Love is a disease || Coming Soon.....

Chapter 1: Awakening to a New Life

I opened my eyes to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through heavy curtains, the warmth of the morning washing over me. It felt foreign, this strange light and air, as though I had drifted into an unfamiliar world. My body felt heavy, and my thoughts swam in confusion. I slowly pushed myself upright, expecting the familiar sight of my small apartment, but instead, I found myself in an ornately decorated room.

My gaze wandered around, taking in the grandeur-the large canopy bed draped with silken sheets, the intricately carved furniture, and the lavishly embroidered tapestries that adorned the walls. Everything screamed opulence, and none of it seemed to belong to the life I knew.

"What... is this place?"

I froze as I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror across the room. The face staring back at me was not my own-or rather, not the face I had lived with for all these years. Instead, I saw a girl with long, golden hair cascading down her back and sharp blue eyes that were wide with shock. Her features were aristocratic, her skin flawless, a far cry from my usual appearance. My heart raced as I struggled to comprehend what had happened.

Suddenly, the door to the room creaked open, and a maid entered. Her gaze met mine, and she immediately bowed deeply.

"Good morning, Lady Elena. I hope you had a restful night."

Lady Elena? Who was she talking to? I stared at the maid, still trying to make sense of the situation, but no answers came. My head spun as I fought to keep my composure.

"Good morning," I replied, my voice shaky, unsure of how else to respond.

The maid seemed unfazed by my uncertainty and continued to speak with practiced politeness. "Breakfast is being served downstairs, and the young master is already waiting. Shall I help you dress, my lady?"

Dress? I glanced down and realized I was still in my nightgown-one made of fabric so fine it was almost translucent. Everything felt surreal, but I couldn't let my confusion show. I needed time to figure out what was going on, so I nodded, trying to appear calm despite the turmoil inside me.

The maid moved efficiently, helping me into a pale blue gown with intricate lace details. As she worked, I racked my brain, trying to remember what had led me here. The last thing I recalled was working late, pulling an all-nighter to finish some reports. But now... now I was in the body of someone else-someone important, from the looks of it.

Once I was dressed, the maid led me downstairs to what could only be described as a royal dining room. A long table stretched across the room, with silverware and crystal goblets meticulously placed on either side. Seated at the head of the table was a young man-tall, with jet-black hair and a serious expression that softened slightly when he saw me.

"Good morning, sister," he greeted, his voice calm and formal. "You seem to have slept in today."

Sister? This man was supposed to be my brother?

I forced a smile, unsure of what to say. "Yes, I must have been more tired than I realized."

He didn't seem to suspect anything unusual and gestured for me to take a seat across from him. As I sat down, a servant poured tea into a delicate cup, the scent of freshly brewed herbs filling the air.

"I've already spoken with Father this morning," my brother continued, as though picking up a conversation we'd had before. "He expects us to attend the council meeting later today. There's much to discuss regarding the recent economic shifts in the southern territories."

Council meeting? Economic shifts? My head throbbed with the weight of all this unfamiliar information. What kind of life had I woken up into?

I nodded, pretending to understand, though inside, I was panicking. This wasn't just some dream-I was trapped in another person's life, expected to fill her role without knowing anything about her. If I wasn't careful, I could make mistakes that would raise suspicion. Whoever this Lady Elena was, she had responsibilities, and I would need to figure them out fast if I wanted to survive in this world.

Breakfast continued in silence, save for the occasional clinking of silverware. I observed my supposed brother closely, trying to glean more about my new reality. He carried himself with an air of authority, speaking in measured tones, and his words suggested he was deeply involved in the management of their estate or perhaps something larger. It was clear that this family wielded significant power, and I would need to be careful.

After the meal, I excused myself, claiming I needed time to prepare for the meeting. Once I was alone, I returned to my room, pacing back and forth. What was I supposed to do now? Who was Lady Elena? How had I ended up in her body? And, more importantly, how was I supposed to navigate this world without anyone realizing I wasn't truly her?

As I paced, I noticed a small stack of papers on the desk by the window. I approached it cautiously, hoping to find some answers. The documents seemed to be reports-financial records, trade agreements, and letters discussing various matters related to the estate's management. It was overwhelming, but as I skimmed through the papers, I began to piece together more about the life I had stumbled into.

Lady Elena, it seemed, was deeply involved in the financial affairs of her family. The reports were detailed, discussing trade routes, taxation, and market trends. It appeared that she-no, I-was responsible for overseeing much of the economic planning for the southern territories my brother had mentioned.

I sank into the chair, my mind racing. Whoever Lady Elena was, she was someone important, someone with influence and responsibility. And now, I had to take her place.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. The maid from earlier entered, her expression as neutral as ever.

"My lady, it is time for the council meeting. Your brother is waiting."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I couldn't afford to panic. If I wanted to survive in this world, I had to play the role of Lady Elena perfectly-at least until I could figure out how to get back to my own life.

"Very well," I said, standing up and smoothing out the fabric of my gown. "Let's not keep him waiting."

As I followed the maid out of the room, my heart pounded in my chest. I had no idea what the future held or how long I would be trapped in this strange new life. But one thing was certain: I needed to learn quickly, or everything could come crashing down around me.

How did you like the prologue? If you want to take a ride on this journey then hop on and add this story to your library.

Currently I am working on my other story "Second Chances at Love". You can check it out.

I will probably start updating this story actively by October 2024. Date may change as per how much free time I have at hand.

This story will update once weekly once I start updating. I have already prepared a complete draft of this story so there is no way it is going to be dropped off in the middle.

So if you want to read a story of a badass female who thought way ahead of her time, this is the destination.

See you soon.