I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman

An alarm on the nightstand turns to 05:30 and beeps. A hand reaches out and turns it off. A man with a towel wrapped around his waist walks toward the bathroom. His back is covered with scars, some deeper and larger than others. A few of them are fresh.

He picks up a toothbrush and starts brushing his teeth while looking in the mirror. When he finishes, he grabs a clean, dry towel to dry his wet silver hair.

Arthur unwraps himself and tosses both towels into the laundry basket near the bathroom door. He steps out into the walk-in closet.

He dresses in a plain light green shirt, leaving the top two buttons undone. His chiseled chest muscles peek through. He takes a jet-black suit and puts it on.

He looks at himself in the mirror: silver hair, piercing blue eyes, light green shirt, jet-black suit and pants, and shiny black shoes. He oozes charisma and intelligence.

He straps a digital watch with three tiny heartstones embedded on his right wrist, and the Montrose Space Bracelet on his left.

At exactly 05:45, Arthur exits his bedroom and heads to the dining room.

The table has already been set by Ben, the Montrose butler. The smell of coffee fills the air, and Arthur takes a deep breath. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Good morning, Young Master Arthur," Ben greets him.

"Morning, Ben." He takes his seat as a cup of black coffee is set before him. "Thank you, Ben." He drinks and takes out his tablet from his space bracelet.

"Morning, Arthur," Maurice greets. He enters the dining room still in his training clothes—he looks like he’s just exercised.

"Morning, Father. Run?" Arthur asks.

Maurice takes the glass of water from Ben, drinks it, and nods. "Yeah. Today is running day." He sits, and his coffee is ready in front of him.

Maurice picks up the newspaper, while Arthur turns his eyes back to his tablet. But before he can read further, Leila enters the room.

"Morning, everyone!" She walks in, kisses Maurice, and takes a seat.

"Morning, Mother."

"Morning, Darling."

Leila drinks her coffee and closes her eyes, clearly savoring it.

"It’s delicious, Ben. Thank you. New bean?"

"You’ve noticed, Madam. Nice catch! Yes, they came in yesterday. From that new plantation near Mount Paretta."

Arthur sets his tablet down. "There’s something I need to tell you," he says to both of his parents.

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Maurice sighs, his brows taut.

Leila has her right hand clamped over her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears.

Arthur looks at them in turn. "And I think what she’s feeling and asking are not too much."

Leila exhales loudly. "Of course not! And we can absolutely do that!" She turns to Maurice. "Won’t we, Honey?"

Maurice snaps to Leila. "Of course! And why are you looking at me like that? I will do it, Leila!"

Leila nods in satisfaction. "Good!"

A plate of breakfast is placed in front of Maurice. Then Ben brings Leila her plate, and finally Arthur’s. After setting them down, he says, "Enjoy your breakfast, Sir, Madam, Young Master," before disappearing toward the kitchen.

Leila eats automatically, lost in thought. "No wonder she didn’t like her room," she murmurs. "She doesn’t remember. Not really." She keeps murmuring.

"Darling, what are you murmuring about?" Maurice asks.

She looks up. "I said no wonder she didn’t like the room. It all fits, Maurice. The room, the clothes, the dinner. Everything! And I did it all wrong."

Arthur soothes her. "You didn’t do anything wrong, Mother. You just didn’t know. None of us did."

Leila swallows her food. "But I should’ve. I’m her mother! I should’ve known better."

"Darling..." Maurice starts. He wants to comfort her, not add to her guilt.

Leila lifts her left hand. "It’s okay. I’m not blaming myself. I just regret that I didn’t think of it. Anyway, it’s going to change."

She takes a deep breath. "I’m going to take her shopping!" Abruptly, she gets up, comes back with a tablet, sits down again, pushes her empty plate aside, and busies herself with the screen.

Maurice and Arthur glance at each other.

"You’re going to do online shopping?" Maurice asks.

"What? No! How can you online shop for clothes?! No!" Leila snaps.

"Then... what are you doing with...?" Maurice gestures at the tablet.

"Oh, this?" She doesn’t look up. "I’m making a breakfast menu for Thea. Complete with pictures and explanations."

"Oh, breakfast menu." Maurice looks at Arthur again. They’re both smiling, amused.

"Yes!" Leila confirms enthusiastically. "After breakfast, I’ll take her shopping. So she can buy all the clothes she now feels comfortable in. I’ve noticed her sense of fashion changing too — to a more comfortable style."

"We’ll have lunch in the city. Then I’ll sit with her to start on her new bedroom. Oh, that reminds me — I need to tell Ben to find someone who can strip that awful bedroom bare." Leila is busy talking to herself.

"Darling, slow... slow down," Maurice calms her.

"Mother, Thea also has her therapy schedules. Mostly physical therapy. But she has one appointment with Dr. Goodman tomorrow for her psyche evaluation," Arthur reminds her.

"Oh, you’re right! How could I forget her well-being and just focus on appearances?!"

"You can take her shopping today, but watch her closely. If it looks like she’s tired..." Arthur helps his mother think it through.

"Then we’ll stop and return home. You’re right, Arthur. You’re right!"

Arthur nods. "And for convenience and security, I’ll send two people with you, plus a driver."

Leila looks at him. "No." Her tone is firm. "Three people hovering over us is not ideal for Thea. One is okay."

Arthur studies his mother. She doesn’t back down, staring straight into his eyes.

Arthur sighs. "Okay. One. I’ll send Sam."

"Sam? But he’s your personal assistant," Leila exclaims.

"And that makes him the best for this job. What time are you planning on leaving? You know what, I’ll tell him to stand by here from ten." Arthur pulls out his phone and calls Sam.

Maurice says to Leila, "Let him, darling. He’s only worried about your safety, that’s all."

Leila sighs. "I guess." Then she returns to her breakfast menu.

Arthur comes back and sits down. "Done. Sam will be here at ten. You ladies can keep him busy until he drops dead." He grins at the thought.

Maurice shakes his head lightly and goes back to his newspaper.

Julian enters the dining room about twenty minutes later.