World Reincarnation System: Pandora and the Seven Princes

C H A P T E R || O N E

Where do dead people go?

~*~

Lyma woke up standing at the center of a white room.

‘Where am I?’

She spun around. Walls full of mirrors in different shapes and sizes and a large mirror with wooden frame in front of her. Though it is the first time Lyma have been in that room somehow she felt a sense of familiarity and she feel at peace. She look around one more time and finally noticed that she no longer wears her old pajamas but a white halter top silk dress that reaches her knees. She walked closer to the large mirror and stared. She’s always been staring at her reflection because she likes to stare at the imperfection of her eyes. And so she sees her face all the time. But now, looking at her reflection she seems different. Her skin’s brighter and has more color and her face is more youthful and radiating, enhancing more of her features.

She look fine. Healthy.

It’s refreshing for her to see that she look exactly how she should without her sickness. Her gaze fell on her chest, remembering where the pain was.

‘The pain is gone. And I feel…fine.’ She thought as she palmed her chest and felt that steady beats from her heart.

‘Subject is awake. Welcome to the Lobby.’

Lyma quickly spun around again upon hearing a somewhat ‘computer’ voice.

“Who’s there?” She asked. Though she knew she’s the only one inside that white room. ‘Where does it come from?’

‘Launching World Reincarnation System. Launch successful. Opening Menu.’

The voice came again. And now that she heard it the second time, it felt like the voice is coming from somewhere near her.

‘Menu successfully opened. Initializing Life-Deed Counter. Please wait.’

Listening carefully Lyma realized that the voice is coming from the mirror in front of her. Involuntarily, she took three steps backwards.

‘Is that mirror speaking?’

‘Life-Deed Counter complete. Reporting. Total deeds exceeds required deeds for reincarnation. Subject is promoted to VIP. VIP Settings acquired. Installing VIP Settings package. Installation complete. Initializing VIP Settings’ Pre-Incarnation. Subject analysis in progress. Post life review in sequence. Please wait.’

‘What’s that mirror saying? What is happening? Where am I exactly?’ She felt that familiar feeling of panic.

Lyma don’t know what to do. Surprisingly, the room does not have any exits for her to run out to. She looked back at the ‘talking’ mirror and a thought came to mind. She knew it is somehow ‘illogical’ but she got that feeling, she neared the talking mirror and pressed her palm against it. She thought her hand would pass through as if the mirror is like a portal just like in the movies she have seen and books she have read. But much to her surprise, she felt the mirror’s hardness against her palm. ‘So this is not a portal.’ She thought as she withdraws her hand away. She decided to wait for the voice again.

‘Post Life review complete. Wish garnered 206,789,545. Data accumulated from Post Life review in process. Processing may take a while. Next life generator starting. Next life generator in process. Subject will be notified upon completion.’

Lyma did not understand anything about what the voice have said. Only the repeating words process and complete is all she can grasp as if she cannot understand all the other words. She just know that it is processing something on her stead. But Lyma don’t understand what it is.

‘Pre-Incarnation: Subject Analysis complete. Pre-Incarnation world now ready. Subject can now proceed. Please enter through the main entrance. Thank you for choosing World Reincarnation System. Have a great day!’

Then as soon as the voice ended, the mirror in front of her started to lit up as if thousands of light bulbs are illuminating it.

Again she extended her hand and ‘touch’ the mirror but this time she did not feel the hardness of it, whilst her hand pass through. Her eyes widen and instinctively she withdraws her hand again.

‘It’s a portal!’ She exclaimed internally.

She should be afraid of what just happened. Of everything that’s happening even. She don’t know where she is! But nevertheless she reach out again now moving her body. She walked towards the door and entered.

Instantly light welcomed her and she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she’s no longer in that white room filled with mirrors. But she’s laying below a golden leaf tree. Her head resting on the tree’s largest exposed root. The leaves on the tree are falling making a scene as if it’s raining gold. She sat up and reach out with palms open and caught a single golden leaf. Upon looking closely, she instantly knew what the tree is. It’s a Ginko Tree.

“Your Highness!” Someone shouted not far from her. Lyma looked around and saw a girl walking towards her. The girl is wearing a black and white maid uniform that covers every inch of her skin from her neck to her toes. And her hair is in a tight bun. She’s not wearing any kind of make-up but she look youthful and beautiful.

“Your Highness. We’ve been looking for you! The King has summoned you and is now waiting in the Pavilion.” The girl said as soon as she was in front of Lyma.

Lyma look at her and blinked a couple of times. Bewildered. ‘Did she just called me ‘Your Highness’? ’

“Uhm…are you referring to me?” Lyma asked and pointed at herself.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The girl answered quickly.

Lyma took a step back and blink a couple more times. She even pinch her arm and flinch.

“Is there something a matter, Your Highness?” The girl asked. Worry plastered on her face. Then she looked over at Lyma’s arm, now reddening.

“Uhm…I…” Lyma don’t know what to say. She’s still in a state of confusion. She just came from a weird white room and now she’s having this kind of situation. Lyma also don’t know what to do.

The girl is patiently waiting for her and it made Lyma felt awkward. She unconsciously fumble on the dress she was wearing. And realized that she’s no longer wearing that white dress from before. She’s now wearing a yellow puff sleeved dress that touches the grass. The dress is embroidered with a beautiful and intricate pattern and is embedded with a couple little stones that shines whenever light hits. The dress is beautiful and Lyma knew it is the fanciest clothing she have worn all throughout her life.

“Your Highness? The King is waiting.” The girl reminded her.

“The King?” She asked. Confused. ‘Why would a King be looking for me?’

“Yes, Your Highness. Your father, the king, King Andorran Silva Ytopia.”

The name rings a bell in Lyma’s mind. She thought that she knew that name somewhere. But her mind did not focused on that thought. Whilst she focused on the girl’s statement ‘Your father, the king…’. She pondered. If her father is the king, then she would be a princess. But Lyma know her parents and know she’s not a princess of some sort.

“Padin!”

Both of them turn towards the new voice. Two men are walking towards them. One with a curly golden blonde hair and the other with a wavy black hair. The curly one is waving at them with a big smile plastered on his face.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Second Prince. May blessings shower upon thy throne.” The girl said and bowed when the two men stopped in front of them. Lyma looked at the girl and was about to mimic her when suddenly one of the two men grabbed her shoulders.

“What are you going to do?” He asked. The one who grabbed her is the one with the black hair. Upon close distance Lyma can see his face clearly. Wavy black hair, almond shape obsidian eyes, pointed nose, reddish lips, strong jaw line, chinclift and pale skin. The small moles on the bridge of his nose and on upper right side of his lips became visible. “Mushroom?”

‘Mushroom? Did he just called me mushroom? Or I heard it wrong?’

“Hey! What are you doing to Padin?” The other man complained and pulled the black haired guy away. “Padin?”

‘Now I’m Padin? Who are these two exactly?’

Lyma thought of her connection with the two men. The girl in the maid uniform addressed them the same as how she addressed Lyma. She thought that if she is a ‘princess’ then this two guys are ‘princes’.

‘Did I just adopted by a royal family after I had the attacked?’

But Lyma dismissed the thought immediately for it did not made any sense at all. Then she turn towards the second guy. His curly golden hair sat on his head like it’s a crown, it’s even slightly shinning against the light. He have a pair of hazel eyes, high narrow nose, red bow lips, a prominent jawline and tanned skin. He’s somehow an opposite of the guy with black hair.

Lyma wants to ask who they are. But she feet like she should know them.

‘I have this feeling that I should know them. But I don’t exactly remember where I saw their faces. But there’s nothing wrong if I asked, right?’

“Padin?” The Prince with the curly hair called her.

Lyma was about to speak when the golden haired prince interrupted her.

“You! What have you done?!” The guy with the golden hair shouted accusingly at the maid. Immediately the maid slump on the ground in all fours.

“Your Highness! Pardon me! I have done nothing! Please have mercy!”

Lyma was surprised by the Prince’s shout but she was more surprised with how the maid reacted.

‘She did not do something that needs her to beg like that. It’s as if that Prince will pull-..’

Lyma’s thought was interrupted when the Prince with the golden hair suddenly pulled his sword and point it at the maid’s throat.

“Your Highness!” The maid is now crying, pleading.

‘This is insane.’

Lyma did not notice but her body stiffen at the scene before her. Her pale face became paler and fear is somehow evident in her eyes. The second prince noticed Lyma’s discomfort and decided to cut in.

“Control your temper Crown Prince.” The Prince with the black hair, the Second Prince, said. Holding the Crown Prince’s right shoulder.

“Then why does Pandora is silent? I can only conclude that this woman have done something. Second Prince, must I remind you that our Pandora is a fragile being. You were there!”

As if the Crown Prince’s words triggered something, the calm demeanor of the Second Prince suddenly changed into a colder version. He looked away and Lyma saw how he clenched his hands into fists as if controlling an undesirable emotion that wants to surface.

“The Princess. Don’t show such insolent attitude in front of her.” The Second Prince said coldly. “You’re the one making her worry.”

The Crown Prince looked at Lyma and her body flinched at the Crown Prince’s gaze. Understanding, the Crown Prince blink and his eyes softened. He sheathed the sword he was holding. “Leave.” He commanded the maid. The girl immediately stood up and bowed, still crying, and walked quickly away from them.

“I apologized for showing such attitude. You’re not afraid of me, aren’t you?” The Crown Prince asked as he walked towards Lyma.

‘The hell?? Not afraid? How would I not be afraid of something who just pointed a sharp blade to someone who done nothing wrong? Are you nuts?’

Lyma wanted to shout at the Crown Prince but she stopped herself.

‘No one knows what he’ll do to me if I shouted at him. He might just remove my head from my body.’

Lyma calmed herself. And look at the two expectant Princes in front of her.

‘I don’t know anything about them aside from the fact that they and the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. And somehow, I am a Princess, or should I say the owner of this body is a princess in this place. So I must be a guest here or the both of them are somehow related to me. Let’s see, they called me names a while ago. Padin…Mushroom…and Pandora. Pandora. He called me Pandora.’

Lyma thought and suddenly an understanding downed to her. She thought of only one connection between her and that name. And it was the book she just finished before all this things happened to her.

‘Cockaigne. Pandora was the name of the protagonist. The princess of the Kingdom of Cockaigne. And come to think of it, Pandora did have twin brothers.’

Lyma looked over the two men who is still ‘staring’ at her. Golden hair that reflects the day, the Crown Prince, Prince Guerrier Cyprus Ytopia. And Black hair that reflects the night sky, the Second Prince, Prince Gustave Cypress Ytopia. The Twin star of the Kingdom of Cockaigne.

Lyma wanted to laugh. She couldn’t believe the things she’s thinking. It might not be that farfetched at this point but Lyma thought that being transmigrated inside a book is beyond her.

“Why are you letting me wait for so long?”

Lyma shifted her gaze beyond the two princes and saw a man walking towards them. Without any doubt, Lyma thought, he is the King. With everything that Lyma has read so far, from the novels to manga, the man’s appearance screams all the definition of an appearance of a King. Even from a distance, Lyma can still see the King’s features. And much to her astonish, the King is just like the older version of the Crown Prince. Which is exactly the description in the book. King Andorran Silva Ytopia.

‘Come to think of it the girl did mentioned his name a while ago.’ She thought. ‘And that should have given me a clue.’

The two men made way for the King and he straight up walked towards to Lyma.

“My Princess, what happened? Did these two ‘boys’ do something to you?” The King asked sharply. Though it sound gentle Lyma still felt the ‘authoritative’ tone on his question. Demanding Lyma to open her mouth and answer,

“Nothing.” Lyma answered. But the King heard different. Lyma sound forced because of how domineering the King looks. So the King interpreted it as something else.

He turned towards the two princes with a formidable aura and both of them straighten their backs in response. Even the guard who was with the King and the servants flinch. Lyma could also feel the intensity of the situation and unconsciously called for the King’s attention.

"Are you perhaps feeling unwell?” Lyma did not realized she’s been staring too much at the King that she did not see him turning his attention back at her.

"I..." She was about to say she wants to go back when her ears started ringing. A high static sound piercing her. She tried to cover her ears with both of her hands and curl down.

The King was alarmed and instantly grabbed Lyma's shoulders and continuously ask of what's happening. But though Lyma can hear him despite the sound she cannot understand what he's saying and just continue to cover her ears and curl down. The sound intensify and then suddenly Lyma can feel herself losing energy and going weak.

Frustrated by not knowing what's happening, the King lift her up in his arms and carried her back to the Pavilion shouting for the servants along the way. Lyma is already passed out.

"Call for the Head Healer!" He instructed and everyone rushed. He laid the unconscious Pandora on the divan inside the Pavilion. He check Pandora's temperature as well as her breathing. She seems fines in both aspects. He then proceeded to look at Pandora's ears and saw nothing alarming in particular. He sighed heavily as if a heavy weight has been lifted from him.

'She's just unconscious.' He chanted inside his head.

Then the Head Healer arrived and immediately examined Pandora. If the King could shoot laser through his eyes someone was already dead on the spot. And not just the King, both the Princes’ are wearing dark expressions.

Head Healer already finished examining Pandora and reported that she is just unconscious for the time being and is not in danger.

The King then dismissed everyone except for the two Princes. Then he turned towards the Princes with a hard look on his face. Knowingly, Guerrier spoke up. “The maid. She must have done something.”

“The maid?” The King asked.

“Yes, a maid was with her when we found her under the golden tree. I was suspicious when Pandora kept her silence and is somehow looking like she’s lost and uncomfortable. She kept staring at us like she did not recognized me and the Crown Prince.”

“What are you implying, Second Prince?”

“Pandora might have lost her memories.” He said. “I thought she might just be a little unwell since she just woke up this morning after being unconscious for three days straight. But as I observed, she acts like she don’t remember anything. As I have mentioned when we were under the golden tree, she just stares at me and the Crown Prince. And she even tried to bow to us. This might be a side effect of the magic casted on her.”

The King look over Pandora's lying body. She's as white as paper and her lips are pale and almost purplish. “We cannot just jump into something without a proof. It’s not also something that we can look over especially at the current situation. We must investigate this matter.” The King said and both princes nodded. Then he turned again towards Gustave. “I will be giving this task to you, Second Prince. You will bring her along with you as you do your duties.”

Gustave nodded. “Yes, My King.”

“And Crown Prince, continue the training with the Beta Battaglia. They must be prepared when she needed them.”

“Yes, My King.”

"We cannot let things continue as it is. And capture that maid." He announced.