The foreigner stood there perplexed from what she had witnessed, sweat ran down her forehead like a waterfall, and her heart pounded like a drum. Sharing a memory is an intimate experience, especially one as vivid and emotional as that.
Back in the present, the Princess stood perplexed as to why her wife had suddenly gone silent. A small yet significant chill ran through her body. Was it the sight of blood that caused her wife to freeze? Or the impact of death? Could it be the smell?
Was this life going to prove too difficult for her? Will she run away from their home? Will... she leave me?
The Princess’s mind is in shambles. However, when the foreigner came to, saying her reaction is unexpected is a massive understatement...
“-ost? Frost? Frost!? You with me, Frost? Phew… I lost you for a moment. Just breathe for now. Everything okay?”
Back to the present, Her Highness stands there snapping her fingers while the world shifts and distorts to the present. I entered that vision in a swirl, and left it in the same way.
This Mind’s Eye trait is going to be a curse if it shows me other people’s memories like this. Did it have to show me that right now? There has to be a reason, right? Was it to garner a closer connection to the Princess? But this only makes me feel pity for her.
Everything inside that memory… I experienced. The Princess’s exhaustion, the sadness and the anger that came with it. Even the sensation of the rope wrapped around my neck. It's traumatising to the point where I'm unsettlingly calm...
“I… think I am. Are you alright?”
“Never better. Why?”
“You didn’t see any of that?”
“See what?”
‘Does she really not know? Shit! I’ve unknowingly invaded her privacy on this.’
I’m confused. Her subconscious seemed to recognise I was there, so much so that she even narrated over it. But the Princess has no clue what just happened? This isn’t something I can just admit to seeing if she doesn’t know. It’s far too sensitive a subject.
My confusion only lasts a mere moment when I remember just where we left off. Now, I’m angry with her.
“Y-You! You let that psycho bitch escort me alone into the palace!? What is the matter with you!?”
I snap back in the methodical sense towards the Princess, because I cannot understand why she would allow someone like that near me. I’d choke that maid with my own hands if I had the chance!
“I… no. I never left you alone once with her, Frost. The carriage that brought you here was under my employ, as were its drivers. The few knights you see around here have all been instructed to keep watch over you...”
Her Highness seems to back away now, as if she’s guilty for an entirely different reason.
“Apologies for not telling you… you’re always being watched. This place remains “empty” for a reason. Enemies are far more likely to act when they feel something is undefended. Look into the shadows when you pass the halls, you’ll understand what I mean.”
“In truth, the only time you’ve been alone is inside your room. When that snake entered… it had to die. Usually, I'm done with it sooner, but this time I’ve spent too long thinking of ways to make her suffer. Again, I’m sorry for involving you in this.”
I’m not sure her explanation makes things better. I’ve always felt this palace is eerie. Is it because I’m always being watched? Is this a good or bad thing?
No, it’s a good thing. It’s clearly not a matter of distrust on my part. Rather, it’s down to protection. She made it explicitly clear that this life is full of danger. Being a cursed Princess who’s died six times, she is living proof.
Am I supposed to care about her desire for vengeance though? No. In some ways, I feel guilt for robbing the Princess of a more satisfying kill. That maid deserves to suffer.
“What about u-us? Are things different now? Urgh…”
There is a time and a place for everything, and standing above a festering corpse isn’t the place. I can’t even look at her face; her complexion has turned as white as the apron. Well… at least the parts that aren’t stained with blood.
But I can’t help myself. I have to ask it.
“Breathe slowly and through your mouth. I know others from your world aren’t accustomed to this… just take it slowly. This hasn’t changed anything between us.”
‘Right. I’ll know if you’re lying or not…’
[MIND'S EYE][First Name: Ashia][Family Name: Koenig][Affection: 40/100][Traits] [»][Gender: Female][Class: Royalty][Age: 25][Trait Rarity] [»][Swordsman] [†][Cursed] [Þ][Pyromaniac] [ℑ]
Spoiler
[TIER][Legendary] [5*][Excellent] [4*][Great] [3*] [Good] [2*] [Average] [1*] [TYPE][Combat: †][Magical: ℑ][Passive: Þ] [collapse]
‘It’s gone up another ten!? Erm… she’s definitely not lying.’
Taking a moment to catch my breath and calm myself, mainly because we’re going to end up getting together if this keeps rising, I can’t help but notice something else she just said. Others?
“Others? You m-mean people like me? From Earth? You know a-about the place I come from?”
“A little. Every cycle, a new person from your world enters. But that wanderer is never the same and always possesses the body of another.”
To think this novel has gone this way. I’m a throwaway side character and will remain as such, yet this Princess has completely abandoned her nonimportance simply by dying. The plot has changed far too much, it’s ridiculous!
“Although I haven’t met them all, the result is the same. I’m the consistent, while you few jump into this world mostly clueless. But you aren’t clueless, are you?”
By the sounds of it, I must know more than the average visitor. If someone who hadn’t read this novel entered this world, then they’d be completely clueless, right? Silver linings, I guess.
“I guess o-our meeting wasn’t a coincidence? You search for us?”
“I do, but this time it was coincidence. The one you possess… Frost is a little special.”
“What do you mean by special!?”
“Heh, I knew you were different the moment we spoke. Do you understand what unrequited love is? Frost idolises me. She would’ve known who I am just from smell alone.”
‘Has Frost got the nose of a horny dog!? This doesn't surprise me at all...’
Was that the cause of the brothel visits? To get the Princess out of her mind? No, Frost is too far down the rabbit hole to be using unprecipitated love as an excuse.
Should I complain about her not telling me she knew I wasn’t Frost? No, that would be hypocritical. I never told her who I was. For all I know, I could’ve taken the body of someone she really loves.
But wait. If Frost is in love with the Princess, and I seem to share too many of her feelings, does that mean I’m destined to love this woman as well? Urgh, this is giving me a headache.
“So… Frost had a huge crush on you, and you came over to marry her? Why? Isn’t that cruel?”
“Perhaps. Frost would’ve turned the proposal down.”
“What!? Why would she do anything so stupid!?”
“Heh, Frost always knew I had no feelings for her. She even believed me to be straight. Her heart would’ve refused the loveless marriage, but our meeting would’ve shown I’m searching for allies…”
‘Just the Princess and her schemes. I should feel bad for Frost, but I doubt she’d mind.’
I’m still stuck on the fact that Frost would turn down such a vast sum. I guess living with someone who will never love you would bring about immense heartache.
“We’d have spent the evening negotiating, eventually settling on a job. A servant, a maid, a lady-in-waiting, an accountant. She could’ve done whatever she wanted. My goal is to collect loyal and capable people.”
“This current plan is far surpassing my expectations though.”
“We stand over a corpse who just tried to frame me using poison… this is better?”
“Heh, of course. You’re my wife to begin with. What could be any better than that?”
…
We’re still in the bedroom with a body festering, and she dares to flirt like this!? Pick the right moment, damned vixen! It’s a good distraction, but still!
“I-I… you s-seriously are something else…”
“There is s-something you might want to know. B-Back where I’m from… I was definitely male.”
Through my reluctance to say that, I grab a clean handkerchief from the side and finally wipe away the blood from her face. There’s clearly a spark between us, and yet I refuse to allow that spark to ignite if the Princess is explicitly gay. She kind of implied it herself.
Her reaction doesn’t have as much impact as I thought. If anything, she’s more concerned for my sake.
“Okay, is there anything I can help with? Although I’ve never heard of it, I’m sure some forgotten corner of the world has magic or a potion that might help.”
To think she’d go about trying to be this helpful. If I honestly think about it, would I even drink that potion? Even in such an outdated world, I do love this body a great deal…
'Nope, I’m changing back. The pain of fertility isn't worth the benefits...'
“You needn’t waste time on something like that, let’s at least get through this story first. I pride myself on being adaptable.”
“Heh, great then. You’ll have no problem continuing as my “wife”?”
I appreciate what she’s doing, even if it might come across as belittling to someone insecure. I’m confident in my manhood, or lack of. This just acts as a distraction.
Also, why are we still discussing this here!?
“Thanks… both of us should be more honest if this is the result. Well... when it makes sense to.”
“Heh, so we’re to make a habit of honesty after I strike down a foe?”
“Urgh, I just m-managed to blank out that smell!”
The blood continues to flow, and we continue to chuckle. Once we’re done here, I’ll certainly throw up. But for now, I just want to spend more time with the Princess.
“If you wouldn’t mind… there is more I’d like to know about you.”
“Ask away.”
“Your name, not Frost’s. You still refuse to call me by mine, but I’d like to know yours at least.”
“That’s the thing, Your Highness. I don’t know it."
I have memories of Earth, just everything is so blurry, like I’m looking into a foggy mirror.
Most of what I’ve forgotten seems to be related to myself rather than my surroundings. I remember the towering lights of the cityscape, getting around using black cabs, or taking the underground trains. I even remember scrolling through my phone reading all kinds of comics and novels, or gaming till the sun rises.
But nearly everything about myself seems to be clouded. Heck, the only reason why I’m adamant I was a guy comes down to the fact that I instinctively try to use the toilet standing up.
Oh, can’t forget the agony of pinching something when you sit down at the wrong angle. It’s a different pain to fertility, but both make me want to vomit!
‘Maybe I wouldn’t drink that potion...’
For some reason, my partial amnesia doesn’t bother me. I feel like deep down there’s something I want to avoid.
"For now, I'll just have to steal Frost's.”
“Then Frost it is. Heh, seeing that we’re on a first-name basis again, care to reciprocate the favour?”
…
I can’t help but roll my eyes; she’s really thinking about something so pointless. What are we even going to do with that snake!?
“Fine, whatever then… Princess Ashia.”
“Heh, close enough. May I also ask when exactly you arrived in this world?”
“Roughly fifty days ago. Why?”
“Hmm, usually you visitors arrive earlier. May I also ask what you were doing before we met?”
“Nothing too important. The plan was to continue work, make a decent living and survive off that. Oh, this body also took some getting used to. There’s logistics involved when one loses a VERY important limb.”
The look the Princess gives is one of slight confusion, then it returns to a smile. Truth be told, the adjustment period didn’t take long. Frost’s addiction requires the most amount of effort to combat.
“Five weeks ago… heh. I guess that was you then, not Frost.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?”
“Heh, about that first week you took off due to “sickness”. Don’t worry, I’m not one to judge. Frost spent most evenings visiting a brothel. Taking some “personal” time off isn’t a bad thing.”
‘I… I had to, okay!? I promised I’d only do it the one time, then Frost’s addictive personality sank in!’
Full of shame and fluster, I need to find a way out of this rabbit hole—
Knock knock knock!
And thankfully, one arrives. banging into the door behind me. It still causes me to nearly jump out of my skin.
Before the knocker is even identified, the Princess hurriedly opens the door, drags the person inside, and then the door slams as quickly as it was opened.
“My trustworthy and righteous adversary, Anna! Look at what this snake tried to do! My terrified wife won’t be able to sleep for weeks!”
Picking up the vile of poison, then blatantly waving it around Anna’s face, I’m not sure it’s time for a performance. But happy wife, happy life, I guess.
“You know there’s no reason to convince me, Your Highness. Those acts are wasted without a suitable audience.”
“You and Frost really are impervious to my charms. Being serious for a moment, this isn’t an act. She genuinely tried to frame Frost."
Taking a moment or two to evaluate the situation, I have no idea what’s going through Anna's head, but I can imagine a little hamster running on a wheel.
… [a/n] - Hamster wheel wasn't working - [»]
“Two hours… give me two hours to put the trash out. But first, allow me to escort both of you to the dining room. Your dinner will get cold if I don’t.”
…
“Madam Frost, you needn’t look at me like that. I know your appetite will be lacking. Spending the evening in the hall is a far better alternative to cleaning this mess up…”
[Cleanup]
Spoiler
“Phew! That smell will never come out! There’s always an art to disposal. To think so much can fit into so little!”
Scrub, scrub, scrub! A maid and a visitor tend to the bitch, one steadfast in her duties while the other is more carefree. Although death inside the palace is rare, there is a protocol for when incidents occur.
“Miss, are you continuing to help? Or is your brain in a different room right now?”
“Give me a damned moment, Anna! I’ve already carved up her arms, legs and breasts! Heck, we’ll be chopping off wings in a moment!”
“…”
Anna glares at the visitor with her usual expressionless face, only this time she’s genuinely annoyed. This isn’t the time to be making jokes about butchering animals! Sure, it's fitting, but we're on a tight schedule here...
[collapse]