“My Lady, young Miss Luna Ansel!” I heard her call with a tone of urgency in her voice.

A sharp gasp escaped my mouth and I suddenly placed my hand on my chest over my heart, feeling its pace quicken in an almost panic. “You scared me! What’s so important?” I asked with half of my attention going to a novel I’d hidden in a half-sitting up, half lying down position on my bed, my heartbeat returning to normal after realising it’s only Miss Sunada.

“My Lady,” She addressed me, a slight smile forming across her face. “What do you think you are doing?” She seems cross now. “I’ve been shouting for you out here like an idiot! Have you been ignoring me? Answer when I call you!”

I roll my eyes. “What is your problem, Miss Sunada? You’ve been calling me ever since I threatened to leave home. What is it now?” I complain, already bored of her.

“My Lady, it’s not that. There’s something else…”

“What? Is it my father?” I ask, feeling more concerned now, wondering what’s going on.

“Young lady… It’s just that....” She’s smiling, but only slightly, like she’s trying to hide it and I can sense a look of pity on her face.

“What is it?” I demand seriously. “I’ve told him I’m leaving and no more discussion shall be had on the matter. I won’t have it and my mind cannot be changed.”

“Miss Ansel, your father has found the novels. He knows you’ve been reading them sneakily.” She looks empathetic.

I say nothing but get up from my bed and race down the stairs, eager to get to the scripts before they’re burned… again. How does he keep finding them? I feel despair.

“You’ll not find them. It’s done. They’re now but ash.” The voice is cold and familiar and it belongs to my father. I am sick of it.

“These books belonged to me!”, I exclaimed shakily. Nervousness and anxiety taking over. You’ve no respect for my likes and interests! You’re too restrictive and it’s unfair.” My vision starts to blur with tears forming in my eyes and all I can think is that I cannot wait to leave. To leave to a wondrous place where I’m free and where I don’t have to hide anything in fear of it being destroyed. I can’t wait until I can finally be myself and enjoy the things I want to enjoy.

My father does not care. “Child, why don’t you listen to me? I have done this 5 times now. What must I do to make you see that these novels have the potential to destroy your life? You don’t need them and as long as you continue to hide them from me, I will continue to find them and burn them. You’ll not leave the house for a month! Behave and learn.”

The tears finally escaped my eyes and I begin to sob. As soon as he finishes his unfair lecture, I run to the back yard with a slither of hope. Are they completely ash? Is there any chance of reviving my beloved books? No. They’re unsaveable. Ash.

My voice is shaking with great sadness. “I can’t take this anymore, Miss Sunada..” I declare depressingly, still looking at the pile of ash which was once a collection of books I loved so dearly. I let out a howl. A loud one comparable to the cry of a child lost in a large crowd.

“Young Lady…” Miss Sunada started sadly.

On looking up at my butler I cried more. My face was soaked with tears and I could taste the saltiness of them on my lips. If I cried any more there would surely be a puddle by this pile of ashes and Miss Sunada would be made to mop it up. I returned to my bed depressed.

“My dear child,”

Feelings of sadness evaporated for just a moment as confusion got the better of me. Looking around I could not see anyone. My curiosity grew.

“My dear child... Help me.. Help me and I will grant any wish of yours. Please take my beloved children from their misery.”

I feel myself becoming weaker. Any strength I had left is quickly leaving my body and I feel nothing but nausea and confusion. I try to speak but I’m too weak. “Who is this?!” I start but cannot finish the question.

Suddenly my head hits the ground as if in slow motion, but wasn’t I in bed? I make an attempt to shout for help as I realise that the ground is hard and cold. It rules out my location being my room because I have soft carpet that feels so soft under one’s feet. Is this… Kidnap? I’m terrified.

I don’t know how long has passed but I’m still not any closer to finding out what’s going on. I look around and take in my new, mysterious environment. I’m free to move and there’s no rope binding me or anything. It doesn’t seem like the dirty, scary home of a kidnapper, but an old, large, Western style house belonging to.. A rival of my father’s perhaps? I have a hundred and one questions and I’m terribly anxious to find the answers.

All of a sudden I notice the colour of a picture hung on the wall begin to fade, then the whole picture is gone. Disappeared with no explanation. The same thing happens with every other object in the room. There’s nothing left. Everything’s white. Is the state of my mental health so poor? I’ll never forgive my father if he’s finally made me go mad. I feel like I’m going mad. My head is clouded and I can’t think straight. I’ve no chance of coming up with an explanation for any of this. Where am I?

---------------------------To be continued----

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author note -

Hello I am new when it comes to novel writing so I wish for you all help me by giving critique on how to improve and support me as much you can thank you!

credit -

Author - myself

proof reader - Amy (link to her profile comment section)

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I don’t know how long has passed but I’m still not any closer to finding out what’s going on. I look around and take in my new, mysterious environment. I’m free to move and there’s no rope binding me or anything. It doesn’t seem like the dirty, scary home of a kidnapper, but an old, large, Western style house belonging to.. A rival of my father’s perhaps? I have a hundred and one questions and I’m terribly anxious to find the answers.

All of a sudden I notice the colour of a picture hung on the wall begin to fade, then the whole picture is gone. Disappeared with no explanation. The same thing happens with every other object in the room. There’s nothing left. Everything’s white. Is the state of my mental health so poor? I’ll never forgive my father if he’s finally made me go mad. I feel like I’m going mad. My head is clouded and I can’t think straight. I’ve no chance of coming up with an explanation for any of this. Where am I?

present time-

“bippodi poppodi I'm your guide di!”

I must no longer be in my previous environment. I am uncomfortable and still just as confused. What was the voice that asked me for help? Have I been taken for use as a lab rat? I hear a different voice now that sounds like it belongs to a child. It’s high pitched and cute but there’s a strangeness to it, it’s also quite irritating.

“Bippodi Poppodi I’m your guide di!” It repeats. “Say ‘Connect Guide’ to start the system.”

Am I dreaming? Have I suddenly developed schizophrenia? Well, I thought, “Curiosity killed the cat”. I snicker out loud and hesitantly mutter “Connect Guide.” Was it too quiet?

“Connecting to host memories…” A pause. “Connection successful.”

What can only be described as a strange, white ball of fur appeared, as if from nowhere and I stared so hard it might’ve melted in an instant. What on earth?

“Nyaaa oh helloo hosttt! Hey, stop staring at me like that; it feels embrassinggg”

This is getting uncomfortable.. “Is the creator of this system perverted?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m your guide, Miss Ansel. I was assigned to you by the Geezer system to guide you once you arrive” I have the ability to shapeshift and read your memories hence I’ve shifted myself to resemble your comfort being!”

“Yeah but your voice is strange.. Wait.. I like Hisokai, the clown from Prey x Hunter and he usually speaks like that. Did he copy his style too?! No wonder. This thing can really read my memories. Yikes.”

As the system spoke to me, the snowy white fur unfolded itself to reveal the most beautiful cat with shiny pearl white eyes and soft cotton-like fur. I felt my heart melt and could hardly control myself because of the cuteness!

“I brought you into the system world to tell you about myself and where you are.” The system continued.

Finally. Some answers. “So where am I then? I know I’m not dreaming because the discomfort and pain feels too real.”

“Exactly nyaa gonna show you where you areee! bippodi poppodi~”

As soon as the words were spoken my brain was overloaded with information I couldn’t process. I was so overwhelmed I thought I might drop dead.

“Ting! Memory transplantation successful.”

“What?! I’m in fyn?” I leaped up onto my feet, knowing it was impossible.

As the system had its say I felt my brain become overloaded with information. Too much information all at once. It was so overwhelming I thought that I might die.

Turning to search fo the owner of the sweetest voice, I spotted a small child with long. light orange hair, and crystal, emerald-like eyes which glimmered with curiosity. It brought me a feeling of bliss. But wait, who's she talking to? There's no one else here... Is there?

"Sir?" She looked like she was trying to get my attention. But, ‘mister’? Do I look like a man?! I look down at myself and notice that the only feature usually visible to others providing “proof” of my womanhood is gone. What is going on?

“Geezer System has temporarily set your gender as ‘agender’, hence the host can neither be assumed as male or female. Nyaaaa! ~ “ It explained, again reading my mind.

“Mister, mister!” The child continued, still trying to get my attention despite me being most distracted by whatever this ‘Geezer System’ is. I turn around and try to get some information from her.

“Where are we?” The anxiety and confusion I’m feeling must’ve caused a cold look on my face as I asked. Poor kid. Must’ve frightened her because her response came with a stutter. She said:

“Th- This is the Kingdom of F-Fyn.”

“How did I get here? Do you know?” I try asking more friendly, hoping I wasn’t being too scary.

“I’m not sure, sir. I saw something big falling from the sky so I came to have a look, that’s how I found you.”

“I see.” I nod. “Anyway I’m Nyx.” I say with a smile.

“I’m Arora la Poneer.” She curtsies elegantly.

I smile again but realise that I’m a stranger to her. Could she think I’m a spy? My head is filled with anxious thoughts. This isn’t good. Will I be beheaded if caught? I need to get away.

“Best get going then” I laugh awkwardly. I try to get up but as I look down I notice I was wounded and badly hurt by someone but I don’t remember what happened. I ask.

“Perhaps someone hurt you and tried to teleport you so no one could find you, Mr Nyx..”

This time the sentence was spoken in a much deeper voice. Deep but soothing. I felt immersed. Does the system know I love such deep voices? Wait… Could this be who I think it might be?

-------------------- To be continued ----

Could it really be Alwin Cullen? He is a demon! Alwin killed his own little sister just so he could take the throne! Merciless! I must get away. He’d have no bother murdering me if he finds me.

I put my hand on the handle of the window, ready to open it and jump out but was blinded by a person with hair as white as snow and yellow snake-like eyes. He shined so brightly I had to squeeze my eyes shut tightly. 100% my type.

“Don’t bother. The windows are locked. You shall remain here until we confirm your identity.”

I stared in fear and somewhat disbelief. That’s him. Everyone knew him as a fun, jolly man… That is until he turned 19 years old. When he turned 19 he experienced many traumatising incidents. For one, someone poisoned his mother and the king put the blame on Alwin. I wish I could’ve been there for him.

I suddenly realised that if he’s around 19 to 20 years old then, sweet Arora here would only be 9 or 10, 10 years younger than her older brother! I looked at her. I finally got to see my little angel. I’d been waiting my whole life and was in total awe, my eyes twinkling as a beam of light shone down onto her.

“Hey! My sister’s only 9!”

“Oh my goodness, I know! She’s just so cute I swear. Nothing weird!” I said, obviously very embarrassed. He shot me a look of disbelief and I defended myself again. “I’m only 16!”

He finally looked away after looking like he was considering it for a short while. What is his problem?

My identity was verified by strangers and with the help of the System I passed.

It’s around midnight. It’s dark outside and there are a few stars in the sky. It’s a full moon tonight. I’m still waiting for the final result. I still don’t have many answers at all. Looking on the other side of the room I see Alwin and Arora fast asleep next to each other. They look close and like they have a good relationship so did he really kill her to take the throne? I can’t wait for all of this to be over. With my eyes still on the sleeping pair I start to think. Arora is as sweet as an angel but Alwin is as hot and sinister-looking as a devil. What a contrast. What’s left when meeting both a devil and an angel? God of beauty? Would that be those other three brothers of hers? I start to smile but just as quickly suppress it in case he’s only pretending to be asleep.

I lie back and close my eyes. Everyone else is sleeping after all. I decide to propose being the guard of the princess. A knight, perhaps.

-------------------------------

It’s light outside now. I slept well but I feel like doing some light exercise to rid of the stiffness from staying in bed for so long. Wait-- what about the wound from yesterday? I can’t even feel it. I look down to where it used to be. Gone.

“Treated by the imperial doctor.” Alwin informed me smugly.

“Prince, what’re you going to do with me now?”

“Now you’re healed and had your identity confirmed, we're releasing you.”

“Oh.. How kind.. Though I do still need to recover my memories. Everything’s jumbled and I don’t even know where I am!” I looked up at him, hoping greatly he’d help me. Please let me stay. I tear up just thinking about my old world and my black card. It’d be so much easier in my old world.

“True…” Alwin considered. “Well then I’ll send you to our knight commander. He’ll assign you to a quarter based on your skills.”

I hesitated.

“Host, accept. In this way we could protect Miss Arora without any problem!”

I was hoping for this last night but did not consider my lack of fighting skills. I shrug. Nothing to do but accept my fate!

“Okay…” I sigh.

Time to wash.. To take a shower with no distraction in this bathroom was almost impossible. It was so brightly decorated and featured an abundance of gemstones everywhere. Not my taste. Far too bright.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

After a while we went down to the training ground where thousands of knights were training. I was not looking forward to this. I regret not taking the martial arts classes Pa had arranged for me that time. I noticed Alwin and the commander discussing something just before I was approached by the knight commander himself. “Hey, you! You from Quarter Four.” He called over a boy (or was it a girl?) with long blonde hair and a smooth face, like a cute woman. He reached the both of us.

“Yes, Commander.” the long haired stranger said. He had the deepest voice I’d ever heard and it was attractive. If only real men were as beautiful, I thought to myself admiring him.

“Spar with this person here.”

I suddenly snapped out of it. “Wait what-?” I looked at the commander with concern written all over my face.

“You two are going to spar.”

“Oh god.”

-------------------- To be continued -----

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