Chapter 3

'Sylfinnier.'

A laugh of disbelief rang in my mind.

Now... this is beyond my mind. Since I'm a rational person, my surprise ended after that short laugh.

'So, I not only reincarnated but transmigrated as well...'

From the little information I have... All of it makes me recall a novel I read some time ago.

In my past life, I read thousands of manhwas and novels. I'm bad at remembering the names of the characters since I read so many, but if I hear the names or read them somewhere again, I can recall a little of the story and characters.

Just now, I heard the name "Sylfinnier". I had confirmed earlier that, since this body's father is a Duke, it is a Duchy's name and, also, Theressa's existence. Two things already matched.

Looking at her, Theressa's appearance was the same one described in that novel. Paul too was mentioned sometimes as Theressa's older brother.

But, Theressa... she was the novel's main Villainess.

'Heh... awesome.'

But, wait. This novel was +19 rated...

'... It was quite steamy..... this novel...~' Recalling how the original novel went, I grinned, pleased on the inside.

[Ah.. ha~h!]

'... Yeah... the Female Lead had a lot of fun... fufufu.'

Well... going back to Theressa's role...the good part is that since she was the Villainess, she never got with any of the Male Leads, and so, there was no "action" for her.

'Heh, Serves you right....!?'

Suddenly, a flashback came to me. That line I read in the first few chapters of the novel, which I had taken as mere irrelevant filling of words, came back clear in my head.

["Lady Theressa. I have heard about your sister... I am so sorry for your loss..."]

If I'm not mistaken... I'm very sure that is the only bit where a sister of the villainess was mentioned. They didn't even mention the name...

'... You have to be kidding me...'

I sighed inside and stopped thinking at the moment. It wasn't the time for such thoughts.

'Let's think calmly once I get back to my room... The conversation is still ongoing after all...'

"Since Marianne has agreed to it, the preparations will be done as fast as possible. Paul and Theressa... please, I must ask you to take good care of your sister that day." — The Duke said.

Afterwards, he stared at me as if trying to read my inner thoughts, obviously worried about me.

I gently closed my eyes to him in an attempt to reassure him.

'Sorry, Sir... but even in my past life where I had a face that could express everything I wanted to show... not even my mother or best friends could know what I was actually thinking... Just give it up for your own mental stability...' I thought to myself, pitying the new family who would suffer because of my lack of self-awareness...and common sense...

No one argued against it anymore. I guess there wasn't frankly a reason good enough to not let it happen. Everyone nodded in reluctant agreement to the decision that was just made. And then, the Duke freed us from the awkward silence that followed the end of the conversation, permitting us to return to our rooms.

The fact that I ate quite well was of more importance to me at the moment. Originally, at some point in my life, I began eating less than I originally used to. I'm not really sure of the cause of that change, but between the possible causes would be... age and my stomach shrinking. Depression was not taken into account. I DO have a sensitive side...very sensitive at that. But those emotions of sadness, frustration or pain always came to me because of other people's situations... hmm... how do I explain it?

To put it simply with an example... Once on TV, there was a girl who was being interviewed anonymously. She talked about the day her life was ruined. She was a teenager... If I'm not wrong she was fifteen. She talked with a voice empty of emotion about how she was raped, beaten and tortured for a month by a guy she had never seen... repeatedly. She couldn't go into much detail since her experience was too crude to be told. I heard the interview with my mother so I just listened to her blankly, while my mother commented through her story things like..."Poor girl...", "how horrible"...

At some point, I wasn't able to keep listening and went to the bathroom with a nonchalant face. But my heart was burning with pain, I couldn't breathe properly thinking the things she went through... and I cried like a mess, making sure no one would hear me, I gulped down my hiccups, feeling how my heart trembled and my insides got twisted...

I couldn't eat properly for about two weeks...

Ha...

In other words, I've never felt the pain of my own but I made others' pain show through me...?

Does that make sense?

...

It sounds like bu*lsh*t.

Whatever!

The thing I wanted to get at is, that I ate almost the same I used to and even a little more. Which makes me happy. One of the greatest pleasures in life is food, after all.

I thought I would get lost on the way to my room but I arrived just fine. — 'This body must be helping me. Because my sense of direction has always been horrible...'

Marianne's body is so kind... hehe

'She must have been a sweet girl... she is only eighteen too... ten years younger than me...'

Feeling emotional by the age difference I continued walking to the room I woke up in.

Once in my room, I looked outside the window standing a few steps away from the room's door. I slowly went closer to get a better look at what was outside.

There was a little forest not too far from the mansion. I had thought this was a mansion, but looking closely, the structure was more one of a castle. Right below my window, a few little wildflowers, attempting to become a flower bed, were visible.

'That's great... I always liked flowers even though I barely know their names...'

I breathed in a lot of air, filling up my lungs.

'The air is clean. I can feel my body purifying by taking it in.'

I stared in silence for a while. But I snapped out of it decidedly.

'Enough.'

Now, let's think a little about the situation at hand. I sat on the chair placed near the window and started collecting my thoughts.

'First, let's analyze things.'

This novel is one I read about three to four years ago. The problem is that I can't trust my memory when it comes to recalling details and, if I remember correctly, I didn't get to the end of the novel.

To start... I don't even remember the names of the Male Leads...But! Fret not! I do know who they were!

One was a Duke, and the other was the Crown Prince. The latter one being the main Male Lead... according to my conjectures at the time.

'... The name of the novel... Uh... What was it again...'

Ah!

'Enchanting lady... Katina...?... No! That's it! It was "Enchanting lady Karina"!'

Heh! As always, I'm awesome.

It was an easy and catchy name so it was easy to remember... thanks, author!

'...I should write down what I can remember.'

There was a desk in a corner of the bedroom. I headed there and went through the drawers. There was a pile of papers, ink and a quill, ready for my use.

'Perfect!'

Then, something caught my attention. There was a little hole at the base of the drawer, only seen after taking the papers out.

'Ho?'

This is mysterious. I was getting good vibes from this. Maybe, Marianne had a secret huhuhu.

I was about to look into the intriguing drawer... When I heard a knock on my door.

'Tsk... the timing is just..'

I quickly put back the papers and as soon as I was closing the drawer, the door opened.

It was the maid from before. I wonder what her name is...

"Miss Marianne, My Lady, the Young Master is looking for you."

Suddenly, Marianne's body froze and I could feel all the blood drop to the floor as if every bit of it was sucked out in an instant.

Shocked at such an intense reaction. I felt a little anxious.

'...Really! Marianne! Your body's acting way too strange! Tell me things in a way I can understand!....'

After letting out this frustration on her, I sighed inside pulling myself back to being calm.

'Well... This totally gives me a bad feeling...'