Chapter 1: A Punch to the Face

Wake up

Evy opened her eyes to a room she doesn’t know. The ceiling of the room was definitely different from the ceiling she had back in her apartment. Her apartment was small and compact, enough for a small futon, a table, desk, and TV. 

The room she was now in was definitely beyond the pay grade she was making.

*clack* *clack* *clack*

She heard the door of the room open and someone running away. But because she was distracted she had not seen who had walked out on her. 

She tried her best to move her body and felt soft cotton.

Even the bed she was laying on was bigger. 

The objects that surrounded her were all high-quality furniture and the more she turned to look at these, the more she questioned what had happened to her, prior to her awakening. 

Evy remembered that she was a 27-year-old woman, who worked 3 to 4 jobs a day and night as her daily routine. 

She was notorious for only falling asleep most days and even then it’d be no more than 4 hours at best. She last remembered that she had just returned from working in a construction site that day, visited a friend, and was prepared to do another hour of revision for a manuscript that would be passed in the morning.

Yet when Evy went to do it, her eyes had gone hazy and had slowly dimmed. The next thing she knew she was in the dark. She could not mistake the feeling of coldness everywhere and the sounds of people screaming.

Then she found herself here.

“The young mistress is awake!” 

A maid had come through the doors of the room, her face a mix of surprise and fear. 

Evy could not pinpoint which was more deliberate as she stayed silent since she doesn’t know who they were talking about.

Not too long after that, three more people rounded into the room looking on with their own bewildered expression.

“It is true! The young mistress had awakened! Call the duke immediately and the physician!”

One person, in particular, came towards Evy and bowed. 

He was an old Oji-san wearing a black suit that only made her think that he was some rich family’s butler.

“Please rest assured, my lady. You will be looked after by the physician once he had been called... Also, your father is worried about you.”

The Oji-san looked at the maid and other two people who looked like servants, and urged them out of the room. 

Only Evy and the Oji-san remained.

Evy had thought about the situation in front of her and thought that it was too confusing.

Who are all these people? 

Did she owe them money perhaps? 

She doesn’t necessarily remember having owed a lot of people.

All the money she used had been honestly earned by her and since she has never tried to borrow money or loaned from the bank, she can guarantee that she has not been harassed by a loan shark or any third-party debt collector.

But one idea did hit Evy. 

She remembered last week a workmate said that their company was under investigation about work abuse. 

She was told that those who were overworked without any rest and did not take vacations were being investigated to be used in court for lawsuits against the company. As the only person in the company who doesn’t believe in rest, she has since worked under them for 10 years without taking one single day to herself.

These must be them! 

Evy nodded to herself after she finally understood. She looked up at the Oji-san and observed his uniform.

“Are you from the EEOC agency? I can vouch for the company that I am not being abused and choose to work without vacation since I don’t need it.”

Evy gave a forced smile to further push her intentions yet after not having smiled for more than a decade, she wasn’t used to it now and her smile must have come through very differently. 

She was right to believe in these assumptions since the Oji-san was looking at her funny.

“Uhhh..”

“How is she?! How is Evelyn?!”

In came in the room, was an even more good looking uncle. He was younger than the Oji-san by her side, and his clothes were a combination of elegant colors and fabrics.

Just from one glance, you know that he had a higher status than the people around her. His hair was blonde yet long enough for a small ponytail, his eyes black, and his charm close to those middle-aged celebrities.

Was he the one in charge of this investigation? Kind of extreme, if she were asked. 

Does all their funding go to their clothes and establishment?

“Lord Devine, Lady Evelyn is awake. We have already called the physician to have him take a look at her. But… um… my lady is speaking bizarrely.”

Rude.

Were EEOC employees always this harsh on their investigation and to the one they're investigating nonetheless?

“Evelyn, do you hurt anywhere?”

Evy had no idea who this Evelyn they were uttering about. Yet, the two had all their eyes directed on her and that made the situation that much worse as a lot of questions popped out of her head.

They're talking to her.

Not only are these people insulting her, but they're also using her name wrong. Evy was slowly beginning to feel less cooperative.

The uncle walked beside her bed, and then suddenly stopped at a distance. 

His expression is in conflict as he alternates looking at her face then at the bed before settling to stay where he was.

“Is this perhaps a safe distance or should I step back a few more?”

She has no idea how to answer that. Evy doesn’t particularly mind if he doesn’t even come close at all. 

“Your lord, the physician has arrived.”

“Let him in immediately”

Evy was spared from answering and found the doctor walking in. He looked too heavy-handed as he approached her and began inspecting her body. 

Evy remained quiet and let the doctor do his thing.

The EEOC agency these days is turning into some kind of wacky assessment.

“There doesn’t seem to be any sore area or scars left on her body which is odd. The last time I checked, I was sure her heart had slowed down.”

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“That the young mistress had mysteriously fully recovered in just a night.”

“Didn’t you use the healing potion on her?”

Evy heard something weird. Something about potions. 

Were those the drugs that she has been hearing lately? Though, those usually come with a very fanatic con artist. 

“I did but it only close superficial wounds, she was barely breathing when I was done with her.”

“Then what does this means?”

“I’m not too sure but maybe the Goddess Muria had blessed her?”

The uncle and Oji-san all seemed taken aback by the doctor’s words yet all Evy could think about was that now they were on the topic of a goddess. 

Maybe these people are not from the agency at all. They're too odd to be EEOC agents.

This was turning ridiculous that her head was getting a headache.

“But the oddest thing I have noticed, was… well. She hasn’t thrown a chair at me since I came in.”

“I have also noted the young mistress is talking very weird and has not tried to scratch me... yet.”

“I… this is most peculiar.”

Unlike before, they were now looking at her as if she had hit her head. 

Not able to handle it anymore, she sighed and stood up from the bed.

“Wait. Lady Evelyn. You can’t move just yet.”

“Enough. I don’t know who this Evelyn you’re talking about. If you guys aren’t from the EEOC agency then I have no idea who you people are. Lastly, I need to go to work.”

Before she left the room after having enough of their antics, she noticed a full-body mirror and stop to look at herself. 

What she saw couldn’t describe her shock.

Silver hair. Violet eyes. Pale skin. The woman before the mirror looked young, beautiful and most of all— alluring. Was this really a mirror?

“Who is this?”

“That’s you, my lady”

“No. I mean. This is not me.”

“That a mirror. You’re looking at yourself.”

Evy grabs the mirror and looked carefully at the reflection. She pinched her cheeks and the reflection did the same. She went to check the color of her hair and was surprised to see silver instead of her original black ones.

Hehehe. Have I hit my head on something? 

Why was her reflection different?

“I think I’m still dreaming.”

Without hesitating, she punched herself in the jaw. 

It was the second time, her eyes went unsteady as she fell on the ground and heard people calling her name.

As her consciousness slowly turned dark, she last heard the doctor and the man talking.

“What is wrong with her?”

“I’m not sure. She’s forgotten who she is… or maybe she’s under a curse. We should let a priest look at her.”

Evy could not listen further as her mind floated up and back to nothingness.

…

When she opened her eyes again, it was dark.  The light from the moon passing through the massive window was the only thing she could use to help her see in the dark.

Evy had thought that when she finally woke up she would be in her apartment but looking at the bed she was lying in, it was clear.

She touched her jaw and felt it sore up a bit from the punch that she inflected. That wasn’t the brightest idea... Yet considering that situation, she can’t be blamed. 

This is not an everyday occurrence for sure.

Evy got up from the bed and went to the mirror again. Just like last time, the reflection looking back at her was someone else’s face.

These violet eyes seemed too deep. Unlike her black ones before, these eyes showed anger that she can’t explain.

“How can this happen? I don’t understand. Did I perhaps get plastic surgery? But who would do that and then leave me stranded in some foreign place?”

She sighed to herself and thought to ignore that for now. It wasn’t like she can do anything about it.

“I should have a change of clothes first”

Evy saw the sleepwear she wore and didn’t like it. It was too breezy and she rather like something more concealed. 

Looking over the many wardrobes and closets, Evy was bound to find something she likes.

She rummage through the cabinets and wardrobes in the room and found most of them to be dresses. 

Every single one stunning and well crafted but noticed that it hadn’t been worn at all. Ignoring this detail, she continued her search.

By the time she was done going through the clothes, it was sunrise.

Fortunately, she did find an old ragged white blouse and simple black pants. It was tucked under all the dresses and hidden by a small box. It had gathered up dust but still seemed okay to use.

It was loose on her, both the blouse and pants were clearly made for someone else but it didn’t fall off so it was okay to use for now.

Now that she had clothes on, she needed to know her situation and the only one she thinks knows of her case was the man who visited her yesterday.

The man called Lord Devine.

“The Oji-san said that he was a duke”

Usually when someone is called a duke that would entail that they own territory of their own and is of noble status. Only this would have been possible if Evy was in the western country or somewhere in Asia that has a sovereign state. 

That doesn’t help narrow down where she is.

“Hello, my lady. I am here to assist you in—”

“Hello, could you perhaps point me in the direction of the duke?”

 Evy didn’t let the maid finish as she walks up to her, very determined.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I was told to not let you out of your room as a priest would be arriving later to take a look at you.”

The maid was very short in comparison to her, her hair a soft brown and her posture was well mannered. She was looking down at the ground than at her eyes while fidgeting in her place.

“It wouldn’t take me long. I just have a few questions then I’ll gladly cooperate with going back to my room.”

“I— I can’t disobey orders, my lady. You are to rest and wait.”

“If I say no would you be able to stop me?”

It wasn’t a joke, more like a question. Rather, she was seriously curious. The maid continued to look worried as she did not reply.

“Then I’ll try to look for the Duke, myself.”

“Wait, my lady!”

Evy went ahead and started looking all over the rooms, each one much bigger than the last. They were all decorated with grand furniture that she has only seen in western magazines depicting past renaissance history.

The maid was still following her, telling her to go back to her room. She tried asking for other people’s help, those who wore clothes similar to the maid following her. But they either ran away scared or would only look down and stay silent.

Does she look that evil that they wouldn’t even meet her eye?

But she was spared when a man dressed in fine garments greeted her instead.

“Lady Evelyn. I heard you snuck out of your room, and was looking for the duke.”

“Could I speak with him?”

The man who approached her had brown hair, was tall, a bit imposing, and has sharp eyes. He had a fine build befitting someone doing extraneous physical exercise every day. If not for the way he carried himself then maybe for his reaction to outside forces. 

Evy easily spotted how his eyes do the talking for him. Making his intentions both vague and vivid at the same time.

He smiled at Evy and bowed. “Then follow me, my lady. Please don’t get lost on the way.”

The man gave the maid a small nod, before the maid curtsied in return, and walked away.

The man began showing her the direction, apparently quiet and contemplating. 

“Do you still remember my name?”

“I don’t mean to offend you but no. I don’t”

Evy did her best not to sound arrogant as that's not how she wants to come across but her nature of being either too blunt or less expressive has been honed by her years of not having friends. 

She was once dubbed by her workmate as apathetic and ignored her after she ignored him. 

The man smiled but plain to see that it doesn't reach his eyes. 

“You don’t need to worry about offending me, my lady. We haven’t actually met until yesterday. I was only trying to see if the word was true about your supposed amnesia ”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, If I would be perfectly honest with you. It is the same with the other servants, so please don’t be discouraged if they don’t want to interact with you. They simply are not used to you yet.”

“That’s quite odd. If you say that I am this Evelyn person you say I am and I’ve been here for a long time. Then wouldn’t it be more normal to say that they should have been used to me already?”

 The man said nothing for a while before he stopped in front of a door. 

“It sure should be that way. But I don’t think it’s realistic.”

The door of the room opened. 

The Duke was waiting for her, his back turned to the door. 

Taking this opportunity to make a second-best impression, she entered the room and bowed. The Duke finally gave her his attention with a wave of his hand to get her to stop bowing.

Afterward, they were left alone in the room as the door was slammed shut.

“Evelyn. I heard from the servant that you were causing trouble while looking for me.”

“That is because I have a lot of questions that needed to be answered.”

“Have a seat then.”

Evy chooses to sit on the couch, feeling the Duke’s eyes on her.

“So what questions do you want to ask?”

“Who am I to you?”

Evy had thought long and hard about it. 

Since waking up they’ve all been treating her as this young lady named Evelyn, coupled with a face that she does not own, it was easy enough to understand their confusion. If she tries to insist she was a 27-year-old Japanese woman who happens to now have their young mistress’ identity, it would be clear where she’ll end up.

So instead of casually causing her own doom, she tried to fill in the pieces that were missing. Like who was she acting as. 

It doesn't guarantee she'll be trying to act like the old mistress but knowing something minor, is better than knowing nothing at all.

“You are my daughter. Evelyn Regalia Devine.”

“What happened to me before I woke up?”

The duke looked at Evy with pain and guilt as he sat in front of her.

“You were kidnapped by some bandits a few nights ago. They somehow got in the mansion, took valuables, and even kidnap you for ransom. You were missing for days as adventurers were searching for your whereabouts. We had some luck when an enemy informant confessed on where they were keeping you. We rescued you and the bandits were settled with. But you sustained injuries and were in a dire condition that was why I hired a physician to heal your wounds. To my surprise, you woke up with all your injuries healed yet somehow lost some of your memories.”

'Some' doesn’t begin to cover it. She doesn’t have any memories of being Evelyn at all.

“Is that what really happened?”

Evy manage to understand the gist of it yet some details were still beyond her. Like where does she fit into the narrative... If Evelyn was kidnapped and then she was the one they found instead, what happened to the real Evelyn? 

Then, there's the topic of her injuries healing without the subsequent explanation from the doctor. 

All of these were on the tip of her tongue but chose not to question it because she has a hunched neither she nor the Duke knew the answer.

“Yes. We think you’re under a curse that is why you lost some of your memories. If a priest from the Holy light faction could uplift it then you would be back to normal.”

Yet, the duke’s face turned distraught at the thought of her actually remembering.

“Where are we right now?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking where we are right now?”

“In the Devine estate, where else?”

“In what city?”

“Polvaros.”

Polvaros sounds like the name of an exotic food. 

“What country?”

“In the Brightheil Kingdom.”

Evy was never one to know a lot of countries beyond those popular western ones and here in Asia. She certainly hasn’t heard of a country named like that.

“This is turning to be too complicated. Are we in the Western continent? I don’t know where the Brightheil Kingdom is. Is that close to the United Kingdom?”

The duke was confused at her words and went to take a map from his desk. From there, he laid it in front for Evy to see and pointed it somewhere on the map.

“We’re here in the southeast front. I’m not sure where this United Kingdom you’re spouting about. Polvaros is here between Missisiriri and Tulie. ”

Evy tried very hard to understand where everything was. But the map itself was of another world. There was no Japan. There were no other Asian countries. Even nothing of the US.

This must be fake.

Putting the map back to the duke, she masked out her disappointment and nodded with a strained smile.

In the meantime, she just needed to handle the basics. 

What does she actually know? Her name and that's it. 

She doesn’t know where she is. She has no way of finding her way back home and she has no way to explain her actual situation. 

She was pushed in a corner.

That only leaves her with one thing to do.

 “Could I work here?”