A Rough Transition I

I always thought death would hurt, instead it's rather peaceful and comforting. I'm sure I'm in an ambulance right now, forced to stare at the blank white ceiling while the paramedic tries to stop the bleeding in panic.

I'm done for. I know that.

I should be fighting to live, I also know that but I don't feel pain. I feel peaceful instead, allowing the darkness to slowly devour me and I suppose it won't be too bad. I lived a fairly boring life, I won't be missed, and I had no ambitions.

Perhaps this is all Elloise "Elle" Lee is meant to be. A woman in her late 20s who got ran over by a speeding motorcycle; no boyfriend, no family and not even a pet back at home. She died as she lived, all alone.

***

"...Grace? Your Grace?"

Elle furrowed her brows, finding it hard to open her eyes when she instinctively knew the sun's rays would be directly hitting her vision. She instead rolled to her side and covered her head with the heavy blanket.

It's very soft and she can feel it weighing her down, as if made of the finest materials - [do hospital beds feel this great? Wait - hospital?!]

"Your Grace, breakfast awaits."

She immediately got up, immediately taking notice of the long raven locks serving as veil to frame her face and obscure her vision. Her hair was always kept an inch under her chin for practicality - she never grew it out past her shoulders.

[What's going on?]

A quick scan of the room was enough to inform her that she wasn't at the hospital. She slowly got up, turning to face a woman with her head hanging low in a bow. She's wearing a maid outfit and Elle felt her heart skip a beat - but not in a good way.

As if it almost dropped but managed to return to its place right away as if it never moved and she looked down at herself. The bed she lied in was unfamiliar and the chemise hanging off her body wasn't hers.

"Shall I draw you a bath?" The maid asked and Elle only nodded, an audible hum escaping past her pursed lips that informed the maid of her answer. The woman in uniform then left to another room, leaving Elle to her own devices.

"What. . ." she glanced around once more. The room was luxurious, it's evident that this house was gigantic and if the maid in uniform wasn't evident enough - she's certain this place is fancy. How she got here? She has no idea.

Elle got off the bed, planting her firmly on the carpeted floor that was soft to the touch, and slowly approached the long mirror. Seeing the image reflected on it to be that of a stranger - long raven hair that fell in waves over her waist and bright grey eyes that resembled any light reflected on it.

Her hand was instantly glued to her face, so soft and smooth to the touch - not a single pore could be found and she must admit that her new face was beautiful. Probably even beyond that. A tiny pointed nose, slanted sharp eyes and naturally rosy cheeks?

Elle never considered herself to be ugly before, but she wasn't one to be considered "pretty" either, she was just average and so was her life. She had normal parents, a normal job and a normal boyfriend.

She felt as if she was living life peacefully - no thrill but also no dangers. And she liked that - she was the perfect model of an average human being going about their day. That was until she attempted crossing the street, turning her head to spot two men on a motorcycle racing past the road and crashed into her.

They had previously robbed a woman, clutching her purse as they sped past witnesses and she was unfortunately at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Your Grace?" Elle turned, looking at the maid who smiled kindly at her and gestured for the door. "Your bath is ready."

Elle followed, without another word. She got in the tub, not even hesitating once to get naked in front of a stranger and allowed the warm waters to soothe her. This is all too confusing and she's not certain of her situation.

Is it possible that this Grace person she's being referred to is her true identity and she dreamed the events prior to her death? Or is it that she got dragged in here after her untimely departure in her original world?

"Say, who do you think I am?" Elle spoke for the first time to the maid.

The maid paused, her slender fingers frozen in place - entangled with Elle's long raven locks, and she cleared her throat before answering.

"Her Grace is the one and only Duchess of Taverrey, the esteemed flower of high society and the treasured niece of the Emperor."

Elle blinked once, twice and swallowed the forming lump in her throat.

"What's my name then?"

"Your name?" The maid frowned. "You are Eleanor Orielle Dawn Taverrey, your Grace."

Elle almost laughed. Eleanor. Her name is Eleanor and her real name is "Elle", it seems some higher power is playing with her. After having her live such a mundane life, they thrust her into the unknown to fend for herself.

"Your grace, might I be bold to ask why you implored such questions?" The maid hesitated, her nails light scraping on Elle's scalp. Elle leaned further back, resting her dap hair covered in foam on the maid's lap and gazed at the maid's eyes.

Her view of the maid was upside down but she managed to register her facial features enough in her head. The maid froze in place, watching her once very meek and withdrawn lady act so nonchalant.

"It's nothing." Elle dismissed her and her bath was done in silence for the rest of the hour, she was scrubbed clean as if there was ever any dirt on her body and now stood in front of a mirror. She never once in her life thought she'd be wearing such a dress.

This looks like something she'd see in those period dramas, but here she is wearing one beautiful red dress that swept the floor as she moved and she fought the urge to spin around in it.

"What's on my schedule for today?" Elle asked, figuring she most likely has work to do as some Duchess in this world and the maid perked up in her spot.

"Your Grace! You shouldn't go back to work so soon, your body is still recovering. Please allow the butler to handle the Duchy's affairs for a week more." The maid pleaded, and Elle almost cringed at the tears brimming her eyes.

"Okay."

Was all she said.

Having no idea why her body would be recovering. [Was she sick?]

"Then, would you like to visit the twins before breakfast?" The maid asked, and Elle has no idea who those people are so she only nodded. Maybe meeting the twins will give her a clue of the life she's supposed to be leading as Eleanor.

The walk around the Duchy was fascinating. It's evident she's rich with such a grand title but seeing the interior of the luxurious house in person took the words right out of her mouth, she fought the urge to gush about the gold and the crystal-lined chandeliers.

Then they entered a room, Eleanor felt the air get knocked off her when she realized what it was. A nursery.

She hesitantly approached the crib, seeing a set of twin babies sleeping. Their limbs entangled together and they were adorable to her sight. She took note of one of the twins having hair the exact same shade as her and felt the realization dawn on her.

These two.

They're hers.