Moon sat frozen for a moment after the realization struck her— not breathing, not blinking, not existing— just sitting there on the futon, spine straight as a snapped twig, eyes huge and glassy in the moonlight, mouth slightly open like the words had died halfway out.
Then—
"…The Apothecary Diaries…"
Her voice cracked—bare whisper, trembling on the edge.
Then louder, rising sharp—
"No. No—NO NO NO— no way—what the actual— THIS CAN'T— HOW CAN THIS—?!"
Her expression spiralled into pure disbelief— shock horror awe panic wonder fear all at once, like colours exploding out of her chest in chaotic streaks.
Moon shot up from the futon so fast she nearly tripped—blanket tangling at her ankles, robe slipping off one shoulder, hair flying wild as she stumbled to her feet. "WHAT THE FUCK— NO WAY— NO WAY— IT'S A STORY— A STORY— HOW CAN I BE IN A STORY—?!"
She grabbed fistfuls of her hair—tugging hard, pacing three frantic steps one way, turning sharp, pacing back, bare feet slapping the tatami, the room spinning with her. "This is impossible— IMPOSSIBLE— there's no portal— no reincarnation— no fantasy cheat code— NO TUTORIAL— NO SYSTEM— I WAS JUST DRINKING— AND THEN— AND THEN— WHAT THE HELL— WHAT IS THIS LOGIC— WHO DID THIS— WHAT EEEEVIL GOD SENT ME HERE—?!"
Her voice cracked to a squeak—high and ragged, hands shaking as she pressed palms to her head, breath coming fast and shallow. She was shivering now—full-body tremor, knees weakening like they might give out, heartbeat thundering loud in her ears.
"I'm inside my FAVORITE BOOK— THIS IS NOT NORMAL— THIS IS— I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS— HOW DO YOU EVEN— WHAT DO I EVEN— WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO—"
She stumbled to the wall—hands flat against the cool wood, forehead pressing hard, body trembling like leaves in storm. Her voice dropped to a terrified whisper, muffled against the screen. "…I'm not ready for this… I'm not ready at all…"
And in the middle of her spiralling breath— a sound cut through the panic.
Soft. Gentle. Familiar.
A flute.
The same melody— from the mountain from the dream from the scent-filled wind.
It rose slowly, like moonlight turned into sound, weaving through the lattice window, silver and pure.
Moon froze— her breathing hitched, her eyes widened, her whole body locked still.
"No… no way… not again—"
Then—
FWOOOOSH.
The scent burst into her quarters.
Not drifting. Not floating. Not teasing.
Bursting.
Rare ancient night-orchid sweetness filling every corner of the room filling her lungs filling everything.
Moon gasped— a sharp inhale that hurt, the fragrance wrapping her like arms she remembered from nowhere.
Her panic collided with awe. Her fear collided with wonder. Her brain shut down.
Her mind screamed one thing, loud and clear:
This is real.This is real.THIS IS REAL.
And then—
the petals came.
White. Soft. Glowing.
Hundreds of them, swirling through the room like a storm made of moonlight—spinning gentle, brushing her cheeks, sticking to her hair, dancing around her trembling hands.
She stood there in the middle of it all— messy hair, robe slipping, lips parted, eyes wide and watery— looking like a girl dropped into a myth.
And then—
a single white glowing thread descended from nowhere.
Slow. Perfect. Alive.
It touched her hand— wrapped around her little finger— a soft tug.
Like fate hooking onto her.
Moon's breath shattered.
Her voice trembled out, barely a whisper:
"…the thread… it's real…"
Her vision blurred with tears— hot tracks down her cheeks, the petals catching them like stars.
Her mind was blank except for one thought— one impossible command echoing louder than the flute louder than her own heartbeat louder than everything.
Follow the thread.Find the other side.
Everything else— the petals, the fear, the palace, the world— fell away.
Only the glowing thread remained.
Pulling her forward.
Calling her.
Claiming her.
And in that moment— Moon understood.
She was no longer Moon from a world of cold apartments and forgotten birthdays.
She was someone new a name she didn't knew yet and its called as .
The Night Orchid.
And the story had only just begun.
Disclaimer
This work is a fan-made story inspired by The Apothecary Diaries. The world, its canon characters, and original setting belong to their creators.
Moon, her journey, and all new scenes written here are entirely my own creations. This story is shared purely for love of the universe and for personal enjoyment. No copyright infringement is intended.