Chapter Two: The Alpheus Couple

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Think, think, think, think! What happened before all this? I got home from work, went on my phone to read the latest chapter, and then... and then what? Is this a dream? No, it can't be a dream. It's too organized to be a dream.

Then is it possible that I really...? No, those types of things only happened in stories. I couldn't have actually... went into this world, right? But, if I really am here, how? I didn't die. I didn't get hit by a truck, fall off a balcony, or take any sleeping pills! And why in the middle of Penelope giving birth, of all things?!

A small whimper brought me out of my panicked thoughts. I looked back at Jennette, who had become tears eyed as if afraid.

Ah, I must have been making a scary face.

"Shh, it's ok. I'm sorry," I cooed, resting her against my chest while rocking her slightly.

I'll think about this later. I have to take care of a baby right now.

But... if this is Jennette's birth, then Penelope will soon be...

I shivered just a bit. I always knew that Penelope was scary, but seeing her in person was completely different. Her face and words from earlier flashed back into my mind, unconsciously holding Jennette tighter. For a moment, I saw her look upon Jennette with a warm gaze. Even if that motherly expression had quickly corrupted into selfishness, I had hoped deep in my heart that Penelope had truly loved Jennette at least once.

To comfort myself that even if everyone put themselves over her, Jennette would have been loved by her mother at least; even if she never knew her.

Suddenly, the doors burst open. I jumped a bit at the sudden action.

It was... a man. His short hair looked like pure white snow on his head, with golden eyes decorated beneath it. He looked younger than I thought, but I could only assume...

"How is the situation?"

"L-Lord Alpheus, Miss Penelope has..."

The white haired man looked over at Penelope, who I had only realized had just passed away. His face twisted into a strange emotion I couldn't figure out. It wasn't malicious, but it wasn't quite saddened, either.

"And... the infant?"

I felt eyes on me. Quickly, I stumbled over to the man with Jennette in my hands.

"She's... healthy, it seems." I paused. "My Lord."

The area between his eyes scrunched up a bit at my appearance.

"Kristina, what are you doing here?"

What? I looked up at him with a confused face. What do you mean, 'what am I doing here'? Was I not supposed to be here?

"I'm sorry, I brought her here, My Lord. Eurielle had suddenly fainted, and none of the rest of the staff knew about... her."

Ah, that's right. Penelope's existence must have been kept a secret. Only a few knew about Jennette's existence, and even less knew about her origin, so that... Huh? Then who exactly was I? I wasn't a normal maid slacking off, but I was important enough to know about Penelope and Jennette.

The man who I could only assume was Ijekiel's father, Roger Alpheus, stared at my face for a while, and then shook his head.

"Now the child..."

"Ah, that's right! My Lord, the baby is very strange!" I turned my head for a moment in confusion. It was the maid who had shoved the naked Jennette into my arms earlier. I clicked my tongue, distastefully. She didn't even have the decency to wrap Jennette after she came out. Didn't she know newborns are extremely cold once they come out of the womb after nine months?

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