Aisha looked at Sakura, She was the only one Aisha felt comfortable around. If what happened at my birthday... was because of my bloodline, could it be real? The thought clung to her mind like a shadow. If I tell her, maybe she'll understand. She's always been there for me...
"Sakura," Aisha said softly.
Sakura turned with a gentle smile. "Yes, Miss Aisha?"
"I want to tell you something." Her voice trembled slightly.
Sakura stepped closer. "Is something wrong?"
Aisha reached out and grabbed her hand. "During my birthday party... something happened. I don't know what it was but... it felt like time....
Before she could finish, it happened again. The world around her glitched like a distorted reflection. The hallway, the windows, even Sakura's face everything began to flicker.
"No… not again," Aisha whispered in panic, holding Sakura's hand tighter. "It's happening again…"
She fell to her knees, her voice trembling.
"Please… someone help me. I don't want to disappear again. I just made a friend. If time skips again, I'll lose everything this golden moment… I want to live this time!"
Tears streamed down her face, and with a sudden jolt, everything snapped back to normal. The glitch vanished.
Aisha collapsed.
Sakura caught her, guiding her gently onto the bed. Moments later, Aisha's eyes fluttered open.
"Did… time change?" she muttered.
Sakura leaned close. "Miss Aisha… are you alright? You were talking and then suddenly you froze, cried out, and fainted.I should call a doctor"
"No!" Aisha grabbed her wrist weakly. "I'm okay. Don't call anyone."
But
"Please, Sakura. I just need to rest. And… don't tell anyone about this."
Sakura paused, then nodded. "Alright, Miss Aisha. I'll be outside if you need anything."
She quietly left the room.
Aisha lay there, staring at the ceiling, her heart still racing. This time... I don't want to lose everything again.
Aisha sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. What was that strange feeling again… is it really connected to me?
Suddenly, a voice echoed softly in the room.
"I know what you're thinking."
Startled, Aisha looked up. "Sakura?" she called out. But the room was empty. No one was there.
The voice returned, this time playful.
"Why are you looking up? I'm down here."
She glanced toward the window—and froze. A cat was sitting just outside on the sill, calmly staring at her.
Aisha stumbled back, eyes wide. A… talking cat? Is this some kind of magic? Who even are you? How do you know about me? And why are you here? Her voice trembled. If you come any closer, I'll call for help!
"If you're scared," the cat said with a slight smirk, "go ahead, call for help. But it won't work."
Aisha hesitated, then shouted, "Sakura!"
No answer.
The cat took a step forward, its eyes glowing faintly. "Go ahead. Call for anyone you like. I'm already here."
Aisha's heart pounded. She shouted, "Sakura!" but no voice came out. Her lips moved, but no sound escaped.
Panicking, she jumped out of bed, grabbing the small fruit knife from the table. "Don't come any closer!" she warned, trembling.
She tried again. "Sakura!" But the silence was the same—heavy and unnatural.
The cat calmly hopped onto the edge of the bed. "They can't hear you," it said softly. "Your voice won't reach them… not while I'm here."
Aisha grabbed the knife and pointed it at the cat. "Don't come closer!"
The cat hopped onto the bed, tail flicking. "Relax. I'm not here to hurt you," it said calmly. "I came to help."
"Help? With what?" Aisha asked warily.
"With your time glitch… the strange things happening since your birthday."
Her eyes widened. "How do you know that? I've never told anyone."
"I know everything about you," the cat replied. "Because I've been watching you for a long time."
"Who are you… really?" she asked.
The cat sat upright, its gaze steady.
"My name is Nyoro. And I'm one of the Spirits."
"We exist to guide the new Heiress."
Aisha's voice trembled. "Heiress? What do you mean?"
The cat sat on the edge of the bed, its golden eyes glowing faintly.
"You're the chosen Heiress of this era."
Aisha blinked. "Me? You've got it wrong I'm just a normal girl, not some heiress."
"I'm a Spirit," the cat replied. "We guide the ones chosen by fate. And I can see clearly you've inherited the power."
Aisha frowned. "But… what does it mean to be a Heiress? Why me?"
The cat's gaze didn't waver. "Time."
Her breath caught. "Time? What does that even She shook her head. "Wait… why did you choose me?"
"I didn't," the cat said simply. "I can't choose. My job is to guide the one who has already been chosen."
"Then who chose me? Why me?" Aisha pressed.
The cat's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can't tell you everything right now. In time, you'll understand. I can read your thoughts, Aisha. Right now, you're thinking about the time shift… and the question that's been haunting you—why were you reincarnated?"
Aisha's heart raced. Her voice came out barely a whisper. "So it's true…"
The cat nodded. "I'm here to stop that time from unraveling again."
Aisha gripped the bedsheet. "Then tell me how do I stop it? I don't want to go through that again. I can't."
The cat's gaze softened. "Don't worry. I'm here to stop it from happening again."
Aisha's voice trembled. "But… why me? Why did it happen to me? And how do I stop it? You said you would—but how?"
"Yes," the cat said. "It happened because your powers awakened… but you don't know how to control them. With no Heiress to anchor time, it's trying to correct itself."
I can seal your power for now," the cat said, "but when the time comes and you've learned to control it, it will gradually awaken on its own And Aisha came closer to her.
Aisha hesitated, then slowly approached the bed, sitting beside the cat.
The cat stood tall, its eyes glowing faintly. "Seal Magic."
A soft blue light swirled into the air, forming a spell that gently flew toward Aisha, entering her chest. Her body shimmered briefly with a soft glow—then faded.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed gently onto the bed.
The cat watched her silently. "I'll return when it's time," it whispered, before disappearing into the shadows.
Two hours passed. Aisha was still fast asleep when the door creaked open.
Sakura stepped in quietly, careful not to make a sound. She closed the door behind her and walked to Aisha's bedside, pulling the chair closer before sitting down. She didn't wake her just watched her with worry in her eyes.
Moments later, Aisha's fingers twitched. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, blinking at the soft light. She saw Sakura sitting in front of her and frowned slightly, confused.
Was that a dream… or real?
She pushed herself up halfway from the bed, still dazed.
Sakura noticed and leaned in. "Miss Aisha, you're awake. I've been waiting. How do you feel? Should I call the doctor?"
Aisha shook her head gently. "No... there's no need. I'm fine now."
Sakura glanced at Aisha, her brows slightly furrowed. "Miss Aisha… what happened to you earlier? I was really worried. If there's something anything you want to share, I promise I won't tell anyone."
Aisha hesitated. Should I tell her?
Would she even believe me?
But… I trust her. Still, maybe it's not the right time.
Sakura tilted her head, noticing her silence. "Miss Aisha? Are you listening?"
Aisha snapped out of her thoughts. "It's nothing. I think I was just overthinking. That's probably why I imagined something strange earlier. The rest… you already know."
Sakura gave her a soft smile. "That's why you shouldn't overthink too much. It can mess with your mind, you know?"
Aisha gave Sakura a soft smile. "I know you care about me… and I appreciate it. But really, I'm fine now. That rest helped. I feel better than before."
Sakura's shoulders relaxed. "That's a relief, Miss Aisha. I actually came to call you for dinner it's about time. But when I saw you sleeping, I didn't want to wake you."
"Are the others already there?" Aisha asked as she sat up properly on the bed.
Sakura nodded. "Madam and Sir are outside, and your elder sisters said they'll eat later. They asked me to check on you."
Aisha swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching lightly. "Alright. I'll come down in a few minutes. You go ahead I just need a moment."
Sakura smiled warmly. "Okay, I'll wait for you downstairs, Miss Aisha."
She quietly turned and exited the room, leaving Aisha alone with her thoughts once more.
Was that cat… just a dream? Or was it real?
Aisha looked down at her hands, remembering the blue light that had entered her chest. He said he sealed my power inside me… and that he'd return later. If that really happened… then why didn't he tell me why I was chosen?
She clenched her fingers slightly. I want answers. I need them. But all he said was "you'll know later."
Know when? How?
Frustration stirred in her chest, but beneath it was something else—something faint but growing.
Was that… power real? If so… what am I supposed to do now?