the author's will

Chapter 2: Newborn

It was dark but warm. The muffled cacophony of a woman crying out in pain could be heard echoing through the place she found herself in. Her eyes were screwed shut, her mind still hazy, but it didn't take long to awaken to the stupefying, claustrophobic situation.

All of a sudden, her life as Hanna flashed through her mind, and like the flip of a switch, she gained consciousness.

(Huh…? Where am I? Did... I die?)

(Wait, what is this place??)

Her body was being squeezed out of a dark and suffocating place. She wanted to scream, but to no avail. A cacophony of frantic voices in a panic, further terrified her to the marrow of her bones.

"Please hang in there, Milady!"

"The baby is almost out!"

Hanna could feel her heart racing uncomfortably, mind flurrying in a panic.

(What's going on?!)

Just as she internally screamed this, a sudden light invaded her vision, and she found herself being pushed out of the closed, grimy walls she was just inside. Hanna could hardly grasp what was happening, but the moment she was freed, her eyes opened wide, and the blurred colours of the world came to settle.

Everything seemed to be going through her mind at once, emotions, thoughts, and a whole lot of questions. But the one thing she felt most clearly — was utter confusion.

"The baby has been born!"

"She's a beautiful baby princess! Congratulations, your grace, it's just as you wished!"

A pair of large hands wrapped Hanna's body in a soft towel, and started smacking her back, causing her to cry out loudly.

It felt like she was drowning somehow, but the moment she screamed, Hanna could feel the air seeping into her body and calming her down. Tears streamed down her face as she let out a shrill cry.

(I can breathe! But... didn't I just die?!)

(And why are all these people so big and blurry?!)

The information hit her all at once, and she couldn't make any sense of it. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. She could hardly control her limbs - her body was suddenly cleansed in warm water and something was cut at her belly, it was taking a lot for her to calm down.

But just as she was in the middle of her hysteria, an exhausted yet gentle voice resounded through the room.

"L-Let me see my child..."

It was the woman who had been previously crying out in pain. And as the room fell into a somehow joyous silence, Hanna found herself being delivered into the arms of a lady who held her differently from the others.

She was beautiful - ethereal like an angel. Her long, elegant snow-white hair was stuck to her face. She had been sweating and gasping tirelessly, yet those serene, crystal blue eyes were brimming with tears of joy. She was smiling from ear to ear, and it was then that Hanna finally discerned what was going on.

(I'm alive.)

(I've been reborn...)

(And this woman is my mother.)

This thought came to her like an epiphany - as if it entered her mind like reading a new line in a book. However, there was still something totally off about this situation.

Why did she have total awareness and remember her previous life? And more importantly, where was she? Opulent furnishings and extravagant details lined the room. The people around were donned in monochromatic clothing, akin to the uniforms worn by maids and servants. A highly elevated plafond loomed overhead, and the mother who held her felt strangely familiar. Hanna felt like she'd been dropped into an old painting, perfectly detailed in every hue of the spectrum.

But there was one thing she knew - her mother was incredibly warm. Her gaze was loving and kind, and her lips were soft against Hanna's tiny red cheek. It felt slightly unusual to receive so much physical contact in one moment, but at the same time, it wasn't terrible. She felt somewhat at ease, despite the mind boggling situation.

Just then, the peaceful silence had been broken by the sound of the door suddenly bursting open, and Hanna glanced in its direction to see a tall man with silvery hair entering the room.

He had a frighteningly imposing presence, a stature which exuded regality as he entered the room. His gaze was stone-cold, sophisticated clothing resembling that of a significant figure. Hanna wanted to gulp, but her body was not operating. All she could do was watch as her mother smiled up at the man who approached her bedside.

"Darling! Our second child has been born!" She beamed cheerfully. "She's a beautiful baby girl!"

The man was silent. His sharp eyes glazed over the baby in the arms of his wife with disinterest, but observed her as though staring into Hanna's very soul. As he did this, the baby stared back in awe. He was incredibly handsome for a father, with deep, ruby eyes and shimmering silver hair. His skin was pale and free of any blemishes or wrinkles. It was like his face was sculpted by a talented artisan.

Despite his charm, something about this man felt frighteningly familiar. Hanna didn't know why, but she felt as though he was someone she definitely knew.

"...I see," he soon spoke out with a voice of deep timbres. "You did well, Sarah."

He then turned to take his leave, but Hanna could feel her new mother's arms twitching in slight agitation.

She noticed the woman frowning, and calling out to him again. "Rudien! This is your child! Aren't you going to give her a name?" She exclaimed, but those words left Hanna frozen in total shock.

(Rudien... that name... It can't be, right...?)

The man sighed softly, taking a halt and turning to face his disgruntled wife. "Then, call her Irene. Irene Cherliann. In any case, I have urgent matters to attend to," he spoke calmly and nonchalantly, but his eyes were still stone-cold. As he turned toward a servant, the man nodded. "Ensure that my wife is in good health, and take care of the baby."

Hanna stared at the ceiling, dumb-struck.

(You've got to be kidding me...)

Rudien Alpheus Cherliann. The second most powerful Duke of Laydel, and a fictional character of the story Hanna had been working on before her death.

But the most horrifying thing was — the name he had just given her, was none other than that of the notorious villainess of her story — Irene Cherliann. A character who died gruesomely at the hands of both princes, no less.

A chill ran down her spine. This scenario couldn't possibly be more surreal. Perhaps she was just dreaming? Maybe it would all go away if she fell asleep again?

But that didn't seem to be the case. Even as she was tended to and taken by some of the maids to be washed properly, and then put in a nursery created only for her, Hanna felt wide awake and alive the whole time. The sensation of people touching her and all the movement she was put through - made her aware of her consciousness. As she lifted her arms, she only saw the tiny hands of a newborn staring back.

(This is real... I'm really Irene... And that crappy duke is my dad?!)

(How is this even possible?!)

(I just entered the world I made!)

Hanna sobbed, her hands clenching into tiny fists as she laid with her eyes staring up at the filigreed ceiling. (Just what exactly is going on here??)