I wasn't nervous but rather curious about what my father wanted to tell me.

"It's time to talk about the succession," father said.

I continued to stare at him without answering, trying to figure out what he meant.

"What I mean is," father continued, "someone has to succeed me and inherit me. It will be you, Alina."

I was stunned. Whatever I thought he had meant, I hadn't expected this, it was completely out of the blue. I didn't know what to say or what to do. There was panic in my mind, engulfing me in a sort of surreal feeling.

Me? How? I don't know how to run a whole duchy. I can't take on such a great responsibility. What am I to do? I said I'd live a life without stress. I couldn't even remember the first thing about whatever the heck I had spent the last- Oh right, I thought tiredly, I don’t even know my age.

"Father, I don't think I can do that," I finally said, lowering my eyes.

I really believed it. I didn't think I could do it. All I know how to do is a simple desk job. And I wasn't even sure such a thing even existed here anyway. I  had been mediocre in school, no matter how hard I tried, and at my job even though I worked hard I didn't do so well, I always got passed up when it came to promotions.

"You don't need to worry. You'll do fine, I'll help you as much as I can," my father looked at me affectionately.

"But how do you know? I don't have the education, the confidence and the spirit needed in a duchess. I lack in many things."

"That's why I've arranged for a tutor to come here and give you lessons."

I blinked, thought I heard him wrong and asked him to repeat the sentence. Father only smiled and shook his head, smiling. I realized I couldn't make him change his mind. Then I remembered.

"What about Oscar? He's the boy of the family, can't he be your successor?"

"You are the firstborn and the eldest. I see no reason why you should not be my heir. So why not? I have always seen the ways of choosing heirs as outdated as it is."

"Father, please listen to me..."

"Alina, I need to name an heir soon, and this is the perfect opportunity. In a month you will be eighteen. You have no choice in this. In a week you will start lessons with the tutor."

I couldn't refute his arguments so I left the father's office.

I was upset. I knew I would not do well as my father's heir, let alone as a duchess. Oscar was better suited to the position. No matter how little I saw of him, I could tell  that much. 

I went to my room but I couldn't relax and so went out into the garden. Mary didn't follow me, nor did any of the other maids, so I was alone.  Good, I wanted to be. It was the first time since I entered this world that it was just me and myself.

I admired the beds of daffodils, roses, carnations, tulips, and lavender.

After my walk around the flower garden, I sat on a bench next to the bed of roses. . 

What should I do? Accept, or try to convince him to change his mind? But I can understand his haste. From Alina's memories that came back, I saw that Duke Kaymec is ill. He fears for the future of the duchy and his family. Oh, I have no idea what to do.

I had a lot to think about and I didn't notice how much time had passed. It was already getting dark, so I got up and headed into the mansion.

Entering the hallway, I met Oscar walking towards his room. Our rooms are next door to each other. 

I went to greet him but didn't have time because he quickly walked into his room. It looked like he was avoiding me but at that moment I didn't pay attention because an idea had just occurred to me: instead of trying to convince my father, I would convince Oscar to claim the position of heir.

I had a week to put my plan into action. 

The next day, in the morning, I woke up on time. Before going to the dinner room, I knocked on the door to Oscar's room but he wasn't in. 

The servant who was tidying his room informed me that every day at this time Oscar was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. So as I had no choice, I headed for the yard.

The yard was located at the back of the mansion and was separated from it by a wall which surrounded it. It was were Oscar and the knights of the house did their training but, from what I saw in Alina's memories, she also went there to practice from time to time.

On arriving there I saw many men, including the one I went to see, fighting each other with wooden swords. As soon as they became aware of my presence they all stopped and approached me in a friendly and cheerful manner.

"Lady Alina, you haven't been here for a long time," they all said in a chorus like fashion and asked me how I was.

"I came here to see Oscar," I said and looked around.

I had a hard time seeing where he was with so many people around but I finally saw him.

"Oscar, Oscar! Good morning!" I called out as soon as I saw him.

I tried to approach him while he, instead of answering me, bowed and made to leave.

No, he must not leave. I must catch up with him.

I started running in his direction calling his name.

"Oscar! Wait!"