A Body That Isn't Mine .

A voice stirred me from sleep, faint at first, but slowly growing clearer.

"My lady… My Lady…Lady Liora, please wake up. It's already lunchtime…"

My eyes fluttered open, still heavy from the lingering effects of medicine. I blinked groggily, trying to adjust to the soft light pouring into the room.

"W-What? It's already lunchtime?" I sat up in a rush, my voice laced with panic. "Oh no! I'm late!"

My voice was hoarse with sleep, and the sudden movement made my head spin slightly.

But the maid at my side—young and earnest—quickly reassured me with a gentle smile. "It's alright, My Lady. You've been unwell. There's no need to worry."

I rubbed my temple and let out a small, awkward laugh. "Oh… right…"

It took me a moment to remember—I was no longer a student. No more rushing to school or cramming for exams. That part of my life… was gone. I wasn't Yuna anymore.

I sank back into the soft mattress with a sigh and pulled the blanket over my head. "No more school…"

The maid, the same one who had been there when I first woke in this world, spoke softly again. "My lady, please… I've prepared warm water for your bath. You should get up before it gets cold."

I peeked out from under the blanket and studied her face properly for the first time.She was young, maybe around my age, with soft features and those moss-green eyes I remembered from the day I woke.

I tilted my head "Umm… what's your name?" I asked, offering a small smile.

She blinked, surprised for a second. "You… don't remember me?"

There was a short silence, then she lowered her gaze and spoke with care.

"My name is Nirelle. Nirelle Ashbriar. I'm a maid of the Dreadmoor household… and I've served you... for a long time."

"Nirelle…" I repeated softly.

She lifted her eyes to mine, and for a second, they shimmered with emotion.

"Yes, My lady?"

I smiled gently. "Why are you calling me 'my lady'? Just call me Liora."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "M-My lady! I-I could never… that would be improper."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Because... I am your maid," she said softly. "It's against the laws of the empire. Servants aren't allowed to address nobles by name without title. It's… disrespectful."

I sighed quietly. "Right... imperial rules."

It was strange how casually she said "laws of the empire." That was my new reality now.

Then, with playful mischief in my voice, I leaned closer. "But… can't you call me Liora just between us? When no one else is around?" I gave her my best pleading look.

Nirelle looked like she might faint. Her face flushed, and she fumbled for words. "M-My lady… I-I'll call you… Lady Liora from now on! Please don't be sad!"

I chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Lady Liora it is."

With gentle hands, Nirelle helped me out of bed and guided me to the bath. The warm water soothed my aching limbs. She assisted me with everything—drying my hair, dressing me in a soft lavender gown, gently helping me back to bed. She gave me some herbal medicine and lunch.

The food was warm and fragrant, but I could barely finish half before exhaustion crept in again. My body… Liora's body… was so fragile. Just one walk around the room with her support left me breathless and lightheaded.

As I sat back down to rest, I looked at her thoughtfully. "Nirelle… can you tell me more about myself? And... this place?"

She hesitated, fidgeting with her apron. "You are Lady Liora Dreadmoor… you are the only daughter of the Western Duke. You have two elder brothers…"

She paused.

Her moss green eyes dropped to the floor, avoiding my gaze.

"Nirelle," I said softly, "Do you… know me well?"

She nodded slowly "Yes, My Lady."

"Then tell me. What kind of person am I?"

She smiled gently, though her voice trembled. "You are very kind. You've always had a frail body… even a cold breeze could leave you bedridden for days. But you never complained. You always gave your best, no matter how hard it was. You tried so hard to make everyone happy. You… you have a pure heart, Lady Liora."

My chest tightened. From her words alone, i could tell the kind of girl Liora had been. A fragile soul... trying her best in a world that likely never gave her much in return.

I swallowed down the strange emotion rising in my throat. "Can you tell me... about my family? Their names?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, My Lady. The one you saw standing behind the physician with black hair and emerald green eyes—his name is Cedric Dreadmoor. He's your elder brother… and a great swordsman."

I nodded, recalling his cold, sharp gaze.

"And the one with yellow-blonde hair and silver-grey eyes is Renald Dreadmoor—your second brother. He's also a skilled swordsman."

"Cedric… and Renald…" I murmured.

Then I looked at her curiously. "What about you? Can you tell me about yourself."

She blinked in suprise. "A-About me?"

I nodded with a soft smile. "If you don't want to, that's okay."

"No, no, My Lady, it's not that!" she said quickly, waving her hands. "It's just… no one's ever asked before…"

I placed my hand gently on hers. "It's okay, Nirelle. I'm not mad.I won't punish you."

She suddenly started crying.

"W-What's wrong? I'm not upset, I said quickly, startled.

She wiped her tears and said in a trembling voice, "Lady Liora… thank you for waking up. I—I thought… you might never wake. That day when I found you collapsed on the floor near your bed, I screamed. I didn't know what to do. Everyone came rushing in, and then… the physician said you'd fallen into a coma…"

Her voice broke.

I took her hand in mine. "Nirelle... how long was I asleep?"

She wiped her eyes and whispered, "Almost one year, My Lady."

My breath caught. "O-One year?!"

She nodded. "Yes, My Lady. You've been asleep for almost a full year."

I stared at the floor, stunned. One year? That long?

I muttered under my breath, "How is that even possible…?"

I tried to remember. In that white space where Liora and I met, it had felt like only a single day had passed. But now… almost a year had gone by?

"Then… how old am I?" I asked quietly.

"You're seventeen, My Lady," Nirelle answered gently.

"Seventeen…" I whispered.

How is that possible? That robed man... the one with pure white hair. Why did he give us a second life... What's his goal?

The golden Sun had set outside. Warm light spilled into the room from the tall windows, painting everything in soft hues of cream and gold.

"I'll bring your dinner and medicine, Lady Liora," Nirelle said gently. "Please rest in the meantime."

When she left, I was alone in the room. For the first time, truly alone.

I glanced around. The room was massive, elegant. Ivory walls trimmed with gold accents. The heavy velvet curtains were a shade of deep plum, tied back with braided cords. A chandelier sparkled above my bed, casting soft amber light over the silk bedding and ornate furniture.

In the corner, I spotted a full-length mirror framed in carved wood.

I pushed myself up slowly, using the wall for balance. My legs trembled beneath me as I walked to it.

What I saw made me freeze.

I was… taller than the Liora I met in the white space. My hair was still a soft, silvery blue, but the innocence and warmth, I remembered in her eyes was gone.

These eyes… they were mine now.

This body wasn't just hers anymore.

It was mine. Entirely.

I stared at my reflection, breathing slowly.

And then—voices.

Faint, from just outside the room.

Someone was talking… about me.

But who?

And why now?