Summon the Modern Lady!

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The world was hazy, like looking through frosted glass. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or remembering, but the voices were unmistakably familiar.

"Mom, look! My teacher gave me a star for scoring in basketball!"

I could feel my blood freeze... So it was a nightmare.

"Wow! Look at my daughter, you did great!"

The warmth of her praise made my heart flutter, but it was fleeting.

"So, Mom... I was thinking... maybe I can join the training for—"

"Honey, you know your body is weak."

Her tone wasn't harsh, but it was final. I forced myself to smile, swallowing the bitter lump in my throat.

"Right, right, I forgot! Hehe... nevermind then. Can I ask for storybooks instead?"

"Sure, honey," she replied with a kind smile that felt like a dagger to my chest.

Just as I was about to head to my room, the door opened.

"Mom, look at this!" my younger brother burst in, holding up a certificate. "Coach said I'm joining track and field!"

Mom's face lit up again, and I quietly slipped away, hugging the storybook close to my chest.

The memory twisted, shifting like pages flipping in a book. 

I was older now.

"Dad, can I... join the soccer team?"

"Ches, you know that's a dangerous sport for you, right?"

"But I did so well assisting my class during the intersection games. They said I'd be good if I trained…"

"You should focus on your grades instead."

"But my grades are fine—"

"Then perfect them."

His words were final, his tone sharp. Slowly, I nodded, burying my frustration. "Okay, Father."

As I retreated to my room, my younger brother burst in, his face glowing with excitement. "Dad! Coach said I can join basketball next season! Can I go?"

Dad's stern face softened, a rare smile breaking through. "Of course, son. We'll get you the gear you need."

I shut my door behind me, the sound muffling their laughter. Once again, I turned to my books, my only escape.

When the family's funds were tight, and I wanted to take a college entrance exam in another city, I was told it wasn't feasible. But when my brother wanted to join two clubs with significant expenses, they let him. Supported him.

It should've been my chance to leave this house. I know they'll only make me feel sick, or slowly drive me insane...

Of course, I tried to understand. I really did.

But it reached a point where I began to ask myself: Why am I even here?

Sometimes my brother would say he was jealous of me because our parents doted on me when we were younger. But I was sickly, wasn't I? I spent so much time in the hospital, battling illnesses until I was seven. 

But looking back, shouldn't I have been the jealous one?

I was bitter. Overwhelmed with jealousy. I felt out of place in that happy home. Everyone seemed so cheerful, so content.

Everyone except me.

So, I ran away. And thank God I did.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

A voice pierced through the darkness, pulling me back to reality. I raised my head and met blue eyes full of concern.

Nathaniel.

During that time, he was just a random classmate. The class clown and band guy in our school. Someone my friends liked because of how bright he smiles.

He looked so approachable at the time, looking concerned.

I wanted to tell him everything. The hurt, the anger, the overwhelming loneliness. But I looked away instead, afraid to dump my negativity onto someone so kind.

But he stayed anyway. Silently waiting until I cooled down and he kindly escorted me home.

Since then, our different worlds slowly meshed.

And we couldn't look away from each other...

My Nathan.

We held on through thick and thin. Graduated high school and college together... everything was great... even if I only had him, I was content.

That was until...

"Huk—!"

Cheska woke up gasping, her chest was heaving as though she'd been suffocating. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and her throat felt tight.

Why?! She thought bitterly. Why am I dreaming about this again?!

The darkness of the room pressed in around her, silent and oppressive. 

Poor Cheska had a nightmare!

Cheska's breaths were shaky as she fell on her bed, rustling through her belongings.

If you went home, you'd be stable!

"Fuck.." she gasped, glaring at herself in the mirror. Her haunting eyes stared back at her like a void waiting to swallow her.

She looked away.

This world has its own problems, don't you hate them for taking you away?!

Finally, finding the blue contacts she'd set aside for the night. Her hands trembled as she put them on, covering the dark eyes that felt too vulnerable, too exposed... too gloomy.

Once the blue lenses were in place, Cheska sighed in relief, watching herself in the mirror.

Psycho...

"Nathan…"

She whispered his name like a prayer, clutching at the sense of calm it brought her like a lifeline.

The whispers in her mind began to fade, their sinister echo retreating into the corners of her thoughts. Yet even as they softened, their shadow lingered, a weight she couldn't fully escape.

For a fleeting moment, Cheska felt like she could finally breathe again.

But the relief was shallow, unsatisfying. Her chest felt tight, her mind restless. I need fresh air…

She pushed herself up, her legs unsteady as she made her way to the window-like door that led to the balcony. Her breaths came quick and shallow, her hands trembling as she reached for the knob.

With a soft creak, she pushed the door open, letting the cool night air wash over her.

And then she froze.

Her blue eyes widened as they landed on a figure just a short distance away.

Amaranthe stood on the adjacent balcony, bathed in the moonlight. Her head was tilted slightly, gazing at the sky with a faraway look in her emerald eyes. A single tear traced a shining path down her cheek, catching the moonlight like a star falling from the heavens.

Chirp. Chirp.

The soft coos of two small birds broke the stillness. Nan and Kaya, the prince's companions, perched delicately on Amaranthe's shoulders. Their heads nuzzled against her neck, their wings brushing her softly as if offering comfort.

Under the moonlight, the scene was breathtaking.

Amaranthe's pink hair shimmered like rose gold, her posture fragile yet dignified. The birds perched beside her added an ethereal quality to the moment. It was as though the three of them had stepped out of a sacred painting, untouched by the mortal world.

Cheska's hand instinctively tightened on the doorframe, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as she stepped back, hiding.

Why is she crying…?

Amaranthe moved slightly, her gaze shifting from the moon to the space in front of her. Her lips parted softly, her voice a whisper carried on the breeze.

"Cheska?"

Cheska's breath hitched.

Had Amaranthe seen her?

She pressed herself against the shadow of the doorway, her pulse racing.

The author's eyes scanned the area, her expression calm despite the glistening tears on her face. She hesitated for a moment before turning back to her feathered companions, as if convinced she'd imagined the presence.

Chirp.

Nan fluttered his wings, nudging Amaranthe gently. Her fingers brushed against his feathers, her smile faint but strained.

"Sorry," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I just keep crying, don't I?"

The birds chirped in response, their coos soft and encouraging.

Amaranthe wiped at her cheeks, her movements slow and deliberate. "Alright, alright. I'll go back to sleep. You should too."

As though understanding her words, Nan and Kaya fluttered their wings and took off, disappearing into the night sky.

For a moment, the garden below and the balconies above were wrapped in silence.

Then came the faint sound of a door clicking shut.

Cheska let out a shaky breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Her back pressed against the cool wall of her room, hidden behind the heavy curtains. She didn't dare move, her heart still racing from the sight she'd just witnessed.

Why was Amaranthe crying?

The question repeated itself in her mind, refusing to settle.

The vision of Amaranthe, so serene and dignified under the moonlight, was at odds with the sad expression on her face.

Besides Amaranthe, Why were Nan and Kaya with her?

The prince's birds were said to only linger where their master was. Or were they naturally attached to the author from the start? Also, she confirmed being afraid of birds, so why?

Did she lie? Why?

Cheska shivered at the implications.

She crouched low, pulling the curtains tighter around her as though to shield herself from the night. Why does it feel like there's something I'm not supposed to know?

Her blue eyes darted toward the balcony door again, but she didn't dare peek outside.

She squeezed her hands into fists, trying to shake the unease clawing at her chest. But the image of Amaranthe's silent tears wouldn't leave her mind, and the sense of mystery surrounding the author only deepened.

Something wasn't right.

And Cheska wasn't sure if she wanted to find out what it was.

~~~

The morning sunlight filtered softly through the windows of Emette's office, illuminating the scattered papers and stacks of documents that Cheska had grown used to seeing. She sat across from the prince's aide, her mind far from the conversation at hand.

Snap!

"Uh, huh?"

Cheska blinked, her attention snapping back to the present as Emette snapped his fingers in front of her face. His brows furrowed slightly, his coffee cup halfway to his lips.

"You didn't get any sleep, did you?" he asked, his tone blunt but tinged with concern. "Your eyes… they look exhausted."

Hearing his unfiltered comment, Cheska instinctively rubbed her face, trying to will away the memory of Amaranthe's moonlit tears and her own recent nightmares. But the whispers didn't fade— they had only grown louder since last night.

During breakfast, she had noticed them briefly quiet when she sat near Amaranthe, though they never fully stopped. The reprieve had been small, fleeting.

"Lady Cheska?" Emette called again, his voice breaking through the haze of her thoughts. "Maybe you should take a break."

He set his coffee cup down with a soft thud, leaning forward to pull something from the drawer of his desk. A small emblem gleamed in his hand.

Cheska stared at it. The crest of Rudenheischt, depicting a serene forest with five birds in flight above and the sea stretching below.

Huh? Could it be…?

Her mind raced as realization dawned. The legendary royal family perk…

Though they might not think it's anything crazy important of the sort, but every webnovel and comic reader knows... It is the highest privilege.

As if reading her thoughts, Emette's lips curled into a faint but proud smile. "You can buy anything you want," he said, setting the emblem on the desk. "The royal family will pay for everything."

Cheska swallowed her surprise, nodding politely. But she hesitated, her fingers fidgeting slightly against her lap, "Um, this is such a big reward for me..."

Emette shook his head at her growing negation, "My lady, this is merely a small compensation to everything you went through because of our dealings. Summoned with no consent, harassed in a banquet and now, you are tired from acquiring work to feel adequate! This is nothing but a sand amidst the beach!"

Chesk watched him. He looked so proud of his in-laws' decision it seems.

She actually, then paused, remembering something.

"Actually," she began, "I was wondering— would it be alright if I brought others with me during my leave? Like Amaranthe or Princess Ayessa?"

Emette raised an eyebrow at the mention of Ayessa but nodded slowly. "Lady Amara is fine. As for Ayessa, she left early this morning to meet with the envoys arriving for the Winter Solstice celebrations. Unfortunately, she won't be available."

Cheska tilted her head, surprised. "I heard about that… Rudenheischt is the center of the Winter Solstice celebrations for the southern hemisphere, isn't it?"

Emette's expression softened into one of faint amusement. "Mostly, yes. But every once in a while, the celebrations are shuffled to other regions. Still, Rudenheischt has a strong tradition of hosting."

"You're quite knowledgeable," he added.

"Not really," Cheska admitted with a sheepish grin. "Amaranthe mentioned it yesterday. She also knew the prince's birthday was close to the celebrations. I only guessed it was around Thanksgiving week."

Emette chuckled, leaning back slightly. "It's good to hear she knows about it. Even better if they actually got along."

Cheska thought so too. Especially after the scene she saw earlier. 

Does Amaranthe fancy the prince after all, or was it the other way around?

Emette cleared his throat, catching her attention again, "You'll also have an escort guard and your assigned personal maid, Kalis, accompanying you," he continued. "Additionally, you'll travel in a royal carriage—low-profile, of course, as per your request."

Cheska's bubble of freedom popped with an almost audible crack.

"Seriously?" she groaned, slumping slightly in her chair. "I thought the point of a leave was to let me enjoy myself."

Emette's expression didn't waver, though there was a faint glint of amusement in his green eyes. "And you will," he replied smoothly. "However, as a guest of the royal family and one of the most discussed individuals in court recently, your safety is non-negotiable."

He leaned back, his tone softening. "The majesties were very clear on this matter. The precautions are for your own good."

Cheska sighed, running a hand through her hair. She hated to admit it, but the restrictions made sense.

This world was still unfamiliar to her, with hidden dangers and political complexities she barely understood. Getting lost—or worse—wasn't a risk she wanted to take, even if she felt capable of handling herself.

"Fine," Cheska relented, taking the crest. "I'll follow the rules. But if I want some time alone with Amaranthe, I'm assuming that can be arranged?"

Emette studied her for a moment before nodding. "Of course. We'll make the necessary accommodations. Tomorrow, then?"

Cheska nodded, her mind already shifting gears.

Despite her slight disappointment, she resolved to make the best of her leave. Having a one-on-one conversation with Amaranthe outside the palace felt necessary.

There were things she needed to say— and questions she desperately need to ask her.