The Loving Villainess Is A Ugly Duckling

Chapter 6: The Dream Is A Scary Memory

"5... 6... Awh! My Lady! You almost had it!" Rosy threw her arms up in exasperation. Penelope picked up the books that slipped off.

After my afternoon tea, I had dragged Rosy and Penelope to the library for one of the tasks Venus had bestowed upon me. With broad shoulders and a big head, I had thought this would be easy for me.

The longest time I had lasted was 7 seconds.

"Let's try again," I said for the umpteenth time. We've been going at it for two hours now and I made no progress at all. It was a good thing we weren't using plates, I was just about ready to destroy every book in here.

Penelope proceeded to balance the three books on me. One on my head and the other two on each shoulder.

For this practice, I had Penelope undo my pretty ponytail so it wouldn't get in the way and weaved my hair into a simple braid.

As soon as the books were placed, I tried to keep it balanced while walking forward.

Three...

Four...

The books started wobbling.

Five...

They fell on the floor with a tumble. We all let out groans of frustration.

"Ugh, this was harder than I thought," I sighed irritatedly. Penelope picked up each book from the floor, "Lets continue this another time." I wave my hand. Penelope nodded before putting them back in their places.

"It's alright my Lady, don't feel too badly about it. With a little more practice, you'll be able to get it down." Rosy reassured me as I sat back into a chair. I didn't respond to her. I was too busy rolling my shoulders from aching so much, "Here, allow me." Rosy places her hands on my shoulders and began to push onto the aching areas.

"Ah!" I jumped slightly, causing her to retract her hands quickly to her sides.

"I'm sorry, my Lady! Forgive this lowly servant!" I turn to see her bowed with her body parallel to the floor.

"No, it's alright, Rosy. I was just shocked, please continue what you were doing." I say leaning back into the chair with my eyes closed.

"My Lady, are you sure?" I hear Rosy ask from above me. I hum in response without opening my eyes.

After a few more seconds have passed, her hands were placed back onto my shoulders and began to massage my ache away. Her thumbs dig their way into my back while her fingers and palms squeeze my shoulders. It was painful for the first minute, then slowly began to feel good.

Rosy's hands are extraordinary! I think I'll use them more often.

I sigh blissfully, "Thank you, Rosy, you can stop now." I open my eyes as she steps away from me. I roll my shoulders back to see the pain wasn't there anymore. It was like I never had the ache in the first place. As amazing as Rosy was, I was still a bit depressed.

I spent two hours trying to balance books nonstop but hadn't even made it past 10 seconds. I'm pretty certain that my old self could do it easily, so I don't understand how this body couldn't.

Argh, it's just balancing books, the easiest thing on the list. If I can't accomplish this, then how was I suppose to accomplish everything else?

"Just a year, huh?" I murmur under my breath.

"My Lady?" I wave my hand.

"It's nothing."

~~~~~~~~~~***~~~***~~~~~~~~~~

I sat at the dining table, forcing the sap down my throat while holding my breath.