I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 133: Recognition

Maeve hangs up her phone. She was just talking to the Arvion branch of The Library. She apologized for worrying everyone. Her colleagues are relieved that she’s okay and ask her to rest more.

Teacher Ludwig said the same thing earlier.

Click.

The door to the room opens.

Maeve looks up and sees Julian’s parents. For some reason, ever since she met them the first time, she’s always felt nervous talking to them.

"Hey! It’s good to see you awake!" Leila says, all smiles.

Then, the next second, she frowns when she notices Arthur on the phone with Sam.

She sighs. "And one of them is already working. Would it kill you to not work for a day?" Leila pouts.

Julian laughs. "Let him be, Mom. He’ll get a rash if he doesn’t work. Besides, he’s been missing work for two days now. He’s in the withdrawal phase."

Maeve laughs with the rest of the room.

She likes how the Montroses are so at ease with each other. She’s always wanted a family like this. Warm. Loving. Supportive. That’s what a family should be. Or at least how she’s always imagined it to be.

Maeve is an orphan. She wouldn’t know.

Teacher Ludwig raised her out of necessity, not love. He cares about her, but not because he considers her family. He thinks about his position first.

When the room falls silent, Maeve snaps out of her thoughts and looks up.

Her eyes widen.

She’s looking at the most ethereal young girl she’s ever seen.

Her hair is straight and silky. But what astonishes Maeve isn’t just that. It’s the color. White as snow, without blemish. Pure white.

Then her eyes. Maeve can’t quite make them out. Bright blue, but with hints of gray. Then her nose. Her rosy cheeks. Her pink lips. The way her hair falls, perfectly framing her face.

Everything Maeve sees screams gorgeous. Beautiful. Out of this world. Ethereal. She runs out of words.

Then the girl’s eyes widen, making her look even more like a doll.

She speaks.

"What?" She blinks. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"

Maeve feels like she’s been punched in the gut.

How can someone have a voice like that? So soothing. So melodic. Perfectly fitting her appearance.

Maeve is truly captivated by Thea’s beauty.

And when Thea runs to the bathroom, Maeve’s eyes follow her the entire way.

When Thea disappears into the bathroom, followed by her mother, Maeve finally blinks.

What am I doing? Is this what it means to be captivated by beauty?

When Thea steps out of the bathroom, and a few moments later the room’s door opens and Miranda enters with her daughter, Claudia, Maeve’s eyes stay fixed on Thea.

As Miranda interacts with Thea, Liam, and Leila, Maeve keeps looking at Thea.

There’s something about her that’s very familiar. I can’t quite... say what it is... Gosh! Why does this unbelievably gorgeous young woman seem so familiar to me?! I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever seen her. I’d like to think I’d remember seeing someone like her.

But what is it?!

Maeve racks her brain, going through every memory she can access.

She’s only half listening to the conversation happening in the room. She probably looks stunned, but her brain is working overtime.

"Thea," Julian calls out. "You haven’t met Maeve yet. Come here. I’ll introduce you."

Julian’s voice snaps her back.

Maeve watches as Thea walks toward her, smiling.

Stop smiling, you fairy princess!

Thea extends her hand. "Hi, I’m Thea. Nice to meet you." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Then it hits her.

Holy mother Mary, Jesus, and Joseph!

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"I apologize deeply, Your Ladyship, but the patients are not to be disturbed, by order of this hospital’s Chief Surgeon, Dr. Lucas Montgomery."

The receptionist stands up and bows formally to the Baroness.

"I also apologize if I did not make myself clear earlier. I do not wish to see one of the patients," the Baroness says calmly. "But one of the visitors."

"Eh?" The receptionist blinks, confused.

"One of the visitors, Your Ladyship?"

"Yes. A young woman by the name of Thea Montrose."

The receptionist immediately recalls the beautiful young woman who entered earlier with her parents.

"I apologize for misunderstanding you earlier, Your Ladyship." She bows again. "Please allow me a moment to see what I can do. Would you kindly wait at the lounge, Your Ladyship?"

She gestures politely.

The Baroness gives a small nod.

The receptionist straightens, heart beating faster.

She knows better than to offend this Baroness.

The woman is famous for her generosity. Her charity donations are legendary. The hospital has received funds from her circles before, though never directly.

If she could secure a donation from the Baroness herself...

The receptionist’s eyes gleam with restrained greed.

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Theo can see the exact moment Maeve’s brain makes the connection.

She’s in the middle of extending her hand to shake Theo’s when it hits her.

Her face freezes into a comical expression of shock and disbelief.

To cover it up, Theo quickly grabs her hand and shakes it with far more enthusiasm than necessary.

"Hi, you must be Maeve!" he says brightly. "Julian told me about you. You were in the dungeon with my brothers and Liam? That’s incredibly brave! And thank you for helping them survive. I’m sure you did a lot in there!"

He lays it on thick, deliberately over-the-top, clearly trying to knock Maeve out of her spiral.

It works.

Maeve blinks several times and manages a smile, even if it’s stiff and awkward.

But before she can fully recover, there’s a knock on the door.

A nurse appears at the doorway.

"Excuse me," she says carefully, "is Ms. Thea Montrose here?"

Theo turns toward her. "Yes. I’m Thea Montrose. Can I help you?"

Arthur, Liam, and Maeve all look at the nurse at the same time, unblinking.

Julian, who usually isn’t as fiercely protective of Thea as the other two, still fixes the nurse with a curious, guarded stare.

The nurse visibly stiffens under the collective attention. She swallows and clearly hopes this won’t take long.

Theo steps closer.

"Yes?" he prompts gently.

"May I speak with you outside, please?"

Theo glances back at the room. "Don’t worry. I’ll be right back."

He follows the nurse out and closes the door behind him.