I was starting to feel annoyed after so many useless preparations.
But luckily, it ended faster than expected.
Finally, after enduring a tedious beauty session, I stood up and walked slowly to the mirror to see myself.
'Heh.'
This is obviously not me.
This body has wavy reddish-brown hair and dark Grey eyes. A delicate face that screams elegance, fair milk skin and the body is quite... nice... not that different to my own measurements but with a thinner waist.
The dress was dark green, the neckline showed a little peek to my breast and the beautiful embroidery of golden threads, came from the start of the puffy skirt to unfold like a blooming flower on the torso.
Okay. This is a given, I'm not in my original body.
The form of my body and the face is totally different.
'Then... I died. And now I reincarnated.'
I nodded, satisfied. So now that that's out of the way, let's see how is this life that now I lead.
"..."
'Tch. My face is this pretty but it doesn't have any expression... looks like it's dead...'
Staring at my new face these thoughts emerged in my head. It pained my heart for some reason.
"Miss Marianne, is there some problem with the clothes or makeup?"
Marianne... That's my name now.
'I don't like expressionless people, Marianne. And I like to talk my mind, so cooperate with me... I know your smile could make me fall in love with you~.'
Though... that would make me a narcissist...
Meh... those are just little details.
'Let's work hard together... Marianne's body...' I said, closing my eyes while caressing my new body's slender hand.
"...Miss?"
The maid looked at me with wide eyes.
I shook my head to her implying it was nothing. However, the maid stayed frozen for a moment but, since I kept looking at her, she quickly snapped out of it.
"... did I see wrong?..." — She mumbled to herself, and then, shook her head.
"Then, let me guide you to the dining room."
I followed her out of the room, and on the way, I studied the places we passed.
This is certainly a mansion. It's not made of rocks so I'm not in an era as old as it could be. It's good that I knew a little about architecture. The construction was an English baroque style, while some decorations reminded me of Renaissance architecture.
'Hmm~ just the ones I always liked.'
Things are going great I must say.
At last, I arrived at the place I was called to.
Two guards in silver armour glanced at me and smoothly moved to open the doors.
The body was trembling to my surprise. But it moved elegantly.
Unlike my old body, this one had a good posture, walked easily in high heels, and the manners and nobility flowed out naturally.
'Marianne, you are awesome. I'm impressed, girl~!'
"Good. You are finally here Marianne, my Dear."
A man with hair of the colour of ashes and eyes like mine who was seated at the head of the enormous marble table smiled warmly at me.
'This must be my father.'
I nodded.
"Take a seat."
Somehow, I let the body move by itself and let it drive me to my seat.
Next to who I think is my father, was a woman who looked around the same age as him. They were probably in their forties. She had red hair and golden eyes. My appearance looked a little bit like her.
'She must be my mother.'
Next to her was a girl with the same colour as my hair but a little redder than mine with the same golden eyes as the older woman.
Opposite to my mother, there was a man with the same hair as the Duke.
My body arrived at the seat next to him and then, I took a better look at him. He looked like a younger version of the Duke.
He stood up once I got closer and moved my chair so I could sit down. Our eyes met, his eyes were golden too. Cold sweat ran down my neck and my hand were as cold as an iceberg.
'What's wrong Marianne...?'
I sat down. And once we were all in our seats, the Duke waved his hand graciously and servants started to bring in a feast.
Everything looked delicious. We started eating after the Duke said to go ahead.
While eating, they started nice conversations. It was quite a comfortable atmosphere.
The contents of the conversations were of no importance, they would joke and talk about work and other various stuff I didn't put much attention to. It was a bright conversation, though.
Through it, I learned the name of the Duke and the others. The Duke's name was Orland, my mother's Elenaide, the girl Theressa, and the man next to me, Paul.
Sometimes they would try to include me in the conversation, but there wasn't much I could do, so I just nodded.
From how accustomed they seemed to receiving my dry responses, I'm supposing the condition of this body was not because of the possession.
After the meal, the Duke ordered to bring tea and dessert. And, once it was served, he dismissed the servants.
"Ahem... Now... I will get to the point."
Everyone looked at him with attention, in silence.
"As you all already know, the Royal Spring Ball is in ten days. Theressa turned sixteen two weeks ago so she must attend as scheduled. Paul had his debut at last year's Autumn Ball since he is already nineteen. And so... Marianne... you will also have to attend this Ball."
Thud!
"Father!" — Said Theressa, rising from her seat.
"Darling...! But... Marianne..." — Said the Duchess, glancing at me with a sorry look.
The Duke sighed.
"I know about your concerns. However, Marianne is eighteen now, she should have debuted the year before last.
Also, her condition is well known by His Majesty, The Emperor, besides some of the other nobles who are aware about it too... We cannot keep hiding her... It is also His Majesty's wish..."
"..."
Silence fell in the room. Everyone looked worried, but Theressa's face seemed to have a different kind of worry. Paul, instead, looked... shocked? Or like... he had a blank face, but his eyes were shaking for some reason.
'... So weird...'
"Marianne." — Said the Duke, turning to look at me.
And so I returned his gaze.
"We will all be by your side, so do not worry, Dear. It is something that must be done sooner or later... Only... I assure you that your condition does not affect your position in society and it does not affect the name of the Sylfinnier Dukedom. Therefore, please be at ease."
I stared at his eyes for a few seconds and reflexively nodded.
But there was something else that occupied my thoughts entirely...
'..Sy–...Sylfinnier Dukedom... He said?'