Boring. I sighed to myself. The world outside was passing slowly, and clearly, our beasts of burden were indeed burdened.

It had only taken my mother three days to get everything ready for my exile to the west. Swift as a coursing river, that one. From what I’d gathered, none of the other siblings knew I was leaving at all. In fact, it wasn’t until the day I left when the workers were instructed to seal my room that the maids and manservants were notified of their re-assignment. The head maid and butler had discreetly provisioned two carriages and a wagon, eight horses, a dozen guards, and what I can only assume is a decade worth of clothes. In the past year -or, half a year in this new world’s time, I have grown to rely on Lina, the caretaker of the Dawn estate.

And, surprisingly, I wasn’t thrilled to leave her behind.

Another attachment I hadn’t expected.

Still, at least the road to Adaline was beautiful. I’ve been on the road for days now and yet around every bend is a new plot of colorful land. At first, we passed the fields of asgar -a plant similar to wheat but that’s stem was a deep vermillion while the head was varying shades of orange. Next came the orchards - huge trees with fruits of all colors ripening for the late spring harvest. It was a sight to see the fields roll over the hills.

The first night, we stayed at an inn within the city limits of Juvel -the largest city in the Countdom that was a half day's ride from the estate. Had I been there a year ago, I’m sure I -Eunora, would have been thrilled. It would have been the first time I’d experienced somewhere outside of the manor. But Maria spent years living in a city decorated with buildings reaching for the skies above. Not to say it wasn’t a nice town, the roads we traveled down were well maintained, the architecture medieval yet new, but it was like any other town.

We spent the rest of the trip alternating how we spent the night -for a few days we would camp, a luxurious tent set up for me or the carriage prepared for the night, and if we came upon a small town at the right time we would stay in their inn. Weeks passed like this, the days droning on.

I couldn’t help but feel we were making terrible time.

Luckily, there are only two days remaining in our trip. At first, I read books, or napped, or opened the window and took in the scenery. At some point, I finished all my books, couldn’t fall asleep, and had fully taken in the scenery. That was when the brain rot started.

To pass the time, I called up my Status and looked at the pale pink box hovering in front of me.

[Status Summary]

[Name: Eunora Dawn]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 8]

[Unallocated Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality: 55 Endurance: 28]

[Strength: 30 Dexterity: 56]

[Perception: 105 Magic: 52]

[Luck: 45 Divinity: 82]

[Class: Young Lady of Darkness Level: 12/20]

[Class Skills: ]

Translucent Lv. 1, Manipulation - Shadows Lv. 1, Conjuration - Shadows Lv. 1

[Skills: ]

Otherworldly Lv. 1, Mental Fortitude Lv. 4, Quick Calculation Lv. 1,

Tight Lips Lv. 1, Steal Nerves Lv. 1, Sophism Lv. 1, Stealth Lv. 2

I… haven’t really been doing much. I sighed to myself. Most of my skills were directly related to interacting with others or hiding from them. Neither option was really needed when I didn’t leave my room. But, maybe I could work on Shadows? That may help me to keep out of sight.

“[Translucent],” I mumbled under my breath, having a minor realization, “It’s like camouflage… Am I stupid?”

After a year in Maeve, I hadn’t activated a single skill. Well, not on purpose. I’ve felt [Mental Fortitude] kick in on particularly rough days around the estate, but I have a feeling it is more of a passive boon than anything else. Running through the description of [Translucent] in my mind, there was a pull from somewhere deep inside me. I felt reality begin to bend.

Color seemed to dull around me, the world becoming shades of grey. As I stared at the previously purple upholstery, a figure cast in shadow knocked on the window. My body froze, usually, I could tell who it was, but without the ability to distinguish the emblem the figure simply looked… large. And not quite friendly.

Slowly, I turned my head -shifting the figure from my peripherals to the forefront. Focusing my eyes, I could make out the familiar features of one of the knights meant to guard me. I met his eyes but his face contorted and he whipped his head back. A muffled shout came from him and within seconds the carriage came to a sudden stop, causing me to slide off the seat -barely catching myself before my head slammed into the edge of the seat across from me. Sprawled on the floor, I reached to my side and opened the door nearest me.

As bright light flooded the cabin, a slight tint of color returned to the world around me. Rather than black and white, the world was now off-black and off-white. Ashen blue filled the sky, and grey-green grass surrounded the carriage. I slid my feet over the edge, pushing off the wooden floor to hop out of the cabin. Usually, there would be steps for me to use, but this wasn’t exactly a planned excursion -and everyone who could grab the steps seemed to be bustling about.

The man from earlier hadn’t directly reacted to me, I don’t think. [Translucent] seemed to be working effectively based on how furiously everyone was ignoring me. There were a few servants getting out of the second carriage who looked right past me, and several heavily armored men whose eyes seemed to just glide over me when they faced my direction.

Taking a few steps away from the carriage, I stepped close to a maid who was biting her thumb with a pained look on her face. I recognized her somewhat from the estate, but no more than a passing face. Her mouth was moving, and it looked like she was raising her voice, but all I could hear was a whisper -only audible every other word.

“... she… have.. far… where…?”

Ah. They’re looking for me.

…

Should I show myself?

No, I should see who can identify my Skill.

The corner of my mouth twitched as I walked past the young woman. She didn’t even pause. As I circled the carriage, two men soundly ignored me. Turning on my heel to loop around the other side brought me in front of a group of four, all in heavier armor than the rest, with shadowed faces I couldn’t make out. I walked right through the center of their circle.

And found myself dangling in the air.

With a shock, the colors of the world burst out and sound flooded back in. A frown on my face, I looked up at the man holding me. He was older, with a well-groomed but greying beard, and his armor was both well-worn and expensive. He didn’t look pleased.

Ah, there’s only so much 105 in Perception can do against the Captain.

“Sir Rellar,” I met his eyes, “Could you put me down?”

“No, I don’t think I will,” He shifted me in his arms and held me out in front of his chest, “Where have you been?”

“I’ve been here -where have you been?”

“My lady, you can’t just disappear -you’ve caused us all quite a scare.” His brow furrowed, “How did you leave the carriage while it was moving?”

I opened my mouth. Closed it. Held up a finger, went to speak. Stopped. Hm.

“I… don’t know what you’re talking about?” I tried, my frown deepening.

“Did you jump or did someone take you?” He narrowed his eyes.

Another knight standing next to him, who had remained with his eyes fixed on me, spoke up, “She couldn’t have jumped -Arnel and I were on both sides of the carriage by the doors.”

A memory flashed in my mind. Ever so slightly. Siphon confidence.

I looked from the Knight Captain to the other Knights. I felt a pull from within me.

[Steal Nerves]

“No, you weren’t.” I stared at the Knight who had spoken, “Every time I looked out the window I just saw emptiness.”

It was an odd sensation, feeling confidence that wasn’t my own well up within me. I didn’t like it. It made me feel full, as if I was a star about to go supernova. I couldn’t help but think the world existed through the lens of my life, and my life only. I was the truth, so whatever I said must also be the truth.

For a moment, the man paused, looking at Sir Rellar, then his mouth formed a tight line, “No, I’ve been keeping the same position this whole time. I should always be within sight.”

Sighing, I gave the knight a sharp look, “I’m telling you I didn’t see anyone. I simply found myself outside the carriage, alone.”

As I spoke, I felt power envelop my voice, and it found an edge an eight-year-old had no business having. Nevertheless, my words were daggers. And all four of the knights surrounding me were looking at one another, then at me. Doubt filling their eyes.

“Now put me down. This nonsense is extending our already protracted journey.” Crossing my arms, I stared at Sir Rellar.

After a moment of hesitation, he gently lowered me down, and sighed, “Very well, let’s get going.”

He turned and shouted to the rest of the travelers, ‘we found her’ and ‘everyone get ready, we’re leaving.' Boring. The two knights who had kept silent earlier nodded to me and walked away but the third knight stared at me uneasily.

I could feel [Steal Nerves] loosen its grip on my mind, the artificial confidence seeping away. A shiver ran down my spine. That skill didn’t just alter the mind of the target -it also changed me. Mind magic is the worst.

“Alright, then.” I turned toward the carriage door, “Carry on.”

As I took a step toward the door, I heard the shuffling of metal armor and a hard voice, “Wait.”

Pausing, I looked back over my shoulder. Calm. Serenity. Apathy. Ambivalence. He is no one, you are no one. None of this matters, Eunora. I let my mind build up its wall.

“Lady Dawn,” his arms were crossed and he was looking at me with narrowed eyes, “I’d appreciate it if you didn't alter my sense of self again.”

Forcefully stopping my face from contorting, I took a slow breath, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Klein. Klein Ouros.” As he spoke, I took him in with my eyes. He was young -he must have just passed the evaluation for Dusk, the order of knights that has served the Dawn family for centuries. He couldn’t be older than Raphael -sixteen at the most, fourteen at the least. But he was tall. And well built. The only thing about him that looked his age was his face.

“Sir Ouros,” I paused, letting a small smile settle on my face, “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Turning back around, I opened the door to the carriage and stepped up. As the door was closing behind me, I heard Sir Ouros say something. It was unintelligible to me, but I could guess what it was about.