The next day after they found out the true identity of Lydia, they all gathered at her house and confronted her.
"Fine....I may be the author..."
She admitted grudgingly, averting her gaze.
"What do you mean maybe?"
"It means I didn't intend to write this book.....it was just to pass time and in some ways to escape from reality."
"Then do you know how we got here?"
"I think rather than worrying about that you should worry about what would happen to you."
"What do you mean?"
"That....let me begin by explaining things I bet. I feel I at least owe you all of that for not coming clean beforehand and deceiving you even though it wasn't my intention."
They all sat at a huge round table in her private garden that her father gifted her with on her 17th birthday, with everyone looking at her.
"I do remember everything from my past. I grew up as an orphan slave who was sold from one place to another...." Gritting her teeth, her face hardens, her eyes that were flashing memories flickered and clouded, "it was hell. Abused.....even raped....repeatedly until I was sold off as a dancer at a brothel. Even though dancers have the protection of the brothel they belong to....however, it wasn't the same for me. I was still harassed, beaten, starved, and locked away. My sole way of escaping was to write imaginary stories where I would dive deep into the fantasy world, the world of my imagination. This book was the first-ever proper book I was writing. But before I could finish it, madam...I mean my owner found it and beat me nearly to death. Not for writing this book but because she was suspicious that I was planning to marry her husband and take over all the wealth after killing her. Even though it wasn't true. She tore this book in front of me and left me to die. As I waited for my death since I knew no one was going to help me, I looked up at the moon. Coincidentally it was a full-blood super-moon that night. I, for the first time, broke down and cried about all the regrets in my life....and my last thought was about how the characters in books are so happy, living a fairytale life....if only I was a mere storybook character with a happy ending. That's when I died and woke up as Lydia. I was ecstatic. I decided to live this life as a happy life by fulfilling all my wishes. Therefore....I apologize if I didn't seem too keen on finding a way to go back. I don't wish to go back to that life."
She gave a bittersweet smile. Silence spread. Everyone felt sentimental after hearing her story. How could one live like that?
"...Lydia..."
Rhea spoke however she closed her lips since she did not know what else to speak. Should she say she feels sorry for all that she had to go through? Listening to her story made her feel sad? Before she could even decide on what to add, Lydia spoke up,
"Anyhow, that's the gist of it. I would like it if none of it mentions it again in front of me. For now, there are some important details you need to know. Yes, the blue moon is connected to how you came here. When you died, there was a blue moon along with the feelings also play an important role."
"Feelings?"
"The characters in this book are soulless. They are merely acting like how they are supposed to according to the book. You may even call them hollow shells. At the time you died, the feelings that you felt resonated with the innermost feelings of these characters. That's how your soul is connected to your respected body. And Rhea, I am sorry to say but this is your life now. There's no going back."
"I have figured that out already....still thank you for sharing."
"Yes, we appreciate it."
"I'm sure it wasn't easy to talk about your past."
"Well.....it was good to share it with someone. But that's not important now. There's something really important that you should worry about."
"What is it?"
"I am so sorry I didn't say anything before. It was because I don't know the way out of it."
"Just tell us already, what is it?"
"Rhea you did change the plot quite drastically. However, you are all still bound to your roles."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that Rhea and Rastos will end up getting married no matter what."
"What?!"
They all said at once in shock. The one being most surprised was Argus, Rhea, and Rastos who did not like it.
"It also means that no matter how many times you try to change the plot, it will somehow make its way back into the original."
"But haven't we already changed it drastically?"
"Yes, and things have been going pretty good so far."
"Argus, tell me. How many times have you had a near-death experience in the past two weeks?"
"That's...well....maybe five....seven....twelve times..."
He eventually spoke the correct amount. Hearing this made everyone's eyes go wide. Rhea frantically inquired,
"Why didn't you say so before?"
"I thought it was normal. I'm the head of the knights so I have always been facing such situations."
"Yes, but in those situations, you weren't required to die. Whereas now.....your time was supposed to be up a long time ago. And to correct its plot. It will keep on happening until it achieves what it wants."
"That's.....how can you say that? Maybe this was happening because of his job. It doesn't mean he's going to eventually....die..."
"I can see it."
"See what?"
"The strings of fate. His is going up in the sky towards heaven. Yours and Rastos are connected. While Princess Calista's string is also connected with Rastos. Giselle's connected with Ryker."
"But Giselle has already divorced Ryker."
"Has she?"
They all turn to Giselle who blinks....shocked as a realization hits upon her.
"Yesterday I found out that Ryker faked his signature on the divorce papers. Which means we are technically still married. Only I have signed it. The divorce will finally be complete if both parties sign it that's why my lawyer and I are trying our best to make Ryker sign them....he said his condition was to let him out of jail this instant...."
"That shows how she's still connected with him."
"....still, haven't we changed it a lot? We can still change it. Look, I didn't get into a contract marriage with Argus and I am not together with Rastos as well."
"The fate is bound. Try thinking hard. You'll find out minute details on how it's trying to put you together."
"No, it's not."
Rhea refused instantly. She was having trouble believing it since if she believed it, it would mean Argus would...die....No, she won't let that happen.
"I think I know what you mean."
Rastos spoke up,
"I thought it was strange at first but then I ignored it since it wasn't a big deal. But ever since I met Rhea, for some reason every other person around me seems to be mentioning her. All-day all night, it's just Rhea this and Rhea that. It's like they're deliberately doing it to make me only think of her."
"Well do you?"
Castila inquired as he added,
"Sort of..."
"What?"
Rhea and Argus said at once while glaring at him.
"Not in that romantic way. I don't like her. I've said this before. But it's in the way of how you know when everyone around you is talking about something and you end up momentarily thinking about it as well. It's like that."
"Nevertheless, it isn't like that for me."
Rhea added.
"That's because your feelings are too strong."
"Feelings?"
Everyone said at once. Lydia refused to answer and looked silently at Rhea who understood what she meant and motioned her not to say anything since the said person who was on the other side of her secret affections was standing cluelessly right to next her.
"Let's just call her a rebel."
Lydia added
"Then how are we supposed to get rid of it? I don't want to stay with Ryker!"
"I'm not too sure about it. Maybe the temple at the Royal Palace knows about it. After all, they are the guardians of this book."
"Guardians of this book?"
"What does that mean?"
"The book exists in this time and place as well?!"
"The only thing those priests guard is that....holy relic....that's sacred and divine..."
As Argus realized what Lydia meant when he spoke, she nodded and confirmed his suspicions,
"Have you ever wondered what that treasure looks like? It's the original book. The one I wrote and was torn into pieces. The unfinished book."
How do you like the story so far? Do comment to let me know! Hope you enjoyed! ❤️