Chapter 2
Zylith let out a heavy sigh, her fingers running through her hair. The strands were soft and silky, cascading past her shoulders in perfect waves. It was so different from the slightly coarse, shoulder-length hair she had back in her world. "This is weird," she muttered, letting the silky locks fall through her fingers. Everything about this situation was weird.
The maids, who had hesitantly entered her chambers after her earlier outburst, busied themselves tidying up the room. Just as Zylith started to consider questioning them, the door slammed open with a force that made her jump.
A tall man strode into the room, his black hair falling neatly over his almond-shaped eyes. His sharp features were striking, and his presence was commanding enough to make the maids freeze in their tracks. Zylith blinked, startled by the unexpected appearance of this ridiculously handsome yet intimidating stranger.
The man's gaze softened the moment he saw her, and he quickly closed the distance between them, kneeling by her bedside. Before she could react, he pulled her into a firm embrace.
"Zylith, are you alright?" he asked, his deep voice laced with genuine concern. He pulled back slightly, his hands gently gripping her shoulders as he scanned her face. "They told me you hit your head with a tray!"
Zylith gawked at him, her thoughts racing. She tried to place him—surely he must be a character from No Breakthrough. Was he one of the leads? Or maybe a side character? His face didn't ring any bells.
"I… I'm fine," she stammered, forcing a faint smile.
The man frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure? You've never done something so reckless before. Should I call for the doctor?"
"No!" Zylith said quickly, shaking her head. "Really, I'm okay. It's nothing serious."
The man studied her for a moment longer, then exhaled and stood. Turning to the maids, his expression hardened. "You're all responsible for her well-being. How could you let something like this happen?" His voice was sharp, and the maids flinched under his gaze.
"My lord, we—"
"No excuses," he interrupted. "From now on, I want her watched more closely. If anything happens to her again, you'll answer to me."
The maids bowed their heads, murmuring apologies.
Turning back to Zylith, the man's expression softened once more. "Rest, Zylith. We'll talk about what happened tomorrow. For now, stay out of trouble."
Zylith nodded mutely, still too stunned to say much else. With one last lingering glance, the man turned and left, his commanding presence fading with the sound of the closing door.
The moment he was gone, Zylith turned to the maids, her brow furrowed. "Who was that?"
The maids exchanged baffled glances.
"My lady," one of them finally said, "what do you mean? That's your father—the Grand Duke."
Zylith's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. "My father?" she echoed in disbelief. "That man?"
"Yes, my lady," another maid said hesitantly, her brows knitting together. "Are you feeling alright?"
"My father," Zylith repeated under her breath, her voice rising slightly in pitch. She threw her hands up in exasperation. "That man is my father?!"
The maids exchanged another set of nervous looks, one of them muttering, "Perhaps we should call the doctor after all."
"No, no," Zylith said quickly, waving her hands in a dismissive gesture. "I'm fine. Really. Just… surprised, that's all."
The maids looked unconvinced but nodded.
As the room fell silent again, Zylith leaned back against the pillows, her thoughts spinning. Okay. Three things are clear: one, I've been isekai-ed into this world. Two, I'm apparently thirteen years old right now. And three… my father is ridiculously hot.
She snorted at the thought, shaking her head. "This can't be real. I'll wake up tomorrow, and everything will be back to normal." She nodded to herself, her denial strong.
---
Morning came far too quickly. Zylith stirred as a maid gently shook her awake.
"My lady, it's time for breakfast," the maid said softly. "The Grand Duke and your brother are waiting."
Zylith groaned, barely lifting her head. "I have a brother too?" she mumbled, rubbing her temples. Of course, she had a brother. Because why not? This day just kept getting better and better.
She forced herself out of bed, stretching as she padded toward the adjoining bathroom. She needed water on her face, something to wake her up properly. But when she pushed open the door, she froze.
Instead of a shower or a simple sink, there was a massive clawfoot bathtub, gleaming like it belonged in a royal palace. The air smelled of roses, thick with the scent of luxury. The maids bustled in behind her, moving with practiced efficiency. One scattered rose petals across the steaming water, another laid out an assortment of soaps, fluffy towels, and perfumes.
"We'll assist you, my lady," one of them said, stepping forward.
Zylith immediately backed away, hands raised in alarm. "No, no, no! I can do it myself. Just… leave me to it."
The maids blinked at her, clearly confused.
"My lady, it's our duty to—"
"I said I can handle it!" Zylith snapped, feeling her face heat up. She quickly ushered them toward the door, herding them like startled ducks. "Just wait outside, okay? I'll call if I need you."
They hesitated, sharing uncertain glances, but eventually nodded and filed out. The moment the door shut behind them, Zylith let out a heavy sigh and slumped against the cool tiles.
"What kind of medieval nonsense is this?" she muttered.
She eyed the bathtub, the rose petals floating like something straight out of a painting. Well, at least it was pretty. Sighing in defeat, she stripped down and stepped into the warm water, letting it soothe some of her nerves.
By the time she finished and got dressed, the maids were waiting like sentinels outside the door. They wordlessly led her through the grand halls, their footsteps soft against the polished floors. The air smelled of fresh bread and something rich and savory. Her stomach growled, but she barely noticed. Her heart was thudding harder with every step.