Chapter II
A small cabin lay nestled in the heart of a clearing, surrounded by medicinal plants. Herbs dried beneath the porch, and wooden amulets hung from the windows. Everything was bathed in soft light and carried the fresh scent of the forest.
A small figure stood by the window of the woodland cabin, her tiny fist pressed against her cheek. Her eyes were shut tight, her rosy lips puffed out just like her cheeks. She was sulking—her mother had gone out again without her. Since the day she was born, she had never been allowed to leave the forest, and she longed to explore this new world.
Yes, she remembered it clearly—she had never gone outside. She remembered everything. After all, she had been reincarnated. Though she couldn't quite call it reincarnation, since she hadn't died. After falling asleep to that gentle voice telling her to write, she had awakened in the arms of her new mother, who smiled at her with pure, sincere love. A beautiful woman—kind, gentle, and warm. For the first time, she had known a mother's love.
"Vidalia?" her mother's soft voice called.
She quickly turned around on the stool where she sat. Her mother entered and smiled at her, and Vidalia couldn't help but smile back, all her sadness melting away. She climbed down carefully and ran toward her. Her mother scooped her into her arms and kissed her cheek.
"You didn't get bored, did you?" her mother asked.
Vidalia puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms.
"Of course I did. I was all alone," she replied.
Her mother smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, my daughter. Will you forgive me?"
Vidalia's lips trembled. She tried not to smile—but soon she burst into laughter as her mother tickled her, laughing loudly.
"Alright, you're forgiven!" she giggled, and her mother released her after one last kiss.
They headed into the kitchen, where Vidalia helped prepare dinner. After eating, they cleaned up together, and Vidalia finally gathered the courage to ask why she was never allowed to go outside.
"I'm sorry, Vidalia, but it's dangerous for you out there," her mother replied anxiously, holding her tightly as if afraid she might disappear.
Dangerous… why?
Vidalia wanted to ask, but her mother looked deeply troubled. It had already been four years since she arrived in this world—four years spent gazing at the nature surrounding their cabin. What was her mother hiding from? And from whom?
She learned the truth a few weeks later.
Her mother fell gravely ill. Tears streamed desperately from Vidalia's unnaturally green eyes as she watched her mother lying weak in bed. Powerless, she had done everything she could to help—drawing on the knowledge from her previous life—but this was no simple fever or indigestion.
"I'll go find a doctor in town!" she declared determinedly, rising from her mother's bedside.
Her mother grabbed her wrist before she could move, her eyes wide with terror. No—she was frozen with fear. But of what?
"No—no!" she managed to say. "Don't go! He mustn't find you!" she cried hysterically.
"Who?" Vidalia asked, trembling and in tears.
Her mother bit her lip and turned her gaze away, struggling to speak.
"Mom?" Vidalia pleaded.
At last, her mother gave in.
"Your father… and his family," she said, her eyes filled with sorrow.
It felt like a blow to the stomach. Vidalia had felt something similar before—back when her father announced he was marrying another woman. But this story was different.
"I have a father… and he has a family?" Vidalia repeated in disbelief.
Her mother nodded and sighed. "I'm sorry, my love. I never wanted to place such a burden on your young shoulders," she said weakly.
"He already had a wife and children," she continued with a tearful smile, "and the illegitimate child of a servant remains nothing more than a servant." She caressed Vidalia's tear-streaked face. "I love you, my little girl."
"But I don't want that woman to hurt you," her mother went on. "Your father is a heartless man—only his reputation matters to him." She began coughing violently, blood staining her lips.
"Mom!" Vidalia whimpered, clinging desperately to her.
"Stay hidden… and live fully," her mother whispered, kissing her forehead, her weak hand brushing through Vidalia's midnight-blue hair. "When he forgets about you, you'll be able to go outside." Vidalia nodded silently. "My smart, beautiful little girl."
After a few quiet moments holding each other, her mother handed her a box and a bag. Inside the box were gold coins and jewels of great value. Vidalia stared at her in shock. Her mother smiled and placed a medallion around her neck.
"This is my little treasure, saved for you," she said seriously. "Open it when you're older. Promise me?"
"I promise," Vidalia replied softly, confused. "I love you, Mom," she sobbed.
"I love you too." Her mother kissed her one last time and gently pushed her toward the door. "Go," she urged.
Vidalia wanted to protest—to stay by her mother's side, to tell her how happy she was to have finally known the love she had always dreamed of. But she understood. Her mother didn't want her to witness her death.
Clutching the box to her chest, Vidalia ran as fast as her four-year-old legs could carry her.
She glanced back one last time at their small cabin, tears in her eyes, then turned away and ran without looking back. Her feet pounded the earth in a frantic rhythm, the wind whistling in her ears, her heart threatening to burst from her chest.
One Year Later
Vidalia gazed up at the star-filled sky, her eyes dull and wet. Since her mother's death the year before, she had never left the forest to live in the village. She had kept her promise—only venturing out to buy necessities. The forest was dangerous, so she stayed near its edge, far from the villagers. The only people who knew her were a few elderly women who spoke with her and sometimes gave her food.
Sniffling, Vidalia curled up beneath her small blanket near the fire. She wondered how her stepmother was doing back on Earth. For the first time since her reincarnation, she found herself wondering what had become of her former body.
She was just drifting off to sleep when she heard footsteps approaching. Startled, she leapt up and hid behind nearby bushes. Moments later, men appeared, holding lanterns.
"Have you found her?" an authoritative voice asked, making Vidalia tremble.
"She couldn't have gone far. Her belongings are still here."
They were looking for her. Vidalia pressed her hand tightly over her mouth to keep from making a sound. They had to be her father's men. But how had they found her? Her mother had told her to stay hidden—and she had.
Why were they searching for her? Why couldn't they just pretend she didn't exist?
The voices began to fade, and Vidalia finally exhaled in relief—but it was a mistake.
A large hand suddenly grabbed her from behind and yanked her out. She let out a sharp, high-pitched scream, thrashing wildly in the hope of breaking free and escaping.
"Stop struggling, bastard," the man hissed coldly. "I found her!"
Her heart pounded violently as cold sweat trickled down her back. She tried to strike him one last time—but Vidalia was slammed brutally to the ground. Her head struck a stone, and darkness overtook her.
Her only comfort was knowing she had managed to hide her mother's treasures—treasures she might never see again.