The council room was grander than I imagined, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and golden chandeliers casting a soft glow over the long wooden table at the center. Seated around it were several men—nobles, by the looks of their attire. They all turned their eyes toward me as I entered, and I did my best to suppress the nervousness bubbling inside me. My brother sat at the far end, his dark eyes watching my every move, and beside him sat a man who I assumed must be our father.

The tension in the room was palpable. Every set of eyes was trained on me, waiting for Lady Elena to take her place and contribute to the discussions. But I was no Lady Elena. I was still reeling from the shock of finding myself in this strange world, wearing another person’s skin.

I swallowed hard and took my seat, praying that my ignorance wouldn’t be too obvious. As soon as I sat down, my brother wasted no time in starting the meeting.

"As you all know," he began, "the situation in the southern territories has become precarious. Our trade routes have been compromised, and the recent tax reforms are starting to affect our economy. I’ve already spoken with Father about potential solutions, but we need to discuss the long-term impacts."

I listened carefully, trying to absorb every word. It was clear that the family's economic stability was at stake, and my role in this meeting was crucial. But what could I say? I had no knowledge of this world’s economy or the nuances of their trade system. The only thing I could rely on was my own experience in the corporate world and the financial knowledge I had accumulated there.

As the discussion went on, it became clear that the nobles were concerned about their own holdings. They wanted immediate action to protect their interests, and I could feel the weight of their expectations settling on my shoulders. My brother shot me a glance, expecting me to contribute.

I took a deep breath. "It’s true that tax reforms are necessary for long-term growth, but we must balance that with short-term stability," I said, trying to sound confident. "If we act too hastily, we risk disrupting the flow of goods and driving merchants away. A phased approach may be more appropriate, one that allows us to test the effects on the market before committing to full-scale changes."

The room went silent for a moment. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for someone to challenge my suggestion. But instead, my father nodded slowly.

"A reasonable proposal," he said, his deep voice commanding the room's attention. "Lady Elena is right. We must proceed cautiously, especially given the volatility of the southern markets."

I exhaled, relieved that my gamble had paid off. The conversation shifted as the other nobles debated the finer points of my suggestion, and for the first time, I felt like I might actually survive this world.

The meeting lasted for hours, with discussions ranging from trade tariffs to territorial disputes. I did my best to follow along, nodding when appropriate and offering insights where I could. By the time it ended, I was mentally exhausted. As we stood to leave, my brother approached me.

"You handled yourself well," he said quietly, his stern expression softening for a moment. "I know Father has high expectations for you, and today you met them."

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. Did Lady Elena have a complicated relationship with her father? I hadn’t had the chance to gather any personal details about her life, but it seemed I was being measured against some high standard.

"Thank you," I said simply, hoping that was enough to satisfy him.

As the council members filed out, I followed behind my brother, my mind still spinning. This world was so different from anything I’d known, and yet I couldn’t afford to make mistakes. If I wanted to find my way back to my old life—if that was even possible—I needed to play the part of Lady Elena perfectly. There was no room for error.

***

Over the next few days, I immersed myself in the estate’s affairs. My room became my sanctuary, a place where I could pore over documents, financial records, and anything else that might help me understand the role I was expected to play. The more I learned, the more I realized how important Lady Elena was to the functioning of this world. She wasn’t just a passive figurehead—she was deeply involved in managing her family’s wealth and ensuring the prosperity of their territories.

I was starting to understand the gravity of the situation. If I made a mistake, it wouldn’t just be my own life at risk. The livelihoods of countless people depended on the decisions I made in this role.

One afternoon, as I sat by the window reviewing trade agreements, a knock came at the door. I glanced up to see the maid from before, her expression unusually serious.

"My lady, the Master requests your presence in the study."

I tensed. What could my father want? I hadn’t spoken to him much since the council meeting, and I feared I might have done something wrong. But I couldn’t afford to hesitate. If I was going to keep up this act, I needed to face whatever challenges came my way.

The study was a stately room lined with bookshelves and illuminated by the flickering light of a fireplace. My father stood by the window, staring out over the estate’s grounds. He was an imposing figure, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of authority that made my stomach twist.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" I said, doing my best to keep my voice steady.

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "Yes, Elena. We need to discuss your future."

My future? The words sent a chill down my spine. What could he possibly mean by that?

He gestured for me to sit, and I complied, folding my hands in my lap to hide their slight trembling.

"You’ve done well in the council meetings," he began. "I’m pleased to see you taking your responsibilities seriously. But there’s more to being the daughter of this family than managing finances."

I swallowed hard, unsure where this conversation was going. "Of course, Father. I understand."

"Good," he said, his gaze piercing. "Because it’s time we started thinking about your marriage."

Marriage? The word hit me like a slap to the face. I had barely adjusted to living in this world, and now I was being pushed into the idea of marrying someone? My mind raced, searching for an appropriate response, but I couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t give away my shock.

"I see," I said cautiously, trying to buy myself time to process this new information.

"We’ve had several offers from prominent families," he continued, as if discussing a business deal. "But none have quite caught my attention. However, there is one possibility that I believe would benefit our family greatly."

My heart sank. This wasn’t just about me—it was about alliances, power, and securing the future of the estate. I was just a pawn in the larger game of nobility. The idea of being married off for political gain made my skin crawl, but I had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Of course, Father," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll do what’s best for the family."

"Good," he said, his tone final. "I’ll expect you to meet with the prospective suitors in the coming weeks."

I forced a smile, though inside, my heart was heavy with dread. The life of Lady Elena was becoming more complicated by the day, and I had no idea how long I could keep up this charade. But one thing was certain: I would have to navigate these new challenges carefully if I wanted to survive.

As I left the study, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was no longer my own. Trapped in someone else's body, with decisions that weren’t truly mine to make, I could only hope that I would find a way out of this before it was too late.