The System sighed. [Fine. What do you want?]

It shocked Anna for a few seconds. Again, she wondered why the System sometimes sounded like a real human being.

"You’re not a human, are you?"

[Are any of us even real? You’re in a book, Hostie. Are you human?]

I shouldn’t have bothered. Anna thought, irked by the System’s sarcasm.

"First, let me see my—"

"Your highness?" A soft, timid voice called from behind her. Anna turned to see Bella.

Her face brightened. "Bella! Where have you been?" She said, walking up to her. Bella took a step back, her head bowed.

Anna’s smile faded. Oh, that’s right. I threw a disgusting fruit at her the moment I stepped into this world.

That makes sense though. The one time Manager Park threw his coffee and mug at me, I was scared of him for weeks.

She adjusted her stance, and wiped the smile off her face. "You’ve been absent," Anna said.

Bella bowed, shaking slightly. "I...I’m sorry, your highness."

"It’s fine,"

[Never say that~]

Anna cleared her throat. "What is my schedule for today?"

"You’re still recovering, your highness. You shouldn’t—"

"That’s not what I asked."

Bella flinched. Anna felt bad for scaring her, promising herself to make it up for her later.

Wringing her fingers together, Bella looked around the clinic, every where but Anna’s face. "Her Majesty the Queen sent a message, it’s about visiting your sister."

Oh shit! I’d totally forgotten about her! Anna panicked internally.

But outside she nodded. "And?"

"This came today," Bella took out a sleek red and silver envelope and held it up to Anna’s face.

Anna took it, opened it up and read what was inside. An invitation to a ball? She checked the sender’s name to see

Thalia Serlinian.

Her blood chilled as she recalled the vicious snake beastwoman. Anna had no intention of seeing her again.

"I won’t be attending this. Send a message back to her."

Bella looked distraught. "Your highness, it’s her birthday ball. You’ve never skipped it in a decade."

Anna’s face blanched. A decade of wicked friendship. Of course. Did she expect this Orchid to have normal friends?

With a heavy sigh, she folded the invitation. "Fine. I will attend it. Start the preparations."

"Yes, your highness. There’s a meeting with the Mayor of Old City at 2pm today. And there’s also—"

Bella went on and on, listing off meetings and tea parties, so much that Anna had a headache just listening to all of them.

By the time she was done, the entire day was full of events.

That’s what this Orchid does every day? Goodness! And she still finds time to be evil? Talk about dedication to the craft!

Anna squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. She was used to choked up schedules, working long hours and getting very little sleep. This shouldn’t be a problem for her at all.

"Let’s go." She announced, heading to the door. Bella followed behind her.

An hour later, Anna was ready. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She’s found out why Ray watered her in the library. It wasn’t just any type of water, it was one made for Beastblooms. Even though they were part beast, they still had plant characteristics. And plants needed water and nutrients.

Anna felt refreshed, like a true princess. The dress Bella had picked out for the day was a soft blue silk gown with thin sleeves that showed off her orchid marks and vines, and dainty sandals. Her hair was done in a sweeping braid, and her makeup kept light. She had no idea how this beast world even had silk, but she didn’t question it.

Anna looked at her reflection and smiled. I look the part now. She thought.

Bella led her to Princess Lotus.

The only thing Anna knew was that Princess Lotus fell into a coma before the book started, and it caused the kingdom a great pain. In the earliest Chapters, it was clear how different Princess Orchid was from her older sister.

If Princess Lotus was a soft rain after a draught, Princess Orchid was the hurricane that destroyed a farm land.

Anna grabbed the skirt of her gown, trembling with a mixture of nerves and excitement. She didn’t know what to expect, and frankly she was a bit scared too. She glanced over at Bella time and time, but the servant girl’s eyes were pinned on the floor like there was something interesting there.

Eventually, they arrived.

Standing guard outside Princess Lotus’ room were three beastwomen. They looked menacing and kind at the same time. They bowed when they saw Anna and opened the doors. The doors needed all three of them to pull open at the same time.

Anna felt a snag in her heart, but couldn’t understand why.

Shrugging it off, she walked into the room. Bella didn’t follow.

"Wow," she gasped, her eyes widening.

The room was a circular room with a vaulted glass ceiling. In the center of the room was a bed. Vines and flowers curled around the bed, extending far and reaching for the pillars. Some of them even climbed high as the ceiling. The light here was warm and soft, not direct sunlight but something Anna didn’t know.

Anna took a step closer and stalled.

There was someone else there.

Seated by the bed, was Leon. He wore simple clothes, a white shirt, dark pants and boots. His hair was combed and packed into a low ponytail. He looked mellow, and nothing like the terrifying General she had a run in with two days ago.

What is he doing here?

Anna inhaled softly and stepped forward. Closer till she saw Princess Lotus.

Princess Lotus looked like a fairy tale princess. Anna hadn’t seen someone, not even in the real world, that was so beautiful and delicate. Her face was peaceful, a soft smile on her red lips. She looked gentle, like she was taking an afternoon nap and not in a life threatening coma.

Soft spores swirled in the air around her, white and pure, like flecks of star dust. Her arms had similar marks to Princess Orchid, instead of orchids it was Lotus. A few of them grew out of her skin, glowing a radiant white.

She looked like a vision frozen in time.

Anna swallowed, her hand going to her chest. She found her heart racing.

Leon took Lotus’ hand gently, despite the very noticeable size difference between them. He looked like he could crush her hand if he wanted, but he held her like she was glass.