The Pastry Chef's Accidental Duchess

**Chapter 1: The Weird Beginnings of the Crossing** On a starry night, Erin's life changed forever. She remembered being busy in her studio, meticulously decorating the last of the desserts, her fingers deftly drawing brilliant floral patterns on the cake. The world outside was still full of hustle and bustle and energy, and she was preparing for the upcoming dinner party amidst all the hustle and bustle and joy. Suddenly, a violent jolt ripped through the entire studio, and the roar in her ears seemed to tear the curtain of time. All she felt was a spinning of the sky, followed by a descent into endless darkness. When Erin awoke again, she found herself lying in a completely unfamiliar environment. She struggled to open her eyes, and the sight around her made her heart race. She was in the middle of an old village, with the sound of birdsong and a breeze whipping through the grass in the distance. The towering stone-built houses and narrow streets were filled with an ancient atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the modern city life she was familiar with. Her fingers touched the unfamiliar clothing she wore, the fabric rough and antiquated, completely unlike the modern fashions she'd had before. Erin took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. Her mind was filled with confusing fragments, trying to remember the details of the jolt, but her mind only went blank. She stood up and tried to look as calm and collected as possible, but the panic inside her couldn't be hidden. Just as she was confused, a young man named Bell approached her. He was stout, dressed in plain farmer's clothing, and had a friendly smile on his face. “Miss, it looks like you're in some discomfort. Are you alright? Do you need my help?” Erin forced a smile, trying to look as natural as possible. She said softly, “Thank you for your concern, Belle. I feel a little unfamiliar with this place. Could you please describe the place a little? I don't really know much about my surroundings.” Bell stared slightly, seemingly surprised by Erin's question, but he nodded with a friendly smile. “Of course. You're in the village of Lasker, which is a rather remote place. It's a few days away from the nearest city, Glenborg. The pace of life here is slow, and our habits are quite different from those in the city. If you need help, you can always let me know.” A slight sigh of relief washed over Erin, but she still couldn't hide her inner anxiety. The village of Rask, a name she had never heard before, it was obviously a world completely foreign to her. She realized that she was in a land so far removed from the life she had once led, and the sudden change was overwhelmingly confusing. She follows Belle into a simple cottage, the furnishings of which confirm her unfamiliarity with the place - wooden furniture, wood burning in the fireplace, hand-woven tapestries hanging on the walls. Though everything seemed quaint and cozy, Erin couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness she felt inside. She sat down in one of the wooden chairs and tried to calm herself down as much as she could, trying to get used to this completely unfamiliar environment. “Thank you, Belle.” Gratitude filled Erin's heart as she tried to hide her inner turmoil, “I don't know what I'm going to do for now. If you can, could you help me find a place to land? I need time to sort out my current situation.” Bell nodded, a concerned look in her eyes. “Of course, you can stay at my house for now. If you need any other help, feel free to let me know.” Erin gratefully accepted his kindness. She knew that she could only accept reality for the time being and look for ways to adapt to this new world. Her heart was filled with uneasiness and anticipation for the future, but she also knew clearly that she had to try to adapt in order to find a way back to her world. When the night was low, and the starry sky outside the house was like a silver curtain spreading down, Irene sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the night through the cracks in the window. Her mood was as deep and complex as the starry sky outside the window. She could not shake off the infinite speculations about the future and the deep thoughts about her fate. Just as she was lost in contemplation, suddenly, a rush of horses' hooves came from the distant street. Irene's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and with some anticipation and uneasiness, she pushed open the window. The scene outside made her jaw drop - a tall black horse galloped past like a ghost in the night. The rider on the horse's back was clad in a black cloak, as if he was one with the night. The deafening sound of the horse's hooves gradually disappeared into the infinite darkness, leaving behind only a deep serenity and a disorienting suspense. Erin whispered to herself, “Who is this knight? Could his appearance have anything to do with my fate in this world?” Her voice was as light as a murmur, as if she were sending a silent prayer to the night sky. She sat back on the edge of the bed, her gaze piercing through the starry sky outside the window, her heart filled with endless questions and anticipation for the future. She knew that the adventures of this world had only just begun, and that her fate was still waiting to be revealed to the unknown.