Episode 5

Camila

A strange cold ran down my spine. My father? The same father who abandoned a child alone with strangers? The same one who didn't visit his daughter in a coma even once? Now he decides to show his face? Well, well. I ended up opening the letter, and the content made me even more outraged.

"Camila,

Return home immediately.

Signed,

Count of Wilhenforth."

That's it? No "dear daughter, I'm glad you recovered" or perhaps "Sorry for abandoning you." This shouldn't even be considered a letter, at most a footnote.

"Has he always been like this?"

I asked Matilda, trying to hide my indignation.

"The Count is a... reserved man."

"Reserved? The man writes with the same tenderness as a tax receipt."

I was outraged. What kind of father sends such a dry letter to his daughter who has been in a coma for a year? But a part of me cheered up, perhaps because it was the body of the "real" Camila, it craved the slightest bit of attention from her parents. Anyway, at least I would go to civilization, where I can create bonds, maybe I'll become the "star of society."

Ugh!

I dismissed that idea; what I really want is to live in peace, go unnoticed, I don't want to attract anyone's attention and end up dying. I ran my hand over my neck and smiled that it was still whole, but my move to the city meant that the plot of the original story was beginning.

Matilda and the servants began to pack my bags, or rather, the trunks of absurdly voluminous dresses, shoes, and hats, a bit too flashy for a place like that. Maybe that's why everything is new. I hope to have the opportunity to use these things soon, or it would be a waste of money. Well, the important thing was already with me: Camila's diary. I took the opportunity to say goodbye to everyone and apologize again. Whether I wanted to or not, these people created Camila; they were the only family she knew. At least Matilda would go with me, well, she and my childhood mother, so it makes perfect sense.

The journey began at the following dawn: two maids, a luxurious carriage, feather pillows, and velvet curtains. Ah, the glamour.

But two days… in a carriage… without Wi-Fi...

"I'd give a kidney for a podcast,"

I muttered, staring out the window.

"And the other for air conditioning."

Matilda looked at me without understanding what I was muttering about so much. The other maid didn't even care; she was more absorbed by the beautiful landscapes: green hills, magical forests, and even some strange creatures in the distance (I swear I saw a snake with glowing horns). But the lack of asphalt, a well-placed horn, and the dubious smell of the subway in the early morning hit hard. Night was almost falling; they told me the road was safe, but now, on this stretch of the forest, we are being attacked by completely strange, disgusting monstrous creatures, to be precise. The knights who were my security were fighting frantically while I and the maids hid behind a tree. Well, things were not going very well; the knights were injured, and the monster was getting more and more vigorous. Suddenly, the monster turned in our direction; its interest in us was clear. What a surprise; I am really shit out of luck. When Matilda realized that the monster was going to find us, she handed me a small knife.

"My lady, run far away and don't look back."

"Matilda, what is this story?"

"This is not the time to be stubborn, just do what I said."

Playing the heroine, she didn't care about her own life? And how did she think I could live knowing that she died to save me? While Matilda tried to get the monster's attention, I picked up stones and started throwing them at it.

"Here! You big, stupid thing."

Apparently, the fool who doesn't care about her life is me. I could have just run, but no, I had to be brave. Fine, I don't regret it. I was already giving up when a large figure entered in front of me, raising a large sword. Several men also appeared, and a fight began, and the monster was defeated.

The man had long hair, slightly tanned skin, an athletic build, and an extremely mysterious aura.

Somehow, what amazed me more than the monster was the strange mist behind him, as if something was bothering him or something like that, but was everyone seeing the same thing as me? I was lying on the floor, that man turned to me, and like a frightened little mouse, I raised the small knife towards him. I didn't know his intentions; he may have helped us with hidden interests. Well, the man smiled at me and crouched down and gave a little tap on my hand.

"You should have pointed that at that thing and not at me."

"Sorry! And... it's just... my first time seeing..."

"That monster?"

I nodded in confirmation.

"You must not go out much, I see."

"No!"

"Are you okay?"

His question seemed sincere; again, I nodded.

"Great, then I can continue my journey. Let's go, guys." He shouted to his people.

Matilda helped me up, and I was still dizzy from what had just happened. I also noticed that even though the man had come out victorious, there was a wound on his hand, and obviously, to thank him, I recklessly ran and grabbed his arm.

"Hey!"

He froze; for a moment, I felt something warm coming out of me, maybe an exchange of energy? Well, whatever it was, the man looked at me seriously; it seemed he was going to tear off my head.

"You're hurt."

"Ah! This?" He said disdainfully, looking at his hand.

"It's nothing that deserves the princess's concern."

I could feel a hint of sarcasm coming from his voice.

"So does that make you a Prince Charming?"

"Huh?" He stared at me with a doubtful expression, trying to understand my words, and I tried to stay calm.

Before he could say anything, I tore a piece of my petticoat; he turned his face when I lifted a small part of my dress.

"In fairy tales, when the princess is in danger, a Prince Charming always appears and saves her."

I cleaned the small wound and with the cloth I cut, I made a bandage.

"And if I were a princess and you a Prince Charming, this story would end in a happy marriage."

"Princess, are you proposing to me?"

I blushed and soon came to the real, maybe I exaggerated in the joke.