Ella's heart skipped a beat when she saw the name on the new project order—the Duke. Not just any duke, but the Duke of the Hawthorne family. She blinked, feeling the weight of the realization sink in. This wasn't a distant, far-off branch of the Hawthornes living three days away in some obscure town like she'd assumed. No, this Duke was in the city, at the heart of it all. The Duke from the novel.
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the letter. "I'm building a house for him?" she whispered, incredulous. The same character whose story she had read a hundred times, the man whose life had set off a chain of dramatic events that turned the lives of everyone in the book upside down—including the villainess, Seraphina.
Ella sank into the nearest chair, her mind swirling with the implications. "I'm really in this... I'm part of the novel now," she muttered. The project wasn't just any other commission. She was directly connected to the central plot of the story she'd adored. It felt surreal, like the pages of the book had sprung to life around her, and she was no longer a mere observer.
Her thoughts tumbled faster than she could process them. Wait... if the Duke is already commissioning a new estate, what does that mean for the timeline? She had been so focused on building her business and navigating this strange, new life that she hadn't even thought to ask what year it was. Her eyes widened in realization. What if I'm right in the middle of the most dramatic part of the story?
Suddenly, a sense of urgency gripped her. She needed to know exactly when she was, and more importantly, what had already transpired. Had the Duke already broken off his engagement to Lady Seraphina? Had the heartbreak that ruined her reputation already begun?
She rushed to the workshop, finding Liam busy with a batch of soap. "Liam," she blurted out, "what year is it?"
He looked up, startled by her intensity. "Uh, it's the year 1353. Why?"
Ella's breath caught in her throat. 1353. She quickly did the mental math, recalling the events of the novel. That meant the Duke's engagement to Seraphina had ended just a few months ago—exactly the turning point where Seraphina's life began to unravel.
Ella felt a surge of determination rise within her. Seraphina was painted as the villainess, but in truth, the novel had never done justice to her story. She had always felt there was more to the character than the harsh portrayal suggested. And now, standing at the precipice of Seraphina's downfall, Ella knew she couldn't just let the story play out as it had in the book.
"I've got to help her," Ella whispered to herself. She wasn't just here to build estates and sell soaps anymore. Now, she had a chance to rewrite the narrative, to steer things toward a better ending—for Seraphina, and perhaps for everyone involved.
Her heart raced, but this time it wasn't out of fear or confusion. It was from the excitement of knowing that she had the power to change the course of the story, to intervene in ways she never could have imagined before.
She glanced down at the letter again, eyes narrowing with resolve. "Looks like I'm heading to the Duke's estate," she murmured, already planning her next move.
As the weight of the revelation settled in, Ella paced back and forth in her small office, her thoughts racing. Seraphina—the so-called "villainess" of the story—was about to be dragged through the mud, her reputation shredded by scandal and heartbreak. Ella knew that Seraphina's fall from grace wasn't entirely her fault. In the novel, she had always felt that Seraphina was misunderstood, a woman whose pride had been broken by the Duke's betrayal. Ella couldn't just sit back and watch it happen, not now that she was a part of this world.
"No," she muttered under her breath, gripping the edge of her desk. "I'm not going to let her be destroyed."
Ella's mind flashed back to the countless times she'd read the novel. The scenes were still fresh in her memory—the cold Duke breaking off his engagement with Seraphina to chase after her sister, leaving Seraphina heartbroken and bitter. Everyone had been quick to judge her, to call her cruel and arrogant, but Ella had always suspected there was more to her story. And now, with the opportunity in front of her, Ella knew what she had to do.
She turned toward the window, staring out at the busy street below, her breath steadying. "I'm going to befriend her," she said aloud, the plan forming in her mind. "I'm going to help her before it's too late."
Seraphina didn't deserve to be cast aside like that, and Ella couldn't bear the thought of watching someone else's life crumble while she did nothing. She could change things—she had to change things. After all, wasn't that part of why she was here? It wasn't just about building homes and selling soaps. This world was more than just an opportunity for her business; it was a chance to make a real difference.
Ella's determination solidified. I can change the narrative, she thought. And she wasn't just going to rely on her knowledge of the novel's events to do so. She had modern innovations, yes, but more than that, she had a compassionate heart. She'd seen enough of life to know that people were more than the roles they were assigned. Seraphina wasn't just a villainess—she was a woman scorned, misunderstood, and alone.
Ella grabbed her notebook and began scribbling ideas, her thoughts jumping between business and personal matters. The Duke's estate project was a massive undertaking. Through that, she could find a way to meet Seraphina, gain her trust, and hopefully steer her away from the bitterness that would lead to her downfall.
"I just need to play my cards right," Ella whispered to herself, flipping through her sketches for the estate. It would be easy to interact with the Duke's inner circle, but she knew it wouldn't be simple to get close to Seraphina. The woman would be guarded, hurt, and likely distrustful of anyone linked to the Duke. But Ella was resourceful. She had no intention of giving up.
The challenge excited her, a thrill running through her veins at the thought of not only building homes but rebuilding lives. She was rewriting the story—this time with a different ending in mind.
Her resolve strengthened as she pictured Seraphina's future, one that didn't end in tragedy. "I can help her," Ella murmured. "I will help her." And with that, her next mission became clear. She would use every tool at her disposal—her knowledge of the novel's timeline, her innovative ideas, and her compassion—to ensure Seraphina's fate changed for the better.
This wasn't just about saving the villainess. It was about rewriting the narrative entirely.
The clatter of hooves against cobblestone slowed as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Duke's grand estate. Ella's heart pounded in her chest, though outwardly, she maintained an air of calm. She wasn't here as the soap-stained shopkeeper or the hands-on inventor. No, today, she was here as someone who had earned her place among the elite—a businesswoman with a rapidly growing empire.
As the footman opened the door, Ella gathered herself, smoothed the fabric of her dress, and stepped out of the carriage. For once, she wasn't covered in dirt, soap stains, or dust from her workshop. Instead, she wore a stunning new dress—a deep, emerald green gown with delicate lace at the sleeves and neckline, tailored to fit her perfectly. It hugged her waist, flaring out slightly at the skirt in a way that felt both elegant and powerful. The rich fabric shimmered in the sunlight, catching the eyes of a few onlookers nearby.
The transformation was stark. Just months ago, she'd been someone few nobles would have given a second glance. Now, standing in front of the Duke's sprawling estate, she looked every bit the part of a woman who belonged here.
Still, there was a slight discomfort that lingered beneath her confident exterior. This isn't really me, she thought as she adjusted the small bag slung over her shoulder, filled with the plans and sketches for the Duke's upcoming project. She felt a little out of place in such a luxurious setting, but at the same time, she knew she had earned the right to be here. Her inventions, her ideas—those had gotten her this far. She wasn't just another noble playing dress-up.
The estate loomed large, its grand columns and intricate stonework imposing yet beautiful. The Duke's home was far more opulent than anything she'd ever worked on, but Ella was ready for the challenge. She had studied the blueprints, drafted designs, and envisioned every detail. This wasn't just another house—it was a masterpiece in the making, and she was the one to make it happen.
As Ella stepped down onto the gravel path, she handed the bag to one of the Duke's guards stationed at the entrance. "Plans for the Duke," she said simply, her voice steady. Inside, she was buzzing with nervous energy, but on the outside, she was all business.
The guard nodded and took the bag with a respectful bow, recognizing her growing reputation. Word had already spread about her work, and the nobles were beginning to take her seriously. This was more than just another project—it was the kind of commission that could set her business on a trajectory she hadn't imagined when she first opened her shop.
Taking a deep breath, Ella allowed herself a moment to take it all in. The grandeur, the opportunity, the sheer scale of what was to come. I can do this, she reminded herself. This is exactly where I'm meant to be.
With one last glance at the estate, she straightened her shoulders and prepared to meet with the Duke. This was only the beginning of something far bigger than she had ever anticipated, and she was determined to make her mark.
As Ella stepped further onto the grand estate, she couldn't help but pause, taking in the sheer size and magnificence of the Duke's property. The towering columns, the sprawling grounds that seemed to stretch endlessly, and the meticulously kept gardens—it was all so overwhelming. The estate was as grand as anything she could have imagined, easily rivaling the size of Buckingham Palace back in her world. She had never seen anything like it since entering this novel's world, and a thought immediately struck her: If a Duke's estate is this big, then what about the Emperor's castle? The grandeur of it all was both inspiring and intimidating.
The architecture was far more elaborate than the modest homes she had worked on for commoners. Those had been practical, sturdy, and well-suited to their owners' needs. But this… this was on a whole different level. Every detail of the Duke's estate screamed opulence and power. The sheer size of the project before her made Ella's heart race with a mix of excitement and nervous energy.
This is no small feat, she thought, glancing up at the estate once more. But then, a spark of determination flared in her. She had come this far, growing her business from selling simple soaps to building homes for everyone. This project would be a challenge, yes, but it was exactly the kind of challenge she had been preparing herself for.
As she began to walk toward the entrance, her mind wandered briefly to Seraphina, the so-called "villainess" of the novel. Ella knew that being involved in the Duke's estate would bring her closer to the core of the story, and to Seraphina herself.
I'm not just here to build a house, she reminded herself. I'm here to change things. For Seraphina. For me.
Ella's focus sharpened as she stepped toward the grand doors. The weight of what lay ahead was heavy, but she felt ready for it. This project would not only solidify her reputation as an innovator and businesswoman, but it could also be the key to altering the course of the story itself.
With a deep breath, she braced herself for the beginning of something far bigger than she could have ever planned.
Taking a deep breath, Ella stood a little taller, straightening her shoulders as she prepared to step into the Duke's world. She was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. "Let's do this," she whispered to herself, a determined smile forming on her lips.
And with that, she began her walk toward the grand entrance, her mind buzzing with possibilities, knowing that whatever happened next, she was ready.