A lavish party hall.

People beneath the glittering chandeliers.

When they looked at Noxia, their eyes were brimming with envy and awe.

But when they looked at me……

Their gazes were filled with clear mockery and disdain.

My shoulders instinctively hunched under their sneering stares.

『Isn’t that lady over there the eldest daughter of the Brellof family? She looks utterly insignificant at first glance.』

『Whether it’s looks or talent, she has nothing remarkable compared to her younger sister.』

『Hehehe. I can’t believe they’re twins. All the good genes clearly went to one side. So the other just inherited the leftovers?』

The whispers of people were inescapable, no matter where I went.

Resentment and bitterness surged deep within my chest.

It was always the same pattern. Ever since Noxia awakened her supernatural ability to manipulate water, I could never win against her at anything.

A thick sense of defeat enveloped my entire body.

I, too, wanted to be acknowledged.

If I could, I wanted to show them—I am better than Noxia, whom they so fervently praise.

I hated Noxia, laughing happily surrounded by people, while I was left in such misery.

They wore different faces when dealing with Noxia versus me—like two sides of a coin—and only I knew both faces.

Therefore, Noxia must endure the same humiliation I suffered. Only then, drowning in the same wretched despair, would she finally understand my heart.

I imagined crushing Noxia’s angelic smiling face.

At that moment—

Clang!

The maid I collided with dropped the tray she was holding. The wine glasses on it shattered as they hit the floor.

『I—I’m so sorry! Are you hurt anywhere?』

Instantly, my aimless hatred turned toward the maid.

How dare someone as insignificant as you look down on me?

I leaned close to the maid and whispered in a low voice,

『You don’t really think a simple apology will earn my forgiveness, do you? You’d better quietly follow me.』

I watched fear gradually fill the maid’s eyes as she looked at me.

A strange thrill surged through me. Being feared was far better than being mocked.

Yes, I’ll make sure no one dares to belittle me again.

I summoned the servant who had followed me from the Brellof household and ordered him to unbuckle his belt. The texture in my hand wasn’t quite like a whip, but I found it satisfying nonetheless.

Snap! Crack!

As I pulled the leather belt with a smile, the maid’s face turned completely pale with terror.

“Hah… hah…”

I opened my eyes, breathing heavily.

I had dreamed. Likely, it was an event Tanashia experienced before I possessed her.

Like the previous dream about Ascan, I could do nothing within the dream. I could only silently observe Tanashia’s past actions.

But it felt different from watching a movie. I could fully perceive Tanashia’s emotions and thoughts at that time, making it vividly real, as if peering directly into the past.

Now, having woken from the dream, it felt as though I had personally lived through the experience.

“This is awful…”

I could still feel the lingering sensation of striking the maid’s hand.

The vivid image of the maid tearfully staring at me left me with indescribably conflicted feelings.

Of all days, to have such a dream—as if waiting for today—was the worst nightmare imaginable.

Lacking any motivation, I sat blankly on my bed until, after a while, my maid entered, presumably because it was time to rise.

“My Lady, are you awake?”

“Ah, yes.”

As they say, humans adapt. By now, I had grown more accustomed to living as Tanashia.

The woman who entered my room was my personal maid, named Jerin. Just turned twenty, she was exceptionally cheerful and spirited.

“Why that expression? Did you have a nightmare?”

“Well… a little…”

Jerin flung open the blackout curtains, and bright morning sunlight streamed through the window.

Unlike my gloomy mood, Jerin spoke in an excited tone.

“Forget any bad dreams. Today’s the day you attend the Imperial Ball! Something wonderful is bound to happen tonight.”

That’s right. Today was the fateful day when Noxia, the beloved Saintess heroine, and Crown Prince Rohel, the male lead, would meet for the first time.

Having such a dream on this particular day felt ominously foreboding, yet nothing would change because of it.

“Sigh, fine. What trouble could possibly happen?”

After all, no events were scheduled to involve me today. As planned, I would quietly observe Ascan and the Imperial Ball, blending into the background, then return home.

With that thought, I steeled myself and got out of bed.

Orland was busy with work, and Noxia was the type who loved sleeping in, so I was the only one punctual enough for breakfast.

Eating alone had grown tiresome, and since I also wanted to care for Ascan, I had recently begun having breakfast delivered to my room so we could eat together.

As usual, breakfast was laid out in my room today, and Ascan entered precisely at the appointed time.

I sat across from him and began eating the generously prepared meal.

Well-fed and well-dressed, Ascan looked far more refined than before. I even felt he might have grown slightly taller.

“If there’s anything else you’d like to eat, just say so. I’ll ask the chef to prepare it.”

At fifteen, he was right in the middle of his growth spurt. He might crave more food.

“There’s nothing else I want.”

Ascan answered without a moment’s hesitation. His expression remained as inscrutable as ever.

He had learned dining etiquette quite well and now skillfully handled the various forks and knives.

Finding his progress endearing, I unconsciously kept watching him eat, causing his pace to gradually slow.

Ah, there was one thing that had changed.

Sometime recently, Ascan had begun noticing my gaze.

‘…Is he embarrassed?’

I didn’t know why, but perhaps my staring made him uncomfortable.

“You’re adorable. I get it, so eat up.”

“…Hrk!”

Suddenly, Ascan choked and began coughing.

I pushed the juice toward him and said,

“Drink while you eat.”

His face, already reddened from coughing, scrunched up further as he frowned.

“Do you truly think that word suits me?”

“What word?”

“That… what you just said. I’m not an eight-year-old child.”

“Oh, but it suits you perfectly! ‘Adorable’ is a word used for adults too.”

At my words, Ascan’s expression grew even more displeased.

“That word still doesn’t suit me.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I’m not a small, fragile creature.”

Come to think of it, Ascan, who grew up in a laboratory, might not fully understand the meaning of “adorable.”

“It’s not exclusively for people like that. For example, you say it when you see a puppy and feel an overwhelming urge to hug it tightly. Or when you want to gently nibble on it—how should I put it? A fluffy, warm feeling?”

The more I spoke, the more complex Ascan’s expression became.

“You feel that way toward me?”

“Yes. What, still don’t get it?”

He chewed over my words silently, lips moving slightly, before barely managing to reply.

“…No, I understand now.”

I felt oddly proud, as if I’d successfully taught him something new.

Just then, I noticed on the table my favorite shrimp, neatly prepared and tossed in sweet seasoning.

I picked up one of the well-prepared shrimp, then naturally pointed the plate toward Ascan.

“Delicious. You should try some.”

Though Ascan’s expression seemed complicated, he silently nodded and ate the shrimp I recommended.

The tail still had its shell, so he should have peeled it, but he chewed and swallowed it all as if tasting nothing.

It struck me as odd for a moment, but since some people eat shrimp shells, I dismissed it as unimportant.

After leisurely finishing breakfast, I became incredibly busy.

I’d assumed I’d have free time until the evening ball, but that was my mistake.

From early morning, I received full-body massages and skincare treatments, then had my hair and makeup done by top-tier specialists from the capital.

After that whirlwind of preparation, I tried on the red dress I’d bought for today—and, as expected, it suited me perfectly.

Finally, Jerin fastened around my neck the red diamond necklace gifted by my father, Orland, and exclaimed admiringly,

“My Lady, you look absolutely stunning.”

“Right? I love it too.”

I gazed at myself in the mirror with deep satisfaction.

Since today’s protagonist was Noxia, I hadn’t paid much attention to my own appearance, but I looked surprisingly good.

Truthfully, the dresses I owned were clearly styled for Noxia and never suited me at all.

Wearing this red dress I’d chosen myself made a definite difference.

My pale skin contrasted beautifully with my black hair, and my cool blue eyes stood out even more. All my best features were now highlighted.

Unlike Noxia’s warm, saintly aura, I exuded my own icy, haughty charm—like a frost princess.

‘Why did you try so hard to imitate Noxia when you were plenty charming on your own…’

Tanashia, though madly jealous of Noxia, never managed to escape her shadow. In a way, it was almost pitiful.

I resolved to seize the chance to either gift all the dresses in my wardrobe to Noxia or sell them off entirely.

The thought of soon shopping according to my own taste lifted my spirits slightly. Honestly, aside from the death flags, my life wasn’t so bad.

As the time to depart for the Imperial Ball approached, I finished my preparations and stepped out of my room.

The moment I opened the door, I saw someone waiting.

I instinctively looked up and saw Ascan, dressed impeccably from head to toe, just like me.

“How long have you been waiting here?”

“I arrived just a moment ago.”

“Really?”

As I absentmindedly moved to pass him, I stopped and turned back.

“You look splendid today.”

Of course he knew—I’d personally chosen his outfit from the wardrobe—but properly dressed, Ascan looked entirely different from before.

His smooth forehead, sharp nose and jawline, and golden eyes—deep as an abyss—set within his single-lidded gaze.

If I hadn’t known him, I might have gaped openly at how handsome he looked.

I’d read in the novel that Ascan, the ultimate hidden villain, possessed extraordinary looks, but seeing him in person exceeded all imagination.

“It’s too kind of you. I’m merely wearing what you selected, My Lady.”

“Fashion is completed by the face. Your already handsome features shine even brighter now.”

Ascan hesitated briefly at my praise—apparently, he hadn’t expected me to openly compliment his looks so directly.

Finding his reaction adorable, I couldn’t help but smirk mischievously.

“What? Didn’t you know you’re handsome?”

Ascan frowned slightly, looking flustered. From knowing him this long, I could tell he was deeply embarrassed.

“…Lately, My Lady has been too…”

“Too what?”

“…Too direct in your expressions.”

“Is that a compliment?”

I grinned playfully. Somehow, an unreadable emotion seemed to flicker in Ascan’s golden eyes as he looked at me.

But before I could ask about it, a voice came from another direction.

“Sister!”

I turned to see Noxia, fully prepared just like us.

True to her role as the novel’s heroine, Noxia’s beauty was dazzling.

“Wow, you’re truly gorgeous.”

“It’s all thanks to the dress you picked for me, Sister.”

Noxia pointed cheerfully at the red diamond necklace she wore.

“And we’re wearing matching sets!”

Seeing Noxia so happy put me strangely at ease.

If Noxia and Crown Prince Rohel met successfully today, they would fall in love just as in the novel.

That would strengthen the relationship between the Brellof family and the royal court, helping prevent the coming war—benefiting me greatly.

Ultimately, this was like taking my first step toward survival.

As Noxia, Ascan, and I exited the mansion, two carriages waited at the entrance.

‘Hmm? Why two carriages?’

Our destination was the same, so I couldn’t understand why there were two.

While I hesitated briefly, Noxia walked toward one carriage first.

Without thinking much, I followed behind her to board—but she turned around, startled, and said,

“Oh! Were you planning to ride together today?”

Her surprised question caught me off guard.

In that instant, I realized my mistake.

In the novel, Tanashia hated Noxia, so apparently, they never shared a carriage.

“Well… it’s not like it’s forbidden, right?”

It would seem strange now to board a different carriage, so I improvised on the spot.

“I’d love to ride with you, Sister! I just assumed you’d ask for a separate carriage like always.”

“Ha, haha.”

I laughed awkwardly and climbed into the carriage.

Since our destination was identical, there was no real reason to travel separately, so I rode with Noxia to the Imperial Ball.

I had no idea I’d bitterly regret this decision the moment we arrived.

“There go the famous twin noble ladies of the Brellof family.”

“Oh, I recognize them. The younger sister is the light, and the elder sister is famously the shadow.”

“Being together makes the contrast even more obvious.”

“Pfft, exactly.”

“Oh my, aren’t they wearing matching necklaces?”

Just like in my dream, people whispered about Noxia and me.

When I sharply turned toward the source of the voices, I saw noblewomen hiding behind fans, pretending ignorance.

Noxia seemed completely oblivious, but Ascan sensed something amiss—his expression turned subtly uneasy.

Twins naturally draw more attention when together. The more time I spent with Noxia, the higher the chance of being compared.

Even without anyone telling me, I now understood why Tanashia had always ridden separately—to avoid this exact humiliation.

First, I needed to give Noxia and Crown Prince Rohel space to meet naturally.

“See you later. I’m going to look around with my attendant.”

“Ah, okay! See you soon.”

Noxia waved as she walked away. I watched countless people approach her once she was separated from me.

I quietly spoke to Ascan, who stood stiffly beside me.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go get us some drinks.”

“Understood.”

In another location, I might have sent Ascan, but this was the Imperial Palace.

Leaving Ascan—who’d never been here before—alone to wander felt unsafe, especially since he was here as an attendant, not a noble.

Ascan, aware of his position, bowed silently without protest.

Click clack. I walked alone toward the refreshments. I felt people whispering and glancing furtively at me.

‘Actually experiencing this… it really is disgusting.’

I could somewhat understand why Tanashia had become so twisted.

Being constantly compared and unilaterally devalued since childhood? No wonder she felt bitter.

But what I disliked about Tanashia was that she directed her rage not at those who caused it, but at powerless people.

“How can twins be so different?”

“One seems blessed by all the gods, utterly perfect, while the other…”

The malicious gossip about me followed me without end.

I stopped walking and turned to stare at the whisperers behind me.

They pretended not to notice, avoiding my gaze—but I didn’t look away. I fixed my eyes on the noblewoman who had been gossiping most animatedly and said,

“What did you just say? It sounded like you were talking about me. Since I didn’t hear clearly, say it again.”

The noblewoman clearly wanted to escape the situation, but under my unrelenting stare, she reluctantly spoke.

“Well… I don’t recall what I supposedly said…”

“You said one seems blessed by all the gods, utterly perfect. But what about the other? Wasn’t that about me?”

“I—I only meant I look forward to Lady Tanashia’s future growth!”

I couldn’t help but laugh—it was so ridiculous.

Did she really think I’d let her off with such a flimsy excuse?

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. If I hear you whispering behind my back even once more…”

I scanned all the surrounding nobles, memorizing each face clearly.

“Whoever it is—I’ll tear that mouth right off your face.”

Murmurs spread.

My words were sufficiently shocking to set the nobles abuzz.

Watching them, I drove the point home once more.

“If you’re curious what I’ll do—go ahead, try gossiping again.”

Anger shouldn’t be vented on those weaker than you. It should be directed squarely at those who provoked it.

If Tanashia stood before me now, I’d tell her this clearly.