Peach blossom

I snatch away the note from the tray and hurriedly unwrap it, wondering what was written inside.

"You're truly a dummy!" was written with black ink in a very cute and neat handwriting.

Seriously? Dummy? Huh! I scoffed loudly as I squeezed the note tight in my fist. That man is really getting on my nerves. I should make a toxic comeback soon. I really wish I found my book that day. I will be able to predict his next action before they even happen.

If he can read my mind, then I should be able to look into the future and control it as I please.

"Your ladyship, I'll serve you as from now on. It's his lordship's order," Aurora said softly, her head still ducked.

"Oh! That's good. I actually had it in mind to make you my personal maid, but it seems like he's always a step ahead of me," I smiled softly at her, knowing fully well that Ethan had read my mind again.

I can't continue like this. There should be a way to close my mind and make him stop prying into it. I should look into his chambers for any book or scroll that may be of help.

"Your ladyship…."

"Kimberly!" I snapped at Rora, cutting her off in anger. I'm starting to get pissed with her constantly calling me that title.

"I'm sorry, your ladyship. I can't call you by your name. It's the lord's order, and I can't defy it!"

"Whatever!" I muttered annoyingly.

"The lord wants you to have breakfast with him in the next one hour. After that, you shall follow him out. So, I'll get you ready now, my lady!"

"Why should I follow him to only God knows where?" I glared at her.

"The lord's thoughts can't be guessed, so I don't know why. The bathwater has been prepared already. If you may, my lady?" Rora bowed respectfully, extending her hands in the direction of the bathroom opposite us.

I descended the bed, exposing my nakedness which was previously hidden under the duvet, and trudged weakly behind Rora as she led the way.

We stepped into the luxuriously designed and furnished bathroom. The heat emiting from the pink hot bathwater in the tub hit me suddenly, making numerous beads of sweat develop on my skin.

Stark naked, I dipped my translucent slender body in the warm bath. The pinkish water enveloped me, hiding away my nakedness under the water from Rora's savoring eyes.

She kneeled beside the bathtub and began to scrub my back gently and carefully with a soft loofah, while I relaxed, enjoying the flowery scent of the bathwater which engulfed the whole bathroom.

Life in my book doesn't seem as bad as I thought. I guess it's because the plotline has been changed. I vividly remember how I made my female lead's life absolutely miserable in my novel, but that doesn't seem to be happening to me here. Maybe what Steve Irwin did isn't completely bad. I hope I get my hands on that book soon, I mused, heaving a deep breath.

"You're truly favored by the Lord. You even got marked by him," Rora giggled slightly behind me as she trailed her fingers across something along the upper region of my back, close to my right shoulder.

"What do you mean?" I inquired curiously, wondering what Ethan has done this time around.

"You're not aware? There's a peach blossom tattoo here," she said, trailing her finger on the tattoo.

She continued, "Marking you is a way to tell others to keep off. It means you're his possession and others must not lay a finger on you," she explained excitedly and moved her hand to the front, scrubbing my chest down to my stomach.

"Can I see it? Snap it and show me," I ordered.

Rora cleaned her wet hands with a dry towel. She then dipped one of her hands into the side pocket of her uniform, pulling out a phone.

I took this time to admire her beauty. She's petite and short, probably 5'4. Her light pastel pink hair was rolled into a neat bun behind her neck. From the thickness of it, I could tell her hair is very long. Her long eyelashes, which are obviously longer than Ethan's, fluttered around as she blinked and moved her eyes. Her lips are very tiny, and I could barely see them. Her nose pointed, and her skin very pale. Her very deep blue eyes met mine as she stood before me.

I wonder how she, a mermaid, got captured and became a maid here. The merclan are known for their pride and wealth. They detest bowing, serving, or cleaning up after others.

"Here it is," she mumbled, stretching her smartphone to me. The sight of her phone made me remember I actually don't have anymore since I miraculously found myself in this world. I should get one today.

I received the phone from her, slightly brushing my drenched hands against hers.

The beautiful picture of the tattoo, which rests perfectly on my right shoulder blade, made me smile. It was an elegant peach blossom tattoo. I wonder when Ethan did this.

They're so beautiful that I couldn't help but trace my fingers over the screen. I'm definitely not going to get mad at him this time around, I chuckled slightly.

Returning her phone, she continued with the bath, which lasted another twenty minutes. I asked her what took her so long, but she just shrugged briefly, saying Ethan is a neat freak and may kill her if I don't appear sprinkling and sparkling.

After the bath, Aurora dried my wet body and took me to the closet, which is just a room away, and began to dress me up. She picked a red sequined gown, but I didn't like it. It looks too revealing.

"Can I wear something else? I don't like this. My entire chest, arm, and back are out there. Can you find me something else?" I sulked while twirling around in front of the tall dressing mirror.

"His Lordship picked this for you. I can't change it," Rora replied briefly, leaving no room for argument.

But I didn't care about what Ethan wants. I care about what I want and feel comfortable in. I have spent seven years of my little life pleasing my ex-fiancé. I can't repeat the same mistake.

This time around, I want to live my life selfishly and not busy trying to please any man.

I got out of the dress and picked another one, a plain white lengthy gown which cladded my body perfectly. I perfected it with a dainty gold chain, earrings, and a few bracelets.

After perfectly dolling up my hair and face, I headed to the dining hall while Rora led the way. After all, it's my second day here, and I'm not familiar with this sprawling castle yet.

"You're certainly quite stubborn, aren't you? You refused the dress I picked for you. Don't you think you're doing too much?" Ethan's voice welcomed me as I arrived at the dining hall.