Welcome Esteemed Reader(s);

The Fanfic story that you are about to read is a work of Historical Fantasy and Historical Romance with historical inaccuracies that will be blended into the story. Now the two genres I have chosen to write in are considered unique in some ways.

Historical Romance...Who doesn't enjoy a steamy love story set during a certain time period? Viking romances set during the early Middle Ages are of typical alpha males who are tamed by their heroines; this will be interesting to do my own spin on the period.

Historical Fantasy is the very first genre to be used in a Fanfic story and practically misunderstood in writing as it's been mistaken for a Crossover with another Fandom. It's a Crossover alright but it's between Historical Fiction and Fantasy; plots based very loosely on Mythology or even Legend.

Figured that I would use Norse Mythology since I'm writing about Vikings and through in a little mythical creature like the Phoenix, and add in some supernatural elements for kicks. I also figured that I would pull a bit of Dracula Untold (2014) with a twist to The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle with a touch of Warlock (1989).

I do not own the characters of Vikings (2013 TV series); they belong to Michael Hirst, the characters will be a bit out of character and I hope to do them justice. Thank you for taking the time to read this Disclaimer and I hope you will find this Fanfic story unique.

TRIGGER WARNING: ****!!!

There will be scenes, mentions and attempts at ****; I would like to apologize beforehand for any mental/emotional triggers!

She was the last of her kind and the Norns had claimed her as Their Daughter; the last Phoenix born in human form, raised by the Seer and trained by Valkyries. She will spread her fiery wings in flight as she changes destiny and history, and becomes legend!

On a rare sunny day in London, two high school girls were talking in the book corner of the grocery store, gushing over a book they're holding.
"I still can't believe she's just 19!!! I mean, look at me, I'm nearing 18 and all I do is sleeping and eating.The only best thing I do is reading romantic books..."
While they were talking, someone entered the store with quick steps, hurrying over to the sanitary pads corner. While doing so, she overheard two girls talking.
"I know right!! She's not only successful but also very beautiful and kind, and her name suits her so much. Bella, what a beautifel name for a beautiful person. Besides, I died after i read her new book. The amount of love between the main couple was written so well. Sigh, when will I have a love like that." 
The aforementioned person, "the beautiful and kind" Bella who "overheard" them is now smiling in satisfaction and patting her shoulders. Her fans would have spat blood if they saw this side of hers.
Just from hearing praises about herself, Isabella was more than energized and she completed her way to buy the pads. 
She was proud of what she'd done at her age. She'd wrote two book until now and both were successful. From a young age, she'd always loved to read romantic books especially the historical ones and then she started writing small stories until she dreamed big and wrote a book.
As for her love for historical romances, she likes the regency era, precisely in 1820. There's something wonderful about that period in books. Girls coming of age then presented to society to encounter possible suitors in magnificent gowns, balls hosted at the grand houses of the aristocracy, a charming rake reformed after meeting the love of his life.
Even though Isabella writes romance at it's finest, but in real life she's never dated anyone. It's not her fault having great expectations after reading so many books and falling in love with a male lead here and then. Besides, being a little famous has it's drawbacks. In school, there are those few fans who come to her for her signings and the rest find it hard to approach her as a famous writer.
After paying for the pads which she needed desperately, she was on her way back home when she saw a pretty little ring adorned with green fake diamonds, no doubt, but even so she had the urge to buy it so badly and since she's not short on money, she entered the store and after five minutes was back out with the ring put on her finger.
When she got home, first thing she did was going to the toilet to change her pad and then she changed her clothes to comfy clothes; white sweatpants and a gray t-shirt, and then she put "Asaf Avidan - The Labyrinth Song" on Youtube and put on her earphones. She had always liked listening to music. 
Finally, she went to her bed to sleep with an expression of fulfillment, without knowing that she's not going to wake up on her usual comfy bed in the morning.

At 19, Isabella Anderson, also known as Bella is a successful writer who lacks nothing. One normal day, she went to sleep not knowing that when she wakes up she'll find herself in the nineteenth century.

At 26, Harry Edward Micheal Saymour is the duke of Devonshire. He is arrogant but handsome and honorable. One day, he found a woman who he discovered was a troublesome, sassy, albeit a very beautiful one who claims amnesia.

Hello Friends! ( ͠~ ᴗ ͠° )
I'm excited to see you picking up this second novel of mine. In advance, THANK YOU for adding this into your collection. I do hope you will enjoy reading and just have fun...destress along the way. My motto as an author and reader is to 'escape for a single moment in time'.
The original title of this book is 'Kingdom of Xi', because I'm a huge fan of historical romances that aren't written enough on the market (at least for Asian based stories). I wrote this around 6 years ago and I'm editing as I release the chapters because some parts were cringey, I wonder what the heck I was writing at the time. It's amazing what growing up does for your maturity. Haha. ( ͡≖ ᴗ ͡≖)
PS : For those who have read The CEO & His Mistress, please note the character vibes and maturity might be different (or not). It WAS written from a me...6 years ago, I'm willing to bet there is bound to be a distinction. But, it's one of the first novels I've truly ever written to completion, so I hope you'll still enjoy it on the overall. 
Playlist suggestion while reading : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqSmEjSscs&t=3s
Anddd....feel free to support me, buy me a coffee : https://ko-fi.com/nessawvera
If you haven't read my other work(s), you can find it here :
1. The CEO & His Mistress | COMPLETED
Link : https://www.webnovel.com/book/the-ceo-his-mistress_19413753006403605
2. The Savage & Her Emperor | SERIALIZING - Updates every Thurs + Fri
Link : 
HAPPY READING, EVERYONE!  ( ͠≖ ᴗ ͠≖ )
With ♡,
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔ nessawrites.

- Inka of Ashina Tribe
"He came in the night, a commanding figure 
on his dark horse. I was betrayed
and he was fooled - our lives changed forever.
I need him to find my missing tribe but I can't
get along with him! Yet, why does he stir 
my heart and awaken my passion like no man
does? What should I do?"

- Kyoutarou, Emperor of Xi
"The weight on my shoulders are heavy. I have
no time for romance, my time consumed with
the Kingdom's problems. Then one fateful 
night, we met. She flusters me, makes me weak
but I can't let her go. I want to know her, want
to know where this love goes. Can I convince
her to stay with me? Life won't be easy, not
when I have to contend with my half-siblings and
bring peace to Xi."

[warning: R-18 content, explicit scenes] 

Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of names, characters, places and incidents is purely coincidental.

STATUS : COMPLETED

======
Excerpt :

“Who are you?” he demanded roughly, ripping off her mask. The movement caused his weapon to nick her skin and a warm rivulet of blood trailed down the side of her neck.

Her voice trembled slightly. “I-Inka…Your Majesty,” How pitiful she sounded! Yet, it couldn’t be helped. 

The Emperor’s name was whispered in fear and reverence. Lying here beneath his hefty weight and broad shoulders, she sensed his prominence ─ strong, dangerous, and uncompromisingly masculine. 
Inka was apprehensive but, she recognized a virile male in him – a desirable mate. 

He must have seen something in her eyes because his own glittered dangerously – like an animal reacting to its own.

=============
Author's Note:

Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy this ORIGINAL novel of mine. Please share the love, share my stories to friends who will enjoy it!  I've been wanting to write for years, and finally got the courage to publish one. Knowing you read it, means a lot to me, as an author.

Buy me a Coffee : https://ko-fi.com/nessawvera

Other Original Novels : 
1. The CEO and His Mistress
2. The Savage and Her Emperor
3. Predation (Season 1)
4. Predation (Season 2) 

I'm also an illustrator by day, so you can come find me :

Official Instagram: _nessawrites_
Work Instagram : nessawvera
Facebook : @nessawvera

"You want to give me gifts, yet you don't want me to read them?"
"They aren't enjoyable and you won't like them for sure. I just want to let you know that I wasn't bluffing. The novels I wrote got published."
"Alright."
"It's a deal, then. You're not supposed to read them, or else, I won't give them to you."
"Deal."
Following that, Shen Xi lowered the basket filled with her books.
"Brother, these books have my autograph and they're all out of print. I've never sold autographed books before. I don't sign books even though the publishing director asks me to. Once I've become famous, the autographs will be much more valuable."
Li Yuan took the books and carefully placed them on his lap. He looked at her. "Get some rest."
Shen Xi watched as the man wheeled himself away and asked him persistently, "Brother, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Li Yuan's charming, husky voice resounded in the air. "I wish you all the best tomorrow."
Shen Xi made a hand heart gesture at his back and chirped pleasantly, "Thank you, Brother!"
Li Yuan placed the books on the most visible section of his desk, treating them with utmost care.
There were a total of eight books of medium length. They were styled in a manner befitting a teenage girl. A huge pink ribbon had been tied around the stack of books by the girl.  
"Kun Lun," Li Yuan called.
Kun Lun entered the room and was bombarded with the sight of a stack of brightly-colored books placed on an ash gray desk. The pink ribbon on the books made them look extremely out of place. "Boss?" 
"Find another set of these books," Li Yuan ordered.
Kun Lun replied, "Yes."
Had the boss not promised the girl that he would not read the books? Had he wanted to read the books after all?
All these teen novels talked about were romances between the hottest boy and the prettiest girl in high school, about how much they loved each other and could not bear to be apart, or about complicated love triangles.  
Was the boss sure that he wanted to read about teen romances made up by a young girl?
When Shen Xi got down from the wall and returned home, she overheard Shen Zhangqing speaking on the phone. It was something related to arrears and property.
"Dad, listen to me, buy the building." Shen Xi was firm in her decision. "Trust me, this district will sell."
"But what we need now is money." Shen Zhangqing was hesitant.
"Money's not an issue. We can get a loan from the back, but we must buy the building. In fact, not only those eight buildings, but we ought to buy the entire district."
"That district is dead and filled with abandoned buildings, so what's the point in buying it?" Shen Zhangqing wanted her to get some sleep. "You have to head to the company tomorrow. Get some rest, don't bother yourself with these adult matters."
His boss, who ran away with the money, had been arrested. However, he was broke and the only things left with him were the buildings he owned. Thus, he wanted to settle his debt with the eight buildings.
However, the buildings were located in a suburban district far away from the city. Development in that district went on for eight years before everything folded up two years ago. Other developers refused to take up that project and the district was abandoned.
"Dad, you gotta believe me. I've done the calculations and this district has excellent feng shui. It will sell like hotcakes one day." Shen Xi tugged at her father's arm. "Even if you aren't interested in the buildings here, he has no money to pay you. Property development is doing very well these days and the city will extend towards the suburbs."
Shen Zhangqing said, "Go to sleep."
Shen Xi wanted to cry. "If you aren't interested, do you believe me if I tell you that I'll borrow money from my big brother and buy up all of those buildings?"
She had heard of this small district known as Jin Shui Garden. It used to be a dead area populated by abandoned buildings.
One day, the government introduced a new policy and turned that place into a historical district for tourists. Development boomed and the abandoned buildings were suddenly in high demand.  


In her past life, Shen Xi always longed for love and validation from her parents, members of the wealthy Su family. Unfortunately, the attention that she yearned for was stolen by the family’s fake heiress – her elder sister, Su Ruowan. 
As a result of Su Ruowan’s evil plans, Shen Xi was crippled, disfigured and eventually died of leukemia. However, in a surprising turn of events, Shen Xi was reborn. Returned to the time when she was a seventeen-year-old teenager, she’ll set things right and get her revenge against the Su family. 


ABOUT THIS BOOK :
I decided to write THE CEO & HIS MISTRESS (this wasn't the original title by the way) on a whim when I was binge reading smut mangas and thought 'why the heck are the plots always so ridiculous?' or 'why are the FLs always so dumb and the MLs such total jerks?'. The plot reasoning always defy logic and well...common sense. After a long day at work, I just want good smut with a decent, heartwarming plot. Is that too much to ask for? (☉_☉)
So, that's how this story came to life. I was highly inspired by the villain troupe and thought wouldn't it be nice to see things from the perspective of the 'bad guy' who really isn't bad at all? Of course, what I chose to write isn't dark in any sense - I admit it doesn't push the boundaries but while I love to read dark romances, as an indie author...it just isn't me.
I've been writing for my own self-gratification for years but thanks to Web Novel, I finally get a chance to publish it for real readers. It's much more motivating than writing it and then keeping it in my hard disk forever. There are only 2 stories I've completed since I started writing at 17. The rest are left unfinished (shame on me) due to my lack of motivation.  (¬‿¬)
So, it means A LOT to me that you have read this story and found it enjoyable. That's all I want to do - have you enjoy it in the moment.
SO, THANK YOU FOR READING UNTIL THE END! FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A REVIEW BEFORE YOU GO ~(˘▾˘~)
NOTE : My new novel 'The Savage and The Emperor (a.k.a Kingdom of Xi)' will be dropping on 21/5. It's an asian historical (fantasy) romance genre I've decided to pick up writing where I left off, so I hope you'll look forward to that and continue to support my work. I'm also working on a few other novels since we're all stuck at home thanks to Covid-19 and I think my eye sight is getting worse. Haha.
Take care and stay safe, dear readers! Until the next book!
(˶°◡°˶) - nessawrites-

- Mistress 
"Just one glance, and I'm intrigued. 
I've never felt like this before. 
A complete stranger but after one night together...
He wants me for thirty nights.
This isn't like me.
But he makes me want to shed my good girl image.
Can I handle the fire?
Or will I get burn?"

- President
"Commitment? Love?
I don't need those things. 
I'm a man on top of the world.
Until I met her, my exception.
So fucking beautiful and adorable. 
Fuck. See what I mean?
She messes with my head.
I can't get her out of mind."

[warning: R-18 content, explicit scenes] 

Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of names, characters, places and incidents is purely coincidental.

STATUS : COMPLETED

Playlist Suggestion : https://bit.ly/3dTxHAi
======
Excerpt :

“If you’re willing, spend the night with me.” He coaxes seductively, his lips burning a path down my neck. 

What do I answer? Yes or no?

I’m not an idiot. This attractive man is prepositioning me, and I’ve never felt more alive. The lust swimming in his marvelous eyes is an aphrodisiac. It’s heady, knowing I can make a man like him crazy for me. I bite my lip, grinning naughtily. “You realize you’re the one coming onto me now?”

“Guilty as charged,” He swipes his thumb erotically across my lower lip. “You look so good. I want to eat you up.” 

=============
Author's Note:

Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy this ORIGINAL novel of mine. Please share the love, share my stories to friends who will enjoy it!  I've been wanting to write for years, and finally got the courage to publish one. Knowing you read it, means a lot to me, as an author.

Buy me a Coffee : https://ko-fi.com/nessawvera

Other Original Novels : 
1. The CEO and His Mistress
2. The Savage and Her Emperor
3. Predation (Season 1)
4. Predation (Season 2) 

I'm also an illustrator by day, so you can come find me :

Official Instagram: _nessawrites_
Work Instagram : nessawvera
Facebook : @nessawvera

Amber stood in the adult fiction section. after reading the back of her tenth book, she sighed. "Who honestly reads this trash," she whispered.
"What makes it trash," a deep voice whispered behind her, making Amber jump.
Amber whipped around to find a young man towering over her.
"What. The. Actual. Heck!" She glared at the young man, "You just gave me a heart attack!"
"Well, then I am very grateful for your quick recovery," the man said with a smirk.
Amber laughed, "Ha ha, very funny; but, the next time you sneak up on me, I'm hitting you out of self defense."
"Okay, fair enough! Now tell me, why are the books I keep in stock trash?"
"If you must know, Cole, they're all sappy romances. That's not the only romance people want you know! Where's the ones with passion, lost loves, revenge, despair, hope, war! The closest thing you have to any of that is 'Peter Pan', and that's in the children's section!"
Amber looked at Cole slightly annoyed. Cole looked like he was trying not to laugh at his friends antics.
"Maybe if you read the signs you might find what you're looking for," he said while pointing to the two wooden signs hanging above Amber.
Amber leaned back to read them. The first one had 'Adult Romance' engraved into it; and, the smaller sign hanging below it simply stated: 'Sappy Stuff - Row 1'; 'Historical - Row 2'; 'Contemporary - Row 3'; and, 'Paranormal -Row 4'. Amber was clearly sranding in the aisle marked 'Row 1'. She started to get embarrassed; but, then decided to laugh at herself instead. Cole chuckled beside her.
"You're so impulsive Amber! And, I'll have you know that all this 'trash' is bought the most out of all the genres in the adult section," Cole said after they had both finished laughing.
Amber rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know it sells well," she smiled. "And I know I'm impulsive; but, you took a big risk naming this row 'Sappy Stuff'. Some poor soul is going to be so offended!"
Cole shrugged, "Ah, let 'em get offended if they want. It's my bookstore. Most customers just laugh at it anyways."
Amber smiled at Cole, "You're crazy, you know that, right?"
"Crazy about you, maybe; but, totally sane about everything else," Cole said as he tucked a piece of Amber's hair behind her ear.
Amber's face flushed a bright shade of red. Cole smiled at her, "Red's your color by the way, which is probably why your sister is carrying the biggest red book in the store over to checkout right now."

Just a cute, short story about a woman growing up and learning to take the world on her own!

World War II, and Japan's defeat, deeply influenced Japanese literature. Many authors wrote stories of disaffection, loss of purpose, and the coping with defeat. Haruo Umezaki's short story Sakurajima shows a disillusioned and skeptical Navy officer stationed in a base located on the Sakurajima volcanic island, close to Kagoshima, on the southern tip of the Kyushu island. Osamu Dazai's novel The Setting Suntells of a soldier returning from Manchukuo. Shōhei Ōoka won the Yomiuri Prize for his novel Fires on the Plain about a Japanese deserter going mad in the Philippine jungle. Yukio Mishima, well known for both his nihilistic writing and his controversial suicide by seppuku, began writing in the post-war period. Nobuo Kojima's short story "The American School" portrays a group of Japanese teachers of English who, in the immediate aftermath of the war, deal with the American occupation in varying ways.

Prominent writers of the 1970s and 1980s were identified with intellectual and moral issues in their attempts to raise social and political consciousness. One of them, Kenzaburō Ōe published his best-known work, A Personal Matterin 1964 and became Japan's second winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Mitsuharu Inoue (ja) had long been concerned with the atomic bomb and continued in the 1980s to write on problems of the nuclear age, while Shusaku Endo depicted the religious dilemma of the Kakure Kirishitan, Roman Catholics in feudal Japan, as a springboard to address spiritual problems. Yasushi Inoue also turned to the past in masterful historical novels of Inner Asia and ancient Japan, in order to portray present human fate.

Avant-garde writers, such as Kōbō Abe, who wrote fantastic novels such as The Woman in the Dunes (1960), wanted to express the Japanese experience in modern terms without using either international styles or traditional conventions, developed new inner visions. Yoshikichi Furui tellingly related the lives of alienated urban dwellers coping with the minutiae of daily life, while the psychodramas within such daily life crises have been explored by a rising number of important women novelists. The 1988 Naoki Prize went to Shizuko Todo (ja) for Ripening Summer, a story capturing the complex psychology of modern women. Other award-winning stories at the end of the decade dealt with current issues of the elderly in hospitals, the recent past (Pure- Hearted Shopping District in Kōenji, Tokyo), and the life of a Meiji period ukiyo-e artist.

Haruki Murakami is one of the most popular and controversial of today's Japanese authors. His genre-defying, humorous and surreal works have sparked fierce debates in Japan over whether they are true "literature" or simple pop-fiction: Kenzaburō Ōe has been one of his harshest critics. Some of Murakami's best-known works include Norwegian Wood (1987) and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1994–1995).

Banana Yoshimoto, a best-selling contemporary author whose "manga-esque" style of writing sparked much controversy when she debuted in the late 1980s, has come to be recognized as a unique and talented author over the intervening years. Her writing style stresses dialogue over description, resembling the script of a manga, and her works focus on love, friendship and loss. Her breakout work was 1988's Kitchen.

Although modern Japanese writers covered a wide variety of subjects, one particularly Japanese approach stressed their subjects' inner lives, widening the earlier novel's preoccupation with the narrator's consciousness. In Japanese fiction, plot development and action have often been of secondary interest to emotional issues. In keeping with the general trend toward reaffirming national characteristics, many old themes re-emerged, and some authors turned consciously to the past. Strikingly, Buddhist attitudes about the importance of knowing oneself and the poignant impermanence of things formed an undercurrent to sharp social criticism of this material age. There was a growing emphasis on women's roles, the Japanese persona in the modern world, and the malaise of common people lost in the complexities of urban culture.

Popular fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature all flourished in urban Japan in the 1980s. Many popular works fell between "pure literature" and pulp novels, including all sorts of historical serials, information-packed docudramas, science fiction, mysteries, detective fiction, business stories, war journals, and animal stories. Non-fiction covered everything from crime to politics. Although factual journalism predominated, many of these works were interpretive, reflecting a high degree of individualism. Children's works re-emerged in the 1950s, and the newer entrants into this field, many of them younger women, brought new vitality to it in the 1980s.

Manga (comics) has penetrated almost every sector of the popular market. It includes virtually every field of human interest, such as multivolume high-school histories of Japan and, for the adult market, a manga introduction to economics, and pornography. Manga represented between 20 and 30 percent of annual publications at the end of the 1980s, in sales of some ¥400 billion per year.

Cell phone novels appeared in the early 21st century. Written by and for cell phone users, the novels—typically romances read by young women—have become very popular both online and in print. Some, such as Love Sky, have sold millions of print copies, and at the end of 2007 cell phone novels comprised four of the top five fiction best sellers.

this is made for the purpose of getting the authors badge  at any rate I'll just compile world literature

This morning was like any other morning. I woke up read my book for about an hour ; made my cup of coffee. Dragged my buns around the house till I figured I should probably put some clothes on and head to work. It is hell being an adult some days. Thank god it is only a five minute drive to my book store. Typically I just walk there it is only two blocks from the house. No need to waste the gas plus I could use the exercise.
  Flowers are in full bloom this time of year. Its a pretty walk really. One of my neighbors has a rose garden. Reds, pinks, and yellows explode all over the place. Gnome ordaments hide in the bushes. Makes one think fairies are hiding in the blooms as I approac. Freckles, the neighbor's lab mix likes to come up from the koi pond to wish me a good morning. I don't really mind the dog hair. I carry a lent roller in my purse. Sometimes you just need some furry love to make your morning.
  I am not saying thats the only action I have been getting but I have been living more like a hermit than a sex goddess. Running my book store takes up most of my time now a days. In reality I could possible make time but who wants to be scheduled in block A. or block C. in someone's weekly planner? Looks like Freckles is the only one showing me anytype of male attention now a days.
  Annie is waiting for me when I get to the store. Can't even get to the store before she starts rambling about her newest idea for a club. Annie means well but in this small mountain town there really isn't a whole lot of people jumping with a chance to join a book club. Yes, there are a few older ladies that are happy to get together and talk about historical romances ect. Mainly because my mom and grandma ropped together a few of their friends to have coffee together on Friday nights to discuss the newest book the group has read. My Grandma Lilly actually reads about six books a weekbut will reread the one Annie asks the group to read. Usually just to make Annie smile. 
  Annie's latest idea is to get more teens to show interest in reading. I guess Zoe, my cafe staff doesn't count as the teenager percentage of the store. Zoe reads usually in one of the lazy boys in the back corner of the store when she is not working. Practically lives here at the store. I usually ask her advice on what books to add to the young adult book corner. 
  Annie's idea is to start buying the latest vampire series that teens seem to be into. Offer twenty percent discount for individuals who want to go to the Tuesday night book meeting. Will have to ask Zoe when she comes in for her shift later. Being twenty-eight I am not sure what is considered cool anymore. Even as a teen I wasn't really part of the "hip/cool crowd, whateverit is called now. 
  Now that book club talk is over for a few on to Annie's other obsession.. My love life or lack there of. My last relationship ended over three years ago. Luke was a bit of an ass but the sex was great. I think the sex was the only part of the relationship that Luke and I could agree on. I think if Luke had been mute our relationship could have lasted four months instead of three. 
  So apparently Annie's cousin is in town next weekend and she wants us to out on a date.. I told her I wasn't sure, I was good. I think she has some type of homing device because magically her phone chose that moment to ring. It was Myke her cousin. Apparently he is all game for this weekend. 
  Annie sounds like a damn dating site I sware. "Ok so Myke is like six foot tall, full of miscle, brown hair, blue eyes, never married, twenty-six, and currently works as a contractor for a small company that travels alot". "Nice guy just doesn't stick to one place very long. But I am sure if you guys click that can change". As the usual Annie way, " or you guys could spend the weekend in bed. Might give you a pipe in your step Miss Hermit!" Lovely conversation believe you me. The weekend is only two days away. I am never going to hear the end of this!

Marie struggles with her angel and demon. Her angel wants her to stay good and not do anything frowned upon. While lets face it her demon is a bit of a whore and just wants Marie to get off of her no men dry spell. This book is about Marie trying to find a happy medium. She just wants to be happy and actually have a love life while balancing running her bookstore.

" What the hell? " 

It was the 4th time seeing my reflection on the body mirror. To no avail, it didn't change. The same hair, same face, same aura, there was no doubt it was the woman's body. Looking down at my body, I was clothed with a lustrous night gown, embroidered with sampaguitas and lined with sophisticated lace. I frowned. Why am I in this situation?

 Let's think: although this body definitely was the ghost's, it seemed quite different than what I saw last night. She looks younger. Maybe in her late teens? Not to mention, her smoother skin, clear eyes, and beautiful fingers. It's as if she never did any work nor cried.

' Would I look like this if I took care of myself better? ' 

And come to think of it, the woman I saw last night looked more mature and stressed, (although she looks neater than I would if I was haggard) and seemed like she was calling for help. Or maybe it was a hallucination of mine.

Also, what happened to my real body? Did she possess it in return? But if what she told me last night was true, we're one and the same. Did I really die? Ugh. Nothing makes sense anymore.

Okay. It's not the time to think of such thoughts. For the time being, I need to know where I am. 

I took a glance behind me. There was no way I was accepting that I'm in an entirely different room, let alone being in a different body. Is this a dream? Am I imagining things? I know that I have some creative tendencies, but this was on a whole new level. 

It feels real.

Plus, the woman must be rich. A noble? The room looks lavish, with the wood on all areas beautifully garnished and the windows made of capiz. 

And what was the ghost's name again? Mariah? No, that's too Western. Maliah? No, I should've remembered that if that were the case. Mahala? Hmm...

As I pondered, I sat on a nearby wooden chair and rested my head on my hand.

Knock, knock!

" Binibining Mahalia Evangelio, this is Consilla, requesting your permission to come in. " 

Snapping out of my thoughts, that must be her maid? And Mahalia Evangelio. That should be her name. A pretty one at that. Her parents sure know how to give names.

" Uh..c-come in. " 

The door creaked open and revealed a young girl modestly dressed in a plain baro't saya, bowing her head as her eyes met mine.

" I greet Binibining Mahalia Evangelio, daughter of Don Rogardo and Donya Seleña. "

Okay? Mahalia is an aristocrat. Stuck between acknowledging Consilla or ignoring her, I instinctively sat up from my seat and bowed back. Shoot, I messed up.

Even I knew that nobles shouldn't bow back to the servants, my previous habit of bowing down to others as Cecilia did not go away that quickly. I quickly stood up properly and averted my gaze from the girl.

" Oh-oh my, Binibini! Are you not feeling well? " her shaking voice hinted that she was surprised by the strange behavior Mahalia (well, me) showcased. Trying to cover up my mistake, I faked a cough.

" Well, I do think I might have caught a cold. " I replied with a formal tone, I think. My only reference was the countless novels I've read about historical themed romances. Yes, the romances where women were sometimes depicted as wearing corsets as full upper attire. Inaccurate, really. But everything is inaccurate in some ways, even history. I was told that history was written by the victors. And despite the dark gist of that saying, it wasn't entirely wrong.

" You should go back to bed, Binibini. Let me assist you. " Consilla scurried towards my direction and helped me stand up. Faking my illness, I coughed more and let myself lean on her shoulder. 

' Should I really be doing this? Poor child. '

As I lied on the bed once again, she bowed down. " I'll prepare a hot towel for you and get some medicine from the doctor. " 

" G-go ahead. " I gestured my hand towards her direction to dismiss her. She let herself out of the room, and I was all alone again.

Sighing, I need to think of my situation. I had no clue who this Mahalia was except her being a noble and the way she looked like me. 

Glancing at the table next to the bed, my eyes stopped at a shiny object inside one of the half-opened drawers. As curiosity loomed over me, I opened the drawer fully to see the contents. Inside, there was a key with intricate carvings. This must be the one that was causing the shine. Just remarkable. Next to it was an ink bottle and a quill. Thinking about the purpose of the key, maybe Mahalia was hiding something. And considering the ink bottle and quill, Mahalia knew how to write. What did she hide? A pile of letters? Some books? Or maybe... a diary?

That must be it.

If it is a diary, it could definitely help me in this situation. But where is it hidden? 

Let's accept that Mahalia's my previous self, at least for now. Alright. Where would I (Mahalia) hide it? 

Scanning the room, the only things inside are: the bed with the canopy, the side drawers, the table and chair set, the body mirror, and a painting of a flower field. There's nothing else—no bookshelves and what-knots. Just a decent sophisticated room.

To check, I grabbed the key from the drawer and headed for the painting. I've seen this in movies so many times, it could just work. I hope. 

I carefully lifted the painting and to my surprise, it revealed a small keyhole on the wall. Satisfied, I hung the painting back and quickly hid the key inside the drawer and lied down on the bed. I decided that I should wait until evening so other people won't impose on my current predicament.

" Binibining Mahalia, this is Consilla. I have brought the doctor. " the servant's voice was heard just outside the door. It's a good thing I decided to lie down first.

" Come in. " I replied. In went a man who looked like he was in his late 30's, clothed in a formal attire, holding a suitcase. He bowed as he went beside the bed. 

" I greet Binibining Mahalia Evangelio, daughter of Don Rogardo and Donya Seleña. " 

Hmm... aren't their greetings a bit too much? Let's just shrug it off for now.

" Are you still feeling unwell, Binibining Mahalia? " the doctor asked as he sat by the chair Consilla has placed near the bed.

" Ah... I don't think so. But I think it's better to be safe than sorry. " I let out a weak smile. Consilla and the doctor looked surprised and looked at each other as if they're conversing through their minds.

" Um... " 

" Oh, but of course. I'll prescribe the medicine after I check your condition. " he opened his suitcase to reveal medical equipment. I sat up and he began checking my vital signs. 

" You seem perfectly fine, Binibini. " the doctor said as he put the stethoscope back into the suitcase. " But if you feel tired, it's best that you rest for a while, " he added.

" Alright. Thank you. " Weirdly, both of the people with me looked surprised. What's with them? I just said words of gratitude... don't tell me Mahalia doesn't thank anyone! 

" If that is all, Binibining Mahalia, I request that I may be able to leave. " the doctor stood up and bowed again. " You can go, " I answered. 

As he exited the room, I called for Consilla.

" Yes, Binibining Mahalia? " she asked with a smile.

Even though I'm in a weird and vague situation, when I'm hungry, I'm hungry. 

" C-can you bring the food on the bed? I'm hungry. " I answered bashfully. How bold of me to order a servant who is not under my supervision. But what was I supposed to do? I'm hungry.

" Ah, of course. Please wait a while. " Consilla bowed before she left the room.

With my stomach rumbling as I am left alone in the room, I began thinking that this is reality, and not a mere dream, for I have not instantly accepted what I lost as Cecilia, and not prepared for what will happen from here on out living as Mahalia. 

If what Mahalia said is true, then I'm her and she's me. We're both the same person. It was simple as that.

Yet how could something so simple make no sense at all?

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