ITHMF 03

Chapter 03

“This is the content up to the middle of the original story… But I remember it being completed, so why can’t I remember the ending?”

I thought hard, but the ending just wouldn’t come to mind.

Something—there was some major event besides the malignancy and the main leads’ story—but why can’t I remember it? Did I not finish reading it? That couldn’t be.

I felt like there was something very important, but no matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t remember the ending or even any related hints.

After groaning for a while, I decided to think about it later and returned to considering the present timeline.

“If the male lead is here now, then the female lead will come here within a year at most…”

Just thinking that I might actually see the female lead I’d only ever imagined made my heart pound. I was smiling to myself when I soon faced a problem.

But… how do I pass on my ability?

In the original, it just said that Serinel gave the ability as a gift.

“The method of giving an ability…”

To avoid changing the major flow of the original story, I absolutely needed to go through the process of passing the ability to Flora, even if other things could be altered. That way, the male and female leads could grow closer faster.

And through that, I wanted to become friends with the original protagonists and experience the world I’d only read about in books.

How could I give the female lead my ability?

The first thing that came to mind was the large library inside the castle. Having only ever been interested in romance novels, I’d hardly ever set foot there.

Come to think of it, I’ve never properly attended magic classes either, have I?

Before regaining my past life’s memories, I was just an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl who hated studying, so it was natural in a way.

First, I should visit the library when I have time, and also learn magic. I was born with the ability to use magic, so it’d be a waste to just let such a good skill rot.

It would also be useful in case of an emergency.

Now that I knew this world was inside a novel, I thought it best to at least prepare some means of protecting myself.

“Let me just stop here for now and go to sleep?”

I yawned widely, forcibly closing my half-lidded eyes and opening them again. I slowly got up, put the diary back in its place, then collapsed onto the bed and pulled the blanket up to my neck.

Ah, I’m going to sleep so well tonight…

The time was already long past when I should have been asleep. Without a moment for stray thoughts, I quickly drifted into unconsciousness.

“Princess, it’s time to wake up.”

“Mmm… Maya, just a little more…”

“That’s the third time you’ve said that. You skipped breakfast, and now you’re trying to skip lunch too?”

Maya gently shook me, urging me to get up.

I want to sleep more.

Without even properly opening my eyes, I flailed and raised my upper body. It was more like I’d been lifted than actually getting up; my mind was still half in dreamland.

“Princess?”

“Oh, I’m awake.”

“You seem especially sleepy today. Did you stay up all night?”

Her suspicious tone snapped me to attention. Afraid of seeming suspicious, I rubbed my eyes and tried to act nonchalant.

“As if. It’s my growth spurt, that’s all.”

“No matter how much of a growth spurt it is…”

“Anyway, what about food? I need to eat.”

I cut her off before Maya’s suspicion could deepen.

When I made a sad face and said I was hungry, thankfully she quickly stood up and left the room. When she returned a moment later, she was carrying my meal.

“What would you like to eat today?”

On the plate were pearls of various colors. Their round shapes looked like candy from a distance.

Mermaids, also called fragments of God, didn’t need to eat like humans. However, mermaids who hadn’t come of age like me needed to consistently consume energy to grow. The source of that energy was these pearls.

“I’ll have the yellow one today.”

“Very well. Ah, since you skipped breakfast, please have one more.”

I nodded and also picked up a nearby pink pearl.

Despite their hard appearance, the pearls crushed very easily. The taste varied each time, depending on what food I wanted to taste.

Thanks to regaining my past life’s memories, I was able to experience nostalgic flavors for the first time in a very long while. Savoring the spicy tteokbokki spreading on my tongue, I swallowed two pearls and soon felt a sense of fullness, and my limp body felt energized.

“Now that you’ve eaten, get ready for your lesson.”

“Ah… Today is the day for the dance lesson, isn’t it?”

An involuntary long sigh escaped me.

Having to learn the coming-of-age traditional dance already…

When mermaids come of age, they hold a ceremony to express gratitude to God, which is called the coming-of-age ceremony. The final part of this ceremony is the traditional dance.

Since the traditional dance is an expression of gratitude to God, most mermaids learn it meticulously from a young age.

The problem was that I was hopelessly uncoordinated.

“You absolutely must go today!”

“Alright, alright.”

“You’re not going to say that and then run off somewhere else, are you?”

Because I’d skipped several lessons due to my hatred of dancing, Maya’s distrust had reached its peak. Rolling my eyes and subtly avoiding her gaze, I gave an awkward laugh.

I can’t make any promises…

Sensing my thoughts, Maya narrowed her eyes at me.

“Don’t try to brush this off with a smile. You absolutely must go today. Lady Treeny has been waiting for you for so long.”

Lady Treeny was my dance teacher, and she had a very kind heart. She was the only one who would smile and say it was okay even when I skipped class without permission.

She’d even prevented me from almost getting scolded by my mother last time. Thinking of Lady Treeny made me feel a little guilty.

Ugh, I’m really just too embarrassed because I’m so bad at dancing. Sighing inwardly, I obediently nodded.

“Alright, I’ll definitely go. I promised Lady Treeny last time. I said I’d come to class today.”

“Good choice!”

Maya clapped her hands in delight, beaming.

Right, it’s time I stopped causing trouble. I’ve caused enough trouble so far, so it’s time to get my act together.

But contrary to that logical thought, my heart was still screaming at me to run away.

Still, just thinking about dancing makes my tail cramp up.

If only my tail would cooperate. After class, my whole body felt like it had been beaten up. This was a different problem from swimming, and I just couldn’t seem to get along with dancing. That was also the reason I’d skipped a few lessons.

“But do I really have to dance? Can’t we just skip it?”

“Oh my, that’s the most important part. There’s a reason we start learning so early. You need to convey your gratitude well through the dance for Lady Heldia to bestow a good blessing, don’t you?”

Heldia. The one called the god of this world.

Being called fragments of God, mermaids were closer to God than anyone else. So unlike humans, mermaids could often hear his voice, one of which was during the coming-of-age ceremony.

I’d heard that on that day, Heldia would give a very simple blessing to the person coming of age.

But since it was a secret between the recipient and Heldia, no one knew what was said.

I’d never heard the voice of God myself, so I still couldn’t quite believe in his existence.

“Lady Treeny will be waiting for you in the hall. You can find your way there, right? Don’t wander off!”

“I won’t.”

“Promise me, promise!”

Only after repeatedly admonishing me did Maya finally leave. If I didn’t go today, she looked ready to personally escort me all the way to the hall.

Recalling the fiery look in Maya’s eyes, I shuddered all over. Before Maya, whose distrust had reached its peak, started following me around 24/7, I thought I should diligently attend my lessons.

But…

“No matter what I do, dancing is just too hard…”

Staring at the slightly open door to the hall, I let out a long sigh.

Right, moping around here won’t solve anything.

Just jump in!

As I opened the door and entered, Lady Treeny, wearing a red dance costume befitting the traditional dance, approached me with a very welcoming smile.

“Princess, it’s been a while. You remembered to come today. I’m so happy!”

“Yes. Hello, Lady Treeny.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, we immediately began the lesson.

After changing into the costume, my body felt twice as heavy.

Since the traditional dance had to be elegant and splendid, there were many ornaments attached to the clothes and tail. The fluttering sleeves, spreading like thin fabric with every movement, maximized the elegant charm.

Just then, Lady Treeny lightly clapped her hands to get my attention.

“Since it’s been a while, shall we try dancing just the part you’ve learned so far?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Because the mermaids’ traditional dance was performed solo, a partner wasn’t needed.

I stood facing Lady Treeny at an appropriate distance. When she snapped her fingers, music began to flow from a conch shell placed in one corner of the hall.

The music was very lyrical and slow-paced. I recalled what I’d learned so far and moved my body diligently.

Because the movements were slow, I also had to pay attention to the way the fabric fluttered and the sound of the ornaments clinking. Putting strength all the way to the tip of my tail, I managed to finish the part I’d learned without incident.

“As expected, you’re so good! You don’t even seem to forget the movements easily, and you’re gaining more grace the more you dance. Among all the students I’ve taught, you have the best aptitude, Princess. So the ‘I can’t dance’ thing was just being modest, right? I think we can move on to the next part.”

“Ah, no…”

Lady Treeny, beaming with satisfaction, hummed a tune.

I still feel like the first part is lacking, but is it really okay to move on?

I was worried, but I couldn’t stop the excited Lady Treeny. In the end, I had to work extra hard to make up for the lessons I’d skipped.

As a result, I fell asleep the moment I finished dinner.