Chapter 3: Apparently, I Have a Family

Alina had one simple conclusion after everything that happened:

“This is not a dream.”

She said it while sitting stiffly in a chair that looked like it belonged in a museum, inside a room that was way too big for her emotional stability.

Across from her, Lila stood nervously, hands folded in front of her.

“My lady… should I call the physician?”

“No,” Alina said immediately. “I need therapy, but I think that’s not available in medieval fantasy settings.”

Lila blinked. “…Medieval… what?”

“Nothing,” Alina said quickly. “Forget it. Please forget everything I say.”

Before Lila could respond, loud footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door.

“Seraphina!”

Alina flinched.

“That sounded angry,” she whispered.

The doors opened.

Two people walked in.

One looked about her age—sharp eyes, elegant posture, and an expression that screamed I am responsible for everything and I am tired. The other was younger, more energetic, and immediately rushed forward.

“Are you okay?!” the younger girl shouted.

Alina blinked.

“…Hi?”

The younger girl grabbed her hands. “You disappeared! Everyone was panicking! Do you know how many guards I had to argue with just to come see you?!”

Alina looked at Lila.

Lila whispered, “Your sister…”

Alina slowly turned back.

“…My sister?”

“Yes!” the girl said. “It’s me! Elira!”

Alina nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Then she pointed at her.

“You’re my sister.”

“Yes!”

Alina nodded again.

Then pointed at herself.

“I am… Seraphina.”

“Yes!”

Another nod.

“…Okay.”

A pause.

Elira blinked. “That’s it?”

Alina stared at her.

“…Do you want me to faint or something?”

The older brother stepped forward now, arms crossed.

“Seraphina,” he said firmly. “What happened? The guards said you were acting strange.”

Alina immediately sat up straighter.

“Hi, brother.”

He narrowed his eyes. “…That’s not what I asked.”

“Noted.”

Silence.

Alina looked at both of them.

So.

This was her family now.

Great.

Love that for her.

“So,” Alina said carefully, “quick question.”

Elira tilted her head. “What is it?”

Alina pointed between them.

“What are your personalities?”

Dead silence.

Her brother blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I just need to know,” Alina said seriously. “For survival purposes.”

“Survival…?”

“Yes.”

Lila quietly whispered, “My lady is still unwell…”

“I’m fine,” Alina said quickly. “Mostly.”

Elira sighed and sat beside her. “Okay, Seraphina, what’s going on? You’re acting like you’ve never seen us before.”

Alina opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

Then opened it again.

“…Hypothetically,” she said slowly, “if someone woke up and realized they were inside a story they read—”

“Seraphina,” her brother interrupted, “don’t start with your strange theories again.”

Alina paused.

“…I have a reputation?”

Elira laughed nervously. “Kind of…”

Alina leaned back in her chair.

Of course she did.

Of course the character she possessed was already weird.

Perfect.

Just perfect.

Her brother sighed. “Enough. You need rest. The palace incident was serious. There are rumors that someone is targeting nobles.”

That got her attention.

Alina straightened.

“…Targeting nobles?”

Elira nodded. “People say it’s connected to the rebellion groups near the border.”

Alina felt something cold settle in her stomach.

Rebellion.

Border.

Danger.

“Oh,” she said slowly.

That wasn’t in her “fun fantasy novel survival guide.”

Her brother continued, “Until things settle, you are not to leave the palace without guards.”

Alina blinked.

“…I can’t leave?”

“No.”

“…At all?”

“No.”

She stared at him.

“…So I’m a prisoner.”

Elira gasped. “That’s not what he means!”

But Alina was already staring into the distance.

“…This is worse than prison,” she muttered. “At least prisoners get exercise.”

Lila whispered, “My lady, please don’t say that…”

Suddenly—

A loud crash echoed somewhere outside.

Everyone froze.

“WHAT WAS THAT?!” Elira shouted.

Guards rushed past the hallway.

“INTRUDER IN THE WEST CORRIDOR!”

Alina slowly stood up.

“…Oh no.”

Her brother grabbed her arm immediately. “Stay here.”

Alina looked at him.

Then at the chaos outside.

Then back at him.

“…Respectfully,” she said, “no.”

Before anyone could stop her—

She slipped out of his grip and ran toward the hallway.

“SERAPHINA!” Elira shouted.

Lila panicked. “MY LADY, PLEASE COME BACK!”

Her brother cursed under his breath and followed immediately.

Alina, however, had only one thought:

“This is definitely not part of a peaceful romance novel.”

She turned a corner—

And saw it.

A masked figure.

Standing in the middle of the corridor.

Holding something metallic.

Blood drained from the nearby guards as they stepped back.

“Who are you?!” one guard shouted.

The figure didn’t answer.

Instead—

It turned slowly.

And looked directly at her.

Alina froze.

“…Oh,” she whispered.

“…This is the start of the bad stuff.”

The figure raised its weapon.

And in that moment—

Alina realized something very important:

“I am absolutely not prepared for this.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***