What on Earth? or Meu?!

‘Um, sorry I got excited.’ I tried removing my hands that are still on his cheeks.

INAAAA! You’ve literally just lectured him about consent and personal space! Aaah! Stop it! You probably look uncool!

A steady grip took hold of me and made sure my hands weren't departing his face. He quickly eyed the snake-shaped birthmark on my forearm, and returned my gaze with a suppressed smile. Like a child hiding a mischievous secret from his mom.

‘You held me like this before as well.’ He calmly said. Sincerity and adoration reflected on his eyes. Inviting even. His clear blue eyes perfectly reflected the glitter of stars, with me in the middle. Locked in place and unable to move, we remained unbothered by the world around us as we stared at each other's eyes. Unsure of what to say, I studied his facial profile with my undivided attention this time. Well defined features, delicate and perfectly balanced. Light sky blue eyes with dark slit shaped pupils. Long white lashes that seem to flutter as he blinks. And a cute nose that appears to be getting closer and closer.

’Stop right there.’ I applied pressure on the face that I am forced to hold. I held his face as if squishing plushie. Also moved my fingers slightly to cover his lips. ‘You aren’t kissing me again.’

I wonder how red I looked just now. Close call.

He didn’t say it, but a second, his face spelt a definite ‘awww’ sad emote reaction.

So cute.

He smiles and says ‘You look like you’re getting enchanted by me, so I thought I’d try.’

He is too adorable.

He finally freed my hands and I took a step back.

‘Do you mind explaining everything from the beginning?’

‘Of course.’ His lips formed a thin line from ear to ear. ‘Ina.’

Very sexy.

His smile wasn't wavering. Maybe from calling my name. Maybe from seeing how red I looked right now. Can be anything at this point. He reached out for my hand with politeness and caution. I hesitated for a second before reaching back out. He held me gently and guided me slowly from the grassy patch of the cave entrance and into the soft sands of the beach. He sat down first and looked up to me as if inquiring if I would sit down with him. I did and I looked up to the vast skies before he started speaking.

‘You, Ina, are Princess Raiona, heir to the throne of King Arye, the king of lions and head of all the kings. An accident occurred where you ended up in another world’, Celphi said with a hint of anger and sadness on his voice.

‘After years of searching for you and finally finding you, you are being brought back to take your rightful place to the throne and to learn your duties before your father, the King of Kings steps down.’

I felt his gaze on me as I continued admiring the night skies as he spoke. I wish I had more of a reaction but I am not Raiona. I can’t be.

I am just a regular person. Being a nurse is already tiring, let alone an orphanage caretaker. I do not need more responsibility looking after a whole kingdom. This is a case of mistaken identity. But what if they don’t let me go and force this destiny on me then?

‘Hmm…Why does this Raiona girl have to take over the throne anyways. Maybe she doesn't even want it’, I whispered to myself.

I did not know how long I was staring off into the distance when I realized that I had fallen silent and hadn't even responded to Celphi. I turned my head to his direction and saw him silently observing me.

‘Sorry, I was lost in thought. I most certainly am not the person you are looking for. I will leave no matter what. And if by any chance I can not escape this fate and I end up being stuck in this world, I do not mind being busy and learning what is needed of me. But as myself, not Raiona. Well, that is after I have exhausted all my options in trying to leave.’

Celphi nods lightly and waits patiently.

‘Where I came from, I was a busybody. I was always doing something. But I did not dislike it. All choices that I made are for myself.’ I stared off into the glistening skies and motioned to lie down.

‘I most especially wouldn’t stand for it if I’m being made to do what was intended for another person, like that princess you are talking about.’

As I lied down, the fur blanket I’ve wrapped around me slowly unravelled. I sat back up to wrap myself properly. I glanced at Celphi who has looked away this time but was red on the ears.

‘How come you have clothing after changing back into human form? You don’t wear anything when you’re in creature form so where is the fabric coming from?’

He smiled sweetly and his face looked like he could explode with affection.

‘You told me before,’ he corrected himself, ’well Raiona told me before that she wanted me to wear clothing and not show myself so randomly, so what I am wearing right now is my reptile skin, fashioned into a clothing.’

I can get along with this Raiona person.

‘Do you like that fur cloth?’ He inspected my makeshift fur dress and offered to make it into a real dress.

‘I can sew that into something more secure, but you have to give it back to me.’

My immediate reaction was to hug myself and lean away from him.

’No.’ He chuckles. ‘No, I won't leave you clothless, I have something you can wear in the meantime.’

He transformed and slithered away and back at the same fast pace, coming back with an item in his hand. Though slither might not be the correct term. I noticed that the way he moved wasn’t like a snake, that slithers left and right. He moves up and down, like a wave.

I was thinking hard on what sort of creature moved like that when he interrupted my thought by showing me a pre-made white dress.

’Where did you hide it? Did you prepare this for me?’ I took the garment in my hand and studied its materials. White snake skin? It is stretchable and cool to the skin. I placed it against my body and saw that it would fall around my knees. I would not normally wear something like this in my daily life as it reeks of extravagance but the situation called for it.

’I wouldn’t call it snake skin, but yes, I made that at the cave while you were sleeping.’

‘Turn around. Look away.’

He complied swiftly.

I unraveled the fur blanket dress and put the white dress on. I lower the dress close to the ground, put my feet through it, and then brought it up to my body. I tied the loose ends around my neck, giving it the halter dress look. 

This was made with ease in mind! Amazing!

‘Ok, I’m clothed now. Thank you Celphi.’

He doesn’t turn around. I waited for a while but he remained still. Or rather, was trembling while turned away. I went closer to his back and notice his shakiness. I slowly went around to see his face. He has his hand covering his face but he was making some whimpering noise.

’Celphi?’ I took a step closer.

‘I am not ready to see you yet my princess. I mean my Ina. No, I mean just Ina.’ He continuously covered his face, his body trembling stronger.

Suspicious. My eye brows were certainly raised.

‘Well ok.’ I shrugged and went back behind him where I was sitting before. I have to be safe. Who knows if creatures burst spontaneously. I kept an eye on him for a while.

Weird. Was he laughing? Was he crying?

I started to fold the fur blanket that I was using as a dress, contemplating if I got pranked in this world’s definition. I turned around to check on his well-being, he also just managed to get the strength to look at me and our gazes met.

Celphi falls to the ground while holding his chest as if he was in pain. I quickly closed the distance between us and held him upright.

‘What is the matter?’ My face scrunched up in worry. It took him a moment to regain composure.

’Brides of scaled-men wear their husband’s shedded skin.’ He happily confessed. My initial impression of him is that of an elegant man, having funny and cute tendencies, but nothing about him is refined right now. He is so happy that he could explode. I threw the blanket on his face and was about ready to smother him when he started laughing out loud.

‘Ina, lots of things have changed since you were been gone but my feelings for you haven’t.’ He sat up and looked at me unblinkingly and seriously.

I stared at him for a good while, thinking about what I would say next.

So, is this where he confesses about kidnapping me?

‘I apologize for overstepping. That must’ve made you uncomfortable. Do not worry about it. I will not speak about my feelings for you again. Unless you asked for it.’

’Can you return me to my world?’ I realized how cold and mistimed this question was, but there was no such thing as ‘perfect timing’ to ask.

’Give this world a chance.’ He looked serious now.

’I have duties to return to. Everyone must be looking for me.’ I pleaded.

‘If you end up despising your life here, I will use my full potential to find a way to help you return.’ I looked into his eyes and I couldn't figure out what he was thinking or feeling.

’At the very least, is there a way to let my family know that I am safe? Am I dead in my world?’

’You’ve found a new family there? That is just like you. Daystar Shine.’

Daystar? Shine? Is that a term of endearment?

 ‘I do not have any idea of what is left behind of you in the other world’, Celphi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. ‘Worst case is they go looking for you forever.’

He met my gaze and said, ‘But you are here. Your body's here. I know this much.’

I put my knees close to my chest and hug myself, leaning my head on top of my knees.

What will I do now? The kids must be looking for me. Ami and Mika. I have lots of responsibilities, I have a lot of people needing me.

No tears came out. I tried to figure out what I was feeling. I wasn’t particularly upset, mostly inconvenienced and confused. I got brought into this world without my consent, with an apparent role to fill, when I already had a life and a path I’ve chosen, and plenty of people who I love and love me back.

But if I did hit the ground after falling from a second floor balcony, do I even have anything to return to? What if I did die? Or did Raiona take my place on Earth?

I looked up to the three moons’ enchanting glow, which seemed to have given me a calming effect.

‘What are those things that go from left to right?’ I pointed.

’Those are the rings around the skies. They surround Meu.’

Oh, so this planet is like Saturn, having rings around it. Shall I give this place a try then? It looks beautiful so far… haha.. Am I really going by the planet’s aesthetics now?

As my eyesight eventually became fogged with moisture, the hypnotizing scenery lulling me to sleep, I felt Celphi’s touch as I was passing out. Wiping my tears away.

‘May we celebrate your birthdays together forever, Ina’.