It’s been three months since I woke up as Grand Duchess Sophia Grace Rosewood-Griffith. I remained in my room the entire time, regaining my strength. The doctor and Mary had been secretly hiding the fact that I had awoken from my coma. They informed Sir Albert, but since he was on vacation, he never replied.
As for the Grand Duke, I told them not to inform him anymore because he wouldn’t have come anyway. I also told them that I would reveal myself once I was strong enough to stand on my own. Regarding my mana, the doctor gave me medication to make the pain tolerable. I needed to focus on regaining my strength first, so I could walk properly again. For three months, the three of us were careful not to get caught. Fortunately, the two people I trusted most were also careful in hiding me. Though I was in my usual room, the doctor spread rumors throughout the estate that I was suffering from a contagious illness. Because of that, no one dared to visit my chamber except them. Everything went smoothly, and I was truly grateful for the people by my side. Slowly, I regained the strength to walk again, and I vowed to repay their kindness one day.
During those months, I studied history books about this world, along with Sophie’s personal journal. From them, I learned that this world revolves around magic. It’s deeply entwined with their daily lives. Magic towers, Arch Mages, and mystical creatures that once belonged only to fairytales in my old world truly exist here.
The Grand Duchy of Insel is the region where Insel City resides, and in that city stands the castle of the Great Grand Duke. This duchy falls under the Helinian Empire, which is currently at war with the Divine Empire of Nurania.
The two empires are locked in a territorial conflict, and I discovered that the Rosewood territory has become one of the battlefields. It lies near the mountain ranges that separate the two nations. The Grand Duke has turned Rosewood into a military base for the war against Nurania.
As for Insel itself, it was once a kingdom before the previous Grand Duke conquered it with his battalion. For this great achievement, the Griffith family was granted rule over the former empire. The land retained its original name, Insel, because the Grand Duke at the time did not wish to erase its history or culture. Because of this, the people of Insel came to respect him deeply. Rumors spread that the Insel Kingdom had willingly surrendered to the Griffiths, though others claimed that the royal family committed suicide after their defeat. Only the Griffiths and the Emperor of Helinia know the truth.
In Sophie’s journal, I also read that the Rosewood territory had long been a neutral land caught between the two empires. It belonged to neither side for centuries, standing as a buffer in the midst of constant tension. However, Sophie’s marriage to the Grand Duke of Helinia shifted its political stance, binding it to the Helinian Empire.
That wedding fueled even greater tensions. The Nuranian Empire had offered Sophie’s family power and wealth in exchange for allegiance, but her mother refused. The Helinian Empire also made an offer, but surprisingly, Sophie’s mother demanded that her only daughter marry someone powerful, someone capable of protecting her. Sophie learned all of this from Reagan, who revealed her mother’s wishes after her death. The marriage to the Baron of the Helinia Empire was just a miscalculated decision by the foolish father of Sophie, and she called it 'The foolish decision of a man of the house of Rosewood'. Sophie recorded it all in her journal.
There were many entries about Reagan, but she never explained her exact relationship with him. She only wrote that he was someone she could trust, someone who supported her. Her journal ended abruptly with her worry over Reagan’s sudden silence and her preparations for a royal ball at the Capitol. After that, the pages were blank.
Meanwhile, I noticed I was slowly regaining fragments of Sophie’s childhood memories, though none provided answers about the accident or anything that could help me live her life. I only wish there were an easier way to recover all of them. What troubles me more is the question of her soul. If I’m inside Sophie’s body, where is she? Did she somehow enter mine? Did my real body survive the fall?
It was a sunny afternoon, and time for my usual rehabilitation walk with the doctor. He was in his forties, a surprisingly handsome man despite his age. A neat beard and thick glasses framed his green eyes. Standing at about 5’7”, his body was well-toned, and he carried himself with the calm grace of a noble. According to Mary, he was still a bachelor and had no plans to marry.
“Doctor, it’s been three months, but I don’t even know your name,” I said as he guided me slowly down the path.
He chuckled softly, as though amused that it had taken me this long to ask.
“I am Doctor Dominic Greystone, Your Grace. You used to call me Doctor Dom. I am a friend of Reagan, and under your contract, I was assigned as your resident doctor.”
“Do you know about the contract? Is Mary part of it, too?” I asked.
“No, Your Grace. I am the only one here who knows about it.”
“By the way… who is Reagan?” I asked again.
“Reagan is your family’s advisor—the Rosewood family’s advisor. He was the last person who remained in your estate after the previous head passed away.”
“So, where is this Reagan now?” I pressed.
“You sent him on a mission. The last time you saw him was at your wedding.”
“So it’s been five years since he disappeared? Did I ever keep in touch with him?”
“As far as I know, you lost contact with him even before your accident.” Dominic paused, then carefully helped me sit down on a sofa. He poured a cup of tea, handed it to me, and his expression turned heavy.
“When he learned of your accident, he sent me a letter. He promised he would return within a month to take care of you. But… after that, he never came back, Your Grace.”
I sipped my tea and gave a short, bitter laugh. “So this Reagan also abandoned Sophia—I mean, me?”
Doctor Dominic shook his head firmly. “Reagan would never do such a thing, Your Grace. He has cared for you since you were a child. I believe he is hiding again… or worse.” His words trailed off, and he didn’t dare to finish.
I stayed quiet too. The room grew heavy with silence. I just kept sipping my tea, wishing the awkwardness would disappear.
“Your Grace! I have news!” Mary suddenly burst through the door, shouting.
“Mary, lower your voice. Others might hear you,” Doctor Dominic scolded.
Mary quickly covered her mouth, then whispered, “Your Grace, I have news.”
“Come sit with us, Mary. Have some tea and tell us,” I said.
I smiled at her. She was about my age back when I was still on Earth. Her short brown hair framed her gray eyes, and her slightly tanned skin reminded me of my old body. She stood almost as tall as Sophia, perhaps 5’5”. Her face was attractive, though her calloused hands showed years of hard work. Her maid's uniform was worn and tattered, but her hair was always neatly tied. If I ever had money, I promised myself I would buy her proper dresses and shoes.
“The Grand Duke… they say he’s coming home this month. Maybe even this week!” she said with excitement.
My stomach twisted with nervousness. I hadn’t expected that.
“Your Grace, are you alright? You look pale,” Mary asked, her smile fading.
“I’m fine. I just… didn’t expect him to return so soon. I don’t think I’m prepared to face him yet.”
“I think you should rest, Your Grace,” Doctor Dom said gently.
I nodded, but as I stood, dizziness washed over me. My knees buckled, and I nearly collapsed. Mary caught me just in time and helped me back to bed.
Both of them looked at me with deep concern, but I reassured them that I was fine. I asked for some time alone, and they quietly left.
The news weighed on me. He was coming back… but would he even listen to me? He never listened to Sophie before. Why would it be any different now?
I pulled out a picture frame from the drawer and looked at the little Sophie smiling inside it. “The Grand Duke Elliot Griffith is coming home, Sophie.”
I slept through the whole afternoon, my mind restless as I thought about how I should face the Grand Duke. From Sophie’s memories, I couldn’t even recall his face or his voice. Maybe if I saw him, everything would come back to me. Yet, I found myself more nervous about what he might look like now and how old he had become. From what I read in her journal, he sounded like a nonchalant, workaholic contract husband.
Feeling parched after my long nap, I reached for the cup of water Mary had prepared for me before leaving my room. As I drank, I noticed through the window that night had already fallen. The moon and stars sparkled brightly outside, casting their glow into my room as the only source of light. The moon was especially radiant, a perfect full moon.
After finishing the water, I stepped out onto my balcony to breathe in the fresh night air. The view before me was breathtaking—Insel City’s lights twinkled below, mirroring the stars above. A cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying strands of my hair into the wind’s gentle dance. I inhaled deeply, then exhaled, feeling the calming, therapeutic rhythm settle into me. In my old world, I had never taken the time to appreciate nature. But in this life, I promised myself I would at least admire the beauty it had to offer.
My room was situated at the farthest corner of the castle on the second floor. It was secluded, and no one dared to wander near it. That was why I could slip out onto the balcony from time to time to enjoy the night view. Still, I had to be careful. The last time, Doctor Dom scolded me after a guard spotted me and mistook me for a ghost. Tonight, I was more cautious, quietly savoring the view.
The castle overlooked a vast lake lined with bustling docks. I recalled reading that the city had three main docks, each with its own purpose. The Old Creek Docks, near the castle gates, delivered goods for the nobles in the city. The New Creek Docks, located east of the castle, handled trade and shipments from other parts of the territory. Finally, the Southern Creek Docks, as their name suggested, lay to the south and were responsible for sending supplies to distant regions and military bases. These docks were vital to both the city’s economy and its military operations. I had studied the maps of Insel City and knew it covered a vast territory. Someday, I promised myself, I would visit its many places and see them with my own eyes.
The night air was cool, heavy with silence, when suddenly a figure appeared before me. My body reacted on instinct—I almost struck his face. But before my hand could connect, the man’s fingers caught my wrist with ease.
The moonlight spilled across him, and I froze.
Silver hair, soft and glimmering as though the strands themselves had borrowed the light of the stars. Eyes—deep, rich purple—that seemed to hold both mystery and danger. Ethereal. That was the only word I could think of. No mortal man should look like this. His beauty was almost cruel, unfair to the rest of the world.
My breath hitched.
He smirked, as if amused by my failed attempt. “I see that you look fine now… after two years of coma.”
Two years? How did he know about my coma? My brows knitted in confusion. “Who are you?” I demanded, though my voice lacked the strength I intended.
The question seemed to surprise him at first. Then his lips curved into a sharper smile. Without warning, he shifted his hold—pulling me closer to him. His touch was firm, almost possessive.
“Did you hit your head during the accident, my dear wife?”
The last two words dripped with teasing sarcasm, but they struck me like a thunderclap.
My eyes widened. My heart stuttered.
Wife?
No… it couldn’t be.
The man in front of me—this impossibly beautiful man—was none other than the Grand Duke.
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