It's been a week since I died and was transported here. At first, it was hard for me to adjust. But even though it was difficult, I managed to get through it—mainly because I could still read and write. I don't know how, but I do know that most commoners here can't.
I found a day job as a worker in a tailoring shop. Thank goodness I had some experience from my old world—if I didn't, I would've been in serious trouble. That's also when I learned my new name: Adeline.
Over the past week, I've been adapting to life in the countryside. I made a few friends at the marketplace and among the neighbors. The me who used to be a loner couldn't survive here, so I decided to change. I want to live this new life to the fullest.
It was already evening when I returned from work. I was walking along the street when a woman suddenly stumbled in front of me. She wore a black robe and looked like she had been running just moments before.
"Are you okay, madam?" I asked, approaching her and crouching down. That's when I noticed she was covered in bruises. Her dress was filthy. But when she looked up at me, I froze in shock.
This woman… she's the mother of the villain!
And now I remember—the town where she lived in secret... it was this town. Nor Village.
She looked directly at me, and I could see the sadness etched on her face.
The traces of dried tears were still visible on her cheeks. I was about to ask her something when, suddenly, she collapsed into my arms.
"Madam? Madam!" I shook her gently, but there was no response. I quickly checked her pulse—thankfully, she was still breathing. I supported her weight and carried her all the way to my house.
"Ugh," I heard a groan beside me. She was slowly trying to open her eyes.
"Don't worry, you're safe now. No one is going to hurt you here," I said gently.
"Thank you," she murmured. I smiled at her and helped her sit up. Then I picked up the tray of food I had prepared in the kitchen and placed it on the side table.
"Here, madam, I prepared some light food to help you recover."
"Just call me Irene," she said softly.
"Then call me Adeline," I replied with a smile. I picked up the bowl of porridge and gently fed her.
"What a beautiful name," she murmured.
I chuckled at her remark and continued feeding her. Once she finished, I carefully began tending to her wounds. A quiet stillness settled between us as I focused on cleaning and dressing them.
"Aren't you going to ask where I got these bruises?" she finally broke the silence.
"Well, I'm not the kind of person who likes to pry. Besides, I know there are lines I shouldn't cross. It might hurt you if I asked, but... if you don't mind sharing, I'll listen," I said gently.
The truth was, even if she didn't tell me, I already knew. After all, this was the world inside the novel.
"You're so kind, Adeline. I'm glad I ran into you," Irene said with a gentle smile.
"Just let me know when you're ready," I replied softly.
And that was the beginning of our story.
I let her stay in my home—there was enough space, after all. Over the next few months, we grew close. She began working with me at the tailoring shop, and we helped each other every day. Bit by bit, she opened up about her past. I already knew her story from the novel, but I still listened carefully. I believed there were parts left untold—parts the book never mentioned.
As time passed, her belly began to grow. I took great care of her, making sure she stayed healthy. She was carrying a child, and she needed all the support she could get.
We were like sisters.
She taught me everything I needed to know about the world I now lived in.
We were in the western part of the continent. The capital, Amara, was quite far from our village. Amara was home to the empire, and three other kingdoms surrounded it.
To the north was the Kingdom of Hannelore, an ally of Amara. Together, they formed a strong front. All of the northern territories were allied with the empire—except the eastern and southern kingdoms, who were long-time enemies. The northeast had been conquered by the north long ago, while the southwest remained a contested region between the factions.
The north was ruled by King Rory Von Swen. The west, by King Rex Vel Amara. The eastern kingdom, Cairo, was ruled by King Aalam Lourd Vismer. And the southern kingdom, Akeldama, by King Dade Sur Amon.
"So much information to absorb," I muttered, my head spinning.
Irene chuckled. "I know, but you need to understand at least the basics. And here's the most important part: the two great dukes of the north and west—"
"Ah!" she suddenly screamed, cutting herself off.
"Hey! Are you okay?!" I blurted, though I already knew what was happening. She was going into labor—and I knew what came next. Panic surged through me.
"Hold on! I'm going to get the midwife!" I ran out and grabbed Ms. Anne, the town's well-known midwife.
When we returned, Irene was already on the floor, clutching her belly in pain.
"Quickly, put her on the bed and bring me a bowl of water and some cloths!" Ms. Anne ordered. I rushed to help Irene into bed and fetched everything she asked for. The room filled with tension and sweat as the midwife guided her through labor.
"Aaahhh!!!" Irene screamed, squeezing my hand tightly. I was on my knees beside her, tears falling freely. I never thought it would hurt this much to witness someone you love fading away.
"Irene, you can do this. Stay with me. Be strong," I whispered, praying against the inevitable.
Then—
"Uwaaaa!!!"
The baby's cry rang out. I looked up to see Ms. Anne holding a tiny newborn. She gently washed and wrapped him in cloth.
"It's a baby boy," she said, placing the child beside Irene.
Irene smiled through her tears as she looked at him. Her gaze held so much love, despite how weak she had become.
"My baby boy… Mama's here. Nice to meet you," she whispered.
I could see the light fading from her eyes. She was gasping for air, struggling to stay awake. Her skin was growing paler by the second.
"Irene, stay with me. Please, don't leave me. Don't leave your child," I begged, gently patting her cheek.
She turned to me, managing a faint smile.
"What… what should we call him?" she asked weakly.
I bit my lip, my fists clenched. No matter what I said, I knew she wouldn't last much longer.
"You're his mother. What name do you want for him?"
"Dane," she whispered.
I blinked in surprise. That name…
"You look surprised?" she asked.
"Huh? Well… it's just…"
"You were drunk one night," she said, her voice fading. "You mumbled that your real name wasn't Adeline—it was Dane. You said it was a boy's name and didn't suit you. You kept mumbling, though I couldn't make out the rest. That's why I chose it. I think it suits him. Don't you?"
"Hehe, yeah," I replied, managing a smile.
She reached out her hand, and I took it instantly. Her skin was ice-cold.
At that moment, I cried. Truly cried for the first time since arriving in this world. I hadn't shed a tear before. I thought it was useless. But now, I couldn't stop them.
"Adeline?"
"Yes?"
"Please… take care of my child for me. Will you?" she asked, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Yes. Don't worry. I'll love him and raise him well. I'll be a good guardian. I'll make sure he knows who you were. I won't steal that from him. He'll know that his mother, Irene, loved him so, so much," I promised, holding back sobs.
"I know… You're a great person… Thank you… for everything… Adeline."
Moments later, the only sound was silence. She was no longer breathing.
"Irene!!!"
Tears poured down my face, falling onto the baby's skin. I picked him up and held him close to my chest.
"Don't worry, Dane. From now on, I'll be by your side. Always. And I'll love you with all my heart," I whispered, kissing his forehead.
In the original story, the child was named Zero—a name that meant nothing, a reminder of his misfortune and abandonment. But now, everything would change. He wouldn't grow up lonely or beaten in the streets. He would know love. He would have a future.
As I held him close, Dane stopped crying… and smiled at me.