"So, tell me about your world?" Dorothy asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
But I was feeling sleepy, the gentle lull of drowsiness tugging at me as I listened to their ongoing exchange.
"Older sisters, can we talk after a nap?" I asked, my eyelids growing heavy. I realized I had accepted this new family a little too quickly; perhaps it was because I'd always been desperate for one. Although this family seemed a little messed up, it was mine. I couldn't help but miss Maya, though. My dear cat, my only family. I wondered if we'd ever meet again. God couldn't be so cruel as to take one family from me only to give me another, right? I wasn't ready to trade my old life for this one. Why should I have to choose? Just this once, couldn't I be a little greedy and have it all?
I felt a tear slide down my cheek, but I faked a yawn to play it off. Ugh, being a people pleaser sure gave me some skills in hiding my feelings.
"This darn child's body... I also want a nap. Let's talk after a while. We'll be seeing each other often anyway. Yawwwn," Elanor said, her irritation dissipating into fatigue as she let out a wide yawn.
My other older sisters seemed to favor the idea as well, though Dorothy appeared reluctant. As expected of the "mad scientist" type, I thought to myself. Gosh, I really needed to stop making these assumptions. I'd read enough online novels to know that unnecessary judgments lead to downfall.
A warm blanket enveloped me, soft and comforting, drawing me deeper into its embrace. I nestled into the plush fabric, feeling safe and secure, and soon succumbed to sleep.
Third-Party POV
"Awwwww… they are so cute," a maid murmured, her heart swelling at the sight before her.
Under the king's orders, the little princesses were to have a separate communal abode. It was a bittersweet arrangement; while it pained the maids to think of the separation from their mothers, the rivalry among the queens had made this necessary.
"We couldn't have our precious stars turning against each other because of the infighting that plagued their mothers," added another maid with a sigh.
"I pledge to serve them with my heart and soul. I'll never let them feel the absence of their mothers," one of the maids vowed, determination glinting in her eyes.
Oh, how could they be so adorable? Watching them huddled together, sharing soft smiles even in their sleep, warmed their hearts. The tensions of their mothers' rivalry seemed momentarily forgotten.
After all, each maid in the room knew they, too, belonged to one faction or another, but right now, their only priority was serving and protecting their little masters. The petty court politics were pushed aside for now.
"Ah, they're fast asleep now. What should we do? It's time for their food. I suppose we should let them nap a little longer." A motherly smile spread across their faces as they watched over the slumbering princesses, their hearts full of affection.
Narrator's POV
"I want some peanuts... yummm...," I heard someone murmur in their sleep.
Uh, what? Who's talking?
I slowly stirred, waking up to Dorothy's sleep-talking. Maya, where did you go? Ugh, I'm hungry...
Dorothy was definitely an oddball. She seemed like the type who's quiet until suddenly—boom! She explodes with intensity. I guessed that was her whole mad scientist vibe, shy yet assertive.
By now, I'd started to piece things together. I was almost certain I was in a novel, though I couldn't quite place when or where. The designs and symbols I saw around me—stars arranged in a W-shape—looked oddly familiar. Wasn't that Cassiopeia? I'd seen that constellation on the cover of a novel I'd recently read. It was all clicking into place.
Why was I so sure this was a novel? Well, first off, this was the last book I'd read before I died. And as for why I couldn't remember its name? Blame the author. She's holding out on me. Secondly, it's too fictional to be real. I mean, five sisters, five stars, born on the same day, a prophecy... come on, this screams conspiracy, not coincidence!
And then there's the whole reincarnation and transmigration trope. Yup, my life has the hallmark of a novel now. I wonder, do my readers like me? I mean, I'd totally enjoy this kind of story, so anyone reading it must have good taste! (Yes, I'm buttering you up)
But let me tell you more about the novel I think I'm in: It's basically a reverse harem novel. You know, with eight love interests—princes, dukes, a special assassin, you know the drill. I never remembered their names because I'm the type who only remembers the first letter and skims the rest. That's why I could never finish Chinese web novels.
Anyway, they were all vying for the love of an illegitimate princess of some grand empire. And guess what? The legitimate one was the villainess! Wow, what a new plot, right? (Note the sarcasm.) The princess and her love interests had their typical academy drama, and it all ended in a continental war where everyone fought for her hand in marriage.
But seriously, I saw the reverse harem tag already! Couldn't they just get married and be done with it? Why drag out a bloody war? I bet the war wasn't even about the princess. There had to be some deeper political motive... not that I'll ever know because the novel was still ongoing.
Too bad I died before finishing it. But I have a feeling I would've dropped it anyway.
Ugh, I've been monologuing for way too long! I glanced over at Elanor, whose face was slowly turning red with frustration. Steam was practically coming out of her nose. She looked terrifying—like my old hostel warden back in school. Now that was scary.
I'm going to 'sleep' again. I'll wake up when someone else does. Sorry in advance to whichever poor scapegoat wakes up before me.