3

A week has passed since my reincarnation into this world, yet my parents still forbid me from getting out of bed. My days passed slowly, surrounded by excessive care, as if I were a fragile piece of glass.

The door opened gently, and the maid responsible for attending to me entered, carrying clean towels and filling the room with the scent of fragrant soap.

"Good morning, my lady," she said softly as she walked toward the window, carefully pulling back the curtains to allow the sunlight to seep into the room. "We have prepared your bath. My lady, you must get ready; the doctor will be coming to examine you soon."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise before adjusting my posture on the bed, trying to sit up straight.

"You are truly lucky, my lady," the maid added as she changed the flower vase on the nearby table.

"What do you mean?" I asked her curiously, my eyes watching as she delicately arranged the petals of the white roses.

She turned to me with a warm smile and said in a voice tinged with admiration, "Your condition was very critical. The doctors almost lost hope in treating you." She paused for a moment before continuing, "But you were fortunate that the son of His Highness, Prince Dennis Strathmore, was the one who treated you."

My eyebrows rose even higher. "He treated me?"

The maid nodded and returned to arranging some items on the table. "The Strathmore family is not one that practices medicine; they usually obtain medical degrees to strengthen diplomatic relations, not to practice the profession." She sighed slightly. "But Doctor Kyle Strathmore, the eldest son of the prince, was an exception."

I tried to grasp her words, but what caught my attention most was the doctor's name.

The maid continued, excitement evident in her voice as she spoke about him, "He studied abroad for eight years and is one of the top graduates of the prestigious Hybrid University. They say he is a genius in his field."

I smiled quietly, but inside, my mind was filled with questions.

"Does my father know the Strathmore family?"

The maid looked at me with slight surprise before laughing lightly. "Of course! The relationship between your father and Lord Strathmore is very strong, my lady."

"Really? How so?"

She placed the vase back in its place before turning to me, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia for old tales.

"They have been friends since childhood and got married in the same year. Your father, Duke Valeska, led the Imperial Guard to victory in the war and earned his title with merit."

I felt genuine astonishment this time because this part did not appear in the novel.

The maid continued in a hushed tone as if revealing an old secret, "As for Prince Dennis Strathmore, he was the rightful heir to the throne... but he relinquished his right in favor of his younger twin brother—all for love."

"Love?"

"Yes." She nodded with a warm smile. "He fell in love with Lady Sarah, the daughter of Colonel Daren. But he had to choose between his love and the throne, and he chose her without hesitation."

I silently pondered her words, realizing the depth of the relationship between the two families.

"That's why their bond is so strong," the maid added, lifting her hands as if emphasizing her point. "They married in the same year and had their children around the same time."

I smiled gently, but I felt that much more remained unsaid.

"So... Doctor Kyle Strathmore is the son of the man who gave up the throne for love?" I murmured to myself, trying to grasp the idea.

The maid nodded as she picked up a fresh bedsheet and began tidying the bed. "Yes, he is."

I sank into my thoughts, oblivious to the maid, who was watching me with eager eyes.

"My lady, you should take a bath. A warm bath with Korean herbs will help you regain your energy." She placed her hand gently on my shoulder, as if trying to shake off my laziness.

I nodded slowly, then got out of bed and followed her down the long hallway, where wide windows lined its sides, revealing a vibrant garden filled with colorful flowers, with a fountain shimmering under the sunlight at its center.

When we reached the bathroom, I paused for a moment to take in its beauty. It was like a scene from a dream—an expansive marble tub, golden embellishments adorning the walls, and warm water flowing into the basin with a soothing elegance.

I took a deep breath, telling myself: No more idleness. This is a new body, a new life, and I must adapt to it.

Since waking up in this world, I hadn't bathed, having been consumed by illness and sedatives. But now, it was time to regain my strength.

As I pondered, the maid entered with a smile and said kindly, "I will wash your hair."

I didn't mind. I simply sat quietly in the tub and let her take care of my hair. Her fingers worked gently, massaging my scalp with lavender-scented soap, and I felt the warm water glide over my locks like silky threads shimmering under the dim light.

"My lady, you are truly beautiful," the maid said, carefully washing my hair as if handling something precious.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the water cascade over my face. "How old am I?" I suddenly asked, as if trying to confirm the reality of the body I had reincarnated into.

The maid replied confidently, "You have just turned seventeen, my lady."

Seventeen... I repeated the number in my mind. It was a suitable age—not too young, yet not old enough to hold real authority. Well, that's fine, I thought as I finished my bath.

After stepping out of the bath, I put on a modestly long, pale-yellow dress with simple details and sleeves that reached halfway down my arms. It was plain but comfortable. The maid gently arranged my hair, applied a touch of lip balm, and lightly scented me with a floral fragrance.

I followed her downstairs, descending the grand staircase designed in an early twentieth-century style, leading to the sitting room.

As I stood before the large doors, I took a deep breath. I had to act according to my character in the novel... but the problem was that this body had never been mentioned in the story.

So, I decided to act naturally.

I gently pushed the door open and entered the room, where everyone was gathered.

"Hello, everyone," I said calmly, raising my head to see who was inside.

My father sat quietly beside my mother, and on the sofa opposite them was Doctor Kyle Strathmore, seated next to a man who appeared to be in his late fifties, yet he did not look old at all. He carried the same sharp features as Kyle, which made me immediately deduce his identity.

I didn't have much time to think, as my mother quickly stood up and walked toward me with a bright smile. She wore a cream-colored dress adorned with chiffon, perfectly matching the noble fashion of London.

She placed her hand gently on my back and said in a warm voice, "You look very beautiful today, my daughter."

Then, she turned toward the seated man and said with a formal smile, "Lord Strathmore, forgive my daughter. She has been ill and is still suffering from memory loss."

The man observed me with a scrutinizing gaze before smiling and raising his hand, signaling me to come closer.

I hesitated for a moment, but my mother whispered gently, "Go ahead, dear."

I walked toward him with steady steps and bowed politely before saying in a quiet voice, "Long live His Highness, Lord Strathmore."

The man laughed heartily and took my hand, lightly pulling me down to sit beside him.

I also greeted Kyle, speaking politely, "How are you, young Lord Strathmore?"

But before Kyle could respond, his father intervened, gently pulling me back into my seat. "Don't strain yourself, little one." Then he turned to my father and said confidently, "She's fine. She will regain her health soon."

After that, he looked directly at me and asked in a deep voice, "Tell me, what is the last thing you remember before losing consciousness?"

I hesitated for a moment. Should I tell him the truth? Could I simply say that I did not belong to this world? Of course not. I had to be cautious.

But before I could think of a suitable answer, he cut me off with a laugh. "I am a specialist doctor; don't be fooled by my appearance. I love my profession dearly."

Then he added playfully, "But since you are the daughter of my brother and childhood friend, I insist on examining you myself."

I raised my eyebrows slightly before responding politely, "Thank you, Uncle, for trying so hard to help me."

Prince Dennis Strathmore burst into laughter and turned to my father, saying, "Osman, you have a clever daughter! I got permission to be her uncle so quickly!"

I felt extremely embarrassed and bit my lips lightly, my eyes meeting Kyle's. He had been watching the situation with a small smile. He seemed to realize I was in trouble, but he did not interfere.

"Isn't it wonderful to become an uncle, Father?" Kyle said, looking at his father with playful sarcasm.

His father laughed again and patted my shoulder gently. "Oh my, it seems Aurora will be my spoiled little niece!"

My father joined in, smiling. "And my daughter will be proud of her new uncle."

The room was filled with warmth, a sense of closeness and family. I hadn't expected this level of acceptance among them, as if I had always been part of this family.

But suddenly, Prince Dennis turned to me again, looking at me intently.

"You haven't answered me yet, Aurora. What is the last thing you remember before losing consciousness?"

I felt my heart race. There was no escaping the question this time.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then looked at him with calm eyes before uttering words that would shock everyone.

"I remember... that I died." I pushed the door gently and stepped into the room, where everyone was gathered.