What! I Got Reincarnated as a No-Name Character in the World of an Otome Game

Chapter 2 (Revised)

Despite the simplicity of her attire, crafted from coarse fabrics and tailored to fit her slender frame, her inner beauty radiates outward, illuminating our humble abode. While she toils away at her sewing, occasionally stealing glances in my direction, her concern for my well-being is palpable, reminding me of the love and care I once knew from my former parents.

But I quickly push aside those memories, as dwelling on them only brings a wave of sadness. It's agonizing to think of my parents grieving over my untimely departure. I can't help but feel a pang of guilt, knowing that I left them behind.  My heart aches with the weight of that knowledge, and I offer a silent apology to my dear mom and dad, wishing they didn't have to endure such pain.

***

The realization dawned on Christina as her mother called her name repeatedly—she was now known as Christina in this new life. Initially, she wanted to smack her own forehead in frustration at her own ignorance, but she quickly realized the futility of such an action. After all, the language she heard around her was completely unfamiliar, and she couldn't even comprehend whether this new existence was still part of the same world she knew before.

What truly intrigued Christina, however, were the floating, shiny orbs that seemed to be present everywhere she looked. At first, she dismissed them as a normal aspect of this world, but as her vision sharpened, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were something altogether different. Perhaps this world was indeed separate from Earth, inhabited by these peculiar orbs.

Despite these revelations, Christina found herself powerless to do anything about her circumstances. After all, she was still just a baby, reliant on others for her every need.

However, despite Christina's unfamiliarity with this world, she quickly grasped certain aspects of her new reality. Firstly, she realized that her mother was her sole guardian, suggesting a single-parent household devoid of any other familial presence. Not once did a potential father figure cross their threshold, leaving Christina to ponder his absence.

Moreover, her mother's incessant weaving and stitching hinted at her occupation as a seamstress, a conclusion supported by the array of fabric and tools that adorned their humble abode.

Adding to the stark contrast with her previous life, Christina noted the conspicuous absence of electricity and technology in this world, a realization that left her yearning for the comforts of her former reality. The absence of these modern amenities served as a stark reminder of the simplicity and challenges inherent in their daily existence.

As Christina whiles away her days with little else to occupy her mind but the floating orbs and the monotonous surroundings, she often finds herself drifting into the realm of speculation and conspiracy. Her thoughts invariably turn to her absent father, a mysterious figure shrouded in uncertainty. The questions swirl relentlessly: Where is he? What became of him?

Various scenarios play out in her mind, each one more unsettling than the last. Did he abandon them? Was he taken by some tragic fate? Or perhaps he is simply caught up in the demands of a demanding job, unable to return home to his family. The latter possibility stirs a simmering resentment within her—why would he prioritize work over his own flesh and blood?

Then, there are darker suspicions that creep into her consciousness, ones she recoils from even as they take shape. Could her father have been involved in an extramarital affair, her existence the product of his betrayal? The notion fills her with a mix of anger, sadness, and disbelief. She refuses to entertain the idea that her mother could have been anything but the victim in such a scenario.

Yet, the nagging doubt persists, casting a shadow over her perceptions of her own origin. The thought of her mother being entangled in an illicit relationship with a married man is a bitter pill to swallow, fraught with implications of heartache and deception. It's a narrative she desperately hopes to be false, for the sake of her mother's dignity and her own sense of identity.

***

After more than a year since her reincarnation, Christina can finally walk, albeit within the limited confines of their house. Occasionally, she ventures out with her mother, accompanying her on trips to deliver finished woven clothes to the tailor's stall in the bustling village square. The village itself is a picturesque scene straight out of a storybook: cobblestone streets winding between quaint cottages with thatched roofs, and lively marketplaces filled with the chatter of merchants and the aroma of spices.

However, Christina's first glimpse of the village was a shock to her core. It was then that the realization finally sank in—this world was unlike anything she had ever known. Gone were the familiar sights of her previous life; instead, she found herself surrounded by strange creatures, fantastical races, potions brewing in stalls, peculiar gadgets, and whispers of magic lingering in the air.

Where in the world was she? The thought nagged at her, stirring distant memories of a game called "Destine Lover." Yet, Christina couldn't bring herself to accept the truth—it was too fantastical, too dangerous to believe.

Christina broke away from her thoughts and approached her mother, watching her deftly weave clothes. "Oh, Christina, done roaming around the house? Come to watch me work again?" Her mother's soft smile, though tired, warmed Christina's heart.

But beneath the surface, the harsh reality of their poverty weighed heavily on Christina. With each passing day, their meager existence seemed to grow even more precarious. As Christina grew older, so did their struggles. She couldn't help but notice her mother's diminishing figure, her once vibrant spirit now worn thin by the burdens of their circumstances.

Seeing her mother's gaunt frame, Christina felt a sharp pang of guilt and helplessness wash over her. She couldn't shake the realization that she, a grown woman in her past life, now found herself completely reliant on someone else for her survival.

The weight of her mother's sacrifices bore down on Christina like a heavy burden, reminding her of the countless times her mother had put her own needs aside to ensure Christina's well-being. It was a humbling and sobering realization—one that filled Christina with a sense of shame and inadequacy.

Christina longed to do something, anything to ease her mother's suffering, but as a mere child still struggling to find her place in this strange, magical world, she felt utterly powerless. In the face of their struggles, Christina couldn't help but feel completely useless, her inability to make a difference weighing heavily on her heart.

TO BE CONTINUED