The morning stretched wide across the valley, sunlight spilling over the warm fields. Birds traced arcs in the clear sky, their wings catching the gold of dawn, while bees hummed lazily among the blossoms. I breathed it all in, the sweetness of the air and the gentle hum of life around me.
The grass brushed against my shoes as I walked, each step grounding me in the quiet rhythm of the day. It was the kind of morning that did not just promise beginnings—it invited me to be part of them.
"Ms. Misha!" someone called out to me. I looked back as the wind brushed off my hair.
The person who called out to me was Father Shane, a pastor who lives in the church in this town. He handles the orphanage and the masses for the village.
I approached him. With a slight bow, I greet "Good morning, Father Shane."
"A Blessed morning to you, Ms. Misha. Nosy, I might appear to be, but are you alright walking around now? If you're still not feeling okay—"
"I'm alright, I rested enough, thank you for worrying," I blurted as he spoke.
He could only smile back at me as he sighed.
"Alright then, this old man will not meddle any further. With that said, be careful strolling around the forest again. We do not want another half-dying situation, do we?" he teased.
I laughed, "Yes, of course, I won't do that again," I replied as I continued to walk towards the forest.
I mean, it was not really me who was dying but the original owner of this body. I only woke up seconds after they found this body deep in the forest. Town folks said it was a miracle that I was alive after being
half dead from exhaustion and wounds.
The dress they said I was wearing was full of blood, so they changed it to a much more comfortable one. I appreciate them for the kind gesture.
When they asked me my name, I could not answer. I do not know whose body this is, so I just used my real name, 'Misha,' my name from my previous world, where I was just a normal convenience store staff member working on my night shift.
Maybe I died from overwork and got sent here. I do not really know how that happened, but at the very least, I am alive and well, and that is enough for now.
Also, I am not really sad about dying or going to another world. I do not have parents back there, nor friends close enough to talk or enjoy my life. I am pretty sure they call me a loner back there. I'm just going to think that maybe God gave me another chance to change and experience something new.
"Sister Misha!" I was surprised when a child suddenly grabbed my dress. A 6-year-old child looks at me with worry in his eyes.
"Oh- it's you, Cielo."
"What's wrong, Sister? You are spacing out. Is your wound acting up? Do you want me to call the others?" Cielo is the son of the person who found me first in the forest. They were the ones to took care of me
while I was unconscious for two days.
I sat down so I could match his height. "It's alright, Cielo, I was just thinking about something."
He pouted, "Then don't think, mother said you shouldn't push yourself too much, you just woke up too!"
I giggle as I pinch his nose. "Alright then, how about we go back for now? Will you guide me back?"
His eyes sparkle as he excitedly grabs my hand.
"This way! Mother said she will make some tarts today to
celebrate your recovery."
"Really? I'm looking forward to it," I excitedly replied to him as he guided me back to his house. The place I have been staying for the past days.
"There you are, Misha, Cielo! Come on, sit now, my tarts will turn cold if we do not eat now." Madam Leila smiled at me as she pulled out tarts from her open stove. The whole room smelled of tart, sweet, and fragrant.
"Berries?" I unconsciously spoke
"I am glad you recognized! Yes, it is a type of berry I grow on the farm. That means you're slowly recovering your sense of smell and taste! Come now," She put down the tart on the table and cut out pieces for all of us.
"I'll leave some for Robert when he comes home later," I took a spoonful of the tart and ate it. I could taste the freshness of the strawberry and the warm feeling of home with every bite.
"It's delicious," I said.
Madam Leila smiled. "Thank god you liked it."
"The berries were fresh and sweet; I really liked them. Thank you, Madam, especially for taking care of me during the days I have been staying here."
"That is nothing! We are just glad you recovered. Everyone in time was praying for you in church to bless and help you."
I felt a little embarrassed. "I— I'll thank them all if I have the chance."
"No need, everyone is just glad you're fine now. By the way, did you really not remember anything?" She asked. I look down at Cielo happily eating his tart, then look back to Madam Leila staring at me worriedly.
I could only shake my head
"Is that so. That is fine. Do not push yourself trying to remember; you might get sick again."
"Thank you, Madam," I smiled back at her.
I stood up and walked back to the room they gave me. I sat as I glanced at the disheveled dress hanging on the wall. They said I was wearing that when I arrived in the forest.
Everyone who saw this light blue dress amid the slight torn know it is a high-quality with good fabric and embroidery. This only explains that the owner of this body is not just a common nobody but a high-ranking noble.
"This is my only clue for this person's identity, but if I sold this to the merchants in this town, I could help the village get some money in exchange."
I do not really want to know the reason why she was running away wounded in the forest. That is not my problem anymore, as I was already 'someone else' the moment I got saved.
Nonetheless, if the person who owns this body is wanted by assassins, I could endanger the people of this village.
"Maybe I should just go and travel away from here."
"NO!" A scream came from the door. I looked, and it was Cielo standing there with a spoon in his hand and a teary expression. "Don't leave, sister!" he cried.
I sighed as I smiled at him. "Come here, Cielo."
He walks towards me, sniffling.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Cielo. I'm sorry, but I can't let those people who might look for me, endanger this village."
"But!" He sniffles.
I patted his head as I hugged him.
"I'll visit you sometimes, how about that?"
"Really?"
"Yes. Next berry season, I will come back and visit you. We will pick berries together." I reassured him
"Okay," he sniffled as he hugged me back.
I might be unconscious for days, but I know that Cielo and the others took care of me all the time. That is why I need to leave to protect them. Right now, I do not know if people will come after this original owner's body after all.
"If you've decided then, let me help you one last time," Madam Leila said as she stood by the door.
I nodded. Cielo steps back as Madam Leila pulls out her scissors.
"Please take my hair together with my dress and sell it to the merchants, in that way you could also earn some money in exchange for all the effort you gave to me."
Madam Leila pats my head.
"My Dear, I hope you will be safe always. Visit us, alright?" I nodded. She used her scissors to cut my hair. My long silver hair that once reached my bosom has now sat atop my shoulders. This made my purple eyes look otherworldly, which I think matches my life right now.
"I will go to the merchants right now. Cielo, take care of Sister Misha, alright?"
"Yes, mother!" Cielo cheerfully exclaimed as he jumped onto the bed and sat beside me. Madam Leila smiled as she went out.
"Sister, can you read me a story?" Cielo asked as he glanced at a box on the table. I smiled at him as I took it. My final goodbye to this young child.
"Alright," I opened the book and started reading. It is a story about a prince looking for his princess, who was kidnapped by an assailant. They encountered hardships but eventually overcame them all with the power of love.
"It's kind of cliché, right?" Cielo commented after listening to me read for an hour
I laughed at his remarks. "That's true," as I closed the book and gave it to Cielo.
"But I hope you're like that princess sister!"
"Why so?"
"So, you can overcome all your hardships and live your life together with a prince who loves you!" He excitedly replied to me.
"Is that so?" I smiled back.
Madam Leila entered the room again, carrying a pouch and a bag. "Here you go, the money you'll be needing for your travel and a pair of men's clothes so you could disguise yourself to avoid your pursuers, which I hope is not real at all."
"Thank you so much, Madam."
"That is nothing to thank me for. Will you be leaving tonight?"
"Yes, I will say goodbye to everyone and Mr. Roberts before leaving".
"Alright! Then I will cook the best supper you will ever have as a gift!" Madam Leila said as Cielo cheered for her.
"Thank you, Madam."
For the remaining hours before dinner time, I walk all over the village to say goodbye to everyone. They all blessed me with safe travels and told me to visit again sometime.
"You will really be leaving? You have not really stayed for long," Father Shane asked as he carried his basket. We walk towards his orphanage, which he runs in this village.
"That's right, saddening as it might be, but I can't let my perusers bring danger to the people of this village."
"I see. Well, we cannot really stop you if that is what you are using as an excuse."
I laughed. "My bad."
"I bless your safe travels."
"Thank you, father, I hope this village as well. May this place remain beautiful, untainted by the danger and darkness in this world," I spoke as a tingling sensation felt like rushing out of me.
I stared into the golden yellow sky as it shone on the birds flying with the wind.
In the remaining time, I went back to Cielo's House.
There outside, standing Mr. Robert Green, carrying farm
hay and wood. "There you are! I am glad you're awake now," Mr. Robert excitedly greeted me
I smiled back, "Thank you for worrying and taking care of me, Mr. Green."
He guides me inside, where Madam Leila and Cielo are setting the dining table. I approached and helped them. The whole dinner was fantastic, Mr. Roberts telling me ways to travel around outside the town.
Madam Leila is telling me the best place to go to, and Cielo is sharing his experiences in markets that his father once brought him to. All the knowledge they shared with me is I know something I will be using in the
future.
The supper ended. I changed my clothes to the clothes Madam Leila bought for me as a disguise earlier. Wearing the hat, I grabbed the bag as they all walked me out of the house.
"Travel safe, young lady. Come back and visit us anytime!"
"Take care, alright? Do not talk to random strangers!"
Mr. Robert and Madam Leila shouted at me.
"GO FIND YOUR PRINCE SISTER!" Cielo screamed.
I looked back at them as I smiled, waving my hand back at them.
"Prince, huh?" I whispered to myself.
"I hope too in this life".
I slowly walked away from the village, wishing them a safe and quiet life as I continued my travel to my journey.