A massive bomb!

The Duke burst into laughter.

"Heh-heh-heh... Well, seems like you're right on the money. I am going to die." He said, this time rather cheerfully.

"What the fuck is so funny?" I asked him.

"It's just that, I've been living a long and boring life. But now, after you had awoken as the new head of the dukedom, it seems like you're going to bring life back to this dukedom. That is why I'm laughing." He explained to me.

"It's my first time hearing that I'm the successor of this dukedom. And I'm not even 18 yet. What am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"You have to do what you've been doing. Live your life. And after I die, you shall be the new head of the dukedom. You will be the one to rule over this place." He spoke with a peaceful smile on his face. "But I still don't get one thing. How did you know that I was planning to die?" He asked.

"Huh?" I was confused. I really didn't have an answer at that point. Or maybe I did, but I just didn't know if this person would believe me or not. Also, is he trustworthy? That was something bugging my mind. So, I decided to ask him straight to his face. "Hey, are you trustworthy?"

Silence filled the room for a few good seconds. "Well, I mean. I'm your father. If you can't trust me, there's literally no one that you could trust." He assured me.

"I see." I took a deep breath in. "So, will you believe me if I said that I just don't have the memories of this body alone but of a man that lived in a world different than this?" I asked.

It was as if the mood suddenly changed. It was as if his eyes had become lifeless. After a while, he suddenly burst out into a loud laughter.

"Hahaha... Wow, you really got me there. I can't believe that you thought I'd fall for such a lame joke that you've pulled off multiple times. Hahaha... Hahaha... Hahaha... Hahaha..." He continued laughing.

"What are you laughing so hard for? I'm not joking. How could you believe that I'm joking?" I asked him.

"No, no, no. I'm not laughing at you. I just find your story really funny. I just find it really funny that you think that I would actually believe that! Hahaha... Hahaha..." His laughs were getting louder by the passing second.

"What the fuck is so funny?" I was getting a little annoyed. "I'm not joking. Why don't you believe me? I was asking for you to trust me and yet you are treating this like a joke?" I asked.

Once again, the room went silent. My father looked right into my eyes. "You... You aren't joking now, are you?" He asked.

"No. That's what I've been trying to tell you for a while now. So, do you believe me now?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not sure yet. But I'm still willing to believe." He replied.

"Huh? Why would you believe me?" I asked him.

"I have no reason to, but you seem to be telling the truth. And the way you speak tells me that you're an honest person. And I'd like to believe that you are trustworthy. So, I'm willing to believe you. Also, you're my daughter and I trust you with all my heart." He explained.

"Well, that's reassuring." I said.

"Yeah, it is. But, I have a question for you. Why are you here? What are you doing here in my daughter's body?" He asked me.

"See, it's not like I invaded this body or anything. I don't know what happened, but it seems like the memories of this body and that man's merged and now I'm able to remember snippets of both the people. So yea, there's that." I replied.

"I see." Father nodded his head. "Okay, that explains certain things like how you forgot our family history. But that doesn't explain how you know about my plan to die." He spoke.

I suddenly had like a flash of memory.

"Do you remember now?" He asked me.

"No, it's just that..." I suddenly remembered his face. "...you look like the guy that I met in the dream." I explained.

Although, I don't know if it was a dream or not. I just had no other way to explain it. It wasn't this body's memory. I'm certain that it was the guy's memory. However, it seemed like the guy knew my father. But the fact that I couldn't explain it made it difficult for me.

"I see... Well, I'll ask you not to put stress on yourself and maybe at some point you just might be able to explain it." He spoke.

"Yea..." I nodded my head.

"Young Miss, are you in?" The maid from before barged in and it seemed like she totally didn't expect my father there. "Master! I'm sorry for the intrusion."

"Ah, it's all good. But what is it that you made your way here in such a hurry?" He asked.

"Well, there's a letter from the imperial palace for the young miss." She spoke.

"For me?" I was kinda surprised at that point. I had no idea as to why someone from the palace would send me a letter. Well, it's not like I have any idea about anything else, so there's that.

"Ah, seems like they've read my reply." Father spoke up.

"Wait, you sent the letter to them first?" I asked.

"Well, not really. They were the one who sent a letter to me asking your hand for the third prince." He shrugged.

"They did what?" I just couldn't process what he just said.

"Yea, they wanted you to marry the third prince. And he seemed so nice the last time I met up with him, so I just said yes to that as well." He replied.

"You did what?" I felt as if a massive bomb dropped on me just then.

#