Ghost? Soul? Spirit?

"Oh you're here- Juli? Are you alright?"

I got absorbed in thinking again, until I got called by Hulio. I tried to be as cool as possible and get back into character.

"Greetings, your majesty."

I tried to kneel like what a typical knight would but was immediately stopped by him.

"No need for that, Juli! You're not well!"

"I am perfectly fine now, your majesty-"

"Hulio. I told you not to call me that before," he said, almost angrily.

"I can't when this place is full of people, your majesty. Furthermore, are you mad?" I said as we sat down on the couch.

"Why wouldn't I?! Did you know how much I grew impatient since knowing what you did to yourself?!"

"I apologize if I disturbed-"

"Again! You kept apologizing!" he exclaimed, sighing.

I was so stunned by his rapid change in mood that I forgot he had feelings for Juli. Typically, he would be more concerned about her– or my health and would avoid expressing his displeasure or frustration over what had happened.

He suddenly moved closer and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Juli... don't ever think of yourself as a burden. You're an incredible person whom everyone adores. To me, you're someone so important that holds my sanity. Therefore, if you want to die, kill me first. Otherwise, I might go crazy and just become the tyrant king my father once came to be."

'Exactly what... What the fvck?' I thought.

"Then so be it. I already lost my faith in humanity, even to God, after that cursed day-"

I automatically murmured, causing me to cover my mouth.

'What the fvck?! What did I just say! What's up with this mouth!'

I began to panic as I went to see his reaction, which had turned gloomy.

'Will he grow even madder and yell? But even with such a response, I believe Hulio won't harm Juli in any way... right?'

While I was deep in thought, worrying and soothing myself about the possible consequences, Hulio left laughing and without saying anything.

I then went straight to the garden to reflect on what had happened.

"Earlier, I obviously heard a voice in my head and that voice... could it be...?"

'It was me.'

I heard the same exact voice from behind and then turned to see a floating individual.

"YOU! And... who are you?"

It isn't even shocking to see an unidentified entity in front of me. Strange.

'I'm shocked you're this calm, given that I'm not human.'

"Well, I can see that. Moreover, reincarnating to an unknown world just shocked me too much that almost nothing surprises me anymore. Again, who are you?"

'I'm... The original owner of that body.'

"What? But... you don't look like... me or this body at all!"

She's completely white, similar to an albino with a genetic lack of pigment in her skin and hair... which appears so... ethereal.

'A person's mortal body and soul wouldn't always appear the same, Leona.'

"Wow, you know me? 'Kay then... did you know how I ended up in this situation? Might as well give me some explanation so I could think of ways to go back to my old, ordinary life as my own self."

She then avoided any eye contact and appeared nervous.

'Well... The thing is... Fate brought us here.'

"Haha... fate. Can't you think of a more specific term to use?"

'That's specific enough to me. It meant what it meant. I am destined to leave the mortal world and you were destined to possess my body. That's it.'

"How about going back? Can't I go back to being just Leona?! I can't possibly continue being Juli– I mean, you– and deceive everyone forever, right? What about my old body? My family?"

'Well, I'm not a celestial or higher being so I can't give you an answer to any of those. But I do know that everything happens for a reason.'

"Great, that explains A LOT! God... this is giving me headaches."

'Wow, you're being rude.'

"Wanna switch places?" I immediately said, glaring.

She became quiet and just pouted.

"Then why are you here? As far as I know, ghosts don't just appear for no reason."

'G-Ghost?! Excuse me but I'm not a ghost! I'm a soul! Spirit!'

"Ghost, soul, spirit, same thing!"

'NO THEY'RE NOT!'

"Then just tell me your purpose here! How are you able to control this body?! And can you please give me a heads up whenever you're planning on using it?! It is I, after all, who needs to deal with all the shits that's going to happen afterwards."

'Hmph, of course. Since I was originally the owner of that body, I could possess it whenever I want. And the reason why I am here... it's because... I was sent here to be your guide.'

"Guide? Wow. How generous of them. I just hope they've sent you like two years earlier when I got here. So I wouldn't have to look like a missing duck."

'HEY! Just be thankful that you were given a chance to have this ability!'

"Fine, fine... I'm grateful! Thank you, God, or whoever gave me this ability!"

'CAN YOU STOP BEING SARCASTIC?!'

"I'm not~ I'm GENUINELY grateful~" I said, purposely being sarcastic to her.

'No, you're not!'

"M-My lady? W-Who are you talking to?" 

I was so occupied by this ghost that I didn't even noticed Lyra coming. Seeing that she is trembling in fear, it appears like only I could see the real Juli.

"C-Can you see ghosts... o-or spirits?" she asked, scared.

'I'M NOT A GHOST!' Juli continued to argue.

"O-Oh, um. No, I'm just reflecting... I tend to talk to myself, you see. Haha..."

I glared at Juli as I push Lyra back to the palace and go home.

'You could give a better answer than that, you know.'

"Shut up! It's because you suddenly popped out of nowhere!" I whispered to the ghost.