Chapter 3 Into the Lion's Den

The hallway leading to the council chamber was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long, ominous shadows on the stone walls. She walked slowly, her heart thudding with each step. Her footsteps echoed in the silence, reminding her that she was walking into a situation she had no idea how to control.

She couldn't shake the feeling of impending disaster. The Duke had summoned her to this council meeting, and there was an alliance proposal at stake. But beyond those bare facts, she was completely in the dark. Lady Eleanor, whoever she had been, was apparently a key player in these affairs, and now she had to somehow fill those shoes.

The door to the council chamber loomed ahead, intricately carved with the crest of the family. Her family, she supposed-though the thought still felt alien. She took a deep breath, straightened her gown, and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The room fell silent as soon as she entered. Heads turned, and the weight of their gazes pressed down on her like a physical force. Seated around a large, polished table were the Duke and a half-dozen men and women, all dressed in fine, somber attire. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to outright suspicion.

The Duke stood at the head of the table, his dark eyes unreadable as he looked at her. He nodded toward an empty seat beside him, signaling for her to join him. She forced herself to walk forward, every muscle tense as she moved across the room under the scrutiny of the council members.

"Lady Eleanor," the Duke said, his voice steady but carrying a note of something deeper-relief, perhaps. "We're grateful you could join us. The council is eager to hear your thoughts on the matter before us."

She sat down, feeling the stiffness in her movements, and glanced around the table. The nobles watched her expectantly, as if her mere presence would settle whatever dispute had been raging in the room before she arrived. The tension was thick, and she could sense the division among the members.

But she had no idea what they were even arguing about.

The Duke leaned slightly toward her, his voice low but firm. "The council is debating the marriage alliance between our house and the northern territories. Your advice has always been invaluable in these matters."

The northern territories. The marriage alliance. The maid had mentioned it earlier, and that mysterious woman had warned her about it too. Clearly, this was the heart of the current political struggle, but the details were elusive.

She couldn't afford to sit in silence for long, not when all eyes were on her. Trying to buy herself time, she nodded thoughtfully and leaned forward slightly. "What are the primary concerns about this alliance?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

A man at the far end of the table-a thin, wiry noble with a sharp gaze-immediately jumped in. "The northern family is known for their ruthless tactics, my lady. They may offer peace now, but once the alliance is secured, who's to say they won't turn on us? Lady Anna would be placed in grave danger."

A woman sitting beside him chimed in, her voice cool and calculated. "And yet, without their support, our border remains vulnerable. We can't afford another rebellion from the northern lords. The marriage would seal a treaty, ensuring stability for years to come."

The debate erupted once more, voices rising in a tangle of arguments and counterarguments. She sat in stunned silence, trying to make sense of the situation. It was a delicate balance-marry Lady Anna off to secure peace, but at the risk of sending her into a volatile, possibly hostile environment.

Her mind raced, trying to piece together a solution that would satisfy both sides. In her modern life, negotiations had been part of her job, though the stakes had never been as high as this. But diplomacy, like politics, was about leverage-and understanding what each party truly wanted.

She cleared her throat, and the voices around her quieted. The Duke's eyes flickered with something like approval as she spoke.

"We must weigh both the risks and rewards of this alliance," she began, her voice steady despite the anxiety tightening in her chest. "The northern territories offer us stability and a strengthened defense, but I agree that Lady Anna's safety is paramount. If we are to proceed, we need guarantees-strong ones."

The nobles leaned in, listening intently. She could feel the shift in the room, their initial doubt now replaced with cautious interest.

"If we are to marry Lady Anna to the northern lord's son, then we must negotiate terms that ensure her safety. A hostage exchange, perhaps. Or a guard of our own stationed with her. We cannot enter into this alliance blindly, but if we can secure the right terms, it could benefit us greatly."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table. The thin man, who had been the most vocal opponent of the marriage, frowned but didn't argue further.

The Duke's gaze remained locked on her, a faint smile touching the corner of his mouth. "Wise words, Eleanor, as always."

Her pulse quickened. She had no idea if she'd said the right thing, but it seemed to have placated the council for now. The conversation shifted, moving on to details of the negotiations and strategies for ensuring their safety during the marriage discussions.

As the meeting continued, she found herself more and more out of her depth, but she kept her expression calm and nodded in the right places. She could only hope her facade wouldn't crumble before she found a way out of this world.

When the meeting finally adjourned, the Duke stood and motioned for her to follow him. The other council members filed out, some casting curious glances her way, but none daring to question her directly.

As soon as they were alone in the hallway, the Duke turned to her, his dark eyes searching her face. "You handled that well," he said, his voice low. "Better than I expected, considering..."

Her heart pounded. "Considering?"

He hesitated, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "Considering your accident. I wasn't sure how... much you would remember."

Her breath caught. Had he noticed her strangeness? Was he beginning to suspect something was off?

"I'm still recovering," she said carefully, choosing her words with precision. "But I'll manage."

The Duke studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "You always do." He paused before adding, "The northern delegation arrives in three days. Be ready."

With that, he turned and strode down the hall, leaving her standing alone, the weight of his words sinking in.

Three days. That was all the time she had to prepare herself for an alliance negotiation that could determine the fate of this kingdom-and her own survival in this unfamiliar world.

As she watched the Duke's figure disappear into the shadows, one thought echoed in her mind: I have to find a way home before it's too late.