“Hmmm…” The breeze. It felt nice.
Having cried myself to sleep, I felt much better now.
I couldn’t wallow in my despair and misery forever. Perhaps later, when I have space for myself. Because this was not that place.
In fact, just a while ago, some old dude I presumed to be a doctor came in and tried to talk to me, perhaps seeing if he could diagnose me.
But… I think myself adaptable. I’ve read more than enough fiction that revealing one’s secrets was dangerous; especially when it came to taking over someone else’s body.
I feigned ignorance, didn’t say a single thing, did nothing but stare and just did whatever the doctor pointed me to do. Amnesia was the best thing I could hope for, and I pray that this is the conclusion he would arrive at.
I’ve never done acting in my life, knew nothing of this this girl’s habits or talents. I had to take things slow.
One thing that I knew I had to do as soon as possible, was to learn their language.
It seemed I was not blessed with the handy translation function or the body’s ingrained habits that just about any transmigration title was programmed with.
Of course, [Status] or [System] wasn’t here for me either. I tried countless words and phrases, but nothing worked. I was well and truly without anything to support me; having only myself.
This fact had cemented that this was no game, nor a dream. The despair I felt was too real, and my sole objective of survival was all the more apparent to me the longer my nerves were on edge in front of that doctor.
The thought of suicide crossed my mind when I was at the lowest, but this was in a way, someone fulfilling my wish of living; to not die just yet.
What would happen to me if I squandered this chance ? I had an awful inkling that it wouldn’t be pretty.
Seeing as this appeared to be a house belonging to a filthy rich noble, meant that I was the daughter from their treatment… no matter how unwelcome I felt among the strangers.
Still, there wasn’t as much contempt in their eyes as there was in the eyes of this body’s supposed father.
*tok-tok-tok*
“Inés.” Yet another new voice. But… I felt warmth in it.
“…”
Answer, I did not.
*click*
*tap-tap-tap* An awfully handsome guy who was missing a leg waltzed in on his wooden crutches.
“Inés, vice ésta bon ?”
“…”
Eyes full of concern, love and warmth met with me as he sat down, putting his crutches down. The reflection in this man’s beautiful eyes reflected my sorry, yet beautiful state.
I still couldn’t come to terms with this body. I felt awful.
*creak* *swmp*
“Eu vaesta precanda, Inés…” The low tremble in his voice felt conflicting as he leaned in for a hug.
“…”
I’m… not your family. I’m not your sister or whoever this girl was to you. You’re embracing someone who took her place.
‘Not… your family. Family.’
“Hnnghh…” His warmth made me feel guilty, guilty that I found solace in his kindness.
“I-Inés ?”
‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry…’
“Gnnnhhh… Hnnnmmmmhhhkk—!!”
“Inés…”
‘I’m not Inés.’
The familial warmth felt intoxicating, to the point I dug into his arms as if it would escape me any second.
I… wish I had shown my love like this for my mom and sis more. Much, much more than I had.
“Hnnnngggghh—!!!”
“Inés…”
‘I’m not.’
I’m not…
✧ ✧ ✧
“…”
“Inés, tima bon agie ?” Still in his arms, my tears slowly dried, staining his no doubt expensive suit.
But… I felt like I understood what he said; ‘Are you okay now ?’
Most of all, I felt… pathetic, letting myself cry so easily like that.
Was it harder to control my emotions now that I was… a woman ? Or was it because the hormones of a teen were wild just like this ?
I never cried like this until my mom suddenly passed, yet bawled out my eyes for hours straight not even a day after being given a chance at living again.
“Vio dierza qes vois perdia e memiora. Vois… me réciesta ?” I think… he’s asking if I remember him.
“Mmh…” Taking my swollen eyes out from his chest, I shook my head left and right.
“Tenda… men niéme e Léon. Léon de Espin.” He pointed at himself. Then, pointed to me.
“Inés. Inés de Espin.”
…I guess he means that he was my- no. He was this girl’s brother.
“Léon… Léon de… Espin.” I spoke for the second time since I got thrown here.
“Sía… Sía ! Me Léon ! Inés !! Ahahaha—!”
“…”
His… Léon’s vigorous embrace as he shook me uncomfortably with joy stabbed into my heart like razor sharp daggers.
I couldn’t share his joy.
‘It would be… a crime. A terrible, terrible sin.’ I thought as I clenched my teeth.
*tok-tok-tok*
“…entera.” Thankfully, it was stopped before I could turn into a watery mess again.
A kind looking maid stepped in together with a tall, menacing guy who was donning a wear that I couldn’t recognize as anything but very functional armor.
“E qes vóca qera ?” Léon’s voice didn’t sound very welcoming as he detached himself from… me.
“Señor Léon. Señor Carlos me instralia a esína-latra e Señora Inés. E Bernez és aiqa piere protega.”
“Biérgra ! Me piessa instralia esína-latra e Inés siémtéra. Ví, ví sa embre !”
Instralia… instruct ? And ‘protega’ was most likely ‘protect’.
I think I know what this was about.
The maid was told to teach me by this girl’s father, and that Bernez guy, I assume, was here to protect me. Although I had a feeling “protect” wasn’t really his task.
“Léon…”
“Inés ?”
“…nh-hm” Gaining his attention, I shook my head.
“In… stralia ? Léon. Um… e ?” Was that right ? I hoped the message came across after I pointed at both him and the maid; then at myself.
“Haha… Inés. Tedo bon, file. Vientra me auharn entenda, Cana.” Looks like he’s calmed down. That’s… good.
*swmp*
“Biéta, Señora Inés. Men niéme e Cana. Sen sobrnatieda.” Then, the maid walked over and introduced herself after taking a kneel at the side of the bed.
“Cana.”
“Bernez.” I said towards the two people.
“…” The guy wasn’t even glaring or anything, but he gave me the spooks. Although, his presence didn’t feel too bad.
*tlack*
“Enta, vano comcesta ? Entera !”
‘?!’
“Señora Inés, vano tabrahla diero.” …Cana smiled as she caressed the top of the mountain of books that a whole bunch of servants brought in.
“Vue te auharn.” Léon only offered a look of pity along with an… encouragement.
“…”
I could only stare in disbelief. I know I have to study, but this much ? I’ve never seen this amount of text books even while in university. I majored business management and math, you know ? Why are there more books compared to those days ?
“…” But more importantly, I really had to go.
I’ve been holding it in for a while now, but it was getting unbearable.
“Telva despo den um momenta enta ? Fufu—“
“…um, ví em frentra, Inés.”
I may not know the language, but I could absolutely feel it !
‘Kill me… kill me now.’
If not anything else, then the shame would.
