It was only a few hours after Edmund's death.

Eleanor's father had entered the room, and after dismissing her maid he began to speak to her with great earnestness.

"You are going to the North," said her father in a cold tone.

"To the North? Why?" her anxiety was evident as she waited for the answer.

"A few days ago, a letter came from the Emperor telling me to send Edmond to the North to work as an assistant to his brother, Duke of the North Viktos Alaric. You will go in his place."

"What? Why?"

Her father's patience was wearing thin. He couldn't stand answering questions his daughter asked him, and now Elinora was out of her depth.

"Elinora, you have to protect your family."

Her father stepped close enough to her and she flinched.

"It was an order from the Emperor. What do you think will happen to you and us if he finds out that Edmund, our only heir, is dead? He'll take the title from us and sell you to some old married nobleman. You must save us all."

Edmund's death would certainly bring a lot of problems, but this was hard enough. She knew well that anything the Emperor says is an order and no one can go against him.

There was something she didn't understand. Why did she have to save her family? They never treated her like their daughter. 

"And how can I save the family?" she lowered her gaze.

Her father pulled out his sword, grabbed her hair and cut it. Then there was a scream and Elinora collapsed to the floor.

"You will only save us if you become your brother. You will go north as Edmond Jaden tomorrow morning and that is not something you can avoid" her father said indifferently and coldly "Make sure you don't get caught."

He went away saying this and Elinora still lay on the floor of her room. 

Nancy came in anxiously and seeing Eleanor frozen on the floor, she hugged her.

She picked her up and made her sit on the chair to fix her damaged hair trying to calm her down. 

When Nancy finished with her hair, Elinora looked in the mirror. Her appearance was different.

I really do look like Edmund with my hair like this. I wonder if I can make it through this without getting caught?

Nancy and I didn't say anything for the rest of the hour. She stayed in the room until Eleanor went to sleep. But as soon as Nancy left, she got up.

She couldn't sleep. A lot had happened in those few hours that she still hadn't realized. She knew the situation was very serious but she had never imagined that her parents would force her to go north disguised as her twin brother.

What if they caught her? Her parents would surely sell her. But what would happen to her afterwards?

She had a lot to think about and couldn't sleep a wink. She knew her father had sent her there never to return. Once she went north she would be alone, so she had to survive. 

She had to come up with a plan and fast, but her mind wasn't clear. The hour was long gone and morning had come.

Nancy entered the room. She was holding some clothes and a bandage.

"These clothes are lord Edmond's and this bandage is for you to wear around your chest. You will put them on and go out to the manor gate. There will be a carriage waiting for you there and-"

"My parents will not see me off?" interrupted Elinora.

Nancy did not answer.

"It's all right, Nancy, I knew it would be like this. You can go now."

Elinora prepared herself without wasting time and went out as quickly as she could. Nancy was there to greet her.

She hugged her dumbly and told her to be careful. Elinora reassured her that everything would be fine.

These were the last moments in this mansion. In this house that offered her nothing but bad memories. Yet in this house she lived with Edmund, the brother she loved and admired most in her entire life.

But ahead of her was a new beginning. At last she would get out of this house, she would know the world. She would do her best at work and try her best not to get caught.

With these thoughts she got into the carriage to start a new beginning. 

"Good morning, Mr. Edmond Jaden!" a voice greeted her from inside the carriage.