The white rose and the archduke

chapter one "waking up"

I was hurrying to reach my college as soon as possible because I had a major test when the sudden sound of a car horn reached my ears. I froze like a deer in headlights. My feet felt like they were glued to the asphalt as the blinding light of the truck blinded me. Then it all went black.

'God it had to be a truck.'

I was 100% sure my death was near. And in the last few seconds, I started asking for forgiveness from God for every little sin I had committed like cheating on that test in first grade too lying to my guardian for breaking the expansive vase she got when I was a toddler. But then started hearing the light sound of beeping and low mummers.

When I opened my eyes I saw a man standing over me. I tried using my voice but it felt rough against my dry throat. My voice was hoarse as I asked who he was and where I was.

"Who are you?"

He replied in a blank voice, "your husband."

"Husband??" I said in shock.

'Haaaah?! I am a college freshman, how am I married already!?' I screamed in my head.

I tried to get up from the bed but the body pain had pushed me back.

Suddenly the deviously handsome man who called himself my husband held me to the bed by my wrists.

"You shouldn't get up." He said in agitation.

And as if naturally, I calmed down hearing his rich masculine voice.

And now when he was this close and the light in the room wasn't blinding me anymore.

I realized his jet black hairs were pushed backward and his dark purple eyes stood out sparkling. I wanted to reach and touch his sharp jaws, but my wrists were locked above my head in his firm grip.

Just then another man, the doctor had come into the room, and my so-called husband let go of my hands.

He rose to his full height and I realized he looked like some noble.

The doctor entered and broke the silence, "My lord, I heard the lady regained consciousness."

"Yes, she has." Said '"my husband"' standing next to me, "But it seems she can't remember anything." as if to prove his point my voice was heard from the bed.

"Who are you, people?" I asked again, my throat still feeling dry.

'Had I been unconscious for very long?'

"Where am I?" I asked again.

Both the men looked at me with confused looks, they looked just as confused as I must be.

"Let me check, my lady."

They were talking as if this is another era.

The doctor was checking my pulse and asked, "do you perhaps remember your name?"

I instantly said, "yes, my name is Kim Aera."

Everyone present in the room gasped hearing this. Only my husband was looking at me with a blank look.

"Perhaps, my lady has been through a great shock from falling off the cliff. '' Said the doctor.

'Falling off the cliff?' But I was hit by the truck. Maybe they are taking me for someone else.

Should I tell them?

"No, I was hit by a truck. You are mistaking me for someone else." I managed to say.

"Truck?" My husband said the word as if he has never heard it before.

'No! not my husband, there is a misunderstanding.'

I was about to explain the incident by seeing their confused face when he said, "everyone except the doctor and head maid go out."

And everyone left, bowing their heads.

"My lady, is this truck some ancient word for cliff or accident?" The women, the handmaid I suppose asked.

"I can explain..." But before I could complete that sentence my eyes fell on the reflection in the mirror.

Where my reflection was supposed to be, but this is not how I look.

I started panicking looking at my reflection. I never had silver hair, that even so long. They were spread all around me. And those icy blue eyes stared back at me. The skin is so white as porcelain. She looked like a doll, it wasn't me. It can't be.

"who is this?" I asked in a panic

I felt like screaming and running away. It was becoming too much.

"My lady, please calm down."

But, I started crying and telling them, there is a misunderstanding.

Suddenly I was pushed back to bed by two strong hands on my shoulder.

"Calm down, Serafina", He said, pushing into the bed.

'Why is he calling me Serafina?'

But before I could ask further, I lost my consciousness, and everything went black after I heard him say sorry in a helpless voice.

The next time when I opened my eyes, I was strangely calm. I have realized this wasn't a dream, cuz I have woken up in the same bedroom once again.

This room was very big, bigger than my entire apartment. And it felt like a luxurious hotel suite with a grand balcony and king size oak bed with pillars and white and red net curtains. The soft pistachio color of walls and a golden table, with a big couch in the middle and a small round tea table with two chairs near the balcony...

"My lady, how do you feel now?"

I realized the head-maid hasn't left my side yet. Her name was Hegla and she was a woman at her 40, with almost grey hairs in a bun and a very motherly attitude.

At first, I thought of telling her everything again, but I was afraid. She told me I might not talk about these things I feel in front of other servants and maids as rumors are spreading in the palace.

"My lady, don't worry. As the doctor said when you recover from the shock your memory will return as well."

I was still silent and didn't reply to her.

After giving me medicines when she was about to leave I held her hand to stop her.

"Helga!" I said the foreign name. "Could you help me regain my memory?"

She looked stunned and said, "My lady I can tell you only that much I know. But I am sure Archduke can help you with the rest. "

'Archduke?'

From what Hegla told me, I am basically a princess. And had been married to Archduke for two months now. As Hegla told me about the cliff incident, she explained there are rumors that I have jumped from the cliff to give up my life. And the only witness who could have known all had disappeared. My personal maid.

"But why would I give my life?" I have never lived this life.

"Rumors say you had a lover and didn't want to marry Archduke," Helga explained.

So whoever Serafina Rosá Aldrin was, she might have had a lover. And she might have tried giving her life.

But what about the personal maid Esia? She was the only key to this whole situation.

For the next two days, Hegla told me every little detail about Serafina's daily life.

I haven't seen the Archduke again in the being.

Strangely enough, even from falling off the cliff, I didn't suffer any severe injuries. Helga told me I had been out for 1 week.

"My lady, shall I prepare your bath?" Two maids asked.

"Bath at this time?" I asked.