Death was my new beginning

Need to learn

My bedroom door was opened, and then the light from the windows burned my eyes. I got under the covers and heard a young lady's voice say, "Good morning, Lady Mina, it's time to wake up." I knew that voice was Lillian's.

I got out of my covers and saw her face. She was looking at me with a warm smile as if she cared about me. All I've seen is pitying eyes, so this is a nice change.

I slowly sat up and moved my legs to the edge of the bed. Lillian held a small bowl of water, just like last time, and I washed my face. She led me to the bathroom, and there she bathed me, but she stopped when it came to the front. I guess she remembers that I didn't like it. Good job, Lillian.

When the bath was over, she changed my bandages and then sat me down on the sofa.

While inside the closet, Lillian asked me, "What would you like to wear today, my lady?"

The other maids never asked me, they just changed me into a different nightgown, but I suppose, in their defense, I wasn't going anywhere.

"Something cute," I said. I need to show off my little girl charm. The Mina in the novel always wore clothes that looked provocative and older for her age. She wanted to be treated as an adult and respected, but that just made the women talk behind her back, calling her immodest.

Lillian brought out a knee-length, light blue dress, high-waisted with a bateau neckline. It had a modern look to it. Since I got here, I've noticed that the clothing style in this world is all over the place. The era looks like the 1700s, but the clothing style looks like a mix of that year and the 21st century. Even if I ask for the year, it won't matter since this is a fantasy world with magic.

Lillian finished dressing me, put my hair in a side ponytail, and tied it with a blue ribbon, the same color as my dress. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't believe I looked more beautiful than I already was. I can't believe that people could actually hate such an adorable child.

"You look so pretty, my lady," Lillian said with a smile.

"No," I paused, "I look beautiful" I looked at Lillian and gave her a thumbs up. She looked at me confused but still kept that smile. Do people here not know what a thumbs up is? "Good job Lillian" I added. Lillian's face quickly lit up. Has she never been told she's done a good job here?

She did a thumbs up as well and said, "Thank you, my lady."

……

When we left my bedroom, she walked me all the way to the dining room. The doors were closed. By the doors stood two men that eyed me with disgust. I guess some people don't care that the young lady of the house has lost her memory, and they don't mind showing how much they loathe her.

"Unless you want to end up like those three maids, I suggest you two control your faces," Lillian told them with a stern look on her face. The two men looked scared. By three maids, I'm guessing she referred to the ones my father 'took care of.' The two men then opened the door for me.

One of them said, "Lady Mina is entering." I could see the distaste in his eyes as he said that. Even calling my name made him angry. I guess some people in this house will be harder to win over than others. But as long as my father and brothers like me, rude jerks like them won't matter.

As I walked through the doors, I noticed how the dining room looked so modern. A table with a crystal top that could fit about 50 people stood in the middle of the room. The floor was a sleek dark brown, and the walls were an aquamarine blue with silver accents. In the ceiling hung a huge silver chandelier and the chairs looked extremely comfortable. Father was at one end of the table, and my brothers sat next to each other on the right side. That meant I was going to sit on the left side, next to my father. I had a feeling that they decided I would sit there as all three of them gestured for me to sit in that same chair.

"Good morning Mina" father said.

"Good morning," Benjamin said.

"Morning," Fredrick said.

This scene reminded me of my past life; my mom and dad would wait for me at the kitchen table to have dinner with me; they wouldn't even let me know dinner was ready because I was so busy studying, so they would just wait until I was done. I would always tell them not to wait for me, but they did anyway. I wanted to cry remembering my parents, but I can't do that now. I have a new family and a goal I have to see it through.

I curtsied, showed them a broad smile, and said, "Good morning, daddy. Good morning brothers. I hope you all slept well."

"Yes, we did. Are you feeling alright?" father asked, "Do you feel sick anywhere?" It's sweet how he's still worried about my condition, even though I told him I showed him last night that I was perfectly fine.

"Apart from still having to get bandaged, I'm alright," I answered. The three men looked a bit saddened.

"Well, His Holiness the high priest will be coming over tomorrow to cure your legs," father said, "It took so long because he was out of the country giving sermons to the commoners at waring Kingdom's."

I was a bit confused; only Priscilla can do holy magic, how can the High Priest cure me?

"But how can he cure me if there's no such thing as holy magic?" I asked father. The three of them looked at me, confused.

"Are you being serious right now?" Fredrick asked me with a surprised smile. Did I say something funny? Sure, holy magic existed, but for the past 100 years, no one has been born with the power to control it.

"This girl really did forget everything," Fredrick said, looking at father and Benjamin.

"Mina, holy magic exists. The last holy magic user filled mana stones with his holy power before he died. And for fear that he would be the last of his kind, he blessed the High Priest to continue his legacy while giving other priests mana stones. With those mana stones, one can heal small wounds, but they can't heal scars or get rid of an illness. Only the High Priest can do that," father said, "For he was blessed 100 years ago by the last holy magic-user to do just that."

I was shocked. Does that mean that everything I know about Priscilla is a lie? In the book, people cursed at her while others saw her as their savior. She even made a massive uproar in the noble community for being a holy magic-user. How is this the first time I find out that there was another?

"Although holy magic is still technically around, no one can control it. After 100 years, most of the mana stones have run out of mana, so once the High Priest dies, holy magic will cease to exist," Benjamin said.

So, does that mean that his Holiness is more than 100 years old? They're making a 100-year-old man come all the way here just to cure some scars?!

"He only helps those that are practically dying, so you better be grateful," Fredrick said.

A 100-year-old man is coming here to cure some scars. I can't accept this. That poor old man, "If he only uses his magic to save the dying, then I shouldn't receive such a generous gift. Daddy, you should contact him and cancel," I told them. My thighs are the only parts of my legs that are scarred, and the dresses I have cover them perfectly.

"Don't worry like that," Benjamin told me, "Fredrick is just being overdramatic. His Holiness heals people, and right now, your legs need healing."

"Besides, His Holiness owes me a favor," father said.

"But he's still an old man," I said.

All three of them scoffed, "He might not cure you if he hears you call him that," father said.

"He's indeed an old man, but…" Benjamin stopped, "You'll see when he arrives."

The food arrived, making father clear his throat "Enough talking. Time to eat."

I looked down and was about to pick up a fork when I realized there were more than one fork and more than one spoon. I pressed my lips together. I was taught how to set the table and what utensils to use for which meal, but I didn't really bother to learn since it wasn't vital for me to know in the 21st century.

Benjamin cleared his throat. I ended up looking at him, and he was staring directly at me. He slowly picked up one specific fork and knife. Was he trying to help me?

I did as he did. He gave a slight nod while looking at his food. He then proceeded to ignore my smile, and my mouthed thank you.

"It seems that you'll need to learn etiquette all over again," father said. I couldn't help but feel a bit insulted. It's not like I needed to learn it back in my world.

"Sorry," I said. The three looked at me. It can't be the first time they've heard me apologize, or is it?

"You don't have to apologize," father said, "It's not your fault."

I look away since it kind of is. I never paid attention during that class. Now that I think about it, I'm going to have to learn everything Mina has already been taught, all over again. I don't know anything about this world's history apart from what's written in the book, I don't know the etiquette, and I don't even know if I can read this world's language. Goodness, I'd be so embarrassed if I had to learn how to read again. The nobility will laugh at me for sure. I'll have to go to the library and check for myself.

Once we finished eating, I excused myself.

"Where do you think you're going?" Fredrick asked me.