3 A New Reality

King Alpheus II of Annalaias was the man that the male lead of this novel was named after. Third prince Alpheus Randolph McLeod, the love interest of the Cinderella-esque main character, Marcy Grandin—a bakery worker whose craft was praised highly enough for her to get a position in the palace.

This couldn't be happening to me. I went on a binge a while back when I bent over and threw my back out so I couldn't move for four days where I read nothing but transmigration comics. And now I had transmigrated myself.

Unbelievable. Unbelievable! Had I really died in that car accident?

"Catherine?" my brother asked with concern. "Are you still feeling ill?"

"I must be," I said weakly. "Brother, could you please bring me some water?"

"Of course. I'll return shortly." He patted my head affectionately before striding out of the room.

I died…I died on my way back from a doctor's appointment…what a horrible way to die! I'd hardly lived at all! Most of my living was vicariously done through fiction!

Abby…she was the only family I had left. I didn't socialize much…who would they call about my body? Would anyone go looking for me after I didn't show up for work?

I wanted to cry. What a pitiful end for a loser and a shut-in.

Although…my body here is strong. Despite supposedly recovering from an illness I felt better than ever. No back pain. No dizziness. No difficulty walking or a constant desire to crack my neck that was never fully relieved.

I could do anything I wanted here! I could run! I could ride a horse!

I could possibly even teach myself to do a backflip like Abby could on a trampoline! If they even had the concept of a trampoline here…

By the time my brother came back, I was revitalized. If I was stuck here I was going to actually go out and live my life better than Katie Pullman had. But first…I needed information on this world.

The novel largely focused on goings on in the palace as Marcy tried to overcome corruption on the staff and protect Alpheus' interests. I couldn't even recall if anybody in this fictional family was even mentioned by name. If I was going to fit into the nobility research was necessary.

My brother came back to find me pulling as many books off the shelves as I could muster. "What are you doing?"

"I feel much better now and wish to do a bit of light reading."

He eyed me distrustfully. "You call this light? You've never been all that interested in father's books before."

Crap. I had no idea what Lady Catherine du Pont was like. I'd need to observe people as much as I could without asking around outright.

I gave him a demure smile. "One realizes their priorities after an illness. I would like to enrich myself. Can you recommend me any books on the history and culture of Annalaias, brother?"

And just like that, I had an accomplice.

***

My brother, who I later found out was Percival (Edmund was off at boarding school), was a huge help in the following weeks. History, culture, and the estate were his expertise since he was the heir and had already completed school.

He appeared stiff on the surface but that was only because he took his duties so seriously. He had a sweet side and doted on his younger sisters.

Between Percival and Adele (a carbon-copy who idolized her big sister) I was able to realize what kind of personality the original Catherine had. She was a sweet but mischievous creature forever interested in everyone else's business. I could pull that off...probably.

Countess Amelia du Pont was most helpful in learning how a noble lady should act. Everything she did was the epitome of grace.

I watched her and copied her every move when in the company of others, as the estate frequently had visits from the countess' lady friends and their daughters. None of them were characters I recognized, meaning they weren't significant to the story.

Where in this world did the earldom fit in anyway?! Everything I'd read about the nobility pointed towards a British-style system—earls were only ranked below marquises, dukes, and those of royal blood.

Shouldn't the family of an earl show up somewhere in a story about royalty? It didn't make sense to me.

But this could be a good thing. I didn't want to get caught up in the intrigue of the plot. Even as an earl's daughter…could I just live my life in peace without getting married off?

That was my main worry being here. Everything else, though not what I was used to, was pretty nice.

I adored horseback riding and surprisingly had an aptitude for it. I'd sucked at sports back home. I rode every day with Percival, occasionally joined by the earl (who was usually too busy to see his family).

I had countless tea parties with delectable little cakes with the countess and her entourage. Though some of the neighboring ladies were catty, it was kind of fun playing along with them since I knew what to say from everything I'd ever watched and read involving nobility. My responses angered some but overall I was praised for having a rare wit.

Life here wasn't so bad after all. I certainly missed wifi and fried food but there was enough new information to absorb here that I didn't get too bored.

The manor seemed endless and Adele and I spent lots of time exploring, pretending we were adventurers seeking a rare treasure. It reminded me of the games I used to play with Abby, which made me miss her, but what could I do? I was dead.

I just hoped she was okay without me…we usually texted or called at least every other day. Abby…please be alright…