A week has passed since my reincarnation in this world, and my parents still won’t let me get out of bed. My days passed slowly, surrounded by excessive care as if I were a fragile piece of glass.

The door opened gently, and the maid responsible for my service entered, carrying clean towels and filling the room with the scent of fragrant soap.

“Good morning, my lady,” she said softly as she walked toward the window, carefully pulling back the curtains to allow the sunlight to filter into the room. “We have prepared your bath, my lady. You must get ready; the doctor will be coming to examine you soon.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise before adjusting my position on the bed, trying to sit up straight.

“You are truly lucky, my lady,” the maid added as she changed the flower pot on the nearby table.

“What do you mean?” I asked curiously, my eyes following her as she carefully arranged the petals of the white roses.

She turned to me with a warm smile and spoke with a hint of admiration in her voice: “Your condition was very serious. The doctors almost lost hope in treating you.” She paused for a moment before continuing, “But fortunately, the son of His Highness Prince Denis Strathmore was the one who treated you.”

My eyebrows lifted higher. “He treated me?”

The maid nodded and resumed arranging some items on the table. “The Strathmore family does not typically practice medicine. They obtain medical degrees mainly for diplomatic purposes, not to actually work in the field,” she sighed slightly. “But Dr. Kyle Strathmore, the eldest son of the prince, was an exception.”

I tried to process her words, but what caught my attention the most was the doctor’s name.

The maid continued, her excitement evident as she spoke about him: “He studied abroad for eight years and is one of the top graduates of the prestigious Hybrid University. They say he is a genius in his field.”

I smiled quietly, but inside, my mind was brimming with questions.

“Does my father know the Strathmore family?”

The maid looked at me with slight surprise before chuckling softly. “Of course! The relationship between your father and Lord Strathmore is very strong, my lady.”

“Really? How so?”

She placed the flower pot back in its place before turning to me, her eyes shining with a hint of nostalgia for old stories.

“They have been friends since childhood and got married in the same year. Your father, Duke Valeska, led the Imperial Guard to victory in the war and earned his title with merit.”

I felt genuine astonishment this time. This part wasn’t mentioned in the novel.

The maid continued in a hushed voice as if whispering an old secret: “As for Prince Denis Strathmore, he was the rightful heir to the throne… but he gave up his right in favor of his younger twin brother—all for love.”

“Love?”

“Yes.” She nodded with a warm smile. “He fell in love with Lady Sarah, the daughter of Colonel Darren. But he had to choose between his love and the throne, and he chose her without hesitation.”

I pondered her words in silence, absorbing the depth of the relationship between the two families.

“That’s why their bond is so strong,” the maid added, raising her hands as if emphasizing her point. “They married in the same year and had their children around the same time.”

I smiled gently, but I had a feeling there was still much left unsaid.

“So… Dr. Kyle Strathmore is the son of the man who gave up the throne for love?” I muttered to myself, trying to grasp the situation.

The maid nodded as she picked up a fresh sheet and began making the bed. “Yes, he is.”

I sank into my thoughts, unaware of the maid watching me with eager eyes.

“My lady, you should take a bath. A warm bath with Korean herbs will help restore your energy,” she said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder as if pushing away my lethargy.

I nodded slowly, then got out of bed and followed her down the long hallway, where large windows lined the sides, revealing a vibrant garden full of colorful flowers with a fountain shimmering under the sunlight.

When we reached the bathroom, I paused for a moment to take in its beauty. It was like a scene from a fantasy—a vast marble tub, golden decorations adorning the walls, and warm water flowing into the basin in a soothing cascade.

I took a deep breath, telling myself: No more laziness. This is a new body, a new life, and I have to adapt.

Since waking up in this world, I hadn’t taken a proper bath. I had been drowning in illness and sedatives, but now it was time to regain my energy.

As I thought, the maid entered with a smile and said kindly, “I will wash your hair.”

I didn’t mind. I simply sat quietly in the tub and let her do her job. Her fingers moved gently, massaging my scalp with lavender-scented soap, and I felt the warm water run through my hair like silky threads glistening under the soft light.

“My lady, you are truly beautiful,” the maid said as she carefully washed my hair, as if handling something precious.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the water cascade over my face. “How old am I?” I suddenly asked, as if trying to confirm the reality of this body I had reincarnated into.

The maid answered confidently, “You just turned seventeen, my lady.”

Seventeen… I repeated the number in my head. It was an appropriate age—not too young, yet not old enough to hold any real authority. Well, that was fine, I thought as I finished my bath.

After stepping out, I put on a mid-length dress in a soft yellow shade, with modest details and sleeves reaching halfway down my arms. It was simple but comfortable. The maid carefully arranged my hair, applied a touch of lip balm, and lightly scented me with floral perfume.

I followed her downstairs, where the grand staircase—designed in the early twentieth-century style—led me to the sitting room.

Standing before the large door, I took a deep breath. I had to act according to my character in the novel… but the problem was, this body hadn’t been mentioned in the story yet. So, I decided to act naturally.

I gently pushed the door open and stepped inside, where everyone was gathered.

“Good evening, everyone,” I said softly, lifting my gaze to see who was present.

My father sat calmly beside my mother, and across from them on the couch was Dr. Kyle Strathmore, seated next to a man who appeared to be in his late fifties but did not look old at all. He had the same sharp features as Kyle, allowing me to recognize him instantly.

I didn’t have much time to think, as my mother quickly stood up and approached me with a radiant smile. She wore a cream-colored dress adorned with chiffon, perfectly fitting the fashion of London’s nobility.

She gently placed her hand on my back and said warmly, “You look absolutely beautiful today, my dear.”

Then, she turned toward the seated man and gave a formal smile. “Lord Strathmore, please excuse my daughter. She has been ill and is still suffering from memory loss.”

The man studied me carefully before smiling and raising his hand, motioning for me to come closer.

I hesitated for a moment, but my mother whispered kindly, “Go ahead, dear.”

I walked toward him with steady steps and bowed politely before speaking in a calm voice, “Long live His Highness, Lord Strathmore.”

The man laughed heartily and took my hand, gently pulling me to sit beside him.

I also greeted Kyle, speaking courteously, “How are you, young Lord Strathmore?”

Before Kyle could respond, his father intervened, gently pulling me back down to sit again. “Don’t strain yourself, little one.” Then he turned to my father and said confidently, “She’s fine. Her health will return soon.”

Then, he looked directly at me and asked in a deep voice, “Tell me, what is the last thing you remember before losing consciousness?”

I hesitated for a moment. Should I tell him the truth? Could I simply say that I didn’t belong in this world? Of course not. I had to act carefully.

Before I could think of a suitable answer, he interrupted with a laugh, “I am a specialist doctor, don’t let my looks fool you—I love my profession deeply.”

Then, he added playfully, “But since you are the daughter of my childhood friend, I insist on examining you myself.”

I raised my eyebrows slightly before replying politely, “Thank you, Uncle, for trying so hard to help me.”

Prince Denis Strathmore burst into laughter and turned to my father. “Osman, your daughter is clever! She quickly granted me the privilege of being her uncle!”

I felt deeply embarrassed and bit my lip lightly as my eyes met Kyle’s. He was observing the scene with a small smile, seemingly aware of my predicament but choosing not to interfere.

“Isn’t it wonderful to be an uncle, Father?” Kyle said, looking at his father with playful sarcasm.

His father laughed again and patted my shoulder gently. “Oh dear, it seems Aurora will be my spoiled little girl!”

My father added with a smile, “And my daughter will be proud of her new uncle.”

The room was filled with warmth and familial affection. I hadn’t expected such acceptance, as if I had always been part of this family.

But suddenly, Prince Denis turned back to me, his gaze sharp and focused.

“You still haven’t answered me, Aurora. What is the last thing you remember before losing consciousness?”

My heart pounded. There was no escape from answering this time.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then looked at him with calm eyes before uttering words that would shock them all.

“I remember… that I died.”