This time Beatrice was in my room when I materialized. She caught me as I toppled.

  There was no shouting, no sharp screams, no hysterical exclamation, only wretched silence as she carried me to bed. I cupped her tear-streaked face, my lips opened and closed, pleading for forgiveness.

  But no words came.

  Perhaps, I shouldn’t have come back like this.

  I’m selfish again.

  She refused to leave my side, calling out to Claire in the hallway. The maid returned moments later with Mama.

  It was all over when she walked through the door.

  I was hemmed on the bed between the two of them. Not allowed to move. Mama wordlessly looked over my face, her dark eyes narrowed, her jaw muscles clenched in fury.

  “Are you still hurt?” she asked, her voice simmering.

  “She appeared out of thin air and then just collapsed,” Beatrice blurted out, still trembling and clutching tight to my hand.

  “A bit of pain still,” I admitted, trying to sit up, but neither of them would allow it. “I used a skill that had consequences I wasn’t aware of.”

  Beatrice’s watery eyes darted between Mama and me in confusion. I suppose most normal people wouldn’t understand.

  “You were always so reckless, Jo.” Mama sighed, her fingers tracing over the contours of my bruise. “I still remember that first time, when you were a newborn and somehow managed to pull a book into your crib…” She slowly shook her head. “I still have nightmares of finding bruises all over your tiny body… and now this… this isn’t from a skill.”

  “Oh, this.” I touched Mama’s hand as she kept exploring the wound. “…This is from a shield. An orc bashed me with it.”

  “Orc? What are you doing fighting orcs!” Beatrice couldn’t help but squeal.

  “You’re too fast to be hit by orcs,” Mama dismissed, her eyes still locked on the wound.

  “They were Elite Orcs. And I was stuck in an enclosed space.”

  “Where was your party?” Mama’s voice grew deadly cold. “And that Paladin?”

  “We had to split up. It was a puzzle floor.”

  “So they left you alone? Against how many Elite Orcs?”

  “Five. But they didn’t know what might’ve spawned. It was a corrupted level.”

  “They left… the first daughter of a ducal line, a royal betrothed, alone, against unknown threats?” Mama was absolutely seething now. The air around her seemed to shimmer with heat.

  “Please, Mama… I asked for it. I had it too, but I just got… careless.”

  Mama shook her head and pulled me into her chest. “Always so reckless. Did I not tell you? You are all I have left.”

  Nellin arrived later with warm soup and freshly baked bread. She nearly dropped the tray when she saw my face. Her hands shook so violently that the porcelain clinked against each other. Beatrice had to jump up to help her steady it and set the food down on the table.

  I tried to rush to her aid as well, but Mama pushed me back down into the pillows. She let Nellin approach afterwards, though, allowing her to hold my hand while I promised I was getting better.

  Our house healer arrived soon after. The old man froze the moment he saw me, then tugged at his beard and let loose a deep, weary breath.

  “What happened this time, My Lady?” He walked over and set down his bag.

  “I think I might be bleeding internally.”

  He arched one of his bushy white eyebrows at me, indicating that I should go on. I was usually open and direct with him. He was the one cleaning up my messes after all. Cuts, scrapes, bruises, twisted ankle, broken leg, that deep sword incision down my back—he’d seen it all from me.

  “I used a skill which gave me Mana, but it came at the cost of burning my insides.”

  People here didn’t see Mana as numbers, but the ones that could use magic had an innate feel for how much of it they had.

  The healer rummaged through his bag. “Hmm… I’ve heard of skills that refreshed one’s Mana by some physical exertion, but through self harm? That sounds rather insidious.”

  “I… might have done it wrong.”

  He handed Mama a vial with a clear yellow liquid inside. “This elixir should heal her intestines, if they’re damaged. Give it to her with her meal.”

  He then produced a small pouch and pressed it against my right cheek. It smelled of pungent medicinal herbs, and my skin tingled where the cloth touched me. “Hold this poultice against that dreadful bruise. It should reduce the inflammation and encourage the blood to flow.”

  I reluctantly showed him my shoulder after he asked if there was more. His eyes told me he knew there was.

  That gulch had scabbed over, but it was so brutal looking that it made even the healer wince. The others couldn't hold back their horror. Nellin, who had stayed, recoiled from the bed, covering her mouth with a stifled cry.

  “What did this? It looks crude.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a few bottles filled with clear liquid. A strange and sharp chemical smell wafted over as he uncorked one.

  I watched him expertly clean the wound with soaked gauze. It was fascinating seeing some of the scabs breaking off and dissolving back into fresh blood. Mama was grimacing while Beatrice looked away, sobbing.

  “A Falchion. It hit me like a heavy dull cleaver.”

  “My Lady, what were you fighting? I don’t know if I can keep this from the Lord,” He remarked as he poured the liquid from the other bottle into a fresh gauze.

  “I doubt he’d care anyways. But can you please keep this between us.” I pleaded.

  “He does care, My Lady. He cares a lot about you.” He paused, wiping my wound. “You know, he also got injured a lot when he was young. Once, he snuck off into a dungeon and came back beaten black and blue. I had to heal him back then, in secret as well. There was one nasty cut, not quite as bad as this, but it brings back memories.”

  “Really? Father snuck into a dungeon? Why?”

  “Why were you there, My Lady?” When I didn’t answer, he snorted at me, grinning. “He never told me why, either. He was a bit older than you then, but still… You two are very much alike. Always getting hurt, and stubborn as mules.”

  —

  It was raining outside. The rhythmic splatter of heavy drops against the windows droned on continuously. I sat in bed observing the patterns the water made as it struck the glass. The way the liquid exploded, sprayed, and then rolled down in long trails was hypnotic and soothing.

  Last night, I had fallen asleep before I knew it. When I awoke, I found myself still sandwiched between Mama and Beatrice. A tightness gripped my chest at the sight of them.

  I had made them worry.

  I slipped out from between them and tried to go about my morning routine. This time, however, I didn’t scout ahead with my [Shadow Fingers] since my Mana had barely recovered.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  As usual, the lack of intel was costly.

  Just as I stepped out into the hallway, I stumbled upon Claire, asleep at her seat by the entrance. I tried to tiptoe past, but a hand clamped onto the back of my collar. I was dragged before the awake and furious figures of Mama and Beatrice, and was given a stern lecture about running around with freshly bandaged wounds.

  I was practically tied to the bed after that. The maids were allowed in, and they swarmed me, refusing to let me even sit up on my own.

  When I asked for lessons on makeup, they were hesitant. I had to assure them it wasn’t to hide my injuries, but to make myself presentable to the Prince. It was a half truth, really, but [Virtuous] allowed it.

  They piled on the entire makeup arsenal of our house after that. Miona even brought in gels and tonics to gloss up and detangle my mess of hair.

  As we chatted over dabs of powder and smears of face cream on each other, a comforting sensation settled in. A sense of belonging. We were like sisters, and their voices made me feel like this was how it had always been.

  I didn’t remember Ally and I ever having moments like this. As for Catherine… I had been a terrible older sister to her. I was always focused on myself, searching for a way out. I should’ve paid more attention when she tugged on me.

  “Has the prince written to you?” Claire asked, guiding my hand as I brushed mascara over Nellin’s eyelashes.

  “Or perhaps he sent gifts?” Miona added from behind her, steeping some tea at the table.

  “I… spoke with him recently.” I had no idea why I divulged that. Perhaps I could blame this warmth.

  They closed around me giddily after that.

  “Really?”

  “How?”

  “Magic… We saw each other.” I blurted out.

  This amount should be ok to share, right?

  They all nodded at me as if this was something normal and expected.

  “Does that mean he saw what happened to your face?!” Claire exclaimed as realization sank in.

  “Oh, no! Did he yell at you?” Nellin patted my hand.

  “Is that why you want us to teach you makeup?!” Claire grew even more frantic.

  “He doesn’t deserve you if he’s bothered just by that!” Miona snapped, looking indignant on my behalf.

  “No… He just didn’t want me to get hurt… He told me, ‘I can’t lose you.’” The words felt strange leaving my lips. I had to look away.

  What am I doing?! Isn’t this… gossiping?

  My face burned, and it was neither from [Virtuous] nor the injury.

  A collective “Oh…” escaped the girls. Their hands flew to cover their mouths, but their eyes were bright and sparkling.

  “He’s only five…”

  “But he is a prince.”

  “Do you think Boden would ever say that to you, Claire?”

  “No. But to be fair, I’d say that to Jo, makeup or not.” Claire’s lips curled into a mischievous grin, and she pinched my good cheek.

  The rain continued to drone on. I was reading through a paper on ‘Magic Flow Structure’ when the last entry from Aaron’s diary resurfaced in my mind. I glanced hesitantly over at Mama who was reading her own book by the table.

  This might be painful for her.

  But I had to know. I’m flying blind here.

  “Mama… Did you know the Queen at all, when she was younger?”

  She lowered her book, her eyes gazing wistfully at the rain splattering against the glass. “I did… At the Academy, I was her senior by a couple of years, and mentored both her and your mother.”

  “What was she like?”

  “Precocious and aloof, at first. But then… something changed.” Her expression tightened, as if the memory stung. “She became more open, and made friends with everyone at the Academy, including your mother. But she also became more driven and relentless in her studies and all her endeavors. And sometimes, I caught glimpses of pain and anger in her eyes. No, it was more like rage.”

  Was that when she was brought over to this world?

  A sudden shift in personality? A drastic change in drive? It certainly fits.

  Instead of being reborn like I was with Josephine, maybe for Sarsee, it was like when I had awoken, all of a sudden, as sixteen-year-old Joan.

  “How did she become Queen?”

  “She exposed the previous King’s dealings with demons. Many in the younger nobility led the charge to overthrow the royals after that, including the man who would later become my husband. I believe after a while, he flew too close to the flames…” She closed her eyes, her fist clenching. “The draw was too strong.”

  I immediately reached out to her. “I’m sorry Mama.”

  “No, Jo. It’s never your fault.”

  —

  The rain persisted into the evening, and the soft yellow glow of everbright candles replaced the drab grey light filtering through the windows. The chorus of raindrops droned on outside, but it was just background noise to me now.

  I took a sip of tea and nibbled on the still-warm cookie Chef Borin had baked for me. My fingers flipped through the yellowed pages of the diary, finding the entry where I had left off.

  — Aaron’s Diary: Entry 40, A New Hope! —

  Welp! Guess who’s actually, a real, bonafide hero?

  Me! Aaron! Or erm… Lark now. But I got the medicine back just in the nick of time. It broke Lune’s fever just as it was peaking, and it saved Mom too.

  There was enough left to save everyone else, as well. So the village threw a huge feast in my honor. The old man, Pops, was so proud, toasting everyone at the table. Lune and Mom were all smiles.

  It was then that I dropped the bombshell about me having to go on a dungeon quest. All the adults were real sad after that. I got a few hugs from teary eyed old ladies. But the kids, man, their eyes practically bugged out. They bombarded me with all sorts of questions. What kind of party I’m gonna be joining. Whether I have a weapon or not.

  I told them just wait and see, and they ate it all up.

  Later that evening Lune pulled me aside, and let’s just say we spent a really special night together!

  I’m finally a man!

  — … —

  I had to set the book down for a second.

  “What’s wrong, Jo?” Mama came rushing over. She had me instantly in her arms.

  “I’ll never finally be anything…” I found myself saying.

  And I truly never will.

  I remembered that noble, holding my hand and asking for a kiss. Just a simple, passionate kiss. But I couldn’t even give him that. Nothing could happen now. Not with Tomas, not with any man, nor woman. It hadn’t for the last six hundred years, and it won’t in future.

  “I don’t understand Jo. What’s wrong?”

  Mama’s hand rubbed my back, and I leaned into her warmth.

  “Nothing. I’ll be happy with this.”

  A little inn, in the mountains, with just me and Mama. That’s enough.

  After she was sure I settled down, we both returned to our reading.

  — … —

  The carriage arrived the next day. It was a real fancy ride, polished wood, metal framing, the works. The kids were crawling all over it, checking it out.

  Then two figures came out of it. And behold! It was the twin stars. Simone and Samson, in their trademark silver and blue armor, rimmed with glowing lines. I mean I was kind of hoping for Leopold and Patricia, but these two blew them out of the park.

  Well, not story-wise, but stat-wise? Definitely. Though, aren’t these guys supposed to be late-game companions?

  Sarsee, really went all out. Guess us reincarnators got to have each other’s backs.

  Though how did she even unlock them this early?

  The twins were rather rude, demanding we leave right away and sticking their noses up at everyone. It made sense given their backstory as former royalty of a distant land, and yeah, we kind of all smell.

  I managed to convince them to give me some time to say goodbyes.

  The old man was all in tears, apologizing for not getting me anything for my journey. I told him, naw, him just getting the diary was enough. I knew the thing cost an arm and a leg here.

  Mom, Lune and I hugged it out for quite some time. I told them I got to go, but when I get back, I’m gonna bring them out of this hellhole.

  At the steps to the carriage, I realized I never asked where we were going, so I did. Samson pointed his fancy finger at a spot on the map.

  “Wait, isn’t that a mid-tier dungeon? Well, lower-mid, but still!” I pointed out. Wasn’t this overkill for my first run?

  “You’ve got us. We are gold rank adventurers. It should not be a problem.” Samson said while wrinkling his nose at me.

  “The Lady said you’d know this is better. Or are you actually afraid?” Simone’s voice was super sultry, and that armor of hers really hugged that body tight.

  I folded my arms over my chest. “Fine. I guess better loot is always good. And I’m not afraid. Now, where’s my sword?”

  “You’ll get it when we get there.” Samson growled at me. Then he shouted to the driver. “To Boisville!”

  So that’s the silly name of the nearby town. But wasn’t that in Leopold’s domain?

  Maybe I can impress his dad!

  — … —

  I dropped the book again. The rain had finally stopped.

  Boisville… They were going to the Bloomsil dungeon.

  So Aaron actually went to the same dungeon.

  I stared at the stained oilcloth cover.

  Did I find his diary there because that was where his story ended?

  Had Sarsee sent him there to die?

  An escort of overpowered guards. The Twin Stars for him… A Paladin of Lumus for me… A dungeon that was far beyond the player’s level.

  The echoes were striking.

  Did she intend for this to be my end as well?

  A cold smile spread over my lips.

  It would be interesting to see her try.

  But first, more intel.

  I flipped the page.