Eliza walked me inside the mansion, our steps dampened by the carpet covering the polished marble floor. For the first time in one of my lives, I saw a chandelier. The weird sense of amazement reared its head back in, despite me being used to seeing that same chandelier.

As Carine, I had walked under it a thousand times, barely paying attention to it. But my eyes were glued to the chandelier the moment I stepped in as Feyt. Looking at the bundles of crystals catching and scattering light, I wondered how that thing worked when I usually took it for granted.

Eliza must’ve noticed my gawking because she slowed down. “It’s something, isn’t it?” she said with an amused smile.

“Yeah… I mean, yes!” I corrected myself. I had no idea what was proper for a commoner in the presence of a noble establishment, but it felt better to try and fit in.

We continued down the entrance and took a left, heading towards a stretching hallway. Several maids were working down the path, some tending to the vases, some to the windows. It was the typical work they always do.

“So… am I staying in the main part of the mansion?” I asked, struggling to sound casual. From Carine’s memories, I knew that important guests were sometimes placed in their own quarters, and I half-expected some kind of fancy suite.

Eliza shook her head. “The Duke has arranged a room for you in the East Wing, second floor. A temporary accommodation for you until something more permanent is prepared for you outside the mansion.”

Second floor, East Wing. It was where most of the guest rooms were, but I believed none of them were particularly fancy like the ones reserved for special guests up on the third floor. The ones on the second floor were maybe a step or two above the servants’ quarters.

Although it was only a temporary residence, I should be grateful I wasn’t thrown in the storage room or such. “That’s… perfect,” I said, trying not to sound too relieved.

We reached the East Wing staircase, and I followed her up the steps, our footsteps echoing softly in the otherwise quiet wing. It didn’t take long to reach the second floor, though the contrast from the main mansion was clear.

Here, the walls were simpler, the floors a bit scuffed, and the decorations toned down. Honestly, it felt a lot more comfortable. No chandeliers, no towering vases, just plain hallways with a few small windows overlooking the garden below.

“Here we are,” Eliza said, stopping at a door near the end of the hall. She opened it with a small brass key, then stepped aside to let me in.

The room was cozy, with a single bed tucked against the wall, a small dresser, a writing desk with a simple candleholder, and one modest window that let in just enough light. A bit plain compared to the rest of the mansion, but it was a far cry from what I’d had back in the village. This room was mine, even if only temporarily.

“Do let us know if there’s anything you require, Sir Feyt,” Eliza said, her face still brimming with gentleness. She handed me the brass key for the room. “We will inform your arrival to the Duke and Duchess soon, feel free to make yourself at home before then.”

“T-Thank you, Miss Eliza!” I gave my best proper bow.

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She inclined her head and stepped back into the hallway, leaving me alone to take in my new room.

The door closed with a click. I placed my bag down on the floor next to the bed and took the time to glance out of the window, which revealed a beautiful view of the main castle in the distance. I had seen this castle plenty of times as Carine, but seeing it through Feyt’s eyes—at this height, from this room—I felt like I was seeing it anew.

It was still strange being a “guest” in my own house. Everything I saw felt foreign despite how used to it I was.

I took the time to observe my room closer, starting with the bed. I glided my hand over the sheets, surprised at how smooth it was. I gave it a few hard presses before sitting on it. It wasn’t as soft or fluffy as the canopy bed I had as Carine, but it was definitely a step up compared to the one back in the village.

I glanced at the dresser in front of me. I stood up and opened it, revealing three pairs of clothes. I was weirded out, I expected it to be empty, after all. I theorized it might’ve belonged to the previous tenant of the room. However, the Sareid maids were notoriously thorough, so I doubted they’d overlook this.

The clothes seemed intended for different occasions: a formal suit with a crisp white shirt under a dark coat, likely for important events I’d somehow end up attending. Next, a simple training outfit with a chest pad similar to those used by other students of Father and Mother. Lastly, there was a casual suit made of comfy leather that looked durable yet tasteful, the kind of thing I might wear to roam the city.

I pulled one of them out, placing it in front of my chest to gauge how it would fit. As expected, it seemed like the perfect fit for me, which meant these clothes were for me after all. Every need was anticipated. I was amazed for real this time.

With a silent sigh, I closed the dresser and walked to the writing desk. It was made of dark, polished wood with a cushioned seat tucked under it. There was a latch on top that lifted the upper part of the desk to create an angled writing surface.

I could already imagine myself sitting here writing letters back to the village. That would have to wait though, I still needed to meet with “my own” family to formally greet them.

I laid down on my new bed to pass the time.

Now, you might be wondering. Where was the other me during all this?

Well…

…

A voice reverberated across the seemingly quiet drawing room.

“One. Two. One. Two.”

That’s right. I was attending another dance lesson!

I followed Ms. Whats-her-name's instruction as I held her hand in a simple dance I had memorized perfectly years ago.

My feet moved without thought, but my eyes… they caught every tiny mistake she made. That was normal, she was human after all. Besides, the level of mistakes I noticed was minuscule at best. Compared to her, I guess I moved like a well-oiled machine instead.

Today was a bit different from how I usually performed though, I couldn’t keep my mind clear this time around, knowing the other me was already inside the same house as me.

Would I have to pretend not to know myself, or would I just act as though he were any other guest? No, clearly I had to be a bit familiar with myself, considering our past encounter when we were kidnapped. But how familiar should I be?

Too far and I might seem a bit cold to others and make our lives harder. Too close and I might spark up rumors between myselves, which would also make our lives harder. With my mind busy brainstorming, I was unable to focus fully on replicating the dance, which somehow elated the instructor.

“Ah, Lady Carine! I believe your step faltered just there,” she remarked with an almost amused tone. “I trust you’ve been practicing as diligently as I advised?”

It was clear she was running out of teaching material for me. I understood her desperation, but even without Feyt’s ears, I could tell she was trying to tease me. I probably shouldn’t provoke her though. I let go of her hand and gave a deep bow.

“Forgive me, Instructor,” I said with a polite tone. “My mind was on something else and I made a misstep. Shall we start over?”

A soft smile crept onto the instructor’s face. “Hmm, I suppose we should. Follow my lead closely.”

I took her hand once again and began the dance routine once more, just wishing for the hour to pass quickly.

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image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]