The grand duke (#1)
"of course my lady! You're the prettiest in the whole duchy and empire, no one can rival you!" Emile says proudly
"right, so I'm Lyryka Von Vindermoore, you're Emile and you're Raine" lyryka repeats, her eyes on the mirror, seated at a majestic dressing table made of brown wood and holding many compartments, currently sitting on the plush red velvet stool she stares at the jeweled accessories sprawled out around the desk as her maidservants tend to her, she'd already finished a warm rose bath made by Raine, currently she sat in a towel as Emile wiped down her long snow white hair and raine sat kneeled on the floor applying a lavender scented pomade to her skin, sure it was weird she wasn't used to this, but in the name of being normal she said nothing.
"and where is my father? Does he not want to see me?" she asks out loud hoping either would answer.
"His grace is on an expedition my lady, I'm sure he misses you though, the butler said he will be back in a day or two" Emile replies braiding Lyrykas hair.
"He was distraught" Raine adds as she brings over a beautiful but simple purple and white ruffle dress dressing lyryka, Emile putting a purple bow into lyrykas' hair.
"would you like to write a letter? I'm sure he'd like that" Emile adds just as quickly, trailing behind Raine and Lyryca as she is led to the dining room.
"I'd rather not" Lyryca replies curtly as they walk through the long hallway, tall grey walls that surround them, cold hallways that block out the cold, silver armor on a stand lining the hallways, and a long red carpet muffling the clacks of their shoes from the floor.
lyryka moves away from the path they are going to walk over to the window and presses her hand against it, the cold feels slightly numbing her palm as she stares at the snow falling and the workers below shoveling. "It's cold isn't it?" she asks turning back to the girls and leaning against the wall "Can we go out after?" she asks.
"of course my lady, there's no reason to ask, we'll follow you wherever you go" Emile answers quickly as Raine nods.
"anywhere?"
"Anywhere"
"what if I'm jumping off a bridge?"
"I'll jump first and find a landing spot, then you can jump after"
lyryka scoffs as she continues walking, smiling.
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The dining room contained a grand oak table that stood beneath a heavy chandelier. The air is thick with the scents of rich, savory dishes mingled with an undertone of something sweet, but the overall atmosphere feels heavy and oppressive. Dark tablecloths drape over the table, creating shadows that dance with the low light. A hushed silence blankets the room, interrupted only by the occasional clink of silverware and whispers. It's a space that holds the weight of unspoken words, where every meal feels like a reminder of what once was.
Walking over to the only spot free at the table lyrical takes a seat, in front of the table, she glances around, at the long table with over a seat for 20 or more than she could count, the table had been set out with candles, however, the only spot that has anything for human consumption was the first chair to the left of the head of tables seat/ she looks over at the maids standing next to the door leading to the kitchen, at ease in their post.
"is this all for me?" she asks looking at Raine and Emile.
"Doctor orders" Ranine answers with a curt nod
"Don't patients just have something as simple as soup?"
"you've been out for a while, with a lack of sunlight or any nutrients you should remain hydrated and make up for the past meals you missed, his grace wouldn't be happy to know you've been starved"
"That's if he cares, have you both had breakfast, what even is the time?"
Raine pulls out a silver pocket watch from the white waist apron she wore, courtesy of the maid uniform and a must-have for all workers "8 past 11" Raine calls out "And his grace loves you, he a savior" she adds almost awestruck and I roll my eyes as u dig into my food, I'm not going to mope around no way.
Sitting at the giant desk in my room, in front me of a paper and a quill, an abundance of stationary spread out before me, the quills decorated in silver and stylish scrolls, I know what I'm going to do first and what is important for all transmigrators 'Writing down key moments' and so I begin to rapidly jot down everything I can remember in storylines from how the book started, the male leads and everything in between.
Securing a good relationship with my father is the first thing I should plan on doing, scribbling a circle around my first point I turn in my seat and look behind me out of the giant arched snow-coated windows.
The grand duke's death was eventually what triggered the downfall of House Vindermoore but as the book always had many gaps people wondered a lot, with how the duke was always on the battlefield and was a devoted follower of the emperor how could he have been the one to initiate a coup or attempt treason? It seems too far-fetched.
Fine sighing dramatically I figure out what to do first, Let divert all plans of treason from the grand duke's mind, if we stay on the good side and he lives, I'll live too besides I've always been a fan of daughter-father books
hehe
"Emile, when does father return?" I turn my attention back to the redhead who is dusting out my d=bed and tidying it up.
"in a day or two ladies," she replies turning to lyryka in mild surprise that she brought up the grand duke for the second time.
"prepare me a dress, will you? Id like to welcome him when he's back"