Chapter Two

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Emma's POV

Emma was still holding little Ethan close when the door opened again. This time, a woman in a maid’s uniform stepped in. She was middle-aged, with her hair neatly tied back, and she looked at Emma with a mix of concern and respect.

“Oh, my lady! You’re awake,” the maid said, a look of relief crossing her face. She curtsied slightly, her hands folded in front of her. “How are you feeling?”

Emma blinked, unsure of what to say. Her head was spinning with questions. She took a deep breath, deciding to just ask what was on her mind.

“I… I’m not sure,” Emma replied. “Could you tell me… where am I? And… who am I?”

The maid’s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise. “Oh, my lady, you’re in your chamber. In the Grand Duke’s estate, of course.” She tilted her head, looking a bit worried. “And you… you’re Duchess Beatrice d’Este, my lady.”

Emma’s heart raced. Duchess Beatrice d’Este? The name sounded familiar, and as she thought about it, fragments of the novel she’d been reading came back to her. Duchess Beatrice – the main character of the story! The woman who was married to the cold and distant Grand Duke Adrian… and now, somehow, that was her.

Emma swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. “And… what happened to me?” she asked, her eyes searching the maid’s face.

The maid glanced at Ethan, who was still snuggled against Emma, then back at her. “My lady, you were unwell,” she said gently. “You fainted last evening, and we feared you might be ill. You’ve been resting since then.”

Emma nodded slowly, absorbing the information. So, I fainted… or rather, Duchess Beatrice did. But what was she supposed to do now? She was stuck in this world, in someone else’s life, and no one seemed to know she wasn’t really Beatrice.

“Thank you,” Emma said quietly, trying to hide her confusion.

The maid gave her a warm, reassuring smile. “Of course, my lady. Please let me know if you need anything at all.”

Emma looked down at Ethan, who was still clinging to her, and felt a mix of emotions – confusion, fear, and a strange warmth she couldn’t explain. But before she could say anything more, the maid’s expression changed. She looked closely at Emma, as if noticing something unusual.

“My lady…” The maid hesitated, her brow furrowing. “Do you remember everything? Are you feeling… all right?”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat. She could see the worry growing in the maid’s eyes. Did she look that different from the real Beatrice? Did her confusion show that much?

“I… I feel fine,” Emma said slowly, forcing a small smile. “Just… a little tired.”

The maid’s face softened, but she still looked troubled. “Oh, dear,” she murmured under her breath, almost to herself. “Perhaps… perhaps it’s the senility again.”

Before Emma could react, the maid straightened up, a new urgency in her eyes. “Please wait here, my lady. I’ll fetch the physician at once!”

Emma opened her mouth to protest, but the maid was already halfway out the door, moving quickly. “Wait! I—” But the door had already closed behind her, leaving Emma alone with Ethan.

Emma took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The maid thought she was suffering from… senility? She couldn’t help but feel a bit insulted, but she also realized it might be a way to explain her confusion. At least, for now.

She glanced at Ethan, who was watching her with wide eyes. He didn’t seem scared, just curious. She gave him a small, reassuring smile, hoping to hide her own worry.

“It’s okay, Ethan,” she said softly, stroking his hair. “Mama’s just… a little tired, that’s all.”

He nodded, his tiny hand squeezing hers. “Okay, Mama.”

Emma held his hand, trying to find some comfort in his warm, gentle presence. She didn’t know how long she’d be able to keep up this act, but for now, she’d play along. After all, she had no other choice.

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