Dragged Into Another World By The Obsessive Villain

Elara wasn't sure how much she should say and how much she should keep quiet on. She could guess where Chancellor Kyran's mind had probably gone--Imperial Guards disguised as citizens on the outside looking in were clearly put there to contain the Grand Duke when it was necessary. But that wasn't all there was to it. Now that she thought about it, the deaths of the chancellor and Orland had been suspicious in nature. The book had written their deaths off as assassinations, and although it was known the female lead and the king were the masterminds, it was never made known exactly who had committed the deed. 

She was shell-shocked. Lyanna's plan hadn't been something she'd just strung together and executed on a whim. She had planned it for years. She was always intending to get rid of the Grand Duke and those close to him to take Chirondale for the royal family.

"Judging by the look on your face, I'd say it's worse than what I was thinking of," the chancellor remarked, studying her.

Elara nodded. "Lyanna is smarter and more patient than any of the fans gave her credit for. She's been plotting this for years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Those Imperial Guards aren't just here for Caspian. I'm pretty sure..." She swallowed, meeting his gaze. "I'm pretty sure they're the ones who killed you and Orland."

The room felt loud with how quiet it became. Both Caspian and Chancellor Kyran looked at her, their expressions almost uncomprehending with the shock. It was Caspian who spoke first.

"Kyran and Orland...died?"

Elara nodded. "I know you don't want me to tell you everything, so I'll keep the details to myself, but yes."

Caspian's face went stone cold, the muscle in his jaw twitching. As sexy as Elara found his expression, the knots in her stomach were coiling around in her belly so wildly that she couldn't even enjoy it. 

Despite hearing that he was set to die, Chancellor Kyran's expression turned to one of contemplation, his finger tapped against his knee rhythmically. "If that's true, we may be able to use that to our advantage. If an Imperial Guard were to kill me--"

"Neither you nor Orland will die," Caspian cut him off fiercely. "That's why I've brought Elara here; the knowledge she contains is the key to unraveling the story as she once knew it."

Chancellor Kyran looked as if he wanted to say more but he bit his tongue, and instead, he murmured, "I've no intention of actually dying, your Grace, rest assured."

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The shoemaker and the jeweler arrived one right after the other. After Elara was fitted for shoes and had picked out so many jewels, she might've felt guilty had Crisseda--who had come back to be by her side that afternoon--not insisted that the meager amount she had picked (which she'd felt was quite an obscene amount of necklaces, bracelets and earrings made of diamonds, emeralds and pearls) wasn't befitting the woman who would become Grand Duchess of the second most prosperous city in Isyndor.

She'd been forced to pick out more pieces because she knew how high society worked in this world. If she didn't spend a certain amount as the Grand Duke's lover, it would reflect poorly on him, too. The habitual gossips in high society would spread rumors that he was destitute or stingy. For nobles, both were just as bad as the other, for a stingy nobleman might as well be destitute.

Only once she was in the dining room with Caspian, chewing on roast and drinking wine, could she finally allow herself to relax. It was Isyndorian brewed, Caspian had told her when she'd taken the first sip, made in one of the many distilleries that sat near many of the vast vineyards here in Chirondale. He seemed particularly proud of it and for good reason. In The Day of Eternal Night, the wines of Chirondale were a huge deal among the nouveau riche and the nobles. After such success, he'd introduced a less expensive option for common people, which also was a hit.

She glanced over at him. He was cutting into his roast and his face was the same impenetrable mask of calm. It was only because she'd done nothing but stare at him since she arrived here two days ago that she could see the slight crease between his brows and the frustrated set in his jaw.

"You're quiet tonight," she noted, setting down her goblet. Already, she'd had more than she should've and her head was kind of swimming.

Caspian looked at her, his silver eyes gleaming like liquid under the candlelight. "I'm thinking of our conversation from earlier." He glanced behind her at the servants lining the walls and set down his fork and knife with gentle clinks. "We have much to prepare for with Valtren's Bounty Hunt and even further beyond that. I'm worried for you." At the clear confusion on her face, he continued, "You will be surrounded by noble ladies looking for any excuse to bring you down due to your involvement with me. And in my haste to have you here, I forgot to hire an etiquette tutor for you, and now, we will be leaving in two days, which is too short a time to find you one." He pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "Forgive me, Miss. Elara, I wasn't thinking."

Ah. She hadn't even thought about that. She knew she'd be around noble lords and ladies, but she hadn't fully processed it.

She cleared her throat. "It's fine, your Grace, really." Remembering the roles they were meant to play, she placed her hand over his, and he stiffened in surprise as she leaned forward, getting close so that only he could hear her. "I've watched a lot of Regency dramas and YouTube videos about etiquette back in the Regency era. I mean, this world is more medieval-inspired, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to hold my own."

Caspian just blinked at her in utter confusion. "You are aware I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

She laughed and let his hand go. "Very. All that you have to know is I'll be fine. I survived high school, a few nobles hating on me is no skin off my back. I made a promise and I intend to keep it." And she leaned away, going back to her roast. "Besides, worrying like this is really out of character. That's what I liked about you the most; your ability to take the worst situation and turn it into something amazing."

Caspian was looking at her as she cut into her roast and he asked, "Is this your way of confessing to me?"

Her fork hovered over her plate, and she looked over at him with wide, incredulous eyes. His expression was that same mask of calm, but she thought she caught traces of amusement shining in his eyes.

She frowned at him. "Don't tease me."

"I should be telling you the same."

She picked at the roast on her plate. "I appreciate your worry for me," she murmured. "It's been a long time since someone did that, worried about me." She cleared her throat. "I might not completely fit in etiquette-wise, but I'll be dressed the part, at least, thanks to Madame Faylan and the mountains of jewels I bought. Er, well, you bought."

A real smile came to Caspian's face, then. It was angelic, the kind of smile meant to break hearts.

"I'm told you handled it well. Crisseda said you chose just enough without appearing too excessive or too modest. And you only chose quality pieces, she said. She couldn't praise your discernment as the future Grand Duchess enough."

Elara flushed, and she reached for her goblet, downing the rest of her wine in a single gulp. A maid rushed forward to refill it. When the maid had stepped back to their place along the wall, she said, "There wasn't much of a choice. I know how the rich are. A Grand Duke's lover appearing too modest is basically a crime."

"For nobles, it might as well be," Caspian agreed, his expression growing dark briefly. "High society is a battlefield in its own right. Just words and exchanges of power rather than swords and exchanging blows. You've already jumped over your first hurdle, the rest will be considerably easy in comparison. And when we come back, I'll hire you proper tutors."

"Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Miss. Elara. And when we get there, remember that you have no need to fear or bend to any of the noblemen or women there. Despite the purists' protests, I am still the son of the king and now the only Grand Duke of Isyndor. There is no one above me save for the king and the queen, therefore, there is no one you need to submit to publically but the king and the queen. Do as you wish and say what you like and should anyone try anything, remind them of who is behind you." He looked over at her and a smile touched his lips. "You have the whole of the Chirondale Grand Duchy at your back."

His voice was so warm, and his smile was as tender as the roast had been. It warmed her all the way to her core. She thought of what it would be like if all of this were real; if Caspian really loved her, if she was an Otherworlder stuck here who didn't have to worry about getting home, what would it be like?

As she gazed up at his handsome face, she decided right then and there that she would have him fall in love with a nice girl before she left this world because it was what he deserved. A true good ending.

She smiled at him and said, "We're in it together."

He nodded. "Together."