With a swollen face and droopy eyes, I stare back at the mirror while the servants prepare my clothes and my face for a meeting with the family. The sun is still peeking and the cold breeze of the morning pricks my bare shoulders.
As a writer, I rarely slept normally because of my work and because of the internet. Most mornings, I'm either preparing to go to bed or sleeping snuggly inside my room. With this new 'life', there's no work and the most unfortunate of all, no internet! I'm from a generation where the first thing I seek out when I wake up and the last thing I touch before I sleep is my phone! Maybe because I was overwhelmed with what was happening that I didn't mind such things but now it's sinking that if I will live on in this life, there would be no MeTube! No Chipper! No BookFace! No ExpressGram!
The misery! The pain! Oh, the suffering!
"Lady Elysia, the preparations are finished. It is time." Oh, right. The reason I woke up early.
I nodded and thanked everyone in the room. Everyone is still clearly uncomfortable with my change in attitude but it is also clear that they're a little glad that I'm not screaming at their faces and throwing things around. "Then, let us go."

Inside the private atrium of the Cortiana Manor..
"Father, what brings you here so early in the morning?" The duke asks wearing a nightgown, formal enough for family members.
The huge man sits face to face with the the duke and rubs his bearded chin. "Lass, is it true?"
"What is true, father?" The duke sighs and shakes his head. "I thought you barged in here because something has happened regarding the treaty between us and the tribes."
"Still distrustful with your dear old man, eh, lass? Nay! 'tis more important than those savages!" He places his rough hands on the table and hold the duke's gaze. "The child! Is it true that she wants the title?"
"Where did you hear of this?"
He guffaws and slaps his hands on his belly. "Y'know me lass, a day I'm 'ere, the next I'm somewhere!" His laughs shortens and his face hardens. "Now, tell me. Is it true?"
"She tells me that she wants to handle the responsibilities as the heir." The duke's brow creases and he faces upwards. "I don't know what happened but just a week ago, she was her usual disagreeable self but just a few days, she changes into.... someone." He then faces his father. "Prinine told me that Elysia accepts her invitations now and that she apologized to her, she even apologized to me."
The huge man raises a brow. "Hmmm.."
Their conversation is cut short by the butler outside and announces the presence of the duchess and Elysia.
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While walking inside a long corridor, my focus is a bit groggy because of a lack of sleep. Beside me, the maidservant, I remember her name is Mir, and behind her are three other maidservants I still don't know the names of.
Just then, on the opposite side, an entourage just like mine appears. "Elysia, dear! Shall we both head inside?"
"Of course, your grace. Good morning, I hope that you had plentiful sleep." Unlike me. I greet the duchess and then the butler knocks at the door and announces our presence.
Inside, there are only two people, one of which is the duke and the other is a muscular man with a kind of soldier uniform and a huge longsword on his hip. His messy hair is ashen gray with white streaks, his beard the same. He is taller than the duke by a head and his gray eyes pierces through your very soul. He would be so intimidating if he wasn't smiling so brightly.
"I greet Master Karim. Good morrow." The duchess curtsies and nods. They all turn to me and I do the same. "I greet your grace and Master Karim. Good Morrow."
I didn't even know that his name is Karim. There was no mention of his name, only his affiliation with Elysia.
"Sit you down, both of 'ya!" He calls out and all of the servants, even the butler and the duchess' ladies-in-waiting exits out of the room.
The private atrium is an intimate room where the direct members of the family and the most honored guests are received. There are times when there are meetings where servants aren't allowed. This is also where the people inside won't bother with titles and just be family for awhile.
"Now, father. Don't be so hasty." The duke sighs and rubs the creases of his forehead. "We still have plenty of time, considering the sun is not even out yet."
"Right, right!"
"Father, is there something you need assistance of?" The duchess starts and faces Karim.
"Nay! Not the sorts, lass. I's just here to make sure of something." He reassures the duchess.
"Well, no matter. We're always here if you need anything."
"Well then, why don't you ask Elysia the question now, I'm rather curious as well." The duke points out.
"Ah! Yes, me lovely granddaughter! I's heard of rumors that you're taking your duties as heir." The atmosphere tenses and his tone suddenly starts to sound serious and more coherent. "I don't suppose that's true?"