A Dim Hope

Violet had no idea how long the injection of medication had left her comatose. It was daybreak when she opened her eyes the following second. Vibrant birds were soaring around outside as the arched windows let in warm sunlight. A crystal chandelier glistened in the centre of the room, something she missed the previous night. It appeared to be a scene from a fantasy book.

All of a sudden, she remembers what occurred. I was isekaid! Alright, Violet, please calm down. I must not panic lest they drug me once more! I understand that they claimed to be Duchess Violet of something or other. I'm positive it was Duchess Violet, even though I can't recall the entire name because it was so long. It's odd that the name sounds right but why can I recall every detail of my past life but my name?

The red-haired maid said, "Good morning, your grace!" when she saw that her lord had woken up.

The young girl bows and walks away, only to come back a little while later with two more maids in the same costume. An auburn-haired girl holds a silver tray, and a freckled brunette pushes a silver trolly with a big basin of water.

Together, the three say, "We are here to attend to your needs, my lady," and bow.

Violet thinks they're probably going to help her get ready for the morning. She gets out of bed and stretches a little because she has no idea what to do. The maids approach her and begin assisting her with an elaborate morning ritual. They assist her with hair, makeup, and dressing. She felt like she had just had a spa day by the time they were through.

I've always enjoyed having my skin and hair professionally treated, but I was never able to afford it. But now that I'm a Duchess, I can enjoy a luxurious life in a stunning castle! One of the reasons I wanted to be included in a fiction about royalty is because of this! I'm quite fortunate. Rather than being a servant or a slave, I became a duchess. Is this book about me the female lead?

Steaming plates of food and more silver trolleys are brought in by five butlers. In addition, they move a small, rounded dining table to the centre of the space and begin arranging the food. This is breakfast for one person, but it looks like a feast? This new life is becoming even more wonderful!

She devours her breakfast with the mannerism of someone who hasn't eaten in days. In fact, that may be true. It feels like ten days since they said I was unconscious that I haven't really eaten anything.

A man with silver hair enters the room with a thick leather notebook in hand as the butlers are finishing up the breakfast table cleanup. He had a very serious appearance, dressed in an elegant version of what the other butlers were wearing. He brought to Estelle's mind her severe high school principal.

"Good morning, Violet the Duchess. Permit me to introduce myself, please. With great formality, he says, "My name is Albus Brossard, and I am the head butler of the castle and your grace's personal assistant.

"Well, nice to meet you, Albus," Estelle says, feeling a little uncomfortable given how serious he seems.

"Your grace must be confused by everything that is happening..."

Indeed! I'm completely perplexed! How did I get here, and why? Was I reincarnated after dying in the truck accident? Or did I cross the street and enter some sort of wormhole that sent me to another universe? Is Albus aware that I am not a native of this place? "Your grace is suffering from 'amnesia' it is an unknown illness that made you sick for 1 day," says Dr. Steven, who is the man my lady met last night and is Blanchard Castle's resident physician. What is the title of this novel?" As you may already know, my lady, healers cure illnesses of the spirit; doctors, though among the best in the empire, can only treat physical ailments. But," he pauses, a little hesitant.

He fears that the Duchess might find what he's about to say offensive: "People who are mentally ill cannot be treated; as a result, they are institutionalized."

"Please don't put me in a cage! I'm not insane! She panics, "Like you said, I just have amnesia, so I can't remember anything and I-" "Calm down, your grace! They'll drug me again, and I might wake up in a mental hospital the next time!" I sincerely regret the insensitivity of my remarks. I did not intend for your grace to be placed in an asylum." Fearing that he has insulted the woman he is serving, Abenant also loses his mind. In the Empire, it is a serious offence to offend a noble. The chief butler offers an apologetic bow.

"Dr. Steven warned me that you might behave strangely or have unexpected emotional outbursts, but he has made it very evident to me that our Duchess is not mentally ill. She has simply lost her memories of you, Grace."

As soon as Violet hears that, she becomes calm. She gathers her thoughts. That they only believe I lost my memories is a good thing. They might truly believe that I'm insane if they discover that I'm from another planet!

"Delia," calls Albus.

The red-haired maid says, "Yes, Mister Brossard," and moves forward.

He gives the waiting maids an order: "Prepare the Duchess's favourite tea to help calm her and the two of you, go and prepare the morning bath."

"Yes, Mister Brossard," they say as they swiftly go in through the door on the right, which is next to the fireplace. Violet surmises that it goes to the private bathroom.

"Your grace, let's have some tea and a seat together while you ask me any questions you may have. Albus remarks, "It must be confusing for my lady to not be able to recall your own life."

Really? I can just ask anything, that's all? I have a lot of questions, though, so which one should I ask first?

"My name, please tell me my name Mister Brossard!" The fact that Violet can ask anything she wants makes her feel content and reassured. It will facilitate acclimating to this new environment. Your grace, just refer to me as Albus.

Duchess, I am not worthy to have such a distinguished person as yourself address me as mister."

"Oh sorry, Albus..."

You don't have to say sorry, my lady. You are the Earl Beauvoir's lone daughter, Duchess Violet Carvelho de Blanchard. At present, you hold the title of princess of the Blanchard Dukedom.

Although the name is quite lengthy, it sounds elegant and lovely. That being said, I can't recall ever reading a book with a character with that name.

"How old am I?"

"Your grace is turning 25 next month."

How? I'm only 21, though! It amazes me that I've aged by almost 4 years. The protagonist of the majority of isekais that I've read typically gets younger.

"What year is it? And you did say earlier that Empire? Albus, what is the name of this empire?" The name of this place will help me identify the novel that I was absorbed into.

"This is the Great Eurosia Empire in the year 989. Lars Ludington de Eurosia the Third, our current emperor, is his Imperial Majesty." European? I distinctly recall reading a book that was set in this location. I believe I had the story completed just before I was in the accident. However, I read far too many books with misplaced names.

She tries to recall the name of the book and its story, which takes place in the European Empire, but she gets sidetracked by the big picture above the fireplace. She can now clearly see the features of the people in the painting.

She tries to recall the name of the book and its story, which takes place in the European Empire, but she gets sidetracked by the big picture above the fireplace. She can now clearly see the features of the people in the painting.

They really do appear to be royalty.

The bride, holding a bouquet of blue flowers, appears ethereal in her exquisitely fitted wedding gown. Violet finds it funny, but she thinks the bride looks a lot like her. Nevertheless, the subject of the painting resembles a much more attractive, perfectly Photoshopped version of herself.

Perfectly smooth pale skin. Black hair that reaches her waist and is curly. Gentle eyes, the hue of golden honey. a flawless nose that complements her symmetrical face beautifully. full, rosy lips. The bride is stunningly gorgeous.

However, the groom could just as easily be the romantic lead in a book. He's dressed in a black suit with a royal appearance, similar to what princes wear. fair-colored hair. Brilliant blue eyes with a menacing, yet seductive, look, akin to that of male models. He is incredibly attractive.

Albus remarks, "That's you and your husband, Duchess."

"That beautiful lady is me?" She had to let out a loud exclamation.

I've struck gold! I was reborn as a stunning duchess and wed a charming man!

"Yes, your grace," Albus says with a small laugh. Violet's initial impression of the head butler was one of strictness and stiffness.

"Arch Duke Ralf Carvelho de Blanchard is the man standing next to the Duchess. Chief of the Knights of the Black Order and Duke of the Blanchard Dukedom."

How absurd! Ralf the Archduke! He is the wicked adversary in the book My Dearest Prince!

Violet is so terrified that her heartbeat is erratic. She has no trouble recalling the storyline of My Dearest Prince as well as the background of Arch Duke Ralf.

The Duke was exiled from the Empire for trying to kill Crown Prince Alvis, the main character, when he was just five years old. It was done to get revenge for his adored wife's passing. After being exiled, he teams up with the demons in the land of curses, and on the 500th anniversary of the Empire's establishment, he returns to try to kill the 18-year-old prince once more. But Prince Alvis overcomes him.

Because it was thought that his wife—who was not given a name in the book—was a witch, she was put to death.

I WILL BE PUT TO DEATH!