["Next time I will introduce myself to you. "]
hmmm... I tried to open my eyes but it was heavy. Then, I felt a strange sensation that someone is gently combing my hair soothing my head as if I was being lulled to sleep.
["When your spiritual and mana core became strong, do find me."]
The voice was added to my sleepiness when something cold and distinct touch my cheeks. I winced and turned around only to hear a low chuckle behind me.
["Go back to them. You will forget everything by the time you wake up. But you will remember by the time it comes, Wren."]
Uh... the lights hurt my sight, I squinted and saw blurry faces of my cousins. What just happened? My head aches as I slowly raise my head.
"Wren!" the three of them shout my name. They were weeping like I had died. Wait, It was faint but I remember myself being thrown in the lake with some girl.
Warm hands gripped tightly on my shoulders, my world shakes every time someone shakes me uncontrollaby hard. I find myself dizzy and my stomach's turned upside down.
"Yessenia... you can stop now." Aria said and helped me separate myself from Yessenia.
"How stupid can you be?!" Raelle scowled at me, Hands on the hips. She looks like the kid I took care of one time in my past life. It pisses me off especially when she looks exactly like that kid.
She must have realized that I am still not in the right condition to get mad at me.
"Are you alright?" I looked behind me and saw a boy, kind of older than me. His clothes are ragged and wet as he squeezes and wrings it.
"He's the one who saved you," Raelle answered me and sighed deeply. Well, I thought I saw someone else. A girl looked like that bloody kid we saw last night. I do know that she is no ghost since her hand is warm that time. I looked around. My heart thumps hard and fast. Did she die? Oh, no.
Some kid died and I am here alive. She tried to save me and yet...
"She's fine. Currently at the infirmary." Aria whispered to me closely. She then looks into my eyes. How come she knows I am looking for someone?
That gaze... I am bothered by it there is something with her eyes. After Aria went away Yessenia and Astreia came to me. Asking me for the third time if I'm really alright.
"I'm really fine." Couple of hurried steps towards us can be heard from the stone pavement. My cousins stops crying and looked at the direction where its coming.
It didn't take long and I saw Mother along with Aunt Mavis, Aunt Evelyn and Jemina. They all arrived, short breathed as they looked at our place. Jemina brought me more towels and helped me dry myself first before covering my body with a towel,
She's sweating too much and their complexion looks like a drained cranberry juice. Suddenly, I want to drink cranberry juice.
"Oh, Heavens! Wren you are all right!" Aunt Evelyn exclaimed as she rushed to one of the maids. Aunt Mavis sighs in relief as she looks at her kids.
I think she is relieved to see that Yessenia did not join me on my afternoon swimming. I can see why she will think of it after all Yessenia is doing everything she wants and I think she knows what that kind of glance her mother gave.
Jemina suddenly kneels down in front of mother, "Your grace... I..."
"We will talk about this later, Jemina. Stand up." My mother's tone is very authoritative that even Jemina's whole body trembled.
Aunt Evelyn noticed the boy behind us, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Im Erwin, Countess. I worked at the stables and I was passing by when I heard a loud splash and screams. I rushed over only to see them drowning." he answered while lowering his eyes. Aunt looks at him, more like observing him.
Aria spoke up then, "He saved Wren and the other kid."
she looked at Aria and nodded, "Hmm, I will speak to you later."
"Yes, Countess," He remained lowering his head until Aunt turned away, "We will see a physician for Wren. Call someone Hugh"
"Yes, my Lady"
I clung myself to my mother as we strode out of the deep forest, giving one quick glance at the lake. I feel that there is something more than the accident that I have forgotten.
*****
"She's fine, Your grace." my mother sighs in relief. The physician continues to give assurance to my mother. Recommending that I should stay in bed to rest for 2 more days.
Though, I don't feel anything weird. In fact, I am fine and refreshed for some reason but my mother insisted that I should stay in bed. They left afterwards. This is the second time I fell unconscious in this world. I hope this will be the last time I will lose consciousness.
I looked at the clock and saw that it is already dinnertime. The Physician took 2 hours to fully examine me and I am in perfect health.
"I never knew that you prefer to swim, fully clothed and drown yourself in a party," her voice is sharp and I feel the dark energy coming on my left side. Yessenia nudges Raelle and leans closer to whisper, "Are you worried?" Raelle scoffed and turned away from us. Lately I see her a carbon copy of Aunt Evelyn and it gives me shiver.
"Of course... not."
I cocked my head as she hurriedly left the room. We are dumbfounded as I stare at the door. Another side of hers surprised me. She has shyness flowing in her body.
"And you are a glutton sister." Azi butted in while playing with a toy along with Astreia. Yessenia huffs and glares at his little brother who doesn't seem to mind her glares, "Hmph. I don't care."
Those two are going to start their nonsense argument, "When are you going to leave? I am tired." If I don't chase these out I am going to have a headache.
Especially with Azi. He will find ways to annoy anyone or they will annoy Azi. His favorite to annoy are Yessenia and Astreia then he clings to my sister. Astreia looks annoyed when Azi follows her everywhere. She'a taking after our father these days.
"Sister Wren are you hungry?" Astreia offered me a piece of pie. Probably from the snacks laid in the garden earlier. I picked it from her hands and chewed. I take it back she still is an angel!
"mmmm..." The empty stomach of mine is grumbling for more and everyone heard it.
"You look famished, Wren," I looked at Yessenia and she grinned, "You didn't eat anything earlier right?" I unconsciously nod as my answer and she looked behind.
Anna sighs in resignation as if she knew what that look for, "Very well Young Miss. I will inform the Countess."
What? Why is Aunt Evelyn involved here? Minutes later a few maids came with trolleys with different kinds of food and drinks. What the... Anna stood at the door averting her gaze from me. I should have known that this is what her grin meant.
"Now let's..."
"I left you guys for 30 minutes and this is what happens?!"
Yessenia rolled her eyes at Raelle, "We will celebrate your birthday here! Wren wants to eat!"
"She is a patient who needs to rest!"
Why are you guys shouting? I want to savor these foods without them spoiling my appetite. Anna slices up for me the steak and serves me a warm cup of juice while the kids are shouting over there. I'm so done to stop them and if they don't want to eat then I will.
"Hmm... Sister and Raelle seem to be close." Azi said while playing a spoon in his mouth. Too close and they might end up stabbing each other before the day is finished. Oh, so the only ones arguing are Yessenia and Raelle then?
"Young Miss, Lord Aurea is here to check on you." I choked a little at the maid who announced it. I didn't expect another visitor apart from these rascals.
"Oh, You are all right." Uncle says as soon as he laid his eyes on me. What was that supposed to mean? It's weird to hear that from him with that kind of look.
"Yes..."
"My daughter is quite timid and unsocialized that it scared you." I raised my eyebrow in confusion. What daughter is he talking about?
"She told me after I got here about your first encounter and the accident occurred..."
I am confused but yeah, sure, whatever Uncle means. Wait? His daughter met us? And even knows the accident... He possibly can't mean
"Leanna, Say sorry to your cousins especially Wren."
My eyes grew wide as she walked forward, tucking the strands of hair fell off of her face. Her hands fidgets behind her dress as she averts her eyes away from us. She really is the kid we saw last night and with me earlier! But wait does Aria knows Leanna already? I glanced over her to find an answer and she turned away. Uh-huh, she does know her.
Im glad that she's fine but then my cousins who were dumbstruck at Leanna's appearance. "I'm so..."
"AHHH! THE LIBRARY GHOST!" Yessenia and Astreia said in Unison. Leanna jumped in surprise. They both hugged each other in horror. Meanwhile, Raelle just blankly stared at her. This scene makes me eat cake because they are being funny.
Leanna's words were inaudible because of the shouts and sobs of my sister. Leanna squeezes her eyes shut and shouts, "N-No! I'm Leanna Aurea!"
Everyone immediately let go of each other and looked at her huffing and her eyes still closed. So what the maids said are true that Leanna Aurea are known as the Wandering ghost in their duchy although no one knows if it is true. We also mistook her last night as a ghost. Just what's the red liquid that covered her?
"La-last night... You surprised me! The books tumbled on the tomato juice I left on floor... And..." ah, the tomato juice sprayed on her and spilled.
If she didn't show herself on the lake I may be like my cousins staring at her right now.