The Greatest Villainess (Completed)

Chapter 41

As I opened my eyes, the first thing that greeted me was an almost blinding brightness. Everything around me was white—the trees, the ground, even the air seemed to shimmer in pale hues. The flowers scattered across the landscape were a soft white, delicate, their petals fluttering gently in the breeze. I looked around, taking in the surroundings. This place was nothing short of ethereal, like a paradise pulled straight from the depths of a dream. It was beautiful, magical even, with butterflies fluttering about in the air, their wings reflecting the light, creating a scene that felt unreal.

This place—it was a paradise. The kind of beauty that makes you forget all your worries, even if only for a moment. But as the initial awe faded, confusion began to take its place. Where am I? The question echoed in my mind as I tried to recall what had happened before I found myself here. Slowly, memories began to surface—Isaac. I was with Isaac… but then what? Why couldn’t I remember anything else?

I turned around, hoping to get some kind of answer, but instead, I was met with a sharp, sudden pain. A hand struck my cheek with such force that it echoed through the peaceful surroundings. I gasped, eyes wide in shock. My head snapped to the side, the stinging sensation lingering. For a moment, I couldn’t process what had just happened. But then, instinct kicked in, and I whirled around, anger bubbling up inside me. Who dared to hit me?

Before I could let out a word of rage, I froze. Standing in front of me was someone I hadn’t expected to see. My breath caught in my throat. "Celestia?" I uttered, barely able to believe what I was seeing.

She stood there, arms crossed, a look of impatience plastered on her face. Her gaze was sharp, and she raised a brow at me, as if my reaction was entirely unwarranted. She placed her hands on her hips and scoffed. "You weren’t careful," she said, her tone dripping with disdain.

I blinked, still too shocked to form a coherent response. She continued, her voice rising with irritation. "You let my body get hurt! I didn’t even allow a single scratch on it, and yet look at you!" She gestured toward me accusingly. "You let your guard down! What happened? You got injured, even broke a bone! My goodness!" She threw her hands up in frustration, rubbing her temples as if she were exhausted just by looking at me.

I grimaced, feeling the sting not just on my cheek but from her words too. "Lower your voice," I muttered, pressing a hand to my head. "I’m not deaf." The confusion, however, remained strong. "Where am I?" I asked, looking around once more. The scenery… it felt oddly familiar, like I’d been here before. Then it hit me. This was the same place I had seen when I first met that strange old man, before I woke up inside Celestia’s body.

Celestia let out a deep sigh, clearly growing impatient. "Let’s just say, you’re in heaven," she said with a roll of her eyes. "And yes, you died," she added, almost casually, as if death was nothing to be concerned about.

My jaw dropped. "I… died?" I repeated, my voice shaky. My mind spun as I tried to grasp what she was saying. "Again?" I muttered in disbelief. First, I died and ended up in Celestia’s body, and now this? "Seriously?" I mumbled, feeling like this was some kind of cruel joke.

In the distance, I noticed something. A small, clear lake. Without thinking, I ran toward it, my heart pounding in my chest. Kneeling beside the water, I looked down into the reflective surface. My breath caught as I saw my reflection. It wasn’t Celestia’s face staring back at me. It was my face. The face I hadn’t seen since my first life.

I touched my cheeks, my fingers tracing the familiar lines of my face. This was me—my real face. After all this time, it was strange to see myself again.