I was not enveloped by the darkness for too long.

Despite having my eyes closed, the brightness of the sun pulled me back to my senses. I raised my arm to shield my eyes from the unrelenting rays.

So I guess I actually got back here, huh?

I still didn’t understand how the travel from one world to the other worked. It doesn’t seem to only occur through losing consciousness as I have slept in the “dreamworld” for a few days too.

I felt the soft mattress hug me from the back and my fingers slowly traced across the blanket.

Where did I wake up this time around?

I slowly opened my eyes and took a good look.

Four wooden vertical columns surrounded the bed, but the curtains that hung around them were drawn.

The room itself was quaint but was fully-furnished with a mahogany dresser, two chairs and a table, and a large wooden closet on the other side.

Okay, I take it back, the room was quite lavish compared to the ones I previously stayed in, especially with the light brown wallpapers on the wall with fleur-de-lis imprinted on them.

I climbed out of bed and I felt the soft red carpet against my toes.

I can barely hear the birds chirping away in their melodies as drums and trumpets coming from outside overpowered them.

My first instinct was to head to the window and have a glimpse outside.

Grey brick floors spread across the street, with different-sized shoes briskly walking around. People donned dresses and clothes of different colors. They were buzzing about as they shopped and exchanged goods. 

There was something different in the air, it didn’t seem like it was just an ordinary day as little girls were throwing pink petals as they walked around, magical lights twinkled on the shops to invite customers, not to mention the festive music that came from a small band.

That’s it. I’m going out!

This is such a wonderful morning, I shouldn’t waste it by waiting for someone to fetch me or something.

Speaking of which, where is Ser Michael and the Holy Saint guy?

I found some slippers by the bed and wore them before opening the door. When I did, I almost fainted from shock when I saw someone standing in front of the door.

How long has she been there?

The said person was carrying a tray with a teapot and a teacup.

“Oh, you’re finally up, milady. Care for some tea?” A young woman with glasses and fringes asked.

“I am Margaret, at your service.” She did a small curtsy.

Margaret wore a white dress with long puffy sleeves and a brown vest that hugged her body and went down to the floor on top of the white garment. Brown strings interlaced in her chest kept the vest together.

“I have prepared tea for you. Dandelion root tea would greatly help in waking you up.”

I stared at her for a few seconds before walking back into the room, heading towards the wooden chair and table.

“Thank you, Margaret.” I lowered myself to the seat. “I’d like to ask... How long was I out?”

“I believe you were asleep for two whole days since you have arrived, Miss.” She said as she set the teapot and the cup on the table.

Two whole days? I don’t even think that I’ve gone back for even a second in my old world.

“Uhm, what about the person or people who brought me here? And where am I, anyway?”

“You are in the Grand Archbishop’s guest room milady.” She smiled as she started pouring the tea. “The young Lord Kiel asked the Grand Archbishop to take you in while you rested, milady. He just briefly went out and will be back shortly.”

Okay, now who’s this Kiel person?

I took in the smell of the tea and realised it had a strange scent. I slowly sipped from the cup and my face almost changed expressions with its somewhat bitter but sweet taste that left a weird feeling in my mouth. This was the first time I tried this, and it’s probably going to be the last one as well.

“I’d like to go out for a bit, there seem to be some interesting things happening outside.”

“ Lord Kiel did advise for you to stay in the room... which is quite sad, milady. The festival is about to begin.” The attendant sighed. “I would’ve loved to go out too, but my duties would always go first.”

I wondered what kind of festival it was. At the same time I also wondered about the duties that Margaret was talking about.

“That’s a bummer.”

“Bummer? I beg your pardon?”

“Erm, I meant that it’s too bad you can’t go out. What’re your duties, anyway? Oh and why don’t you have a seat too?”

“I apologise, milady. I would have to respectfully decline your request as I still need to finish the preparations for the morning worship. I will retrieve the wares at a latter time.” She took a brief bow and left.

Great.

Back to my monologues.

And here I thought I’d get to know more about this world and the people in it.

I decided to leave my tea on the table. Maybe I should’ve asked for coffee instead.

Wait, do they even have coffee here? I’ve only seen them serve and drink water, tea, and alcoholic beverages.

That sucks, coffee is like the best thing that happened to me.

With nothing else to do, I decided to dive back into the fluffy bed and it actually didn’t take long for me to succumb to its enthralling embrace.

I don’t know how long I fell asleep for, but when I came to, I heard someone say, “So you’re still such a lazy slob eh, Rinya?”

Isn’t it common courtesy to knock?

Who on earth is Rinya?

The voice sounded familiar, but I decided to keep my eyes closed. “It’s already so late in the afternoon and you’re still in bed.”

Nope. Not giving in.

“Oy, stop pretending to be asleep!”

Still no response from me.

I heard a few steps getting louder as the guy seemed to come closer.

“I know you’re awake.” A guy’s voice whispered into my ears before blowing into it.

Fuck, are you serious?

I felt heat rush towards my cheeks. I must’ve been blushing madly.

I decided to suck it in and stay still.

“Haaa. Still stubborn as always.”

He then flicked a finger on my forehead. “Ouch!” My left hand found the aching part as I tried to sit up.

“Idiot.” There was a hearty laugh. I looked at the direction from where it came from and I felt my jaw fall down as I saw blue eyes staring back at me. My eyes wandered to his long black hair tied in a pony tail.

It’s the Holy Saint guy?!!!

He wasn’t in his robes, though. He wore a black suit instead that went around his lean body.

Wait, I don’t get it. Wasn’t he like overbearingly formal last time? Like he actually worshipped me? Which I admit, I sort of liked.

And where the heck is his halo?

“Cat got your tongue? Or are you perhaps more awake now?” A playful smile lingered in his lips as he stood up. He placed his right hand on his hip.

“Well excuse me for being shocked! Last time I checked, you were so friggin’ nice! Plus you had a halo. How could I have comprehended how you suddenly became an ass?” I rolled my eyes at him.

“Haha. Nice to have you back, Rinya.” He said as he ruffled my hair.

I tried to move away from his hand. “Why are you calling me with that name. That’s not my name.”

“Silly girl. That has always been your name, even before the hands of time began turning.”

There was a brief pause. I gazed into those blues which looked back at me with an expression I couldn’t fathom.

Damn, he’s so handsome. Too bad he’s a jerk. What happened to that adorable guy who was too passionate about his deity?

He knelt down by the bed and carefully grabbed a lock of my blonde hair.

He slowly pressed it to his lips. “Morrigna la Seule Déesse.”

He was a little too close that I could somewhat feel his breathe on my cheek. “Rinya.”

“It really is nice to have you back, my goddess.” He closed his eyes.

“It’s been terribly long...” He whispered softly, as if his heart ached.

I felt like the air around him changed. It also didn’t help that I was red as a tomato.

“Hey, hey. Don’t blush too much, you’ll make me blush too.” He teased, his thin lips were angled with a playful grin.

This guy... Was he always this rude?!