She was running out of time to plan her exodus from her family. Today wasn't even going to be about the Marquesse but more so about Verena. She had a bit of restraint about the Marquis, especially since this could apply to political harm. It was for the best that she actually did this marriage. She would have the power to do it in any other way, but she was given a time limit she needed to work with. 

With a sigh, she bit her lip, "At least I can be thankful that I had such a wonderful family for the short time I've lived in this world..." She mumbled as she entered her bedroom, throwing herself down onto the comfortable mattress.

The door closed behind her, and she instantly felt the whole room, which made the hinges creak deeply.

"But still… I'm going to fix this… somehow…" She closed her eyes in thought.

Ria slowly got up and straightened the robe she had been wearing around the bed before walking out of her bedroom. At first, burgundy-colored robes with lace were difficult to get used to. But Emma always knew what to do and how to dress her, making the whole transmigration situation much easier to comprehend and conform to. 

"Good morning, my lady. Breakfast in the dining hall or your room today?" Emma asked as she entered the room.

"Here. I'm not quite feeling too well today." She responded, pausing for a moment, "I'm not ready for the usual." Emma nodded, and Ria walked out of her room. She stepped outside the door and walked slowly to the left. Her father's private office was just a short distance from the main hall. 

"Good morning, Father," Ria said gently, sliding open the door.

Count Anders Winnifred looked up and smiled before glancing at his bank of papers, which showed a series of reports that Ria had never seen before. He nodded and replied, "Good morning, dear." He leaned back and sighed, "Before you leave, I need to discuss something with you."

"This is becoming a habit…" She thought.

"I have some… news." He said regrettably.

"Is this another betrothal proposal…?" she joked mockingly, getting only a shake of his head in return as they both buried their faces into documents and books.

"The wedding date has been moved up." He said morosely, a sad smile spreading across his face.

"You seem quite excited about this..." She mumbled to himself, "Is this another political deal..."

"I believe we require some outside help…" he hinted, his expression hidden behind the piles of papers. " The king wishes to have the marriage between you and the Marquise go through."

"But--" She looked up, "Father, why now?"

"This isn't entirely political, but there are larger reasons. The union of the two families is pressuring the Marquesse for their trade. He has no reason to refuse the King - and with this much pressure, neither do we." He took off his glasses in frustration and rubbed his eyes.

Ria put her hands together. "So, we're both in this..." she acknowledged, painfully looking up at her father. "What if I said no?"

"H-my… dea--" He started before he shook his head. "If you do not continue with the marriage... I will be executed."

"What!? " she exclaimed, throwing her hands up, "You… you said he was a good man!" Her father pulled out a piece of paper.

"This is an official legal agreement... The King will not allow you to break the contract and enter business with any other family." He flipped over a page in between some sheets.

Ria took a deep and shaky breath, "What else do I have to do?"

Ria's fingers fiddled with the wedding dress laid down on the bed before her. She signed, turning her head upwards to look out the window for one last view. 

"Is everything alright, my lady?" Emma said after hearing her mistress's heavy sigh.

"I…" Ria started before she shook her head. "Let me change into something more comfortable." 

"Yes, my lady." 

Emma walked in and grabbed the dress, gently taking it off Ria's figure. The uniform maid bent down, sliding the dress up her lady's body. 

"Do you think that I'll be okay?" Ria questioned.

"We will make sure that everyone knows that you're mature and ready for marriage," Emma said as she went to work on the back. Ria watched silently behind as her personal maid moved around the room, eyeing her height and size.

"You're more than ready for this. I can't wait to see you at it." Emma smiled, "It's almost like I was there myself to see it." Emma smiled, "That's something to see…"

"I thought I would see the world through my eyes. I plan to take this marriage seriously, but not in the shadows." Ria spoke, "I plan to make a change." 

"You never know, the new year could bring you a ton of new ventures…" Emma said nonchalantly, "You just need to wait."

"Don't worry, Emma." Ria smiled with slitted eyes. "You'll get a front-row seat to the wedding."

Emma glanced over in confusion and scrunched her eyebrows in worry at the look her lady was returning to her. 

"My lady... what are you planning?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Ria smirked in response. "Emma… are you and the Count ready for the marriage of a lifetime?" Ria whispered to herself, wheezing a laugh through her lips.

The carriage bounced around along the rough road through the forest. The sole lantern on the roof of the carriage shimmered in the wind. It illuminated a small corridor that led down, leaving the carriage to settle with no light.

Inside, the carriage was filled with delicate curtains. It was an elegant-looking carriage with all the trimmings…

The driver cracked his whip with large concentration as he urged on the horses to carry him through. The Count gifted the two horses at the wedding out of gratitude. Their hair was now half black and half white. The horses were used to carry the Count's daughter between the two lands. 

Surrounding the carriage was an assortment of knights from both the Count's family and the Marquees. Neither side wanted to lose or fight over the bride, especially in such a bright setting like a tiny forest. 

Inside the carriage, Ria and Emma looked down on the road. Ria's earrings matched her silver natural hand, and her new silk gown set off her dignified youth. She nearly didn't recognize herself when she looked at herself in the mirror this morning. Her face was contorted in a deep, serious look, her brow clearly showing a sense of duty. 

"Emma, what would you do if I decided to run away to marry another man?"

"I would support you," Emma said with no hesitation. "Because I think it's something that could happen. The Count and the Marquis must have their own conspiracies with each other." She frowned and looked away from the bride. "But you have the upper hand in this situation. What will you do about it?"

"I have something planned that will change both our lives," Ria said quietly.

The carriage bumped violently over a gap in the dirt road, and both women were thrown at each other. Before Emma could right herself, Ria grabbed her arms tightly. 

"Switch clothes with me," Ria whispered sternly at Emma. The maid's eyes shot up to her lady's in confusion. 

"What?!" She whispered back in shock. Ria pointed between the two of them.

"Switch clothes me with. Right now." 

Emma took a deep breath and stood up to change outfits. Ria also shimmied out of her wedding dress, constantly glancing at the draped carriage windows in worry. 

"Give me your maid's outfit, Emma!" Ria whispered as she handed her wedding dress to the confused girl. Emma swallowed hard, then made her way into the stunning silk gown. Ria came to sit beside Emma as she placed the veil over her head to hide her face. 

"Pretend to be me for as long as you can."

"My lady! I could never!"

"You've been with me long enough to know how to act like me. I believe in you!"

"What are you going to do?"

"Well, I'm going to find another man to marry!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Her answer did not solve any of Emma's questions or concerns.

"What... am I going to do?" Emma responded quietly. Ria waved her hand. 

"Continue to the castle. Pretend to be me. Delay the wedding for as long as possible." 

"Are you sure--?" Emma spoke up one last time before she stopped.  

"Don't worry; I know what I'm doing." Ria smiled in return. Emma's look proved she didn't believe that at all. She signed and nodded. 

"Alright, my lady."