Foreign Memories
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As Rei's consciousness faded into pitch black darkness, a sudden flood of strange information entered her head like a giant tsunami. While this new information settled down rather comfortably within her mind space, Rei felt as if she was thrown into a 10 year long movie with her as the sole audience.

The movie began with the loud cries of a newborn child. Hearing the sharp wails of a baby but not being able to see where it was, Rei quickly came to realize that she would be observing everything in this child's perspective, as if she was the child itself.

Although the view of the newborn baby was a bit blurry, Rei could faintly see the outlines of a few figures surrounding it, conversing in quiet tones.

"The Young Miss's hair..." A voice whispered.

"What a bright color! I've never seen such a thing before." Someone chimed in.

"Oh my~ How pretty." 

"Duchess Emelia's hair was a fiery red, did it not pass on?"

"There's still a possibility that it could grow darker in time. Duchess's hair was rumored to be a more intense tone of this color in her childhood as well."

"Ah, her eyes! The Young Miss has inherited Duke Aerion's eyes."

"Indeed. What a pretty shade of blue, clear proof of her Noble heritage."

Listening to this bunch ramble on, Rei was quickly able to deduce that the child was female with a unique appearance, along with an interesting background.

A noble heritage huh? How fantasy like.

This scene with the newborn baby surrounded continued on for a few more minutes with the child still crying, only ending when she went to sleep. This scenario then carried on for approximately a year or so maybe, with only the lighting that came from outside as a way to tell time.

As Rei examined the people within the spacious room, who she assumed was the child's personal caretakers, Rei began to understand a bit more about the little girl and the world outside what she assumed was a rather luxurious looking nursery room, while eavesdropping on their daily conversations. The more she learned the more the vague feeling of familiarity inside her grew.

Hm? Where has she heard of this before?

It all came back to Rei one day as the now two year olds child's wandering eyes landed on a mirror not far away from her wooden crib.

Hm? Isn't that..?

It was then that Rei realized why she could recognize some of the things that the personal caretakers would mention from time to time.

This world... Wasn't it the world of that flashy romance game? Something Heart Attack? Ah. It was Blossoming Heart Attack... 

Mhm. A silly name for a silly game.

Putting a brief pause on the already two year long movie, Rei examined the little girls appearance. Silky bright pink hair, pale chubby white skin and ice cold blue eyes as clear as diamonds, this odd looking appearance surely had to belong to that girl.

Thinking back to what the caretakers spoke during the whole year, Rei thought of the child's father, The Great Duke Aerion Heart, a busy man who never visited the child, only asking about her well being once every few months. He was a cold kind of man who seemed too engrossed with his own business to care for anything else.

Due to this negligence, the caretakers would often talk about the Duke behind closed doors, saying how he should at least give the child a visit even if he was busy running his territory, or how he shouldn't blame the child for things out of her control. Listening in, Rei eventually came to find that the child's mother and the Duke's cherished wife, had unfortunately died while giving birth, which earned the Duke's unsolicited dislike towards the child early on. 

The caretakers did not like to talk too much about the child's circumstances so they rarely took it upon themselves to mention it, so Rei didn't hear much about the child's parents other than that.

Thinking back to the times Rei had heard of this Duke Aerion, she had always felt as if she heard of this name, surprisingly it was the name of one of the small side characters of a romance game, the aloof father of a certain pink haired antagonist within a romance game.

The pink haired character's full name was Rosélia Alevonci Heart. Usually she was just called Rosélia Heart.

She was the lead love rival of the main character of the game, Blaire Gustov, a commoner with a humble background. Blaire's role as the charming protagonist of the story was to capture the hearts of every handsome target she came across, while ruining the reputation and lively hoods of her love rivals along the way. Earning points for each capture she was able to level up in both strength and ability, slowly being able to take down each of her opponents in love, becoming more and more over powered to the point that she became one of the highest ranking individuals in the kingdom, weilding power strong enough to make all but royalty respectfully bow in her presence.

Rosélia Heart would be the boss like character that would appear no matter who the protagonist chose to capture, always standing there as an unmoving obstacle in the way of completing the route. When Rei had played the game, she had thought that Rosélia was something that was practically unavoidable, causing her to waste more of her time leveling up her character when she couldn't pass the last part of the capture. Thinking about it, it was mainly due to this villainess's part that Rei was unable to complete the game sooner.

This little child who cried everyday for food and a change of the disposable cloth around her soft chubby tush, was undeniably that Rosélia Heart who bothered Rei for months. She knew because that silky pink hair and those large blue eyes are the only traits she had that could tell her apart from the others.

While recalling how irritatingly haughty the child would grow up to be, Rei sighed. 

It's a waste of a pretty face.

After thinking for a while, Rei shrugged off the few questions she had swirling in her head, and focused back her attention on the movie, not putting much importance on what she missed. 

And so, the movie moved on, slowly showing the events of Rosélia's life as she grew up. As the view of the ground became farther, Rei silently observed as Rosélia gained a troublesome personality who liked to cause trouble time and time again, her bearing became more arrogant as she grew in age. Rei figured that the reason for this change might've been due to her father who just started showing up in her life at the age of five. Although he would visit her at least once a week, even Rei could see the unbearable dislike directed at her, as if he was seeing something he wanted out of his sight but could not get rid of. 

When Rosélia had just turned eight the Duke disappeared from her life once again, only sending back expensive looking gifts and a large amount of allowance money every month. Although the Duke wasn't around, Rosélia still lived a wealthy life of privilege with the best of things handed to her on a gold platter. 

Yet, due to her father's negative attitude directed towards her and the never ending amount of loneliness welling up inside her, it didn't seem too far fetched when Rosélia quickly grew cold hearted and arrogant as a young child. Her pretty face grew expressionless, almost as ice cold as her father's, as she lived out her life without a purpose other then to cause trouble everywhere she went.

Watching the child slowly grow, with her small rosy face losing its childlike innocence, Rei felt her dislike towards the girl quickly fade. 

Surprisingly their bearings matched up a little, Rei thought to herself. Although even she knew how to smile once in a while.

And so the child's life went on, eventually leading up to when she had just turned ten years old. Rei calmly watched as Rosélia entered a fancy white and gold carriage, heading to a party celebrating her tenth birthday. It was a debut party where she would finally reveal herself to the other noble children and try to mingle along with them as best she could to build up connections for her future. She had looked forward to this day for months.

With the carriage rocking back and forth, Rosélia blankly stared at the trees and greenery outside of the carriage as they passed by hoping that the ride would end soon. She wanted to quickly meet the other noble children, she had grown very bored of the servants surrounding her everyday and was up for a little fun.

Rei had heard one of her maids mention that the trip would take around a week before they would reach their destination, so Rei just sat back and relaxed along with her even though she had no control of her own physical body.

It was halfway through the journey that something happened. The carriage had stopped by a forest of trees near a dirt path, it was to give everyone a short break from the bumpy carriage ride. While Rosélia sipped a cup of rosy pink tea made by one of her maids, a suspicious looking man visited her carriage, Rosélia shortly recognized the man as the gardener who managed her personal garden.

Once she knew the identity of the man, Rosélia didn't bother to give the man any of her attention as she rested her small head on the carriage window, gazing at something that seemed far away. 

"You. Hurry and speak, why have you interrupted our Young Miss's tea break?" A maid who sat across Rosélia questioned, giving the suspicious figure a hostile glare after quickly examining Rosélia's attitude towards the man.

"Please excuse this lowly servant of interrupting your pleasant tea break Noble Miss," The man started before a giving a slight bow, "but this lowly one has information on something you might be interested in to liven up your journey." 

Rosélia Heart, who had grown bored of sitting around, gave the gardener a side glance before nodding her head towards the maid.

The maid was quick to understand her gesture, as she prompted the old man to continue with another glare.

"Thank you for your kindness, Noble Miss. As for the thing that might interest you, it's just beyond those trees over there. Would the Young Miss like to take a look?" The man finished as he pointed a meaty finger in the direction of a crowd of trees.

Rosélia examined the area that he had pointed to with a feeling of curiosity. Seeing nothing but tall trees, Rosélia took it upon herself to open her small pouty mouth and said, "I see nothing but stupid trees, maid, tell the guards to quickly escort this nonsensical servant out immediately."

"Yes, Miss." The maid replied readying herself to shout for Rosélia's guards who were a few carriages away.

After saying what she had to say Rosèlia leaned her head back on a cushion and completely ignored the man.

The man did not seem upset with her tone nor was he worried about the maid who was getting ready to call the guards, as he gave a gruff smile, showing off his yellowed teeth.

"Wait Miss. Please pardon this servant if this lowly one may seem impolite but, since the location is a bit far, the Noble lady should surely be able to see if she just gets a little closer. As for what is located there, this small peasant can only say with absolute conviction that it is one of this territories most beautiful views." He said convincingly.

"Is that so." Rosélia replied without much interest. She didn't understand why the man hadn't left yet nor why the maid next to her seemed to have frozen still.

"Indeed, I can even stake my life on it, Young Miss."

"Your life huh? How intriguing." Rosélia spoke as she gave another glance towards the old man. Thinking over what he had said, she couldn't help but feel a little interested, it wouldn't hurt to go and check it out, she thought.

"Alright. Take me there, this Noble Miss would like to take a look. Maid, quickly fetch me a suitable guard." As Rosélia said this, she quickly gathered up her bearings and made her way to the entrance of the carriage, holding out a small slim gloved hand for the gardener to take, not caring about the confused maid by her side who shook herself out of an odd trance before quickly leaving.

With the man's help she made her way down from the carriage and onto the dirt road outside.

Dusting off her silky sky blue dress with an endless amount of lace, she waited for the maid to fetch one of her personal guards.

"Shall we head on over then? There really isn't much time for the Noble Miss's break before we have to continue the journey, this lowly servent is sure that the guard will catch up sooner or later." While blankly staring at the direction where the maid left, Rosélia heard the low voice of the man beside her. Hearing what the man had to say, she hesitated.

"Oh. Don't tell me the Noble Miss is afraid to be alone with this weak old man for just a few minutes...If that's so, how about we forget about going Miss? Surely you'll find sitting in your grand carriage more entertaining." The man said, noticing her hesitation.

Listening to the nonsense that came out of the man's mouth, Rosélia's face darkened. Then pushing aside her hesitation, she glared at the old man and said, "Then lead the way old man. That slow bunch will catch up later."

"Yes, my noble lady. It will be my pleasure." The gardener said with a pleased smile.

As Rei watched the situation elevate into a strange direction, she couldn't help but feel a bit cautious towards this man, wasn't he just leading her away from her protection?

Observing the surroundings scenery in the view of Rosélia, Rei felt oddly apprehensive as Rosélia was led farther into the forest. It gradually became darker as the trees covered more and more of the sky, towering above them as they made their way deeper.

"Almost there, Miss, just a few more steps."

When Rei could finally see a bright source of light nearby, she let out what she thought was a sigh of relief. She didn't know why she disliked Rosélia being so close to the man. 

With a few more steps, Rosélia promptly met with the beautiful sight of a large clear blue lake, with stunning cherry blossom trees at the sides making it more breath-taking to see.

Rei heard Rosélia let out a soft gasp as her eyes observed the scene in amazement. Rei was also a bit surprised. This lake... It looked familiar.

It was during this moment of amazement coupled with surprise that everything suddenly changed for the worse.

Rei could hear a gruff sounding voice behind Rosélia, uttering a quiet yet insincere apology, then out of nowhere a meaty hand made its way to Rosélia's back, roughly shoving her foward.

"What are you—? Mmgh..!" Rei heard Rosélia shout before falling into the ice cold lake.

With bubbles floating up to the surface of the water, Rei could only watched in faint horror before a pale face popped out taking in a breath of air. She seemed to be struggling to swim.

"Odd. She shouldn't be able to swim.. Well no matter, I'll just handle her myself."

Before Rosélia had the chance to take another breath her head was suddenly dunked back into the water, her face paling even more underwater.

Without enough power to fight back against the man's strong grip, Rosélia clawed at his arms, leaving deep red scars.

"So fierce." The man mumbled, as if he didn't feel the pain. He only tightened his hold on her head.

"St-Stop! Release me—Blergh!" Rosélia shouted as she struggled for air, her nails digging deeper into the man's arms. But her struggling was in vain, as the man used his overwhelming strength to keep her down, eventually wearing her out.

"Please..." Was the last thing Rosélia whimpered before she finally stopped moving, her last breath taken.

Feeling the body under his hands go limp, the man let out a mocking laugh at how pitiful the girls strength was before heaving out a tired cough.

This was harder then he thought it would be, the man thought, as he cleaned his blood stained hands in the water. 

"The job's done at least. That guy better keep his promise. Heh heh, I'm going to be filthy rich!" He spoke to himself as he walked off towards a direction of trees leaving the body of the girl floating in the lake without a care in the world.

As Rei watched this go on, all she could do was mumble out curse words at the departing back of the man, pushing back the feeling of wanting to hurl.

She could only watch as the screen of the movie within her mind go completely black, leaving her in an infinite loop of darkness.

Left alone, her mind was packed with thoughts.

This... This wasn't right. Could she actually be dead? No, she hadn't died in the game... She had at least lived up to eighteen. Then, why? This doesn't make any sense. 

None of this makes sense.

Questions quickly built up inside her, leaving Rei in absolute confusion. What was she supposed to do with this information?

 Left in deep contemplation, Rei was startled when she suddenly heard a hushed voice of someone in the distance. Quickly silencing her thoughts she paid more attention. 

"We found her unconscious near a lake, sir. She looked to have nearly been drowned, luckily she survived." The voice said in a quiet whisper, as the sentence it spoke echoed through the darkness of Rei's mind.

Soon after, the darkness started to recede, as a strange source of light lit up Rei's surroundings.

Confused, Rei could only think, "Am I finally waking up?" before a bright white light suddenly invaded her sight.

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