"Ah! Your Grace!"
In front of me is someone who can be considered the most beautiful sculpture that can be created. His silver locks are well arranged, which highlights his handsome face, and his eyes resembled the sky, but his gaze was cold as ice. He possesses thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, and a perfectly sculpted nose. His face is perfectly symmetrical with the other side. In short, he possesses a godlike beauty and is the perfect main character for this world.
"What are you doing here, Dame Zeana?"
That question made me pause for a second. He knows my name, so the Zeana in this world might have a higher position in the army. Because amongst thousands of people, there is no way he'll remember everyone else's name. The possible thing is, he'll remember my face but not my name.
Despite his inquiry, I remained silent and signaled about the people around us. It isn't safe to discuss the reason why I am here, where everyone can either be a friend or a foe.
"Ah, there are too many ears here; follow me for a minute," he commanded, and I heeded.
He walked towards the unfamiliar and desolate library. But contrary to its ragged appearance, the books inside were treasured and well maintained. Not only that, there are too many books for it to need fifteen or more shelves to display. Whoever is managing this library must be pretty amazing to maintain the cleanliness of the books despite their number.
After a few turns, he opened an ordinary-looking book, and a room appeared. It was like those novels where the main characters were brought to a secret room and will receive a top secret mission.
"Now, let's talk here."
I didn't hesitate and told him that the princess tasked me to investigate the strange cases outside the palace. I also told him about the assassination attempt on the princess.
Originally, I won't tell the duke about the reason why I have to leave the palace. But he was our leader, much higher ranked than Dria, so there's no way I'll lie about something like this. In addition, he was our master, not the princess. So I'll have no other choice but to spill everything that I needed to.
"Well, there are indeed many strange cases that I've stumbled upon after I entered the capital," the duke commented after I told him about the task. "Ah no, I even encountered one before I entered the capital, and it was definitely bothersome," he added and struck me with a weird gaze.
Okay, what's up with that gaze?
Is it related to me?
Or is it helpful for my investigation?
Should I use this opportunity to ask for additional information? Would it insult him?
Is he going to react like, 'The audacity of a commoner like you to inquire of me, a noble?'
Well, I hope he won't. He's not that immature, is he?
"If it won't be rude, can I ask for some information about it, your grace?" I politely asked. I think I'll ignore first the consequences of my actions for offending him or something.
But I hope he'd be cooperative today. Since I'm doing this for the sake of the princess and for the sake of their deal.
However, contrary to my expectations, before I even blink, the duke launches an attack towards me, and before I know it, a sharp blade is pointing at my neck.
Fear consumed my whole being. Just what's happening? Why did the duke point his sword towards me? What did I do wrong? Is my question considered a blasphemy to him?
Arghh! Am I really going to die?
But why?
Maybe I shouldn't have asked that? How stupid of me, I let my curiosity run wild.
Should I shout Miss Cat's name and request her to return back the time? But the question lies in the fact that the possibility of her appearance leans to zero percent.
Argh! I want to cry! I'm really so unlucky.
So with this, I guess if my life's a novel, the title would become, "I am a writer, but while making breakfast, I suddenly tripped and got transported into another world and met an adorable cat who reversed back the time, and I was given a task to change the world's destiny but suddenly got killed by the main character for suddenly asking him a question."
Just what kind of absurd twist is this?
But am I really going to die? And for real this time?
I guess I'm really a hopeless girl. This made me reminisce about the days when I was a total failure. But I always have my family to support me.
Unfortunately, there's no one by my side today.
I'm in a strange world.
I'm having difficulties adapting to their kind of living. Speaking of which, my back still hurts as if I've suddenly become an old woman. If I were given a chance to criticize something in this world, the number one would be about their bed. It's hard as rock. My ratings? It's 0/10. Not worth it.
Anyway, kidding aside, I'm also given tasks that I can't handle. They said, "Greater power comes with greater responsibility," but I don't think so. If it really is, then why is a powerless person like me thrown away in this world and about to face death?
Wait, I'm going to die, so what are these thoughts? I thought you'll replay your life in your mind when you feel that death is coming.
So should I think about it?
About the important memories in my life...?
As if on cue, countless memories about my family played in my mind. It started right when a fat baby was born and grew into a lazy college student who suddenly got transported into another world.
Wait! I died that time, too. Why this memories didn't played in my mind? Is it because my death was too sudden that I didn't even know that I died?
So now that I am well aware, I guess, it won't be impossible if I started seeing my parents while extending their arms to me and hoping to join them in the afterlife. Then we would become a complete family. The downside? It would be in the afterlife.
However, I'm hoping that my older sister will join us later, and she should enjoy her life first. For she sacrificed so many things for us. Or more likely for me. Her incompetent, foolish sister, who was so obsessed with becoming a writer but possessed no talent at all.
Ahh, I'm missing her again.
I'm sorry, Sister. I should've been a good little sister. But what can I do now? I won't even be able to see you again.
"Mom, Dad, I'm coming there now. I'm sorry for leaving Sister this early," I mumbled as I felt my tears streaming down my face.
I closed my eyes and waited for the sword to cut my neck. But after a few seconds, nothing happened. Except, I heard the duke's voice. And it's a dangerously cold voice.
"What the hell are you talking about? And open your eyes. I need answers, not that look as if I'm going to murder you." Xior spoke coldly, and I was dumbfounded.
When I opened my eyes, the sword was still pointing at my neck, making me panic inside. Although I don't see any blood, the possibility of dying after being stabbed in the neck is very high. A weak thing like me won't be able to do anything, let alone defend. To him, I'll look like a flailing worm. And that fact makes my chance of survival plummet.
Wait! I'm in a knight's body, right? So does that mean my chance of survival skyrocketed? I hope this body possesses amazing swordsmanship and has many techniques. Then I'll attack him with a "super duper strong downward strike" using my hands that were strengthened by aura, and I'll flash some combo like a martial artist.
As I was getting pumped by that thought, his next words stunned me.
"Now, tell me, who are you?" he demanded.
Ehh? Didn't he call me by my name?
Or wait! Did he discover that I'm not the "Dame Zeana" that he knew?
Oh my gosh. How stupid of me. Am I that obvious?
"I-I am Dame Zeana, Your Grace." I pretended to be calm but stuttered at the word.
But the duke didn't reply. He just stared at me blankly as if observing my expression.
My hands were sweating, and I felt so nervous. Why do I suddenly feel like I'm in an interrogation room?
"Uh...Your Grace? It's me, Zeana."
Silence...
Uh?
My gaze shifted to the sword that was still pointing at my neck. So he's not believing me. I guess he's thinking that I'm bullshitting him. But no, I'm really Zeana. I'm Zeana Louisiana, a poor little writer who was sent to this world and was given a very important mission.
"Have you forgotten? I'm Zeana, one of your knights. I'm under the commandment of Commander Dria." I explained, but that explanation meant nothing for him.
"But a being named Zeana doesn't exist in this world." he said, and I frowned.
"What do you mean, your grace? I'm right here, existing." I'm confused. What the hell is wrong with him?
"No, what I mean is, where do you come from? You don't belong in this world, woman."