Corpse Flower

X. Metempsychosis

Sophia’s POV:

“If that is all, then we shall take our leave,” the duke said.

With that line, the caretaker and workers push us back into our bedrooms to proceed with the paperwork.

With each step, my heartbeats only increase. At the right moment, I tripped and fell near the baron. Without a second thought, he held me to prevent me from falling onto the ground. He’s a man with instinct, awareness of his surroundings.

Everyone stopped moving.

“Count Chance!” The caretaker rushes towards him. “I apologize for this girl. She had always been bad at walking.”

I look up at the older man and allow my cuteness to take over. “I’m sorry,” I said. “Please don’t hit me.”

The caretaker’s eyes widened. No one here ever hit me before. However, they do hit a lot of other kids. A few children died because of neglect or punishment.

“Silly girl. Why would I ever lay my hand on you?” The count glared at the caretaker, but he didn’t say anything. Abusement at an orphanage is sadly normalized.

I held onto his suit, “You won’t hit Sophia?” A name can be a powerful weapon - a deadly one.

“Of course not. I would never lay my hands on any woman or child.” Good.

“Promise?” I held out my small picky.

He wrapped his large one around it, “Promise.”

I smiled widely and embraced him. If what the duke said is true. Count Chance is a lonely man. With an embracement from an abused child it will soften his heart. I can feel his arms wrapped around me.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

This world had made me into such a manipulative b***h.

The caretaker cleared her throat, “Now, Sophia. Let go.”

I dig my face deeper into his chest.

“Sophia. Sweetheart. The count needs to go.”

I looked up but didn’t say anything. Silence is much more deadly than words. If I whined and refused to let go, he may not want me. A single man can’t handle a whining child.

I released him, “Have a safe trip,” I said softly before dragging my legs back into the bedroom.

“Stop.” That’s the duke’s voice. I stopped walking, but I didn’t dare look up.

“Duke Enid,” the count intervened. “I changed my mind. I want to adopt today.”

Count Chance kneels in front of me, “Sophia. I understand that we just met.” I felt like he was proposing to me. “But, I like you and wish to adopt you as my daughter. Would you accept my proposal?” It is a proposal.

Eagerly I nodded and threw myself into his arms, “Yes! Yes! A million times, yes!” I looked at the caretaker and ran towards her. I held her leg, “You told me I would get a family today, and you’re right! Thank you so much!”

Consider this as a p*****t for feeding me all these years.

If this orphanage closes, the children here will end up in the streets. At least here, they have a chance to survive. Pick the lesser of two evils.

The caretaker understood her position and embraced me tightly, placing herself into a mother position. “Of course. After all, who wouldn’t like our sweet Sophia?”

I squeal again and rush into the count’s arms. Without looking back, I knew several eyes were on me. One of them, in particular, was exceedingly dangerous.

The duke.

Somehow, I manage to dodge a bullet.

It wasn’t a secret that he may want to adopt me. I can see it in his eyes. He has plans for the girls he is adopting.

After the selection, everyone left. The children who got chosen would begin packing for their new lives.

“Sophia.”

I turned around and held Maryam’s hands, “Isn’t this great? We both have new families!” I jumped up and down.

Maryam’s face was a questionable one, “Y-Yeah.” She looks down then back up, “Aren’t you upset that you got adopted by a count and not the duke?” She must have thought she had taken my position.

I shook my head, “Why would I be? We have new families!”

Maryam exhaled softly and held me, “I’ll take care of you.”

I returned her embracement, “Thank you?” Who am I to turn down the duke’s daughter offer.

“Hey,” Enid said. He leans against the door frame with Lilith beside him.

Lilith tugged me away from Maryam.

“What are you doing?” Maryam shouted.

“Stay away from Sophia. She doesn’t need someone like you to take care of her.” Lilith cupped my face, “She is not a good person.”

Maryam chuckles, “May I remind you, Lilith. I personally got selected by the duke. The most powerful man in the household while the duchess and his mistress chose you two.” She took a step towards the duo, “Take this as an advice. You better watch how you speak in the future.” She glances at Enid, “Because you won’t have the same power as you do here.” Maryam brushed against Lilith’s shoulders when she left the room.

“Are you okay?” Lilith asks me.

I nod, “Maryam was just telling me not to get too excited.” I ran towards my closet, “I need to pack! Dad is going to get me soon.” I ignored the two potential troublemakers.

With Maryam’s personality, she will try her best to fit in with her new status. Enid can fit in anywhere. No doubt, he will climb his way to the top. I can’t say the same about Lilith. She’s too rebellious and outspoken. If she doesn’t change, she will get the boot or worse.

And this time, Enid can’t protect her.

I can smell a storm brewing. I need to distance myself from all three of them. After I settle my life in Count Chance’s home, I’ll pour all my power into finding Arlo. With Count Chance’s love, I’ll convince him to adopt Arlo too.

It’s a farfetched plan, but what else am I supposed to do?

Take over the world?

Build an empire?

Please.

I’m a girl from another world, not Wonder Woman.

After packing up all my stuff, which isn’t much, I asked the caretaker if I can leave to visit Anastasia. She told me I could see Anastasia in a few days because she needs to prepare everyone. The duke sends extra finances for us, to get us ready.

After a week, the caretaker ordered me a carriage. She must have received a good amount of money.

I settled inside and stared out the window to see an endless field. This is a bizarre world. There are televisions and holograms, but people still used carriages and horses. Then again, the girl I’m going to meet can shift into a werewolf.

Once I got to my destination, I stepped out of the carriage and told the man to wait for me. I don’t want to walk back to the orphanage.

Outside of the house was duller than ever, as if it was abandoned. I knocked on the front door, but no one responded. “Hello? Anastasia?” I knock on the door again.

“Sophia?”

“Hello,” I responded. It was Anastasia’s neighbor. Sometimes, she would come over and give Anastasia’s family fruits. “Do you happen to know where Anastasia may be?”

The woman exhales sharply, “I guess you haven’t heard.”

“Excuse me? Heard what?”

She places down the basket of fruits and kneels in front of me. For some odd reason, I barely grew. I concluded it must be malnourishment. “Anastasia passed away.”

There’s stuttering inside my head. I couldn’t come to terms with her words. Anastasia passed? I wouldn’t say Anastasia and I were best friends, but I still considered her a friend.

“What happened?”

She exhales softly, “They found her in the forest. She died of hunger.”

That didn’t sound right. “Hunger? But-”

She held me, “There. There. Don’t cry.”

I wasn’t exactly sad, more on the line of confusion. Anastasia’s family wasn’t wealthy, but they won’t starve.

“Where are her parents?”

“They went back to their hometowns. The house had too many memories of their daughter.”

My eyes cast down before it went back to the house.

She hands me the basket of fruit, “Take this child, and don’t be too sad about your friend.”

I nod, “Thank you.”

Alone in the alley, I continued to stare at Anastasia’s house. Soon, the owner will come and collect everything that’s left inside. Unlike the modern world, you can’t rent a large truck and take everything with you. You take whatever is necessary.

I press my fingers against the wooden door, and it creaks open. That’s never a good sign. Then again, the doors in this neighborhood are rarely locked. There’s nothing to steal.

I gripped onto the basket and took a step inside the empty house. There’s a sense of familiarity, but also distance. These past few years, I’ve witnessed a lot of deaths. More than a regular person would in their lifetime. Maybe, that’s the reason why I’m so cold.

Distance.

But, Anastasia was always there. She has been standing there since the beginning.

I made my way towards her bedroom. It wasn’t large, but it was comforting. My head rested on her pillow, and I stared at the ceiling. “What do you think about while you’re lying here, Anastasia?”

Without control, the tears stream down. Somehow, it got harder to breathe, “I was going to take you all with me.”

My plan was simple. Once I gained the count favor, I was going to convince him to take in Anastasia and her parents. Anastasia and her mother can become my personal maids. Her father can be a guard. Easy word. Nice pay. That will give them a comfortable life.

Inside the empty house, a light cry can be heard. I curled myself into a ball and allowed the waves of sorrow to consume me.

Again, I’m all alone.

After the cry festival, I wiped all the tears. Mentally, I built a bridge and got over it. People die in Titan Arum all the time. It’s not unusual. I sat up and got off the bed.

A few steps toward the door, Anastasia’s desk caught my attention. Whenever I slept over, I would see Anastasia doing something at her desk in the middle of the night. My small legs made its way around, and I felt the bumpy surface with a single hand. I pull one cabinet open after only to find it filled with school supplies. Everything was normal until I reached the last cabinet. Inside lies a few books that caught my attention. I pulled the three old books out.

Universal Transportation.

Samsara.

Metempsychosis.