A loud sigh of relief escaped my lips as I leaned back into the tub filled with warm water. Steam emitted from the water's surface, my skin turning red under the heat. The heat embraced my greasy body as the flowery smell of the soap infused water drowned out the horrendous odour that had attached itself to my body. Wow… this really is the life of a royal.
When I arrived at Desya's house, I wasted no time going for a shower. Love initially offered, though it felt more like begging, to shower me; saying that was one of the duties she has as my maid.
I looked her dead in the eyes and gently smiled at her before giving her a flat 'no'. However, Love didn't give in without a fight. She grabbed towels and body soaps and insisted to bathe me. She chased me around the house, trying to drag me to the bathhouse, but thankfully, Desya held her down so that I could run into the bathroom. Remembering how I managed to escape with my dignity by the skin of my teeth made my face pale.
I whistled as I looked at the interior of the bathroom. It was grand. Burke must pay Desya a lot for his service, since he could afford such a majestic bathroom.
The ceilings were at least three metres high, marble tiles climbed from the floor up to the walls. The bathtub I'm in was carved out of what seemed like a big, black rock. Back where I lived; a bathroom like this could easily fetch 6 digits. It truly was a luxury I'm sure few could afford. Not to mention, the mirror- My reflection caught my attention.
Hung up on the wall across from the bathtub was a tall mirror. Its edges were embellished by a silver frame. It must have been a high-quality mirror because even with all the clouds of steam, I still could clearly see the juxtaposition of the 'me' now and then.
Then, I dyed my black hair a deep, velvety shade of red. Even with consistent bleaching and dying, I still wasn't able to hide my black hair. Now, from the tips of my hair to my roots, all of it was a dark, blood-like red. A colour that back then I so desperately tried to achieve.
My fingers carefully pinched and rolled a lock of hair. It felt real and soft; the type of texture you'd get from having healthy, non-dyed hair; a sensation that was foreign to me.
Then, when I reached adulthood and could support myself; I became desperate to remove any traces of my past. The dull, black colour of my hair was one thing that reminded me of the 'me' in the past, so I didn't waste anytime changing its colour.
But now- A triumphant smile grew on my lips- Nothing would remind me of back then.
'Reborn' That fancy word glowed in my mind. My body sank in deeper in the tub, my nose just barely above the water's surface.
After exacting my revenge in my homeland, I travelled to Korea. My older sister was someone who was obsessed with Korean culture, even going as far as being awarded my country's 'second most fluent person in Korean.' Her love for Korea somehow influenced me to visit there on my first trip after my revenge.
I wonder how my sister is now. Does she have a lover now? Did she finally make her dream of having a happy family come true? Is she missing me? I closed my eyes as I recalled our last interaction.
It was just like any other day. I visited her at her office just to grab coffee. We talked and talked, reminiscing about our childhood memories. Though most of them were bitter and painful, we only ever mentioned the sweet ones. Our conversation was filled with laughter, but as I took each sip of that coffee I was drinking, a tightness tugged at my chest.
Maybe it was because I was leaving her early the next morning. Maybe it was because she didn't know this. Or maybe it was because I knew my parents would come to her instead of me after I left. I could only swallow my guilt as I talked to her.
Three in the morning the next day; I took a cab to the airport before jumping on a flight to Korea. My heart was filled with glee as I looked back at the country where my most forlorn self lived. I could finally leave. I could finally be free.
I knew that abandoning my siblings was bad, but they could take care of themselves now. They weren't helpless nor were they still under my parent's tyranny. If my siblings ignore my parents, I'm sure happiness in the future would be an easy feat for them.
Anyway, my presence there would only be a hindrance. They should be happier once I'm gone.
The plane took off and soon, only clouds filled the scenery. My mind wandered off to my parents. How would my parents react once they read my email? Would they be heartbroken? Angry?
I chuckled softly. The mere thought of them feeling hurt brought me joy. Yes; that was my revenge. For the past ten years, I worked my ass off to be where I am now. Whether it was my professors giving me a shitload of work to do, my pervert boss feeling me up every meeting, my body shutting down on me- I tolerated it. Just so I could break free from my parent's reins. Just for this moment.
My nails clawed at the seat I was on. Goosebumps crawled from my legs up my neck, saliva dripped down my chin as tears flowed down my cheeks. Their expression of hurt and betrayal- I can almost imagine it. And it… would be glorious.
After years under their dictation, how does it feel to have your favourite toy turn her back onto you and leave?
'Yes, Yes!' My heart yelled.
All for them to feel the slightest bit of what they made me feel.
Yes! Hurt! I want them to hurt!
No matter how they beg and cry, their precious daughter will never come back!
Yes! - My eyes rolled back as my body shivered with pleasure. My body convulsed as pleasure shot up my body.
If imagining me causing my parents' pain after the hell they put me through is sick. Then hook me up to an oxygen tank and call me critically ill because no other pleasure in the world could satisfy me as much as the thought of their anguish.
I snapped back into reality and looked down at my fingers; now pruny and wrinkled. Just reminiscing about my revenge had made me so excited, I clenched my fists so tight that my nails dug too deep into my palms. Such a magnificent scene... did I ever get to see their mortified face?
"Ugh." My head throbbed.
What happened after I arrived in Korea? My eyes closed as I tried to recall, but barely anything popped up in my mind. I remembered arriving late at night and going out of the hotel to get a taste of Korean street food, but nothing else came after…
Actually, what happened to me?
Usually, the novels or manhwas I would read explained that the protagonist would travel to another world after entering a portal or dying. But I don't remember such events. I don't remember seeing any weird doors or falling into a body of water, so it's possible that I didn't enter a portal.
So did I die then? Well, I guess it would make sense if I remember nothing if I died, so that would be the most plausible scenario.
My fingers carefully brushed through my hair, untangling any knots. Back then and even now, when I think; I still play with my hair. I guess bad habits die hard.
Die... Die... How did I die? My eyes glanced at my reflection.
Illness? Well, I have always been sick. It wouldn't be a surprise. However, if it was a terminally ill type of disease; I would have memories of falling ill. And I do not recall such memories.
Ah, an accident! Usually 'truck-kun' would hit the female lead and they'd be transferred into a different world. Maybe that's how I died!
My eyes fell back to the mirror before I carefully studied 'my' features.
Well, how I died is not important. I'm in this world now, so I should only care about this the events, people and me of this world. Anyway, I'm grateful that I'm at least in a beautiful body.
"Psh!" The water splashed as I stood up.
Not just my face, my body was beautiful. With sun-kissed, soft skin, ample bosoms and a 'twerkable' ass, I'd describe my current body as nothing short but perfect. People may call me narcissistic, but I believe self love and confidence was no such thing. There was no shame in admitting my beauty; it's not as if I value my body above the worth of others.
Anyway, I'm sure if the people who would call me a narcissist saw what I'm seeing right now, they wouldn't dare to judge. Rather, they'd be pleading to spend a night with me.
Desya himself confirmed my beauty. He said my peculiar yet breathtaking looks were because I'm a Circen. If a man that was as serious as Desya could admit my charm; I'm positive I'm as beautiful as I made myself out to be. So much so that Desya had me wear a hood before leaving the house.
After all, it would explain why those soldiers wanted me. I bit my lower lip. Agh, I just ruined my lavish mood just thinking about them.
Loosely, I draped the silk robe Love left out of the bathroom for me around my body. When I entered the house, Desya and Love were sitting at the dinner table. Their faces turned red when they saw me. Love ran at me and pulled on the robe. In seconds, she turned the robe into a blanket that coddled me.
"Your highness, how could you show so much skin?!" Love reprimanded me.
A weak smile formed on my lips as my ears bore the pain of Love's nagging. She shook my limp body as she chastised me.
"Ahem!" Desya cleared his throat.
His gaze averted from me as he opened his mouth to speak.
"We have some news to tell you, Your Highness." He announced.
Love's face turned sour. She released her grip on my shoulder before walking over to her seat by Desya and sitting down. My brows joined each other as I asked Love what was going on. She didn't answer me. Her eyes were busy glued to the floor.
Love inhaled sharply before raising her head. She chewed on her lower lip, her face rucked up. Still, she avoided my gaze. I observed her as she parted her raw lips before speaking.
"It's Aolenoa, My Queen. It's… It's gone."