Xenia awoke with the sunrise.
The same crumbling walls still surrounded her، the same cold floor sent its morning chill seeping into her bare feet.
She turned her head slowly, almost hoping she'd find herself back in her own cozy bed,
But no... there were the same walls, the same wooden ceiling, and the air thick with dampness and time, Everything was exactly as she'd left it.
" Where are the memories of this body? "
She whispered to herself, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
" In the novels, the soul either inherits the body's memories or knows the story beforehand…
So what about me? Have I fallen into a world without a script? Or crossed into a time that offers no return? "
She left the room with lazy grace, her body still stiff from unfamiliar sleep, she made her way to the kitchen, listening to the silence, as if hoping it might whisper something familiar.
The place looked like the opening scene of a forgotten century.
No refrigerator, no coffee machine, just a cement floor and wooden walls scarred with cracks.
She was just beginning to wonder if she'd need to start a fire to cook,
when she noticed a steam powered oven.
' Wait... an oven powered by steam?
How much we don't know until the world strips away our certainties.
I knew old irons used to be primitive, but ovens too? '
She stood before it, puzzled, then muttered with a sarcastic smile:
" Well then, time to summon my assistants "
She went to find Callista... but Agony followed her like a stubborn shadow, he looked like a tiny guard, far too serious for his age, watching over his sister with excessive care.
She pointed toward the oven and said gently:
" Cali, can you turn this on? "
But Agony interrupted, swift and sure:
" I know how "
She looked at him with childlike admiration and smiled:
" Alright then... show us what you've got "
In under two minutes, the oven began to breathe steam like an ancient beast stirring from slumber.
She watched him, impressed!
" Joe, you're now officially the Oven Master,
Cali, come help me instead "
She noticed the boy's faint surprise at the nickname,
but she didn't explain,
She didn't have the energy to spell out full names on such a grey morning.
She prepared breakfast for them, and things were flowing with gentle simplicity...
Until he walked in.
The man who was supposed to be her husband.
He entered without a word, sat down, and began to eat,
No greeting, No offer to help.
Xenia stood frozen, unsure how to react.
She shifted her posture, lowered her shoulders,
and spoke with a feigned stammer.
" W-where… were you last night? "
He raised his eyes to her, dry and cold:
" What? Did you miss me in bed? "
' I've been single my whole life. What bed is he even talking about?! '
She faltered,
" U-uh… I was worried "
He burst into hysterical laughter, a sound so loud and absurd it swallowed the kitchen,
It felt like a badly acted parody.
When he finally quieted, he looked at her with disgust.
" Did you lose your memory or something? "
A chill crept down her spine.
She fought hard to keep her face neutral.
He continued,
" I was with one of my lovers, I haven't touched you in four years,
eorried you might lose your precious status as my wife?don't worry…
You'll always be Edgar's wife, just so you can serve me "
It wasn't just the words that pierced her,
It was the look in his eyes...
The way one might glance at something unimportant in the background.
' Well, at least I don't have to sleep with him '
But then... anger flashed in her eyes.
Still, she smiled, she ducked her head beneath the veil of submission.
' He wants me to serve him forever? How shameless!
And he brags about his mistresses? What kind of man is this?! '
She took a deep breath to calm herself.
Suddenly...
" Hahahahahahaha!
Seems I was right,
You were scared of losing your status, weren't you? Hahahahahahahaha! "
"....."
Her eyes trembled..
' I swear… one day, I'll make him regret every word..... '