"So, is the real Seraphina dead or something?" I asked. "Because that's how it usually goes in reincarnation stories—the poor girl dies, and someone new hops into her body to fulfill her tragic last wishes."
[No, of course not! Do you know how weird it'd be to stuff a dead soul into another dead body and tell them to 'go on living'?]
"Hehehe."
I giggled, mostly because Nero sounded genuinely horrified. "Sorry, I just thought that's how these things worked."
[Ugh, humans. Always oversimplifying metaphysics. It's hard to explain without your fragile brain overheating, but think of it like this—Seraphina was on autopilot. Now that you're here, you've taken the controls. Manual mode.]
"So… she's still in here somewhere?"
[Nope. She's just data now. You're the driver. Try not to crash.]
I snorted. "You make reincarnation sound like borrowing someone's car."
[Exactly! And you didn't even pay the rental fee.]
Just as I was about to ask Nero more about Seraphina—like who she'd been, what kind of life she'd lived, and whether I should be worried about inheriting her enemies—a sharp knock echoed through the room.
I froze. "Uh oh. That didn't sound like the knock of someone bringing cookies."
[Incoming human detected,] Nero said helpfully. [Maid, mid-twenties, average loyalty rating. Probably here to drag you somewhere important.]
Before I could tell him to hush, a soft voice came through the door. "My lady, are you awake? The Duke and Duchess await you."
My stomach dropped. "Wait—did she just say Duke and Duchess?"
[Your parents,] Nero confirmed cheerfully. [Also known as the people you threw tea at last month.]
"...Right. Family bonding. Great."
I smoothed down the front of my gown and called out, "Come in."
The door opened, and a young maid stepped inside. She looked startled to see me upright, like she'd half-expected a ghost instead. Her brown eyes flickered between relief and confusion. "My lady, the Duke and Duchess are waiting in the dining hall. They requested your presence immediately."
"Of course," I said, managing a polite smile. "Tell them I'll be right there."
As she curtsied and retreated, I turned to Nero. "I thought she said breakfast."
[Oh, right. Dinner. Time's weird when you've been unconscious for three days.]
"Perfect," I muttered. "Nothing says new life like being late to your first family dinner."
___________
By the time we reached the staircase, I felt like I'd stepped straight into one of the novels I used to read. The grand stairs curved down in a sweep of polished wood, framed by chandeliers that glittered like stars. I forced myself to walk slowly, each step deliberate and graceful. If I was going to play a noblewoman, I might as well look like one.
The moment I stepped in, I stopped dead. The table was long enough to host a small army, glittering with silverware, glass goblets, and more utensils than I'd ever seen in my life. Knives, forks, spoons of every shape—some so small they looked like they belonged to dolls.
"Oh no," I whispered. "They expect me to use these, don't they?"
[Relax,] Nero said in his maddeningly calm tone. [You're hardwired for elegance. All of Seraphina's muscle memory is still in place. Your hands will know what to do.]
"So basically… fake it till my body makes it?"
[Exactly. Try not to stab anyone.]
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.
At the head of the table sat a man who could only be the Duke—sharp features, steel-gray eyes, the kind of presence that made the air feel heavier. Beside him, a woman dressed in deep blue silk watched me with a serene smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Good evening, Father. Mother," I said, dipping into a graceful curtsey that I didn't even know I could do until my knees bent on their own. "Forgive my delay."
The Duchess inclined her head slightly, her voice smooth. "You're looking well, Seraphina."
The Duke simply studied me for a long moment before nodding once. "Sit."
[See?] Nero whispered in my mind. [You're doing great. Now just survive dinner without offending anyone or setting something on fire.]