Master Aleric examined the diamonds, his eyes widening with admiration. "These are exquisite. But My Lady, isn't Celestial Dreamstone—Mother Birthstone—just a myth?" Scepticism and worry covered his face, but he didn't dare to mock my plans. Rather, he seemed to care and wanted to understand deeper.
"My Lady," he began, his voice steady and thoughtful, "in my decades of experience, I have learned that many great ventures start with what others deem impossible. The true value of a dream lies not in its initial feasibility but in the determination and ingenuity behind it. The Celestial Dreamstone may be shrouded in myth, but that does not mean it lacks potential. If you believe in its power and can see a path to make it real, then it is worth pursuing."
His words were a balm to my worries, calming my racing thoughts. "Thank you, Master Aleric. Your insight is invaluable."
Aleric nodded, his gaze softening. "Remember, My Lady, every great innovation was once considered improbable. Your vision is bold, but boldness is often the precursor to greatness. Do not be disheartened by skepticism; instead, let it fuel your resolve."
As I listened to Master Aleric, the worries that had been gnawing at me began to fade. Yet, a small voice in my head persisted. 'What if I'm too optimistic? I'm young and inexperienced. Everyone in the manor believes in me, but what if they only say that because it's part of their job?' These thoughts swirled in my mind, threatening to undermine my confidence.
Sensing my internal struggle, Aleric leaned forward slightly. "My Lady, do not let doubt cloud your judgment. Youth is not a disadvantage but an asset. It brings fresh perspectives and boundless energy. Trust in your vision and your ability to bring it to life. Those around you support you not out of obligation but because they see the potential you hold. Believe in yourself as they do, and you will find the strength to overcome any challenge."
His confidence in my plan was unwavering and motivated. I could see it in his eyes. "We will finalize the partnership once I debut the pieces," I told him, my voice steady with renewed determination.
Aleric gave a satisfied nod. "I will ensure everything is finished on time, My Lady. The risk is yours, but your confidence makes me confident as well. You have my support."
For him, it wasn't even a risk. He stood to lose nothing, while the risk was entirely mine. Yet, the fact that he believed in me because I believed in myself made all the difference. As he rose to leave, I felt a surge of gratitude and resolve.
"Thank you, Master Aleric. Your faith in this project means more than I can express," I said, walking him to the door.
"It is my pleasure, My Lady. Until next time," he replied with a warm smile before making his way out.
I watched him go, feeling the weight of his wisdom settle around me like a comforting cloak. This was only the beginning, but with Master Aleric's guidance and my own determination, I knew we could turn this myth into reality.
Later that evening, I went to my chambers after dining with the Duke.
I sighed in disbelief, "I know I said it before, if I were the Villainess…" It almost made me laugh but also made me wonder. "What happened to my real body? To the real me?"
Even after being here for weeks, I still can't separate the reality from fiction. This world, created by some author, feels surreal. And I—I'm the only real person here. "It's tiring."
I paced around the room, my thoughts swirling. It wasn't easy being Celeste. The weight of expectations, the fear, the loneliness—I felt it all. Everyone around me, mere characters in a novel, played their parts perfectly. But me? I was the outsider, the imposter in a world that wasn't mine.
"What if my real body is lying comatose somewhere in the modern world? What if I'm trapped here forever?" The questions haunted me, no answers in sight.
Yet, despite the confusion, I began to see that my life here wasn't half bad. I had a decent life, opportunities, and a chance to be someone powerful and influential. But the constant pretense, the loneliness—it wore me down. Every day was a struggle, balancing my knowledge of this fictional world with my longing for the reality I had left behind.
"This is... pointless."
I decided to settle down, and rest my thoughts through resting up and sleeping in.
But then, what felt and seemed like few minutes had passed when my senses approaches me.
I stirred awake, my body sinking into the plush cushions of a couch that felt inexplicably familiar. My surroundings were blurred, a haze of memories and sensations. The couch, with its worn fabric and subtle scent, triggered a sense of déjà vu, as if I had been here a thousand times before.
Bottles of alcohol laying in the tiled floor. The empty apartment, and familiar cold place... 'Whe-where am I?'
Rising slowly, I turned and found myself facing a mirror. The reflection staring back at me was jarringly out of place. It wasn't the face I had grown accustomed to—the sharp, regal features of Lady Celeste. Instead, it was my old self, the one from my previous life. I touched my face, my fingers trembling as they met the cool glass, tracing the contours of a visage I thought I had left behind.
'Did I... come back?'
Was this a dream? Or had I somehow returned to my former life? The lines between reality and illusion blurred, my mind grasping for clarity in the midst of this disorienting familiarity. Everything felt real, yet utterly surreal. I didn't know what to believe. I stood there, caught in the liminal space between two worlds, unsure which one was truly mine.
Then the lights went out... "What?" Seeing in the mirror, behind me, a glowing circular lamp glows brighty. "Is that a lamp?"
I walked slowly to the center of the room, each step measured and deliberate, my heart pounding in a rhythm of confusion and familiarity. The apartment around me was dim, shadows dancing on the walls, but at the center, a soft, ethereal glow beckoned.
There, resting on a pedestal, was the Celestial Dreamstone.
"Why... is it here?"
Its luminescence was gentle yet powerful, casting an otherworldly light that seemed to chase away the darkness. The stone's surface shimmered with an iridescent sheen, hues of blue and silver swirling like captured starlight. It pulsed gently, as if alive, each throb in sync with my heartbeat.
I felt an inexplicable pull towards it, as though gravity itself had shifted, drawing me in. The closer I got, the more intense the attraction became, until it was almost impossible to resist. My hand reached out instinctively, drawn by an invisible force, the light enveloping me in a warm, familiar embrace. The Celestial Dreamstone seemed to hum with recognition, its glow intensifying, lighting up the entire apartment in a brilliant cascade of colors.
Before I get to even touch the stone a voice appears echoing the room.
[You can't go back... yet.]
I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart racing and my breath coming in ragged gasps. The disorienting remnants of the dream clung to my mind, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I was back in my own room, the familiar opulence of Lady Celeste's chambers surrounding me.
I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, feeling the rapid thud of my heart beneath my fingers.
'I am Celeste again. The mirror, the couch, my old self—everything from the dream was gone, replaced by the present reality. But the vividness of it lingered, leaving me questioning its meaning. What was that dream about? Why had it felt so real?'
I slipped out of bed and padded to the window, drawing back the heavy drapes to peer outside. The cool night air brushed against my face as I looked out over the landscape. In the distance, a faint glow caught my eye—the place where the Celestial Dreamstone lay. Its soft, ethereal light seemed to call to me, echoing the pull I had felt in my dream.