“Please raise your arm, my lady.”

“Is the water into your liking, my lady?”

“I’ll start washing your hair, my lady.”

“This is the clothes you’ll be wearing, my lady.”

“I’m done fixing you hair, my lady.”

“My lady.”

“My lady- my lady- my lady.”

The corner of my eye twitched in annoyance. Three maids have been attending to me since my arrival here.

"My lady?" They chorused as I closed my eyes for barely a minute.

I placed the cup of tea heavily onto the table and stood up.

"One more 'my lady,' and I will—" My voice sounded firm and threatening when suddenly the door of the room swung open.

“My-!!”

"Shhhhh." The maids hushed the man who appeared to be in his 40s in chorus.

I shot him a questioning look, then a woman, whom I assumed to be around the same age, barged in, pushing the man aside.

"My daughter!" She hurriedly came toward me with open arms, ready for a hug.

I braced myself for the incoming embrace and closed my eyes. A moment passed in silence, so I cautiously opened my eyes to find the woman standing in front of me, looking shocked.

I glanced at the maids, the older man, and back to the woman. They all had a peculiar expression, as if something was amiss with me.

***

Why does my lovely daughter look like she doesn’t want to hug me?! Is she too shocked from being kidnapped?!

***

Hic Hic

I stood there, completely confused.

I need to gather information. She called me daughter, so she must be the protagonist's mom.

I pointed at the woman. "Mother."

"And father?" I asked, shifting my gaze to the man.

Their jaws dropped, and the woman began sobbing again.

My father frowned and spoke with authority.

"Summon a doctor here quickly!" he instructed the maids. They all hurriedly left the room, leaving just the three of us.

The couple then sat on the sofa opposite me. Gradually, the woman started to calm down. Her cries ceased, leaving us in an awkward silence, all of them eyeing me with intense concern.

"So, uh... Would you like some tea?" I asked, offering a smile and the now cold tea. Flashing an awkward smile.

Thankfully, the maid and someone who looked like a doctor knocked and entered the room.

"Oh, the doctor's here!" I exclaimed, walking up to the doctor and shaking his hand enthusiastically, flashing my brightest smile.

"Ahem. As you can see, Doctor, my daughter hasn't been herself since yesterday."

I nodded inwardly. That's because I'm not your daughter, that's for sure. I subtly acknowledged my thoughts.

"I understand. Let me check on her once again."

Oh, right. He was the doctor from yesterday.

It seems I recall things now.

I was rescued yesterday from my kidnappers—or perhaps I should say, they were rescued from me?

After the sword incident, everything's a blur. I can't remember all the details clearly.

All I know is that I arrived at this manor by carriage. The pink-haired guy and the person who claimed to be my brother took care of the kidnappers. The rest of what I remember is this maid calling me "my lady" nonstop.

The doctor had me lie down on the bed again as he checked once more for any injuries to my head.

"She doesn't have any other physical injuries except for the one on the corner of her lips," he said to the protagonist's parents.

“Hmmmm.” The doctor looked at me as if he wanted to confirm something.

“What?” I asked raising an eyebrow at him.

“What is your full name?” he asked abruptly.

“Kim Ae-“ I stooped midway.

Wait. I still don’t know what my name is here in the novel. Should I claim to have forgotten? Well, we can say that I am still in shocked with the kidnapping incident and stuffs like that.

Everything felt surreal until this moment. All my senses finally returned, and I realized something was off.

The wind came through the open terrace door, blowing my hair across my shoulders. As I pulled it, I winced.

Hold on.

My hair is supposed to be black, not this beautiful shade of snow with a hint of sky blue.

"The one who embodies life and hope has disappeared. Precisely, her soul has vanished, leaving behind a mere empty shell of her body,"

A memory flashed on my mind.

So, my soul is inside that empty shell! My eyes grew large in realization.

“Mirror. I need a mirror,” I requested, my urgency evident to the concerned man and woman.

The man swiftly handed me a hand-held mirror. Time seemed to slow as I raised it before me.

I beheld dark blue eyes akin to the glimmer of the ocean, long white with light blue highlights hair cascading down, flawless skin, lengthy lashes, and lips with a delicate curve. It was an image vastly different from my previous reflection—gone were my black eyes, short hair, and sharp facial features.

"So, this is me?" I inquired, likely sporting an enthusiastic grin that stretched from ear to ear, akin to an excited pup."

I rose to my feet and made my way toward the larger mirror, eager to get a complete view of myself.

***

I had gained recognition from the imperial family for my adeptness as a doctor in my past. The only reason I find myself here is due to the generosity of the former head of the House of Fritzy, a dear friend who aided me in the past. My treatment of the lady without seeking payment is my way of settling a long-standing debt of gratitude.

Over the years, I've tended to countless war victims and patients afflicted with various illnesses. I've taken pride in the success of those treatments. Yet, this situation feels different. It's the first time I fear I might fail.

No, I cannot accept this outcome.

 It's undoubtedly a matter of upbringing, not an insurmountable challenge.

“My hair is so pretty, isn't it? There's no one else with hair as gorgeous as mine, right?” she asked, twirling her hair with a self-assured grin.

She paraded back and forth in front of the mirror, seemingly mesmerized by her reflection. We watched, utterly bewildered by the scene unfolding before us.

Strangely, she walked away from the mirror but continued to engage with her reflection, strolling back toward it as casually as one would through a park. Then, as if about to collide with someone, she abruptly flinched.

“Sorry, I was captivated by your beauty. Can I get your number?” she inquired of her reflection, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

I had to get out of there! This was beyond anything I'd signed up for!"

***

The air carried the sweet scent of roses blending with the aroma of the tea. The maid placed the final platter of snacks on the table. I was captivated by the array of treats before me, momentarily forgetting the person seated across from me.

"I know sweets aren't your usual choice, but since you asked, help yourself to these delights," she said.

The doctor had concluded that my memory loss was likely due to the shock of being kidnapped. He assured 'mother and father' that my memories would return in time. Soon after, I found myself enjoying the afternoon in the garden, surrounded by roses—the favorite flower of their daughter.

"Feel free to ask me anything, my dear," she encouraged.

"Um, are we close enough for you to tell me about myself? I mean, mothers don’t really know everything about their daughters," I asked tentatively while trying the pudding, which I instantly regretted.

I spat it out immediately. "Why does this taste like herbal medicine? No wonder Rose— I don’t like snacking!" I glared at the maid, who stood at a distance.

"You!" I pointed at her and motioned for her to come closer. "Taste every sweets here. Take everything out if it's inedible."

Her expression turned sour as she sampled each item. The taste seemed to make her even more displeased.

"Just remove all these sweets from my sight. Leave the tea, at least that wasn’t so bad," I said, frustrated that I couldn't enjoy snacking while interviewing 'mother'.

***

Her attention shifted to me, and I met her gaze, my heart racing. I tried to sip my tea, but my trembling hands made it difficult to lift the cup.

Is my daughter an empress in her past life? Why does she exude an aura of high nobility?

"Tell me something about myself," she requested, sipping her tea with grace and poise, reassuring me of her refined demeanor.

I can't help but feel proud that she is my daughter.

***

EFX: A modern business scene unfolds as an interviewer, fond of tea, meets a woman in her 40s, set on making strides in the corporate world.

"Your name is Roselle. Our beloved daughter. The youngest member of the Fritzroy lineage," Roselle’s mother said, her voice quivering, her hands shaking.

"What are my strengths and weaknesses?" I asked, jotting notes on her resume.

"You embody grace and kindness," she said, but it sounded like a weakness.

"You're highly sociable, knowing everyone's names and their affiliations in the empire." Understanding connections is a definite strength, essential both in the novel and the business realms.

"One of your strengths is simply being our daughter," she chuckled, seeming to relax a bit amidst the interview.

“Ow and I almost forgot. One of your strengths too is having Sebastian Beaumont as your lover.”

My eyes grew large. I leaned towards her as I am fully interested in this Sebastian who is my lover.

“The prince?!” I excitedly asked with hearts probably plastered on my eyes.

"No. The 1st son of the Marquis Beaumont. He’s not of imperial blood.” She said calmly.

Poof (their attire went back to their original clothes.)

“What the-! That’s a weakness!” I exclaimed as I stood up on my chair.

I have to break up with him or make him dump me or whatever as long as it does not lead to a bad ending.

“What if he clings to me? I just need to hire an assassin since it's a norm in this world.”

Beep

Warning: Bad Ending Route

I raised my eyebrows at the warning screen. So, I guess I cannot just hire an assassin. Scratch that idea. The warning screen soon disappears as I dismiss the thought of hiring assassins.

That warning screen sure is handy.

***

I may not see it, but I can definitely feel that my daughter is emitting a menacing aura at this very moment.

“Roselle’s mother,” she stood up once again, making my heart almost escape my ribs.

She gave me a grin. Despite that grin, she looked angelic.

“I’m gonna be single for a while,” she declared.