Blinking my eyes, I stare the vast expanse of white. I guess this is what comes after death. Rubbing my eyes, I sigh in dejection. I was chased away by my partner, gave my only pillow away, and failed to do anything useful. I probably caused the child's death too. Tearing up again, I look around. finding nothing in sight, I close my eyes and curl into a ball. I guess this is how it’ll be. Through repetitive cycles of sleeping and waking up only to go back to sleep, I spend what seems like days in the empty space. Sometimes waking up in tears and sometimes forgetting where I am. Waking up for the umpteenth time, I start screaming, “Please! Someone do something!”

Finding no response, I lay back down. I guess sleeping for eternity isn’t terrible. It just needs a pillow. Trying to use my dungeon powers, I find that nothing seems to work. Sighing in futility, I close my eyes. Waiting for sleep to take over, I hear a cough. Shaking my head, I get comfortable. Hearing a cough again, I frown. Am I finally going crazy? Is that why Regius chased me out? I don’t think I was a hindrance before. I even helped out on two missions perfectly. Squinting my eyes, I glance around.

Finding a blob in front of my face, I sit up. Sitting up, I stare at the blob of light. Producing a coughing sound, the blob says, “You called?” Blinking at it, I ask, ”Where are we?” Doing a little jiggle, it says, “You, are in limbo. Your new origin is being mapped. I, on the other hand, am elsewhere.” Tilting my head, I wait for a better explanation. Jiggling a bit, it asks, “Is that all?” Waving my hands to stop it, I say, “Wait! No! I don’t know what you mean.” Vibrating more uniformly this time, it says, “You are being prepared to be put into another body. It will take a few more moments, so please stand by.”

Refusing to answer any more of my questions, I end up hugging it to sleep. It isn’t the best pillow, but it definitely beats not having anything. Time passes at an unknown pace as I drift in and out of sleep. Finally, the blob jiggles in my embrace. A more friendly voice says, “We are ready to shift you to your new body. Due to the severe lack of any life skills, the administrators have decided that there is no need to wipe your memory. Is there anything you would like to request?” Twiddling my thumbs I think about the different things I could ask for. If I ask for superpowers, will they reject me? It’s best I go small. Hugging the blob I roll around on the white surface.

What do I get? Throwing the blob up and catching it as it falls, I get an idea. Crossing my fingers, I ask, “Can I have this blob as a pillow?” While waiting, the blob occasionally vibrates. As if coming to a decision, the blob turns into a seamless spherical pillow, falling into my lap. The same voice returns, saying, “Your request has been acknowledged. The pillow will be allocated to you on birth as a blanket. On your fifth birthday, it will turn into a pillow and on your 16th birthday, it will change forms according to your desire. Please close your eyes and go to sleep now.”

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Hesitating, I look at the pillow. Will I ever see anyone from my world again? Will anyone come to rescue me in this world? Hugging the pillow tighter, I close my eyes. Taking a few moments, my eyes start to get heavy and I once again drift off into sleep. Does Regius really hate me?

*****

Furiously looking at the maid, I pace around the room. Why? It was perfect, all I had to do was marry her and it would be happily ever after. Kicking my former acquaintance who was tied up on the ground, I continue pacing. So, she killed his cousin? Just what are the chances? The tea was spiked and she was supposed to be ousted from the castle. From there the little pillow he gave her would lay a scent trail right to her. Just how? Why would such an ambitious plan work out? Stomping on his paw, I crush it until I hear bones snapping.

Hearing the door open, I see mother walking in. Remembering how she took the cup closest to Winowna and stared at her when she took the one closest to mine, I turn to face her with rage burning through my veins. Before I could say anything, she says, “I was asked to test your relationship by the king of beastmen. It was to be a small quarrel and nothing more. I just came to say you should find her. Don’t be a disgrace.” Walking back out of the room, I watch as she halts halfway out the door. “Contact Mister Wilbur, he’ll be both furious to know what happened and willing to help you locate her new origin. At the very least, I expect him to help when I wage war on the beastman states,” she says while leaving.

Clenching my fists, I make a neck slicing motion while leaving the room. Picking up the engagement ring on the way, I stuff it into my pocket. Hearing a whimper and the maid hitting the floor, I frown. Just where did she go? Not only did the drug make me say the opposite of what I meant, but It also made me nauseous. Passing a crumbling wall, I walk into Winowna's room. Rummaging around her stuff, I spot Yue coming out of the bathroom. She frowns at me and asks, “Hey, you want to explain why you suddenly teleported into the middle of a wall?”

Frowning, I decide it’s time to send her home. I can’t have any more distractions. From just our world, there are more than twenty million places for her to reincarnate. Even if it takes me years, I will put this ring on her finger.

*****

Flinching at the sudden bright light, I start to cry. Why do babies cry so awfully? Hearing my own, cries, I start to lull myself to sleep. This whole crying thing is exhausting, maybe Regius will come to save me again...