Dragged Into Another World By The Obsessive Villain

Chapter 28: Adaptability



Elara curtsied, a polite smile on her face. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Olivia. I'm Elara."

"Elara." Olivia's smile widened, and for a moment, it seemed genuine. But that sharpness in her eyes never softened. "Thank you, Miss Elara. You look… charming," she said, letting the word hang in the air just a fraction too long. "Quite the step up from what I imagine you're used to."

There it is.

In the novel, it was a widely known fact that Grand Duke Caspian had turned down Olivia's attempts to win him over. The Countess's granddaughter had tried everything to get his attention: she'd shown up at every ball he attended, gilded and lovely. When that didn't work, she would show up at the palace on the days she knew he'd be there and create odd incidents so that he would save her. When that didn't work, she turned to her grandmother's power within the palace to try to force a marriage, which only resulted in Caspian's ire before he ended up returning to Chirondale. In The Day of Eternal Night, she wrote him letters every day for years, even after the events in the novel where Caspian fully leans into the role of villain due to Lyanna's schemes.

However, she was not Lyanna. There was nothing to fear from this woman save for petty insults.

Elara kept her smile, tilting her head slightly. "You're not wrong. It's amazing what a talented dressmaker like Madame Faylan can do. His Grace insists on nothing but the best for me."

The flicker of annoyance that crossed Olivia's face was brief but satisfying.

"Of course he does," Olivia agreed, her voice tight. She turned her attention to Caspian, her smile softening, becoming almost wistful. "It's good to see you looking so well, Caspian. It's been a long time since we've had a chance to talk."

Caspian's response was cool, his expression as unreadable as a polished mask. "Yes, it has been. I've been rather busy."

"Busy indeed," Olivia mused, her gaze darting back to Elara. "Finding love in the most unexpected of places. Truly, who could have seen this coming? I must admit, I was surprised when I heard the news."

Another noblewoman, one whom Elara didn't recognize because she must not have been a large part of the novel, stepped forward. "Indeed, Lady Olivia, it was quite the shock." She turned to them and curtsied. "I'm Colina of House Thornewood, I greet the Grand Duke and his intended."

Elara curtsied back. "Nice to meet you, Lady Colina." 

Now Elara knew who she was. The description of Lady Colina was never given in the novel, but her deeds were well known. She followed Lady Olivia around like a puppy, doing all her bidding when it came to keeping women far away from the Grand Duke. Considering they were gathered here together right now, it wasn't hard to imagine what they were planning.

"The honor is mine, Miss. Elara," she replied. She, like Lady Olivia, had a smile stretched across her face, but it didn't meet her eyes. The malice there was pretty apparent. "We've heard so much about you. Otherworlders are quite rare, so there's not a soul in the capital who wasn't wholly interested in you. Looking at you now, though, you're quite pretty. it's no wonder His Grace has been so taken with you."

"I suppose it is a rather unusual story," she said lightly, resisting the urge to look to Caspian for reassurance. She could feel his steady presence beside her, grounding her. "I've been fortunate to have His Grace by my side."

"Fortuitous, indeed," Lady Olivia interjected. "Astrielle must smile upon you. To not only be saved by the Grand Duke but to find yourself firmly implanted into his life, as well. I'm not sure about your world, Miss. Elara, but in this world, we call such things fairytales or dreams, don't we, Colina?"

Colina nodded, her lips curving into a conspiratorial smile. "Oh, indeed. I had such a dream myself once, as a child. I dreamt of being swept away by a handsome prince atop a pure white steed." She glanced at Lady Olivia, her eyes dancing with mirth. "How bitter it feels when one wakes from their dreams. Still, it's lovely to see such dreams come true for someone."

There was no missing such a blatant jab. Around her, other nobles were paying close attention, and when she met eyes with some of them, they smirked, but no one was stupid enough to snicker. The Grand Duke was still by her side, after all. She kept her expression completely neutral. 

If these nobles think using flowery words to offend me will be anything but water off my back, they'll be easy to deal with. I didn't spend five years getting yelled at by Mr. Stultus for nothing.

"Dreams have a funny way of coming to those who least expect them," she replied sweetly, her tone almost implying agreement. "After all, I never would have dreamed of ending up here, yet here I am."

Beside her, Caspian let out a hum of approval, and Kyran nodded his own agreement. "Indeed," said the chancellor, laughing. "Who is to say what's a dream and what is not? Who is to say, Lady Colina, that the dream you had of being saved by a handsome prince is not true? Perhaps it's a premonition of the future? Perhaps you glanced into the chasm of Astrielle's tapestry, and she showed you a fate that exists for you some time, somewhere." He shrugged. "Just as Otherworlders have proven to us there are different universes outside of our own, perhaps there are different versions of us in those universes and so, with that being said, it could be that your dream was not merely a dream."

Colina blinked at Kyran, momentarily caught off guard by his unexpected response. Her lips parted slightly as if she were searching for a clever retort, but the chancellor's smooth delivery had left little room for her to recover. The flicker of amusement in his dark eyes didn't help matters, either—it was subtle, but it was there.

Lady Olivia stepped in to fill the silence, slapping her fan shut, her voice as honeyed as ever. "What a fascinating perspective, Chancellor Kyran. You do have a way with words. It's no wonder His Grace keeps you so close." Her gaze slid to Elara, sharp and assessing. "Dreams or no, it must be a tremendous adjustment for you, Miss Elara, coming from a world so… unlike ours. I can only imagine the effort it must take to blend in."

"It's been an adjustment, of course, but I've had excellent guidance. His Grace has been patient, and the people of Chirondale have been incredibly welcoming." She let her eyes flicker briefly to Colina before returning to Lady Olivia. "As for blending in, well, it's not so different from learning a new dance—watch, listen, and let your partner lead when needed."

Author, forgive me for using the same line you gave to Lyanna Orinthal at the end of the second book, but it's fitting in this situation.

Caspian's lips twitched, a hint of a smile playing at the corners. "And Elara has proven to be a quick study," he added, his tone cool but tinged with unmistakable pride. "She learns quicker than most."

Lady Olivia's smile stretched wider as if she was truly pleased by his statement. "How charming," she murmured. "It's clear she's been an excellent pupil under your tutelage, your Grace.

Elara decided to push just a little further. "It helps to have a good teacher, of course. But I've always believed that people reveal their true character in how they adapt to the unexpected. Wouldn't you agree, Lady Olivia?"

Lady Olivia gave a soft laugh, placing her fan against her mouth. "Indeed," she replied. Elara wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but the smooth tone of her voice seemed much more clipped than before. "I cannot help but agree. Though considering your circumstances, you must know much more than me."

Before the conversation could spiral further, the sound of the palace steward announcing the arrival of the king and queen filled the air. All the nobles who had gathered around to watch the show the group of them had unwittingly put on all turned their attention toward the grand entrance. The steward's booming voice echoed through the hall, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Their Majesties, King Alaric XIII, and Queen Lyanna have arrived!"

The crowd parted, a sea of colorful silks and glittering jewels, bowing as the royal pair entered. King Alaric strode forward with the easy confidence of a man accustomed to command, his golden crown catching the light. At his side, Queen Lyanna moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, her gown shimmering like liquid starlight. Her golden hair was swept into an intricate braid, adorned with pearls and delicate strands of silver, and her eyes—piercing and unyielding—swept the room with quiet authority.

Elara felt a shiver run down her spine. This was only her second time seeing Lyanna Orinthal. After their dinner, on the first night, Elara hadn't caught so much as a glance of the female lead. Seeing her now, completely dressed to the nines, the descriptions in the novel hadn't done her justice. She was radiant, commanding, and absolutely terrifying. Elara quickly lowered her gaze, mimicking the other nobles as they curtsied or bowed.

"Friends," said King Alaric, his lips curved up in his easy smile, "welcome to the fiftieth Valtren's Bounty Hunt in the kingdom of Isyndor. Tomorrow, you will hunt and fill the royal family's stockades with pelts and meats that will last our citizens throughout the whole of the winter. Whether you win or lose, I thank you for your participation. Tonight, enjoy yourselves, gorge yourselves on food, and get drunk on all the Isyndorian brew you can stomach. Under the harvest moon, may Valtren's arrows guard you all."

"May Valtren's arrows guard you, your Majesties," the crowd chorused.

The king and queen descended the grand staircase and began making their way directly toward her, Caspian, and Kyran. Elara felt her stomach churn in response to their closeness.

Caspian inclined his head, his expression cool and polite, though his hand subtly brushed against Elara's as if to steady her. "Your Majesties," he greeted, his voice carrying easily through the now-quiet hall.

"Grand Duke Caspian," Lyanna said warmly as they approached. "It is always a pleasure to see you. And Miss. Elara, seeing you is such a joy, as well. From what I understand about Otherworlders, your cultures usually quite differ from ours. I hope you find this all to your taste."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Elara replied, lifting her gaze. "Everything has been extraordinary. It's a privilege to witness such grandeur."

"Should the Grand Duke not keep you locked behind the borders of Chirondale, you will see such grandeur so often that you will become bored of it." She laughed lightly. "His Majesty and I were just saying it's been far too long since you've graced the capital with your presence, Caspian. He's missed you, though you know he won't say such a thing aloud. We hope you'll stay a few days, even after Valtren's Bounty Hunt."

Caspian dipped his head in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable. "Duty keeps me occupied, your Majesty. Chirondale needs me to continue keeping the monsters at our borders at bay. It's regrettable, but we'll have to rely on our regular correspondence via letters for now."

Elara wasn't sure if she imagined the subtle emphasis on the word regrettable, but the queen's lips curved into a faint smirk as though she caught it and found it amusing. King Alaric, on the other hand, was all false warmth and overwhelming charm, his presence filling the space around them with ease.

"Now that you've had a few days to settle in, what do you think of the capital, Miss. Elara?" the king asked. "I've heard many things about Chirondale's beauty, but our fair city has its own charm, does it not?"

Elara nodded. "It's breathtaking, your Majesty. The architecture, the people, the atmosphere—it's unlike anything I've ever seen before. I feel fortunate to experience it."

"How diplomatic," Lyanna remarked, a glimmer of something playful—or perhaps mocking—in her tone. "You've certainly learned quickly, Miss Elara. Adaptability is a valuable trait in any court."


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