Wickedly

[2] Young Lady

Lazuli

It felt like I had been asleep for a long time when I woke up. The bed I was lying on felt pleasant, yet uncomfortable. Before I could fall back into slumber, my instincts immediately sprung up, and I leaped away from the bed as if it was on fire.

My head immediately spun as soon as I stood up, I must've been lying down for too long.

The room I was in looked gaudy. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, while other articles furnished the room in extravagance. Everything had looked new, but I recognise a few of these items, and they were Victorian.

The doors to the room opened, and in came a woman wearing a maid's dress. She carried a large vase filled with colourful flowers, but once seeing me, she froze in her steps and accidentally drops it.

"Y- y- young m- miss!" She stammered, staring at me like she'd seen a ghost.

Before I could say anything, she ran out of the room in a flash. I tried to run after her, but as soon as I took one step forward, my legs gave up on; I fell on the floor pathetically.

I look down at my body, to see whether I was injured, but instead of my grown figure, I see a tiny body had replaced it. Raising my hands, I stared in astonishment at how small they were.

Did I shrink?

Suddenly, the doors slammed open, and the maid who had came in earlier was now accompanied by two people. A man and a woman stood there, wearing clothes that could be seen in history books.

Who were they?

"Lazuli! Oh my starlight," the woman was in front of me in two seconds, kneeling down and embracing me with a hug, "I was so worried!"

"Um-" my voice came out croaked, but once again, I was surprised since it sounded like a little girl's voice, "-who a- are you?"

She froze from my question, silent for a moment before slowly pulling away and holding onto my shoulders gently. "It's me, your mother."

My eyes widened a little, before they squinted and narrowed to scrutinise her. "My mother?"

"Oh no," she lets me go and covers her mouth in shock, tears welling in her eyes, "no no no."

"Lazuli," a deep voice came from above, I look up to see the man this woman had came in with, "do you not remember your own parents?"

I blinked at him, now confused, just what were these people playing at? "Who's Lazuli? Who are you people?" I couldn't help but sneer.

Did they kidnap me? How come I shrunk?

The man kneeled down next to the woman, who's currently crying silently to herself. "You are Lazuli, little one. And we-" he gestured towards the woman and himself "-are your mother and father."

I stared at him weirdly, "Right." Maybe I forgot to take my meds again, I must be dreaming.

It was impossible for someone like me, a legless army veteran, to be involved with military matters anymore. Someone must've compromised me, but why now when I was literally on my death bed a few moments ago?

I paused at that thought. "My leg..."

Looking down on my small body, I felt my heart drop seeing two legs attached to me. Is this real? Am I dreaming again?

No, I can't be dreaming...because I'm suppose to be dead. I was just on my bed, back at my place, lying on the bed, and barely breathing. How did I get here? Why am I here?