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"It's been 18 days since..."
"And the Princess hasn't woken up yet, not even once..."
"Huhu..."
"Don't cry, Ande...she's going to be fine..."
So noisy...why is someone crying here? And who's the Princess? Am I in a hospital, and the family of that Princess is visiting her? Anyway, why does it feel like I'm lying on a huge cozy bed?
"Your Holiness, please forgive me for asking, but...does Your Holiness have any idea when the Princess is going to wake up?" Your Holiness...? The Princess? Huh? What the heck is with those words?
"I apologize. However, it entirely depends on the Princess. I have no idea why the Princess has not opened her eyes yet..."
What are these people talking about? Who is this Princess they're so worried about?
I slowly opened my eyes, and I was surprised to realize that I'm still alive. I looked around, left and right, only to find unfamiliar people. Even the room is unfamiliar, and the bed I'm lying on right now feels so huge and spacious.
When my eyes turned to the right, I made eye contact with a lime-haired girl. She just glanced at me, looked back at the guy with long hair, but then quickly turned her head to me again, her lime-colored eyes widening in surprise as if she couldn't believe I was awake. Who is she?
She smiled and walked toward me, stopping in front of the white-haired guy with long hair.
"Princess, you're finally awake..." she said, a genuine smile on her face.
Princess...? But my name is Clara. And wow...this is my first time receiving such a gentle and soft smile. None of my family members have ever done that to me.
"It's good to finally see you awake, Your Highness." I turned my head to the guy who spoke---and I was stunned. Amazed even. He's so beautiful. White hair, sky-blue eyes...his hair is so long I can't even see where it ends from where I'm lying. And those long eyelashes...
This guy is the one they're calling 'Your Holiness'?
Wait...what did he just call me?
"Your Highness?" I repeated, confused. I forced myself to sit up on the bed—and I'm glad I managed to do it without much struggle. But...seriously, who are these people, and why am I still alive? Did someone saved me...? Impossible. That building had thirty floors, and I jumped from the very top! No one could save me from that height! Unless they're S*perman, Ir*n Man, B*tman, or whatever superhero they are!
Wait...what's with my voice just now? It sounds so cute.
"Your Holiness is referring to you, Princess. We're happy to see you awake." Huh?
Uhh...now I'm even more confused.
"Princess?" I tilted my head and asked again.
All the people here, wearing matching maid uniforms, exchanged looks with one another, then turned their eyes toward the guy with the long hair. He looked at me with concern in his eyes and walked toward me.
"Your Highness, forgive me for asking, but...do you not remember who you are?" As soon as he asked that question, a sharp pain pulsed through my head, making me flinch. I grabbed my head and clutched at my hair as the pain intensified.
"Your Highness?"
"Princess Alina?"
Alina...
Alina...
"Gughh..." I groaned. Hearing that name made my head hurt even more.
"Please, calm down, Your Highness." The long-haired guy gently took my hand and poked my palm. Right after that, the pain slowly faded away...what exactly is happening to me? Why am I here? None of their faces are familiar. And what did this 'Your Holiness' just do? I felt a soothing sensation spread from my palm throughout my body the moment his finger touched it.
"Your Highness, do you think you can answer my question now?" he asked, his voice soft and kind. This is the first time I've heard such a gentle tone.
All I ever heard growing up were yells, curses, and insults.
"I...I'm sorry..." It feels like there are memories buried deep in my head, trying to come out. This strange sense of familiarity when I look at these people...even though I don't actually know any of them.
"Princess...oh, maybe her brain was affected when she drowned." Huh? Drowned? Me? No... I didn't drown. I jumped off a building.
"Princess..."
And why are these ladies wearing maid uniforms? Are they cosplaying or something?
Also, this room is enormous, and the decor is so beautiful and luxurious. Dang, can I just steal all of this and sell it? I'd definitely make a fortune and finally escape the mansion. I'll be able to escape from thaf shit of a household and live by myself freely. Maybe I can visit our province? My grandparents will sirely feel delighted if they saw me with those money! Just kidding...no way I'll be able to escape that mansion. After all, I am the only one who does all the work there, so my damn family won't let me go no matter what.
Come to think of it...none of my family members are even here. Haha...their family member jumped off a building, and none of them even went here to visit?
Well, I should've expected this.
If someone really saved me from that fall and brought me here, I'd beg them to let me stay. I'd work my butt off to repay them.
But...this place feels so unfamiliar. So weird. And the way they address me and that guy, is strange, too.
"If that's the case, may I take the honor of reminding the Princess who she is?" Everyone stepped aside for the lady who just entered. She had light brown hair and pretty pink eyes. She smiled at me softly and walked over. Out of all the women here, she was the only one wearing a different uniform...although it's still a maid outfit.
"Your Highness the Princess, greetings." I furrowed my brows as she held both sides of her skirt and gave me a formal bow.
Huh?
Now I'm really getting nervous.
Why are they calling me 'Your Highness'? I'm not a princess...am I?
"I am Themis Roslyn, the Head Maid of Antares Palace. And you, Your Highness, is..."
"Alina Devi de Ciera. The First and only Princess of the Ciera Empire."
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