The Ending Of A Beginning

Human nature is a strange thing. For the longest time, you could hate someone and never have talked to them and within a couple of minutes of actually conversing with them, you could adore them with all your heart.

Yes, human nature is a strange thing. Hate someone then love them, use someone and then ask for their forgiveness, do something terrible with no remorse and then wail and despair when the punishment comes. I guess that's kind of the interesting thing about being human.

Then maybe that was why my opinion on my favorite novel was so different from other fans. I'd been waiting for the final volume to come out for an entire year and had even pre-ordered it from the bookstore almost instantly. When the email had come that my book was here, I practically dashed like an Olympic sprinter to get there.

This type of energy could've really helped when I was almost late to work but whatever.

The bookstore was quiet per usual when I came in, making a beeline straight for the register.

"Excuse me." I said, "I pre-ordered a book and I recently got an email that said it arrived?"

The clerk nodded. "I can go back and see if it has. Name please?"

"Marie Johnson."

"One moment, please." The clerk walked away from the desk and went into a back room while I switched impatiently from foot to foot. The excitement of getting this book finally was killing me.

The book series I'm so obsessed with is called 'Dears Of Yesterday', a romance novel. It had originally caught my eye with its premise, the commoner protagonist turned nobility was common and all but the amnesia was a bit new. The protagonist, Carole Hollosend turned Carole Millstone, was a commoner girl with amnesia who found out she was the kidnapped and long lost daughter of the Earl Millstone, making her nobility. She went to go live with the Earl as his daughter, yadda yadda and then she attended a school for the noble and privileged to learn magic and court etiquette. She fell in love with the male lead, Prince Floyd von Andize. They had originally been in love when they were children before Carole was kidnapped and lost her memories. The problem was that Floyd was engaged to marry my favorite character, Ophelia Dubannes, the villainess who didn't take Carole hitting on her fiancee well. The last volume had ended before their final confrontation and I was itching to read it.

"Ma'am, is this the book you pre-ordered?" The clerk's voice broke me out of my thoughts. In her hands was the very book that could either complete or ruin my life for the next month, 'Dears Of Yesterday'.

I nodded. "Yes, that's the book."

"That'll be $17.99."

I took the money out of my wallet without hesitation and handed it to the clerk, who after checking it handed me my change and my book in a plastic bag. I was trembling with excitement.

"Have a good day ma'am."

"You too."

With the goodbyes out of the way, I rushed out of the store and back to my apartment, blonde hair blowing everywhere. It'd be a mess later but I could care less. The second I stepped into my apartment I threw off my jacket and my purse went onto the end table by the door. The only thing in my hand was that plastic bag with my book. Walking into my living room, I plopped myself down into my favorite chair and took the book out with enthusiasm.

The cover was beautifully illustrated, with the two opposing sides standing face to face with determined faces. Carole stood in the light with her brown hair and blue eyes, a pure beauty, while Ophelia stood in the dark with gold eyes glinted with confidence and malice that went perfectly with her raven black hair, a cool beauty. I couldn't help but squeal.

AAAAAAH! OPHELIA'S TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR THIS WORLD!! WHY CAN'T PEOPLE REALLY BE THIS PRETTY?! (╥ᆺ╥；)

When my eyes finally got their fill, I finally opened up the book and began reading with vigor. I couldn't wait to see the conclusion to this series. My body was ready.

. . . . . . . .

The ground shook as thorned vines erupted from the dirt, gleaming in the moonlight as they advanced to Carole at an alarming speed, barely giving her enough time to dodge their attacks or protect herself with her own magic.

A shrill laugh resounded in the night air as Carole finally got hit, a wound appearing on her thin left arm, blood slowly beginning to flow from it.

"Oh my, it seems the rat's been caught in a trap. How pitiful." A familiar voice teased, full of unhidden malice. Out of the darkness stepped the owner of the voice in all of her beauty, Ophelia Dubannes. Her gold eyes leered at her without hesitation. Truly, this girl hated her guts.

"O-Ophelia! Why are you-"

"Please do shut up. Your squeaking is giving me a headache."

Another slash of the vines had Carole jumping away. Nothing less could be expected from the top student's magic, but who would've thought she'd be experiencing its terror first hand.

"Ophelia, you don't need to do this!" Carole exclaimed, getting hit by another slash of the vines. This time her leg was hit and it burned.

Ophelia laughed. "You should worry less about me, rat. Those vines of mine are coated with a slow-acting poison. You'll be out cold in less than ten minutes."

Carole visibly paled at the mention of poison and did indeed notice her movements had become sluggish. However, Carole could do nothing but continue to move as she got more tired and her sight got more and more muddled. Eventually, the petite girl could take no more and fell to the ground in a comatose state.

Ophelia waited to be absolutely sure that Carole was out cold before dispelling her magic and letting out a sigh of relief. After getting rid of this nuisance, everything would be back to normal. She began advancing towards Carole's knocked out body with calm, unhurried steps. She wouldn't have to worry about being replaced, her father wouldn't have to worry about losing his position and their home, and her younger siblings would have a stable life. All that she wanted.

She stopped in front of Carole's body, noticing the girl's still rising chest. So she was still alive. Ophelia took in the appearance of the bane of her existence. Chocolate brown hair with fair skin and a petite yet cute body. No wonder she was able to catch Floyd's attention. No matter. She'd be gone in no time.

Ophelia summoned her magic once more, a single thorny vine appeared and hovered over Carole's chest. Ready to deal the final blow. For a time though, the vine was completely still and seemed to tremble even. How strange, she was getting sentimental about someone who could've ruined her whole life. If only ... If only Carole hadn't gone for her man. Maybe things could've been different. Yet they weren't. Ophelia steeled herself and the tentacle raised.

It never lowered. A piercing pain was sent crashing through Ophelia's back and chest, causing her to cry out and look down, tasting iron in her mouth. It was a sword that gleamed in the moonlight with not only it's sharpness but her blood.

"W-who...." Ophelia slowly turned her head to be met with despair. It was Floyd, his face contorted in rage. She had never seen him with such an expression.

"F-Floyd- !!!"

The sword was plunged deeper into Ophelia, causing her to spit up blood. It hurt. It hurt so very much. Not just her body but her heart. Tears flowed out of her eyes before the sword was retracted, leaving Ophelia to fall forward into the dirt and take her very last breath.

. . . . . . . .

I blinked at the final paragraph of the chapter for a long time. I'd been sitting there reading there for god knows how long so maybe I had read it wrong. After rereading almost fifty times it finally clicked into my brain what had happened. Floyd had killed Ophelia. Floyd had killed Ophelia.

I sat there silently for a good while, staring into the abyss.

Huh? Ophelia died? There's no way. Hahahaha. What a funny author.

I laughed for a bit before continuing to read the rest of the novel. No more Ophelia appeared though. The protagonist and the male lead got their happily ever after. The author's note at the end even noted 'The witch is dead y'all.' When in the final page in the book.

I sat on my couch silently for a good while before finally picking up a throw pillow and pressing it into my face. I then screamed. I screamed until I felt like I might suffocate and finally pulled the pillow away from my face, panting.

WTF AUTHOR?! WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE JUST IMPRISONED OPHELIA OR SENT HER TO A MONASTERY?! I WOULD'VE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THAT BUT YOU MURDERED HER! AAAAAAAAAAA!!! SCREW YOU AUTHOR! SERIOUSLY FUCK YOU!      凸ಠ益ಠ)凸

After screaming in my mind for so long, I finally grabbed my phone to pull up the fan forums to see if anyone else was angry about this injustice. I was shocked to see the entire feed of those who had finished the book in an entire day rejoicing. They were posting things like 'the witch is finally dead! Long live Carole!' or 'Floyd is all Carole's yay!!' My face went completely blank.

. . . What the actual fuck.

Did people really dislike Ophelia so much? What even was this? Before I was able to comprehend what I was doing, I had begun to furiously type all my frustrations out to the world and had sent it out, after having thoroughly cursed the author. Throwing my phone across the couch, I couldn't help but sulk and mourn.

Poor Ophelia! If only the protagonist had chosen someone else! Or the author hadn't made Floyd show his devotion to Carole in such a crude way! If only Carole had never been born! If only! If only!

My thoughts continued into the night until I finally ended up passing out, leaving every light in my living room on.

. . . . . . . .

I was late. Late for work for the third time, this month and I knew I'd been in for an earful at work when I got there. Waiting at this crosswalk was taking a lifetime, making me even later.

Darn it! This is taking forever! Please change to the walking guy already! I really need this!

Thankfully, I was the only one at the crosswalk so I'd get across much quicker. When I light finally changed, I was dashing across the street until suddenly, I felt a painful impact throughout my body that sent me flying into the road and my vision going to black.

I could hear still. The skidding away of car tires and then just silence. There was no one screaming or anything. It was so, so quiet. Was I dying? Why me? Oh well. At least I couldn't be late for work anymore...

. . . . . . . .

Strange. There was someone pushing on face and it felt weird. I tried to swat at the hand but instead, my arms felt heavy.

"Ava. Ava, you must wake up now. It's time for mummy to work."

I felt strangely comforted by the voice and opened my eyes to see a woman in a maid uniform that I didn't recognize but she was quite pretty. Did she just say 'mummy'? Who is she talking about? I'm Marie, not Ava. I should tell this lady that she's mistaken.

I opened my mouth but the only thing that came out of my mouth were... Baby noises?

"Gah....aaabu..."

"Hehe. Good morning, Ava. Are you saying good morning back to mummy?"

.... What was going on? Where is my voice? Why did I sound like a baby? And why can't I move?! What have I gotten myself into?!

[ So, this was my first ever attempt at writing something online and I hope whoever is reading enjoyed! I'd always appreciate a vote or comment to let me know I'm doing well and that readers are enjoying the story. That's all. Thanks for reading. ]