The walls are cold and the morning sun is bright, but that isn't the reason why I lie awake on this big, king-sized bed. It's the abrupt noise of servants barging into the room that has disturbed my deep, longing sleep.
I had a dream. Memories of a past life I struggle to remember, but every passing second, the fragments become a blur.
Wait a minute, I thought, Where am I?! And why does everything seem so big?!
I look around, frantically eyeing the place. It's a girly room with feminine decorations. It looks grand, like a room belonging to someone from a rich family. There are stuffed teddy bears and other assortments of animal plushies sitting in a corner.
Is this my room!? I asked myself. But before I learn the answer, I realized I couldn't even move.
I don't have a mouth, I can't even say a word. I don't have a nose, but I can breathe. Fortunately, I have eyes so that I can see. Weird. Where are my eyes? What am I?
"Young Lady, please don't sleep with your Beastblade beside you, it's dangerous," one of the servants said as she approached me.
Am I the young lady?! What the hell is a Beastblade?
"No!" a high-pitched voice of a young girl behind me shouted, "It's a gift from father! I will bring it wherever I want, whenever I want!"
Then suddenly, I felt a sensation as if I was being grabbed, held tight, and swung. I felt dizzy for a second, but it all suddenly felt like it's natural for me. I was lifted, and everyone around the room looked so big.
On the faded reflection of the gilded chandelier hanging on the ceiling, I saw myself. Supposedly.
I am a butter knife.
The hand around me swings, and the servants try to avoid the onslaught. I was dumbfounded at first. I thought it would be better if I were a shrunken man or a toy. But I am an ordinary cutlery used to cut dairy products.
I tried to shimmy and get a glance at who was holding me.
It was a girl. Too old to be a snotty brat, too young to be a whiny teen.
Her face is almost covered by her long black hair, which curls from her head. Her eyes are round and blue, cheeks plump and flushed, skin fair and blemishless. She is of regal blood, I can tell.
"Lady Bella, breakfast is ready," an older servant sighed.
Bella? Is that your name? Put me down! I think I am distressed. Why am I a butter knife?
One of the servants stood beside the bed with her lady's robe folded neatly over her arms.
They had prepared breakfast: two fried eggs, two slices of wheat bread toasted in sweet butter, two corn cobs, two patties of last night's leftovers, and a hot cup of brown tea. All wheeled in on a tray.
"I'm not hungry!" Bella kicked her meal, grabbed the robe, and ran outside her room. All while still holding and swinging me around. She came back only to pick up a soggy toast and ran towards the hall. I could hear the servants groan in unison.
Outside, the hall is decorated with gold and paintings with extravagant frames. The high ceilings and gleaming floor are ornate with an unexplainable aesthetic. Its design is otherworldly.
Otherworldly. It's the correct word to describe everything as soon as I saw what lies beyond the wide windows of this hall, where the young girl continues to sprint.
A city of massive architecture, lined with what seems to be gold and silver. Skyscrapers with landing pads for the titanic airships that are slowly approaching. Other not-so-tall buildings are connected to the road by a bridge, riddled with crude vehicles, their engines trembling. The streets are bustling with people wearing top hats and corsets, walking shoulder to shoulder.
Am I a butter knife in this world? I asked myself, anxious about the fact that I am about to spend the rest of my life as a silverware.
"Bella!" A deep, manly voice from the halls roared.
Bella immediately drifted sideways to a stop, "Lord Father!"
"Good morning to you, too," the man reveals himself from another room. He carries himself with a distinguished look, a sense of nobility. He wears a top hat with a feather on it, a monocle in his left eye, and a thick, full moustache bristling above his lip. He holds a noticeable wooden cane that supports him.
"Father, I can't wait to start school today! I promise you I am going to be the best Beastblade master like you and dear brother!"
She looks up, smiling. The girl jumps, clenching her fist and me with it.
"Bella, you should have your first meal!" he chuckled as he rustled her hair, "The Golden Ascension Academy is one of the top schools to unlock your Beastblade's potential."
"I am ready!" she blurted loudly.
"Show me what our instructors taught you," he steps back as she turns around and points me to the empty hall.
I look behind, her face appears to be focused. She pouts as she tries to exert an energy I couldn't understand.
Somehow, I felt it. But nothing really manifested.
The man behind her put his hand on her tensed shoulder, "Bella, at the academy, they will assess your Beastblade. There, we will know how ready you are."
Bella turns to face him, "But, father, I am ready. I can do this."
Her father gave her a peck on the cheek. "I fear that you are not," he said, stood up, and walked away from her.
What the hell? What's with this guy? The vibe changed completely! I could feel Bella's hand slowly release her rugged grip on me.
"That butter knife is worth nothing to this family, Bella," he said, "Unlike your brother, may he rest in peace, that poor thing is nothing compared to his sword. Consider yourself lucky that we forged the remains of his steel to be your little plaything. Forget about being a Wasterunner."
The man's words echoed throughout the hall as he slowly gained distance away from her.
I could hear Bella whimper. There was a soft cry. Soon, tears followed. Bella cried alone in the huge, empty hallway.
I couldn't do anything. I am a butter knife after all. But I felt so much rage at what he said. I vaguely remember that I must've been a loser in my past life as well.
Bella raised me to her eye level. "Are you feeling sad, too?" she said, then snuggled with me with both hands.
She couldn't see it because I have no fist, but I imagine I was clenching it with so much passion.
"Don't worry, Bella, we will show them!" I finally said to her, to my utter surprise. I still don't have a mouth, yet I can speak now.
She looks at me with an ecstatic look.