The Duke & I

Sophia's POV

"No, this can't be!' I muttered to myself.

I glanced around once more to check our surroundings. My heart almost skipped a beat when I realized it was like I had traveled back in time, but strangely, not to ancient Korea, but to the Victorian era.

 What's happening to me? Am I hallucinating? Great, I must be losing it!

I slapped my cheek lightly to wake myself up, but the truth was clearer than the sunlight— I was in a different time, no, place, or world? Where am I?!

I felt my sanity slipping when a chuuby man approached and grabbed me roughly by the waist. I almost gagged when I saw his face up close. He had a lot of freckle marks and his face was oily, and what was up with his pores? why it's full pores! erg!

"Bessy, if we were in Korea, I can recommend a lot of dermas I know, they're famous for many K-idols and actors, swear, but please, can you let me go!' I screamed, struggling to break free.

"Egal, was du sagst, du gehörst jetzt mir." ["No matter what you say, you belong to me now!"] he said, laughing straight into my face.

"Ugh, forget about the skincare, you should brush your teeth first! It's not your personality that stinks, but that attitude—and your breath too!" I shouted as he kept fondling me.

I almost lost it when he moved his face closer to mine, puckered his lips like he was going to swallow me whole, but I froze when he started laughing again and suddenly released me. I grabbed my bottom as I slumped to the floor.

"Bediensteter, komm her und begleite meine zukünftige Frau in ihr Zimmer. Zieh sie an, parfümiere sie und bereite sie auf unsere Vereinigung später vor!" ["Servant, come here and escort my future wife to her room. Dress her up, perfume her, and prepare her for our union later!"] he said loudly, as if calling someone.

My confusion disappeared when I saw a woman emerge from nowhere and walk toward me.

I stared at her; she looked so vintage, like someone from a painting you would only see in a Western museum. She was a little taller than me, with pale skin speckled with freckles all over her face, and light brown curly hair. Her outfit wasn't fancy, but it was clean. I think she's a servant, and she looked about my age.

"Ich möchte, dass sie bereit ist, nachdem ich gebadet habe. Verstehst du?" ["I want her ready after I bathe. Do you understand"] the round man stated before leaving us.

"Bitte, komm mit mir. Ich werde dich in dein Zimmer bringen. Es wäre gefährlich, wenn der Baron uns hier erwischt." ["Please, come with me. I'll take you to your room. It would be dangerous if we're caught here by the Baron,"] she said in a low tone while bowing her head to me.

I wanted to rejoice at this moment, but I couldn't understand what she was saying.

Lord, if you're playing with my life, can you at least help me with some subtitles? T.T

"Do you perhaps, know how to speak English?" I tried to ask in desperation, ignoring the fact that a servant might not be able to speak English during this time.

She quickly raised her head and stared at me like I'd said some murderous enchantment.

"Uhm, you. speak. english?" I repeated like a fvcking moron.

"Uhm, yes, young lady."

Shocks! I almost cried when I heard her speak English. But its isn't the time to celebrate.

"Can you tell me where I am? Why am I here? Where are we?" I asked one after another, but she grimaced, staring at me as if she was trying to figure out what I said.

After a moment, she gestured toward the hallway, leading me to a room. It seemed like she wanted me to follow her there. I had no choice but to shut my mouth and follow her.

Arg! really, what planet am I on? My mind was racing as we reached the room she was talking about.

"Wow!" I exclaimed as soon as we entered the room.

My jaw almost hit the floor as I looked around carefully. If only I had a cellphone or a digital camera, I would have been taking a lot of pictures. Every detail, every corner, furniture, and even the ambiance, The whole room screamed vintage — a real Victorian-era room. If I didn't look so ridiculous, I would feel like I was in a fairytale book.

My gaze landed on the large windows, the kind you'd usually see in fairytales, with beautiful lace curtains that added to the Victorian vibe.

This is so unreal! My eyes sparkled as I finally saw the beautiful bed in the center. It was made of wood but had an elegant design carved into it. The lace curtains were so pretty that I felt like a princess lying on it. I can't help myself, and I immediately jump on it.

"Pray, young lady, do not fidget so, lest you harm yourself," the woman who brought me here said worriedly.

I almost felt my blood spurting from my nose because of her deep English. I ignored what she said, and open my mouth. "Whose is this? Is this mine?' I asked eagerly.

"Indeed, young lady, it is yours and the Count's."

"What? What did you say?" I asked with wide eyes. Did I hear it right?

"This shall be your chamber with the Count, and tonight marks your first night together. Pray, prepare yourself, for Count Eltz is presently in the bath."

I jumped up out of the bed at what I've heard..

First night? What did she mean by first night? It wasn't what I am thinking, right? What if it's a party? But party? in the room? With just the two of us? It's not too ridiculous if a one-on-one party exists here, right? T.T

I walked up to her, grabbing her by both shoulders. "Girl, What's your name?"

"It's Lea, young lady."

"Okay, Lea, listen to me carefully. I know this may sound weird to you, but I'm not from here. I'm from Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Sou—Aish!"I hit my forehead, realizing how stupid I was for saying. 

"Why should you add your national security ID number while you're at it, you stupid fool." I whispered to myself.

"So what I am saying is, I'm not from here, okay? I mean, we're on the same earth, but I'm not from this country and not from this time either. I'm from the year 2025, it does make sense?"

Crazy, of course, it doesn't make sense at all.

"Twenty, twenty—my apologies, young lady, but I find myself at a loss, unable to fully comprehend the words you speak." she said in confusion while she keeps her head low.

Her english is so deep that I didn't know whether to bleed from my nose due to the German language or from the deep English she spoke.

Arg. I might go totally crazy in this world. T.T

"That chubby man earlier, who is he? And what was he saying about?" I tried to ask again.

"He is the Graf von Eltz, the Count, and he doth govern this region," she replied, with every word deeper than my pacific ocean.

Wait, Count? Isn't that one of the high-ranking nobles during the Victorian era? Wait, why would someone like him want me?

"Young lady, please dress yourself. The Count will arrive shortly," she said.

I immediately looked at her as the tension building inside me "Wait, what relation do I have with him? Is he my father? Uncle? Godfather? Someone I owe money to? Is he a loan shark? God, why do loan sharks even exist here?!" 

"I do not fully comprehend all of your words, young lady, but the Count will soon be your husband. You shall become his fourth wife, and this evening will mark your union."

My mouth fell open. It was like I was doused with cold water from what I heard.

Fourth wife? What the heck?! If it's Taehyung oppa, I could accept even the title of the 1000th wife, with my arms open, whole heartedly. But that fat-ass lunatic Count? I'm still a virgin, never been touched, never been kissed, and now I'm going to have a husband? Are they crazy?!

"Wait, what's a union?" I asked suddenly, unable to accept what my brain was thinking.

She blushed and avoided eye contact because of what I asked. "Wait, don't tell me. It's sex?"I asked with eyes and mouth wide open,

When she blushed harder, I just put my hand over my mouth in shock. 

 WHAT KIND OF SITUATION IS THIS?