Chapter One

Chapter One.

 

Nina's POV

Okay. 

I'm in the body of Lady Marina Edwards, the possible antagonist of the novel, Illuminating Darkness. No need to panic, okay? Nina Facelo don't panic! Take a deep breath, and relax. You're better than this!

 

So, let's get our facts straight. We haven't read the book yet, but we already have a small idea of ​​what the scenarios and story flow are. Courtesy to our dearest spoiler friends, Mary and Janna.

 

I actually felt genuinely happy with the spoilers I heard. I've never thought that I– who hates spoilers, would actually thank them for spoiling.

 

I hate spoilers and I hate spoiling. The suspense and thrill of the story would vanish just like a bubble. I don't want to ruin their reading experience. But who would ever think that I would thank them to death?

 

Spoilers are also useful, somehow.

 

Now, I should start planning my moves and goals. I need to summarize all the information I learned from Mary and Janna. It would greatly help me avoid unwanted attention and certain dangers. If I wanted to stay alive, I need to avoid dangers and the main characters!

 

Now, let's organize what I knew about the book.

 

First, Marina Edwards is a villain. A wicked Dame to be exact, a powerful Lady with a strong background who is head over heels for Lord Ethan.

 

Second...

 

Second is...

 

The second thing is none! I don't know anything aside from the fact that Marina Edwards is a daughter of a Marquees and the wickedest Dame in the whole Kingdom. A certified villain, who always wants everything and anything.  What a spoiled brat she is!

 

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Relax Nina, there's nothing you can do about your anger, take a deep breath and chill. Why is it that I didn't listen to Mary and Janna's discussions about this book? 

Now, I'm starting to regret all my stubbornness for not listening to them. If I knew this would happen, I should have listened to their spoilers or read the book immediately. The saying that "regret is always at the end" seems to project unto me now.

But it's not like I expected to be in this kind of situation. Like whom would? If I may say this feels surreal.

 

Anyway, I should stop making myself more confused than I already am. It won't help me.

 

Let's recall all the spoilers that Mary told. Mary is the biggest spoiler I have ever known in my life; she doesn't have the sense of keeping shut.

 

"Tch! Marina deserved that kind of treatment; did she think she could beat Gina? Even if she cheats on the test, she won't ever beat Gina. She can try, but she will never win," Janna sneered and smirked. Confidence and pride are evident in her voice.

 

Okay, I think Marina is a bit weak when it comes to academics. She even tried to resort to cheating. 

Now that I think of it, why does every antagonist are always brain empty or stupid when it comes to academics, this is the first time I felt irritated. If it was before, I would probably jump for joy, knowing that the antagonist isn't smart. I might hold a feast for something like that but now? I want to strangle my neck and curse my immature self to hell.

 

"Marina is really mean! She's horrible! She's such a spoiled brat. She keeps bullying everybody, I can't believe she's a noblewoman, even though she's 100 percent elegant, she still scores zero when it comes to manners. She won't even spare her maid; I feel pity for her for having a young lady like Marina. In my eyes, Gina looks and acts like a real noble lady than her," Mary said in a disappointed tone mixed with intense hatred.

 

Ughh...

 

Why do I only hear hate comments about Lady Marina? Is she really that bad?? I think everyone hates her to the moon and back.

 

Well Nina, what do you expect? She's wicked, so it's obvious that she will only receive hate and negative comments. After all, you immediately get annoyed with the extras whenever they get close to the male lead even though they haven't done anything bad. You immediately feel like they are third wheels.

 

I lampooned.

 

Okay fine, I'm guilty there. I mean what do you expect? I don't want my ship to sink, and I don't want them ruining my ship. It seems like instinct, even though they haven't done anything wrong yet, I can already smell the villainous vibes in them.

 

It's not all my fault. They say a woman's instinct is exceptional!

But when I think about what happened earlier, the woman's face was so pale because of its extreme fear. Her hands even trembled!

 

Okay, now I get on why the maid reacted like that when I asked her respectfully. She must have not expected her wicked Lady would be so kind for a moment as if an angel had intervened.

In order words, Lady Marina is a spoiled brat and evil since birth.

What a disaster this is.

 

I took a deep breath and calmed down my nerves, if not, it would probably hurt my head just by thinking about how I could solve such a big problem. If I keep pretending as Lady Marina, I will need to keep up her evil facade but if this continues, I will probably perish! Everyone would hate me and probably want me dead! But if I suddenly change my attitude, it will gather suspicion and malicious attention. They might investigate me and will know the truth! I would be accused as the murderer, an evil spirit invading Lady Marina's body!

 

No! No! That can't absolutely happen! I'll make sure it won't happen because if it did, it would be the end of me.

 

Now, now. Let's think slowly and to things step by step. I silently closed my eyes and sighed on the bottom of my heart.

 

When my emotions and mentality got stable. I open my eyes in full determination.

Now, let's investigate where we are and what else we should know. I don't feel safe knowing that I don't even know where the heck am I? How could I relax at such state?

 

We can do this.

 

"Fighting Nina!" I shouted in determination and then got up from the soft bed where I was sitting. I slowly walked and observed the whole room.

 

In just a minute ago, I briefly saw the interior of the room, and I was already amazed by it. But now, looking carefully and properly. Never in my life I felt so poor. The whole interior of the room shouts money, and the more I stared at the shining thing, I'm starting to hear some little whispers in my ear. They keep saying, "slap-soil."

 

I almost drooled, thinking how rich Lady Marina is. 

Confirm, Lady Marina is a walking bank, a walking gold, and diamond.

 

"Haaa." I took a deep sigh. It's not the proper time to drool over these expensive things.

I stared at the corner of the spacious room, looking closely, the whole room looks quite empty and lifeless which I didn't realize earlier since I was so focus on the expensive materials. It may contradict on what I said previously, but the whole vibe of the room emits strange melancholia.

 

From emptiness to melancholy.

 

Maybe it's just me, who is still innovating since I'm not used to having a oversized room. I shook my head to clear up the roaring emotions.

 

I diverted my attention to the double door and started walking through it. When I reach the handle, I slightly push it down.

 

A soft click echoed inside the room and the door open widely. I hurried step out of Lady Marina's room. I silently took a step back and shielded my eyes because I was surprised by the sunlight. When my vision got stable, I was exposed to a very large but empty hallway.

 

It's confusing in here, I'm afraid to step forward because I might touch large vases and break ducks. I still don't have the money to pay and I'm sure the value of these vases is more expensive than my life, jusko!

 

But I need to explore if I want to know the things I'm looking for, I need to take a step and explore so I know what I need to know. The important things I need to know to survive in this world.

 

If you can't take the risk, you gain nothing. High risk, high return.

 

With a certain goal and courage in mind, I started walking on the empty hallway. My steps were light as feather, being very careful, and I stick at the middle of the hallway. I was afraid to accidentally break the expensive vases.

 

As I walked, I could see the wall, there were so many beautiful paintings and it looked lovely. I'm not a fan of arts but I could surely say that the paintings are expensive. When I look around, all I could see it another empty hallway. They might be different, but the thing is, it seem like I'm freaking lost. How can I not be lost? With the sheer size of this house, it not impossible!

This house is just too big and spacious-- No, scratch that. It's a grand manor!

 

How can I not be lost in the size of this mansion!? All the corridors almost look the same even though they are somewhat different.

 

"Oh!" I gasped when I saw the maid again who went to the room earlier, or chamber if called.

 

I smiled and waved my right hand at her. But instead of smiling back at me, it looked more surprised to see me. Her face was a mix of worry and scared.

 

I was amazed at its sudden behaviour.

 

Did I do something wrong?

Even though she looked scared and worried, she still slowly walked towards where I was standing. She even looked to either side, as if watching to see if anyone would suddenly appear.

 

"Lady Marina," she greeted with a worried tone then gently bowed as she approached me.

 

"Lady Marina, we must go back to your chamber. If the Madam sees you like that, you will be disciplined," she said worriedly.

 

The smile in my face froze when I heard the world discipline. I quickly looked at my attire. It was a long silky white gown. It's actually very soft, the silk gown gentle brushes my healthy white skin.

 

"Why?" I asked in confusion, finding it weird.

 

Her eyes widened as she heard my question, she seems not to believe what she heard. "Lady Marina, you are wearing your sleep wear, and its improper for you to wear this outside your chamber." she said, hinting that we must hurry.

 

My eyes widened when I heard what she said.

'Is that so?' I whispered inside my head.

Aishh! What are you thinking Nina!? You are no longer in the modern world, which is okay to just get out of the house and go anywhere without being dressed, without a bath and without combing the hair. Remember your Lady Marina now, even if she is a villain. She's still a noblewoman with pride.

"Y-yes, I know that. I want to take a bath please." the maid gasped, when she heard me using the word, please.

She quickly complied and said, "As you wish Milady, I will prepare your bath." then she bowed but, she still did not move in her place.

I was confused at her behavior.

"Umm... excuse me? Why aren't you moving?" I asked in worry. We better start moving, we might even get caught here.

She lifted her head and looked at me weirdly.

Did I do something wrong again?

She seemed to read the astonishment and confusion on my face.

"Lady Marina, I'm only allowed to walk behind you. As mere maid, I'm not allowed to walk in a same length or above you Milady, that's truly disrespectful," she said with a serious face.

Is that so?

My left eyebrow can't help but raise.

That rule is very ridiculous, but it's a norm in this world. I have nothing more to say about that. All I could do is follow the rules if I want to survive.

So, I walked in the direction I came from, even though I didn't know if my direction was right.

It was as if I was going back to childhood, with no knowledge known to the world. There was nothing to do but look around every corner.

I have decided that, as soon as possible I need information. I also need to learn manners and how to be a prim and proper lady.

But before all of that. First, I need to ask her name. I need someone I know. I look closely at the maid's gentle face, she looks like she's in her mid-twenties, and I assume she's Lady Marina's personal maid servant.

"What's your name again, Miss?" I asked in wary, she might find it strange. But to my surprise, nothing changed in her expression, she wasn't surprised at all.

"My name is Rita, Milady." its answer, full of respect with no hint of strangeness, seemed to be accustomed to it.

In conclusion, Lady Marina seems to be forgetful. She even forgot her maid servant's name.

"Rita..." I softly said and stopped my track.

She also stopped before answering, "Yes, Milady?"

I turned to her direction and asked, "What date is today?"

Rita looks at me before answering, "Milady, today is the 4th day of the Month of Gold (March), year 1875 of the Agamantha Calendar."

Wow, I've never heard someone telling me about a date like this. I should have use this kind of style when I writing an essay in my history class back then. It sounded so posh and elegant. 

And more word count.

I slightly nodded my head, and said, "Rita after this, I want to go to the library."

Rita smiled and bowed. "As you wish my lady."