...174 years ago...
The ceiling that greeted me was sophisticated and refined. The tiles appeared to be made out of gold and in the middle of each one was a three-headed lion.
As I stared above, two maids entered my room and peered down at me.
I looked back at them with an emotionless expression. I had been through this same situation many times before. It didn't even startle me anymore. I would die then wake up in a body of an infant. The first time was traumatic, but by the fourth time, I didn't even care anymore.
The one maid sized me up, "Wow. She really does have green eyes and white hair. A spitting image of the Baron."
The other maid nodded, "Yeah, too bad she wasn't a boy."
"You said she hasn't cried at all?"
The maid looked at me with a distressed expression, "No! She just stares at you with that blank expression. It's so creepy."
The other maid reached down towards me. I used my arm to slap it away. The maid's mouth dropped, "What a violent child!"
"I know! The doctor checked her out and said she was normal and healthy despite the complications with the mother. Poor Lady Isabella." She shook her head with a sigh, "I feel so bad for her deceased mother... The Baron couldn't even remember Lady Isabella's name even though she had his child."
The other snickered, "Please. How many mistresses does he have? She probably died because of lack of love."
The two giggled. They were both glad to be maids and not mistresses. The maid focused her attention back on me. She looked at me with a mix of contempt and curiosity, "So, Moao huh? Who named her that?"
"Not the Baron. When he found out she wasn't a boy, he told the butler he didn't care to name her. He only told him that he wanted to find a new mistress and try again."
As the maids continued their endless gossip, I began to ponder their words.
My name is Moao, eh? How unique. Although I am glad they talk in a language I have learned in the past, they seem to have an accent I have never heard before. The current atmosphere reminded me of 1800's London.
How strange that no matter if it's another world, there were still similarities in style.
I listened to the maid's prattle on and felt my stomach growl. I began to move around but didn't have much luck in getting their attention. When I couldn't catch their attention I shouted, "Stupid maids!"
Or at least, I tried to.
It came out in ahhs since my tongue felt frozen. They looked down at me and I pointed to my mouth.
"Is she hungry?"
I ahh'd in response.
"Does, does she understand us?"
I stared up at them with a blank expression. Do I really have to cry? If so, I'd rather starve.
I tried to attempt a nod and pointed at my mouth again.
"I guess I will go get the wet nurse."
I really hate the baby phase.
While I waited impatiently to grow out of a baby's body, I discovered that I wasn't well-liked. All the maids seemed scared of me, but I didn't really care. I had also never seen my father, but I didn't care about that either.
As the months went by, I was finally able to walk and talk, much to the horror of the servants. It was incredibly abnormal to watch a child under a year old make so much progress. What was more abnormal is that my personality was indifferent and cold. Much unlike a normal child.
Then again, I wasn't a normal child.
Before, I would make sure to not stand out as a child in fear of prosecution. However, in this life, I didn't care.
I didn't pay attention to anyone else and only spoke to others when I had to. It was only natural they were a little afraid. They taught me the alphabet and I learned it all within a day. Due to my reincarnation curse, I could remember everything and only needed to be taught first. Thus, I was able to learn advanced subjects when I was still a toddler.
I wonder if maybe I should tone it down as I have in my past lives, so I wouldn't stick out and frighten people. However, this world was boring and it was the only thing to do.
I spent the majority of my time reading books from the library. The servants would watch on in horror as I read complicated literature. If I wasn't in the library, then I was out in the garden. When I was 5 years old, I finally saw the Baron for the first time.
I sat in the garden replanting and caring for the flowers when I heard a rough voice behind me. "How disgusting."
I turned around to see a man who did bear resemblance to me. He also had white hair and emerald-colored eyes. His expression was stern, and his aura was arrogant. He looked at me in disgust as the other servants bent down to pay respect to him.
Ah, so this has to be the Baron.
I stared back at him with indifference and met his gaze without fear. I looked away and ignored him which only made him angrier. He spat out, "This is my supposed daughter? You all made her seem so special. However, she's only an ill-mannered child."
The servants felt shame for even mentioning me to him as I sat observing the leaves.
This man is really annoying.
I pulled off a leaf and held it up to the sky, "Did you know? These flower's leaves can actually be brewed into a tea."
He didn't expect me to speak and was caught off guard, "Huh?"
I gazed back at the Baron with a blank look and spoke in an indifferent tone, "It's extremely deadly but delicious. When you first drink it, you will be fine. However, within the hour your organs will shut down. Your bladder will rupture and fill your body with bacteria. It's truly an agonizing way to die."
The Baron had no idea how to retort.
I paused and added impassively, "Next time you visit, I will make sure to make you a cup of tea."
I turned back to tend to the flowers once more.
The servants and the Baron felt their jaws drop. They thought to themselves: Did this tiny girl just threaten to kill the Baron? Isn't that treason?
They looked to the Baron in a panic. He cleared his throat and turned back to the servants, "Just who has been teaching her these things?"
They all refused to meet his eyes.
They nudged the butler who stepped forward, "Actually, My Lord. She refuses to let anyone teach her."
His tone was harsh, "What?"
The butler started to shake visibly and managed to stutter out, "S-She said that w-we weren't smart enough."
The Baron looked back at me, but I was so disinterested in the conversation that I had long given up listening. He turned back to the servants who were shaking. He clicked his tongue, "She's right."
He turned to walk away with the servants in tow. The servant walked up to me while I was still tending the flowers. He pleaded with me, "Please Lady Moao. The Baron is a very easily angered man. He has had people beheaded for much less."
"Mmn." I hummed back in disinterest.
The servant sighed in exasperation, "Aren't you afraid for your life? Even though you're his daughter, he wouldn't take mercy on you."
I turned to the servant and replied indifferently, "I am not afraid of death. There are always far worse things."
The servant swallowed hard in response.
I didn't see the Baron after that for a while.
Years passed and I grew bored of the palace life. When I turned 10, it was almost unbearable. I had already read all of the books in the library and my garden had grown to the point that it was more like a forest.
One day, I was forced to have dinner with the Baron.
He usually ate in his office, but today he sat at the dinner table with me. I stared at him in indifference as the maids began to bring out plates of food and set them down in front of us. Another one brought in a wine bottle and served the Baron.
I eyed the wine bottle and felt my throat go dry. I haven't had a drink since my previous life. I didn't think they even had alcohol here since it was never served.
But I suppose that was because I have only ever eaten alone.
I cleared my throat and motioned toward the wine bottle. The servant froze as she knew exactly what I wanted. The servant fervently refused to bring it over causing me to frown slightly.
Fine. Since you won't do what I ask, then I can only do this.
Calmly, I stood up and reached toward the candle. I walked straight toward the display by the fireplace. I took the flame of the candle and set the display on fire. With no expression, I returned back to my seat with the candle and sat down. The servants rushed to extinguish the fire as I spoke in a bored tone, "This palace is far too flammable."
The Baron looked up at the exchange and sighed, "Let her have a bit. She won't like it anyway."
The servant nodded and did as he said. I reached out and smelled it. I didn't like red wine, but I did miss the mind-numbing drink. It was the only thing that ever cured me of recalling these painful memories.
I drank it as if I were a pro, savoring every drop. The Baron stared at me stupefied. To him, I didn't seem like a person from this world.
I felt his stare and looked at him indifferently. I noticed a peach in his hand and without a change in tone said, "You can turn the pit of a peach into cyanide. It's a horrible and painful death, but it would be so quick you wouldn't be able to find help before it killed you."
I went back to eating while everyone else in the room felt their jaws drop once more.
That day, the Baron decided to not accept anything from his daughter.