It's pretty natural that I woke up in a cold sweat. Seven... Seven?!?

No, technically 8. Or one who's infinitely worse, or... I clutched my head, biting my lip and staring at the sheets.

What the hell? What the hell am I going to do? I was going to have a second life, I mean, I am having a second life, but, you know, a life, with all that free will that goes with it, not-

The knock at my door brings me to my senses. "Miss Letty, are you awake? It's time for your morning bath."

Jennifer. I can't exactly count her out, because she's only 10 years older than me, but I have to trust someone. And, can't lie, I can't just be around men. Honestly, I don't want to be. I want to have a normal life. But nooooo, that-

"Miss Letty, I'm coming in!"

Oh, shit, look normal look normal look normal...

Her glance tells me I'm not looking normal at all, and indeed, as I take off my nightgown in front of the mirror, even I can see that my eyes are trembling and there are deep bags. Jennifer lays a hand on my shoulder, and I start a little, before she hugs me.

"Oh, Miss Letty, you've been through so much! Don't worry, Lynn and I will keep you safe, and your mother and father have agreed that you're to take it easy for the next week."

I lean into the hug. Yes, I can trust Jennifer. Even if I can't trust her with my dream, or my previous life, I can trust her, my mother, and my father, and...

...Well, Lynn's a bit suspect, honestly. If I were writing something like this, she'd be a prime candidate. But I can't do much about that right now. I'm still musing on this as Jennifer leads me to the bath.

Yes. Yes. Bathtime is a good thinking time. Even if I still feel awkward having my... Bits washed by someone else. So I let my mind wander while Jennifer takes care of me, her skilled hands hard at work.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

I can't leave, that's out of the question. Not only am I still a child, I haven't learned magic yet. I haven't trained in swords yet, although that's apparently on the cards now thanks to Lynn, mother, and father.

But, more to the point, I like my parents. I like my home. I like my life. And, as odd as it is to say it, I like the two friends I've made so far. Liz is annoying, and teases me, but she's also smart and dependable, and Karen...

Karen...

Ummm...

Honestly, while I find Karen rough, and vulgar, she's at least honest. And it's not like either of us actually dislike each other's company. She's almost cute, and who knows, she might grow to fit that, uhhh... Confidence of hers.

I'm stretching it, and I know I'm stretching it. But there's no-one else I've really talked to as much as those two. It's not like my social calendar was a long standing thing, and-

Oh god. Oh god, I'm a shut in, aren't I? A coddled shut in. I mean, part of it is like Liz said, I need to learn things now so I can have my nice... Easy...

ARGH, FUCK YOU, GODDESS!!!

All too soon, the bath is over, but I still have time to think. My hair being dried, my dress being put on (I can't wait to be able to put on some of these fiendish contraptions myself), a little makeup to hide the bags under my eyes (I can see Jennifer's look in the mirror, that's definitely in her game plan...)

"Miss Letty, you seem to be thinking a lot. Is there anything worrying you?" She claps a hand to her mouth, and, looking embarassed, adds "...Ummm... Apart from the last few days."

I furrow my brow, and Jennifer looks a little worried. But, with a bit of effort, I relax a little, put on a smile. "Well... I was just thinking I don't have that many friends. I know It's only been a short while, but..."

Jennifer nods, thoughtfully, and, while she's towelling my hair, smiles at me. "I'm sure you'll make friends. You're a lovely lady, and to be able to handle both Miss Elizabeth and Miss Karen, well..." I chuckle, and she follows suit. Yes, they are a handful, and we both know it. The smile I give her is genuine this time.

"Thank you, Jennifer. That really helps." But something hits me "Do you know anything about Miss Lynn?"

It seems like an innocent question, but Jennifer's eyes widen. "Oh! Oh, well, Miss Lynn has been asking a lot about you, actually. She's normally not very talkative, but she's been asking about your favourite foods, where you like to go, what colours you like..." She smiles, as, inwardly, I bite my lip again "...She seems to be very devoted to milady already, I'm sure you'll get along well!"

I'm trying very hard to keep my expression pleasant. I really am.

She's one of them. My sword tutor, my guardian for pretty much the rest of my natural life, is most definitely one of the seven. And, because she is a part of my noble life now, and apparently the best bodyguard I could have right now... I can't avoid her.

I'm beginning to wonder whether it's really the Demon Queen who set that up.

If it wasn't, and being threatened with being hung from a lamppost in my underwear was the Goddess' fault?

I'm going to punch her in her damn face. Hard.