'Who are you?', he repeated himself.
This was the first time someone in this world realized that I was not Elaine. What do I do? I don't have much time to think, but here is what I know.
1. He won't shoot me right away, we are in the palace after all. People will hear the gunshot and he won't want to be found guilty of murder which gives me sometime to think of my answer.
2. He knows I'm not Elaine just by having one conversation with me, so acting ignorant won't work with him, he's smart.
3. If I told him the truth he might not believe me and ask for proof that I don't have. But what other choice do I have?
First let's see what he knows already and move on from there.
'What do you mean, Oliver?' I need to know whether he knows for sure I'm not his sister.
'Don't play dumb. You're not Elaine, what have you done to her?' He then clicked the gun's safety open.
He's being serious, do I just tell him the truth?
'I didn't do anything to her.' I decided to just end the charade. Perhaps it is a good thing that someone knows I'm not the real Elaine. I didn't realize it but having this secret to myself was a burden I've been carrying. Only the kings knows I'm not Elaine, but I barely know him and seldom see him.
So having someone I can rely on with this secret could be a good thing.
'Then how come you are in her body?!' He came closer with the gun. There was little space between us now.
Lisa was trembling in the corner of the room. She shouted as soon as he showed the gun and stumbled backwards.
I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves. In front of me was not a criminal, but a smart man who wanted answers.
'If you want to know the truth, then put the gun down. Do you think I can explain with that gun in front of my face,' I showed him a stern expression to show how serious I was. There was not a hint of fear in my composure.
He looked at me closer, the sunlight reflected in his glasses that was hindering me from seeing his eyes was gone and I could see the seriousness in his eyes. Neither of us were playing right now.
He slowly lowered his gun and said, 'Talk.'
I told him everything, how I came from another world and that the real Elaine's soul had died. That the king reincarnated my soul into Elaine's body and what he wanted of me, to be the future queen.
The whole time I told him that he and others of this world was just a character in a book he was silent. Not a single word came out of his mouth and his listened intently to my story. What I had done since I arrived here and that no one else, but the king knows of my real identity.
At the end of it he gave a really loud sigh.
'Haaah.'
I gulp down my fears. I didn't know if he believes me, but at least he wasn't laughing or screaming. That's a good since right?
I kept quiet and waited for his response.
'So my sister is dead?'
I nodded.
There was a screaming silence that went throughout the room. I thought he didn't care about Elaine since he didn't even come to her funeral and he was barely in her life. But perhaps I was wrong.
A tear went down his face finally dropping itself to the floor. He looked away from me to hide his expression.
I'm surprised he believes all this especially how the king re-winded time.
He then wiped his face and got up from the sofa, I looked up to see what he would do next.
'Are you alright?' I asked him. I don't know what it was like to lose a family member, but that seems to be the right thing to ask if any question was.
'Yes I just needed a minute.'
We stayed quiet like that for a while.
'Perhaps I can come back another time after you've processed all this,' with all the information he had to take in he was probably overwhelmed.
'No no, I will do as you ask and go help the refugees. But in exchange could you do me a favor?'
'Sure,' I wasn't sure what he wanted of me.
'Don't let anyone else know about this, I don't want Elaine to die a second time,' My guess was that he was afraid people would think I was an evil woman who took over someone else's body and kill me for it.
'Don't worry I don't plan on dying a second time,' I gave him a small smile then I got up from the sofa and left the room with Lisa behind me.
The doors of the room was closed behind me. As I left the room I was reminded of the person who had helped me inside the palace was waiting for me in the garden.
I had a guess of who it would be, there was only one person in this palace who knows me and has the power to let people inside.
I walked through the castle as I once had and went back to the garden where I once had tea. I was greeted by the white decorated table with the fanciest looking loops and golden flower decorations once again.
Sitting on one of the two seats on either sides of the table was the same bearded old man who had made all this possible. He gave me a smile with closed eyes and waved at me.
'Hello again Elaine Castelle,' said the king.