She exhaled slowly.
"I'm just being paranoid," she muttered, though her eyes lingered on the object. "But in this new life, I need to watch everything."
Determined not to waste time, she turned her attention to the pile of gifts Theo had arranged. Hundreds of neatly wrapped parcels stacked across the room, the white wrapping material almost clinical...like hospital linens. The sight of it made her stomach turn.
'Dumb as a rock despite surviving wars and walking through death itself. How did he make it this far alive?' she thought with an inward snort.
One by one, she began to unwrap the gifts. Each revealed luxury exquisite gold pieces, high-quality pearls and diamonds, a full set of earrings and necklaces, intricately crafted hairpins, designer shoes, regal outfits in rich fabrics, handbags fit for nobility, and even a communication device. It wasn't a smartphone....technology in this world still leaned on simplicity but a button phone.
By the time she was done unwrapping, there was barely space left to walk.
She heaved a heavy sigh and made her way to the bathroom. Her shower was quick but thorough...hot water and jasmine soap easing the tension from her limbs. She changed into a fresh outfit, a simple gown but elegant, and stepped out once more.
Outside, the decorators were waiting patiently, having stood at attention since Theo's departure. She walked over to them, her voice smooth and polite as she gave her instructions.
"Please repaint the walls in butter color," she began with a gentle smile. "Let the ceiling and tiles match....white. For the furniture, I'd like shades of royal blue and gold. The wardrobe should contain outfits of varied colors and designs. The same goes for the shoes and bags...make sure they're not all identical. Thank you."
The decorators nodded quickly, bowing slightly before hurrying to carry out her orders.
Without wasting much time, Victoria was led by the head maid toward the dining room. She had dinner peacefully with her family, or at least it appeared that way. Despite the calm atmosphere, she knew better than to let her guard down. Her locket would save her if she were ever poisoned.
Yes, everyone in the family was treating her with kindness now, except for Mirabel. That woman.. her stepsister was the one person Victoria never underestimated. She knew precisely what Mirabel was capable of. She might poison her meal, and walk away unscathed.
Before taking a single bite, Victoria reached for her silver hairpin and subtly dipped it into the food in front of her when no one was watching. The pin however did not change color. Good. Poison-free for now.
She kept her expression neutral, though her thoughts raced. It appeared Mirabel was still tolerating her presence. But Victoria didn't dare taste anything else on the table unless she saw others eat from it first. That included her "favorite" dish, the one that had been prepared just for her. No one else had touched it as it was prepared for her hoping to surprise her with nostalgic comfort food from her childhood.
But Victoria wasn't that naive anymore. She didn't even glance at the dish after testing her first plate.
"How was your life outside the mansion?" Her father's voice echoed through the dining room, slicing into her thoughts. His tone was gentle but curious, and all eyes turned toward her.
Victoria swallowed hard but maintained her composure. "Life was hard," she answered with a soft smile, her voice carrying a practiced warmth. "But I'm glad to be back with my family."
Her stepmother leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with concern. "You're not even touching your favorites. Is it that you don't like them anymore? Or perhaps you're unwell. Should I summon the healer?"
Victoria turned to her with the same warm, practiced expression. "I'm simply tired hence I can't eat much," she replied calmly. "Once I'm done eating this portion, I'll retire to my room."
Her father gave her a thoughtful nod, and her stepmother responded with a soft hum of agreement, though Mirabel, seated beside her mother, was boiling with anger.
The moment dinner was over, Victoria excused herself and returned to her room, as intended. It was already redecorated to suit her tastes. The gifts Theo had arranged were now neatly displayed. Everything was in place, just as she instructed.
Locking the door behind her, she didn't stop there. From her locket, she summoned another lock, one no ordinary person could tamper with. It clicked into place with a soft but final sound.
She took one last shower, letting the warm water relax her tense muscles, and then slipped into bed. Tomorrow would be a long day.
****
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. Despite the curtains being drawn and the window locked, the morning sun found its way in, casting an eerie golden glow across Victoria's face.
But she didn't open her eyes immediately.
Her arms were wrapped around something warm and impossibly soft like delicate fur, pliant yet thick. The sensation made her sink deeper into the bed. A scent wafted up to her, fruity.... an overpowering mixture of crushed strawberries, black currants, and ripe grapes.
What could possibly smell so heavenly?
She frowned slightly, still half-asleep. She hadn't brought anything to bed with her… so what was....
Her eyes flew open.
There, nestled beside her on the pillow, was a small creature. A cat.
Not just any cat....its fur was pure white as a snow. It slept peacefully, its tiny chest rising and falling in rhythm. Its long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and on its head was a dainty pink bow, neatly tied.
Victoria didn't scream. She didn't startle or shove it away. Instead, she found herself staring....
How… how did it get here?
Her breath caught in her throat as she carefully reached out, almost afraid it would vanish. Swallowing hard, she whispered aloud, "Where did you come from…?"