Chapter 1 - Teves, Elandris Imperia

  ? ? ?

  In the ancient tongue of the precursors, Earth was once called Terra. But beyond the reach of mortal eyes lies Teves—a world carved by crowns, defined by bloodlines, and bathed in light. Three empires thrive here: Crezen, Aqualis, and the land kissed by the sun yet cursed by ambition—Elandris Imperia.

  ? ? ?

  I snapped awake the second the reality of the situation hit me.

  How did I ever think that was my mom waking me up? The voice was way too young. I sat up, and my jaw hit the floor. This is not my room, bro. This place was huge—larger than any studio apartment I’d seen in my life.

  I scanned the space. It was a literal Pinterest board of the "Royal Aesthetic." Marble floors. Golden drapes. A full-length mirror taller than my hopes and dreams. The ceiling was vaulted, the bed is unnecessarily massive, and the walls were covered in carvings so detailed they made my head spin. It's a straight-up princess’s room.

  "Uneunha achamazu, il ydue, Celeste."

  I blinked, my gaze snapping to the girl who had woken me. She’d been staring at me the whole time while I sat there gawking like an idiot.

  "Ha?" What did she just say?

  My jaw stayed dropped. Hold up... a maid? Like, seriously? Did someone hire cosplay extras or something? I turned my head, half-expecting to see a hidden camera for a prank show.

  But nope. Standing there is a maid. An actual maid-maid. Lace headdress, long black dress, white apron—the whole medieval starter pack.

  "Il ydue?" she repeated.

  "What are you even saying, miss?" I blurted out.

  Wait... why is she talking like that? I was sure I understood her a second ago. Was that a different person? I just stared at her, my brain short-circuiting. I'm so fvcking confused, man.

  "Odai kaobu, il ydue?"

  Yep. Absolute gibberish. I aggressively ruffled my hair in frustration. Then, I looked down at my wrist. The letters I’d doodled on myself before bed were still there, but they looked... different. Strange. Like they were engraved into my skin.

  I traced the symbols with my finger. My eyes widened as they pulsed with a faint light for a split second.

  "My lady?"

  I blinked. The maid spoke again.

  "Ha?"

  "Are you alright, my lady?" she asked.

  Wait. I understood that. My brain felt like it is about to explode.

  "Where am I?"

  The maid looked puzzled, but she answered anyway. "...You are still in the manor, Lady Celeste," she said hesitantly.

  "Hm? Lady who?"

  I didn't wait for her to explain. I scrambled out of the bed—nearly tripping over the silk sheets—and marched straight to that giant mirror.

  I stopped dead. I reached out, my trembling fingers touching the cold glass.

  The face staring back at me was mine. The same almond-shaped eyes and the same nose I’d spent years complaining about. But something was dangerously "off."

  "When did my skin get this smooth?" I whispered, leaning in. Just last night, my face was a battlefield of whiteheads and stress pimples. Now? It was glowing, like I’d been photoshopped in real life.

  I looked at my hair and gasped. "My bangs... they're gone."

  Back home, I rocked a practical short bob with blunt bangs. But this girl? A river of pale, strawberry-blonde hair cascaded down past her waist, shimmering like spun silk under the magi-lights. I didn't have a single scar. All my moles, my childhood scrapes, even that one burn mark on my arm—gone. It was my face, but a "Premium Version" that had never known a day of Philippine humidity or cheap instant noodles.

  I'm in the body of Celeste Eris Vespera. And apparently, I was the daughter of a Grand Duke.

  Great. Love that for me.

  I don't know what's happening anymore, my brain is so confused right now. I was still trying to understand the events when I suddenly felt dizzy followed by my vision going dark.

  ★

  "My lady, I'm glad you're awake now."

  I forced a faint smile. I'm still super confused, but at least I'm trying to process everything. Like—where the actual fvck am I?

  "Uhh, who are you again?" I finally asked.

  She just blinked at me as if I had slapped her with a fish.

  "My lady, I am Rana—your personal servant. Do you not remember me, my lady?"

  So she's my servant? Oof. That explains why she still answers me even though I sound like a walking question mark.

  I tried to get up but it just made my head ache like it's been struck by a fvcking hammer.

  "Ahh~ my head hurts."

  The maid rushed closer, all flustered.

  "My lady, please do not strain yourself—His Grace will be worried if you—"

  "Wait," I cut her off, holding up both hands. "Grace? Who's Grace?"

  Her eyes widened like I'd just insulted her ancestors.

  "His Grace, the Grand Duke of Elandris, my lady. Your father."

  I froze.

  My... what?

  Did she just say Grand Duke?

  As in, like, royalty? Nobility? People who own castles and armies and fancy spoons?

  "Okay, either I hit my head too hard or this is one hell of a prank show," I muttered under my breath. "Wait... Is someone filming me right now?"

  No response. Just the sound of birds chirping outside.

  "Should I call for a doctor, my lady?" she asked, clearly worried.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  'Fuck, does she think I have a loose screw now?'

  I just nodded. It's fine. I actually need a doctor—so I can make them believe I've lost my memories.

  Genius move, Cindy.

  ★

  And yeah, that's what happened. The doctor came, poked at me a bit, and declared that I might have "temporary memory loss."

  Good. That's the cover story I need.

  Rana explained everything afterward while I pretended to still be dizzy. Thank God I'm good at acting. I'm this close to a mental breakdown, but I somehow convinced her I had amnesia.

  So apparently, I'm in the body of Celeste Eris Vespera, 19 years old, the second child of the Vespera family. My father is Grand Duke Leteo Vespera of the Elandris Empire. And right now, we're in the North—his territory.

  Great. Love that for me.

  But no, That's not enough. I need to know more—why I'm here, and how I even got here in the first place.

  "Rana, I need to go outside. I wanna go to the library." I stood up. Time for some detective work.

  "Do you not want to check the manor's library first, my lady?"

  "Oh right." Duh. Of course the Grand Duke's manor has its own library. My bad.

  Rana led me there, and I told her to leave so I could read quietly. The moment she was gone, I dove straight into the books like a possessed woman.

  Apparently, this world is called Teves, and we're in the Elandris Empire. Surprisingly, I can read and understand everything. It must be because of the glowing symbols on my wrist earlier.

  Weird flex, but okay.

  Now I can understand the Tevian language. But the writings on my wrist? Still a mystery.

  The books said there are only three main languages here—Elandric, which is used in Elandris, Crezari, by the Crezen empire, and Sirenian/Aqualine, used by the people of Aqualis Empire.

  Unfortunately, there's nothing about how I got here. Except for the fact that mermaids and sirens have magical voices that can lure you into death's hands, there's zero record of magic or sorcery in any of the books here.

  Guess I'll have to look beyond the manor for answers.

  I left the library in tears, I immediately called Rana because she was just waiting outside.

  "How was your time at the library, my lady?" she asked, smiling.

  "Fine, but I didn't find the books I wanted."

  "Should I go out and order the books for you, my lady?"

  Nope. Hard pass. I can't let her do that. Not only that I have no idea what I'm even looking for, but if people find out I'm researching magic, they might burn me at the stake or skin me alive or something.

  "Ahh, no. I wanna find it myself," I said, trying to sound casual.

  She looked kinda skeptical. What? It's just the library, not a battlefield.

  "I will ask an audience with the Grand Duke, my lady."

  My eyes widened.

  "Eh? W-why do I need to talk to the Duke?"

  She looked confused for a second but then remembered I supposedly have amnesia.

  "You will need the Duke's permission before taking any action, my lady," she said firmly.

  I sighed internally. I'm not a child, bruh.

  "'Ight," I muttered.

  ? ? ?

  MY HANDS are sweating buckets right now. I'm walking down this long-ass hallway that leads to the Grand Duke's study. I'm finally meeting "Father."

  What if he's some kind of tyrant? A monster? What if he just—

  "My lady?"

  Rana's voice snapped me out of my mental breakdown.

  "Hmm?"

  "We are here, my lady."

  I looked up, and yep. Big, fancy door. Nerves at 200%.

  "Your Grace, the lady is here," Rana announced after knocking.

  "Let her in," a deep voice answered from inside.

  Oh great, the voice alone already sounds like it could cut my soul in half.

  Rana opened the door and I stepped in. His study was massive—like a Don's office from a mafia movie. Bookshelves lined the walls, and there was a big desk right in the middle.

  I barely had time to look around when someone cleared his throat.

  "Ahem."

  I froze. Sitting behind the desk was a man who looked to be in his late forties. His sharp eyes were fixed on me—and yep, his face was terrifying.

  I walked closer, eyes glued to the floor. "Uh... hi, Dad?"

  His eyebrow twitched.

  Okay. Bad move.

  "I mean—greetings, Grand Duke?" I corrected quickly, forcing a shaky smile that probably looked more like I was about to take a shit.

  He frowned slightly. Guess they're not the affectionate type.

  "Is it true that you have lost your memories?" he asked. His tone was cold, no trace of concern at all. His tone sounds more of an interrogator who will beat you up if you didn't tell him what you know.

  "Y-yes, Your Grace."

  "You had better not be lying, Celeste. You know what happens if you try to rebel, do you not?"

  I froze. My whole body stiffened and my hands started trembling on their own. It's like my—Celeste's body is reacting automatically.

  Pull yourself together, Cindy. Don't flinch. We've escaped Mama's gatling gun mouth so many times, we can survive this.

  "I'm not lying, Your Grace," I said carefully, praying my voice wouldn't crack.

  He stared at me for a few long seconds, his gaze like a blade slicing right through me.

  Finally, he spoke again. "Rana said you wanted to go to the bookshop?"

  Thank God, topic changed.

  "Yes, Your Grace."

  "You could have just told the butler to order new books for the library. What kind of book do you need so badly that you have to go there yourself?"

  'Because I want to go back to Earth and give back Celeste's body,' is what I wanted to say, but of course I can't say that.

  Instead, I smiled awkwardly. "I just want to pick the books personally, Your Grace. That way I'll be sure they're to my liking."

  He hummed. "Very well. Take Rana and two other servants with you. Bring three guards as well."

  Three guards. For a bookstore trip.

  OA?

  "Yes, Your Grace." I bowed slightly, then bolted out of the room like my life depended on it.

  ? ? ?

  I'M AT the bookstore now. It's been two hours, and I'm still empty-handed. I've scanned every damn shelf here, and all I've gained is sore feet and a mild existential crisis.

  While I was spacing out, the store owner suddenly approached me.

  Will he kick me out? He looks rather nervous tho.

  "G-good morning, my lady. Can I help you find the book you are looking for?"

  Why's he stuttering? Is it because I'm the Grand Duke's daughter? Or does Celeste have a bad rep or something?

  "Ahh, hi." I lowered my voice a little. "Do you have books about magic?"

  The man's face went pale. "I am afraid we do not have those, my lady. Books about sorcery and magic are strictly forbidden in Elandris."

  "Ah. Okay. What about history books? Like the super old ones?"

  He visibly relaxed. "We have plenty of history books, my lady, but if you are referring to ancient Tevian records, we only have a few of those."

  "Perfect. That'll do," I said, smiling to make him less jittery.

  After a few minutes, I picked out some history books while he packed them up. I'm so tired, my legs are screaming. Two and a half hours in a gown and heels just for dusty books—send help.

  "Thank you so much, my lady. I will send the books to Vespera Manor right away," he said politely.

  I was about to leave when he suddenly added, "Oh—by the way, my lady. I just remembered... though books about magic are forbidden here, there are some old records kept in the Imperial Library. They say it also holds several ancient texts."

  My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Finally, a lead.

  "The Imperial Library?" I asked. "But isn't that off-limits?"

  "Usually, yes. It is not open to the public," he said, voice trembling a bit again. "But... I am sure my lady can gain access to the library if she wants to."

  I blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"

  He paled again. "O-oh, forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to offend you."

  Huh? I don't get it

  I just smiled, nodded, and said my goodbyes. Maybe Celeste really can get access to the Imperial Library since she's the Grand Duke's daughter. That's a huge advantage.

  When I got home, I immediately started reading through the books I'd bought... but no luck. Not a single clue about how I got here.

  Just a bunch of fancy old people talking about ancient wars and royal drama.

  ? ? ?

  It’s been two weeks since I "possessed" Celeste’s body, and I still have no clue how this happened. I’ve flipped through every dusty book in this manor, and the only thing I’ve learned is that Teves has too many wars, too many kings, and absolutely zero step-by-step tutorials for "How to Go Back to Your Original World."

  My mind is a mess of questions:

  What happened to my body back on Earth? How do I get back? And most importantly: where is the real Celeste?

  Her body still feels like a costume I’m wearing. The maids call me "My Lady" with so much fear, you’d think I’d breathe fire if they exhaled too loudly. I’m trying to act natural, but honestly, I’m one bad day away from screaming into a silk pillow.

  The guilt is starting to eat at me, too. I stole Celeste’s life—her luxury, her silk sheets, her smooth skin. What if she’s stuck in my body back home, struggling with my bills and my skin care routine? Or worse, what if she’s dead because of me?

  "My lady, dinner is ready. The Grand Duke and Lord Riven will be joining you."

  Rana’s voice snapped me out of my spiral. I stood up, smoothing out my gown. Great. The boss fights.

  ★

  The dining hall was intimidatingly quiet. At the head of the long table sat the Grand Duke, his posture as straight as a ruler, his eyes unreadable. Beside him was my "brother," Kaede. He was quietly cutting his steak like he was plotting someone’s downfall.

  I composed myself and stepped into the room. "Greetings, Your Grace... Brother."

  "You are late," the Duke said without looking up.

  "My apologies, Your Grace. I didn't realize we were dining together tonight," I reasoned.

  "A pathetic excuse for such a lack of manners," my brother added coldly.

  What’s this guy’s problem? It’s just five minutes, bro.

  The Duke set his utensils down. The clink of silver against porcelain echoed like a warning bell. "In three days, we will be leaving for the Capital."

  I looked up. Finally! A change of scenery. "The Capital?"

  "Yes," the Duke leaned back, his voice calm but heavy with authority. "Your Coming-of-Age ceremony will be held there. And along with it, the official announcement of your engagement."

  I froze. My fork nearly slipped from my hand.

  Wait. My what now?

  "I’m sorry, what?" I blurted out.

  The Duke’s gaze sharpened. "Do not tell me your 'memory loss' has made you forget your duty to this family, Celeste."

  I stared at him, my brain screaming. Engagement? To who? Some old guy? A tyrant?

  I'm fucked. I am absolutely fucked.

  ? ? ?

  ? Tevian Codex ?

  Teves Imperial Annals - Summary

  Teves' ranks:

  Translator's Note:

  Among the noble ranks, the Grand Dukes hold dominion second only to the Emperor, often governing vast regions called Duchies.

  (Written during the 2nd Era of Emperor Elarion, 418 AE; translated from High Tevian by Scholar Nirean Voss)