Chapter 3 I AM NOT PENELOPE

Joseline’s Pov

I am not Penelope but unfortunately, everyone else here thinks I am.

If this is a prank, I'll give whoever is behind it all my savings for the creativity.

Reality dawned on me when I realized it wasn't a joke.

Noise erupted from outside and my heart spiked.

"What was that?" I asked, shivering.

"Just the occasional traffic." The dragon woman replied.

My brows furrowed. "Traffic?"

"See for yourself."

Slowly and carefully, I walked to one of the glass windows and looked.

My jaws dropped.

Dragons.

Actual dragons.

Dozens of them soared through the air in flashes of crimson and black, their massive wings slicing through the clouds as they danced across the bright blue sky of a very large city. A city full of people.

My stomach dropped. "There were no dragons in New York.... This isn't New York."

“My lady," a soft voice came from behind me. "Please, step away from the window. You're still recovering."

I spun around and found the dragon woman in healer robes.

My brows furrowed. “Recovering? From what?”

I turned so quickly my hair whipped across my face. “What accident?”

Her expression softened with concern. “You... don't remember?"

“What happened to me?” I demanded. I needed answers. Who was Penelope? And why did everyone think I was her?

“You fell." She explained quietly. "You were on your way here when it happened."

“I fell? From what?” A school building? The staircase? Could this be a dream I was having in my head? I needed to know.

“You fell from Cedric's back.”

I paused. “Who?"

“Cedric is one of the King's Sentries.”

“Why was I on Cedric's back?"

She hesitated then spoke carefully. "You were being brought here... for your wedding."

My blood froze. "Wedding?"

"Yes," she nodded like it was normal. "To His Majesty, King Drakarys, ruler of the Crimson Kingdom and the Crimson Isles."

Something in my chest collapsed.

I was supposed to marry their king?

Almost immediately, I remembered the man from earlier. The one with the long crimson hair and blood-red eyes who asked if I was okay. Don't tell me.... He's Drakarys?!

A gasp left me and I pinched myself. "No. This can't be happening."

The healer stepped closer. "Lady Penelope..."

"I'm not your lady!" My voice cracked. "I am not Penelope!"

This had to be a dream. None of this was real. I didn't fall from a dragon's back. Someone pushed me. Someone I knew… but why can't I remember her face?! Why couldn't I remember her name? What was happening to me?

The woman patted my hand softly. “You should get some rest, My Lady. You look tired.”

I looked at her, my face pale and my hand trembling. “I need to leave. I don't belong here.”

“I know, My Lady,” she reached for my hand again. Her flesh though thick was warm, very warm. “You'll be fine. Your handmaids will take care of you.”

She gave me one last pat on my arm before standing up to leave.

When she got to the door, I asked her a question. “What is your name?”

“My name is Healer Adira Venash,” she said, looking over her shoulder. “But you can call me Adira.”

“Thank you, Adira.” I smiled at her.

“You're welcome, My Lady. Get some rest. I'll be back in a few minutes with dinner.” Then she left.

The moment she left, I scrambled away from the window and rushed to the dressing table.

A silent gasp left my lips when I saw my reflection.

This wasn't me.

I had brown eyes that needed glasses, tanned skin riddled with bruises, and short curly hair. The girl staring back at me had skin like polished pearls with eyes the colour of the morning sun and hair as dark as midnight.

This wasn't me. This was Penelope.

But who is Penelope?

The loud toll of a bell reverberated through the air and I froze. What's that noise?

I rushed to the window again and my breath stopped.

Soldiers in hundreds, probably thousands, marched towards the castle gates in a crimson armour.

This obviously wasn't a ceremony. This was... war.

"Oh no." I whispered.

The sky dragons vanished almost as if they were retreating. This was definitely a war.

Survival instincts took over me and I turned away from the window, my eyes scanning the room for signs of any weapon.

I caught sight of two crimson swords on the walls and I grabbed both. The metal felt cold to the touch. This definitely wasn't a dream.

I backed away, breathing hard. I'm not dying here. Not again.

As I walked past, I looked at my reflection, at the girl staring back at me… Penelope.

I didn't understand why it happened or why I'm here but I knew one thing: I had transmigrated.

I pressed my hand against the glass. “I don't know what happened to you... but I'm not staying here to find out."

A loud horn sounded then another and another. Somewhere beyond the castle walls, people began screaming.

I tightened my grip on the swords.

Whatever happened to Penelope... I was about to find out.