WTSP - 11

“Prüna, the Lesser Spirit of Snow”

- Characterized by its snowflake-like pure white appearance, its fur tips sharpen into needle-like points during emergencies. Known for its adorable looks, it tends to evoke affection from those who encounter it.

Compatible with water and earth spirits but antagonistic toward fire spirits. As light as a feather, it tends to lose vitality in sweltering summers. More commonly seen among elves, dragons, and dwarves than humans, making urban sightings rare. Each Prüna possesses unique abilities, which are not universal.

Easy-to-Understand Magical Creatures, Author: Escuto Piramel.

The moment I saw the illustration resembling Pompoo, I exhaled a sigh tinged with relief.

Finally, I had uncovered his identity—but a spirit of snow? It was an utterly fantastical concept far removed from reality.

‘Then again, my inhabiting Ophelia’s body isn’t exactly realistic either.’

Pompoo, nibbling on the ends of my hair and rolling around playfully, was as cute as ever.

I was relieved he wasn’t a monster, but the mystery of how a snow spirit ended up in the empress’s quarters remained unsolved. According to the book, these creatures were meant to live in nature.

Though I had created the world of A Common Girl Becomes Empress, I hadn’t fleshed out such intricate details.

I vaguely remembered writing a sentence about a fantasy world where magic and spirits existed.

But that was merely a background detail—never did I contemplate specific types of spirits.

Had the skeletal framework I loosely constructed somehow taken on a life of its own?

As Pompoo tumbled to the floor after playing with his tail, I stroked him absentmindedly. His fluffy fur tickled my palm.

“What should I do with you, Pompoo? Don’t you want to return to your friends?”

“Pom! Pom! Poom!”

In response to my question, Pompoo leapt into the air, shaking his body left and right. Though I couldn’t understand his words, it felt like he was expressing reluctance to leave.

With Pompoo still chirping “Pom! Pom!” atop my shoulder, I gathered an armful of books.

I regretted not bringing them one at a time—just thinking about returning all these heavy tomes to the shelves made me sigh.

“Poom? Puu, Po...”

After tilting his head curiously, Pompoo fluttered down to the floor and tapped a book with his tail, as if volunteering to help.

But there was no way his fluffy appendage could lift such thick volumes. Eventually, with drooping ears, Pompoo climbed back onto my shoulder.

“I appreciate the thought, Pompoo, but they’re too heavy for you.”

Of course, they were also too much for Ophelia’s frail frame.

Clutching four books, I hurried toward the shelves when a voice called out to me.

It was the royal librarian who had helped me earlier.

“Empress!”

“Ah, um... Lilith, right? What is it?”

“Oh, Your Highness! You shouldn’t carry such heavy books yourself. Let me take them!”

Before I could respond, she whisked the books from my arms and gestured toward the entrance.

“There’s a visitor waiting for you in the reception room. They asked me to inform you.”

“A visitor for me?”

“Yes. Lady Laquel and Lord Eilian of the Meredith family.”

Laquel and Eilian. The names were familiar yet distant, swirling in my mind. They must be Ophelia’s older siblings.

Though they weren’t mentioned in A Common Girl Becomes Empress, Lena had spoken of them before.

The heir to the Meredith family and a free-spirited artist—they were said to have completely opposite personalities despite being brothers.

‘What if they realize I’m not the real Ophelia? Siblings would notice immediately, wouldn’t they?’

An intense wave of unease washed over me. While I fretted over how to handle them, the librarian rolled up her sleeves and began shelving the scattered books.

How such a small frame possessed so much strength baffled me. Watching her work, I couldn’t help but admire her silently.

With a proud smile, she guided me toward the exit, whispering softly.

“To be honest, I’m so happy Your Highness became an empress.”

“Really? Is there a special reason?”

“You probably don’t remember, but I owe a debt of gratitude to Lord Meredith from long ago.”

“To Father?”

Covering her mouth shyly, Lilith recounted her story as we walked.

“Before becoming the royal librarian, I worked as a maid in the Meredith household. Just an ordinary servant. But Lord Meredith suggested I try studying literature.”

“And that’s how you developed an interest in books.”

“Yes. I could read, but never dreamed of pursuing the kind of advanced studies noble children enjoyed.”

She recalled how Lord Meredith had given her a single book. Her face softened with a peaceful smile as she reminisced about poring over it repeatedly, wearing it down with use.

So the snobbish nobleman I’d imagined had a compassionate side too. How much courage it must have taken for a mere servant girl to become the royal librarian.

By the time we reached the exit, I smiled warmly and met her gaze.

“We’ll see each other often, Lilith.”

“Oh… this is truly an honor, Your Highness.”

“Thank you for helping with the books. I’ll be going now.”

Leaving behind Lilith, whose eyes glistened with emotion, I headed toward the empress’s quarters.

Despite the pleasant conversation with Lilith, my worries refused to dissipate.

Though I could claim amnesia as an excuse, there was always the risk of my true identity slipping out.

Absently stroking Pompoo, I muttered to myself.

“What should I do, Pompoo? There aren’t any novels in the royal library with Ophelia as the protagonist, are there?”

“Pom! Poo, Puu.”

“Hmm, maybe a book explaining how to understand spirits?”

“Poo, Pom…”

Pompoo rolled through the air, deep in thought.

Then, with a determined expression, he bumped his head against my forehead. It felt like being gently nudged by a soft ball—perhaps akin to a cat rubbing its head against its owner affectionately.

At that moment—

A blinding whiteness flashed before my eyes, accompanied by a wave of dizziness.

No, I couldn’t collapse again.

Someone seemed to shake me roughly, and my body trembled uncontrollably.

A flood of dazzling, searing light poured over me, overwhelming in its intensity.

Like winter waves crashing against cliffs and shattering into pristine foam, some unknown force invaded my mind, forcing its way through.

“Pom, Po… My head, it’s burning.”

My throat scorched, and my vision flickered white, obscuring Pompoo from sight. Only faint whispers echoed in my ears.

Overcome by sudden vertigo, I struggled to open my heavy eyelids.

Leaning against the wall, my vision and strength gradually returned. Though I knew Ophelia’s body was frail, I hadn’t expected it to be this weak.

Regulating my ragged breathing, I rubbed my eyes. My racing heartbeat slowly steadied.

Yet, I instinctively sensed something had changed.

“Pompoo?”

“Pom! Poom, Pya!”

Pompoo wagged his tail cheerfully, his head pressed against mine. The surroundings remained quiet and unchanged, but something within me…

“I remember everything now.”

Every memory of Ophelia Meredith—from her earliest childhood to just before her coronation as empress—flooded my mind.

Were those blinding flashes of light her memories?

The sudden influx of memories was disorienting. It felt as though I hadn’t merely inhabited Ophelia’s body—I had merged with her soul.

‘But why did Ophelia’s memories suddenly return?’

Still leaning against the wall, I tried to sort through the chaos in my mind. Now that I fully understood her, facing her brothers wouldn’t be difficult.

The timing of the memories’ return felt suspiciously convenient, leaving me uneasy.

Then, Pompoo came into view, his fluffy tail swaying gently. Simultaneously, a seemingly absurd yet logical conclusion crossed my mind.

“Could you have done this?”

“Pom!”

Staring at Pompoo as he proudly declared his involvement, my eyes widened.

Now that I thought about it, the torrent of memories had flooded in the moment our foreheads touched. The realization left me speechless.

Was a spirit this powerful? And how had he restored memories even I didn’t know existed?

Wait…

I recalled the description of Prüna, the lesser snow spirit: ‘Each Prüna possesses unique abilities, which are not universal.’

Could Pompoo’s unique ability involve restoring human memories?

“You’re truly an extraordinary creature, Pompoo.”

Facing a being with infinite, unpredictable potential filled me with awe.

The memories of Yeon-hee and Ophelia coexisted like oil and water, separate yet intact—a relief, though it felt strange, as if my brain had been split in half.

The sudden influx of memories caused a faint headache, but knowing Ophelia’s past alleviated my immediate concerns.

Cradling Pompoo, who purred for praise, I resumed my journey to the empress’s quarters.

Laquel, the eldest, didn’t enjoy long waits. Now that I had truly become Ophelia Meredith, all that remained was to face my destiny head-on without flinching.

The clock’s hands, which had been ticking counterclockwise, finally tilted to the right.