Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

Rinko dies under mysterious circumstances and wakes up as Raeliana McMillan, a beloved noblewoman from a popular romance novel. She remembers the book's ending, where Raeliana is murdered by her fiancé, and decides to rewrite her fate by arranging a fake engagement with the distant Duke Noah Voltaire Wynknight. Her scheme pulls in schemers, jealous rivals, and unexpected allies, and hints of the supernatural complicate every plan. Adam Taylor, Keith Westernberg, and Heika Demint shift loyalties in ways that keep the stakes high, while comedy and suspense trade places as Raeliana quietly gathers clues about Rinko's original death without revealing her past life.

Released in 2023, the anime was created by Mitsutaka Hirota and Milcha, and features voice work from Yume Miyamoto, Yuuichirou Umehara, Shuichiro Umeda, Shunichi Toki, and Akira Ishida, premiering on Japanese TV and streaming platforms for international simulcast.

The series hasn't claimed major industry awards so far, though it turned up in several seasonal critics' lists and fan rankings. Reviewers and viewers often praised the vocal interplay between the leads, and the show boosted attention for its cast even without formal trophies.

Fans liked the way the show flipped otome conventions, producing a steady stream of fan art, cosplay, and discussion threads that debated motive and social roles. Memes about the faux engagement and Noah's deadpan reactions spread across social media, and podcasts and analysis threads kept conversations alive long after episodes aired.

Critical and audience response has been generally favorable, reflected in a 7.5/10 viewer average. Commentary highlights the show's mix of light mystery, romantic tension, and satirical takes on class and gender, with many reviewers noting strong comic timing and the chemistry between Miyamoto and Umehara as key strengths.