The Author And Her Protagonist

Elena had a nightmare at night. In her dream, a mysterious woman appears to steal Elena’s charm, causing her to be disliked and despised by many people. Edgar Baldwin, in particular, looked at her with disgust.

Besides, her face had deteriorated and her skin had wrinkled like a grandmother’s. Her breasts and buttocks are not as tight as they once were.

Elena was startled awake, her body drenched in cold sweat. The woman touched every part of her body, including her face. She exhaled a sigh of relief when she realised her skin was still as smooth as it had been. Then she got out of bed, went to get some water, and washed her face, trying to shake the fear from her heart. She couldn’t sleep the rest of the night and couldn’t wait for morning.

Elena dashed out of the inn and to the old house as soon as the sky began to lighten. However, just like yesterday, no one answered the door no matter how hard she knocked.

Elena finally got up from the slum terrace, disappointed. She pulled over to a small roadside restaurant to fill her empty stomach.

Elena noticed the restaurant’s lady boss relaxing while eating her breakfast, so she didn’t hesitate to inquire.

“Please excuse me, Lady. Can you tell me what happened to the old lady who lives in the house down the road?” Elena inquired.

The female boss looked up. “Oh, you’re referring to the old shaman?”

Elena gave a nod.

“She has been missing for nearly three weeks. I’m not sure if she moved or what, but she’s no longer there “explained the restaurant’s proprietor.

Elena almost choked on her food when she heard the words of the lady boss. Her face instantly turned pale. Her heart became fearful and worried, as well as restless. In fact, the female shaman was her only hope of reuniting with Edgar.

“You don’t appear to be a local. Why are you looking for the shaman of the old woman?”

Elena didn’t intend to lie, so she admitted it. “I was looking for something, yeah.”

The female boss sighed and said nothing else because she guessed where Elena was looking for the female shaman. Elena, on the other hand, had no intention of prolonging the conversation.

Elena was willing to squat in front of the sandy door until the afternoon without moving an inch, not even to use the restroom. She was afraid the old lady who owned the house would open the door when she wasn’t there. Meeting the old woman was more important to her than anything else now that only she could give her such a powerful charm. If she could regain her charm, she wouldn’t have to worry about being dumped by Edgar again. If her charms were stronger, Edgar would not have turned his back on her. Certainly.

Elena finally gave up and returned to the inn by nightfall. Elena was surprised while eating dinner in her room by someone who had delivered a letter to her. She was taken aback when she read the letter’s contents. It was clearly written that Edgar Baldwin would marry the following day.

Tomorrow after tomorrow…

What about the day after tomorrow?

Elena burst out laughing for a brief moment. She hadn’t yet met the shaman here, but Edgar’s marriage had accelerated. She dashed to pack her belongings and decided to return to the capital the next day. It doesn’t matter that her charm hasn’t been restored; what matters is that she attends the wedding of the man she adores. She wanted to intimidate the bride by claiming to be the first woman to warm Edgar’s bed. She wanted the bride to notice Elena’s beauty in order to instil a sense of inferiority in the heart of the nameless Princess.

—

Cheryl had no idea that someone so vengeful would want to play tricks on her from so far away in the capital. All she cared about was getting this marriage off to a good start.

But there isn’t any way.

Day after day went by. The wedding is just one day away. The palace was completed and lavishly decorated. A lovely wedding gown has also been delivered, along with an expensive-looking set of jewellery. Cheryl has been dragged along by the maids to various treatments over the last few days.

The maid took her to the bathroom today. Water is available in the tub for soaking. Flowers of various varieties float in the water. Cheryl perceived it as soup when combined with the soft puff of smoke.

The maid assisted her in taking off her clothes and instructed her to take a bath. Cheryl, on the other hand, exuded reluctance.

“Your Highness, these products are fantastic for skin beauty.” The Marquess sent these rare items. If he discovers you’re not using it, he may chastise us.” Cheryl was shown a bottle of essential oil that was being poured into water by the maid.

Cheryl rolled her eyes, annoyed. “Aren’t you the servant to the crown prince? Why are you so obedient to the Marquess?”

“The Crown Prince agreed to it. His Highness stated that as long as it is for the Princess’s benefit, it is acceptable.”

Cheryl was deafeningly quiet. He was sceptical of Eugene at the time. Why did he allow his servants to be ruled by someone else? Where is his nobility?

Before Cheryl could think of anything else sarcastic, the maid had dragged her into the tub and forced her to soak.

“That’s not polite.” Cheryl chastised her.

“I apologise, princess. However, allowing the water to cool will reduce its effectiveness.” The maid expressed her regret.

Cheryl, who isn’t a vengeful person, waved her hand, sending the maids outside.

However, no maids appeared. Instead, they approached her holding various objects. Cheryl was scared once more.

“What exactly are you up to?”

“I should want to rub your back.”

Several maids surrounded her around the bath as a result. One massages the back, two massage the right and left arms, and two massage the feet.

Cheryl felt the need to cry once more. How can anyone concentrate on bathing while getting this kind of massage? Please allow her to relax!

The maids finally let her go after torturing her in the bath for an hour.

Cheryl was exhausted and didn’t want to move a muscle. But it didn’t matter; as a Princess, she’d have someone to serve her.

The maid dresses simply and without accessories. Her long hair was braided in a few places and left to fall down her back. The maid who dressed her left the room once she was finished.

Cheryl didn’t mind being alone. Instead, she needed this kind of peace right now.

For a while, the girl did not move. She didn’t move from her chair and just stared at the large makeup mirror in front of her.

She recognised the young woman in the mirror with an ordinary face. Her entire body, however, exuded a charming aura that was diametrically opposed to her original self. Her brown wavy hair was soft and shiny. Her cheeks were flushed. The skin is a milky white colour that is supple and soft to the touch. It will leave a red mark if pinched lightly.

Cheryl reached out her hand and brushed the girl’s face in the mirror. Her face and the girl in the mirror were identical. Cheryl would probably think she and Claudia were the same person if it weren’t for her vivid memory of the original world.

Cheryl’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She walked to the door, lifting her skirt. Eugene smiled warmly at her from the doorway.

“It’s time for dinner. Let’s get started.”

Eugene’s invitation is gladly accepted by Cheryl. She nodded and obediently followed Eugene.

They both eat their meals quietly. They hadn’t eaten together in a few days, by the way. Cheryl is preoccupied with wedding preparations at the moment, so she is unable to dine with Eugene. Cheryl had no idea whether Eugene had been busy or not recently.

Cheryl stole a few glances at Eugene. The gentleman in front of her was as dapper as ever. Her movements were all very graceful and reflective of ethical nobility. Cheryl sometimes wonders if they can eat enough because of this way of eating. Except for Eugene, Cheryl has never practised eating like that. And she was never full when she dined with Eugene.

Eugene turned his head as he felt the hot gaze on him. Their gazes locked.

He stiffened for a brief moment. The girl’s clear eyes made him feel as if an invisible hand was grabbing his heart. Making him feel tense and restless

Suddenly, an evil thought entered his mind, urging him to be selfish once more.

Eugene has liked her in both of his lives. But, neither then nor now, he dared to inquire. Eugene, to be more specific, was never prepared to hear the answer.

Eugene tried to separate Claudia from the person she loved in a previous life because he desired her for himself. But he never asked her whether or not she liked him.

Eugene’s feelings seemed to be pushed to the limit at this moment by the girl’s clear eyes. The question he didn’t dare to ask was on the tip of his tongue, waiting to be said.

Eugene, hurry up. Don’t make the same mistake again.

Eugene cleared his throat and tentatively opened his mouth.

“May I ask you a question, Cheryl?”

“Hm? What exactly is it?”

The girl was unconcerned about him.

Eugene took a deep breath, still trembling.

“I wonder if you ever liked me in your heart?”

The man shook his head. He could tell Cheryl was surprised, but he didn’t dare to look at her face.

Eugene’s question caught Cheryl off guard and left her perplexed. She wanted to laugh and point out that Eugene was joking. Eugene, on the other hand, didn’t appear to be joking.

There was no response from the girl in front of him for a long time. Eugene raised his head and looked Cheryl in the eyes. His heart sank with disappointment. He shouldn’t have to ask if he knows.

“I do like you.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Eugene’s ears gradually became aware of the girl’s voice. The man’s heart was pounding, as if he was excited. But the next sentence made his spirits dwindle once more.

“As a brother, I like you. You are very gentle and kind. It makes me very happy to have a brother like you.”

Eugene’s heart cried. So there you have it. He was nothing more to her than a brother. It was he who wished for two lives so desperately.

Eugene gave a faint smile. He didn’t want to face her anymore. He set his spoon and fork down.

“Thank you; I’m pleased to hear you’re glad to have a brother like me.” Eugene went up to his feet. “Your wedding is tomorrow. Put yourself to bed early.”

Eugene then walked away.

Cheryl remained motionless, not responding to Eugene’s words.

In fact, she understood Eugene’s question. It was, however, completely impossible for her. Claudia and Eugene had no feelings for each other, and her book was everything. She assumed it didn’t exist because it wasn’t there.

Cheryl is experiencing dizziness. The book she wrote is her only hold on life in this world. However, if the path deviated from what she knew, it would be the same as walking blindfolded. How will she get by?

One thought brought her back to reality.

She suddenly remembered what she was dealing with a few moments later. If she had used the book to gauge Claudia and Eugene’s feelings, what about the wedding that was to take place the next day? Yvette is clearly identified as Edgar’s bride in the book. So, how did it become Claudia?

Wait, the plot doesn’t appear to have changed. But wasn’t it her arrival that changed the plot? Yes, it has to be. Her presence was an oversight. And as a result of that blunder, the book’s plot changed.

Will the massacre still take place if this is the case?

—