After Grace finished arranging the room and setting out fresh nightclothes, Anna dismissed her with a gentle smile.
"You've done enough for tonight, Grace. Get some rest."
The maid curtsied, still glowing with relief and affection. "Good night, my lady."
As soon as the door clicked shut, Anna crossed the room swiftly, her bare feet silent against the thick carpets. She knelt beside the carved armoire, pulling open a hidden panel at the base where she'd stashed the books she "borrowed" from the manor's old library. She smirked to herself.
"Those hours of binge-watching spy thrillers finally paid off."
She settled onto a velvet-cushioned chaise, lighting a single candle on the side table, and cracked open the thickest of the volumes. The cover read:
"An Account of Esporia: Her Lands, Laws, and Bloodlines"
Anna turned the pages eagerly, letting the words pull her deeper into this world she'd landed in.
Esporia, it read, was a vast kingdom bordered by cold mountains to the north and sprawling seas to the south. The capital, Viremont, sat at the heart of its lands, home to the ruling Avenhart dynasty. The society was rigidly structured — a system where titles and bloodlines mattered more than merit. The population was divided by strict class lines: nobility, merchants, common folk, and servants.
She learned of five noble houses that held the most influence aside from the crown — the Blackmoors being one of them. Whispers of their ruthless history, endless duels, betrayals, and shadowy dealings marked every account she found. No one crossed a Blackmoor and lived to boast of it.
Esporia's economy thrived on mining precious stones, textiles, and shipbuilding, its trade routes sprawling across oceans. The kingdom's religion centered around The Six Lights, celestial beings believed to guard the mortal world, though many treated it as superstition rather than faith.
Geography: valleys rich with gold, dense mist-covered forests, mountain passes known for their bandits, and stormy seas said to swallow ships whole. The Blackmoor Mines lay in the treacherous Graypeak Highlands, where few outsiders ventured.
Anna's head spun with names, territories, old laws and ancient customs — but she forced herself to absorb as much as she could. She would need this knowledge to survive, to navigate this bloodstained court.
Finally, with drooping eyes, she closed the book and carefully tucked it back into its hiding place. She gazed once more at the flickering candlelight reflecting off the crystal chandelier.
"I miss my phone. I miss hot showers. I miss pizza delivery," she muttered under her breath. "But I swear, I'm not dying in this place."
Blowing out the candle, she climbed into the grand bed, its silk sheets cool against her skin.
And once again…
The darkness came.
She was in that same cold corridor, the endless walls narrowing. The figure in black waited ahead, his face hidden, his hand outstretched. She tried to turn, to run, but invisible hands gripped her ankles, dragging her forward.
"No—!" she screamed, thrashing, but the man closed the distance, a dagger gleaming in his hand.
He lunged.
Pain exploded in her chest as the blade struck home, a choking cry on her lips — and just before she lost consciousness in the dream, a single thought surfaced:
"Who are you…?"
Morning arrived in a sweep of soft golden light, spilling across the polished floors and pale silk curtains. A gentle knock sounded at the door before it cracked open, and Grace stepped inside carrying a tray of warm tea and fresh fruit.
"Good morning, my lady," Grace chimed, her face bright and eager. "I've laid out one of the new gowns for you."
Anna stretched lazily in the grand bed, feeling like a different woman already. "Bring it here, Grace."
Within moments, Grace carefully helped her into a flowing gown of soft ivory, its sleeves sheer and adorned with delicate beadwork. The bodice hugged her form perfectly, emphasizing Amelia's naturally slender figure and elegant posture. Grace worked quickly on her hair, pinning it up with jeweled combs, a few loose curls framing her face.
When Anna finally turned to face the mirror, even she had to pause.
Amelia Harrowind was beautiful. High cheekbones, soft green eyes, a delicate mouth… she looked every inch the noble daughter the world had conspired to bury.
Anna let a smirk tug at her lips. Well, damn. No wonder they were so desperate to get rid of you.
"You've done well, Grace," she murmured, not looking away from her reflection.
Grace beamed. "You look radiant, my lady."
Down in the dining hall, the atmosphere tensed the moment Anna entered. Celina nearly choked on her drink, her smile freezing mid-expression, while Lady Geneva's gaze narrowed slightly before smoothing into polite civility.
The Viscount, however, looked pleased. "Amelia, you're looking splendid this morning. That gown suits you."
Anna took her seat with practiced grace, nodding. "Thank you, Father."
Celina forced a bright tone. "Father, about the party I mentioned — I've decided to host it tomorrow. I've already sent out invitations."
Geneva reached for her teacup. "It will be a lovely occasion, I'm sure."
Anna's lips curled faintly. So it begins. She dipped her spoon into the warm soup before her, her thoughts sharp. Payback time's approaching, sweetheart. You started this game… and I'll be the one to end it.
After breakfast, she moved on to her usual routine — attending etiquette classes in the drawing room, where Madame Eloise never failed to sing her praises.
"You're a quick learner, my lady. It's as though you were born for court," the instructor remarked as Anna executed a flawless curtsy.
"Thank you, Madame," Anna answered sweetly, catching Celina's sour expression from the corner of her eye.
Between lessons, Anna made sure to continue gathering knowledge — slipping away to the library when she could, or eavesdropping in the kitchens and servants' quarters. Every tidbit about Esporia's nobility, politics, and court scandals was another weapon in her arsenal. She knew Geneva and Celina were scheming behind closed doors, and she wasn't about to let them get ahead.
In her mind, Anna mapped every connection, every alliance, every old grudge she could uncover.
Soon. Very soon.