ALINA P.O.V.
My eyes snapped open, blinking as I came back to reality. I was still alive! wait What!! ALIVE!!But realization hit me with brutal reality.
I was with a group of people, all captured and chained crammed together in a cage like carriage like prisoners! wait a minute why am I in chains!! And where`s my phone! And purse! And where the hell am I?
The soldier`s harsh command echoes through air, adding to the heavy weight of despair in the air. Wait a second what`s going on? I was at home last, I remember clearly and then I was attacked in my house and stabbed… then died?... so, what the hell is with the soldiers, chains and so… so... Soo many people … no it's women! I look around and all I see is women... and children with some few men leaving out the soldiers ... we`re like in some sort of caravan or something. I looked around once again and I felt a pang off pain making tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
Why am I crying!?
I was bewildered, struggling to comprehend what was happening. I gaze up at the moon, its pale light casting an eerie glow over. I ran my hand over my abdomen, expecting to find pain and blood, but to my confusion and surprise there was nothing there. My skin was smooth, undamaged it was as if the stabbing had never occurred in the first place… What the hell happened to my stomach? Not that I wanted to die, but it was my symbol of survival and now I can`t feel it... What happened to me!?
A moment of rest had come for the soldiers. They set up camp, the fire casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees. The soldiers sat around the fire, taking a momentary break from the journey. As my eyes observed the camp, a chilling sight caught my attention, a female, a child clutched in her arms, being dragged forcefully by one of the soldiers. My eyes widened in horror as I witnessed the scene unfold.
"Please …. Don't kill me… I was only..." She pleaded as her piercing scream and terrified voice cut through the air. I and the other captives in the cage instinctively tensed up. The soldiers guarding the carriage turned their heads in the direction of the cry. From within the cage, a young girl`s voice was, her words filled with desperation and fear.
"I…. I was only gathering water. My... my... my baby needs water… please plea..., "she explains, her voice cracking.
Before she could finish her sentence, one of the soldiers grew impatient and slapped her hard across the face. The impact echoed through the air like a sharp crack, silencing the woman and causing her to redden with sting blow. My heart sank as I witnessed the scene, anger flaring in me. To which didn`t know why but this pain, this anger felt so real as if it came from somewhere within my soul…. someplace I couldn`t… reach? Anger and frustration welled inside me threatening to come loose and my hands clenched into fists. I wanted nothing more than to step in and defend the woman, but I was also acutely aware that any sudden move could put me in danger as well. My heart ached in worry as I saw the other guards pull out a few women from the cages and leading them towards a nearby tent.
"Those women…. Are not coming back," The old woman`s words beside me echoed in my ears, her voice low and somber.
"Wait! what do you mean 'they`re not coming back!?'." I ask surprised. But she just remained silent.
What the hell does she mean by that... and what exactly is going on with me.
"So uhm... granny where is... are they taking us..." I asked her anxiously. Because I needed to know where we are going and I still don`t know where the hell am I.
"They are taking us to Hell my child"
This granny has got to be kidding me right now... like the state we are in isn`t hell enough for me already!! Ugh...
"Eldora a place where everyone has dreamed of... beautiful landscapes, water as blue as the skies above wonderful fields of flowers…. but it's not beautiful as it seems... we must prepare for whatever awaits us in that hell my child we must be strong." She added.
Khee! Eldora! WAIT!! don`t tell me! No... NO... It can`t be... hahha... this is utterly impossible… I can`t possibly have REINCARNETED! IN A BOOK! And have white long hair, purple eyes and pale white skin as a dehydrated sacrifice of a ghost!!
I touch my head and bring my hair on my hands and I couldn`t believe what my eyes were witnessing right now… white disheveled and greased hair!
NO! NO… NO... please don`t be her...
"Uhm granny… can... you uhm… I mean ...do I have purple orchid eyes and white long hair?" I ask her my voice filled with tremors. and she looks at me...
"Yes, my dear... and your eyes… mhh what beautiful eyes you have... like a sea of mana crystals illuminating light through the darkness of night… one can be entranced just by looking at those beautiful crystal-like orbits"Dammit! Dammit! Fucking dammit! why am I reincarnated as her? Fate why are you fucking playing with my already damned life!! Having been attacked in my house wasn't enough now I have to through this poor girl`s wretched fate as well!!
I just wanted to have a nice goodnight sleep after reading the novel my friend recommended for me... But I had to be fucking reincarnated in it as an oppressed vengeful character and who couldn`t even finish her revenge, the princess whose kingdom had fallen, she was killed by the very man she loved, her kingdom was raided by Prince Roderick Nightshade of Eldora Kingdom. He had gone to their kingdom in prospects of proposing marriage to Caelina Ash fall the princess of Ruthenia, but that was only an excuse for him to get easy access in their land and secretly planned how he was going to conquer Ruthenia kingdom and bring about their downfall. Right now, she has been reincarnated into a new body and given magical powers by the deity of light, freedom, time and destiny, ZHERA.
In the original novel Caelina thought she was given a second chance by the goddess to avenge her parents and kingdom but that wasn`t why the goddess had given her a second chance, and in the end she yet again died burnt to ashes and her people continued to be oppressed , violated and killed, she couldn`t kill any of the royal family members who had planned everything and caused the downfall of her kingdom but tried to harm the crown prince`s fiancé which led to her being burnt to ashes. And so right now all these women and children are being taken to work in the palace as maids and some as slaves and the daughters and nobles from our kingdom will be taken in as concubines or playthings by the prince and ministers or state officials.
Fuck! Am going to fucking die again dammit! Argh! No maybe... if I just close my eyes and sleep, I'll wake up on my apartment floor half dead call an ambulance and yay! I`ll be safe and alive right? Yes, I`ll just close my eyes and wake up in my apartment... it should be that easy.
IN THE OPULENCE OF THE ELDORA PALACE.
The queen paced anxiously, unable to contain her excitement. The anticipation of hearing new about Roderick`s return had her heart racing, and her worry mingle with a deep sense of hope.
"When is my son going to arrive and give us news of his victory," she muttered under her breath, her voice filled with expectation. The queen could hardly focus on anything else; her mind fixated on news of victory and her son`s impending arrival.
Her lady in waiting approached the anxious queen, trying to soothe her nerves with a calm tone. "Tomorrow at dawn your majesty," she reassured her voice filled with confidence.
The queen let out a sigh of relief, her eyes griming with anticipation. "Make sure everything is ready... for son`s arrival,"
The head lady in waiting bowed deeply at the command, understanding of preparing everything perfectly for the prince`s return. "of course, your majesty," she replied respectfully. "I will ensure everything is in order and ready for his highness` arrival."
The queen watched as her lady in waiting left the room, her heart still filled with anticipation. Waiting till dawn felt like eternity, but the preparations for her son`s homecoming had to be flawless.
ALINA P.O.V.
I woke up to the air around me bustling with people and noise that sounded like cries and p… Wait!... CRIES!!!! NO... no... no... I can`t still be in that dammed book, right? please be in my apartment... please… please… or... err... or the hospital bed or maybe in a coffin or even heaven perhaps… please... I plead as I slowly opened one eye then another. And FUCK!! fucking fuck!! Why!? Why?... my life… Well guess what my eyes are looking at right now... you people hahhaha… THE FUCKING GATES OF ELDORA!!! Hahha... very funny fate.
The morning sun shone over the gates into the city; my gaze fixed on the sight before me. The towering walls and giant gates of the kingdom loomed ever closer as the morning sunlight danced across the scene well it was a sight that should have filled me with awe and excitement, but instead, it filled me with dread. My thoughts turned darker as the realization of what was to come sunk in. This city, a symbol of grandeur and power, would soon become my own personal damned hell.
The command rang out across the caravan, announcing the arrival of the young prince. As soon as the words left the man`s lips, the massive gates of Eldora began to creak open, slowly revealing the inner city BEYOND.
I watched as the gates opened, my heart sinking with sense of foreboding. The moment the prince was announced, it had become clear that my life was about to change in ways I could barely comprehend. The site before me was now my new beautiful hell… I suppose because the kingdom is beautiful and welcoming seems the author did a great job, she was telling the truth Afterall, the kingdom is marvelous and nice but not it's people.
"Mommy, I`m scared ..." Whispered a child her voice quivering as she clung to her mother, her wide eyes staring at the see of faces peering at us.
"It okay, my dear," she reassured, wrapping an arm around her in protective gesture. "They won't do us any harm. we`ll be fine, I promise."
I look at her asking myself why is she lying to the pure soul? Making a promise she wasn't going to keep anyway. Poor child she doesn't even know that she is going to be separated from her mother soon... Fate what has this child done to you1/?
The crowd around us spotted the prince, A hushed murmur of awe and admiration rippled through them. They quickly bowed their heads and knees on the ground, their voices blending together with a chorus of "Your Highness" and "Prince Roderick."
Trapped within the confines of the cage, Listening to people`s voices. My heart twisted with a mixture of anger, resentment and curiosity I really wanted to see how the male lead looks like. Hehe well I`m in a book so I should at least use this chance to meet my favorite characters, Roderick wasn't my fav but I still want to see how he looks like. The crowd address him with such respect and deferential tones.
The commander`s voice echoed through the air, announcing the reason for the celebration and admiration for the prince.
"Honor, our prince! For his victory over the Ruthenia kingdom!" he cried out, his voice filled with pride and triumph.
The crowds cheered and applauded at the commander`s proclamations, their voices creating a chorus of approval and applause.
***
With heavy hearts and tired limbs, we were forced out of the cages and made to walk towards the designated auction location. My feet dragged against the ground, the heavy chains around my wrists and ankles creating a constant reminder of my confinement and lack of freedom. The weight of the situation was palpable, shoulders slumped and spirits low as the group trudged forward.
THE OPULENCE OF ELDORA PALACE.
The queen, her heart filled with anticipation, hurriedly made her way to the palace gates, a sense of excitement coursing through her veins.
"Open the palace gates!" she commanded, her voice firm and excited.
The guards, stationed near the gate, immediately set into action, the creak of heavy iron gates filling the air as they slowly opened, revealing the entrance to the palace grounds.
The king stepped forward, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "Slow down, my queen," he warned a gentle hand reaching out to her." Don't rush too quickly, I don't want you tripping and hurting yourself."
The queen huffed, slightly at the king`s words, but the excitement in her eyes remained. "I`ll be fine," she replied, her voice somewhat impatient. "I just want to see my soon."
"Desperate, are we??" he said.
The shot him a side long glance, her expression a mixture of impatience and annoyance. "Desperate?" she retorted, a hint of irritation lacing her voice. "Of course, I'm desperate. I haven't seen our son in a while."
The king chuckled lightly at her reaction, clearly amused by her eagerness. "Patience, my dear," he said, a playful tone in his voice. "He will be here soon."