Chapter 2 Learning to Play the Role

The morning sun had fully risen by the time the Duke left, casting long shadows across the room as the light filtered through the tall windows. She remained seated at the vanity, staring at her unfamiliar reflection. The maid hovered nearby, folding a pile of linens as if nothing unusual had occurred.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered herself. She couldn't afford to panic-at least not yet. First, she needed information. The Duke had mentioned something about a proposal, and whoever Lady Eleanor was, she clearly played an important role in this world. If she was going to survive long enough to figure out how to get back to her real life, she needed to understand this new one.

She turned to the maid, hoping to sound authoritative. "Tell me... what's been happening lately. I feel like I've been... out of sorts since the fall."

The maid looked at her with wide, startled eyes. "Of course, my lady. You've been resting for several days since the accident. Everyone was so worried, especially the Duke. He's barely left your side."

A husband, then. Or at least a man with a deep connection to Eleanor. The thought made her stomach twist. She wasn't prepared for the idea of pretending to be someone's wife, especially not in a world she didn't understand.

"And the proposal the Duke mentioned?" she asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible. "Remind me of the details."

The maid hesitated, as if unsure whether she should be discussing such matters. "It's about the marriage alliance, my lady. The King has been pressing for an answer. With tensions rising at the border, the Duke has been forced to consider marrying off Lady Anna to the northern lord's son."

Lady Anna. Northern lord. Alliance. None of it made sense, but she nodded as if it did. "Right, of course."

As the maid busied herself around the room, she tried to absorb as much information as she could. If the Duke was her husband and they were embroiled in political negotiations, it meant she was in a position of considerable influence. And that made everything more dangerous. One misstep, and she could ruin not only her own chances of survival but also throw this world's delicate balance into chaos.

When the maid left her alone, she walked to the windows, looking out at the sprawling estate. It was vast-fields of green stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with workers and horses. This wasn't some quaint medieval village. This was a world of wealth and power, where every action seemed to have consequences.

Her mind raced. In her real life, she had been a marketing manager-efficient, skilled, but far from any world where political alliances and noble families determined fate. How was she supposed to navigate this?

A knock at the door broke her thoughts. She turned to see a young woman, dressed in a more elaborate gown than the maid, stepping inside with a worried look on her face.

"Eleanor!" the woman cried, rushing toward her with an outstretched hand. "You're finally up! I was so worried."

She stiffened at the woman's familiarity, but forced a smile. "I'm... feeling much better now."

The woman pulled her into a tight hug, and it took all her willpower not to flinch. Who was she? A sister? A friend?

The woman pulled back, studying her face. "I thought the fall might have... well, changed you." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "But you seem just as sharp as ever."

She smiled weakly, grateful that this stranger seemed to buy her act. "Yes, of course. I just... need to catch up."

The woman's expression softened. "There's so much to catch up on, but let's start with the most important. The council meets this afternoon. The Duke wants you there, but I overheard some of the nobles talking-there are those who don't believe in the marriage alliance. They think the northern family is too dangerous, and that Lady Anna would be at risk."

Marriage alliance, council, political maneuvering. Her head was spinning, but she nodded as if it all made sense.

"Thank you for telling me," she said carefully. "I'll be sure to prepare."

The woman squeezed her hand. "You've always been good at this, Eleanor. No one manages the court like you do. I know you'll figure out the right move."

With that, the woman left, leaving her standing alone once more.

She let out a long breath. So, Lady Eleanor was a master of court politics-a world of manipulation, alliances, and subtle power plays. That explained why everyone was watching her so closely, expecting her to steer through the coming crisis.

If she was going to survive, she'd need to play Eleanor's role perfectly. There was no room for mistakes in a world like this. The Duke and the others were counting on her, and for now, she had no choice but to pretend to be someone she wasn't.

She took one last look in the mirror. The face staring back was beautiful, composed, but it wasn't hers. Yet, if she was going to make it through this, she needed to become Lady Eleanor-for as long as it took to find her way home.

Straightening her gown, she steeled herself. It was time to face the world of court politics, and she would have to learn quickly. Because if there was one thing she knew, it was that power games could be deadly.

And in this world, losing might mean never getting back.