Chapter 2: A brand new hell.

The carriage began to move, and it was so bumpy that I barely managed to stay seated.

This carriage was obviously inferior to the one the little dark-haired fellow was riding in, probably reserved for the servants. I didn't really care, as long as they didn't make me get off and walk alone, it didn't matter where I sat.

There were three brothers and sisters dressed as servants sitting with me, all of them with stiff faces that made it hard for me to start a conversation.

Excuse me, where are we going?

I asked, but no one paid any attention to me.

I really miss the nurse, she always answered my questions and even read to me. A romance novel, what was it called, Katrina's Oblivion?

The plot is quite dark, probably about Katrina, the only princess in the country, who fell in love with the eldest son of the duke, Arios, at the engagement party of her brother and the little princess of the duke's family. It turned out that the other party was an impostor. In a way, it is very instructive and warns against love brain. However, the whole story is full of deception, betrayal and killing, which is really not suitable for reading to children!

I can't remember most of the characters, after all it was seven or eight years ago and my childish brain couldn't hold that much memory. But the little adopted princess of the duke's family made a deep impression on me.

Probably because she was also an orphan with a tragic fate, she aroused my limited sympathy.

The nurse pointed to this figure and asked me if I felt sorry for her.

Of course I did! She was betrayed by a scumbag, used as a tool by someone she thought was her brother, and in the end her death was glossed over. The writer really doesn't like her!

Maybe the author doesn't know what happened to her until it's too late.

The nurse's sister had a sad expression on her face. She really liked that novel and even used such a strange reason to defend the man.

I didn't say anything in response, and when she was sad, her sea-blue eyes also dimmed - I hadn't seen the sea with my own eyes, but in the picture books the nurse brought, the sea was very beautiful and mysterious.

Just like her eyes.

Can you go and save her? She turned her head to look at me, her beautiful face full of sadness. It made my heart ache. I couldn't bear to see someone so beautiful sad!

But no matter what, it's too much to ask to go save the supporting actress in a romance novel. There are just too many plot points, I don't even know where to start.

Save her, and save stupid me too. Please, please promise me, only you can do it!

She grabbed my hand and I noticed she was so cold. Was she sick? Was that why she was saying such strange things?

I couldn't bear to let her down, so I complied with her request, just as one does when comforting a child.

Her hand gradually warmed and the warmth flowed all the way to my heart. I never expected my words to work like medicine...

But her expression was still so sad.

I'm sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.

After saying that, she remained silent for a long time, just staring at me, big tears dripping on our joined hands, looking so full of guilt.

I never saw her again after that day. Everyone at the orphanage seemed to have forgotten that there had once been a beautiful volunteer with blonde hair and blue eyes. Only I remembered her crying face.

I never saw the book again. Looking back, it had no publisher or author name, so it might not have been an authentic book.

The title was also very odd. In the end, Katrina regained her strength and rebuilt the country. It was clearly a happy ending, so why was it called 'Katrina's Destruction'?

The carriage suddenly stopped. I was in a daze, thinking back to my previous life, and I arrived at my destination. I jumped from the carriage - yes, I jumped. The legs of a six year old are not as high as the floor of the carriage. These attendants seemed unable to see my struggling figure, without any respect for the elderly and love for the young!

In front of me was a huge estate with no end in sight. The main entrance alone was ridiculously large, probably able to accommodate four or five carriages at a time. The estate was surrounded by a solid stone wall, and at the entrance was an exquisite stone sculpture with an intricate coat of arms carved into it. Inside was a huge Gothic castle, with square towers and fortresses on either side of the whole building, and a main building in the centre, surrounded on all sides to form the whole structure. I had never seen such a magnificent estate before. What kind of family were they?

An elegant looking older man came to greet us. After a few words with the dark-haired teenager, he turned to me and looked like the butler of the estate.

The teenager walked away without looking back. I really don't understand. You spent all that money to buy me, but you didn't even look at me.

I am the Duke's butler, Duncan Miles. What is your name, young lady?

Finally, someone who knows a bit of etiquette!

Hm? Duke's mansion? I must behave myself.

I searched my poor brain for a polite reply and managed to bow. My brother, who has just left, said that from now on I will be called Inet.

Very well, Miss Inet, please follow me to your room.

I was so moved that I could have burst into tears. There were no gaps in the marble floor and the large room was filled with luxurious furniture: bookcases, desks, wardrobes and more. The small ornaments on the desk shone with light, and there were even some inlaid with precious stones.

The best part was the big bed. I couldn't wait to jump on it and feel its softness, but I had to pretend to be reluctant as the butler was still there.

Back at the orphanage, we all slept in dormitories - come to think of it, I don't think I've ever not slept in a dormitory. I can't even turn over without luck. This luck comes too suddenly. I never thought I'd be so lucky.

The butler's tone is very kind: 'From tomorrow, young lady, you will be the adopted daughter of His Grace the Duke. When you introduce yourself to others in the future, remember to include the name Nigel.

Oh my God! I'm the Duke's daughter! Thank you, I've never met the Duke...

Nigel?

Why does that name sound so familiar?

Never mind that for now. I'm curious why the noble Duke's family would choose such a random orphanage on the outskirts of a remote town. I haven't even met the father yet. This adoption process is really like opening a mystery box, it's so confusing. Does he often adopt children in bulk like this?

Are there any other children in the family apart from me?

The butler spoke to me with a smile and in a tone meant for teaching children: 'You should have already met the Duke's son, Master Elio. You must address him as your elder brother. There is also a Mademoiselle Claire, the Duke's eldest daughter.

Elio?

This... Elio Nager?

The butler just thought I was familiarising myself with the pronunciation of the name. He gave a few more instructions and then left, leaving me frozen in the room.

I can't believe I didn't notice until now. I'm so stupid and clumsy. The name 'Ariel' lit up everything around me like a flash of lightning. This isn't some kind of brave new world, it's a whole new kind of hell.

This is the world of 'Katrina's Demise'!

Ariel is the evil villain, the Grand Duke, and I'm his unrelated tool-using sister!