With a dizzying sensation and a faint blur over my vision, the scene before me gradually came into focus—a familiar place and figures emerged.
It was the reception room, shrouded in dim light. Outside, the sky was covered in heavy gray clouds, and Eloise stood by the window, quietly gazing upward.
….
Her expression was as desolate and dry as the ashen sky above.
A short distance away stood Ian, his hands clasped behind his back, speaking in a formal tone devoid of warmth.
-”So, is that all you wished to say?”
-”Yes. I’m not feeling well and would like to rest for a bit.”
-“Would two days suffice?”
-“…Probably.”
-“You could have mentioned this during breakfast.”
Seeing this scene, I couldn’t help but recall how Ian used to be.
‘Right, this was who he really was.’
I had momentarily forgotten, given how much he had changed recently.
And at that moment, I finally understood why Vivi had turned pale and flinched when I smiled at her right after my transmigration.
Despite her poised and graceful demeanor, Eloise exuded an air of frailty, as if she might wither away at any moment.
It was no wonder the novel described Eloise as “a woman with an ashen temperament to match her gray hair.”
-“Understood. Then rest well.”
-“Yes.”
With those curt parting words, Ian left the study. His demeanor was as cold and cutting as a frigid wind.
‘That man….’
Memories of Ian’s past misdeeds resurfaced, and I clenched my fists tightly.
As raindrops began to fall against the window, Vivi cautiously entered the room, stepping quietly behind Eloise.
-“Madam, is there anything you need…?”
-“Child.”
Eloise interrupted Vivi, slowly turning to face her. Her subdued teal eyes reflected the dim light, appearing almost gray.
Vivi flinched as Eloise’s gaze swept over her indifferently before glancing back at the window.
-“Do you truly believe I belong here?”
-“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
-“…Never mind.”
Vivi’s confusion was evident as she stammered. Eloise sighed softly, gesturing for her to leave.
Reluctantly, Vivi hesitated, glancing nervously at Eloise before finally stepping out and closing the door behind her.
….
After Vivi left, Eloise stood still for a while, deep in thought, before slowly moving. She exited the reception room and ascended the stairs to a familiar study.
Approaching the second bookshelf against the wall, she pulled out a thick book.
The sight of it was familiar to me as well.
‘That’s… Eloise’s notebook. Is she going to write something again?’
But Eloise’s actions completely defied my expectations.
When she removed the book, revealing an empty space behind it, she reached in and felt around. With a click, a hidden compartment in the bookshelf opened.
From it, Eloise retrieved a bundle of letters. She picked one out and unfolded it.
At that very moment—
“…Ian.”
“…….”
“…Madam?”
A sudden warmth on my shoulder startled me, and I shuddered.
I turned to find Ian leaning down, peering at me with a concerned expression.
The stark contrast between his current demeanor and the one I had just seen in the vision made it difficult to reconcile the two.
‘It’s hard to believe they’re the same person.’
While the memory of Eloise’s face weighed heavily on my mind, Ian’s bewildered expression somehow annoyed me. I raised an eyebrow at him.
“…Are your measurements done?”
“I just finished and came back.”
I couldn’t hide my doubt at his response and blinked a few times, only to suddenly realize the teacup in my hand had gone completely cold, its chill now seeping into my palm.
Lowering my gaze slowly, I saw a few tea leaves settled and floating in the cold liquid.
‘Time has passed again?’
This is maddening.
At this point, I seriously began to consider whether Vivi was right about calling a physician or perhaps even exploring magical remedies like Eloise had.
As I sighed inwardly, Ian called me.
“Madam.”
“Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
“If you’re not feeling well, perhaps we should stop here and wrap things up,” he said softly, in an unusually gentle tone.
Meeting his gaze, I saw his azure eyes fixed firmly on me, illuminated by the light behind him.
‘Is this really the same man I just saw in that vision?’
“No, I’m fine.”
Setting the teacup down, I rose to my feet. Ian’s gaze followed me intently, as though drilling into my face.
He was practically boring holes into me.
Ignoring his stare, I turned my attention to Madame Zed, who was standing a few steps away, watching us.
“Madame Zed, is His Grace’s fitting complete?”
“Yes, I measured everything thoroughly, so no need to worry. But, Your Grace, are you sure you’re alright? If you’re unwell, we could—”
“No, let’s proceed now.”
I cut her off, leaving no room for argument.
Madame Zed looked me over for a moment, then took a step back with a resigned nod.
“Very well. Please, this way.”
As I took a step to follow her, a familiar touch stopped me.
Turning back, I saw Ian holding my hand, a slight frown on his face.
“I’ll wait here.”
“Yes, though I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon,” I replied playfully, turning away.
❖ ❖ ❖
Madame Zed measured me much faster than usual. Once she was gone, I declined Ian’s suggestion to have tea together and went straight to the study.
I won’t elaborate too much on how Ian’s expression crumpled like a piece of paper when I turned him down so decisively.
‘Sorry, but I have more pressing matters right now.’
Dwelling on the issue alone wouldn’t solve anything. I had to look for something, anything, to piece this puzzle together—whether it was a way to return to my original world or something else entirely.
Until now, I had only felt helpless, with no leads to follow. But finally, a clue had emerged.
Recalling the vision, I approached the second bookshelf and pulled out Eloise’s notebook. Peering into the empty space behind it, I muttered to myself.
“There has to be something here….”
Feeling around, my fingers brushed against something odd—a slight protrusion within the shelf.
“Is this it?”
Pressing against it firmly, I heard a click, and a small hidden compartment was revealed.
Inside, there was a massive bundle of letters.
“…Found it.”
I reached in and pulled them out.
The letters were neatly tied together with a sturdy string, arranged chronologically, starting with the oldest.
Walking over to the desk, I untied the bundle and spread the letters out.
Judging by the consistent handwriting, it seemed they were exchanged with a single person. However, there was no identifying information on the envelopes—no signatures, wax seals, or anything distinctive.
Taking one of the more striking letters, I opened it and began reading.
My eyes widened.
“I received your letter. However, leaving will not be easy. While I wish for your freedom, your father and husband are unlikely to let you go. To them, you’re far too ‘useful,’ aren’t you, Eloise?”
“…She had an accomplice?”
Although I couldn’t see Eloise’s side of the correspondence, it was clear that the writer was discussing ways to “disappear.”
“Someone helped the duchess disappear?”
But who?
Before I could fully process the thought, another letter caught my eye.
It seemed to be the most recent one, dated only a few months ago—just weeks before I had taken over Eloise’s body.
「I’m glad the method I mentioned helped. As I’ve said before, I want nothing in return. I only wish to remain a good friend to you.」
「Trusting me is all I need from you. Remember, I’m always on your side. With affection.」
“With affection…”
Strangely, there were no letters exchanged after this one, implying Eloise had taken some action following its receipt.
And that action must have led to me being here.
The critical question now was: who had helped Eloise, and what exactly had she done to switch bodies with me?
I reread the letter, lingering on one particular word that seemed to stick in my mind.
“…Friend.”
• • •
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