《The Queen's Sacrifice》 Prologue ¡°Hey, have you heard? They say the queen has contracted a rare disease.¡± Whispers filled the quiet town of Fenix. That afternoon, the townspeople were working together on a construction project that had been ongoing for the past few months. Dark clouds blocked the evening sun, leaving the devastated town in gloom. ¡°A rare disease? I think the queen is possessed by an evil spirit,¡± another worker added in a hushed tone. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes. She¡¯s gone mad. My relative works in the palace and said the queen once ate her own excrement!¡± ¡°What?! Wow, the queen of Aragon has truly lost her mind!¡± ¡°Shhh! Lower your voice!¡± A royal guard on patrol passed by with a disdainful look. After spitting on the ground, the guard shouted for the workers to get back to their tasks. Once the guard was out of earshot, they resumed their whispering. ¡°There¡¯s news that the queen has lost the ability to speak. She can¡¯t walk or stand, so she has to be carried everywhere.¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°That¡¯s so sad. I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re talking about the same queen from two years ago,¡± one worker said sympathetically. ¡°I don¡¯t blame her. If I were queen, I¡¯d lose my sanity too.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve heard the current king treats the queen very well, even though she¡¯s become so insane.¡± ¡°Hey, watch your mouth. She¡¯s still the Queen of Aragon.¡± A man with an eye patch approached them. His tone was calm but cold. He put his arm around one of the gossiping workers and patted his shoulder gently. ¡°Get your hands off me, you freak! Maybe you should use your brain and stop being obsessed with our queen!¡± His golden eyes grew weary, and his limp hand rubbed the back of his head as he sighed. ¡°You¡¯d better watch your mouths. No one knows when another coup like the last one will happen. Remember well what your beloved king did to get to his position.¡± ¡°WHAT?! How dare you, you bastard! Do you want to be executed for insulting the king?!¡± Indifferently, the man with the golden eyes left the discussion. His shadow vanished into the darkness of a narrow alley, his footsteps silent. Dear readers, in this story, you will be taken back through time to Aragon five years ago. Hopefully, this time, you can make the right decisions. Our game begins now. Chapter 1 (Awakened in Enchanted Realms) The sound of the fireplace and the quiet of the night were incredibly soothing. It was the perfect lullaby, even for someone suffering from insomnia. The cozy silk blanket and pillow as soft as cotton further helped to ensure a good night''s sleep. The owner of the bed stirred, causing the silk blanket to slip off, revealing a body clad in a thin nightgown. Feeling the air grow colder, she pulled the blanket back over her exposed body. She should have been able to fall back asleep, if only she hadn''t noticed the change in her surroundings. The teenager slowly opened her eyes, revealing blue irises as beautiful as aquamarine beneath long, thick lashes. The only light came from the fireplace, making her pause to let her eyes adjust. ''Where am I?'' she thought, as her eyes began to take in the dimly lit room. She rubbed her eyes and tried to dismiss the thought, hoping this was just a dream. After five minutes of lying there, she still couldn''t fall back asleep. She felt something was amiss. "Wait a minute!" She bolted upright, quickly scanning the room. She found herself lying in a grand bed with a gold frame adorned with intricate floral designs. A wooden vanity with elaborate carvings stood nearby, its mirror reflecting her bewildered expression. Her feet sank into a plush carpet, matching the bed with its rich red and gold patterns. Above, a chandelier glittered with gemstones, its candles flickering softly. ''This isn''t my room!'' Her realization echoed in her mind. She rushed to the vanity, hoping to find answers in her reflection. "Long brown hair, sparkling blue eyes like aquamarine, pale skin from living in a cold climate. And this face¡ªit''s so beautiful!" The strands of her hair reflected the golden glow from the dim fireplace. "Of course, this looks familiar! I''m inside the game I''ve been playing!" The girl had been playing a virtual life simulation game called "Enchanted Realms" for the past two years. In the game, she had built a royal dynasty called the Kingdom of Aragon. There were two Dukedoms, two Marquessates, and two Counties within it. Not only Aragon, but she had also created neighboring kingdoms with Middle Eastern backgrounds. She had spent days crafting every building and character. "Bright blue eyes, all this luxury, gold and jewels¡ªthis must be Marquess Loraine''s residence!" Her eyes sparkled. The Loraine family was the wealthiest in the Kingdom of Aragon, even richer than the Royal Family itself. "I don''t know what happened, but isn''t this amazing?" She beamed, chuckling before throwing herself onto the soft bed. She pulled the blanket over her head. Her adult life had been monotonous and boring, working as a corporate slave 24/7, with friends in name only, and a routine of working, eating, and sleeping. The reason she could spend hours playing Enchanted Realms after work was because the life in the game was the one she dreamed of: traveling anywhere, attending social events, meeting many people. "Is this what they call reincarnation? Or transmigration?" she mused, recalling terms she often read in fantasy novels. Not wanting to overthink it, she closed her eyes again. If it was a dream, at least she''d wake up in a good mood. If not, she would gladly accept it. The curtains parted with the morning light, flooding the room as a maid entered with a ceramic basin of warm water. Startled from her still-sleeping state, the young lady, now named Estelle, curled up like a caterpillar. "Good morning, Lady Estelle!" the maid greeted cheerfully, startling the young lady named Estelle. Estelle squinted, her eyes struggling against the bright light. "Oh! Forgive me for startling you, my lady!" the maid said, worried. Carefully, the maid pulled back the blanket and helped Estelle sit up, though Estelle was still confused. ''Right, I''m in the game.'' As her eyes adjusted, Estelle noticed a bar above the maid''s head. Emily Affinity: 100% Status: Maid Mood: Excited ''This... is just like in the game!'' "Lady Estelle? Is something wrong with my appearance? Do I... do I look ugly?" Emily''s mood bar changed to "Upset." "Huh? No, Emily! What a strange thing to say, hahahaha," Estelle laughed awkwardly. "Oh, that water is for washing my face, right?" "Yes, my lady! I brought water that isn''t too warm, as usual!" Emily picked up the ceramic basin she had placed on the table and brought it to Estelle. ''Not too warm? Estelle must really like the cold, huh? It''s freezing this morning; I''d love a hot bath!'' "Emily, I think I''d like to take a bath right away. Please prepare the water to be warm enough. And also..." Estelle pondered whether she could ask for scented water with flowers, as she often did in the game. "Of course, my lady! Jasmine and roses, as usual?" "That''s it!" Estelle nodded and smiled. Emily seemed to be able to read her mind. While Emily prepared her bath, Estelle wandered around her spacious room. When she looked out the window, she saw thick, white snow glistening in the sunlight. In the distance was a flower garden she usually used for tea parties with noble ladies. "Everything is just like in the game!" Her eyes sparkled as she admired the jewelry, accessories, and gold ornaments in her room. When her gaze fell on the vanity, Estelle walked closer. "Hm? Estelle looks so young here." "Lady Estelle, the bath is ready!" Emily emerged from the bathroom, looking pleased with her work. "Thank you, Emily!" said Estelle as she walked into the bathroom. When else would she be able to enjoy such luxury? Emily followed her into the bathroom, which startled Estelle. "Um, Emily, I think I can bathe myself today." It felt odd to be bathed by someone else. The last time she''d been bathed by another person was when she was a child, and even then, it was by her mother, not a stranger. "What do you mean, my lady?" Emily still wore her smile, showing no intention of leaving. . After being helped with her dressing and makeup, Estelle walked with Emily to the dining room to have breakfast with her family. Emily mentioned that later in the afternoon, she would need to go to the kingdom with Rovan as her escort. Today was the Debutante Ball, which meant it was Estelle''s first formal appearance in front of the noble society. ''Rovan? Rovan Erlando? He is the son of Marquess Erlando who lives in the south, just like my family.'' Estelle and Rovan were childhood friends, as they were the only noble children living in the southern region. Another servant opened the door to the dining room. Four people were already seated at the table, surrounded by several servants serving food. "Darling Estelle, you''re a bit late this morning." A middle-aged woman with blonde hair and blue eyes waved her hand at Estelle, beckoning her to sit beside her. Marchioness Sofia Loraine This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.Affinity: 100% Mood: Normal Status: Noble of Aragon (Loraine House) Relationship: Family (Mother) "Forgive me, Mother! I had a stomach ache earlier, so..." Estelle laughed awkwardly. After all, this wasn''t her real family, and she was unsure how familiar she should act. Following the Marchioness''s direction, Estelle sat beside her. ''Ugh, the aura of a noble is really different.'' "That''s because you still sneak cakes at midnight, isn''t it? Hahahahaha!" A blonde-haired, emerald-eyed teenage boy laughed heartily, pointing at Estelle. Elrich Loraine Affinity: 100% Mood: Happy Status: Noble of Aragon (Loraine House) Relationship: Family (Brother) Estelle responded to the joke with a frown and a sharp glare at Elrich. She could feel the love-hate relationship she had with her older brother. "Is that true, Estelle...? Are you so busy that you can''t eat snacks? Should we stop your study then?!" A middle-aged man with the same hair as Estelle and emerald eyes stood up, slamming his hand on the table. He leaned towards Estelle, his eyes sparkling with a hint of tears. Marquess Louis Loraine Affinity: 100% Mood: Sad Status: Noble of Aragon (Loraine House) Relationship: Family (Father) "N-no, Father. Elrich is lying! I never eat cake at night!" Estelle was bewildered by the strange atmosphere. It seemed Marquess Louis truly doted on his only daughter. "Father, I want to stop my study." Another boy raised his hand lazily. His neatly combed brown hair and sleepy green eyes made his irises barely visible. Russel Loraine Affinity: 100% Mood: Sleepy Status: Noble of Aragon (Loraine House) Relationship: Family (Brother) "No, Russel, don''t listen to your father. No one is stopping school. Louis, you need to maintain your dignity. Elrich, stop laughing. Estelle, eat quickly and come with me to the room; we need to fit your dress for the party today." The room fell silent, save for the clinking of forks and spoons. ''Wow! Marchioness, I''m a fan of yours!'' Breakfast ended peacefully without further disruptions. As instructed, Estelle went to her mother''s office to try on several dresses for the Debutante Ball that evening. "Madame Lewis, I think this dress is too simple for Estelle. Do you want our family''s reputation to be ruined because we can''t provide Estelle with a suitable dress for her debut?" Marchioness Sofia crossed her arms, her eyebrows furrowed and her gaze sharp as she looked at the seamstress tasked with making Estelle''s dress two months ago. "I-I apologize, Marchioness. There must be a mistake. My assistants must have failed to follow the sketch I made." Madame Lewis kept her head bowed, not daring to meet Marchioness Sofia''s eyes. The Marchioness''s anger grew when she learned the dress she desired wasn''t sewn by Madame Lewis herself, but by her assistants. "HOW COULD YOU ENTRUST SUCH AN IMPORTANT TASK TO YOUR INCOMPETENT ASSISTANTS?!" Her voice thundered. Everyone in the room froze, including Estelle. She didn''t realize Marchioness Sofia was so strict. ''The Marchioness has full authority and a clear reason to be angry. But if this continues, I might not have a dress for the event this evening!'' Marchioness Sofia Loraine Mood: Enraged "Mother..." Estelle placed a hand on her mother''s. Marchioness Sofia took a deep breath before turning to Estelle. "Forgive me, Estelle. We should have hired the royal seamstress to make your debut dress." The disappointment and sadness were evident in Marchioness Sofia''s expression. ''Don''t apologize! Now I feel guilty! Besides, the royal seamstress? Wow, the Marquess and Marchioness''s affection is really something.'' The dress wasn''t that bad, just lacking some crystal embellishments and a few other ornaments like ribbons, chains, and gold. It was light blue and white with silk and brocade fabric that made it look voluminous, layered with chiffon at the bottom. Though the neckline was open, there was a white collar made of fabric, shaped like lace and flower wreaths. The same design was sewn onto the sleeves. "Madame Lewis, I believe you owe us for this mistake. Therefore, I suggest revising this dress within three hours according to my requests. How about it?" Estelle thought the dress could look beautiful with a few more touches. ''Forgive me, Madame Lewis. The dress is already quite lovely!'' Estelle thought, almost in tears. Upon hearing this, Madame Lewis knelt before them. Both her hands begged for mercy from the Loraine family. Despite their rank, the Loraine family held significant influence in the Kingdom of Aragon, thanks to Estelle''s father and grandfather, who donated large sums to the kingdom every year. "Yes! Yes! Please forgive me, Marchioness, Lady Estelle! I swear on my family''s name, I will not disappoint you this time!" Marchioness Sofia rolled her eyes and snorted, while Estelle smiled awkwardly, unaccustomed to the current situation. "Emily, please bring a pen and paper," Estelle ordered. Shortly after, Emily returned with the requested items. Estelle sketched a design for the dress, making it luxurious yet manageable within the two-hour timeframe. After receiving Estelle''s sketch, Madame Lewis thanked them repeatedly, bowing before returning to her boutique to complete Estelle''s task. "I heard the trip from our residence to her boutique takes an hour. So only two hours to do all that. Oh my, good luck." Estelle felt guilty. "Hmph, darling Estelle, you mustn''t be too lenient, tolerating something that clearly harms you and our family''s reputation. What if she sees us as too forgiving and takes advantage in the future?" The Marchioness lectured Estelle, rubbing her forehead, tense with anger. "Mother, I don''t think she''ll make the same mistake again. Besides, that dress is the only one I''ll wear tonight, right?" Estelle explained carefully. "Very well, dear. But next time, if someone dares to belittle you, give them the harshest punishment. Remember, we are the Loraine family. With your father''s wealth, we could even establish our own kingdom." Estelle was shocked by her mother''s words. Marchioness Sofia Loraine Mood: Proud, Enjoy'' ''Is this okay? Isn''t this considered treason against the kingdom?'' Estelle panicked, glancing at the servants. They all displayed the same expression and mood bar. Mood: Proud Chapter 2 (Estelles First Arrival) Time seemed to fly as Estelle spent two hours wandering through the Loraine family''s estate, continuously marveling at its opulence. She still couldn''t believe that the place she had only seen on a computer screen was now right in front of her. Mrs. Lewis returned, slightly out of breath, with the party dress she had mended. The meeting was once again held in the Marchioness''s room. Now, Marchioness Sofia''s face radiated happiness and satisfaction at the final result of the dress. "I-I used the highest-grade gemstones, Marchioness!" ''Please help me, Lady Estelle!'' Mrs. Lewis glanced imploringly at Estelle, who was mesmerized by her handiwork. The dress was now adorned with diamonds and sapphires that sparkled around the waist. Gold chains draped over the first layer of the dress, matching the large velvet ribbon. Estelle, recognizing Mrs. Lewis''s desperate look, immediately put on a bright expression and exclaimed, "It''s beautiful!" as she ran over to the dress displayed on the mannequin, circling it in admiration. "Mother, it''s exactly what I hoped for¡ªno, even better!" Estelle cheered joyfully, winking at Mrs. Lewis. Although puzzled by the young noblewoman''s actions, Mrs. Lewis felt relieved and smiled gratefully. "Really? Then the payment will be double," Marchioness Sofia replied, suppressing a smile to maintain her dignity. Hearing this, Mrs. Lewis shook her head vigorously. "There''s no need, Marchioness! It is truly an honor to be trusted to make Lady Estelle''s dress for such an important event. Please, consider this my apology." "Oh no, Mrs. Lewis, where would our pride and manners be if we did that? Mary, fetch the checkbook and pen," she insisted, her tone firm yet gracious. Estelle, curious about the dress''s price, sneaked a glance at the check Marchioness Sofia was writing. 1,000,000 Gold ''O-ONE MILLION?!'' she screamed internally. ''That means the dress costs 500,000 Gold, and now she''s being paid twice that amount?!'' Estelle couldn''t fathom the total wealth of the Loraine family. Even in the game, there was no information about it because the currency in Enchanted Realms was limited to 999,999,999. Marchioness Sofia handed the check with a smile on her face. Mrs. Lewis, unable to protest, reluctantly accepted the check and took her leave. "Lady Estelle, I think we should start getting ready now. We''ll be leaving for the capital soon!" Emily said, gently nudging Estelle towards the door. "Now? Isn''t it only noon? You said the party would start in the evening?" Estelle asked, puzzled. "Estelle? Didn''t we just return from the capital last week?" Marchioness Sofia looked at her daughter, confused. "Y-yes?" "The journey to the capital takes three hours, does it not?" "Hm?" Estelle''s eyes widened. Realization dawning on her. "Estelle, dear, are you alright? We rarely go to the capital, but how could you forget?" "Ah? Aah! Right, Mother! You''re right¡­ I''m sorry, I lost my focus. Let''s go, Emily, we need to get ready!" Estelle hurriedly pulled Emily out of the room, her mind racing, while the Marchioness looked on, worried. ''Is she nervous because today is her debut?'' Marchioness Sofia wondered. Meanwhile, Estelle cursed herself. ''Ugh! I must have looked so strange to them. What if they get suspicious¡­? No, no! Besides, how was I supposed to know how long the journey takes?'' . "Wow! Lady Estelle, you look so beautiful! Like a princess from a romantic novel I secretly read¡ª I-I mean, you must be the most beautiful lady at tonight''s ball!" Emily couldn''t stop praising Estelle''s appearance. And rightly so, with her hair elegantly styled, exclusive pearl necklace and earrings not yet available on the market, and the distinctive gown from Lewis'' Boutique, Estelle looked like a beautiful princess ready to be the star of the Debutante Ball tonight. ''You''re right, Emily¡­ I do look like a princess from a fantasy novel. Well, even though Estelle is a fictional character from the game I created¡­'' Knock knock knock "Lady Estelle, Lord Rovan is waiting for you in the drawing room." "Wow! Wow! Lord Rovan is here. Let''s go, Lady!" Emily squealed excitedly. ''She seems more excited to see Rovan. Well, so am I!'' After putting the finishing touches on Estelle''s makeup, they headed to the drawing room to meet Rovan Erlando, Estelle''s childhood friend whom she considered a brother. Though it seemed Lord Rovan did not share the same sentiment. "Estelle!" Upon their arrival, a warm voice greeted Estelle. A tall young man, with silver hair and sapphire-blue eyes, porcelain skin, and rosy lips smiling at her, left Estelle momentarily speechless. ''He''s so handsome¡­ like a fairy¡­'' she thought, admiring the sight before her. When she didn''t respond, Rovan''s expression turned to confusion, and he walked closer. "Estelle? Is something wrong?" Estelle quickly shook her head. "No! How are you, L- Rovan? It''s been a while!" Estelle quickly replied. ''Act normal, Estelle¡­ like usual¡­'' "Estelle¡­ are you mad at me?" The sweet-faced young man now looked like a puppy that had been scolded by its owner. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Huh? No! Why would you think that?" ''Oh no! What now?!'' "You always call me Rovie! You¡­ just because you''re all grown up now, you don''t want to call me that anymore¡­" "Of course not! I-I''m just¡­ um¡­ oh right! I''m very nervous, Rovie, forgive me. I''m not mad at you!" Estelle, after racking her brain, finally came up with an excuse. She gently patted Rovan''s shoulder and chuckled. His expression instantly brightened. "Hahaha! I was merely teasing you, Lady Estelle. Lady Loraine, may I have the honor of escorting you to the ball this evening?" Rovan took Estelle''s right hand, bowed, and kissed it gently. Estelle tried her best to keep her heart from pounding too loudly. Maybe this was normal and a matter of etiquette, but for Estelle, coming from a modern era, this gesture was something only lovers did. "With pleasure, my lord." Estelle replied with a smile. After being escorted by the Marquess and Marchioness Loraine to the carriage, they began their three-hour journey to the capital. This central area housed the Kingdom of Aragon, White Castle, and the residences of several noble families. I still couldn''t hold my gaze on the handsome man before me for too long because he seemed too unreal! Despite his stunning looks, he behaved like a child feeling wronged by a friend. "Estelle, please tell me what I''ve done wrong. Why have you been so silent for the past half hour and haven''t looked at me even once?" For the third time, he repeated this sentence, and for the third time, I repeated my own. "Rovie, I''m not angry with you. How could I be? As I said, I''m just nervous, that''s all." I glanced at him briefly and saw he still wore that pleading expression. ''Ugh! My heart can''t take this!'' Finally, I forced myself to look at him¡ªwell, more precisely, to focus on the tips of his hair. Even then, I could see his smile! "How are you feeling, Estelle? Do you feel nauseous? Or have a stomachache?" "Hmm, yes, I suppose both." ''Because I''m in a carriage alone with a man like you!'' He chuckled softly while looking out the window. Like a fairy! "Don''t worry, Estelle. If you''re still too shy to interact with them, I''ll protect you! Just pretend to faint, and we''ll go home," he suggested with a laugh. "Thank you, Rovie, but I won''t tarnish my family''s name by fainting at my debut." I sighed and shook my head. While that might be a tempting escape, the Marchioness would definitely not be pleased. The sun was beginning to set as we passed through the thick snow in downtown Nevada, watching the townsfolk prepare for the winter festival. It''s a pity I couldn''t join because the debutante ball coincided with the festival in Nevada. "Estelle, do you remember when we were kids, you used to eat snow?" Rovan broke the silence after we had passed through the downtown area and were entering the forest. "Oh?" ''What should I say? I don''t remember!'' "Huft, you''ve forgotten our memories together," he sighed while I smiled guiltily. "The snow was always the thickest during the winter festival. You would always ask me to eat snow sprinkled with corn syrup, and then we would both get scolded by the Marchioness!" He laughed, reminiscing about our childhood, and I joined in because the innocence of it all was amusing. "Mother is still strict and disciplined even now," I added, not wanting him to get suspicious of my memory loss. "You''re right. Hm, Estelle," he whispered. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him, puzzled. Why was he whispering? "You..." "Hmm?" His expression showed he was carefully choosing his words. "Ah, never mind," he said, turning to look out the window. I nodded and also turned to watch the scenery passing by. Before we knew it, we had left the forest and passed several small villages, indicating we were no longer in Nevada. After passing a few more villages on the outskirts of the capital, we finally arrived in Aragon''s capital city, Fenix. "Look, that''s the carriage of the Marquess Loraine family, isn''t it?" "Wow! I''ve only ever heard about how luxurious their carriage is, and now I see it myself!" "I heard their daughter is making her debut today!" The whispers of the people in Fenix were clearly audible as our carriage passed through the gates. I pulled the window curtain to hide myself, prompting a chuckle from Rovan. Unlike Nevada, Fenix had more shops, restaurants, and cafes, while Nevada was more traditional. ''Actually, that''s because I was too lazy to create those buildings in other places¡­'' When we reached the palace gates, two guards stopped our carriage. "Hm? Is there a problem?" I asked the coachman. Coincidentally, no guards were accompanying us, as the Marquess said our ten guards were no match for Rovan. I heard one of the guards answering my question. "Apologies, miss, but we need to verify your identity first." When I was about to open the door, Rovan''s hand stopped me. Signaling that he would handle this, he stepped out of the carriage. "You, are you new here?" Rovan''s voice was cold. I was a bit surprised to hear him speak so curtly. From the window, I could see the guard looking shocked and nervous. "My apologies, Captain! I was just following protocol." ''Huh? Rovan? Captain? Wait, I never created such details in the game.'' Because our stopped carriage caused a traffic jam, some guests got out to see what was happening. I felt uncomfortable being the center of attention. If I decided to get out, people would recognize me. Well, they should already know who owns this carriage. "Huh? You recognize me but not the owner of this carriage? Can''t you see the family crest on it?" "My apologies, Captain! This young man is a transfer from a neighboring kingdom as part of a diplomatic exchange, so he hasn''t yet learned about the nobility of Aragon. Please, Lord Erlando and Lady Loraine, the VIP entrance is to the left." Rovan scoffed and returned to the carriage. I, still not used to his recent behavior, avoided eye contact as he sat opposite me. ''This man has a unique side to him.'' From the senior guard''s words, I learned something not included in the game. The Loraine family crest, prominently displayed on the carriage''s canopy, was an eagle clutching a lily and golden leaves. Meanwhile, the Rovan family crest was an owl with crossed swords in front of it, which I could see on the pin on Rovan''s jacket. When we reached the main entrance, we, as VIP guests, could rest on the second floor before entering the main hall where the ball was held via the right or left staircase. Regular guests would enter through the main hall door. That''s what the guard explained after we disembarked. Rovan gently helped me down from the carriage and lifted my trailing gown. ''Isn''t this a servant''s job?'' "Rovie, I think my gown is fine," I said. Shouldn''t I be holding his arm? "No, the ground is dirty. Just a moment. Once we''re past this grass, I''ll escort you properly," he insisted, focusing on keeping my gown off the ground. "Wow..." I couldn''t help but exclaim as my eyes were greeted by the sight of the grand and opulent palace. The stairs and floors were made of white marble with golden veins. The walls were so high I had to look up to see the beautiful carvings on the ceiling''s edges. The chandeliers here were more magnificent than those at the Marquess Loraine''s residence. "Lady Loraine?" a woman''s soft voice snapped me out of my reverie. A woman with neatly styled black hair adorned with delicate ornaments and amber eyes was looking at me. Gracellyn Durchville Affinity: 0% Mood:- Status: Noble of Aragon (Durchville House) Relationship: - ''Huh? Why can''t I see her mood and relationship status?'' Chapter 3 (Lady Estelles First Arrival) "Good afternoon, Lady Durchville!" I greeted softly, bowing to her. From what I remembered, Durchville was the surname of a Duke''s family, meaning her rank was higher than mine. Lady Durchville returned my smile briefly before turning her attention to Rovan. "Rovan, didn''t you say you wouldn''t be attending the party tonight?" she remarked, nudging his shoulder. Rovan shrugged and moved to stand beside me, extending his hand to escort me. I accepted his hand, glancing at Lady Durchville. ''Hm?'' "I changed my mind," Rovan replied curtly. "Ah, I see." "Grace!" Another person approached us. Sebastian De Alba Affinity: 0% Mood: - Status: Noble of Aragon (De Alba House) Relationship: - ''De Alba? Wait, isn''t that the Queen''s surname? Could it be¡­'' "Prince Sebastian." Rovan bowed respectfully, I mirrored his gesture, my mind racing to piece together the identity of the man with the striking golden hair. "Oh, so Lord Rovan and Lady Estelle are here as well. Congratulations on your debut today, my lady." The man looked at me with his crimson eyes, I thanked him with a courteous smile, sensing the distinct aura of authority he exuded. "Sebastian, have you finished your business?" Gracellyn extended her hand toward Sebastian. Like an obedient puppy, Sebastian took her hand and kissed it. I was now certain that Sebastian De Alba was the son of Archduke and Archduchess De Alba, relatives of the Queen of Aragon. He was the eldest son of the De Alba family, and although there was no further information about him in the game, he should be on the list of heirs to the throne of Aragon, as the king himself had no direct relatives. I glanced at Rovan, who maintained a neutral expression and remained silent. "We''ll take our leave now, Lord Rovan, Lady Estelle. Uncle wants to meet us before the party begins," he said, taking Gracellyn''s hand. "Very well, see you at the party," Rovan replied expressionlessly, while I nodded and smiled. ''It seems Rovan doesn''t have a good relationship with those two, and maybe I don''t either?'' "Estelle, let''s head to the parlour." Entering the castle and merely seeing its exterior are two entirely different experiences. I vividly remember the immense effort, dedication, and time I invested in constructing the main palace of the Kingdom of Aragon, a grand and majestic structure. White Castle was a special castle I built for hosting royal events. Occasionally, some nobles, with the King''s permission, were allowed to hold their events in this castle. We were placed in a drawing room where several servants came in to serve tea and snacks. I chatted with Rovan about the things to keep in mind during the debutante ball. He advised me to stay focused so that when I was called, I wouldn''t forget to step forward, greet the King and Queen, and receive their blessing. "You will go before Lady Grace because she is from a Duke''s family," Rovan explained while sipping the jasmine tea provided by the servants. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I bowed my head and took a deep breath, 1...2...3. ''The last time I was in the spotlight was during a national seminar, presenting for my company. This pressure is on an entirely different level¡ªappearing before dozens of nobles and the King of this country!'' I kept repeating to myself that this was just a game and they were characters I created in the game, not real kings and queens. Besides, no one knew when I would wake up from this long dream. "Lord Erlando, Lady Loraine. The party is about to begin," a servant informed us from outside the room. Rovan adjusted his collar and was ready to stand up and guide me to the hall. Every step I took was accompanied by a deep breath in and out. For some reason, Rovan''s presence made me feel a bit calmer, and he repeatedly rubbed my cold, trembling hand to reassure me. Faintly, I heard the harmonious tunes of violins and cellos. The melodious sound of the piano grew clearer as I got closer to the door leading to the hall. ''Wait. I know this song.'' A guard opened the door, and another guard inside the hall announced our names. "Lord Rovan Erlando and Lady Estelle Loraine entering the hall!" The once lively chatter of the hall fell silent, leaving only the elegant music to accompany our entrance. The gazes of young nobles fixated on us. Instead of feeling intimidated, I fought to suppress a grin. ''This music! This is the Enchanted Realms login theme! BUAHAHAHAHAHA!'' All eyes turned to the young man and woman descending into the main hall. The man''s silver hair glistened under the chandelier''s light, enhancing his radiance. The woman on his arm, with her focused gaze on the steps and her cool expression, captivated the young nobles attending the party. Upon reaching the hall, Estelle walked alone toward the King and Queen of Aragon. "Congratulations on your debut into society, Lady Estelle Loraine," the King greeted. His fiery red eyes looked at Estelle with a gaze full of affection. Besides Estelle, who was puzzled by this treatment, everyone at the party viewed the scene with emotional reverence. "Thank you, Your Majesty," Estelle replied softly, then took a step back. After the debutantes'' welcome ceremony concluded, music filled the hall again, and couples began to dance with their escorts. Estelle, too, danced gracefully with her childhood friend, Rovan. ''Thanks to Estelle''s muscle memory for diligently learning etiquette and dance. I can adapt and dance well tonight,'' she thought with relief. Ting ting ting The clinking of a glass, struck by King Dixon de Aragon, echoed through the room. Everyone ceased their activities, including the orchestra, leaving the hall in silence. "Good evening, everyone. I welcome you to tonight''s debutante ball." The voice of the man, well into his fifties, resonated throughout the hall. Beside him stood a middle-aged woman with thin, shining golden hair, matching the grand crown on her head. Her crimson eyes sparkled with arrogance, yet her smile and expression exuded wisdom. ''So that''s Queen Aragon, Izabella de Alba. She looks so much like Sebastian,'' Estelle mused. Next to the Queen stood a beautiful girl with cotton candy-pink hair, her gentle expression captivating Estelle. Beside the King was a man with glistening red hair reflecting the light like rubies¡ªa signature trait of the Royal Family of Aragon. Fiery red eyes and shining ruby-red hair. Suddenly, the prince''s gaze met Estelle''s directly, surprising and embarrassing her. The striking beauty was undoubtedly a hereditary trait in the Aragon family. Estelle returned the gaze with a smile, then looked down to hide her blushing cheeks. "On this joyous evening for all of us, I have an important announcement for Aragon. Prince Sebastian will officially be engaged to the beautiful lady from the Durchville family, Gracellyn Durchville." The guests cheered and applauded, filling the hall that had been quiet moments before. The couple raised their hands, waving at the guests. "No wonder their interaction was like that earlier," Estelle murmured, recalling how Sebastian treated Gracellyn. ''Hm? Why is the King''s gaze directed at me¡­? Or is it just my imagination?'' Estelle looked around, puzzled. There was no one beside her except Rovan. Unsure how to respond, she stood still, glancing around nervously. "The Crown Prince, Prince Elias de Aragon, enters the hall!" The guard''s shout cut through the applause. Everyone stopped and stood still, bowing, awaiting the Crown Prince''s entrance. Chapter 4 (Noble Engagement) A man with the classic striking features of the Aragon family, but with sharply angled eyebrows giving him a fierce look, entered the hall. His fiery red eyes stared directly at his father, the King, who seemed to have been waiting for his eldest son''s arrival. His neatly slicked-back hair added to his mature appearance. Clad in luxurious attire complete with military decorations, the man immediately drew everyone''s attention, diverting it from the de Alba and Durchville couple. "My apologies for my tardiness, Your Majesty," he said in a deep yet gentle voice, firm but not harsh, calming yet commanding. "Perfect timing, Crown Prince. Now I shall announce another joyful news for our kingdom. The Crown Prince will officially be engaged to the pride of the Loraine family, Lady Estelle Loraine!" ''Hah?'' Estelle''s eyes widened in shock. Rovan was equally stunned, though he clapped and congratulated her, he stared at Estelle with wide eyes, demanding an explanation from his close friend. ''WHAT THE HELL?! WHY AM I BEING ENGAGED ALL OF A SUDDEN?'' ''HUH??? THE MARQUESS AND MARCHIONESS DIDN''T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?? HELLO? ENCHANTED REALMS? WHAT''S HAPPENING HERE?'' Everyone congratulated Estelle and Elias, praising how perfect they looked together. Estelle couldn''t hide her confusion, which the King noticed. "Unfortunately, the Marquess and Marchioness are busy overseeing the winter festival in Nevada, so they couldn''t attend. Now, let''s raise our glasses to the everlasting light of Aragon. Salud!" "Salud!" Everyone raised their glasses, clinking the bottoms before taking a few sips. Except for two people, who were bewildered and staring at each other. "Estelle¡ª" "Rovie! I-I think I need some fresh air. Can you accompany me to the balcony?" Estelle interrupted hastily. Rovan sighed and nodded, already positioning himself to escort Estelle to the balcony. Amidst the crowd, the two young people made their way, passing several guests who tried to offer congratulations to Estelle. "Huah!" Estelle took a deep breath as they stepped onto the balcony, relief flooding her lungs after the suffocating atmosphere inside. "Estelle¡ª" "Rovie! I know. I''m sorry." Rovan gazed into Estelle''s eyes for a few seconds before diverting his attention to the moonlit tiles beneath their feet. The moon was exceptionally bright tonight, the first full moon of winter. Usually, the sky was dark and overcast in winter, but tonight was an exception. Estelle realized that Rovan was masking his disappointment. ''Of course he''s disappointed. His best friend is getting engaged and he wasn''t informed at all.'' Estelle gently patted Rovan''s shoulder, rubbing it a few times to soothe her childhood friend''s emotions. "I¡­ didn''t know you have a crush on the Crown Prince," he muttered softly, so soft that Estelle had to strain to hear him. "Crush? No, Rovie! You misunderstand. Trust me!" Estelle''s voice carried a passionate plea, shaking Rovan''s shoulders in her earnestness. Startled, Rovan lifted his head, his eyes questioning. ''Oh! What should I say? Come on, you''ve read hundreds of isekai novels!'' An idea popped into her head. "It''s just a contract!" "Contract?" Rovan squinted, skeptical of Estelle''s claim. "Y-yes! You know my father has long funded Aragon''s military needs?" Estelle racked her brain, fabricating a story as she went. Why was it a problem if she was engaged to the Crown Prince anyway? "Yes?" Rovan still looked confused. "Rovan, you know well that the Loraine household is very weak in military matters. The kingdom promised us military protection for the Loraine estate and agreed to make me the Crown Prince''s partner to gain support from the nobles, ensuring those on Loraine''s side would back the Crown Prince''s claim to the throne," Estelle explained with a convincing expression. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Her explanation wasn''t entirely false. The Loraine family, a wealthy and prestigious Marquess family, had many enemies eager to seize any opportunity to destroy them. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was less popular compared to Sebastian and his younger brother, Prince Alejandro, who was much more amiable. "So, you''ll become queen?" "O-oh no. The contract will end once the king finds the right woman to be Aragon''s queen. You see, Loraine and Aragon are two influential families here. If we combine two powerful families in Aragon¡­." Estelle trailed off, prompting Rovan to think. "Surely one family would be monopolized, and it''s likely¡­ the Loraine family would be controlled by the royal family," Rovan concluded in a hushed tone. Feeling triumphant, Estelle snapped her fingers and made an ''Exactly!'' gesture towards Rovan. ''Oh, right, they don''t do that here.'' She quickly corrected her posture and cleared her throat. Rovan''s expression had brightened considerably. "Is that so¡­" he murmured, smiling. The dim moonlight hid his blushing cheeks. "Exactly!" Estelle agreed, "Please keep this secret just between us, okay?" She extended her pinky finger, which Rovan eagerly hooked with his own. ''Look at him, he was just like a young master before, but now he looks like a happy puppy.'' "Captain! So you''re here!" A large man appeared from behind the balcony door. "Fernando? Oh goodness, excuse me. Just a moment." Rovan turned back to Estelle, leaning close to her ear. "Wait here, don''t go anywhere," he whispered softly, then dashed off with his comrade, Fernando. Once she was sure her friend was truly gone, Estelle could finally breathe a sigh of relief. ''Sorry, Marquess Louis!'' She tilted her head back to gaze at the moon and stars. The night was quite cold, and the open shoulders and neck of her dress made her shiver whenever a breeze blew. Inside, people were still celebrating. Some were dancing, others chatting, flirting, or already drunk. Estelle still wanted to taste the sweet treats inside, but the thought of facing the deceitful world of the nobility alone without Rovan made her quickly abandon that idea. ''If tonight, after I wake up, I return to my room and my normal life, I think I won''t have any regrets.'' Truly, tonight''s ball had left a deep impression on Estelle. Her first grand event. Estelle closed her eyes, focusing her ears on the rustling wind mingling with the soft music. This time she didn''t recognize the melody, but it was lovely to her ears. She wanted to savor this moment, repeatedly rubbing her arms for warmth. "Lady, would you care to explain our contract to me?" A soft whisper, like the night breeze, brushed past Estelle''s ear, accompanied by the warmth of a coat draped over her shoulders by the owner of the voice. "Y-Your Highness!" Estelle spun around, taking a few steps back and bowing deeply. Elias de Aragon Affinity: 0% Mood: - Status: Royal of Aragon (Crown Prince) Relationship: Fianc¨¦e ''Did he say contract? Did he overhear my nonsense with Rovan?!'' "Lady Estelle, I have never heard of this contract you mentioned to Lord Erlando. I fear there might be information my father forgot to share with me three days ago." The prince''s eyes bore into her, his smile not masking the anger in his expression. "I-it''s¡­ I-I¡­" Estelle stammered, cornered, her back against the balcony railing. "The Royal Family will monopolize the Loraine family¡­" he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Estelle''s ear, "how arrogant." She felt his warm breath on her ear, her body trembling. ''P-please help¡­!'' Chapter 5 (Whispers of Fate) "Estelle?" Estelle opened her eyes, glancing towards the balcony door, her view obstructed by the imposing figure of the Crown Prince. Standing there was Rovan, holding a glass of grape juice in his right hand and a small plate of cookies in his left. Elias remained in his position, incredibly close to Estelle, creating a scene ripe for misinterpretation. "Lord Erlando, Lady Estelle and I are in the midst of a crucial discussion. Might I request that you grant us some privacy?" Elias''s voice carried a calm authority, not bothering to turn around. "Is that true, Estelle?" Rovan strained to catch a glimpse of her expression. Estelle felt a sharp pressure from Elias''s piercing gaze, compelling her to go along with his request. "Y-yes, we have matters to discuss regarding our official engagement," Estelle stammered. Elias''s lips curled into a smile. ''No, Rovie! I don''t want to be here. Please save me! I feel like this man could kill me at any moment!'' "Are you sure, Estelle? I brought the cookies you asked for." Rovan insisted, still trying to gauge her true feelings. Elias let out a sarcastic chuckle, shaking his head as he stepped back, revealing Estelle''s face, which was on the verge of tears, her hands gripping the balcony railing for support. "Captain Erlando, to whom do you owe your allegiance?" Elias turned and walked slowly towards Rovan, his presence suffocating, causing Rovan''s confidence to falter. "T-to the Kingdom of Aragon. My entire life is dedicated to the Kingdom of Aragon!" Rovan declared, his voice trembling. "In that case, why do you dare to defy the words of Aragon''s future ruler?" Elias''s voice was dangerously soft as he gripped Rovan''s shoulder with iron strength, making him swallow hard. "N-no, Your Highness. Forgive me. I was merely carrying out Marquess Loraine''s instructions to escort Lady Estelle at tonight''s ball," Rovan stammered, feeling the crushing weight of Elias''s aura. "Is that so? Very well then, fulfill your duty." Elias''s oppressive aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a disarming smile. He walked past Rovan, leaving a faint stain on Rovan''s pristine white jacket, a silent reminder of the near-miss. "Rovie!" Estelle rushed to Rovan, who stood frozen in place. She had never seen him so helpless before. ''What just happened? I couldn''t breathe when the Crown Prince whispered to Rovan.'' Estelle thought. She realized she had underestimated this world, despite being the one who had created it in the game. There was so much she didn''t know, crucial information hidden in plain sight. ''It should be like in the novels I''ve read, where I can access character information. But nothing appears, no matter how much I try to touch the bar above their heads.'' Rovan Erlando Affinity:100% Mood: Terrified Status: Noble of Aragon (Erlando House) Relationship: Childhood friend "Rovie, I''m so sorry. I truly am!" Estelle shook Rovan gently until he snapped out of his daze. "No, Estelle. I should apologize for leaving you alone. I''m sorry¡­ I''m still too weak to protect you," Rovan said, his voice filled with regret. He felt ashamed of his own trembling in the face of the Crown Prince. Though anyone else would likely feel the same when confronted by royalty. "What are you saying, Rovie! You''re the captain of the Royal Army! If you were weak, you''d be staying at home like Eric!" Estelle retorted, referencing her brother, who never bothered with martial training. Eric, as the family heir, was trained to manage the Loraine family business. It was Russel who had been trained in combat from a young age. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "But¡­ just now¡­" "It''s only natural, right? Besides, I''m very grateful to you. I owe you a debt for rescuing me from that uncomfortable situation!" Estelle took the glass and plate from Rovan, called a servant, and handed them over. They decided to leave the ball early after bidding farewell to the King and Queen. In the carriage, they were both lost in their thoughts. Rovan berated himself for appearing weak in front of Estelle, while Estelle worried about how to ask for an explaination the engagement to Marquess and Marchioness Loraine. The three-hour journey passed in silence, save for the sound of the horses'' hooves, growing fainter as they approached the snowy region of Nevada. As they entered the outskirts of Nevada, the festival was still in full swing despite the late hour. Children played under a large tree decorated with small blue and deep red balls. Beneath it hung strings of candy, which the children eagerly grabbed. "Rovie," Estelle called, snapping Rovan out of his reverie. He quickly plastered a smile on his face. "What is it, Estelle?" "Do you want to eat some snow?" . "Wow!" Food stalls lined both sides of the street. There was a mini theater showing puppet performances for children. A black tent with a long line of people caught Estelle''s eye. Rovan explained it was a fortune-telling tent, where a person would read your palm or simply see your aura. ''Of course, they have something like this here!'' "Do you want to try it?" Rovan asked, noticing Estelle''s curiosity. "Hmm, I''m very interested. But the line is so long¡­" she lamented, eyeing the lengthy queue. Rovan chuckled, amused. ''It seems Estelle likes things like this,'' he thought, as Estelle eagerly pulled him towards the end of the line. "Excuse me!" Estelle called out to the middle-aged man in front of her. The man, annoyed at the interruption, turned around with a scowl. "Don''t bother me!" he snapped. Estelle brushed it off, understanding his frustration. ''He''s probably been waiting here a long time too.'' Rovan''s brows furrowed as he instinctively reached for his sword, but Estelle quickly held him back, signaling she would handle it. They wore black cloaks that covered their entire bodies and heads, so it was no surprise the man didn''t recognize them. "Sir, I just want to know how much the fortune-telling costs inside. I''m afraid I might not have enough money," she said, feigning concern while checking her pouch, which was actually filled with gold coins. "Ugh, if you don''t have money, you shouldn''t be at the festival!" the man spat. Estelle''s brow twitched in irritation. ''This old fool, I should slap him with a bag of gold coins!'' "It''s one silver!" the man said arrogantly, flaunting a silver coin in his hand. Estelle pulled out one, then two gold coins from her pouch. The man''s eyes widened in shock at the sight of Estelle''s small pouch brimming with gold. "Oh! Oh! My apologies, Lady. You must be a noble visiting Nevada to enjoy the winter festival, yes? Hahaha, my deepest apologies. Please, go ahead of me!" The man stepped back, allowing Estelle and Rovan to move forward, his eyes never leaving the gold coins. ''Visit, my foot. I need to tell Marquess to better manage his people. This is embarrassing for the Loraine family!'' Estelle thought angrily. She kept her composed smile and handed the gold coins to the man, drawing the attention of other people in line. ''Um¡­ is the gold enough?'' Chapter 6 (Whispers of Fate) Within the palace grounds, there are four castle buildings. The largest one is in the center, the White Castle, a luxurious structure that serves as the hub of royal activities, including regular meetings, parties, and executions. To the north of the White Castle is the Celestia Palace, the King''s Palace, which is equally opulent. Only the King and Queen reside in this palace, along with dozens of servants. The administrative offices are also located in the Celestia Palace, so nobles who work in the palace have rooms provided for them. To the west is the palace specifically for the princesses of the kingdom, whether from the Queen or the King''s concubines, known as Palacio de Luna. Although it is the smallest palace, it has direct access to the Celestia Palace. To the east is the palace for the King''s concubines, called Velvet Court. This palace also has direct access to the Celestia Palace. To the south is the palace for the princes, whether from the Queen or the concubines, which also serves as the residence of the Crown Prince, known as Orion Castle. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, His Majesty the King requests your presence at the Celestia Palace tonight." Elias was soaking in warm water, needing time to calm his emotions. The conversation between Young Master Erlando and Lady Estelle, his fianc¨¦e, had made his blood boil. ''Nobles to support my ascension to the throne? Nonsense! From the moment I was born, I have been the heir to the throne of Aragon. I will lead Aragon!'' he fumed internally, his ego deeply wounded by the two of them doubting his ability to inherit the throne. "You, come here," Elias ordered from the bathroom. The maid who heard this was immediately taken aback and blushed. ''Does His Highness, the Crown Prince, need me for something else?'' the maid thought, feeling flustered. King Dixon, his father, was notorious for sleeping with women, even often bedding his personal maids. The maid tidied her hair before knocking and entering the bathroom. The hot steam mixed with Elias''s scent and the aroma of essential oils made her even more nervous. How could she not be? She was just the daughter of a baron fortunate enough to become the personal maid of the Crown Prince and work in the palace. If she managed to bear a child of Aragon''s blood, her status could drastically improve. She saw the Crown Prince''s body through the transparent water of the bath. There were several scars adorning his muscular physique. One of his hands rested on the edge of the bathtub, and he looked at her sharply. However, the unfortunate woman misread the emotions of the man standing before her. "Come closer," he ordered, his voice sounding gentle to the maid''s ears. The woman walked slowly toward the Crown Prince, her hands clenching her maid''s dress. Once she was right at the edge of the bathtub and beside Elias, he instructed her to come even closer. Silently, the maid began to unbutton the front of her dress from her waist to her chest while moving closer to Elias. As the maid closed her eyes, Elias noticed her dress was open, revealing her undergarments. His head felt even hotter. Roughly, Elias grabbed her hair and slammed her face into the bathtub''s ceramic edge. "TELL ME, DO I NOT LOOK LIKE THE FUTURE KING OF THIS COUNTRY? HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SEDUCE ME!" Elias shouted. His iris turned brighter than before, and the bathroom''s temperature became even hotter. "S-spare me, Your Highness! Hic!" The maid whimpered in pain, her teeth broken and her mouth bleeding from the hard blow she received against the bathtub. Elias gripped her hair so tightly that the veins in his hand became visible. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "ANSWER ME! WHO AM I?!" he roared, yanking her hair forcefully so she was directly facing him. "Y-you are the Crown Prince, Elias de Aragon, t-the rightful h-heir to the throne of Aragon!" she cried out, her tears mixed with her blood dripping onto the bathroom''s ceramic floor. Satisfied with her answer, Elias flung the maid to the floor and rose from the bath. Water cascaded off his form, tracing the contours of his broad, muscular shoulders and dampened hair. His handsome face and powerful physique gave him an ethereal, angelic quality, as if he had stepped out of a celestial realm. No one would guess he had just tortured a poor woman to satisfy his ego. "Prepare my clothes. I will go to see my father. Make sure your filthy blood doesn''t touch my clothes or my room." He walked away, leaving the nearly unconscious maid behind, indifferent to whether she could still hear his orders or not. . "You! You drove all my customers away!" A woman wearing a long purple robe matching her hair color, with long nails painted black, slammed the table with tarot cards on it. Just her appearance alone made me certain this person was indeed a fortune teller. What had happened before this was, after I paid that old man to take his place in line, suddenly everyone offered to let me cut in front of them. Of course, they asked for a payment of two gold coins each. I thought they would still wait for their turn to be told their fortune; I didn''t expect them to take my gold coins and leave. Now, Rovan and I had to face the anger of this beautiful woman who claimed to be a witch. ''If this were the old me, I would have bowed so deeply, my waist would break, just to apologize.'' I tossed the pouch of remaining gold coins in front of her. Her sour expression instantly changed when she saw the gold gleaming inside the pouch. "Ahem, ahem, honorable guests! Welcome! Oh, my goodness! Look at this lifeline!" The woman suddenly grabbed my hand, almost making me trip. Her very serious face was only a few inches away from my palm. Her eyes traced every line that I had no idea what they meant. After a few minutes, her expression turned blank. She took the pouch I had placed on the table, tied it neatly, and handed it back to me. "Go home. This place is closing soon," she said flatly. "W-wait a minute. What about my fortune?" I protested, handing the pouch back to her. "I don''t take payment if I don''t tell fortunes. Thank you, Lady, and take care on your way home." She pushed me out of the tent. Seeing this, Rovan grabbed the witch''s arm that was shoving me. "If you''re not skilled in fortune-telling, don''t open a fortune-telling business. Why are you forcing us, your customers, out? That''s so impolite," Rovan growled. The fortune teller winced, seemingly because Rovan''s grip was too strong. "Rovan," I tried to loosen Rovan''s grip on the woman''s arm, "forgive us. But we feel we have the right to know why you suddenly acted this way," I continued. She glanced at me and then at Rovan. Rubbing her red wrist, she sighed. "You are not from this world," the woman said, staring straight into my eyes. My breath caught. The language she spoke sounded very familiar but wasn''t the one we were using earlier. I glanced at Rovan, who was looking at the woman oddly. "What are you talking about?" Rovan asked. ''Rovan doesn''t understand what this woman is saying?'' "Go home. Return. This place is not for you. Nothing good will come to you if you decide to stay here." Her words made me very certain that it was the language I used in my world. What language is that? Wait. My world? Where do I come from? All I know that I was playing a game and now I''m in that game. But... What''s my real name? That realization made me aware of one more thing: there was no information bar I could access above the woman''s head. Chapter 7 (Smallpox) After saying that, the woman closed the tent, leaving Rovan and me bewildered by her words. I was curious about how Rovan interpreted what she had said. Gently, I pulled at his hand. "Rovie... What do you think that woman was saying?" I asked, full of curiosity. My mind was still trying to process the information I had just received. How could that woman know I wasn''t from this world? And why didn''t she have an information bar above her head? Even the people passing by on the street had information bars that I could access at will. "Hm? I don''t understand. She seemed to be speaking a foreign language. I''ve learned a few languages in Aragon, and that wasn''t one of them," he replied, looking indifferent. "A few languages in Aragon? Why have I never known about this?" I wasn''t sure what languages were used in Aragon, but they were definitely different from the ones I used in the real world. It was hard to explain. Simply put, the language they used sounded like their native tongue to them, but in my mind, I understood what they were saying. I didn''t know their language, but if I thought about saying ''A'' in my head, when I opened my mouth, I would say ''A'' in their language. ''It seems I need to find out more about this world!'' After that, we bought some skewers. Rovan seemed to forget about the incident with the fortune teller altogether; he didn''t mention it again. He acted very indifferent, as if it had never happened. As night deepened, Rovan escorted me back to the Loraine residence. The Marquess and Marchioness Loraine were already waiting for me at the door. Rovan helped me down from the carriage, and after paying his respects to my parents, he quickly returned to the Marquess Erlando''s residence as it was already late. The Marchioness greeted me with a beaming smile, as if expecting something. "Welcome back, dear Estelle! How was the party?" . Without answering her mother''s question, Estelle entered the house with a sullen expression. The Marquess looked panicked, understanding why Estelle was behaving that way; he wasn''t prepared to be disliked by his only daughter. Meanwhile, the Marchioness sighed inwardly. "Estelle, we''ve been through this," the Marchioness thought, responding inwardly to her daughter''s behavior. The couple quickly followed Estelle inside. The Marquess gazed at his wife, his eyes full of hope, silently urging her to explain the situation to Estelle so that the misunderstanding wouldn''t escalate any further. "Estelle dear, is there something you''d like to talk about?" the Marchioness asked, matching Estelle''s brisk pace. She tried to ask without provoking her daughter further by forcing her to stop walking. "I don''t think so, mother," Estelle replied coldly. The Marquess, hearing this, grew increasingly panicked and finally spoke up. "WE CAN CANCEL IT IF YOU WANT, ESTELLE!" the Marquess shouted. "DEAR!" the Marchioness yelled, scolding her husband. From their reactions, Estelle finally understood¡ªthe arranged marriage had been planned by her parents without discussing it with her. Her brows furrowed deeper as she turned, ready to protest. Because of the betrothal, she had to lie to Rovan, and that lie had been exposed by the Crown Prince himself! If the Crown Prince reported it to the King, their family would be ruined. But the awareness that she was merely a stranger living in their daughter''s body stopped Estelle from protesting. "Father, Mother, it''s quite late. How about we discuss this tomorrow morning after breakfast?" Estelle suggested, her soft tone bringing smiles back to her parents'' faces. After agreeing to explain everything to Estelle in the morning, she retired to her room. Emily, her loyal maid, promptly offered to help her change. "How was the party, My Lady?" Emily asked cheerfully, her expression like a puppy eager to play with its owner. Estelle let out a long sigh, causing Emily to quickly cover her mouth with her hand. "Oh! I''m sorry, you must be very tired." "Emily..." Estelle threw herself onto the bed, the warmth of the blankets and pillows soothing her. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "M-my Lady? Did something happen at the party?" Emily asked worriedly, rushing to Estelle, who had buried her face in the pillow. "Mmfh mmh mmfhh!" "Y-yes, miss?" Of course, Emily couldn''t hear her clearly. Estelle sat up, her bright blue eyes shining. "Take me to the library!" Though the early morning air was quite cold, Estelle, accompanied by Emily and the dim light of a lantern, diligently read through the books in the Loraine family''s private library. Emily yawned several times, but her duty as a maid kept her awake alongside her mistress. Before long, the sun began to rise, waking Estelle and Emily, who had fallen asleep in the library. "HUH!" Estelle awoke with a start, her eyes still heavy with sleep, but her mind forced her to get up, remembering the important discussion she had that morning with the Marquess and Marchioness. After covering the sleeping Emily with a blanket, Estelle went to her room to freshen up and prepare for breakfast. Despite her exhaustion from staying up all night, Estelle''s efforts were not in vain. She had uncovered crucial information about Aragon that was never mentioned in the game. Allow me to explain, dear readers. Aragon is a vast kingdom surrounded by the vast blue ocean. To the north lies the mountainous region of Nevada, divided into two territories: one governed by Marquess Loraine and the other by Marquess Erlando. The people of Nevada are mostly miners, and the largest mine is located in Marquess Loraine''s territory, the source of their wealth. In the southern part of the kingdom is the region of Arthenia, ruled by Archduke de Alba. It is a fertile land divided by the Elarion River, famous for its beauty due to the remnants of magic in its waters. Speaking of magic, a hundred years ago, mages still existed in Aragon. Magic was legal, and the kingdom even had a special magic army. However, the great-grandfather of the current King of Aragon hated mages, fearing they would one day use their powers against the kingdom. So, all those with magical abilities were killed, leaving only the de Alba family, the holy family and descendants of the strongest mages in Aragon. The family was spared under the condition that they would marry their daughters to the royal family and that magic would be forbidden within the de Alba family, rendering their descendants unable to use magic, even though the sacred blood of mages flowed in their veins. This left Aragon as the only family able to use magic¡ªfire magic, capable of incinerating anything. "If the royal heir must marry into the de Alba family, why am I, Estelle, from a mere Marquess family, betrothed to the Crown Prince?" Her thoughts raced, contemplating the possible conspiracies and cruelties the Kingdom of Aragon might inflict on her if she married Elias. The new knowledge she had gained about Aragon made her more convinced that something was amiss with the royal family, which unfortunately was working with her own family. Hastily and without any makeup, Estelle walked to the dining room unaccompanied by any maids. Strangely, there were no servants in the mansion that morning at all. Estelle thought they might be busy with something that coincidentally kept them out of her sight. "Why is the dining room so quiet?" she wondered, her heart pounding in response to the oddness of the morning. Even the servant who usually opened the dining room door was not there. "Empty!" Sure enough, when she entered the dining room, it was empty¡ªno food was prepared, and not a single servant was present. Suddenly, a scream echoed from afar. "That voice, it''s the Marchioness!" Without a second thought, Estelle ran towards the source of the sound. Relying only on her hearing, she navigated the large mansion. "Russel, my child! Oh, my poor child!" the old woman wailed, collapsed on the floor. Behind her, Marquess Louis, unable to hold back his tears, tried to comfort his sobbing wife. "What is going on?!" Estelle cried out, confused by the scene before her. There were no servants, only the Loraine couple and her brother, Eric. "Russel... he''s contracted the plague," Eric said softly, his voice strained with the effort to hold back tears, though his eyes were already wet with them. "What?" Estelle scanned the room and found a small boy lying on the bed. His face was covered in red spots, which looked like they were filled with fluid. His body was wrapped in thick blankets, exposing only his face to let him breathe. Despite his severe condition¡ªhis hair damp with sweat, his lips dry from dehydration, his pale face flushed with a high fever¡ªhe was still recognizable. ''This is just smallpox!'' Estelle tried to approach the bedridden Russel but was held back by Eric. "Estelle! You can''t go near him, you might get infected! You could catch it!" Eric shouted, his voice filled with emotion, though Estelle knew he was yelling out of concern. "It''s only smallpox! He can be cured!" Estelle retorted, her voice equally loud, as she struggled to free herself from Eric''s grip. "Only? Cured? Estelle, I know you don''t like reading the news, but I didn''t think you were this ignorant. Have you not studied? When has there ever been a cure for smallpox?" Eric''s face reddened with anger, furious at Estelle''s nonchalance regarding the dire situation. "W-what...?" "What do you mean, ''w-what''?! Haven''t you read the newspapers? Hundreds of lives lost in Lumindale! If only... if only that foolish old man hadn''t killed all the mages...!" Eric''s anger escalated. Lumindale was a village in Arthenia, under the jurisdiction of the de Alba family. It was famous for its fertile lands, nestled in a green valley. Estelle remained silent, unable to respond, her body feeling weak. She had forgotten that in her world, modern medicine didn''t exist. It was natural for them to panic over the highly infectious smallpox. The only way to handle smallpox patients was... ''They will be burned alive...''