Episode 3

With firm and delicate steps, I walk to sit next to the handsome man who, upon closer inspection, is even more beautiful.

"I'm not hungry anymore, Dad. Can I go?"

I hear a tiny, delicate voice and turn my gaze to four pairs of eyes that glare at me, but then the girl smiles mischievously, making me raise my eyebrows.

The girl is beautiful, but at first glance, she looks spoiled and pampered. The boy, on the other hand, doesn't change his expression and just looks at me with distaste.

"You can leave after dinner."

I hold my breath when I hear that husky voice that gives me very bad thoughts.

As expected, the girl throws a tantrum worthy of a spanking, but she doesn't move from the chair and crosses her arms angrily.

My hands are itching to correct her, but I maintain my composure while taking a bit of air that I desperately need.

Several servants arrive with many dishes and arrange everything very delicately and beautifully, it almost makes me not want to touch anything.

The servants make an exaggerated bow and then retire.

The handsome man next to me begins to serve his food, and the children and I follow suit.

I savor the delicious food with pleasure, and everything is truly very tasty, everything is perfect and well-cooked.

I look up at the children, and one of my eyes starts to twitch when I see them pushing the vegetables aside.

"No, no... You have to eat the vegetables too."

I speak in a serious tone of voice, but it comes out very soft and delicate.

"We don't eat that, and you can't force us to."

The girl says haughtily, and I furrow my brow, looking at her seriously as I say.

"You will not get up until you finish eating all the vegetables."

My tone of voice is very slow and measured.

"Dad!"

She calls him in a shrill voice, and he just looks at his food.

"You heard her, that's enough."

Both children look at me angrily, but I just smile wryly as I bring a piece of roasted chicken to my mouth... Mmm, this is delicious.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch them as they quickly eat all the vegetables until they finish them all.

"We're done. Happy?"

I smile and nod, placing my utensils down delicately.

"Very happy."

The girl just frowns, and the boy looks at his dad intently.

"My sister and I are finished. Can we leave?"

The way the boy speaks surprises me quite a bit; he speaks as if he were an adult.

"You may leave."

He says, and both children leave quickly without looking back.

I try to get up, but his voice stops me, and I look at him.

"We must leave for the capital tomorrow. The emperor's birthday is in three days, and I must arrive with time to spare."

"Mmm, okay."

"I don't want tantrums or childishness. I've had enough in these last two years. Behave like a duchess at my level."

His face doesn't look very happy, and I watch as he gets up from his seat, and before leaving, he says.

"We will leave after breakfast. I hope there are no inconveniences."

I just watch his broad back as I remain seated in the solitude of the enormous table.

"This dream is getting a little complicated."

I whisper and get up to leave as well. I don't plan to stay alone in this lonely place.

"You did very well, my lady. Just don't make the lord angry, and everything will go well."

The maid says, and I just nod as I walk down the same hall I came from.

Upon arriving at the room, the girl takes off my clothes and puts on a strange, ugly robe, but I don't pay much attention and throw myself onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.

(...)

I open my eyes abruptly as my heart pounds in my chest... All the memories of this body came to me while I slept, and the truth is that I am not in a dream.

I am in the story of the last novel I read...

"Damn, I have such bad luck."

I murmur as I get out of bed and start walking around the immense and luxurious room.

"My name is Laura Petro, wife of a powerful vampire named Victor Cortes and stepmother of two twin children, half vampire and half human..."

My gaze goes to a last drawer of the nightstand, and I walk over there, finding several letters that this body keeps from her beloved Richard Harrison... Was she crazy? Having such a hottie... Was she after a good-for-nothing? This is unbelievable.

I jump in fright when the door is knocked on, and I close the drawer immediately.

"Come in."

The same woman from yesterday enters the room, and according to the memories of this body, she is Laura Petro's personal lady, Lidia.

"You have already woken up, my lady."

She says, and I nod without saying anything else.

She approaches me and stealthily hands me a letter.

"My lord says he will be waiting for you after breakfast, my lady."

I furrow my brow and narrow my eyes.

"Burn the letter."

"What?"

She asks in surprise.

"Burn the letter, Lidia. From now on, we will not receive any more letters from Lord Harrison."