Aria couldn't shake off the haunting memory of the day she witnessed her own body blur. It occurred only once and hasn't repeated, yet it continues to weigh on her mind.
What really happened that day?
As she reflects further, it triggers memories of her initial arrival in this world. Originating from a different world, she has resided here for an extended period. Does the incident of her body blurring signify a gradual fading from this world? Will she be returning to her original world now?
"No," she whispered, shaking her head.
The idea of leaving tormented her, especially considering the family she had built in this world. The thought of abruptly returning to her origin was unbearable, as she had grown deeply attached to her current life. Tears welled up as she contemplated leaving her loved ones behind. "I can't leave them. I don't want to."
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her room door. Swiftly wiping away her tears, she commanded, "Come in."
Cedrik entered, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, the tea in the garden is already prepared," he informed.
"Alright, let's go," she replied.
Cedrik observed her unease, sensing that something was once again troubling her.
As they made their way to the garden, William and Cedrik followed her gaze as she strolled among the red roses.
"Ced, William," she began, her voice carrying an unusual gravity.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" they replied in unison.
"If one day I am gone or missing, promise me that you will still take care of my children and protect them, no matter what happens," she implored.
Confused, the two men exchanged glances.
"Of course, we will," Cedrik assured her.
"Why do you suddenly say that, Your Majesty? Is someone threatening you again?" William inquired.
A faint smile crossed her lips. "No threat. I just want to ensure my children's safety until they grow up."
"You sound like you're going somewhere or something," Cedrik furrowed his brows.
"And you're making us worried," William added.
"Don't worry about me," she reassured them, continuing to walk.
Spotting Ryu on a tree branch, she waved at him. However, William couldn't shake the feeling that Aria's words hinted at an imminent departure or something more ominous.
.
.
....
As days passed, Aria noticed changes in her body—growing weaker and more fragile. Fatigue and dizziness easily overcame her. While selecting clothes, dizziness struck again.
"Your Majesty, are you all right?" inquired the Head Maid.
"I'm fine. Please continue," Aria said, sitting down.
Cedrik, witnessing her paleness, expressed concern.
"Your Majesty, you should see a doctor. You've been like this for days," Cedrik suggested.
"I'm fine; perhaps just tired. I'll rest. Inform Lady Alicia I won't attend her tea party and send gifts to her," she ordered.
Cedrik assisted her to the bed, but worry escalated as her nose bled.
"Your Majesty!" the maid exclaimed.
"Call the doctor!" Cedrik commanded. Anxiety etched his face. "Do you feel pain? Please say something."
Aria, wiping her nose, stared at the blood on her fingers. Then, it happened again. She witnessed her hands becoming blurry.
"C-Ced..." fear marked her expression. "Ced... I'm scared." she uttered, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at him.
"You'll be fine. The doctor is coming," Cedrik reassured, trying to comfort her.
.
.
"How's my wife?" Mikhail inquired of the doctor.
Aria is now sleeping.
"Her Majesty had a nosebleed due to exhaustion. As we grow older, our bodies weaken, and Her Majesty can't escape that. I suggest she stop attending outside parties and stay inside the palace to rest. With proper rest, she'll recover soon," the doctor explained.
"Alright, thank you. You may leave now," Mikhail dismissed the doctor, who bowed and exited.
"Father, will Mother be alright?" Matias asked, concern evident.
Mikhail observed Matias and cast a glance at the other children standing at the door, their worry evident for their mother. The children hesitated to enter freely, for the emperor was inside their mother's room. Fearful of him, only Matias had the courage to step inside.
Mikhail patted his son's head. "She'll be fine. Let her rest for a while."
Matias nodded and cast a glance at his mother, his worry evident in his eyes.
.
.
Kaye... Kaye...
"Mom? Dad?"
Aria was surprised to see her parents waving at her. She looked around, finding herself in the modern world, her original world—tall buildings, parks, and shops.
Sis! Let's go! her brother called. As she took a step forward, a familiar voice stopped her.
Kaye...
Turning around, she saw Mikhail and the others.
Kaye, where are you going? Gawain asked.
Kaye, let's go. Our children are waiting. Claudius said.
Kaye, are you leaving us? Rasheen asked.
Kaye... Xerxes muttered.
Your Majesty... Cedrik, William, and Ryu called her.
Master, don't leave! Hachi cried.
Kaye! She also saw Napoleon, Izekiel, and Valentine.
Kaye... Mikhail offered his hand. Come here, let's go home together.
Kaye??? Her parents called her as well. Kaye, let's go. Dinner is ready. Her mom said, smiling.
Her father and siblings smiled, offering their hands.
"W-What's going on?" she stepped back, frustrated, holding her head.
They all repeated her name, and she shouted, "P-Please... Stop!"
She woke up, panting and sweating. It was just a dream.
"You're awake..."
She noticed Mikhail sitting beside her.
"How are you feeling? Do you still feel dizzy?" he asked.
"I'm already feeling fine. Sorry if I made you worried," she said, holding her head.
"The doctor said you have to take a rest and stay in the palace. I already gave orders to the nobles that you won't receive any invitations for parties starting today," Mikhail explained.
"I'm sorry for being weak," Aria expressed.
He held her hand, placing it on his face. "Why are you blaming yourself? It's normal for us to get sick. Please take care of yourself more. I don't want to see you having a hard time again. It pains me every time I see you in pain."
She caressed his face. "I will." Then, she kissed him on the cheek.
He smiled and kissed her on the lips.
.
.
....
"Are you sure you're fine now? What if you get dizzy again?" Gawain asked worriedly during their tea in the garden.
"I'm already fine, don't worry about me. I was just tired, that's why I had a nosebleed," Aria explained while sipping her tea.
"You're making us all worried," Gawain said. She smiled and held his hand, trying to ease his concerns.
"Master!" Hachi showed up, accompanied by Xerxes.
"Are you done with your experiment?" Aria inquired.
"Almost," Xerxes answered, sitting beside her.
"I wonder what that experiment is; you're keeping it a secret," she said.
Xerxes chuckled. "You will find out soon, once it's done."
They continued to drink their tea.
"By the way, Kaye," Rasheen began.
"Hmmm?" she looked at him.
"You mentioned before that you accidentally came here and got trapped inside Aria's body," Rasheen continued.
"Yes, that's right. Why the sudden interest?" she asked.
"Well, if you are not from this empire, then which country did you come from?" Rasheen inquired.
"Uhm... Actually, I am not from this world," she explained.
The men looked at her, curiosity evident on their faces.
"I came from a different world," she added.
"That explains why I sensed otherworldly aura from you when we met again at the banquet," Xerxes said.
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Then, what's your complete name?" Claudius asked.
"Yeah, we've been together for years, but you never mentioned your complete name to us," Rasheen added.
She smiled. "Well, my real name is Kaye Ji—" she was interrupted when they heard a loud cry.
"It's the kids," Claudius said.
They all stood up and went to see the kids standing near the fountain, surrounding Froilan, who was crying.
"What's going on here?" Maximilian asked.
The children bowed at them.
"F-Father!" Froilan ran to his father.
Maximilian carried him and wiped his tears. "Tell me, what happened."
"A-Arash said I'm weak," Froilan said.
Rasheen glared at his son. "Arash, are you causing trouble again?"
Arash looked away, unable to meet his father's gaze. "I-I'm sorry, I was just joking. I didn't know he would cry about it."
"I already told you, change your behavior!" Rasheen scolded.
"Pft. He got his behavior from you, though," Xerxes commented.
"Tsk." Rasheen continued to glare at his son.
"That's all right. I just don't want this to happen again," Maximilian said.
Aria patted Arash's head. "You guys are siblings. Siblings must love and protect each other."
"I-I'm sorry, Mother!" Arash began to cry as well.
When Charlotte saw Arash and Froilan crying, she started crying too.
"H-Hey, why are you crying too?" Gawain scratched his head.
Claudius and Xerxes held back their laughter. It was amusing to see these men struggle to stop their children from crying, fortunate that their children were more mature than the others.
.
.
That night.
"K-Kaye... Kaye... No, please..." Mikhail's brows furrowed as he slept, caught in a nightmare. "N-No... Kaye... NOOO!!" He woke up, breathing heavily, realizing it was just a dream. He held his head.
He saw Kaye in his dream, walking away, leaving him. Though just a dream, the emotions felt painfully real.
Aria, who was sleeping beside him, woke up, yawning and wiping her eyes. He immediately hugged her, surprising her.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Please... Promise me that you won't leave me," he begged.
Surprised, she smiled and hugged him too. "Of course, I will never leave you. Why should I?"
He said nothing, just remaining in the embrace. He was scared, terrified that she might be gone someday.