My Little Pill Bug

*Click* *Clack* *Click* *Clack*

The guards are about to reach the room. Is it all over?

“An invisibility cloak has been found! It’s possible for the intruders to hide in plain sight!”

Yup—There she was… hands over head again… huddled in the corner of the closet, completely visible…

You should really work on a better defense mechanism… We can all see you there…

Both William and mother turned their sight to the door of the room when they heard the warning out of reflex. So I took advantage of it.

*Swoosh*

“Woah!”

I slid Sofia under the bed, hoping they wouldn’t notice.

“What was that?” Mother screamed.

*BAM*

William punched the closet.

“Two guards stay here to protect our guests, the rest go search every corner of the castle, don’t permit this to escalate any further!” William exclaimed.

“Listen William, is it really a coincidence for this to happen on my sister’s wedding eve? Doesn’t matter from which angle you see it. This is an attack directed at her! A complot! They don’t want her to marry the prince. Just think about it! I know I’m asking too much but… let me go to her room. We mustn’t be blinded by traditions. It’s my sister’s life on the line! don’t you get it?”

“Is it true? Is Sara in danger? We can’t leave her alone! She must be terrified… My baby… I have to go with her!” Mother ran.

“Don’t worry about Lady Sara, some of our best guards have been assigned to her protection.” William said following her.

That’s two out of the way. Only Two remaining.

I ran after them, and the guards stopped me.

“You are safer in this room sir. We can’t let you go.”

“Are you out of your mind? I’m not the one in danger here! My sister… Whose heads are gonna roll if we let her die?”

“Ugh…”

“If I was the target then I’d already be dead! If you don’t let me go with Sara then… You’ll leave me no choice but to ask the King himself to execute you!”

“But sir… we have orders to keep you safe.”

“If you won’t let me go then… At least make sure my sister is safe! As I’ve told you, I’m in no danger, so please. Go with her.”

“Ufh… Alright, but you have to promise you’ll stay in your room.”

”You have my word. Don’t come back until the intruders have been found. Or else… I’ll make sure to use everything in my power for your heads to roll off, or if I fail, you won’t ever get to step on the castle again.”

“Ok then… But don’t tell anyone…”

“Of course. Anything for the good of my sister.”

*Click* *Clack* The armors’ sound faded.

“All clear my little pill bug. You don’t have to hide anymore.” I closed the door.

*Cricket…* *Cricket…* Silence… and more silence…

“What’s wrong? Are you ok? They’re all gone now.”

“…”

“It’s just the two of us… We were talking just fine before, weren’t we?”

“Wishi-wishi-washa…” She said… No… tried to say something.

“*Sigh* Talk properly, I can’t hear you. Are you really gonna make me drag you out of the bed?”

“Wishi-wishi-washa…” She tried to say something again…

“If you’re angry because I called you a pill bug then I’m sorry, it was just a joke. Yes? Dr Boulanger?” I bent down to see under the bed. Expecting to find her in her usual posture.

As expected she was.

“Hey… Why don’t you get out?”

She moved a little, enough for me to see one of her eyes and asked:

“Do you… Like pill bugs?”

What has gotten up to you…?

“Of course! I used to play with them all the time when I was a kid! The way they roll up never gets old.”

Wait… isn’t this making it worse…?

“Then… You would never get annoyed no matter how many times I roll up?”

“Eh?”

“Would you cover for me like today?”

I’m not sure I’m following you…

“Uhm… yes?”

“Then… would you unroll me every time?”

“Uhm… Sure…?”

“What im trying to say is… Do you think pill bugs are cute?”

There’s no way right…?

I got under the bed, turned her over, and once we were facing each other I said:

“Pill bugs are cute. But they aren’t as cute as you. So don’t let a single compliment make you this red. I’m sure you’ll get lots of them.”

Then she tried to hold herself but…

“Bwahhh Wahhhh Bwaaaaahhhh” She started to cry…

“Why are you crying…? We’re still in the castle you know? They’ll hear you…”

“I don’t care if they hear me—*Snif*—As long as you aren’t lying—*Hic*— As long as this isn’t a dream—*Sob*— As long as you are not an evil demon from another world reincarnated into a human trying to manipulate me for your personal gain… Then… I don’t care if they hear me! I’ll die being the happiest person ever!”

“Pfff. Ha-Heh—Hahahahaha. What’s with your crazy scenarios? Is this what goes through your head all the time? Also, aren't you too susceptible to compliments? Don’t worry, I’ve met the most beautiful women from all over the world, and I can confidently tell—they don’t reach the level of a magic pill bug.”

And for some reason… For the first time in my two lives—Telling the truth felt good.

From tears and boogers her smile flourished, blooming as I laughed, mixing her own laughs with her cries. And together, under the bed—We forgot we were the intruders, turning into King and Queen of the under-the-bed kingdom, as everyone searched for us.

How did this happen? How did I fall for a Rolly-Polly mage after only knowing her for not even an hour…?

Was it the hormones of this new body? I have no idea. But what I do know is… I hope memories are not erased after I die a second time. I hope this fuzzy feeling means something deeper than all of my previous life combined.