Minosha blinked her eyes a few times, not getting what the system just stated. When the realization finally hit her, she exploded.
"Whaaat? What did you say?" She roared in disbelief. "I never read that damn novel."
So freaking unfair! She almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
The system gave her another low chuckle before saying, "Yeah. But can you deny that you already know the plot and about the villainess?"
Minosha became speechless. Why did she need to know about the villainess? What did it have to do with her!? She knew nothing! Leave her alone!
Before she could speak, the system clarified, "The character we have chosen for you is the main villainess of the novel. Princess Mimosa. Along with the character, we also give you three options. You can choose one out of three. Not all of them."
"What are they?" Minosha curiously asked.
She secretly cursed herself in her mind for having a name similar to the villainess. What a misfortune!
It was truly a misfortune! A tragedy!
"One-
Letting the male lead fall in love with you. Snatch away the female lead's happy ending.
Two-
Not fulfilling your duty as the villainess. Just find someone else who is or is not a character from the book and live a normal life by avoiding the novel's plots.
Three-
Becoming the villainess and die miserably just like the real character from the book
What do you choose?"
Minosha was confused. "Die miserably? But as far as I know, she didn't die. She became a beggar and lived poorly for the rest of her life. Isn't that correct?"
The system hummed. "Yeah. But we changed it to a terrifying death. After dying, you can return to your original world. But you have to pay the price by enduring a painful death. As for other options, you won't be able to return to your original world for the rest of your life. So... What do you choose?"
Did she even need to ask?
"The third option," Minosha replied without batting an eye.
"Why the third option?" The system was obviously surprised. "No one chose it. Most of them chose second one while others chose first one."
Who would choose a miserable death over a comfortable, wealthy life? That person must be insane!
"Do you already have someone you like? Is that the reason you want to return to your original world so badly? Or do you hate ancient times? They aren't as bad as you think although the technology isn't as advanced as your world."
Minosha lowered her eyes, tears filling in them.
"I do have someone I love. It's my mother. She isn't well and she only has me to take care of her. So I want to return to her side soon."
Although the system was a robotic one, it couldn't help being touched by Minosha's words.
Sure enough...
"You are so selfless. What a great person."
"No, I'm selfish." Minosha denied.
"That's why I can't let go of my mother. Her kidney needs to be replaced. Doctors said if I can't find a kidney, mom won't live longer. I don't have a donor. But I selfishly wanted to let her stay at hospital. I can't help... I can't help... I can't let her go... Her life is so short. She hates hospitals but... I'm worried. I can't take her home. I'm afraid... I'm afraid that... Something might happen to her..."
Tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
"Can I go back to mom? Please..."
The female voice was filled with regret as it spoke, "I'm afraid not. Although I badly want you to go back to your mother soon, unfortunately, I can't change the rules. I'm incapable of doing so. I'm sorry."
Minosha let out a deep sigh. "It's fine. This is my fate."
Then she asked, "But for how long? What's the connection between two timelines?"
"You don't have to worry about it. It won't even take a year for you to return. Three decades from the book is similar to one year from the original world."
"Whoa!" Minosha was immediately relieved. "That's great then. I must work hard to return soon. My mom's life is in danger."
"Then you still choose the third option?" The system asked again to confirm.
"Of course."
The system became cheerful as it said, "Okay then. Very good luck with your mission, Miss Minosha. I hope you have a smooth journey."
'I hope so too.' Minosha thought in her mind even though she clearly knew that she wouldn't have a smooth journey.
'Mom, wait for me...'
----------
King Edwin felt restless as he paced back and forth incide his chamber. One of his servants had informed him about his wife's delivery just an hour ago. He knew it would take hours but he was impatient and nervous.
'Let it be a boy, a boy. Let it be a boy.' He chanted in his mind.
After three or four hours, a servant finally came up with good news.
"Sire, her highness has given birth."
The king's eyes lit up as he rushed to the delivery chamber. A nurse was holding the baby after wiping it with a warm, wet towel. The moment she saw the king, she gave the baby to him with respect.
The baby was sound asleep. It looked cute and it had wrinkles like a old person.
"Oh my boy. You look lovely."
The nurse became a bit nervous as she corrected him, "Your majesty, It's a girl."
"Oh." The king's voice sounded disappointed. "Really?"
"Yes, son, it's your beautiful baby girl." King Edwin's mother said with a smile.
The king turned to her with a frown. "What should we do now, mother? It seems like we already lost the battle."
His mother shook her head, disagreeing with him. "This is much better, isn't it? They already have a three-year-old son. We can let the two of them get married in the future. Isn't it a win-win situation for both of our kingdoms?"
Kingdom Edwina and Kingdom Rodwef were neighbouring countries. Compared to kingdom Rodwef, kingdom Edwina was small and less powerful. So it relied on kingdom Rodwef when enemies threatened or attacked it.
Recently, king Foneth, the king of Rodwef, suggested an Idea to combine the two countries in the future. He reasoned that it would be much easier to protect country Edwina in that way.
As the relier, king Edwin couldn't protest.
To be fair and square, King Foneth told him that the most powerful candidate would be the next king whether it was from Edwina or Rodwef. He already got his son when he claimed that. So King Edwin could roughly guess that he might have already started training his son while his own child was still in its mother's womb.
Time was precious to him. He wanted his heir to be the next ruler in both countries. His son would spread their name all over the world. He would mark a great history. That were his hopes until...
He realized that he got a useless daughter instead of his precious son!
He was disappointed, utterly disappointed.
Although he could try again for another child, it wouldn't make a difference because king Foneth suggested that the candidates must be first-borns.
His first born was a freaking girl!
What a pity!
How sad!
His dreams shattered into pieces.
But his mother was thinking about something else. She thought that it was better that way. In her opinion, they also won.
Their heir would be the wife of the next ruler.
Wasn't that the best way?
The baby slowly opened her eyes and looked at the person who was holding her with her sky-blue eyes. Then, all of a sudden, she started crying loudly.
The king was panicked. He didn't know what to do! He never dealt with a child before.
The king's mother took the baby from his hands and started coaxing her calmly.
"Honey, be patient. Your mother is so tired that she is still sleeping. Wait a little bit more."
Then she gave the baby to a wet nanny. The wet nanny was professional. She patted the baby's back softly and then started breastfeeding.
Princess Mimosa looked at the lady's breast before crying again. This time even louder.
The wet nurse was surprised. Was she becoming old? How could she not handle a child properly?