A young lady with a calm expression in her face, long white hair cascading straight down her back, and clear diamond-like eyes, wearing an iridescent chiton tunic dress that flaunts her fair and flawless skin, stood in front of the lake, admiring the scenery.

“Urania!” She heard someone call her name. She turned around to see the goddess who had called out to her. Smiling, she asked, “What brings you here?”

“Can’t I visit my friend?” the goddess replied.

“Of course, you can.” she responded warmly.

Urania took her friend’s hand and said, “I am glad you’re here.”

They smiled at each other and sat on the grass to chat.

----------

I just woke up from sleep. I squinted my eyes and used my left hand to repel the light that was hitting my face. I tried to sit and then slowly open my eyes while tucking my hair behind my ear because it was blocking my face due to the constant wind that blew my hair inward. I was astonished by the sight that unfolded before me. I was surrounded by various kinds of pastel-colored flowers beneath a clear blue sky.

After a few minutes of being amazed, I began processing the events that had just occurred: First, I had indeed fallen and was now inside the mirror. Second, I had fallen from the sky but somehow survived. Third, and most importantly, how would I get back to my own world? I looked up, searching for the mirror, hoping it would still be there, but there was no sign of it.

The thought of being lost in an unknown place sent a shiver down my spine. I started to panic and found it difficult to breathe. I lay back down on the grass and curled up to calm myself.

After a minute of self-reflection, I stood up and decided to walk, hoping to find houses or people nearby who could help me.

…

After nearly thirty minutes of walking, I started to lose hope and relapsed into panicking, “OH MY GOD, what will happen to me? Am I going to die? I’m going to get eaten by a wolf or some kind of forest animal that lives here.”

Just as my heart was about to leap out of my chest, I heard the loud sound of stomping hooves. I was overjoyed to realize that there were other people beside me in this forest. I listened carefully to locate where it was coming from; I walked towards the approaching sound and reached a big bush of leaves. I put my hand inside the bush to make a way for me to pass, when suddenly, something grabbed my hand and pulled me out from the other side of it.

I let out a screech in shock.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to peek and check what had grabbed me. It was a person- a well-built, stunning young man with white hair and blue eyes, riding a white horse. He was dressed in a white and black uniform with a long cape.

‘Woah, he looks like he stepped straight out of a historical romance novel.’ I thought while I had my eyes wide open in disbelief.

I was staring at him for what felt like a long minute before I realized I was sitting on his lap since he had pulled me out of the bush. I blushed and bowed my head down out of embarrassment.

Stolen story; please report.

I pulled myself together and gathered the courage to speak my thoughts: “Uhmmm, thank you for pulling me out of there. Could you please bring me down? I’d like to speak with you comfortably.”

He obediently dismounted his horse and said, “Please excuse me.” He then placed his hands on my waist and lifted me down.

As he carried me down, I had the chance to look at him in detail. He was tall, with a great physique, a sharp nose, and flawless skin that was better than most girls. He also looked like he was in his late twenties.

Once I was on the ground, my eyes widened when I noticed that there were four other knights dismounting their horses behind him, casually watching me. My embarrassment only deepened.

It was silent; no one dared to speak first, so I opened my mouth and asked, “May I know what this place is?”

The brown-haired knight responded, “You are currently on the border of Araceli.”

‘Araceli? Is there a country named Araceli? I don’t think so. Am I really in another world?’ I thought as the knight answered.

“Ah right! Well, as you can see, I’m lost. If you could just tell me the way out of this forest, then I’ll be out of your way.”

“But if it’s okay with you, since you all seem like kind, decent human beings, could you accompany me out of here? It will be dark soon, and I’m afraid to walk alone in this forest.” I added shyly.

Once again, the brown-haired knight responded, “We will take you to the palace, goddess.”

“The palace? … What palace? … wait what … what did you just call me?”

“Goddess, we’ve been looking for you since dawn. His Majesty, the Emperor, has been waiting for your arrival.”

I laughed sarcastically, then responded with a baffled face, “What, who, me? A goddess?”

‘What is happening?!’ I thought as panic set in.

“This conversation is making my head hurt. Is this some kind of joke?” I asked while holding my forehead.

Finally, the white-haired knight spoke, “Not at all; you may not know it now, but we are certain you are the one we’ve looking for.”

I tried to appear intimidating and asked what his basis was. He stepped towards me and pointed something on my forehead, “You have the star emblem on your forehead.”

I frowned and said, “What star are you talking about?”

I looked around, searching for something to use as a mirror. I asked one of the knights to unsheathe his sword and let me use it to see my reflection. He complied, holding the sword steady as I checked my reflection.

“What … where did this come from?” I mumbled as I held my bangs upward and tried to rub off the tiny star mark on my forehead.

“This can be confirmed in the palace. If it turns out you’re not the one we are looking for, you maybe released and will be sent back to wherever your home is.”

I thought about what he said. I was hesitant at first, but I knew I had no choice but to go along with them- anything was better than walking alone in this unfamiliar forest.

“Okay, I’ll come with you. So, where will I ride?” I asked politely.

“We apologize; the carriage returned when we thought we wouldn’t find you today.” the other knight replied.

And yet again, silence had taken over the forest.

The four knights scratched their heads and exchanged glances while the white-haired knight just stood there, staring at me.

Finally, he approached me and said, “If it’s alright with you, you can ride with me.”

“That’s fine.”

“Please excuse my rudeness.” he took off his long cape and wrapped it around me. He held my waist, then lifted me up and sat me on his horse.

The knights mounted their horses, and we started to depart.

…

I didn’t talk for most of the ride because I was still dizzy from the hangover last night. I was just trying to maintain my composure in front of these knights.

I struggled to stay awake, worried that I might be led to my doom, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer and eventually fell asleep in the white-haired knight’s arm.

To be continued.