Chapter 1
I died and became a character in my own book.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t freak out when I woke up. It took me about a week to fully process everything and accept that this wasn’t a dream. Who wouldn’t get anxious waking up in excruciating pain inside an unfamiliar room?
Everyone keeps calling me by a name that belongs to someone else.
Yzella Sorine Astraea. A minor character in the book I just finished writing.
If I had to get stuck in a fictional world, couldn’t I at least be the main character or someone significant to the plot?
“Miss Yzella, why are you down here? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Kenna, the head cook, asked, her concern evident.
“I’ve been sleeping for who knows how long. Trust me, I got my rest.” I chuckled. “I’m here because I want to cook lunch for everyone.”
The surprise on their faces wasn’t exactly reassuring. I didn’t need to be a mind reader to know they probably thought I’d burn the kitchen down.
A young woman beside Kenna, Cosette, hesitantly raised her hand. “May we know why? Are you unhappy with the food?”
“No, of course not. The food is delicious!” I smiled, trying to put them at ease. “You’ve all been taking care of me while I was unconscious, so I wanted to thank you.”
The assistants glanced nervously at Kenna. “I promise I won’t destroy the kitchen. You can even stay here and watch if you want!”
Kenna finally nodded. “If that’s what you want, but we’re not comfortable letting you do all the work.”
“Okay. You can help me with the ingredients then.” I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a container of chicken wings. “I’m going to make buffalo wings.”
They helped prepare the chicken and the sauce under my guidance. I took charge of cooking the rest. Along with buffalo wings, I made carbonara and garlic bread—dishes I used to cook with my sister. I didn’t use a recipe book and just measured according to my gut which made the staff uneasy.
“It’s not proper for ‘servants’ like us to eat with you,” Evelyn said hesitantly. “We’ll taste the food after you’ve finished.”
“It’s also not proper to disobey my orders,” I replied with a warm smile, trying to make them feel comfortable. “Please, sit and judge the food. I know everyone’s hungry.”
They were impressed when they took their first bite, though probably more surprised that the food was edible than anything else.
“You’re eating without me?” A voice interrupted, and I looked up to see a pair of dark brown eyes. Everyone stood and bowed, acknowledging the intruder’s presence. He walked over to the seat next to me, previously occupied by Evelyn, who went to the kitchen earlier to get something. “You’re awake. I apologize for not visiting earlier. I’ve been rather busy.”
“Yes, I am,” I replied, trying to process the situation. “I want to acknowledge your presence properly, but with all due respect, that seat is taken.” I gestured to the plate with unfinished food which Evelyn immediately moved to another free spot on the table.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t notice. My apologies, Evelyn.”
“It’s not a problem, Your Highness. I can just move.”
Your Highness? For someone who’s talking to royalty, Evelyn seemed somewhat comfortable. The respect is still there, of course, but it’s like talking to him was already normal for her, and the others weren’t even surprised that he was here. He must be coming here often.
“I heard you lost your memories. I guess you don’t remember me, then.” He extended his hand. “Prince Sebastian Theodore Maeve.”
My utensils clattered onto my plate. How did I not realize? This was the brother of my main character.
“Close your mouth before a fly enters,” he laughed. “I take it you remember who I am now?”
I nodded, still a bit starstruck.
“If that shocked you, what I’m about to say might make you faint,” he leaned close to my ear, making me flinch. “I know you’re not Yzella, Miss Author.”
I froze while he casually started eating. “Finish your food first. We’ll talk about it later when we’re alone.”
I should have been nervous that he knew who I was, but for some reason, I was more excited about a one-on-one meeting with one of my characters.
We entered a cozy, well-stocked library. It was my first time here, but I tried not to make it obvious. I secretly scan every corner and detail of the study. The overall ambiance makes me want to grab a book and plop down on the sofa to read. A glimpse of a wonderful view can be seen from the bay window, and sunlight slips through the heavy curtains, making the room well-lit.
“I heard you cooked today’s lunch. It was very appetizing.” He said as he closed the door behind him. “Surprisingly delicious. I might come here more frequently just to taste your cooking.”
He looked around the room as if he was seeing it for the first time, though I doubted that.
“If so, that would be an honor, Your Highness.”
“Ian,” he said, making me tilt my head in confusion. “Call me Ian. You don’t have to use formal titles when we’re alone.”
“I can’t possibly be that casual. You’re a prince.”
“And you created this world. What’s a prince compared to that?” He leaned against the desk, facing me.
“How do you know who I am?”
“Believe it or not, I don’t know either. The moment I saw you the night of Yzella’s accident, I just knew. It was like a secret door in my memory opened.”
“How much do you know about me?”
“Not much. I know who you are but not your real name or how you ended up here.” He sat down. “For some reason, I think I’m the only one who knows. You look different from the real Yzella, but people still think you’re her.”
“Where is she, then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe in your world.” He shrugged. “We’re not close anymore so I don’t have a reason to be worried.”
I smirked.
“I don’t think that’s how it works. You can’t just not worry about someone because of a falling out. Plus, didn’t you have a crush on her?” His confused face made me laugh. “I wrote you. Be more surprised if I didn’t know.”
He cleared his throat. “We’re supposed to talk about you, not my past crush, which ended, by the way.”
His reaction made me want to tease him more. “We are talking about me. Since everyone thinks I’m her, you might unconsciously develop feelings for me too.”
He walked towards me, hands in his pockets. “Are you sure you want to play this game with me?”
“What game?” I furrowed my brows.
He leaned down, placing his hands on the armrests of my chair, leveling with my eyes. Everything was progressing too quickly. “Judging by your reaction, I don’t think I’ll be the one developing feelings.”
My heart pounded, and I tried to hide the sound with my voice. “It won’t be me either.”
“You can’t even look me in the eye,” he taunted.
“How can I? Your face is too close. If I turn my head, our lips might bump into each other. I want to avoid such a cliché incident.”
“No, they won’t.” He gently held my chin, making me look at him. “See?”
“Stop flirting with me.”
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Who said I was flirting? Do you even know what that is?”
I rolled my eyes and slightly pushed him.
“I win,” he grinned. “So, did I awaken any unconscious feelings?”
A knock on the door saved me from responding. “Come in.”
Evelyn entered with a tray of desserts, making my eyes sparkle. Tarts, cookies, brownies, and other pastries filled the tray, more than enough for the two of us.
“Thank you, Eve. If you want some pastries, please help yourself.”
“You’re too kind, Miss.” She bowed and left.
“Let’s go back to our original discussion.” Ian sat on the couch, crossing his legs. “Tell me about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Your real name, for starters.”
“My name? Uh, it’s Aerisse. Most people call me Risse,” I said with hesitation as if I’m embarrassed by my own name, “but I think it’s better if you refer to me as Yzella since that’s what everybody calls me.”
“I can call you Risse when no one’s around.”
“You’ll get confused if you keep switching between names. I think it’s better if you stick with one.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t get easily confused,” he said, “and I like to be special.”
“Of course you do.” I playfully rolled my eyes. “I think it’s time to go.”
“Just like that? Are you ordering me to leave when I haven’t been here for long?” He said with a brow raised. “I didn’t even get to eat the snacks Evelyn had prepared.”
“Oh, no. I would never order you around, Your Highness.” I said with sarcasm. “I was simply giving a humble suggestion. I’m sure the palace would have much more delicious snacks for you to eat.”
“That surely doesn’t sound like a humble suggestion.”
“Then, I humbly suggest that you leave now so you can rest and eat snacks in your huge palace, Your Highness Prince Sebastian Theodore Maeve of Evervale.”
He laughed and rose from his seat with grace I didn’t notice before. Now that I pay attention to him, I begin to see how princely he is, poised and annoyingly charming.
He is an actual prince, so that shouldn’t surprise me.
“I shall take my leave, then.” He kissed the back of my hand. “I’m glad I could properly meet you, my lady. I will make sure to return as soon as I can.”
“If you come here to tease me every time, then you might also get kicked out every time,” I replied with a forced smile.
“You’ll like my company.”
“If that’s what you want to believe, who am I to refute it?” I put my hand on the door, preparing to shut it in his face if he doesn’t leave. Unexpectedly meeting one of my characters consumed too much of my energy. Thankfully, he left after giving me one last wink.
The following days were peaceful. I learned to cook a few easy dishes and I was able to start reading a few of the books I saw in the library. The prince didn’t visit, but I feel like he still keeps tabs on me through the guards he assigned to ‘protect’ me. I doubt they’d have much to report since they stay outside and I don’t go out.
It’s not that I didn’t like the prince here. I just don’t know how to act around him properly. We just met, but I was too informal and a bit crabby. I realized this way too late so I couldn’t keep my attitude in check while he was here. I don’t know if he was really fine with my attitude or if he was just pretending. He is a prince after all. He is used to being respected.
I just finished washing the dishes when I heard the front door open. That must be Evelyn. I gave everyone a week off but she said she wasn’t comfortable leaving me all alone, so she visits me every day.
“You’re early. Have you eaten—” I paused, “Wait, you’re not Evelyn.”
“No, I’m not,” he replied with a handsome grin, “you probably don’t remember me, but I’m Cal.”
My whole body malfunctioned when my mind processed who he was. The Caelum Alexander Soren is in front of me and is talking to me. I think I’m falling in love at first sight with my main character. I think I will melt completely just by hearing his deep voice. His heavenly visuals are not helping either!
I thought I’d be okay if I met my main characters since meeting Ian was not that bad, but I’m doing way worse right now. I can’t even think. Why am I panicking? And why are people coming here without prior notice?
“Are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. It was nice to… uh, meet you.” Could I be more obvious about how nervous I am? “May I ask what brings you here?”
“The prince has been occupied recently, so he asked me to check up on you.” Ian must think I’m a kid just because I’m new to this world. “I also came to give you this.”
He pulled out an envelope with a fancy stamp. “The coronation will be on Friday of next week. I apologize for the last-minute invitation. It was supposed to be sent here last month but Ian insisted that it would be better if you receive it yourself.”
Evelyn arrived and immediately bowed when she saw Cal.
“Oh, hey,” I greeted her. “Have you eaten? There’s food in the kitchen.”
“I have eaten, Miss. Thank you.” She gave me a small smile. “I apologize for interrupting your conversation, please carry on.”
“No worries,” Cal said.
“How about you, Your Grace? Have you eaten?”
It’s a good thing I did a bit of research while I was writing or I wouldn’t know how to refer to him.
“You might not remember, but we’re friends. You do not need to call me by my title. Cal is fine.”
“Okay, Cal.” I couldn’t help but grin as I said his name. “I fried some chicken. It’s not as delicious as the ones you are usually served, but I promise they’re at least edible.”
“I would love to taste the food you prepared, but I can’t. I’m needed at the palace,” he sighed. “Maybe next time.”
“Okay. Next time.”
“Great, I will see you at the coronation then?”
“I won’t miss it.” I followed him to the door and watched as he left.
Now, what am I gonna wear? Yzella surely has gowns here that I can use, but I think it’s better if it’s something she hasn’t worn before.
“Eve,” I called when I saw her, descending the stairs, “do you know a good place to buy gowns?”
“Is it for the coronation, Miss? The crown princess already ordered one for you.”
“She did?”
“Yes, Miss. I gave the tailor your measurements last week. You will be fitting the gown on Monday,” she stated. “Were you not informed? I thought the prince already mentioned it when he went here.”
“Oh, okay,” I gave her a warm smile. “Thank you, Eve. You can continue what you were doing.”
Evelyn bowed to me before going to the kitchen, while I went upstairs to get my phone after hearing it ring.
“What are you doing?” A deep voice greeted me as soon as I answer.
“Ian?”
“Who else could it be? No one else knows your number.” I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm.
“How would I know it’s you when it’s saved as ‘Handsome’?” I sighed before dropping my body on the bed. “Why’d you call, anyway?”
“Did you receive the invitation to my sister’s coronation?”
“Yeah, Cal just left. I heard you told him it’s better if I receive it in person. Why?”
“No reason. Yzella is a friend so I thought it would be more sincere if it was given in person,” he explained, “I was planning to give it to you but it slipped my mind because you kicked me out barely an hour after I arrived. He was free so I asked him to deliver it to you.”
“You should’ve at least given me a heads up that he was coming.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
“No. Nothing. I was just… unprepared.”
There was a slight pause before he started laughing, making me furrow my brows. “You acted like some excited fanatic when you saw him, didn’t you?”
“I did not.”
“If not, did you get all crabby like you were when you met me?”
“You didn’t exactly give a good first impression,” I shot back. “Cal was nice, so I was nice to him too. Though I admit I was crabby that day, I’m sincerely sorry for being rude and disrespectful to you.”
“No worries. I didn’t find it rude at all. It was simply bickering between friends.”
“Friends? Are we friends?”
“Why does it sound like you don’t want us to be?”
I let out a soft chuckle. “It’s not that. I just made sure I heard you right because it was so random.” It’s weird how I don’t feel conscious around him at all, unlike when I was around Cal.
“Well, I’m honored to be your friend, Miss Author.”
I heard paper rustling on his end. “You must be busy. I don’t want to take too much of your time. You should focus on that.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I have to go,” he said. “Don’t miss me too much—”
“Goodbye, Ian.” I cut him off.
“It was nice talking to you, Risse,” he told me before hanging up.
I smiled. It will take me a long time to get used to life inside a book, especially since technically it’s not my life I’ll be living. Despite that, it’s comforting to know that I won’t be so lonely during the process. I guess it might not be all that bad getting stuck here after all.
