Corpse Flower

XI. Letters from Anastasia

Sophia’s POV:

If someone were to ask: “What’s your biggest mistake in life?”

I would respond: “Which life?”

“This life.”

“My biggest mistake would be how I didn’t properly talk to Anastasia.”

“What about your previous life?”

In my first year here, I was often drugged and locked inside a room. I can still taste the cold oppressed air. My arms were tied behind my back to prevent me from hurting myself. If only they knew who really hurt me.

I was deemed insane for believing in different worlds. I was crazy for telling everyone that I’m not from here. That I need help to find my younger brother and go home. I should’ve known better than to ask anyone for help around here.

I dash towards the bookshelf, and one by one, I uncovered the books. All of them were faked, a mere distraction.

Anastasia may have been reincarnated with her memories intact or someone who was also transmigrated into this world.

I should’ve known that if something like this happened to me, then there’s a possibility it could happen to someone else.

The hints were in front of me, but I refused to acknowledge it. Refuse to accept my surroundings. I collapsed on the wooden floor. The more I think about it, the more insane I became.

I stared at the empty bookshelf only to notice how thick the wooden shelves appeared to be. My hand went under one of them, and I pushed it up - it’s hard. I stood up and knocked against the shelves until a piece broke off. Inside the shelf were piles of papers.

Entries:

Year: XXXX

Today marks the day of my ability to write. It’s nice to be able to expel all the pent up emotions.

My name here seems to be Anastasia, given by my birth parents. I like them. They’re nice.

Unfortunately, their daughter’s soul passed. Before I arrived in this body, there was another existence. Her soul died after a few months due to an infection. Because of that, I was able to take over her shell.

I had only found that out a few weeks ago when my parents talked about my infections. I remember arriving here on a deathbed. It isn’t delightful to remember everything the moment I arrived.

I concluded that wandering souls, like myself, can only consume a boy of a soul who had passed.

How intriguing.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I’ve been here for quite some time, and I’m getting used to everything in this world. My life isn’t as extravagant compared to when I was a queen, but it’s nice. At least I don’t have a country of people that rely on me.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I found out I’m a werewolf. My counterpart appeared today. Her name is Kimberly. She’s quite the annoying wolf.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

Each day became more and more suffocating. Even with my newly found parents and their endless love, I’m dying.

I feel like an empty shell.

I miss it.

But what is it that I miss?

I can’t remember.

And with each new life, I lose another part of myself.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I remember the reason why I’m here. Gods are punishing me. Not the Gods of this world, but the ones above them.

I discovered that in my previous world. With the discovery, it leads me to my death. I shouldn’t have known.

I’m an outlier.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I came to terms with what had passed. I could only remember bits and bits of my previous lives. I counted. This is my fourth life.

The first one...I don’t remember much of it anymore. All I know is, I’m really fond of muffins.

Sadly, muffin doesn’t exist in this world.

I think I also had someone I loved. I don’t remember who that person may be, but my heart hurts whenever I try to think of them.

Second...

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I met a witch today.

She looked into my past and lost an eye. Something about how it’s forbidden to look into something sinful. Poor witch.

I baked her cookies as a method of apologies. She threw the cookie at me. Does she not understand how sacred food is in this world?

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

Sometimes, I wonder if I should learn magic and take over this world. Burn the kingdoms down one by one. That would catch the Gods’ attention. Afterward, they can take me to their boss.

But, that sounds tiring. I was a queen before, and it was tiring. So many people depend on you...look up to you.

It’s a lonely path.

My new parents would die for me to obtain my goal.

I like them.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I found out the teacher in my school used to be a part of the royal family. She was a princess.

Was.

After Luca Pierce was crowned king, she ran away.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

Someone is watching me.

I know it.

I can feel them breathing down my neck.

I think I’m going to die soon.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

The king visited our house today.

The b***h of a witch was with him.

There’s also the widely known dog Lord Halson.

All of us talked.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

I told my parents the truth and sent them away. Mom cried and begged me to go with them. Dad had to claw mom away from me.

Date: XXXX/XX/XX

Hey.

I know you’re reading these letters. How do I know? Well, did you not read my previous letters? I live pretty killer lives.

You might be wondering why I’m addressing this to you. I’m not quite sure either. Maybe, I’m getting insane, or perhaps, I kind of like you. You remind me of a better time.

A simpler time.

You made it easier to breathe.

Anyways, sorry I kept it from you. I kept waiting for you to ask me about it, but it never happened. I don’t blame you for keeping your shields up. Reincarnation or transmigration is a crazy idea. Others would call you insane for claiming that, particularly since you’re an orphan in this world.

I’m right, aren’t I?

You aren’t from this world.

Well, me either.

It sucks.

I can’t provide much advice since I lose a piece of my memory each time my soul enters a new body. I barely remembered how I died this time.

Considering how you’re a good person, I’ll give you some information.

Read carefully.

There are many reasons why a soul would pass.

One, the most straightforward reason, would be death. However, you shouldn’t have your memories intact. It should’ve been wiped clean. This means you died unnaturally, as in your time wasn’t up. Your soul inhibited whatever body was hollow. Bodies tend to be hollow for a brief moment after a person dies. Of course, you can’t inhabit a body that’s been stabbed to death, dismembered, brain dead, and other similar scenarios.

Two, you became an outlier - like me. Outliers are individuals whose lives were disrupted by the Gods. Lives that strayed so far from the original path they can’t be put back. Think of it as a puzzle piece with a missing edge. You know it belongs in the puzzle, but it won’t fit...not anymore.

Three, you transported back to your original world. Sometimes, souls are transferred by mistake to a different world. Sometimes, other souls conceived children in a world other than theirs.

Four, someone purposely transported you here. Why? They’re using you for some sort of plan. It would be best if you were careful about this one.

And lastly, five, it’s all in your head. Yes, sometimes, those who lost their memories conceive new ones. Why? To replace the insanity. Individuals often make up memories of their desire. Maybe it’s to avoid something or to escape someone.

Whichever you choose to believe is your choice.

My time in this world is coming to an end, but to thank you for our friendship. I have a gift for you.

Remember the place you usually sit in the forest? Go there and dig three feet. That will help you with your future.

If this is you.

Thanks for finding all this before the royal family did.

Please, burn it all.

Why would I want you to burn it? Because the information may start a war? Because the information is dangerous?

No.

Because I’m petty.

They had a soldier slap my mom.

Burn it all.

Much love,

Anastasia.