Reincarnated as a Warrior Princess in an Ancient World

I woke up to the sounds of the city outside my small apartment window, the bustling streets below echoing with the clatter of carriages and the hushed murmurs of passersby. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up on my worn-out bed, the faded floral pattern reminding me of years past, of a life I couldn't quite remember. My name is Catarina, an orphaned girl who has spent her days alone, trying to piece together the puzzle of my existence. My parents, if I ever had any, remain nothing more than a mystery, lost to the ether of time. It's a peculiar feeling, not knowing where you come from, not knowing who you are. But on this particular morning, as the sun cast its golden rays across the room, a strange feeling stirred within me. A sense of change, of destiny whispering in the air. I could feel it in the way my heart quickened and my fingers trembled with anticipation. I just shrugged off the feeling and started to go to the kitchen to cook a coffee. As the coffee boiling, the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped the room, mingling with the scent of early morning rain. I reached for the dainty porcelain cup on the countertop, its intricate pattern warping in my trembling hands. The hot liquid swirled like liquid amber, hinting at possibilities yet unknown. Nothing in this ordinary life of mine had ever felt so extraordinary, and I couldn't help but wonder if destiny had decided to pay me an unexpected visit. Before my lips could brush against the rim of the cup, a soft fluttering sound broke the tranquil silence of the room. Startled, I turned to face the source of the interruption, my heart pounding in my chest. And there, perched regally on the windowsill, was a majestic bird with shimmering feathers, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intelligence. "Who are you, and what do you want from me?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mixture of curiosity and fear. The bird tilted its head, a mixture of amusement and sympathy twinkling in its eyes. It opened its beak, emitting a series of melodic sound. As I sat on the worn, velvet couch, my gaze fell upon a photograph resting on the coffee table. The image depicted a younger version of myself, surrounded by a group of children, all with eyes filled with both wonder and sadness. We were all orphans, bound together by the invisible thread of loss and longing. Outside, the soft melody of a bird's song reached my ears, a cheerful tune that seemed to mock the solitude that draped itself around me. I closed my eyes, transported back to the days spent in the dreary confines of the orphanage, where laughter and tears were intertwined, and dreams bloomed amidst the gray. "A young girl with almond eyes, bronze skin, and a humble heart, became an unwilling resident of an orphanage—a boundless mansion choking with sterile emptiness and etched with tales of estranged bloodlines. But this mansion was no Hogwarts teeming with the sheer magic of life. Instead, it was a ghost town, echoing an unbearable symphony of abandonment. Like a black-and-white movie that played on repeat, the walls whispered stories of its inhabitants. There was the tale of Peter, who spent sleepless nights praying for parents who embraced his love for drawing, despite his trembling hands; or Emily, who longed for a mother's lullaby, often substituting the rhythmic hum of the old radio for comfort; or little Timmy, who yearned for a father's hand guiding his own on a baseball glove. Awakening to these tales of unfulfilled dreams every day, Catarina realized their shared melody—the unquenchable thirst for love and belonging." No one wanted me as I have an expressionless face but I am happy for my friends that they found their forever home. It's just that they seem to forgot me as we aged. However, I am still happy for them even if they do not remember me. Those people thought that my expressionless face means that I have a cruel heart but -- I am also longing for love. They do not understand me, they do not see through my masks, they do not see every tears I cried when I am not chosen. It is hard to be alone in an empty cold room. I am tired to waited for my parents that is why I decided not to attend any meetings when there are clients or those possible parents for us. I decided to build myself and isolate myself until I turned 18. When I reached the age 18, I decided to move and live by myself. It's been almost 3 years since I left the orphanage yet I still could not figure out what is my purpose in life. I suddenly heard that the melodic sound stopped and saw the bird flying away. I suddenly remembered that I have work to do so that I can able to buy foods. I dressed quickly, donning a simple cotton dress and pulling my black hair back into a tidy braid. After a meager breakfast of bread and butter, I shouldered my worn leather satchel and made for the door. As I exited my apartment and began the walk through the winding city streets, I remembered the feeling I felt awhile ago. "Could it be a bad omen" I ask myself I just shrugged the thought and continue walking to the store where I am working as a saleslady. It was an honor to work in one of the biggest store in our town even if the pay was modest. I hoped today would bring something new and exciting, a break from the usual routine. The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way back home. I cut through a winding alleyway, hoping the less direct route would help clear my head. But as I emerged into an adjoining avenue, a hooded figure stepped from the shadows directly into my path. I froze, taken aback, as piercing azure eyes regarded her from the deep cowl.