Na-Isekai Ako

Katherine wandered through the grand halls of the mansion, her steps echoing softly against the polished floors. The estate was vast, filled with countless rooms adorned with luxurious tapestries and gilded furnishings, yet despite its splendor, she found herself restless.

She had always been accustomed to a world of instant answers, where a single search on the internet could bring forth an endless supply of knowledge. Here, however, information was locked away in ink and parchment, requiring time, patience, and effort to uncover.

"Ugh, such a hassle! No Wi-Fi!" she muttered. "I'd rather get Converge just to have Wi-Fi than have none at all."

With a sigh, she made her way to the library—a grand room lined with towering bookshelves that stretched toward the ceiling. Ornate chandeliers bathed the space in a golden glow, and the scent of aged paper and ink filled the air. It was a scholar's paradise, a treasure trove of knowledge from generations past, yet to Katherine, it felt overwhelming.

"But this library is really beautiful, it feels like something straight out of a Harry Potter movie or something."

She trailed her fingers along the spines of thick, leather-bound tomes, their titles etched in elegant script. Some books detailed history, others covered philosophy, politics, and warfare. There were even records of noble lineages and treaties between kingdoms. Everything she could ever need to understand this world was here, but without the convenience of a search bar, she didn't even know where to begin.

Sinking into a plush armchair by the large window, she opened a book on the history of the kingdom, flipping through the pages with growing impatience. The text was dense, filled with names and dates she had never encountered before. She tried to focus, forcing herself to absorb the words, but without the quick gratification of technology, her mind wandered.

No internet. No videos. No digital archives. Just endless pages of text.

With a groan, she leaned back against the chair, staring up at the intricate carvings on the ceiling. "How did people survive like this?" she muttered to herself.

Still, she had no choice. If she wanted to understand the world she had been thrust into, she needed to study it properly. Begrudgingly, she turned her attention back to the book, skimming over accounts of past wars, political shifts, and the influence of noble families. Some details aligned with what she vaguely remembered, but there were discrepancies—events she didn't recall, names that seemed unfamiliar. It was as if history itself had reshaped in ways she hadn't anticipated.

And then, something caught her eye. A passage about the kingdom's ruling family, their alliances, and—more importantly—the structure of the court. The words stirred a memory from her studies, reminding her of how crucial political maneuvering was in these kinds of settings. It wasn't just about war or power; it was about influence, connections, and survival.

Realizing this, her boredom faded, replaced by a newfound determination. She needed to understand not just the history, but the customs, the expectations of nobility, the unwritten rules that governed society. If she was to navigate this world properly, she had to start here—with knowledge.

Does she really have to involve herself in the politics of this world? Back in her previous life, she had always been vocal about her distaste for politics. It was messy, full of deception, and exhausting to deal with. But the politics here… it was different. The rules, the stakes, the way power was wielded—it wasn't the same as what she knew. Could she truly ignore it when she was now part of this society?

Closing the book, she exhaled slowly. There was still so much she didn't know. But if she was going to make sense of it all, she would have to do it the old-fashioned way.

One book at a time.

***

Katherine let out a sigh as she stared at the high ceiling of her bedroom. The days were starting to blur together—eat, sleep, read, stare out the window, repeat.

It wasn't as if she hated this world, but compared to the fast-paced, technology-filled life she once had, this felt… unbearably slow. No internet, no movies, no social media to mindlessly scroll through. Even the books in the library, though grand and filled with knowledge, couldn't fully distract her from the monotony of her routine.

Florante was in his fifth year at Athens. That meant he and Adolfo were still deep in their rivalry, still competing for excellence, still blissfully unaware of the war that would one day come. There were a few more years before everything fell apart, before Adolfo betrayed him, before blood was spilled.

She sighed, shifting onto her side and hugging a silk pillow close. Should she do something? Could she?

Technically, as a noble, she was qualified to attend Athens. But there was one problem—she was a woman. The academy was strictly for men, meant to train future rulers, generals, and scholars. Women of noble birth were expected to marry well, manage households, and support their families in the shadows. They weren't meant to be warriors or strategists.

It annoyed her.

Not that she cared much for Florante himself.

She had never liked him as a protagonist. He was too perfect. Handsome, intelligent, skilled in combat, with an unshakable sense of justice and a stunning love interest by his side. What flaw did he even have? Everything about him screamed ideal hero, a character so polished that he barely felt real.

A protagonist should have weaknesses—something that made them human, something that made their journey feel earned. But Florante? He was like a carved statue, admired by all, destined for greatness, untouchable in his perfection. Maybe that was why she had always found herself drawn to the other characters, the ones with rough edges and actual flaws... like Adolfo.

And yet, despite her indifference towards Florante, she couldn't ignore what she knew.

She knew about the war. She knew about Adolfo's inevitable betrayal. She knew about the deaths and tragedies that would soon unfold.

Would everything truly happen the way she remembered?

She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. Maybe she was overthinking things. She had no real way to interfere, no logical reason to insert herself into the affairs of the main characters. It was better to stay out of it.

And yet, deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that things had already begun to shift.

"I don't know what I need to do," she murmured to herself, fingers idly tracing the embroidery on her sheets. The weight of uncertainty pressed against her chest. She was in a world she had once only read about, but what was she supposed to do with that knowledge? Live quietly as a noblewoman? Try to change the course of events? Could she even make a difference?

Her mind swirled with possibilities, each more overwhelming than the last. But one thing was certain—there were many things she wanted to do, things she wanted to understand.

Katherine let out a slow breath, letting her thoughts drift like fallen leaves in the wind. Perhaps, tomorrow, she would find a new purpose. Perhaps, she would figure out where she truly belonged in this world.

For now, wrapped in the stillness of the night, she closed her eyes and allowed sleep to take her.

***

The mansion was alive with activity, servants moving briskly as tailors, jewelers, and dressmakers filled the grand halls. Fabrics draped over furniture, perfume bottles gleamed on polished vanities, and cases of glittering jewels stood open for inspection. It was as if an army was preparing for battle—except the battle was a high-society ball. 

Katherine lounged dramatically on a chaise, popping a grape into her mouth while observing the chaos around her. "All this effort for one night," she mused. "You'd think I was getting married, not just attending a ball." 

Aunt Yevon, ever poised, sipped her tea and cast her an amused glance. "A noble lady's appearance in high society is no small matter, Katherine. First impressions last." 

Katherine stretched lazily. "It's not like I have a partner or plan to dance. I'll just smile, nod, and avoid stepping on anyone's foot." 

Yevon chuckled, unbothered by her niece's nonchalance. "Perhaps. But it wouldn't hurt to enjoy yourself." 

A tailor approached with an armful of gowns. "Lady Katherine, would you prefer something classic or something bold?" He carefully held up an elaborate golden gown embroidered with delicate patterns. 

Katherine tapped her chin. "Bold, you say? Like—short skirt, high slit, rebellious noble kind of bold?" She smirked as the tailor nearly dropped the gown in horror. 

Yevon chuckled. "Katherine, do try not to give them heart attacks." 

Katherine sighed theatrically before pointing at a deep sapphire gown with silver embroidery at the hem. It shimmered like starlight, elegant yet refined. "This one. It looks dramatic enough without suffocating me under layers of fabric." 

The tailor exhaled in relief. "An excellent choice, my lady." 

Next came the jewelry. A jeweler presented a velvet-lined case brimming with dazzling gems. Katherine picked up a diamond necklace, holding it up to the light. 

"If I wear this, do you think it'll blind people?" she mused. 

Yevon selected a sapphire necklace and handed it to her instead. "Subtle, yet refined. A better match for your gown." 

Katherine studied the piece, the deep blue stones catching the light. "Well, I suppose blinding everyone isn't the best strategy. Fine, I'll wear this one." 

As the final preparations wrapped up, Yevon watched Katherine with a knowing smile. "You do realize people will talk about you at the ball, whether you dance or not." 

Katherine stretched again, completely unconcerned. "People always talk. If they're going to gossip anyway, I might as well give them something fun to whisper about." 

Yevon just shook her head, laughing softly. Unlike others who might scold or lecture, she accepted Katherine as she was. 

As the last of the tailors and jewelers packed up, Katherine glanced at her gown, the jewelry, and the endless effort poured into this single event. Maybe this world wasn't exciting in the way she was used to, but it did have its moments. And who knew? Perhaps, despite herself, she might actually have a little fun.