Chapter 3 I AM NOT PENELOPE

Joseline’s Pov

“This has to be a joke... right?”

I rushed to the tall glass windows and shoved one open.

Oh my God.

“Lady Penelope!” The dragon-lady cried, quickly grabbing my arm and pulling me back. But I barely felt her touch. Not when my eyes had locked into the hundreds of golden ones staring back at me from the sky.

Dragons.

Dozens of them soared through the air in flashes of crimson and black, their massive wings cutting through the clouds as they danced across the bright blue sky. Some released streams of coloured flames that burst like fireworks over the city below.

And the people...

The humans, or at least, I thought they were humans, walked through the streets as though none of this was unusual. Some paused to admire the creatures overhead while others continued their daily routines without a second glance.

There were dragons outside.

Actual dragons.

But that was impossible. There were no dragons in New York.

“Lady Penelope, please, step away from the window before you fall again,” the dragon-lady earned gently. “You've only just recovered from your accident.”

I froze. “Accident?”

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 feel from Cedric's back.”

I paused. “Who now?”

“Cedric. He is one of the King's Sentries. He was sent to escort you here.”

“To bring me here?”

“Yes,” she nodded carefully

I frowned, pulled at my lips. “But why?”

For a moment, a look of horror crossed her face. She quickly guided me towards the bed and sat me down.

“You truly remember nothing?" She asked softly. "Not your parents? Your family?”

“My father is dead," I muttered. "And my mom hates me. I'm an only child.”

She gasped.

“Oh, you poor thing. You really lost your memories." She took my trembling hands into hers. "Your father is still alive, child. And your mother doesn't hate you. She loves you very much , even your brothers.”

My eyes widened. “I have siblings? How many?”

“You have four older brothers. You are the youngest of them and the only daughter. Your family truly loves you, especially your mother. She fought against your marriage to the King.”

At this point, my brain completely shut down. “I'm sorry. My what?”

“Your marriage, My Lady,” she repeated gently. “You are wed to Drakarys, king of Drakaryon and sole ruler of the Crimson Isles."

My entire body stiffened with fear.

The man with the long crimson hair and blood-red eyes...

That was him.

A gasp left me and I pinched myself. 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 dragon-lady 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, sweetie,” she cupped my face and I leaned into it. Her flesh though thick was warm, very warm. “You'll be fine. Your handmaids will take care of you.”

I shivered. “Hand maids?”

“Yes.” She smiled.

“But what about you?” I asked.

“I'm just a healer,” then she gestured to the incest burning behind us and the flute on the floor.

“But I don't know anyone here but you. I can't trust anyone else.” I shivered again. What was wrong with me? I usually feel scared but not this much.

“It's alright, dear. I'll ask His Majesty for his permission to take care of you.” She said,

“Permission? No one here has equal rights?”

The dragon-lady chuckled. “Oh no. The King is the Monarch and the Monarch is Sovereign and the Sovereign of Drakaryon has authority over every living and nonliving thing in the empire.”

That's just cruel. Who lives like that?

“Get some rest, okay?” She smiled. “I’ll be back.” 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 out of bed 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 has fair skin that resembles 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?

I looked around the room. I even touched the walls to see if it was real and not some simulation. It was the former. It couldn't have been a dream. I saw her push me. I saw her smile as I fell to my death but… why can't I remember her face or her name. What's happening to me?

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

I rushed to the window and looked.

Hundred, probably thousands of soldiers in red armour marched towards the castle gates. The dragons in the sky had vanished and the people were screaming.

Oh no. Are we under attack? Shit!

I turned away from the window and looked around the room for the sign of any weapon. My eyes caught two crimson swords on the walls and I grabbed both. I'm not dying again this time.

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 into the body of this woman in a world full of dragons. Penelope had either fallen or tried to kill herself on her way here. I could sense her fear even now.

I stopped and stared at the reflection. “I don't know what you went through, Penelope but… I'll make sure your life is well-lived. I'll get out of here and live for both of us.”

Then I placed my hand on the mirror and bolted through the door.