name I don't know. I guess I'll just call her Miss Cat.
From what Miss Cat said, I'm not the only writer who was transported into the world of their novels. And what we have to do is to rewrite the world's destiny by changing what was already written in the novel. Maybe my incomplete novel is like a clog in a spinning wheel, and what I need to do is to remove that clog.
But why does it have to be me? Can't it be someone else? Does Miss Cat choose me because I'm the writer and I should take responsibility for my own work?
And what exactly is the reason why I have to change the destiny of this world?
Another is, what are the conditions in order for the world to be formed?
What if they just halted or prevented its formation?
ARGH!
It's driving me crazy!
Why does it have to be me and my incomplete novels?
Is it because I died in my world and this is a form for atoning for my sins? And that sin was creating a clog in another world's destiny?
That made me sigh. The question is, how am I going to remove that clog? What if, during that time, the main characters die because of my recklessness? And the world will freeze once again.
'But there's Miss Cat who can just return back the time,' a part of my mind shouted.
Which is true. And another thing is, I don't mind receiving a few scoldings. I was used to be scolded back then by my parents for being slow on countless things. There were times when I was a little bit airheaded, and sometimes, I do overthink things to grasp what I have to understand.
Now, I'm more curious why the world stops functioning the moment the main character dies. Is it because of the saying, "The world revolves around the main character"? Is that the reason why I have to do my best to prevent their deaths?
But what exactly is the condition for the world to freeze? If I remember it right, the world was still functioning when Racia died, but it suddenly stopped when Dria was stabbed.
Does that mean Dria was the main character? But I'm sure that Racia and Xior are the main characters of my novel, and Dria is like a supporting character.
Or maybe Racia wasn't entirely dead when Dria ran towards me? Maybe she died exactly when Dria was stabbed.
Hmm...
**
"Hey, Zeana, wake up!"
I quickly sat up on my bed after hearing that. When I wandered my gaze, realization struck me alongside my back throbbing in pain.
Is it because I'm not used to sleeping on a hard bed and I feel uncomfortable sleeping in this room? I'm guessing that the only reason why I managed to sleep is my fatigue.
When I found the source of the voice that woke me up, a woman with pink hair was staring at me. It was the same girl who told me that Dria is looking for me.
"Uh, yes? It's still early..." My voice trailed off when I realized that I'm no longer a college student who often overslept because most of my schedules were afternoon and evening. Now, I'm a maid in this palace, and I have to change my daily habits.
"I know you're dead tired, but we have to move. We can't let the head maid catch us in this room, unless you want to be punished," she said in a hushed tone.
Come to think of it, I'm not alone in this room. I'm currently sharing this room with four other maids and the only maid in this rundown palace, except for Dria, the maid from yesterday who brought poisonous meal, and the so-called head maid.
"Haha, I'm sorry, I'll go prepare now," I sheepishly said. "You can go ahead; I'll just wash myself."
And today became my fastest record for taking a bath, and despite the complicated clothing, it was easily done.
I don't know, but for some reason, I have the clothes that I need under the bed. This just proves that a knight named Zeana exists in this world with the same face as I do, except for my eye color. And that's why I am wearing a maid's clothing right after I got transported here. In short, for an unknown reason, this character was well prepared to accommodate my existence in this world.
Uh, let's think about this later. I have got to go outside this palace and investigate.
With this, I couldn't help but remember what happened yesterday night.
Flashbacks...
Racia stopped eating the dessert in her hands. "Why wouldn't I?" She replied, and I almost raised my eyebrows. What does she mean? Does she mean that because we're the duke's people?
The corner of Racia's mouth rose to form a faint smirk. "You even killed the assassins from the outside earlier and the assassins who entered. How can I not trust you? And even Zeana here stopped the maid who was about to poison me. So how can I not trust you?" she shrugged while still smirking.
That made me pause. How the hell did she know about that?
"Just like I've thought," Dria chuckled humorlessly. "You aren't just some pretty, innocent princess, huh?"
And that shocked me even more. Did Dria know?
Am I really that slow not to notice it?
"Wait, wait, wait, I'm sorry for being rude, your highness, but I don't get it..." I paused, but I was supposed to say, why did you have to eat that poisoned food back then? However, she doesn't know about that part, since I changed what was supposed to happen.
But I'm really confused. Is she suicidal or something?
"You want to know how I know about that?" She smiled with her eyes twinkling, as if she saw an interesting toy. "Well, that's a business secret," she added before winking at me and placing her index finger on her lips.
"Then, what's your next plan, your highness? I'm certain that you won't reveal yourself to us without a valid reason." Dria's tone was firm, as if she was just conversing with other knights.
"You're really sharp, huh?" Racia smirked, but Dria's face remained emotionless.
"I don't need to become overly smart just to deduce your intentions. It's clear as day, your highness."
Huh?!?
If it's that obvious, then why didn't I get it?
I think I'm really not fit for this place. If I were a noble blood, then I'm sure I'd be used as a pawn in their schemes without my knowledge and even go with the flow.
And right now, maybe I'm already trapped in their games, but I'm here, unable to fully grasp what's happening in my surroundings.
Especially about the changes that I encountered.
To be honest, the Racia that I expected was feisty, but she's kind of innocent. So who's this woman? Is she really the princess?
And Dria was not her normal self. In my novel, she was characterized as an open book, but what's with that emotionless and rude attitude? Is she in that phase?
"Zeana, are you listening?" The Racia's sweet voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Yes, your highness?"
"I want you to investigate something for me. Can you do that? " she requested, and all I could answer was,
"At your will, your highness."
End of Flashbacks...
After that, Dria remained in the princess's bedchambers to protect her. I guess today, Dria would be officially assigned as her personal maid, and I would be running around to investigate things. But what can I do? My standing in this world is nowhere near theirs.
Although if I were being honest, I've been loving this job since I got to tour around in this world. Not only that, I have money, just in case I'll be needing it.
After I left the palace gate, I immediately secured my belongings. If I remember it right, according to the novels that I read before, the place outside the palace is dangerous, and there are pickpockets everywhere. Unless I don't want to end up like the main character in those novels who lost their money, then I have to hide them in the place that they won't expect. After all, I don't want to return to the palace empty-handed and hungry. In addition, I don't have a male lead who would save my ass when I'm in trouble.
While under a deep thought, I rode a carriage towards the town. It was a bumpy ride, and people like me who are used to automobiles find this ride uncomfortable.
When I reached the town, an unexpected atmosphere greeted me. It was the same town where I met Miss Cat, but unlike that time, this town was in a buzz. The plaza was crowded, where some people perform through singing, dancing, playing magic tricks, and all. There are also animals that are minding their own businesses. The falling leaves from the tree are no longer stranded mid-air. It directly falls to the ground with a few blows of the wind.
"It's amazing..." I mumbled.
"What's amazing?" a sudden voice resounded in my right ear.
And when I turned back, my eyes widened from shock.