The King, The Duke, and His Maiden

The face was beautiful in a classic devil-like way, large innocent eyes and pink pale lips.

Shock.

The face is shock similar to Jia Yu mental state.

Jia Yu tits her head to the left and it follows then she went right and it did the same thing. She places a hand on top of her head and pat - it follows.

After the initial shock surpass, Jia Yu covers her mouth to suppress her screams. With weak legs she stumble back until her bum hit the cold ground. Like an overenergetic puppy, her eyes scouted the bathroom before she hits her head, attempting to leap out of the dream. She turns around and went on all fours before reaching for the sink and slowly stands up. Her legs feel more like jello as her head pokes outward, her eyes focusing on the mirror.

She ducks down and motion her head upward again.

No matter how many times she does it, the woman's face did not change.

Jia Yu stands up straight, and instantly she smacks herself across the face.

Pain.

She clearly isn't dreaming.

Jia Yu wants to scream, but she couldn't. Sometimes, due to intensity of emotions, the body refuses to acurately function according to its owner will. If only Jia Yu could remember what had happened at the Border.

She hit her head several times as she paces around the restroom to recall her last memory.

She remembers being hit on the head.

Maybe, she is still in a coma state?

That was her assumption.

Unfortunately, due to the pain from the slap earlier and the refreshing water splash on her face, she had to dismiss that thought. It's clearly real. 

Realizing that she is in a stranger's body, standing inside a place that she clearly does not know; Jia Yu's anxiety only heighten. She stumbles towards the door, ready to make her way to the nearest police station to set things straight and perhaps drop by a mental institution.

The moment Jia Yu opens the restroom door, she finds a man seated on the edge of the bed.

He yawns, stretching every aching muscles. The man seem quite restless, like he's ready to go back to bed. Then, it opens, his eyes. Deep brown.

Jia Yu stands there, stunned as they both analyze one another.

Last night, Jia Yu couldn't recall how he looks due to the darkness and immense pleasure. However, as the light shines on him, Jia Yu could clearly see him.

Foreigner.

The foreign man had the kind of face that will stop you in your tracks and do a double take. He sat there, seemingly bored and used to the face that woman would swoon to his looks. He looks like he expected Jia Yu to react the way she did.  That type of arrogance would generally attract woman, but it only made Jia Yu wants to roll her eyes.

"You're still here?" he dares question her.

Jia Yu's jaws click, temporarily forgetting she is in another person's body. She folds her arms and taps her foot, "Hm. I believe I should be the one who asked that question."

The man chuckles briefly at her definace. He wasn't interested in the type of games she is playing. He had seen it all before - woman who acts innocent and/or fierce to obtain a seat beside him. "What right do you have to question me?" he stands up, causing the sheets to drop into the ground.

Jia Yu refuses to allow her eyes to roam downward.

He walks toward her, her face parallel his broad chest forcing her to look up. He bends down to her level. "Play long enough?" he questions, and Jia Yu could pick up a hint of alcohol.

She chuckles, her head turning to the side as her tongue rushes across her cheek. Before the man can say another word, she gather everything that she believes belongs to her. She made her way to the restroom, slam the door shut, and got dress. It took her some time to figure out which direction each strap went. "Whatever," she said to herself, before forcing the strap to hide underneath the large black coat. She looks at herself in the mirror, shuddering at the face looking back at her.

She will figure out a solution to the problem later.

Then, she looks downward, notices how the clothes were quite odd-looking. It's unlike anything that she sees in her world. The dress was slimming, fitting to the body where the only place you could see was the curves of the breasts.

Clearly, whoever this person was, wants to show off her assets.

Jia Yu made her way towards the door only to remember the man on the other side. She release another chuckles and made her way towards the cabinets. She turns on the running water, drowning out the sound of herself opening it. Everything she could sneak into her pockets, she gladly stole it. "Teach you to mess with me," she mumbles underneath her breath, feeling a bit happy for her petty thief. She turns off the water, and walk out of the restroom to see a strange old man and two woman around the man she slept with.

The man looks at her while everyone continues to serve him.

The door open and another man enter, serving him tea.

Jia Yu could understand why he is so arrogant.

It's in his blood.

He opens his mouth, but Jia Yu places a palm in the air. "No need to talk. I just need someone to escourt me out of here. It would be much appreciated if you have someone to drive me home too." Jia Yu didn't know where she is or if she can even get home. However, the pulsing headache on her head refuses to allow her to think straight.

Jia Yu simply wants to be alone.

He nods and tilt his head. The elder man understands his master's demands and greet the woman. "Please, follow me." The elder man was shock to see a young woman exiting the restroom of their master particurly since women usually cling onto him, seducing him even in the early morning. However, the woman in front of him only looks tired and wants to leave as quickly as possible. He didn't allow his emotions to be revealed in front of him.

Jia Yu head towards the door, but halt. "By the way, aren't you bit too old to have others dress you?" The maids and butlers were all shock by the woman's words that they stopped working. "And I was in the restroom for only a few minutes, so I can confidently say, you did not shower which is disgusting after what we did last night. Are you really going to go to work smelling like that?"

Jia Yu shouldn't be the one to talk, afterall, she also didn't bathe.

Without waiting for a response, she walks out of the room to enter a massive hallway. Jia Yu slightly regretted her comment, feeling as if she had offended someone important. Based on the size of the house which can be equivalent to a palace, Jia Yu can conclude that he isn't a normal man.

The longer she walks around the palace-like place, the more her headache increases. Did she somehow flew to a foreign land and went under the knife to look prettier? She did have enough money to change her body and face.

Jia Yu was in so much dispair that she didn't have a chance to admire the wonderful building and priceless artifact. The double door opens, revealing the striking sun, her eyes squints.

It's warm.

Jia Yu step down the stairs, and nod in approval of the large fountain stuck in the middle of the driveway. She turns around, analyzing the building behind her to see its majestic state. It's much grander and sophisticated than the castle wines that she toured around the world.

Mentally, she wishes she was in Europe, standing on top of the castle while sipping the overly priced red wine. She could see it, the endless amount of greens in the distance, well-groomed for their tourists.

Then, she hears it, the sounds of a horse.

A grand black carriage stops in front of her. Scrunching her hands, she rubs her eyes to ensure she is seeing correctly.

A white horse.

A black carriage.

A coachman in green.

The color scheme somehow fit well together. He looks at her, a genuine smile on his lips. "Good afternoon Mr.Wu."

The man nods, adjusting his circular lenses. "Good afternoon, Cai Huan."

Cai Huan brushes his slightly long bangs to the side, stretching out his aching back. Long carriage rides does take a toll on the body. "Does Young Master Alessandro need to be taken somewhere?"

Alessandro.

That must be the man she slept with last night.

Alessandro...sounds like an arrogant name.

Jia Yu nods, accepting her own thoughts.

"No, you will be taking this young lady home," Mr.Wu steps aside, showing a petite woman.

Cai Huan's ears burn red at the sight of such a beauty. Her long dark hair perfectly covers her small sweet face. When she looks up, his heart skips several beats. Common color eyes never looked so captivating. 

However, a woman that looks like Jia Yu would often have several red flags around her.

Cai Huan pick them all up.

One, her hair and clothes was in disarray.

Two, there are apparent mark on her beck.

Three, her clothes cost more then what he makes in a year.

Four, her skin is much too soft looking to be considered a normal person.

Five, and most important of all, she walked out the front door of the Young Master of the Valeron family.

Cai Huan wouldn't even breathe the same air as the woman standing in front of him otherwise his head would roll on the ground.

He got down the carriage and pull out the steps.

Unexpectedly, Jia Su said: "You're kidding me, right?"

Cai Huan brows crunches together, but he quickly realizes his mistake. He grab the small red carpet and roll it out until it reaches her heels.

Jia Su stare at him in disbelief. "You really want me to get into that thing?"

Cai Huan did not understand why she seem so reluctant to get inside. The carriage is considered one of the finest model in the country, the one that belongs to the Valeron family.

Many would kill to be inside of one.

"Miss, is there something wrong? Would you like me to change carriage?" Cai Huan question politely, not wanting to step on any toes.

At first, Jia Yu thought they were joking and there were cameras rolling in the bushes. Unconsciously, Jia Yu puff her cheeks as she searches for the cameras only to make herself looks more endearing in the eyes of both men.

She believes she was in one of those not-so-funny television prank shows. Those thoughts were lost when she saw the seriousness on both of their faces.

Jia Yu chuckles and decides to play along. "No, this one is fine," she said, making her way into the carriage.

Cai Huan closes the door and roll up the carpet. "Where would I be escorting the lady," he asks Mr.Wu.

"To the-" he stops speaking when he realizes, he doesn't know which family the lady is from.

From what his memory serves, the lady was attached to his master's arms last night, refusing to release him. Not too long after, they went upstairs into one of guest bedroom.

He looks at one of the guards, who rush towards him. "Yes Mr.Wu?"

"Who is the young lady inside the carriage that the Young Master brought home?"

The guard look at the fine carriage and shrugs. "I do not know," he turns around. "Do you know?" He asks the other guards.

The other one shrugs, "I only heard that the Young Master met her outside of yesterday ball."

There's an eerie silence among the three man.

Mr.Wu looks at Cai Huan. "Simply ask her where she lives and escort her home. If you notice her lifestyle isn't too well, give her some money and ensure that she never returns to the Valeron's estates.

Cai Huan nods in understanding as Mr.Wu hands him some money. "I understand," Cai Huan responds, shoving the money into his pocket.

Cai Huan got in the front and raddle the saddle, marching Jia Yu out of the Valeron's estates.

Mr.Wu exhales, shaking his head as the carriage exits the gates. Without thinking about the young woman any further, he went back to work.

Jia Yu clutches onto the seats that are too stiff on her bums when the carriage starts rocking. Not too long after, she stuck her head outside beside Cai Huan.

"Okay, enough games," she said.

Cai Huan jolt to the side when he heard Jia Yu's voice. "Pardon?"

"Where are the cameras?" She looks around, attempting to spot anything that sparkles. Jia Yu rush back inside the carriage, patting every corner of it. She pokes her head back out, "I'm serious! This isn't funny! I'm getting anxiety!"

Cai Huan attempt not to look at Jai Yu like a crazy lady, disregarding the fact that she sounds like one. "I'm sorry to hear that?" 

Jia Yu grab him by the collar and pull him inward causing the carriage to sway. Instantly, she releases him to grab a hold of the moving vehicle, gasping onto her dear life as Cai Huan tame the horse that's slightly startled. Both their hearts beats in uneven booms, as Cai Huan stops the vehicle. "Are you crazy?!" He snaps, forgetting about her status. He got off of the carriage and held the horse head, pressing its nose against his forehead as if it will grant them some sort of mystical communciation. "There. There. It's okay boy. We are okay."

Jia Yu takes a few blinks at the questionable affection between the coachman and his horse.

Cai Huan notices the intense stare to his side, and instantly he remembered his status. He bows his head, "I apologize for being out of line."

Jia Yu shakes her head, attempting to regain her sanity. "It...It's okay. It was my fault. I shouldn't had grab you like that."

Shock is an understatement. Never once would Cai Huan expect to live and witness someone of much higher status to apologize. If not all, majority of the people who are wealthy often look down on people like Cai Huan who is simply attempting to make a living. Even when they are wrong, they wouldn't admit it.

Cai Huan notices that Jia Yu is trying to get off the carriage so he speedy went over to offer her his hand. Jia Yu looks at the gloved palm and lifts a brow. She shrugs and grab it, allowing her to step off.

Who says chivalry is dead?

Jia Yu pats her dress, "Thank you."

His cheeks grew red and he steps back, allowing a reasonable distance to be between them. Although they are still on private property where people rarely pass, he doesn't want to ruin her reputation.

"Not a problem miss," he bows his head once more, staring at her feet instead of her face. It's rude to look at someone of higher status in the eyes.

Jia Yu notices his odd behavior, but brush it aside. "Is this really not a show?"

Cai Huan tilt his head, "No miss."

There isn't a party, so why would there be a show?

Cai Huan is genuinely confused about the words that had left the young woman wonderfully shaped lips.

Jia Yu looks around only to see trees. She couldn't hear anything else except the chirping of birds. Her head tilts upward to see the blue sky. She bit her lower lip and look at the well-groomed man who refused to meet her eyes.

Jia Yu gathers her thoughts, and attempt not to go into a delusional high-pitched scream cursing state.

"Where are we?" she ask calmly.

"The Valeron's Estate," Cai Huan wasn't certain if what he say was correct, but he didn't want to lie to the woman that seem so lost. He feels as if his soul would tear in half if she starts crying.

Jia Yu scratches her head. "And the man from earlier own it?"

"Mr.Wu?"

"No, Alessandro."

Cai Huan could not believe that the woman in front of him did not know who she spent the night with. He thought she was playing some sort of mind game until he tilt his head upward to see her watery eyes.

Cai Huan clears his throat, pushing back the heart tugging sensation. "Yes, this estate belongs to Young Master Alessandro Valeron."

Then, a name appears.

Alessandro Valeron.

That name sounds vaguely familiar to Jia Yu, but she pushes the odd emotions back.

"So, where exactly are we?" Jia Yu questions. "Are we in Europe?" She turns her head to see the large castle still in view.

Cai Huan scratches his head. "What's Europe?" He questions, wondering if it's some foreign land he never heard of.

In his defense, he hardly ever step out of his room unless he is being called on by the Valeron's family.

Jia Yu looks at him in disbelief. Who hasn't heard of Europe? "Are we in America?"

His eyes squints, mind in shambles, "What's America?"

"Please, tell me we are in Asia," Jia Yu feels like her breaths has cutten short. Each inhalation she takes only made her feel more light-headed. She stumbles onto the carriage, attempting to hold herself up.

Cai Huan wants to help her, but he remembers how its improper to hold an unwed woman, even if that woman does roll around the sheets before marriage.

"I apologize, but I'm not that educated. I do not know what Asia is."

"You know: China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Iran, Indonesia, Korea - North and South -"

The more Jia Yu talks, the more confused Cai Huan got. He knows he is uneducated, but he isn't stupid enough not to know a little about the world outside of the Valerion family.

Jia Yu grasp his shoulders, startling him. "Please, tell me we are in Singapore. I got super drunk and hit my head. Then, I went to a surgeon, continued drinking, and flew to Singapore to fuck a wealthy man."

Cai Huan could only pick a handful of words he could understand. He shakes head, "I'm quite confused on what you're saying miss but I can surely tell you, you're not where you think you are."

"Then, which country am I standing in...right now?"

"Andinolia."

It should be easy to piece the puzzle together, but Jia Yu's brain rejects all of it.

Alessandro Valeron.

Andinolia.

Jia Yu still could not accept the reality that she had been transmigrated into the story - her story - The King, The Duke, and His Maiden.