A world much different than ours.

                                                            Princess Zeylum POV

I was skeptical of this time-traveling device, but our scientists are truly amazing. Ziri, my attendant, opened the pod’s gate, and the fresh air of 2017, the air before everything went to ruin filled my lungs. I coughed, and Ziri immediately knelt down beside me, his face full of concern.

"Are you okay, Mistress?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

I coughed again, standing up and gazing at the sun. It didn’t burn my skin, and I could stand under its warmth without needing protective gear. I looked up at the clear blue sky, mesmerized.

"Oh, I’m better than okay, Ziri," I replied, a smirk forming on my face without even realizing it.

“Makes me almost want to take over instantly, rather than give these ungrateful barbaric humans any more time with such a beautiful planet,” I muttered, my frustration mounting.

“I suppose so, mistress,” Ziri replied meekly, as always.

“Ahem... but I’m going to give my speech nonetheless. After all, I am an envoy here,” I added, straightening my posture and shaking off my irritation.

Ziri bowed, stepping back to begin setting up the interference block. His fingers worked swiftly, ensuring we could jam every screen in existence and broadcast our message.

I absolutely hated humankind, even though I could be classified as one. But unlike these ancient barbarians, we knew the true meaning of preservation and care. They had no idea how to cherish the world they were given. It disgusts me.

I couldn’t wait to see how the next year would unfold. I wanted to see if these pesky, barbaric humans would make any progress at all, if they even had the capability to understand the gravity of the situation.

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As I gave my speech, I could feel it… these humans weren’t taking me seriously at all. Did they think it was a joke? The thought maddened me, so I raised a jammer and fired its electrical wave energy into every important and well populated corner of the Earth. The wave hit, and their technology blared in response, surprising me slightly. Their protection for their technology is quite... weak, I must say.

The impact left the ground shaking, and Ziri yelped as the tall skyscraper we used for broadcasting shook violently as well.

Their weakness... disappoints me. ..

Yet I continued my speech to the end without showing an ounce of anger.

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After I finished, Ziri cut off the connection and spoke with admiration.

“That was a highly well spoken speech, my mistress."

“Thank you” I replied.

After a while I looked back to see Ziri, he was looking at me like he desperately wanted to say something.

I sighed “what is it Ziri, just speak already.”

Fidgeting his fingers he spoke, “Mistress, I... I’ve been wondering about something ever since we arrived in the past. Now that we’ve finally succeeded in coming here... could we try some food from this time?

I’ve read in many online records about food that was once exquisite, food that had a taste that was... well, pleasurable to the tongue. Please, Mistress, may we try it?”

I raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

“Food that’s pleasing to the taste? What a strange idea. There’s no such thing. Food is meant to fuel the body, not to indulge the senses. The idea that people would desire food when not even hungry...is absurd.”

Ziri spoke with a bit of hope laced in his tone.

"But, Mistress, the records say there was food that people ate even when they weren’t hungry! They said it was something... pleasurable not just sustenance. How can that be? We have never experienced anything like that! We must try it, please!"

I sighed.

“Fine Ziri I suppose I’ll humor your request.” I said with a huff.

Ziri had already requested a holographic ring capable of altering our appearance, bringing it with us to the past. Obviously, we weren’t foolish enough to attempt time travel with humans right away. It was first tested on objects, cameras, sensors, and various other devices.

It’s safe to say we have our eyes and ears in every essential location on this Earth, both as a precaution and to gather information on how much the planet has changed. Understanding its current state is crucial if we are to rebuild this era. We need to know how Earth functions and what kind of healing it requires.

These rings were designed using data from 2017’s clothing styles so we can blend in. After all, recreating cotton fabric in our time is completely impossible. We survive on synthetic materials. Pure cotton no longer exists, thanks to these barbarians who. will. pay.

Ziri hands me my ring, and I put it on. A bright light envelops us as we select our holographic disguises. Our faces and clothing shift just enough to appear different from our natural forms, allowing us to pass unnoticed.

Ziri looked it at me and said "you look splendid my mistress!"

"...really? thank you I suppose" I replied ...well not that I care about ancient fashion.. but it's nice enough for the eye.

Ziri, examining the holographic map, spoke.
“It seems we’ve landed in a country called Russia. It was once a powerful independent unit before the eventual merging of all nations.”

I nod.

As we step into the city center, the world around us feels utterly alien. It’s nothing like the world we left in 2846. People walk freely under the sun without any protective gear. Water can be drunk directly from natural sources after only minimal filtration. The air… it’s light, crisp, and breathable. Our eyes don’t burn the moment we inhale.

And cotton…? people wear it so casually, as if it’s not an unattainable luxury.

I felt a sudden surge of anger…anger against these barbarians that stripped earth of its abundance.

Behind me, Ziri is scanning this country’s economic data, already working on printing its currency. After all, we didn't have access to this ancient paper money.

Ziri printed the paper currency and looked at me, silently asking for permission to buy something. I simply nodded. He smiled and rushed off excitedly.

Moments later, he returned holding a strange looking item.

"What is this?" I asked, my tone laced with judgment.

"It’s… cheru—no, chebu—reki… something! That’s what they called it, Mistress!" Ziri replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

He handed me one. It was shaped like a semi-circle… warm in fact far warmer than the food we were used to.

We both took a bite at the same time.

It was… strange. Juicy yet chewy, but also crispy, completely unlike the dry, lifeless crackers we ate in our time. The flavor was rich, complex. I couldn't even put it into words.

Ziri looked utterly baffled, his expression a mix of shock and wonder. We both stood there, frozen, wearing identical expressions of confusion, surprise and  ... delight.

"W-well, I suppose you were right, Ziri. This food is rather… pleasing. It’s really different, isn’t it?"

Ziri looked up at me, his eyes glistening with tears.

I blinked in surprise as he hastily wiped them away.

"I-I apologize for such a weak display, Mistress," he said, his voice unsteady. "But this food… it's amazing. I lost control of myself."

I nodded, understanding completely. "It’s okay. I understand."

I really understand.

Now I knew exactly what these barbarians had taken for granted, what they had selfishly denied us.