Selena sat on the floor in shock and confusion as she looked at herself in the mirror.
Her face twisting in horror, her hands trembling at her side.
"Ha- How...?"
*Knock. Knock. *
Selena's eyes shifted to the door as she flinched slightly at the sudden knock her body frozen in fear.
"My lady it is time for your break... fast?..."
A maid trailed off as she entered the room seeing Selena on the floor looking so fearfull.
"My lady is... everything alright?"
Selena stayed silent looking at the maid --- Her maid who had died defending her in her past life. A tear fell down Selena's face, then another and another till she could not stop herself from crying.
The maid's eyes widen at the sight, and she rushes over to Selena, kneeling down to her level.
The maid reaches out a hand to comfort Selena but stops at the final moment.
She takes a deep breath, her hand clenching into a fist as she restrains herself pulling her hand back as she smiles composing herself.
"My lady, are you alright? Do you perhaps have a fever?"
Selena shakes her head sideways, wiping her tears with her hands as new ones keep forming.
"No, I am alright, Ann. Don't you worry."
Selena sniffles a little as she stands up.
"You can go for now. I will wash up and come to the dining hall myself."
Ann hesitates for a second, her eyes flickering with a hint of worry.
"I... I..."
Ann shakes her head and stands up as well.
"As you wish, my lady."
Ann walks out of the room, standing there waiting for Selena to be ready.
Her head is lowered as she mumbles to herself.
"My lady... this is the first time I have ever seen her cry..."
Inside the room, Selena goes to the restroom, her mind blank and hands still shaking.
She washes her face with cold water twice in an attempt to calm her nerves and to hide any trace of her tears.
She let out a shallow breath, her hands still trembling as water dripped down her face. Her skin was as pale as a ghost as she stared at the young girl staring back at her in the mirror, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"How...?"
After a long moment, she stepped out of the bathroom attached to her bedroom.
She changed out of her nightgown and put on a red dress with a white bow attached to the waist on it.
She walked to the dining hall with Ann, her eyes wandering all over the mansion.
'Everything looks exactly as it had been when I was young... '
'Could it be a spell... an illusion, maybe? '
'But... why would anyone wish to put me under a spell... it isn't as if there is anything special about me. I'm a deathrow prisoner '
As she reached the dining hall, she looked from left to right, finding the place empty except for a few maids and the head butler.
'Why is Father not here?... If this is some kind of illusion, should it not at least be to my liking? '
Selena approached the butler, looking up at him. He is a man in his late 50s, even older than her father having served the family for two generations.
"Good morning, young miss. Is there something you require help with?" he said with a warm smile.
"Actually, yes. I was wondering when my father will be arriving."
The butler's smile froze in its place than after a short moment he cleared his throat.
"Well, actually....Lord Abigor is quite busy at the moment, so.....he will be eating in his office. But you should begin eating your meal, young miss."
This is almost too real. Well... if somehow I have returned to the past, perhaps I should attempt to change a few things. Maybe I could gain my father's approval?
"It is alright. I shall just eat with him in his office."
"But, young miss, you—you shouldn't—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Selena had already walked out of the dining hall.
Selena walked to her father's office, her heart beating faster, her fists clenched in determination.
She exhaled shakily and knocked at the door.
*Knock Knock*
"Come in," a deep, calm yet authoritative voice replied from inside.
"Good morning, Father."
"What is it that you need? Can you not see that I am busy?"
Selena's father replied while looking over paperwork. His golden hair shone dimly in the light coming from the window behind him.
"Well—yes, I am aware of that. I just... I was hoping you.... and I could share... a meal together."
Selena spoke with a slight tremble in her voice. Her gaze shifted in all directions, her small hands clenching at her dress as she waited for her father's response.