CHAPTER I: Where we are?

After the accident, Erick wakes up in a large room decorated with soft and light colors. He does not realize that he is alone until he hears the voice of a woman dressed in a maid's outfit.

⨀ He has woken up, call the duke.

∎ Who are you? And where am I?

⨀ Don't you remember me?

∎ I'm sorry, but I don't remember her at all.

Although for some reason I think I've seen it somewhere.

⨀ It must be because of the accident that she has no memories of her, that could make her parents sad, they have been worried since neither you nor your brother woke up.

∎ my parents? Wait, who am I?

⨀ That is impossible not to remember, you in the daughter of Duke Tyrion Hustran, Lady Veronica Hustran.

∎ Verónica: Lady?... ehhh?

Erick looks at her arms at her clothes and finally looks at the mirror that was in front of the bed and it was Verónica Hustran. The door is abruptly opened, Mr. and Mrs. Hustran enter, the servants bow and with just the Duke's look they leave the room.

⨀ Tyrion: Veronica, how are you? You feel good? I can call the doctor if you have any pain.

∎ Veronica: Don't worry about my lord, I don't have any pain so you shouldn't call any doctor.

⨀ Tyrion: sir? Why the sudden change? You used to call me father.

∎ Verónica: You see, although it may seem strange to you and the lady, I don't remember having seen them before.

Erick was confused, because he didn't remember these people at all.

⨀ Tyrion: You say that you have lost your memory and that you don't remember anything that happened before you woke up?

∎ Verónica: Yes… Yes.

⨀ Tyrion: So you don't remember the reason why you and your brother were in a coma?

∎ Veronica: I didn't know anything about a brother or parents until the maid mentioned my brother and parents.

⨀ Tyrion: This is a real problem.

⨀ Celestine: Daughter, 3 days ago you and your brother had an accident while they were going to the capital.

⨀ Tyrion: We were thinking of asking you what happened on the way and why they were in the middle of the forest and not on the road.

You hear the door being opened in a hurry and an old man enters.

⨀ Butler: Young Frederick has woken up and is crazy asking where he is and who you are and he is also asking where a certain Erick is.

∎ Verónica: I think I can help you, take me to where he is.

⨀ Tyron: it's not recommended, you and Frederick don't get along, after what happened it's better that you don't see each other.

∎ Verónica: I'm not going to do anything reckless, please, mother, let me see my brother.

⨀ Celestine: Tyron, let's let our daughter see Frederick first, it seems like there's something she wants to talk to him about.

⨀ Tyron: Okay, but don't do anything that could worsen the two's relationship.

The butler and her parents guide Veronica to Frederick's room. On the way, many maids greet Veronica by bowing their heads, but none of them look at her face. When they reach the room, the butler knocks on the door and says, "Your sister has come." to see her young Frederick.

∎ Frederick: I don't want to see her, bring Erick, he will know what to do.

∎ Verónica: Brother Frederick, I know a certain Valeria who is Erick's sister, can I come in knowing only that?

There was a small silence, Erick waited for the boy's response so he could enter the room and find out how he knew him.

∎ Frederick: Okay, come on in, but just you, I don't want anyone else.

The parents and butler are surprised that Frederick would let his sister in despite everything that has happened. Verónica enters the room, the butler and the parents stayed outside hoping that no scandal would arise.

∎ Frederick: Who are you and how do you know those names?

∎ Verónica: Let's say that I know Valeria because she is a fanatic who likes to read absurd romance books and novels.

∎ Frederick: They are not absurd, they are books and novels made for romances that cannot be possible.

∎ Verónica: It's good that you are well Valeria, but now there is another problem sister.

∎ Frederick: Brother?... It can't be, why are you a girl?

∎ Verónica: And you are a boy, but first of all, what does this mean? I thought he was dead.

∎ Frederick: I don't know, but it seems like we're in one of the books he had read, but I don't recognize any of the characters.

∎ Verónica: I see you very calm for what is happening, as if you don't mind being here.

∎ Frederick: Well when I woke up I was scared and I cried until I knew someone knew me, so now that you're here I feel calmer.

∎ Verónica: Well little sister, now that we have met and clarified some things, how do we get back?

∎ Frederick: We can't.

∎ Verónica: I suppose there must be some portal, mission, objective...

∎ Frederick: We can't.

∎ Verónica: So maybe if we use magic, if it is a novel there must be magic and things like that that allow us to return.

∎ Frederick: No, we can't.

∎ Verónica: Okay, what kind of novel are we in?

∎ Frederick: I don't know, but I know that there is no magic, there is usually some magical instrument in the nobles' rooms, but in this room there doesn't seem to be any, plus the novels that I read didn't have magic like your series and drawings that you like them.

∎ Verónica: So we still can't know, the best thing would be to look for information, but we have Verónica and Frederick's parents outside waiting for the brothers to leave this room getting along, so we have 2 options, either we pretend to be Verónica and Frederick, or we tell him that we are not and we do not know what we are doing here.

∎ Frederick: better an intermediate one, let's say that we don't know who Frederick or Veronica are, but we pretend that we are them without memories.

∎ Verónica: That way they wouldn't vote for us for telling the truth and you wouldn't have to pretend to know who we are.

∎ Frederick: Yes, but that's just for starters, because what we need to correct now is your attitude.

∎ Verónica: At 15 years old I already know how to behave

∎ Frederick: It's not about education but about your posture, you don't look like a lady.

∎ Verónica: It can't be, I had forgotten, now I am, I am...

∎ Frederick: A nice girl, you look better than before brother.

∎ Verónica: So I'll live like a girl for the rest of my life? It can't be, he had already decided to study at the University and was studying to be able to enter.

∎ Frederick: Brother, now I'm a boy, do you think it's easy for me?

∎ Verónica: Well, you're still flat, but look at my body, I have a big bust.

∎ Frederick: It must be your punishment for not being considerate of my feelings...

There was a knock on the door, the butler asked if Frederick was okay.

∎ Frederick: Yes, I'm just talking to my sister.

⨀ Celestine: Frederick, I'm your mother, can I come in? I want to see if you're okay.

The brothers look at each other and nod their heads.

∎ Frederick: If you can come in, I'm better now.

The parents enter with the butler.

⨀ Tyron: If your sister was bothering you, tell me.

⨀ Celestine: That's right, Frederick, if your sister was bullying you, you better tell us.

∎ Frederick: My sister and I get along well, so I don't know why they say that.

⨀ Tyron: Don't tell me you forgot what I did to you at your birthday party.

⨀ Celestine: That's right, she was punished in her room for a whole month.

∎ Frederick: Well the truth is that I don't remember anything before today so that doesn't affect me anymore.

∎ Verónica: It's the same for me, I don't remember anything that happened before today.

⨀ Butler: Archduke, the meeting will start in 5 minutes, if we go now we will arrive on time.

⨀ Tyron: Okay, then prepare the carriage.

⨀ Celestine: Are you going to leave now?

⨀ Tyron: We'll talk when I get back, try to make them remember what happened in the accident and why they survived without any scratches.

Veronica and Frederick's father left, leaving their mother and his children in an uncomfortable situation.

⨀ Celestine: Please don't misunderstand, people wonder why only you two survived that accident, he just wants to find the reason so they don't be called murderers.

∎ Verónica: Thank goodness, I thought he would blame us, we really don't remember anything, and we didn't even know our names when we woke up

⨀ Celestine: Who is Erick?

The brothers looked at each other looking for an answer in the other, Celestine thought it was strange that they were looking for the answer in the other.

∎ Veronica: Erick is a person that Frederick saw in the dream he had while he was in a coma, apparently Erick was looking for his sister Valeria in my brother's dream and he was helping him. In my dream I met Valeria, she is lost and scared because she had separated from her brother Erick. That's why when I told him that I knew Valeria, Erick's sister, Frederick let me pass.

Celestine cannot conceive the story she has just been told and it shows on her face.

∎ Frederick: My sister is telling the truth, when I woke up I didn't remember anyone other than Erick and Valeria that's why I was scared to see the servants.

⨀ Celestine: Well if you say it it must be true.

∎ Verónica: Wait, lady, do you believe him and not me?

∎ Frederick: You must have been a liar to the lady, that's why she doesn't believe you.

∎ Verónica: Then you should have said it from the beginning.

∎ Frederick: If I said that, I would have thought it was a child's story, you being an older woman wouldn't have that problem.

∎ Verónica: Are you saying that my saying it is more realistic but less credible and yours is more credible but less realistic?

∎ Frederick: Exactly.

⨀ Celestine: I can understand that you have lost your memory, but calling me ma'am is really uncomfortable, if you can't call me mom then call me Lady, not ma'am.

∎ Verónica: I'm sorry mother, I forgot my position, I hope you see me again as a daughter despite having committed mistakes in the past of which I am not aware.

∎ Frederick: Forgive my sister for her faults, please, mother.

⨀ Celestine: If you ask me like this there is no way I can't do it, but now we have to resolve some issues related to the two of you, first Veronica you have a tea party in a week scheduled by the princess so you have to attend anyway , it will help you clean up your image. Second Frederick, due to the accident, you have missed classes and now you must go and make up the missed classes. But what worries me most is that they don't have manners because they don't remember anything, so I'm going to hire a teacher to teach the two of them again for a week, that way they will avoid being embarrassed.

∎ Verónica: How many hours are we talking about exactly?

⨀ Celestine: 12 hours a day will be your practices and I will not accept complaints so try as hard as you can, especially your Veronica because I expect a lot from you from now on.

Celestine told them that with a very noticeable fake smile and it seems that the bodies of Veronica and Frederick, despite having changed people, recognized that they were in trouble, The archduchess went to her chambers while the brothers were thinking if their lives would be as difficult or more difficult than the previous one.

∎ Verónica: What do you need to know which novel we are in?

∎ Frederick: well-known names and their position, but it will be somewhat difficult to search in so many countries that there may be.

∎ Verónica: Then you only have to look for the most famous and important ones, how about princes and names of countries?

∎ Frederick: Yes, I think that would be enough.

∎ Verónica: Then I'll ask our mother for international information.

∎ Frederick: I don't think it's that simple, that type of information is only in the palace library or in travelers.

∎ Veronica: But if we are archdukes we should have access to certain information.

∎ Frederick: I guess it doesn't matter for trying, well that's the end of our meeting now go to your room because I have to see what's in my room.

∎ Verónica: What can I do? Normally I would sit and watch TV, but there doesn't seem to be one here.

∎ Frederick: Mm... now you're a girl so you have to do girly things, go to the garden, have tea with sweets or go to your room to write letters to your friends, it's what was used to be done at this time according to my novels.

∎ Verónica: Without a doubt it is somewhat boring. What can I do as a woman in this novel? I mean a profession or something I must dedicate myself to to survive.

∎ Frederick: have; Stand up, smile, put your hands together and spread your elbows.

∎ Verónica: And? What is this going to do for me?

∎ Frederick: That would be your current role, the other would be for you to get married, but you would continue doing that.

∎ Verónica: So in this world I'm just a trophy?

∎ Frederick: No and yes, you will see in the women's meetings, where there is more information about what is happening in the kingdom, plus they are the largest social circle.

∎ Verónica: Well then I'll go to my room and see what I can do.

∎ Frederick: Good luck little brother, you're going to need it.

∎ Verónica: Sister, it's strange that you tell me that in such a small and adorable body, now I'm older.

∎ Frederick: You're right, I have to get used to it.

The brothers said goodbye with worried faces, Erick now in Veronica's body was not aware of what he was going to experience, while Valeria in Frederick's body was worried about knowing what kind of story they were in.

When Verónica entered her room she found 5 maids, she didn't remember them at all, but she seemed to be uncomfortable. Veronica asked them if they needed anything, to which the maids did not know what to respond because they have never asked a maid if they need something. Not having an answer, Veronica asked them if they could leave the room since she just wanted to rest. But just then her stomach made a sound because she hadn't eaten anything.

∎ Verónica: On second thought, can you bring me something to eat?

The maids immediately told him "As you wish" and left to bring food. Erick could not believe that he is no longer in his body, plus he is now in that of a girl his older sister's age. Thinking, he believes that things should have been the other way around and he should have entered the body of Frederick, but even he thought that body was too small even for him.

At that moment the servants arrived with more than enough food, Erick thought it was too much for him, but since he was older now he remembered that his father ate a lot and that perhaps he could eat everything. But to his surprise he barely ate one plate and couldn't eat anymore, he had to reject the rest.

The servants left and left Verónica resting, while in Frederick's room, Valeria was looking for some clue to know if it is in one of the novels she read or if it has nothing to do with it, to which she finds a letter which He couldn't read, because little Frederick doesn't know how to read the language of this world, so he keeps it for Verónica to read to him. In his search, he finds a golden music box on the table in his room and when he opens it, calm music plays. and soft, it seems that it was used to sleep and suddenly the music becomes increasingly intense, fast and aggressive. Valeria closes the music box and remembers that she had already seen this in a novel.

∎ Frederick: A terrifying music box, with golden edges, perhaps we are in that novel where they attack the territory of the archdukes who were protecting the kingdom in the north, but in that novel the north is devastated mercilessly in a surprise attack and everyone the nobles are killed.

At that moment Valeria realized that she and her brother were in trouble and with a timely bomb that was going to explode in their faces, but it was too late to go look for her brother and besides, he is still very young enough to find out about this matter so he decided not to tell it until he knew how to solve the problem.

Day 2, The brothers were woken up, dressed and prepared by the servants for the intensive classes they had to take, Valeria did not have many problems with the studies or homework that she had to learn, however, Erick was overloaded with things that he had never done before. expected to be done, that is why at the end of the 12 hours of classes Valeria went to Erick to continue practicing dancing, walking position, tight dresses, etiquette when drinking tea, greeting, etc. that she had never done it the way she had to learn it.

∎ Verónica: this is what you were referring to when you told me that my current role was to give a good image.

∎ Frederick: little brother, you should know that this is just the beginning, you must learn to carry on a conversation with other women.

∎ Verónica: it can't be that difficult, I can carry on a conversation.

∎ Frederick: there is little brother, we usually give them a message in the words we use and unlike men we are not obvious with our sarcasm, but among us we understand that sarcasm, so when they use it with you you must identify them and know how to respond.

∎ Verónica: is so much necessary? I mean, if I don't understand it, isn't it better? I just continued as if it didn't affect me in any case.

∎ Frederick: If you act as if it doesn't affect you, you will most likely end up being a joke and Mrs. Celestine will be upset if she finds out that you have left the Hustran family in a bad light.

∎ Verónica: that lady was scary, so sister, teach me everything I should know to avoid having problems with the lady.

∎ Frederick: leave that to me, I'll take care of turning you into a real lady.

And so the days passed until they reached day 6, which is the day before the princess's tea party. Veronica was ready for her classes, but her mother is the one who came instead of her tutors.

⨀ Celestine: Good morning, Veronica.

∎ Verónica: Good morning, mother,

⨀ Celestine: Today you will no longer take classes, but we will go together to the princess's tea party. Being on the border of the country, if we want to get to the capital we must leave today to arrive a day in advance.

∎ Verónica: will only the two of us go? I thought we would go with my father and brother.

⨀Celestine: Tea parties are only for women, bringing an unwanted guest is frowned upon, however, your father and brother will go with us, but they will stay in the mansion in the capital where we are in the tea Party.

∎ Verónica: Understood, mother, then we are going to the capital. I don't remember ever going there, so I don't remember what it was like.

⨀ Celestine: You loved going to the capital, you always brought new dresses and many accessories, plus you will be able to see your fiancé, the Kristtan's son, Gutts is his name.

∎ Verónica: pro… fiancé?

⨀ Celestine: That's right, they will get married in 6 months so you must be anxious, you always wanted to marry him, your father spent a fortune to arrange the marriage and you were very happy when you found out last year, well, a lot of the past, we See you in the carriage, daughter, don't delay.

Erick, worried about what was coming to him, desperately looked for his sister Valeria to find a solution to the news he had received. The brothers met in the hallway. Valeria saw how her brother approached her in desperation, but in her eyes only He saw a pretty girl looking for her brother, while Erick, seeing his sister, ran to her in search of answers.

∎ Frederick: what happened brother, what is the reason for such desperation.

∎ Verónica: sister, I… I… I don't want to get married!

∎ Frederick: get married? Wait, you have an agreed upon marriage... first calm down, there are ways to break the engagement, with enough time we can get him to reject you and we can call off the marriage.

∎ Verónica: but it is in 6 months, our new mother agrees and the father has spent a fortune to get this marriage.

∎ Frederick: then there are only 2 ways to annul the betrothal, first we have the option for you to run away and renounce your family, live as a commoner and obviously you would not inherit anything, finally, your second option would be someone of higher rank than our parents ask to cancel your marriage.

∎ Veronica, but who wanted to cancel a marriage, to a duke.

∎ Frederick: in the same way there are only 2 people with enough position to help you, an archduke or someone from royalty.

∎ Veronica: but I don't know anyone from royalty or any archduke.

∎ Frederick: the tea party.

∎ Verónica: I don't care about the party, I want to annul the marriage.

∎ Frederick: silly, at the party you will find the princess and archdukes who, if or when they will go, you must get someone to help you with the marriage.

∎ Verónica: then I have to get them to help me, can I just ask and that's it?

∎ Frederick: obviously not, you must earn their trust, and then ask for help, but in this type of novels you must do it by offering something in return.

∎ Verónica: then it will be difficult to achieve it, and I have not yet proven my ability in women's society.

∎ Frederick: Don't worry about that, I'm sure that the training we've had should be enough, plus I also have my own problems, I have to go to the academy a week late.

∎ Verónica: it should be simple for you, going to a children's school should not be complicated.

∎ Frederick: Don't underestimate it, I have a lot to learn, I don't know the culture or the history so it's a good time to learn.

At that moment the butler arrives to inform them that their things were already waiting for the brothers to leave for the capital. The brothers prepare to walk hand in hand and talk. The butler who has taken care of the brothers since they were babies cannot believe. how they have changed.

⨀ Butler: Veronica is less effeminate but now she is simpler, she does not usually use expensive objects or ask for them, in addition to her maids saying that she now has a better relationship with the servants, while young Frederick was conceited and rude with the servants , but now he seems to act in a more mature way, although his sometimes slightly effeminate behavior worries the lady of the house and for correcting him whenever she can, I guess people can change after all.

During the Hustran's journey they saw landscapes, small cities, animals, merchants, adventurers, guards and by bad luck they also encountered bandits. Which were reduced in a short time by the guard of the archdukes, since the nobles travel with their soldiers to take care of their safety, but to make a trip with so many people you need capital to be able to pay the expenses of the trip. so many people, these types of trips would only be possible for royalty or dukes.

⨀ Celestine: Children seem as if it were their first trip, they are amazed by everything they have seen before.

⨀ Tyron: Don't forget that our children don't remember anything about their lives before the accident, but it's rare that they still remember the language, both verbal and written.

⨀ Celestine: I think you would also remember how to use the sword even if you lost your memories.

⨀ Tyron: I guess you're right, and speaking of swords, Frederick remember that our family is characterized by having great swordsmen, don't stop practicing fencing.

⨀ Celestine: It seemed strange to me to see how Frederick read a book instead of holding a sword, I had to give him a teacher so that he wouldn't stop practicing.

∎ Frederick: I tried to read a book because I saw my sister doing it so she made me curious, but I didn't understand and I was ashamed to admit it so I continued reading it despite not understanding anything.

Valeria in Frederick's body, having studied for a degree in Medicine, did understand the books that were in the library; in fact, the methods they used seemed simple and outdated to her.

⨀ Celestine: as expected, you had a medical book in your hands, only nobles who dedicate their lives to studying medicine can use such complex books.

⨀ Tyron: then why do we have such a complex book in our library?

⨀ Celestine: That's because the house on the border belonged to my grandfather and he was a doctor, I have kept most of his books deep in the library, but some must have been left on the shelf.

∎ Frederick: it was a very large book, its cover was thick and the book was so heavy that I had to use a table to read it.

∎ Veronica: I guess the best thing for you would be a romance or fantasy story.

⨀ Tyron: that is impossible, those books are only bought in private stores, and they are not educational and for that reason they are not part of our library.

In this world it was very frowned upon for there to be science fiction novels in a nobleman's library, however these books were seen in the homes of commoners, these books were used by the nobles as a distraction or a way to control the population. through non-educational books that serve more for leisure.

Upon arriving near the capital the brothers could already see a large wall and as they approached it became larger as well as a huge queue to enter, but they were archduke so they did not have to wait in line when they entered through the gigantic gate. They saw things that were only seen in stories, movies and novels. Things like: clothing, shops, guilds, houses and markets. All in medieval style.

Then they entered through another wall within the walls, which seemed strange to Erick. Why do we need walls within the walls? He was wondering, so he decided to ask his parents.

∎ Verónica: Why are there walls inside the capital if there are already walls outside?

⨀ Tyron: It's done this way to separate us from the commoners, they tend to be loud, festive and uneducated. Because of that, they separate us into the inner and outer capital to avoid cultural problems between the nobles and the people.

⨀ Celestine: they are people with whom one should not mix, that is why we will live inside the capital and they will attend their classes in the most important academies in the kingdom.

Upon passing the second wall the brothers noticed a great contrast with the city they had seen just before, houses separated by plots and with a considerable distance between them, at each door of the houses there were 2 guards with spears and at their tips pennants with the seal of the family that owns the plot, not there were no shops or merchants, instead of guilds there was a knight's barracks, the roads were well paved and clean, finally there were no people walking, only carriages.

When they arrived at the Hustran plot the guards stepped aside and opened the large gate they were guarding. All the way to the door of the mansion located in the center of the plot there were servants to the left and right who were bowing. The head towards the Hustran, the brothers who came from a world where social classes are not marked in this way, felt uncomfortable but followed Mr. Tyron and Celestine to the door, inside the mansion the only servant who spoke was a butler of Elderly, the brothers assumed that he would be like the typical Sebastian who serves nobles from the stories of their world.

⨀ Tyron: Children, now you can go to your rooms and get settled, I explained to Robert that due to the accident you don't remember anything about this house, so I will assign you servants to show you the house and your rooms, you will also arrange your rooms as you like. They have always done it, if there is something they want to change they are free to ask and they will attend to it.

After finishing exploring the house, the brothers had lunch and continued with a final review of what they had learned in their classes before they fulfilled their responsibilities. Dinner time arrived and they were left free for tomorrow.

The brothers went to the library to talk about the fate that awaits them in the Hustran family.

∎ Verónica: Well sister, have you found out what kind of novel we are in?

∎ Frederick: actually I know what novel we are in, I have read it and we have a very big problem to solve.

∎ Verónica: What problem? I don't think it's worse than being engaged and going to a party a week after coming into this world.

∎ Frederick: the Hustran are going to die, and that includes both of us, and to solve it we have to stay in the capital for at least 4 years.

∎ Verónica: Should we stay 4 years? We are going to die? If you don't tell me properly I won't be able to understand it.

Valeria had to tell him the reason why the Hustran will die. In 4 years the territory of the Hustran will be invaded by the Fallen empire in a surprise attack, they did not respect the weapons laws and attacked without declaring their intentions, it was a massacre and not a single person survived, and to avoid this they must find an excuse to stay longer in the capital and not return to their territory.

∎ Verónica: the plan is to find an excuse not to return to the capital, but what if we ask for help in the capital?

∎ Frederick: getting help would be very difficult, the only ones who would have the power to defend the Hustran territory are royalty and they will not move anything without sufficient connections or evidence.

∎ Veronica: then we just have to get connections, I think I could try it, tomorrow I have to go to that tea party.

∎ Frederick: I guess it's better to try everything you can, for my part I will try to find an excuse not to return to Hustran territory in 4 years.

The brothers finished their conversation and went to their rooms with two objectives, Erick will look for allies with power to prevent the Hustran territory from falling, while Valeria will look for a compelling excuse to buy Erick more time.