Chapter-4-Getting Used To

Rity's Pov*

I don't know if I managed to remember all the important characters in the story.

Dead Emperor Abraham the first Ferdinand De Regale

Bastard Prince Ezekiel the protoganist ( or the lucky son of this world) hero who will save the damsel in distress and hero who will protect his people.

His half-brother Crown Prince Frederick who is aloof and cold.

Their Uncle and new Emperor, Benjamin, and his son Zachary the main villains of this story.

Main love interest of the protagonist Elonara Bachert.

Elonara's brother Zadiel Vauquelin Bachert, a heroic and strong side character who has a bit cruel side.

Their father, Count Bachert

I pushed myself to recall more names until I felt a throbbing headache, finally deciding to set aside my notebook and pen.

These names are just a small fraction of this huge Empire. Anne, my personal maid, has been kind enough to share some details about the daily life of Laritza and her friends.

Apparently, Laritza weekly hosted tea parties for young ladies from aristocratic families, and she held the esteemed position of president in a book club that met monthly.

Among her circle of friends, Anne mentioned Camellia Flaurel, the daughter of Duke Flaurel. Strangely, I couldn't remember this name from the story of the web-comic. How could someone of such high status not even be a supporting character?

According to Anne, Camellia was the only daughter of the Flaurel dukedom, a family with five children. It seemed she was fiercely protected by her brothers and father, which piqued my curiosity even further.

I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person Camellia Flaurel could be. What was her family like? Did they support the new Emperor, who ruthlessly eliminated his own brother? Or did they stand against him? Maybe they were neutral like the Mountfield Dukedom. I wanted to know more.

There were so many names from the comic that slipped my mind, like the master who took Young Ezekiel under his wing to teach him swordsmanship. I couldn't recall if he was a duke or a count, and I had no recollection of his name or appearance.

I realized that I had been overly absorbed in the romantic conflict, neglecting the importance of the secondary characters. And let's not forget the extensive cast of supporting characters. The crown prince had a diligent and sharp-witted aide who held a strong disdain for Laritza, but all I could remember was that he wore glasses.

From now on, I made a firm resolution to jot down everything I could remember and any information I stumbled upon. I lacked grace, had no knowledge of etiquette, geography, history, or even the literary references in this world. It felt as though I was completely out of touch, while even the commoners around here seemed to possess a basic understanding of this realm. It was time for me to catch up and avoid feeling so disoriented.

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Third POV

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After taking a few days to rest, Rity finally gathered the courage to prepare herself for the nerve-wracking "breakfast with the parents." It appeared that her act of pretending to have memory loss had successfully deceived them, as they primarily sent doctors and medicine while maintaining their distance.

Accompanied by her loyal personal maid, Anne, and a few other young maids, including Bethanie, her other personal maid, Rity entered her room to begin getting ready for breakfast. As they assisted her with a luxurious bath, complete with exquisite scents and oils, and dressed her in elegant attire, Rity couldn't help but notice the fear and apprehension among the maids. She wondered if Laritza's previous reputation as a villain had left them on edge.

Anne, who had grown up with Laritza and held a deep devotion to her, silently regarded Laritza as a younger sister. She felt heartbroken over Laritza's memory loss and often prayed for her recovery. However, amidst her concern, Anne couldn't help but feel nervous observing how the young lady was affected by the annulment, as if she were on the verge of losing her sanity. Surprisingly, the memory loss seemed to bring back Laritza's cheerful and carefree nature, leaving Anne conflicted about which emotions to prioritize. Nevertheless, she looked at Laritza and greeted her with gratitude.

"Good morning, Lady Laritza. I hope you're feeling well today."

Rity tried to force a smile and replied, "Yes, thanks, Anne. I feel much better now," whispering in a hushed voice only Anne could hear, "I believe it's time for me to start working on recovering my lost memories."

Checking her surroundings to ensure no one overheard her, Rity decided to select a brooch. However, when Bethanie accidentally pricked Rity's skin with the brooch, she bowed her head on the floor, crying and begging for forgiveness.

"Oh, my lady, please forgive me. I made a terrible mistake. Spare my life."

Despite the tense and fearful atmosphere in the room, Rity responded with a kind smile, "It's alright, you're still new, and you'll learn. I didn't even feel anything, really."

Bethanie was taken aback by Rity's forgiving nature but also felt immense gratitude towards her.

Bethanie: "Thank you, my lady. I'll do my best to serve you, I'll dedicate my life to you."

Upon hearing Bethanie's reaction, Rity felt a sudden jolt of realization. She thought, "I didn't act the way Laritza is supposed to act. The memory loss is meant to be a secret. Should I punish her? But after forgiving her, wouldn't that be even worse?" She pondered on the matter.

Anne quickly intervened to change the subject, saying, "That's the spirit, Bethanie. We'll ensure our lady looks absolutely stunning for breakfast."

Rity thanked Anne inside her mind for her quick intervention and started contemplating the upcoming meeting with her parents. She wanted to grow closer to them to make sure they won't abandon her.

Rity: "You're right, Anne. I want to demonstrate to my parents how much progress I've made and alleviate their concerns."

In a hushed whisper, one of the maids couldn't help but ask another nearby maid, "Is this truly the same lady we serve?"

****

Rity entered the grand dining room with trepidation, her heart racing as she grappled with conflicting emotions. Having been reborn into this new life, she felt vulnerable and uncertain, like a fragile fawn finding its way. She had assumed the identity of Laritza, but questioned whether she should continue playing the role, unsure if it was a selfish act or not or whether she could play it or not.

Duke Samuel and Duchess Reina eagerly awaited Rity's arrival, their expressions filled with hope as they searched her eyes for any glimmer of regained memories.

"Good morning, Mother and Father," Rity greeted the anxious couple, her voice tinged with sadness, anxiety, and fear.

With a simple gesture from Duke Samuel, the servants gracefully exited the dining hall, leaving only Rity, the ducal couple, and Anne, her loyal and trusted maid. Anne stood at a respectful distance, ready to assist if needed.

Duchess Reina turned to Rity, her voice filled with affectionate understanding. "Good morning, Pumpkin. I hope you're feeling comfortable today,

Rity's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded, her gaze downcast. "Yes, Mother. I am feeling alright, thank you."

Duke Samuel turned his attention to Rity, his eyes filled with concern. "Good morning, Laritza. Any progress on your memories?"

A heavy sadness weighed upon Rity as she shook her head, her eyes downcast. "I'm afraid not, Father. My memories are still lost to me."

Duchess Reina reached out and gently squeezed Rity's hand, her voice filled with empathy. "Don't worry, my darling. We will support you through this. Remember, your worth goes beyond your memories. We are here for you, always. Let's enjoy a calm and pleasant breakfast together, shall we?"

As Rity managed a small smile, she felt a surge of gratitude for Laritza's parents' understanding and acceptance. Taking their seats at the lavishly set table, the enticing aroma of freshly brewed tea and delectable pastries enveloped the air.

The breakfast table laid out before her was truly a sight to behold, boasting an impressive array of dishes fit for royalty. Her senses were overwhelmed as she found herself in the presence of elegant porcelain plates, adorned with delicate patterns that caught her eye.

Despite her lingering nervousness and worries about potential etiquette mistakes in this refined world of aristocracy, Rity was surprised to see the ducal pair unfazed by her occasional missteps. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, devoid of any discouragement, which eased her concerns and allowed her to relax a little more.

It has been days since Rity had been able to eat anything besides soup or medicine. She decided to give herself a break from her thoughts and indulge in her breakfast to her heart's content. As she looked around, she couldn't help but notice the poised demeanor of the ducal couple. Duke Samuel exuded a strong, unyielding aura, while Duchess Reina embodied elegance and a nurturing nature.

Nervously, Rity bit her lip and turned to the Duchess. "I have been contemplating something. I don't want to embarrass you with my lack of memory or knowledge. I'm not sure how long it will take for me to recover. Would it be alright if I sought out a proper teacher who can help me in secret?"

Duchess Reina turned to face Rity, her eyes filled with affection. "Oh, my darling, that is a wonderful idea! Nancy can assist you in these matters. She has been with our family for years, serving as both my handmaiden and one of your nannies in your childhood. She knows how to maintain discretion and has always been loyal. You can trust her implicitly."

Rity's eyes widened with a mix of relief and anticipation. If Duchess Reina trusted Nancy, then she must be a trustworthy person.

Duke Samuel rose from his chair and approached Rity, his stern façade softening as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Laritza, don't overwork yourself. Remember, your health is our first priority."