Episode 3
“Here, wear this.”
“Thank you.”
I tried to unfold the elegant shawl Duke Raymond gave me, but it was so neatly folded and pressed that I couldn’t quite get a grip on it.
Why is this so tricky?
While I was wrestling with the shawl, the Duke took it back from me.
Oh? Is he taking it away?
“You’re quite a handful, Lady,” he said as he smoothly opened it with one motion and gently wrapped it around my shoulders.
And just like that, it looked like he was hugging me from behind.
Oh my goodness! What a blessing!
I blushed in joy. I quickly grabbed the shawl with both hands like I was afraid it might fly away.
“L-Lady Aileen?”
“Yes?”
Maybe I moved too quickly. I had grabbed his arm along with the shawl. Honestly, my instinct moved before my mind could stop it—deep down, I probably just didn’t want him to stop hugging me.
Nice job, me. You’re the best!
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
But I couldn’t show my real feelings, so I reluctantly let go of his arm.
Still, I couldn’t hide the regret in my eyes, and the Duke’s eyes trembled slightly when he saw it.
Time passed, and soon it was night.
With the maids’ help, I took a nice bath. After that, they applied fragrant oils all over my body and even brushed my long hair.
Aileen was technically a prisoner, but being treated this well? Who could call the Duke a villain?
Once I was clean and ready, I lay down in bed. A maid came over, fixed the covers for me, and was about to leave—
—when the Duke walked in, just like he was switching places with her.
“Duke Raymond.”
I wasn’t sleepy at all. When I tried to sit up, he came closer and gently stopped me.
“I came to turn off the lights.”
Oh my! My favorite character is turning off the lights so I can sleep well?
Honestly, I wanted to ask him to sing me a lullaby, but I held back.
“Will you… stay until I fall asleep?”
Okay, I didn’t ask for a lullaby—but I never said I wouldn’t ask for something else.
His eyes widened again in surprise at my sudden request. All day he’d been caught off guard by me, and honestly, I felt a little bad. But he was so cute that I just couldn’t help it.
“Should I… do that?” he asked cautiously.
For a prisoner’s request, he was being way too polite.
“Yes. That would help. This place is unfamiliar, so it’s hard for me to fall asleep.”
I said it boldly, pretending to be innocent.
In truth, I wouldn’t sleep a wink with him next to me because I’d be too busy staring at his face—but that’s exactly what I wanted, so I lied without shame.
The Duke thought about it for a moment, then sat on a chair next to the bed.
“If you wish it, I will stay.”
He’s pretending to be a villain, but in reality, he’s just a big softie who does whatever I ask.
He sat there quietly, clearly unsure where to look. He seemed flustered, not knowing what to do with himself.
Lying in bed, watching my favorite character’s face until I fall asleep was something I used to do every night. But now, I could see him in 3D—not just on a screen. It was overwhelming.
Is this a dream? What if I wake up and it’s all gone?
It would make more sense if this was a dream. It felt too magical to be real.
My favorite character is right here… right in front of me…
Tears filled my eyes from emotion. The warm blanket made me drowsy, but I tried so hard to keep my eyes open.
I didn’t want to sleep. I wanted to keep looking at him.
But I guess I was more tired than I thought—before I knew it, I fell asleep.
Luckily, it wasn’t a dream.
The room I woke up in was the same as last night, filled with bright morning sunlight.
The only difference? Duke Raymond wasn’t there.
I must’ve fallen asleep while watching him. I wanted to see him for as long as possible…
I was still thinking about how I missed the moment when I heard a knock at the door.
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
“My lady, may I come in?”
A polite voice waited for my answer. It sounded like the maid from yesterday.
“Yes, come in.”
“Did you sleep well?”
A group of maids entered and started washing me again—just like last night.
It was a bit awkward to have someone else bathe and dress me, but I let them. After all, when babies are born, they need help too. And in a way, I was just “born” into this novel.
“Please lift your arm, my lady.”
As I raised my arm, I suddenly wondered…
If my soul came into Aileen’s body, what happened to her soul? Did we switch places?
Right before I came here, my real body got into a car accident. I probably died instantly… but maybe, just maybe, I survived somehow. Maybe Aileen’s soul entered my body?
If that’s true, I hope Aileen puts my annoying older brother in his place.
Thinking of my brother made me remember my parents too.
I wonder how they’re doing. They must be worried about me…
“My lady, I’ll scrub your back now.”
The rough texture of the towel against my back suddenly made my eyes water.
Was the pain on my back… or in my heart?
My chest felt tight. I shook my head hard.
No. I’ve already been transported here. What’s done is done.
I told myself to forget about my past life. I had to live here now—this was my new home.
Wrapped in a soft, fluffy towel, I dried off and left the warm, steamy bathroom. The maids applied oil to make my skin soft and shiny.
Today’s dress was beige and provided by the Duke.
It wasn’t the fanciest dress for a noble lady, but it was far too elegant to be something for a prisoner.
“Please step into the dress, my lady.”
As I lifted my leg, I focused on trying to understand my situation.
I could speak and read the language here, so it seemed my “hardware” came with me. But what about the “software”? My memories were clearly mine—Im Yun-gyeong’s—and everything I knew about Aileen came from the novel, not her own memories.
It would’ve been easier if I had her memories too.
It might’ve had pros and cons, but at least I’d know how to act.
Still, the biggest question remained: Why did this happen to me?
There was no answer. All I could do was live on and find the answer myself.
Lost in thought, I finished getting ready. A maid led me to the dining room, where Duke Raymond was already waiting.
“My lady, you’re here.”
He looked up and met my eyes.
No way. This has to be a dream!
There’s no way such a beautiful man is sitting in front of me unless this is all made up!
All my worries and sadness disappeared the moment I saw him.
His black hair was slicked back, showing off his handsome forehead. His blue eyes—just like the sky—looked even clearer now.
Seeing the man I wanted to stare at every night, right here again, made me so excited I couldn’t hide it.
“W-wow…”
I covered my mouth with my hands and gasped, clutching my chest.
The Duke looked confused.
“My lady… are you ill?”
“My heart…”
It’s about to burst—from seeing you.
But before I could say it, he jumped up, alarmed.
“I’ll call for a doctor!”
“N-no, it’s okay!”
I waved my hands frantically to stop him.
“I know my body best.”
“Are you… sick with something?”
Yes. Lovesickness. That’s my diagnosis.
But don’t worry—just seeing you is the cure.
I couldn’t let him keep worrying, so I quickly calmed myself.
“No, really. I think I’m just hungry.”
“You must be. Let’s eat, then.”
Relieved, he sat back down.
I looked at the breakfast laid out before me. There was soup, bread, a fried egg, a salad with cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions—and a whole plate of the chewy Malkan mushrooms I ate yesterday.
“Ooh! Malkan mushrooms!”
I stabbed one with my fork and popped it into my mouth. As expected, it was chewy and crispy on the outside. Perfect!
But then, I faced a big problem.
I didn’t want to waste the food he had kindly prepared—but I also didn’t want to miss the chance to stare at his face. He was so busy outside of mealtimes, I might not see him again today.
So, I came up with a genius idea: stuff my cheeks like a squirrel!
I kept putting mushrooms in my mouth, planning to slowly chew and swallow them later.
My cheeks puffed up in no time.
The Duke looked stunned by my nonstop fork action. Then, suddenly—pfft—he made a small sound.
He lowered his head, shoulders trembling. He was trying so hard not to laugh.
Was I that funny-looking?
Still, I was proud of my plan. My eyes and my mouth were both happy—and mushrooms are easy to digest, too!
I kept happily chewing away.
