Fall in Love with Him at First Sight

After crawling out of the coffin, I pretended to faint right in front of a young scholar, who kindly took me to his home.

"I'm just escaping the famine, not some strange creature from the woods," I assured him. He believed my story.

Dealing with mortals was a pain. They aged, got sick, and died. So, every few decades, I needed to fake my death by lying in a coffin. When I emerge, it was time to 'accidentally' bump into him in his new life.

I always thought I was just a hopeless romantic, a total simp, until I stumbled upon his diary buried beneath a tree. It read, "Maybe I'll reincarnate as a scholar again next time. She doesn't seem to like the woodcutter.

I'll indulge her once more, but next time, I'm calling her out on her childish games.

Next time..."

That left me reeling.

*****

I crawled out of the coffin, gasping for fresh air.

"Ah, the intoxicating scent of nature. It's been about fifty years," I mused.

The last time Joshua Stewart died, he was forty-two.

That meant the current Joshua would be grown up by now.

I did some divination and learned that Joshua would soon be passing this way.

I camped out here day and night, playing the waiting game.

Thankfully, all that waiting wasn't for nothing. After enduring a month of being battered by the weather, I finally spotted Joshua.

From afar, Joshua approached, his strikingly handsome features slowly becoming clearer.

In the morning sunlight, Joshua trudged along, a trunk slung on his back, his forehead slick with a hint of sweat.

This life's Joshua looked like a scholar.

Looking at him, I couldn't help but be transported back to the Joshua from 142 years ago. With his sharp brows and deep eyes, decked out in fancy clothes, he was a real charmer.

Lost in thoughts of his handsome face, he suddenly appeared right in front of me, his face full of worry. "Miss, are you okay?" he asked. "I heard these mountains have been dangerous lately, with strange creatures lurking. Did you run into one?"

Catching my reflection in Joshua's eyes, I saw just how rough I looked.

I knew I had to act like I was in trouble.

I clutched my chest, let a few tears drop, and faked a cry.

Between sobs, I managed, "Sir, I've come a long way fleeing famine. I'm no creature from the woods. Don't be afraid."

Joshua nodded, looking genuinely guileless. "I can see that."

I seldom saw such a look on Joshua's face in my previous lives, and it made me want to tease him a bit.

Holding my ankle, I put on my sweetest voice and said, "I think I've twisted my ankle. Could you help me up?"

His expression twisted in conflict. After a moment's struggle, he finally extended his hand.

His hands were long and warm.

Feigning weakness, I let myself fall into his arms, and took the opportunity to cop a feel of his chest.

"Yep, just as shaped and resilient as I remembered," I mused internally.

Blushing, Joshua said, "Miss, I'm headed to Landon for the imperial test. If you don't mind, you could come with me."

His invitation was just what I was waiting for. I quickly nodded. "That would be great, thanks."