"Your Grace, its time to wake up!" Trix said while opening the rooms drapes.
The sun hit Blairs eyes unapologetically, groaning into the pillow, she snuggled deeper into the heavy blankets.
A month. A month had passed since I had made that Gods damned wish. One whole month of this monotonous life.
Wake up, get bathed, get dressed, eat alone, go for a walk in the garden, eat again, walk again, eat again. The only thing that differed was when I'd go to the library for research on this new world.
Having grown up in a capitalist society I had known nothing of how a monarch society worked. Apparently Blackoak was considered its own country, but still part of the kingdom of Windswhich. Grand Duke Blackoak was the son of a former Princess of Windswhich so he did have a claim to the throne.
Hmmmm....from what I've heard he has no interest in it though. Probably for the best if I wanted to keep this chill ass life going; As boring as it was I really didn't want to be in the middle of some war for the throne.
Sighing deeply, Blair got out of bed walking naked to the bathing area.
The maids had gotten used to her nudity. The first night when she had refused to wear a nightgown the maids had looked at her in horror. It was unbecoming of a Duchess (less alone any woman) to sleep naked, in this society.
Norms be damned, it was what I was used to.
The gossip had gotten all over the mansion of how ' The Grand Duchess prefered sleeping like a Savage'. One could almost taste the confusion in the air, how much the Duchess had changed was becoming a common topic of discussion in the household.
Slipping into the suddsy water of the bathtub the maids began running fragrant oils through her hair, massaging her shoulders and scalp.
One of the better parts of the day. Felt like she was being worshipped, how lovely.
Once finished bathing she was towel dried and lotioned from head to toe, walking in a silk robe to the closet, Blair scanned the clothes.
Sadly no leather.
She picked out a corseted floor length red dress with a high collar, form fitting and oh so naughty. Staring at the reflection of Blair in the floor length mirror.
She was still incredibly flabbergasted at how a woman's genes could be so jaw dropping.
Slipping on some matching buttoned pumps she walked out, the maids shutting the doors to the wardrobe behind her.
" Shall we go down to the dining hall now, your Grace?" Trix asked.
She was now one of Blairs favourite lady's in waiting. Her cute freckles and short strawberry blonde hair made her appear innocent, one of Blairs favourite characteristics in a sub. Truth be told she was probably the a epitome of a vanilla, was going to have to ask her her preference in men at some point. Some of these ladies need a tough schooling in seduction if they were going to catch a husband. To be a wife and produce children seemed to be what was most expected of women in this world, how terribly sad.
Blair paused, putting a elegant hand to her chin, thinking.
" No, tell them to bring my breakfast to the study."
I had only found out about the roles of a Duchess days ago. Apparently it was up to her to keep the house, finances, and social aspects aka parties/gatherings. The Duchess' role was to keep the name of Blackoak strong and with dignity. She still wasn't sure of how she felt with the responsibility, but as long as she could do better then the former Blair she knew she'd be fine.
---
Blair sat behind her modest desk and scanned the contents of the current estates funds. The former Blair had spent her funds lavishly and never once did anything to help with the Dukedom.
First thing she wanted to do was replace the maids uniforms, she also wanted to change what the ladies in waiting had to wear. They wore such boring matching dresses, they needed a bit more personality. Summer was coming quickly so something a bit more light would be perfect. Maybe birthstones at each of their collars for each individual? That seemed pretty personable. Did they believe in birthstones here?
Questions to look into later.
She looked at her funds for her personal spending and gaped at the many zeros attached.
How in the hell could the former Blair have maxed out her budget every month for the passed six months? The former bookkeeper had noted the absurd amount of dresses, jewels, perfumes and makeup. A whole months was spent on shoes for Gods' sake.
Blair rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on.
Her passed life was so much easier, she only had to fend for herself the day she left home. The day she hugged her mom and moved to a big city, never looking back.
Pushing away that depressing thought she looked at the bookkeepers notes, listing expenses for the estates doctor and the many maids and butlers. He had done a great job during the Duchess' unwillingness to work. She needed to meet him.
" Ladies, do you mind calling the former bookkeeper for me, I would like to discuss some matters with him."
She saw her ladies in waiting shuffle uncomfortably, she raised an elegant eyebrow in question.
" Well, you see, the former bookkeeper is actually His Graces Secretary. He had been keeping the finances in our Graces....absence."
Smooth ladies. Way to pass over the fact that I was formerly the laziest bitch out there.
" Then would you send him a letter for me? "
" Of course your Grace."
I nodded, picking up a quill and writing down what I hoped was elegant and a nice enough way to ask for a meeting. Far be it from me to demand he come immediately after dealing with someone else's mess.
----
" Your Grace, may I have a word." Price looked up from his never ending paperwork.
" Of course Sir Brooke. What brings you here?"
The Duke gestured for the man to sit.
Sitting across from the Duke, the silver haired man went into his coat pocket to pull out a letter, unfolding it he handed it to the Duke.
The Duke looked at the signature, an elegant lettering signed,
Grand Duchess Blair Blackoak.
He picked up the paper scanning it quickly.
His brows knitted together, eyes flashing with wearieness.
" The Duchess wishes to meet with you?" Price's voice roughened in confusion.
The silver haired man named ' Sir. Brooke Lanchester ' nodded his head.
" Yes, as the letter implies, it's for the estates finances." His answer was to the point.
Price ran his large hands though his dark hair in impatience.
" She's never bothered with the finances before, why now?"
Sir Brookes grey eyes studied the Dukes reaction,
" Which is why I brought this to you, Your Grace, perhaps the rumours are true. The Duchess may have changed."
Sure the rumours were mostly about how.... sensual the Duchess had become, but being a good secretary, he had made some of the knights report to him about any other odd changes. Apparently the Duchess hadn't spent any money after waking up from her sickness, instead spending a great deal of her time in the library. Her reading history being about the empire, Dukedom, and the Duchess roles. There were some other more risque books she had been reading as well but who was he to judge a persons hobbies.
Add to that the fact that she hadn't been asking for the Duke since the first dinner she had taken in the hall after awakening, something must have changed in her. The maids and ladies in waiting were less weary around her and she had even been seen laughing in the garden with them on one of her many strolls.
" I should like to meet with her, if you will it, your Grace." Brooke stated.
Price looked down at the letter once again, tapping his fingers on the desk, in a thoughtful manner, standing up he walked to the window.
Price looked down into the garden, his eyebrow creased suddenly when he had spotted Blair.
She was clad in a form fitting red dress that would turn any man of the cloth to sin, but what was most bizarre was she sat upon the fountains marble and had her bare feet in its waters. She held a book in one hand while her other was playing with her crimson locks. The sun of spring was shining down on a cloudless day reflecting coppers and gold's in her hair. Her ladies in waiting stood off to the side chatting amongst themselves as their lady read. She must have felt the eyes upon her because she suddenly looked up and started to scan the garden in discomfort.
Price turned away from the scene and went to sit back down at his desk.
" You may proceed as you see fit, Sir Brooke. Please be the Judge in my place to see if she's really indeed changed."
---
*Yawn*
Gods, day four of reviewing the finances. So far I had put a vote out for the new uniforms. The design was not too crazy but it would definitely stand out for the public, which was good as people would know what house they served at. Also had found out that birthstones were not a thing here but something akin to horoscopes were, had brought up the notion of perhaps embroidering birth signs on the breast lapel of the ladies in waiting uniform. They seemed to have liked the idea so had put in a request to a tailor for it.
Trix was officially my main lady in waiting, having just learned the names of the other two recently.
My ladies in waiting were Trixie Allenport, Anne Montegue and Eleanor Spincaster. Trixie belonged to a Earls house, Anne from a Viscount, and Ellie from a Marque. They were all quite lovely and couldn't wait to see them in their new uniforms. I had specifically made them blood red in colour with black lace.
I was pondering about if red would indeed match all my ladies in waiting when Anne walked in the study, pushing a cart for tea.
" Excuse me, your Grace, but there is a Sir Brooke at the door."
Finally. She was in desperate need of a experienced eye on this.
" Thank you Anne, send him in."
A man looking to be in his thirties with silver hair walked in.
Magic world possibility up, crazy hair colour. Was wondering why my hair was so red. Good. I really wanted to see magic. Wonder what crazy eye color I'll see as well.
" Hello Sir Brooke, I am Grand Duchess Blair Blackoak, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for me." I gave a subtle curtsy.
Brooke gave the Duchess a once over.
She is indeed beautiful.
" Not at all, your Grace, it was me who feels humbled for being asked for this meeting." he bowed in return.
Blair smiled then with one fluid motion sat down in her chair.
"I have called you here to speak about the state of the finances," she paused getting her words together, " you have done a amazing job while I have been...less inclined to do my duties, that changes now, I wish for your insight on how I may best do these tasks."
Brooke studied the Duchess for any displays of lies, but found she was showing nothing but honesty.
She has changed from the spoiled icy Duchess he had first met. She now seemed concerned for the future of the house that she was now in charge of.
Still, he was here to test her. He'd follow her will for now but not make it too easy
"Very well, I will give you a guide of the finances which should be easy enough to learn, may I borrow a paper an quill?"
The Duchess beamed, Brooks heart skipped a beat at the pure honesty In her expression.
" Thank you so much Sir Brooke, I was at a loss, this will help me exponentially."
Brooke coughed elegantly into his hand, a blush on his cheeks,
" I only wish to help, know that this will only be beneficial if your Grace truly wishes to accomplish her tasks."
"Of course, Sir Brooke, I will gladly take whatever Knowledge you have to better the estate."
There was a comfortable silence as Sir Brooke scratched away at the paper. Blair took this moment to sip the tea that was prepared. Ten minutes must have passed before Brooke set down the quill.
" Here you are, your Grace. I hope this helps you well. Also the titles I've written there are references to books that may be of help." He passed the paper over to Blair.
Blair scanned its contents, pleased with the easily read script and straight and to the point factors in finances.
" Thank you so much for your time, Sir Brooke, this will be of much use to me." Blair stood up and bowed once again. Sir Brooke took that time to stand up and bow as well.
" My only wish is to aid the Duchy, your Grace, but may I ask, what brought upon this sudden change?"
Ho ho, look at this guy. I always liked blunt types. Thankfully she'd already thought of a reply if asked such a question.
" What can I say, near death experiences really put one's life in perspective. It bothered me to think what little impact I'd left if I were to have died."
Blair chuckled to herself. She had died that day, and she really hadn't done much with her previous life, why not change this one's?
Sir Brooke studied her again.
" I see, I shall pardon myself, good day to your Grace."
He turned, leaving the room.
Blair sat down abruptly, sighing in relief.
That was one intense secretary. Everytime he studied her she felt like his inquisitive eyes could see to her soul.
Damn I need a drink, who do I have to blow to get a nice glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc around here. Oh right there's is no new Zealand here. Gods be Damned, she was getting a glass of wine, she didn't care if it was considered unladylike to drink alone. She just wanted to sit in a bath, read a book while sipping some nice white wine. Yes she'd ask Trixie to set that up for her before bed. But that was still hours away. Sighing she went back to work, only now having something to look forward to later.