My eyes opened, I found myself lying on the soft white bed, I must be back in my body. As I blinked, a blurry vision of a woman sitting next to me.
"G-good morning, my lady.." She said in a soft-spoken manner. She pushed the chair backwards and stood up. "Lord Hugo, the lady is awake."
A heavy sound of footsteps is approaching. It stopped when a tall build of a man towered us.
"Help her get up." Hugo commanded.
"Please allow me to touch you, my lady." The woman said as she slid her hand under my back and reclined my body gently on the bed. What's happening with me? Why can't I move a single finger? Hugo handed her a cup and she took it. "Please drink this medicine, my lady. It would help you feel better."
I managed to nod though my head feels heavy. Then, she placed the cup under my mouth and slowly raised it as I took a sip from it. When the cup empties, my vision starts to become clear and my body feels light again.
Just as I thought, faeries have abilities to heal but the pain will come back if we did not drink medicine. And for what Wilhelm did to me, he just healed me subconsciously.
And thinking about that punk, I hastily got up from the bed. The moment when the numbness in my body was gone, I could feel his lips on my hand. My heart began to flutter and I tapped my cheeks to calm myself.
When I realized my actions, I looked at the people in front of me, both of their eyes widened. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment.
"T-thank you so much. I feel better than ever." I smiled at them while tucking some strands of hair behind my ear.
They both sighed in relief. When the woman caught my gaze, she slightly bent her knee as she held her black dress and bowed. She has toffee-colored hair that was braided at the back of his head and some visible freckles on her cheeks. Her face shows that she is born from a noble family. If she's one, I should not be caught like this. What was Hugo thinking?
"I apologize for the late introduction, your grace. I am Gwyneth from the house of Benoît."
So she's really from a powerhouse. And Benoît? I think I heard it before.
Hugo cleared his throat. "Her father was a beagle, my lady. And the one who wrote the 200th Book of Human Realm, Baron William Benoît."
"Ah, I remembered." I nodded. That was the latest book I've read before coming here. That's why her name sounds familiar. "But..why are you here?"
"I-I'm actually Lord Hugo's apprentice, my lady. And currently, a beagle to this world." She replied.
A beagle, a faery that disguises as a human to obtain information and share it to the faery realm. It was said that every 10 years, they sent a beagle to update the book, because human lives changes every generation unlike us who don't really believe in innovation since we depend on magic too much.
"Is that so?" I averted my gaze to Hugo. "Did you tell her about me?"
Hugo looked down. "Yes, my lady. I took a hair strand from you and made her wear the bracelet of lies." He kneeled down while his head was facing the floor. "Please forgive me for being imprudent. I let her help you because I had no choice."
I glanced at Gwyneth, her face shows uneasiness as she looks down. I became upset to see both of them feared me. If it wasn't for the damned curse, would they change the way they see me? Would I become the lovable and merciful duchess at first sight? Do I look horrifying in everyone's eyes?
I heave a sigh. "Stand up, Hugo. I forgive you since you promise to help me."
He did what I said.
I turned my head to Gwyneth and reached her left hand. A braided strand of my hair is tattooed around her wrist. Why does Hugo have to go this far? A single lie will kill her.
The bracelet is like a leash. Since she has my hair, she can't lie, spill my secrets and betray me because the hair will cut through her pulse but..an idea came to my mind.
"Hugo." I called him. "Why don't you wear one too?"
I can't let Gwyneth be the only one to wear the bracelet. I must be fair, I can't fully trust Hugo too.
"I..gladly accept it, my lady." Without hesitation, he handed me his quivering hand.
I took out a strand of my hair and started braiding it. After that, I wore it to Hugo's wrist. Then, a spark appeared, burning my hair before it became a tattoo.
This method is mostly used to the slaves of other nobles. I actually hated the idea of it because you can't just force someone to be loyal to you. However, it can be undone but considering my situation right now, I need it.
"A breakfast is prepared for you, my lady." Hugo said, breaking the tension in the room.
"Okay." I moved the sheet away and Gwyneth helped me stand up.
We headed to the table and I just noticed that I am already wearing a black satin robe with a mini dress inside by the reflection on the glass window. I stopped walking and faced Gwyneth.
"D-Did you change my clothes?" I shyly whispered to her while Hugo was preparing the food on the table.
"Y-yes, my lady." She also replied in a low tone. "Is it uncomfortable to wear? Do you want to change it? I can help you--"
"No, no, no." I shook my head. "It's not like that. Is it okay to wear this?"
Back in the kingdom, I used to change into gowns whenever I left my room. I'm just wondering if it's okay to wear something revealing in front of them.
"Ah, yes, my lady. That's what women mostly wear in this world but because this country is tropical, it is normal to wear something light." She stated.
I am just not used to the hanging neckline that my cleavage is almost peeking. I looked at Gwyneth's chest accidentally and felt defeated. I think there's not much to reveal anyway.
"Please have a seat, my lady." Hugo cut off our little chat.
He pulled a seat for me and I timidly sat down, still feeling awkward about what I am wearing. Maybe I skipped a page in the book about the fashion of humans.
Gwyneth placed the utensils in front of me and I tied the napkin around my neck just to cover my necklace even though it's not the appropriate way of using it. I don't want Hugo to feel the mana in it.
The table was filled with a plate of bacon, omelet, toasted bread, raspberries and butter. I feel like I'm still in the dukedom. The odd fact about faeries and humans is that we eat the same thing.
I was going to reach for the bread but I saw them standing beside me. They cleared their throats and looked sideways.
"Please tell us if you want something, my lady." Gwyneth said.
I put down my hand on the table. "Why don't you join me?"
"But my lady, that's--"
"Who cares?" I cut Hugo. "We're not in the dukedom so it's fine."
It has always been part of our etiquette that you mustn't eat before someone who's higher in your status when you're with them.
They exchanged their glares before deciding to sit in front of me and we started eating silently. I somehow regretted persuading them. A few moments passed no one dared to talk, the only noise is the utensils being used.
This can't do. I need to approach them.
"You can talk, you know. I don't bite." I started.
Gwyneth's face heated up, making her freckles much visible.
Hugo stopped slicing the bacon and faced me. I swallowed unconsciously the omelet that was in my mouth. I never thought that he could look scary in a glance.
"How is Wilhelm, my lady?" He asked.
"W-Wilhelm?" I almost choke but the good thing is there's a glass of water beside me. I took a quick sip before answering him. "He's doing great."
"I'm glad to hear that, your grace. He's not sending me messages lately so I thought it has something to do with your arrival here." He exhaled. "Time really flies fast, that boy has grown so much."
After he sent his son to the academy, he didn't visit him even once. Wilhelm was in our care since then.
"Really?" I forced a smile. "I'm sure he misses you. I'll tell him to write to you when I come back."
I'm going to tell Wilhelm tonight.
"Thank you, my lady." He bowed.
"How about you, Gwyneth? How is being a beagle?"
She took a quick sip of her tea. "It's great, my lady. I'm a college student in this world and I help Lord Hugo in the hotel at night but we have a term break that's why I'm focused on the hotel these days."
I nodded. "I see."
I never thought that Gwyneth could talk to me like her life is not on stake. I'm grateful, at least they're trying not to feel uneasy.
We finished our meal and after they cleaned the table, Hugo made me sit on the couch, facing the huge black screen. He held a black rectangular device and pressed a button from it. Then, a middle-aged woman with a depressed face holding a picture of another woman appeared on the screen.
"Sana po tulungan niyo po ako na mahanap ang anak ko (Please help me find my daughter)." She sniffed and wiped her tears. "Tatlong linggo napo siya nawawala (It's been three weeks that she's missing)."
"May sinabi ba siya sa inyo bago siya nawala? (Did she say something to you before she was lost?)" Someone asked her.
"Ang sabi niya po sa akin may nag recruit daw po sa kaniya na maging model. Hindi ko po sana siya papayagan pero pinakita niya po sa akin yung calling card nung nag recruit sa kaniya, e mukha maasahan naman po kaya pinayagan ko po siya (She told me that someone recruited her to be a model. I wouldn't have allowed her but she showed me the calling card of the one who recruited her, and it's seemed legit that's why I let her).." The mother paused and cried loudly. "Anak..umuwi kana. Miss na miss ka na ni nanay. (My daughter, please come home. Mother miss you so much)"
I suddenly feel the sorrow of the woman. Then the screen zoomed and I gasped to see who's the picture.
"I know her!" I stood up and pointed the screen. "That's the dead woman we found near the portal!"
"That's what I want you to see, your grace. She's the latest missing person in this city." Hugo turned off the screen.
"Latest? You mean, there are missing people aside from her?"
He nodded. "Yes, your grace. Based on the information, their bodies were already found dead and all of them were females. The last was one was still declared missing."
What in the two worlds happened?
"S-she's Stella.." Gwyneth sobbed. "..the one who's missing, your lady. I knew her because she was my classmate from the university. I didn't expect something horrible to happen to her."
A student? I pinched my chin. I can't think of possible reasons why these series of killings happened. Is it made by a fae? I must tell Wilhelm about this.
I went to Hugo, asking him to teach me how to use the black screen. I need to get more information. He taught me until I learned.
"You can now go." I said to them while switching the channels.
"But, how about your lunch, my lady?" Hugo said.
"I'll be fine."
"If you say so, my lady. Just press the red button at the kitchen if you need anything."
"I will." I reassured him. I went to Gwyneth who's still sobbing and tapped her shoulder. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
She sobbed as a reply. They bowed before exiting my room.
I sat down on the couch again and switching the channels but there's no news like earlier. I keep on pressing the remote until a comedy show appeared.
A moment passed and I suddenly feel drowsy. A thought came to my mind. If I were still in the castle, I might be signing tax papers right now. I wonder what Martha is doing now that she doesn't have anyone to nag.
I woke up because of hunger and it was already night. I stood up and paused when someone was standing near the balcony's door.
"W-who are you?!" I hysterically asked. I hid my right hand behind me to make a weapon if something happens.
The tall figure with a black cape turned to me. It was Wilhelm. The moon's light shines upon his face.
"Hello, my lady." He oddly smiled.
My brows creased. "Why are you here? Did you cross the portal? Why can't you listen to me?!"
He walked towards me until our face is few inches away. He touched my cheeks.
His calloused and warm hand made me red.
"Are you not happy to see me, my lady?" He talked in an unusual way. What's wrong with him?
He moved his hands down and his eyes turned to red. My heart raced. I was going to move away but I was too late, he instantly choked me. "You can't run away from me, Sydelle. I will always be a part of you."
He convulsively laughed and tears fell from my eyes as I was gasping for air. The spirit takes Wilhelm's form now. It was copying my mother before.
"I will soon take your body, see you again, my lady." A sudden dispersion happened before I could finally breathe.
"MY LADY! WAKE UP!" A voice awakened me. When I open my eyes, adrenaline takes over me as I see Wilhelm's face again. My foot moved on its own and landed on his face. His body crashed against the black screen, making his nose bleed in green. Is he real this time?
He chuckled as he wiped his nose. "You kick like a child, Lady Sydelle."