Finally! A Solution!

BELLE’s P.O.V

AGAIN. I didn’t get any sleep.

“My lady…” May approached me while holding a vase in her hand.

I look at her with my tired eyes. “What?”

She sat across my chair and looked at me intently.

“Don’t tell me, you’re doing drugs?”

What!

“What are you talking about?”

She sighed.

“I just noticed this past few days that you’re always out of yourself, so I thought you’re actually doing-”

I cut her. “Of course not May!”

“Are you sure?” She asks again.

“Yes! I promise!” I even raised my left hand to strengthen my promise to her.

“Okay…” She agreed but her eyes’ telling me otherwise.

She got back to what she’s doing a while ago. She gets the flowers that she picked from her garden and puts them in the vase before going out of my room.

“Sigh…”

I spent the whole night thinking about what I should do but in the end, I couldn’t even think of any possible way to avoid my death.

First, the male lead and I are now acquaintances and it’s hard for me to avoid him because he’s not a stranger in this house anymore. It’ll be weird if I suddenly acted like that after I accepted them, especially him last night.

“Oh…”

I have another reason to stop thinking of avoiding him–May. If I avoid him, May will surely think about something and I’m sure I wouldn’t like it.

“Oh gosh… What should I do?”

Oh wait.

Come to think of it. Is it possible to just root for them?

“That’s right!” I’m so stupid!

Why did I think of this just now?

“I can just root for them and voila! I’m safe!”

All I have to do is not to meddle with them and let them have their happily ever after love story, right?

As if all of my problems were gone, I let out a contented sigh.

“That’s right. I will just do that since those two are not my business.”

I sit on the corner of my bed and open a book that May brought for me.

It’s title is My Unbending Deal With The Alpha by xxJabami. It’s really interesting since the story is quite similar to what happened to me, the protagonist was accidentally transported to a different world, what’s shocking is that she is actually a werewolf! A Royal werewolf to be exact!

I spent my afternoon leisurely, now all I have to do is to strengthen this body and of course think of a way to stop my parents’ assassination of me.

I’m sure right now they’re thinking of a way to kill me, especially my step mother. That evil step mother of mine!

Come to think of it. There is something called mana here where it is some kind of magic that can either grow and help your body or bring damage to your body when you do it incorrectly.

I searched for that book and read it again for the second time. The book looks old but its contents are actually good. You can see how detailed the information is here and there’s actually pictures attached.

“Okay, it says here that I need to gather this mana building stone…”

The page where I can improve my mana says that there’s a stone called mana building stone that was needed when I did my mana test.

It says that you can find it somewhere in the North. Wait…

“If I’m not wrong, I’m in the South right?”

What a lucky place…

I calculated my expenses in case I go to the North.

“I can’t afford it…” Ugh…

I lay down on my bed.

“How can I get those mana building stones if they’re too far and I’m broke?”

Is this a sign to stop looking for it?

Someone knocked on my door. Who’s that? May wouldn’t even bother knocking. I alert myself, I stand beside the door while holding the book.

“Who is it?”

A couple of seconds had passed but no one’s answering. My heart’s starting to beat fast.

“Who is it?” I repeat.

After a while, someone answered.

“My lady, this is May.”

What the…

I walked towards the door and opened it slowly, peeking if it’s really her. When I saw her unfazed face, I opened the door widely.

“What’s happening to you My Lady?” She asked.

“No, what’s happening to you? Why are you suddenly knocking?” I walked back to my bed and sat on it.

“Who knows…” She has a tray of food on her hand and is now arranging it on the table.

What does she mean by that?

“What do you mean?” I can’t quite understand what she’s talking about.

“Who knows… If you’re doing something while thinking of Mr.Henrick…”

“...” What? I looked at her with a questioning eye. I've been staring at her for a while before I realized what she meant.

“Oh my gosh May!” I was embarrassed by what she said.

“How dare you say that to me! I will never do that!” I exclaimed.

She just shrugged.

“Who knows, you’re in love with him anyways.”

“Oh please! That’s disgusting!”

Where did she know that kind of joke?! Isn’t she embarrassed by what she said?!

For God’s sake, May!

"You didn't deny that you're in love with him."

"..."

We looked at each other for a second then she smiled maliciously.

I just shrugged. I can't deny it though.

I, who can’t forget her disgusting thoughts, picked up the small pillow and threw it to her while laughing.

May just casually catch it in the air, like someone who's a master of martial arts.

Then, she invited me to dinner, so the food she brought is for our dinner.

Today's dinner is beef stew and bread.

"Where did you get the beef?"

"Mr.Hendrick gave it to us."

oh…

She smirks at me again.

Oh please!

I just rolled my eyes.

While eating, I remembered something.

“May, do you have some extra cash there?”

She was chewing her meat when she answered.

“None My Lady.”

“Oh…” I’m doomed. Is this the second sign?

“Why?” she asks.

“Uhm, well. You know that I’m physically weak right?”

She nodded.

“I read in a book that by improving my mana, it can help me strengthen my body.”

“So you want to…?”

“According to the book, I need a mana stone and I can find it in the North only.”

She arched her eyebrows and acted like she’s thinking of something.

“I think I know someone who can help you with that.”

My face was lightened by what she said.

“Really?”

She nodded again.

“Who is it? Tell me!”

She looked at me, slowly, a smile was showing on her lips.

“What?”

What is she thinking that made her smile?

“It is…” She said, incidentally stopping midway.

I waited patiently.

“It is… Mr.Hendrick.”

Wait.

“Tell me you’re joking.”

She shook her head. “I’m not.”

I was dumbfounded.

“Don’t you have-”

“I don’t.” She said, cutting me off.

I slap myself, can someone remind me to change her?

I was thinking hard while we’re eating. I hate this situation I’m in right now, it’s making me use my head a lot.

Why do I feel like one problem comes after another, like can’t I just rest even just for a day?

Really, what is my purpose for coming here in this world? To gather the problems and solve them till I die?

I was thinking the whole night. Should I consider Mr.Henrick or not? I was thinking of avoiding things that are related to him but I don’t know anyone here that can help me except him!

Another decision that puts me awake all night!

“ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?”

May asks me while tying my hair up.

“I need to do this.”

She sighs.

“You can just tell me what to do and I’ll gladly accept it.”

I looked at her.

“Really?”

“Of course not.” I knew it.

I rolled my eyes.

“Whatever.”

She helped me wear my coat and get my pouch.

“Take care my lady.”

May cannot accompany me because she needs to go to her grandmother’s house to give her the herbs that she produced.

That grandma isn’t May’s relative, but according to her, that grandma helped May when her mother died.

I think May mentioned that she’s out of herself that time and that grandma helped her to move forward. That’s so kind of that grandma.

That’s why even though I need May right now, I cannot risk that grandma’s life, she needs to get her medicine and that is why I decided to go alone.

I walked towards the old gate of the mansion. Thankfully, my father didn’t want to save much money on me, that's why he only bought a small mansion.

Yup, this is considered a small mansion because I saw a bigger mansion that other nobles have. Even my parents’ mansion is way bigger than what they bought me.

When I finally got out of the mansion, I thought to myself.

“This is it… There’s no turning back.”

I exhale twice. The only thing that I bought with me is a couple of extra change that May gave me and a few gold from the house that I can use in case of emergency.

“Okay, let’s go!”

I walked for about thirty minutes before I finally got to the nearest small village. According to May, people that live in this village are all good so I don’t have to worry if I don’t know anyone here.

I was catching my breath so I stopped for a while. This is what I hate, I barely walk and here I am, catching my breath.

When I finally calmed myself, I entered the village. There’s no guard on the outside, it looks like this isn’t a village where nobles will reside.

I looked around and saw people wearing almost the same clothes. Is it some kind of fashion trend here? But their clothes don't look that great though.

While looking around the place, I noticed that each of the houses almost looks the same also, that’s weird. Is it some kind of tradition?

Since I plan to stay here for a couple of days, I looked for an inn that’ll be my shelter for a while. Luckily, May knows about this village and she gave me some tips and direction that will help me while I’m staying here.

“Hello lady, how can we help you?” A young man at the reception area said.

“I need a room for three days.”

He looked at his ledger and gave me a room.

“The only available room is room 65 on the third floor, is it okay to you?”

I nodded. It’s better to stay under a roof than on the outside.

While he’s guiding me to the room, I saw someone at the end of the room on the third floor.

There are two people there, they look like they are arguing.

“I told you to give me the information beforehand!” The guy on the right side shouted.

“I know! I’m sorry!” The other guy said. They’re wearing a black coat that’s why I can’t see them properly.

They’re really arguing.

I was about to ignore them when I heard something

“Then, does Hendrick know about what you did?” the guy on the right side asks.

I automatically turn my head to them. Did I hear it right?

Is that the Hendrick I know?

My thoughts were cut off when the receptionist guy talked to me.

“Here’s your room lady Belle.”

I thanked him and decided to ignore the guys before.

I went inside the room and locked the door.

“At last!” I can now rest!

I placed my belongings beside the single bed and laid my body into it. This is so nice!

I wanted to rest just for a little bit but because this body is weak, I can now feel the fatigue because of the walk that I did earlier.

I organized my plans.

"First, I need to see that man and ask for his help."

In the comic, there's a man who will learn about a herb's true purpose. That herb will help many people that could've died from a not that severe illness.

That man will become an official doctor of the palace and will eventually become an important person to the empire.

I, in order to gain everyone's approval, will help that man to discover it a little earlier. I need to do everything to gain support because there's nothing sure in this world.

I am destined to die here and even though I am not the original villain in the comic, I'm not sure if I wouldn't meet the same end as the original villain.

I am thinking of what approach I should take when I don't realize that I'm falling asleep.

“HELP!”

Cough!

I was woken up because I had a hard time breathing. I opened but I cannot see my surroundings clearly because of the smoke that's filling the room.

"Wha-" I couldn't open my mouth because of the smoke coming in.

What is happening!?

I immediately stood up and looked around.

There's smoke everywhere! It feels like something's burning somewhere!

I run towards the door, everything's in chaos.

Everyone's holding their luggage, running towards the stairs.

"There's fire!" Someone shouted.

People keep on running everywhere, everyone’s in panic. They keep on pointing into the corner of the hallway, I tried to look at what it is. There, a man is standing near this place and it’s body is full of fire.

What’s that?! Is he burning alive?!

I was busy thinking what it is when someone bumped into me that caused me to fall into the ground.

"Ouch!" I shouted but no one seemed to hear me.

People keep on running and shouting.

I tried to get up but someone kept on bumping into me. I tried to stand up again but I kept on falling, the smoke's filling my eyes and nose.

I was already catching my breath. I need to get out of here!

Again, I tried to get up but because I was always bumped by somebody, I didn't realize that I was already near the stairs.

I turned around to avoid this direction but to my surprise, a man pushed me.

"Get out of the way!"

I was pushed so hard that I flew a few steps backwards. My back hit something hard, I looked at it and saw the stairs' railings.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it, but everything turned upside down when the railings at my back suddenly collapsed.

I searched for something that I can hold but I couldn't find any. Instead, I was just too stunned when I felt my body falling down from the third floor. I couldn't even scream because of the shock.

"Ahhh!"

"She's falling!"

"Someone, help her!".

Everyone's shouting but I couldn't hear it clearly. My thoughts are filled with regrets.

Is this how my life will end?

I closed my eyes, thinking about where everything goes wrong.

I sigh. Is this the end of the second life that you gave me?

I was losing hope. I felt my body lose its strength.

I let go of my thoughts, ready to fall but then, I felt something stopped me from falling.

I opened my eyes to see a man holding me in his arms.

"H-Hendrick…"