The night settled over the mansion like a heavy blanket, and I was grateful for the quiet that enveloped me. After the awkward dinner, I retreated to my room, feeling drained from the weight of everyone's expectations. The walls felt like they were closing in, and I longed for a moment of peace—a sliver of understanding.
Just as I settled onto my bed, the soft creak of my door interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Celine standing hesitantly in the doorway, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. She was a maid, yes, but she often felt like more than that—I don't why i felt that way.
"Hey, can I come in?" she asked softly, glancing over her shoulder as if checking for someone watching.
"Of course," I replied, sitting up and pushing a few stray pillows aside. "What's up?"
Celine stepped inside and closed the door behind her, then fidgeted with her hands. I could sense her internal struggle, the weight of what she wanted to say hanging in the air. "I just… I wanted to talk," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
I motioned for her to sit beside me, and she perched on the edge of the bed, her eyes searching mine. "I know things have been… complicated lately," she began, her brow furrowing. "You've changed, Irina. I mean, you used to be… well, different."
I swallowed hard, the truth of her words stinging. I had spent so long trying to shed Irina's past, but it still clung to me like a shadow. "I know I haven't been easy to understand," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm just trying to figure things out."
Celine nodded, her gaze softening. "I get that. But there's something else… something Ezra told me." Her eyes flickered with apprehension, as if she was weighing whether or not to continue. "He said that he thinks you're faking all of this—your change, your kindness. That you're still the same person you were before."
The words hit me like a cold slap. Ezra's hatred echoed in my mind, sharp and biting. Did he really see me that way? My heart sank as I realized the depth of his disdain. "He thinks that?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Celine bit her lip, hesitating. "He… he said that you were just pretending to be someone you're not. That you'll eventually go back to who you were." She paused, her brows knitting together in sympathy. "But I don't think that's true. I see the way you try to be different, to be better. You're not that person anymore, are you?"
I wanted to tell her that I was Seira Fallon, the highschool girl who supposed to graduate getting killed and reincarnation as Irina, I wanted to tell her the truth , but of course I can't. "I just… I want to leave the past behind," I said, feeling the weight of my guilt pressing down on my shoulders. "I don't want to be that Irina anymore, but it feels like no one believes me. Not even him."
Celine's expression shifted from concern to understanding. "You know, I used to be scared of you," she admitted, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. "But I see now that you're just trying to change. I respect that. And I think… I think you deserve a chance."
My heart warmed at her words, a flicker of hope igniting within me. "Thank you, Celine. That means a lot. I'm really sorry for how I acted before. I know I hurt you and others." I looked down, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't realize how much my actions affected everyone." Well more to Irina's action.
Celine smiled gently, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. "Like you said before, we all make mistakes, Irina. The important thing is that you're trying to be different. Just be patient with yourself."
I felt a warmth spreading in my chest, the tension that had coiled around me loosening just a bit. It felt good to share this moment, to be vulnerable with someone who seemed to understand. "Do you think… maybe we could be friends?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could think them through.
Her face lit up with surprise and delight. "I'd like that! I really would."
But then her smile faded slightly, and she looked down at her hands. "But… I have to be careful. Ezra doesn't like it when people get too close to you. He thinks I should keep my distance."
A knot formed in my stomach. "He really said that?"
"Yeah," Celine murmured, her brow furrowing. "He's protective of you… in a way. But it's complicated. I just want to be cautious."
I couldn't help but wonder what else Ezra had said, what other secrets lay beneath his cold exterior. It was clear there was a lot I didn't understand about him, and I felt a mix of curiosity and dread. He make me hate all handsome men and fictional men.
"Just… be careful around him, okay?" I urged, my voice tinged with urgency. "I'm not sure how he'll react if he sees us together."
Celine nodded, her expression serious. "I will. I promise."
We exchanged smiles, a fragile bond forming between us, one I hoped could withstand the storm that was bound to come. As Celine left, I felt a flicker of warmth in my heart, a tentative hope blooming where despair once reigned.
With each passing moment, I realized that I had allies in this daunting place, and perhaps, just perhaps, I could find a way to navigate the chaos surrounding me. But as I lay back on my bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that the deeper I dug into my past, the more tangled my present would become.
As the night wore on, I clutched the letter hidden in my pocket, knowing that the answers I sought were just within reach. And with each revelation, I felt a mixture of fear and determination settling into my bones. I would uncover the truth, not just for myself but for everyone Irina had hurt, starting with the one who seemed to hate her the most.