"Why is she here?"
"Are you aware of what we are gathered here for?"
"Wasn't there no one at home to babysit?"
"We know she's a kid, but still she can understand a lot of things. Is it really alright to have her here?"
"Rhea?"
They all surprised, with their eyes wide and mouths open start asking me questions. I give an assuring smile in response, all the while clutching, my little sister, Thalia's hand tightly as we enter the backside garden of the cafe owned by Giselle which happened to be close today because of our secret meeting. This meeting was being held among me, Argus, Lydia and Giselle. The only people I know so far that are not from this book. And now this list also includes Thalia.
Seeing the uninvited guest, they all put their guard up and wait for me to explain.
"Everyone....meet my real life sister Alexandra Wilson or Alex for short."
Hearing my words, everyone startles turn to look at the five year old who giggles and waves her hand softly.
A day ago,
Everything was falling into place. I worked from 9-5 at Giselle's cafe where we also sold mama's baked items and we also took private orders. Fortunately, we weren't lacking monetarily because of which Eros could now attend his Knight Training Academy whereas Lark could go to his Royal Court Academy. I was still in charge of the household and took care of our budget so we could make ends meet. It wasn't easy but we were all working hard together and the most important thing was that we were happy and for me, that's all that matters.
Today was especially quite hectic. There were some rude customers at the cafe and later on at home there was an emergency situation regarding some orders and their delivery time along with, our poor adorable puppy, Fluffy, also injured his leg therefore, I had to calmly deal with those customers even if they threw tea at me and later on personally coordinate with all those clients and deliver their orders since Reynald and Olivia had gone to their hometown for two days because of Reynald's mother that was on her deathbed. Because of this, I also had to take care of the animals all by myself since Mama was busy baking and my brothers were at their respective academies. It truly was quite exhausting.
After dealing with everything, I realised I forgot to eat lunch and dinner which explains why I was feeling so dizzy and my stomach couldn't stop complaining about it. However, my body ached from all the exhaustion and I immediately fell down on my bed without giving another thought. I close my eyes to rest while thinking to myself that I will just get up in a few minutes to get myself something to eat. However my tired body refused to move even after a few minutes.
I was still in that position when I heard the door open and footsteps approaching. Suddenly I feel a hand stroke my hair. It was quite a small hand probably belongs to Thalia, I presume. She softly continues to pats my head. It was sort of nice. As if she was giving me appreciation for all the hard work I did. I inwardly smiled at her kind gesture when the words that escaped her mouth afterwards, made me flinch and throw away all the sleepiness and tiredness I was feeling and instantly jump out of the bed.
"You worked so hard, my dear Kate."
I quickly grab her small hand and inquire,
"How do you know that?"
Startled, since she was expecting me to be fast asleep, she gulps and nervously chuckles,
"...Surprise?"
"Who are you?"
"Don't you recognise me? I guess you can't considering in what body I am right now. And here I thought that sisters had a deeper connection than this."
"Sister?....are you perhaps...Alex? Is that you?"
She nods excitedly.
"How?....You.....you died....I saw you get buried in front of my eyes...."
My eyes become clouded upon reuniting with my elder sister whom I thought I had lost forever. Though right now, she was my younger sister but regardless of that, I was surprised and happy that I bet one or two drops escaped my eyes down my cheek.
"Yeah and then I came here!"
"That....I still can't believe it...."
She softly gazes at me and then pulls me into a hug under her tiny chubby arms and gently adds,
".....Sorry. I'm sorry you had to carry all the burden by yourself.....all these years. I am sorry for breaking our promise and leaving you so soon. Please forgive me for leaving you alone."
"....It's not your fault."
"Still I feel like I should apologise. You must have suffered so much."
"As if. I was so happy. It was finally quiet...with no one bothering me.....mom and dad weren't there....you weren't there....I...."
I couldn't speak properly as I burst out crying. Trying hard to continue but my feelings got the better of me and I broke down.
"There....there.."
She pats my head gently.
"I was so lonely!"
"...I know...."
If anyone saw us they would find it weird that a five year old was comforting her crying twenty year sister. But they don't know that this five year old is my elder sister. I am so relieved to see her. Even if this is not her body. But the mere fact that this is Alex and I am talking to is a far more blessing and happy moment than one could imagine.
After I let it all out, I sniffled and inquired,
"When did you read the book?"
"I read it at campus. It was in the library."
"You were in the library? Wasn't that a forbidden place for you?"
"Shut up. I did go there sometimes."
"To sleep?"
"...no. You remember that the librarian would kick us out if we slept there."
"Then?"
"Why are you so curious about it? That life is long gone."
I continue to stare at her blankly, wanting her to answer.
"Okay fine.....Ryan would be there...."
"Oh...spying on your secret crush."
I snickered as she flushed and rolled her eyes,
"It wasn't like that! Anyhow, focus! I can't believe you're still the same."
I giggle at her response while she adds,
"I read the book over there but I only read the first page."
I laugh and retort,
"As expected of you. At least I made it till much farther in the story."
"Whatever. Do you know how we got here? I just assumed this was our second life. You know, life after death."
"I am not exactly sure. We are all going to gather tomorrow to figure it out. You should come with us."
"Sure but what do you mean by all?"
"I'll explain it later on but first tell me, how did you know I am Kate?"
"It was easy. You didn't call me Lia like the original host did. And you didn't even give me candies everyday like she did and rather scolded me if I eat it secretly because it would harm my teeth."
I grudgingly bring out a strawberry candy from the drawer next to me and hand it to her as she smirks. Mischievousness flickered in her eyes as she retorted,
"Just kidding. I never met the original host. It's only been four years since I came in this book but I never interacted with her that much."
"So how did you find out it was me?"
"You were talking in your sleep. Back when we were in the mansion, you said our names out loud. I think you were dreaming a past memory."
"Maybe so."
"What will happen next? Didn't you read the book more than me?"
"I'm not sure since I changed majority of the plot."
"Oh I didn't realise. I thought this was the original story going on."
"Nope."
"Then tomorrow we will discuss about this?"
"Yes, I'll explain everything to you what happened so far."
Back to the present,
I finished explaining everything to them while we were having tea in a round table on the first floor of the cafe in one of the private rooms.
"Then let's start one by one. What was your original age and date when you read the book? And what was your date and age when you died and how you died? Oh and when did you come into this book?"
Giselle starts us off by explaining,
"I sadly don't remember much. I can't seem to recall anything except the fact that I came here when Giselle was two."
Lydia then adds,
"Same here. I don't remember much. I died when I was 23 in 756 CE."
"As for me..."
Thalia states,
"I died when I was 20 in a car crash on September 27th in 2015. Although I read the book back in February something. I think it was the 23rd.....I'm not too sure."
I then add that,
"I'm not sure whether this counts as dying but I was 20 when I read the book on January 31, 2018. I went to sleep that night and woke up here a few weeks ago."
Argus then explains,
"I also died when I was 20 in the war during 1982. I read the book the same day on December 30."
"Perhaps then our ages have something to do with this? We all were 20 when we read and died. Is that a mere coincidence or something more?"
"Oh yeah!"
"Uhh...guys. I was 23."
Lydia raises her hand and adds.
"Oh right."
"Then that option is out."
"It can't be the way we died since it's different and the date we read and died is also not the same."
"Perhaps it has something to do with our birthdates?"
"That sounds logical."
"Everyone quickly tell your birthdates."
"1st March"
"May 15"
"August 14"
"October 24"
"Mine is September 3."
"Our birthday's are different."
"Yes but doesn't these dates match with our current birthdates?"
"Oh my gosh!"
"That is true!"
"Maybe this is it!"
"Yeah but Lydia was born on 1st March whereas I wasn't."
Lydia adds once again breaking any other possibility we would come up with.
"Damnit...."
"What else could it be?"
"I'm not sure."
"By the way, isn't it strange?"
"What is?"
"How none of us has ever managed to finish reading the book?"
"Yeah."
"I saw the ending pages but I also barely read the book."
"Looks like we need to find more people like us. Someone who knows much more than us and remembers things as well."
Everyone nods in response.
Suddenly we hear large horns blowing, followed by a long sound of a trumpet and drums that were constantly being rolled.
"Make way! Make way!"
"What's going on?"
We all get up to the front of the store to peek at the source of the noises.
"Make way!"
Everyone was made to line up, clearing the road from the centre as guards stood at the sides, blocking off people's view and holding them back.
"The Crown Prince, Adrastos Andino is passing through!"
Hearing the announcer proclaim that name, whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd like a fire.
We all look at each other knowing full well that the male lead of this book is approaching.
"The male lead is here...."
"Ohhh I am curious to see whether he look the same as described in the book?"
"He was said to be so handsome that you wouldn't be able to take your eyes off of him."
"Nah, I am pretty sure that's exaggerated."
"Wait...the crown prince is the male lead?"
Thalia, the oblivious one, was puzzled and inquired
"Yes."
"Why is it that it's always the crown prince that's the main hero?"
"Tell me about it."
"Yes, I mean I am also suitable to be a perfect main lead but no, the author had to kill me off instead."
Argus grumbled. We all laugh at his remark. Is he pouting? How cute.
"Well if you didn't die then how would the female lead become miserable? Your death contributed a lot."
I chuckled and replied. I was about to add more, when we heard tens of horses approaching on which the Crown Prince, his companions, knights and other governors were riding.
The Crown Prince was somewhat similar to the one foretold in the book. Sharp facial features with chocolate skin and honey coloured eyes that seemed more golden and amber than yellowish and long dark brown hair that reached a tad bit below the shoulders. Because of his armour, his built was hard to define except that he did have broad shoulders and was tall. How high was he? I think he is even taller than Argus. I instantly look at Argus as I subconsciously compare them both in my mind. He notices my gaze and adds,
"What? You're disappointed to see me after seeing him?"
He was joking but when he observes me not reply, he assumes I am being serious and a scowl appears on his forehead,
"Don't tell me I am right...?"
"No....I was just thinking that you are a bit better than him."
"....."
Startled by my response, his ears become red while I instantly add,
"A little bit. Not that much."
He laughs and replies,
"Even that is fine by me."
I look at the rest of us who couldn't stop staring at the rumoured handsome Prince.
"Holy moly...he does look so hot."
"No wonder he is the male lead."
"Rhea you changed most of the plot, right? Then that means the male lead is available and coincidentally I just also got single again five days ago."
"Giselle!"
She giggled in response and added,
"Just kidding. Can't harm someone from imagining."
"But I have to side with her. Just look at his eyes. They're so mesmerising...."
Thalia remarked while I stared at her,
"You're only five. Don't forget."
"This body maybe young but my mind is."
"Ho-"
Before even hearing my response, her eyes divert towards a nearby candy stall. Stars shone in her pupils as she excitedly adds,
"Oh Lollipops! Rhea! Buy me those! There's also a fluffy teddy bear....come on!"
"Yup you are a five year old."
"Whatever. I've just been in this body for too long that I have started to act like it."
"That maybe so."
"Now will you buy those for me or not?"
"I will but let's wait until the crown prince goes away."
"Okay! Thank you!"
She giggles and smiles like a child who was given permission to buy his favourite toy. In this case it was candy.
"I wonder how the story would fold now that a lot of it is different."
Lydia comments when I observe the Crown Prince who was looking left and right, smiling and waving to his people until he turned to our side which is when I immediately hid behind Argus.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't want to come in contact with him."
"Why?"
"What if he falls in love with me according to the story and then I will have to become the Crown Princess and go through all the hardships and horror of becoming the future Empress! No way! I can't live like that! Never ever!"
"Have you ever considered the possibly that you can just reject him?"
"Huh?"
"All the things you mentioned will only happen if you like him. Do you like him?"
"No."
I immediately responded, shaking my head.
"Then there's nothing to worry about."
His words calm me and I come out from behind him to stand next to him. He is right. I am not the original Rhea so what I am worried about?
"By the way, what about that person you mentioned who is not from this book and is a 'he'?"
"Oh him...I'll talk to him today and tell you tonight that when we should all meet up."
"Okay. That means you're gonna come to the cottage or will you send a letter?"
"I'll probably come since I won't have time to write a letter."
"Then will you stay for dinner?"
"Probably not. I don't want to intrude on your family time. Plus your mother might get into another misunderstanding."
"That's true but Lydia will also be joining us for dinner therefore I doubt she would say anything like that. Come on, it will be fine."
"...okay then. Thank you for inviting me."