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Chapter Text

“Mielle Rosecente,” I say the name of the woman in front of the mirror out loud. I gaped, I couldn’t believe that the sweet voice that came out of my throat sounded like this. It was impossible… it couldn’t be..!

Beautiful honey-blonde hair that fell down halfway through my face. A voice sweet like honey, and a doll-like face that was delicate and fragile as my expression. This had to be some sort of nightmare!

Mielle Rosecente. The antagonist of the story ‘Villainess Reverses the Hourglass.’ She was absolutely a no-brainer woman who wanted to see her step-sister’s, Aria Rosecente’s, downfall. Mielle used all kinds of petty and idiotic tricks to lure Aria out, however, she herself fell into her own traps, which got her beheaded at the end.

Like you say, ‘You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.’

“FUCK!” I groaned angrily, “It couldn’t be!”

“My Lady! Are you alright!” A voice from the other side of the hallway came rushing into the bedroom. I looked to see a middle-aged woman standing running in with an absolute horror on her face when she faced me. “Lady Mielle, are you alright?!”

“Ah…” I realized. Shit. I shouldn’t have cursed that loud.I scrunched my nose. I totally forgot that this was a house and there were people living under the same roof as me. Fuck.

I rubbed my temples angrily as if refusing to believe this entire scenario had occurred in front of me. Of all the things, I had to become this dumb bitch.

I had to accept reality now. “Yes, I’m absolutely fine,” I told the middle-aged woman in front of me.

“Are you sure? Is there anything that you’d like?” The middle-aged woman asked worriedly. “Please let me know, I will be to your service immediately.”

Why the hell was she so nosy? I re-examined the middle-aged woman’s appearance… Wait. Wasn’t she the evil nanny of Mielle Rosencente?

“You… ah…” I tried recalling her name. I forgot her name… was it Julia? Emily? Shit. Whatever. “What day is it today?”

“My Lady, it is the 23rd day of the spring, the year of XIV of the Imperial Calender,” The nanny told me.

What what what? I frowned when I heard this. Shit. Who the hell was supposed to understand that? I scratched my head for a long time before trying to recall the dates with the timeline of the story.

It fucking doesn’t help at all! I slapped my forehead, and the Nanny yelled at me immediately saying, “Lady Mielle!” in worry.

“Please, can you stop yelling at my ears?” I told her.

“I’m sorry, my Lady. It’s just, I feel worried that My lady is not feeling well ever since… that prostitute and that lowly vermin entered the house.” The nanny coldly gritted her teeth when she said that.

Wow… chill with that attitude, won’t you?

Honestly, I had no right to judge any character in this novel at all. Not Mielle, not her Nanny, not Aria, or anybody. However, I could say from my perspective, that the needless fighting between Aria and Mielle probably started from an out-dragged drama.

I sighed out loud. I needed to accept reality. The person, who I had just become, was now Mielle Rosencente. And the person who was going to kill me in the end was the female lead of the novel, ‘Villainess turns the hourglass’, my steps-sister Aria Rosencente.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

To be honest, unlike all the amazing hype about the trope of villainess’ revenge, I wasn’t really into the novel at all. Aria this. Aria that. Wasn’t this novel just like your everyday novel that you read about villainesses? The only good thing about it was the literal use of a 'hourglass' and how it can be used to turn back time.

Sure it was pretty cool about the step-sister’s POV about getting revenge on her other beautiful sister who had framed her. However, to truly to go to such lengths as to beheading someone for their petty tricks, and then calling yourself a ‘saint’ to live happily-ever-after with a stupid prince on a dumb white horse?

But it wasn’t like I emphatized with Mielle or anything. She was an idiot, and she dragged her step-sister into a drama that initially started from her lost of trust in her father, after he slept with a prostitute when his wife, Mielle’s mother, had recently passed away.

But what can a child do? Judging from Mielle’s face and her body-structure, Mielle had barely turned into an adult, but just grew to be a teenager. And if this story was following the original novel, there was only two possibilities right now.

1. Aria has not yet transmigrated and not possessed the power of the Hourglass.
2. Aria has transmigrated and has a serious desire to kill Mielle.

Suddenly, my stomach sounded. Shit. Was I already feeling hungry? Did too much thinking cause me starvation? I blushed when I realized this and covered my stomach.

“Well, my lady?” The nanny asked coughing in her breath. “Would you like to go and have some breakfast?”

“Of course.” I nodded. Fuck. Wait. Didn’t that mean I have to be the one that Aria has to kill? HOLD UP! I wasn’t ready for this! “Shoot! Wait!”

“My Lady?” The nanny asked.

“Is… Aria, my step-sister, and her mother going to be there?”

Suddenly the Nanny’s face turned grim. “Yes… unfortunately.”
Shit. Shit. I didn’t even want to leave the room at all now. Forget hunger, I was going to get killed by Aria. Aria Rosecente.

I am totally not into drama or cat-fighting at all. Especially not against someone who is very intelligent, and has the power of the Hourglass. I gulped.

But at the same time, I was reincarnated. So therefore, I knew of all the timelines. Much more than Aria Rosencente herself. Didn’t that mean I had a slight advantage?

My stomach knotted.

“My Lady, if you don’t want to go, then I shall make you have your breakfast up in your room.” The nanny told me.

“No, it’s fine,” I told her. “I’m going to have it downstairs with everybody.” I firmly told her my decision.

“Then we shall get you dressed up and ready to be presentable.”
***
If I was going in for a battle, didn’t that mean I have to know my enemies’ weaknesses? Besides, I am not the original Mielle, therefore Aria here is at the slight disadvantage this time. She cannot predict that I had become someone completely unpredictable.

And I had no intention of making Aria Rosecente my enemy. Or anybody my enemy. Therefore this breakfast scene is going to be my only chance to prove to Aria that I, Mielle Rosecente, am not her enemy.

I was sitting in a huge, golden linen table, next to very unfamiliar strangers in front of me. Next to me was a, older boy- who seemed to be Mielle’s older brother- I forgot his name or whatever. And then a middle-aged blonde man, who was presumably, Mielle’s father– who I also forgot the name of.

Wow. I am so ready. I, who was going to face against Aria Rosecente, didn’t even know the name of my ‘supposed’ father or my brother. How the hell am I supposed to take someone like Aria?

Then across from me, sat a fine looking, beautiful woman with burnette hair, and heart-shaped lips who shook the hearts of everybody with her looks. Aria’s mother? What was her name again? Oh shit.

I barely remembered anything. I think I had overestimated my ability predict and remember the novel’s events at this rate. Afterall, the novel, ‘Villainess turns the hourglass’ was one of many, many other Villainess novels. So it was hard to distinguish anything.

“Mielle, is there anything wrong?” The so-called father of Mielle called me out. “You haven’t touched anything yet.”

“I’m fine.” I told him bluntly. And then everyone looked at me in horror and gasped when I had said that.

What?

“Mielle? Are you really alright?” The father asked me again. “You haven’t been acting like yourself.”

Hah? Oh, shoot right! Mielle was a buttery type of girl, who seemed to sugar-coat everything and sound so ‘noble-like’ because that was the only one characteristic that she had that Aria didn’t. Mielle’s pride came from her noble lineage and her etiquette and table manners.

However since Aria prove that one didn’t need to be of ‘noble lineage’ to possess etiquette, Mielle started feeling insecure and going crazy. Wow… her insecurities were deep, weren’t they?

Shit. I really had to act like a noble. But this was going to be hard: I wasn’t the real Mielle Rosecente. And I had no desire to sugar-coat anything, or start crying a fountain when something didn’t go my way.

I too, like Aria had no sense of etiquette or noble-like manners. At least for now. Damn.

“It’s fine, father.” I said calmly, while coughing, “I just didn’t want to start without my dearest elder sister~” I said while smiling softly.

“Oh, Mielle, you are very sweet.” The father said chuckling. “To think, that you wouldn’t start eating because your older sister Aria isn’t here yet.”

“Oh please Father, how could I? We all are a family after all, we have to eat together at times like these.” I said with a cringy smile.

“Hohoho…” The father laughed. “Indeed, families do have to eat together.”

There satisfied? My god. That took all the life force out of me. I am never acting again!

“Announcing the arrival of Lady Aria!” The butler called, and the door finally opened to let in a beautiful sight in front of me.

Golden hair, that seemed to be of a different shade than mine, and green eyes that also had a different shade than mine– the beauty of all the stars together in the night sky…

Aria Rosecente?! I stood up from my seat when Aria finally arrived in the dining hall. OH MY GOD! SHE IS FINALLY HERE!
***
***

Chapter Text

“My apologies, everyone. It seems that I have arrived quite late.” The beauty in front of me said when she had arrived. Aria Rosecente…

HOLY MAMA! I stood from my seat when I saw her…. She was… gorgeous? She was even more beautiful when I saw her in person. It was unbelievable to see such a god-like beauty in front of me. Her eyes seemed to sparkle gorgeously like diamonds and emeralds. Her golden luscious hair.

No wonder why… that stupid Crown Prince and everyone had fell for her. She was such a beauty… I almost drooled. Fuck.

“Mielle, is there something wrong?” A voice called me out. Shit.

I blinked thrice before I realized what I had been doing. Even I had become absolutely in shock at my state of appearance. I accidentally stood up from my seat and banged my hands on the table in absolute surprise. And I drooled as well.

Shit. Shit. Stop fangirling! That fucking wasn’t part of the plan.

The novel really made light of her beauty!

Aria Rosecente had finally made eye contact with me. She tilted her head at me and said, “Mielle, are you quite alright?” She asked once more. As if demanding an answer from me.

I gulped.

I stared into Aria’s eyes. No doubt. There was something inside. Anger. Hatred. Revenge pooled out into her eyes. I became scared and sat back down saying,

…So she was reincarnated. Yep. She was definitely on the second timeline. There goes my head!

“O-of course not, elder sister,” I said with a smile. “We were just waiting for you. And I was just saying how… as a family we must eat together.”

Aria squinted her eyes at me as if she didn’t trust me. Instead, she softly said, “I’m sorry that I inconvenienced everybody today. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well today this morning. Would you please excuse my behavior, Mielle? Just this once. It will never happen again.”

All of a sudden, all eyes went on me.

I realized that Aria had used this to see if I had any sympathy against her and forgave her this time. And I couldn’t say anything dumb, because everyone was watching me. A single word would destroy Mielle’s reputation.

Now it was really 0-1. Aria had really earned that point.

But fuck that. I didn’t care.

“Sister, you could have just let us know if you weren’t feeling well. You don’t need to force yourself in times like these to seem strong. We as a family will completely undrestand.” I told her again.

Aria’s eyes made a scoffing expression of what I had just said. But her face completely stayed in act. To be honest, I would have also scoffed at that as well. ‘Family will completely understand?’

Don’t be ridiculous– we weren’t family. Aria nor Mielle considered each other as family. We both knew that.

“Mielle. Thanks for worrying about me.” Aria said in a soft expression. Although the look in her eyes really didn’t match. Wow. Give her kudos for that kinda of act.

Now we were truly in 1-1 sync.

“Since both of you have made up, why not start to eat?” Aria’s mother chimed in with a soft laugh, “the food has turned cold.”

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Aria’s mother make a glance towards Aria, who sat down elegantly and said, “Indeed, it would be quite rude if we didn’t finish what our lovely chef had cooked for us.”

Wow. Aria really had the backing of her mother. I didn’t say anything as I looked down into my plate. I really had to start eating. However I don’t think I had the table-manners for that. I glanced into Aria’s side of the table, where the food was also untouched.

Huh.

I looked back at her, and she looked back at me. Our eyes had finally shared the same-wavelength. We wanted the other person to start to eat first. How comical.

None of us said anything, but stare at each other. As if we also wanted the other person to start the conversation. After all the last person to speak was the winner.

I think this was getting kinda obvious, because an idiotic boy sitting next to me remarked, “Mielle, why haven’t you eaten yet? Is something wrong?”

Oh my fucking god. He ruined it. So much for this fool to be my ally.

“Mielle, what happened?” Aria asked softly, following after the brother of mine. “Is the food not to your liking?”

“Of course not.” I told her back. “I was just surprised because Elder sister had also not touched her own food.”

Aria faked a soft laugh as she said, “Is that so, I have been feeling a bit sick so I haven’t been able to eat as much, you can understand that much, right Mielle?”

Heh. “If Elder sister can’t eat, then force herself into that? It makes us all feel terrible for neglecting you,” I told her back.

“Hohoho, thanks for worrying about me,” Aria said chuckling very darkly. “It makes me so happy, that Mielle really cares for me.”

“Yes, I really care for Elder sister.” I laughed along with her.

“Well, I would be very happy if you also didn’t trouble yourself and start eating.” Aria told me this time. “I don’t my sickness to trouble you.”

Damn it! I thought that I was faring pretty well because I managed to avoid the topic at hand, but Aria is so damn clever.

“Never,” I said smiling. “Why would Elder sister trouble me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but I felt like my sickness was such an inconvenience to you. It must be because I have yet to learn any proper manners on how to deal with it. Forgive me, Mielle.” Aria said, with tears pooling around her eyes. “If I am such a disgrace–”

Suddenly the atmosphere turned teary-eyed, and people started whispering behind the both of us.

Damn, it!!!!! FUCK she was so smart. Aria Rosecente. This time it was for sure, 1-2.

“It’s fine…” I could only murmur. I didn’t say anything as I looked down at my plate. I could feel Aria sneering from a distance, although I didn’t see it in her face. This woman… as if I would give up that easily.

Challenge accepted Aria Rosecente!

“I never thought of Elder sister as an inconvenience. Why must you say it as so, Elder sister? Are you saying that my care for you is not enough?” I snapped back.

Like that, war was surely waged. Although internal, it was obvious.
…
***

Chapter Text

“It seems that Aria has been studying quite late, recently.” The so-called father of mine announced at the dinning hall later that evening. I did not want to come downstairs this time, but not showing my face probably equals to losing the battle.

However this time, I had practiced some table manners before coming downstairs. I secretly asked that Nanny of mine, Emma, whose name I had recently learnt, to teach me because I had forgotten some memories.

She panicked, but I told her to keep this a secret because anything out about me loosing my memories would only get in my way. And not only that Aria has already gotten a head-start by learning some god-forsaken poetry out of nowhere.

Huh. Again in lead by 1-0. But I had been perfecting table manners, and table etiquette by then. So this time, we definitely had been a tie. 1-1.

The Count, my father had praised Aria, with a warm smile saying, “Well done,” to Aria, who had filled the Dinning room with a clear and transparent poetry.

The Countess, Aria’s biological mother quickly lied as she said, “Aria has enjoyed reading numerous books during her impoverished life, which is why she was so elated to learn when she was given the bright opportunity.”

Aria smiled along with her, going with the lie, “I was only doing it to not tarnish the family name. It was the poem of the first Count after all.”

Aria glanced at me, who was sitting meekly at the table and then eating. Huh? What is she looking at. “I don’t think such poems are good enough for Mielle, is it?”

She was waiting for my response. For the poem, I think? “Do you know the poem, Mielle?”

I wanted to scratch my head. What the heck did she want now?

Suddenly, my brother, ‘Cain’ responded, “Yeah, we all had learned the poem when we were four years old. Right, Mielle?”

Huh? Oh okay, yeah. I nodded as I continued eating. As if I knew anything. Ugh. I felt as if I had just dodged a bullet. Did something happen in the original novel or something? Whatever. It's best to not to say anything because this crazy girl will spout the blame at me anyway. And I didn't know anything about the poem either way.

Aria smiled as she looked deeply into my evading eyes which were eating this time. Honestly, this time, I had come prepared with table manners, so she can’t insult me here, can she?

***
***

“My Lady, it seems as if that wench’s daughter has been learning some poetry to suck up to the Count.” Emma, the so-called Nanny said, as she combed the luscious honey hair of Mielle’s body. I wanted to inwardly roll my eyes.

I don’t think reciting poetry is all that matters, here. It’s all about who is better than who. But I needed to get a headstart so that Aria wouldn’t go after me. In the original novel, Aria wanted to paint Mielle as a stupid scapegoat who became jealous of Aria and tried to kill her.

Fuck.

Don’t you think it’s a bit too petty for a twenty-eight-year-old woman like Aria, who had died and reincarnated, to intellectually challenge her thirteen-year-old sister? Well, it’s me in Mielle’s body anyway, but in all matters, to take revenge on something that occurred way in the past– is something only a petty woman would do.

I had no right to judge anybody.

“Emma.” I called the Nanny’s name out loud. “Please refrain from addressing them both that way. If someone had heard you, they would have bad intentions against us.”

“Forgive me, my lady.” The nanny apologized. I shrugged. I honestly wanted both of our necks to stay out of Aria’s revenge.
“It’s alright. Instead, why don’t you find me an etiquette teacher?” I told the Nanny instead. “I need to brush up on some of my etiquette skills. “

“Why would my lady, who has already mastered etiquette want to learn more?” Emma asked worriedly.

Hah. Me, knowing etiquette? Oh Please, forget etiquette, I didn’t even know basic manners.

“Emma, be honest. Do you think I have been acting like a ‘real’ noble?” I asked Emma.

“That… I’m sure it’s because my Lady is in the process of recovering from her memories–”

“No, that simply isn’t enough,” I told Emma outright. “If I am going to continue to become the pride of the Rosecent family, I need to get rid of anything that pulls me down.”

If Mielle’s pride came from her noble-like lineage and her noble attitude, then I shall perfect it. Because Aria would be doing anything to catch up to the original Mielle’s standards, not knowing that the body has been reincarnated.

Therefore, I need to change Aria’s expectations of Mielle.

“Understood my lady.” Emma bowed.

“And one more thing. If a pink-haired woman…” I tried to remember the name of my favorite character in this entire novel, “from a humble family comes to visit– let her visit me instead.”

“Oh,” Emma sighed. “A pink-haired woman?” She scratched her head. “Who is that, my Lady?”

Oh Fuck. What was her name again? Sarah… it was something, Sarah.

“Sarah… something,” I mumbled. Ah fuck, whatever. “Oh well, you will know once you see her. She has really bright pink hair.”

“You mean the daughter of the Viscount? Sarah Loren?” Emma quickly catches on. Yes! Yes! Her!

“Indeed. Her…. Sarah Lorren, it seems.” I mumbled. “She is Aria’s new tutor. Well going to be, her tutor, I think. Whatever, I would like to make an appointment with her before she enters the household officially.”

“I will make arrangements,” Emma bowed as she left. “Please be rest assured, My lady.”

***
***
Sarah Loren, the daughter of Viscount Lorren– had finally entered the Roscente manor. She was a simply-dressed woman, but her aura and her charm made her irresistible. Usually Viscounts were of a lower noble class than other nobles, so a daughter of a Viscount, was just somebody.

But to me, Sarah Lorren, was the only sane angel in the entire novel. She was rational, kind, and sweet. I felt really twisted when Aria had started to use her in the beginning, but it seems as if I was also doing the same thing.

“Good Morning to Lady Mielle Rosecent, thank you for inviting me to your manor.” Sarah Lorren happily bowed when she saw me.

My entire being glowed when I met up with this beauty. Who could ever resist such a beautiful angel such as Sarah?!

“Thank you for coming this far and listening to my silly requests, Lady Lorren.” I smiled happily. “Please come in for some tea.”

“Indeed.” Sarah Lorren smiled as she accompanied me inside the deep parts of the Manor.

“Did Lady Mielle, request something from me?” Sarah politely asked.

“I heard you were going to be my Elder sister’s tutor– you know, Aria?” I brought up with a smile, as I gracefully drank some tea.

Sarah nodded, “Yes, I had just had some few classes with Lady Aria, she is a very sweet girl.”

“Indeed she is.” I told Sarah. “You seem, I am always worried about my Elder sister because it is her first time being a noble. You know, Lady Lorren, being a noble takes quite the time and responsibility.”

“Indeed.” Sarah nodded.

“It would be good, if you could tell me occasionally how my sister is doing over the classes, so that I could feel more relieved about her progress.” I told Sarah. “If anything is missing, I could also help her out!”

“You are a very sweet girl, Lady Mielle.” Sarah told me with a soft smile. Suddenly my heart was pierced with her kindness. How could such an angel exist?!

“Oh, and you don’t have to say that to my sister. I’m worried that she will be worried about the fact that I’m been worrying about her. You see, we truly care for each other and want te best for each other. So you do understand, why this has to be a secret, am I right?” I emphasize.

Sarah nodded. “Of course, Lady Mielle.”

“And if you don’t mind, you can just call me, Mielle,” I say to her softly. “I would appreciate it if we would become friends.”

“Oh! Of course not! Lady Mielle, is of a higher standing than me, how dare I?”

“Never,” I said to her with my hands on my chest, ready to deal with the acting blow, “I always wanted to be friends with someone as kind and beautiful as you, Lady Lorren. Would you please accept my request and just call me Mielle?”

“Oh…that…” Sarah blushed as she looked down. “Y-yes, but I’ll do it in one condition that Lady Mielle would call me by my name as well.”

“Yes!” I smiled happily as I grasped her hands. “I’m so happy to be friends with you, Sarah!”

Sarah nodded to my request and slowly called out, “M-Mielle…”

“Oh, I heard about your embroidery skills! I always wanted to see Sarah’s works ever since I’ve heard about them!” I added. I was so happy with glee, that I couldn’t believe it. Sarah became my fucking friend?

Oh shit yeah!

I’ve only seen them in the manga, but to see that Sarah was pulling a beautifully embroidered handkerchief out of her pocket was gorgeous. It was truly as if it was God’s gift down to earth for the first time.

I wanted to cry in tears.

…”L-Lady Mielle, is something the matter?”

It was something inside that handkerchief that moved in me. I didn’t understand it, but it felt as if it touching me. The art, the thread which had been used to create the art– ah alas, the beauty of it.

In the novel, Aria barely gave any credit to it. But seeing such a marvelous artwork in my eyes, was truly astonishing. How dare I try to learn to do something so god-like?

“No, your embroidery is so beautiful, it touches my heart so deeply,” I told her honestly. I looked at her in my vulnerable state. “Please forgive my manners. But it’s such as a masterpiece, Sarah.”

“No! Lady Mielle! It’s just–” Sarah excused herself. “Please don’t cry.” She took the handkerchief and wiped my tears. I quickly pulled it away from me.

To dare to fill this beautiful embroidery with my snot and tears! Disgraceful!

“L-Lady Sarah… would you please teach me some embroidery? I want to be as talented as you and create such a god-like piece of art.” I told her. “Would you please teach me?”

Sarah became emotional, “Indeed… Lady Mielle. I will be very glad to.”
***

Chapter Text

I wiped my snotty running nose with the beautiful handkerchief that Sarah had given me. At first, I was reluctant to let it get wet on my face, however, the softness of the handkerchief was better than the modern-day tissue papers.

Ah… alas. How good does it feel to meet your favorite characters?

I went back into my room to practice more etiquette in secret. Since it was suspicious for a teacher to suddenly get their ass over here and teach me ettiquette all over again in secret– we arranged for a safer option: For having Emma teach me.

Emma basically taught the previous Mielle everything. So Emma became my ‘etiquette teacher’ in secret without anybody knowing.

From what my interaction was with Sarah, it seems as if Aria had also started to take interest in Sarah’s embroidery skills. Although Sarah didn’t say it out loud, my inspection of her facial features already told me everything I had to know.

And I made Emma purposefully keep my meeting with Sarah also a secret. And I’ve also started to learn some embroidery from her as well.

Although my work wasn’t good enough as hers, I still appreciated my slow-moving progress.

How perfect the plan is going.
…

“It seems that my business needs a new kind of investment.” My so-called father announced in the dinning hall. “Clothing stocks are having been popular with newer trends, therefore a new of clothing trend might be popular.”

“Oh I see,” I answered almost disinterestedly, as if it had anything to do with me. Your business, is your business. Why does it matter to me?

“Father, may I suggest something?” Aria’s clear voice filled the room.

“You, Aria? Are you interested in fashionable trends?” Father asked Aria, who was smiling softly at him.

“I was thinking about fur being a good investment.” Aria announced.

“Fur? Why Fur?” The Count asked confusedly. Aria smiled to herself sweetly as she said, “You see, I’ve been hearing rumors about the Princess, who recently went to the North. And I’ve heard she brought a lot of fur.”

Fur?

“Fur?” The Count voiced my questions out loud.

“Yes, infact, she loaded all the carriage with loads of fur. Like more than ten of the Imperial Carriages were full of fur. And if it’s fur, you can dye it with multiple colors while it’s soft. And it will not smell. On top of everything, anything that the Princess wears, is to become a trend, correct?” Aria logically concluded. “Therefore, Fur is the next trend.”

Wow. I clapped my hands internally. So the novel really called her wits outs. I had to give several kudo points to her. Even I don’t pay attention to these kinds of things. If I did, I wouldn’t care as much.

The Count instantly thought of multiple things within his head. He fell into silence as he whispered, “that sounds very good. But where did you hear this rumor from?”

“I am not sure where, but from somewhere. I’m sorry father!” Aria apologized meekly.

“It’s fine Aria, it’s a really clever idea of yours,” The Count praised Aria out loud. I nodded along to his praise feeling that she had really deserved it. Meanwhile, Cain, my supposed brother, gritted his teeth angrily.

‘Woah what’s up with him?’

“Anyhow, I will be going on a business trip, let me know what kinds of presents everybody will like so that I can bring it to you,” The Count happily said.

“Oh dear, take care.” Aria’s mother told him softly.

“Be careful, father. It will be quite the trip out there.” Cain told the Count.

“Please take care of yourself, father.” I told him. “And don’t overwork yourself.”

“Thank you Mielle, you are a very sweet girl.” The Count patted my head. I wanted to roll my eyes, but I didn’t say anything else. If this man really cared for Mielle, he would ask for Mielle’s well-being instead of staying neutral while his daughters fought.

“Father,” Aria said out loud, interrupting my words. I turned to look at Aria, who quickly approached the Count and then politely handed him a beautifully embroidered hankerchief into his hands. “I’m not too confident since I am a beginner, but I thought you might need one along the journey.”

“Please take care, father.” Aria said softly.

Woah… the embroidered handkerchief at last. It was truly gorgeous. Although not a master-piece like Sarah’s, Aria’s embroidery was really good. Even better than mines, for now. And she really had no idea that I also had somewhat become part of Sarah's tutelage for now. And that I've always been ahead of her for now. Anything that Sarah teaches to Aria, is also naturally put into my ears.

“My, my,” Aria’s mother said, “That’s quite fancy. I wondered what you needed the silk for, but it seems it was for this.”

The Count became surprised by this outcome, he looked at it and said, “Haha… it seems I have received quite something. Thank you, I shall treasure it.”

“Thank you, Father,” Aria said back to him. And like that, the Count was off to his journey out and away.

And then all of a sudden, Aria turned around to face me.

Huh? What is she looking at me for– oh! She wanted to see my reaction to her secret Embroidery skills, right? Oh well, fine then I shall give it to you.

I smiled right back at her, looking completely nonchalant as I said, “It was really embroidery, Elder sister. Can you please teach me as well?”

Aria became a bit surprised by my reaction, and then quickly fixed it and said, “I’m worried that I won’t be able to teach because I am still a beginner, but when I become an expert, I will surely teach you.”

“Thank you, Elder sister,” I told her this time, with a smile.

Take that! You think you can beat me?

I think I have only been able to confront her for now because she still doesn't have an hourglass on her. Chills ran down my spine when I realized that the hourglass, the biggest victory card for Aria is yet to come her way. Since it's not been revealed yet, I have stopped her from getting to the hourglass without her noticing.

Damn it. But how?

My eyes spotted the taller maid standing behind Aria, who was looking over Aria in a cold and nonchalant way. What was her name again? I scratched trying to remember the name of Aria's personal maid. Was is Jones? Julia?

Yeah it has to be Julia, right?

"Emma, who is that?" I quietly whispered to Emma, who was standing by my side. I pointed at the taller-dark-headed maid standing on the other side of Aria.

"That's Jessie, Lady Mielle. The maid that you assigned yourself to Lady Aria."

I did?!

Whoops, okay. Jessie was it. Hmmm?

***
***

Chapter Text

“Fire!” Someone screamed out loud within the mansion. “It’s fire!” Other voices yelled alongside the hallways. I quickly sat up from my seat, after hearing such a ridiculous thing spread along the mansion.

Fire? Huh? Shouldn’t I evacuate?!

“My Lady, it seems that a wench’s room is on fire.” Emma told me by my ear when I woke up. “But thankfully we got rid of it in time. Or what would have really happened.”

Oh my lord. Aria Rosecent’s bedroom was on fire? Didn’t that kinda sound suspicious though? Was she trying to burn the mansion down or something and play her own ploys? I rubbed my head. “I can’t deal with this.”

“It must be a ploy of that wench and her daughter.” Emma gritted out loud.

“Whatever,” I stood up from my seat. It’s best if I checked it out anyway. I think it was mentioned in the novel, but I forgot. Not that it was important, I think.

I yawned, while Emma scolded me from the back, “Lady Mielle, that was very unladylike. You must behave properly as the only proper noble in the household.”

Yeah. Yeah. I nodded as I went to check out the commotion in Aria’s room. It really suspicious. Everything within the closet of her room was burnt to ashes for sure. And all the maids were gathered around her to support Aria, who was tearily weeping.

Oh my god.

“...I tried to light the candle, however… when the match was hot, I dropped it by accident.” Aria said, wiping her tears and hugging her maid– Jessie. “What shall I do, mother?”

Aria’s mother softly comforted her saying, “It’s fine since you are a child. Thankfully the fire didn’t spread.”
“I was planning on going out, but all my clothes were burnt down. What shall I do?” Aria cried. And Aria’s mother suddenly understood, Aria’s secretive glance and said,

“You can’t go out with only your indoor attires… if only we could borrow proper clothes from someone with similar stature.”

Suddenly all eyes fell towards me, who was just standing there, watching all of this soap-opera going on. What the heck?

“Mielle,” Aria came towards me with teary eyes. “I’m sorry, I’ve never tried to cause you any trouble, but I hope it isn’t too difficult for me to borrow your clothes for now, isn’t it Mielle? If it isn’t, I…”

…Hah! Wow… I truly had to words to say. Even if I remained shocked with Aria’s acting, Emma behind me was shaking in anger and disgust at Aria from behind.

“You understood, right Mielle? But You don’t have to force yourself. But it is abit humiliating for me to wear indoor attires outside. It will for sure ruin the Count’s reputation. But it is fine, since most people don’t know me anyway.” Aria, tearfully said.

Wow. Wow. What great acting. She for sure, requires an Oscar doesn’t she. For being able to cry out like a fountain, is truly a business-like skill.

Rumors around kept going wild. Maids whispered from behind me. All glances were put on me, who seemed to be cold to Aria’s outward cries for help. And besides if I said anything against her, it would ruin my reputation.

As if I gave a fuck. But since I was going against Aria, I needed to be cautious since she could twist it into her advantage.

I’d probably bet my entire life that she burnt her entire closet out of a ploy. That sounds so much like a twenty-eight year-old woman who regressed back in time.

“Of course, Elder sister. Why wouldn’t I help you out? Do you really doubt my sincerity?” I told her kindly. “I’ll lend you some of my favorite dresses myself, don’t you think so? Emma, please go ahead and pick out some of my dresses to give to Elder sister.”

“Really?” Aria came towards and held my hands. “You really are an angel, Mielle!”

“It is a relief we are of similar stature.” I told her. “Emma will bring you some of my dresses for you to wear immediately.”

“Oh, thanks a lot!” Aria said, bitting her lips. “I’ve always appreciated your sense of fashion Mielle. And I always wanted to look into your wardrobe,”

Huh? What the hell did she want to take a look into my wardrobe for? Is she planning something suspicious?

“Sure, you can look into it later, anytime.” No way, I am going to give her what she wanted. “I shall be going now, and I hope you enjoy your journey.”

Just like that I turned to leave. I felt as if Aria was giving me a cold-look from behind. How… obvious.
…
…

It seems as if Aria was leaving out for the Capital city. At last, her presence had left the household, and I felt as if a massive load of burden fell off my back. I absolutely had no idea why thought, but I remained cautious.

Eh… whatever. That meant that the hourglass was probably in her room right?

“Hey Emma, where is Jessie?” I called my nanny who was cleaning the room behind me.

“Oh that wench’s maid seems to have gone with her.” Emma said out loud. Oh damn. There goes my plan.

“Can you get me another maid?” I told Emma. “I think Aria’s room hasn’t been cleaned out for a while. Can you ask her to clean her room? I’m worried the fire must been left some ashes or dirt behind.”

“Indeed my lady.”

“And tell her to look for something.” I told Emma. “A hourglass or something. Don’t let anyone else know. If the maid finds it, let me know.”

“Indeed.” Emma bowed and left.

Wow, what fun~ I said to myself as I enjoyed fruits and grapes. Mm~ Being born as Mielle Rosecent was certainly good for now. Unlike Aria, who a lot of enemies and strangers who she couldn’t trust, atleast I have Emma who I can share my thoughts to.

I wondered if Emma had caught on whether I had been reincarnated at all. Actually I found it quite hypocritical that nobody had realized that Mielle Rosecent was another person completely. Not her father. Not even her brother.

But I think Emma doubts me.

Oh well, that is something I will figure out later.
***
***
“So the Casino is actually is a secret human-trafficking network.” Rumors within the maids got out loud. “Can’t you believe that someone within the Imperial Faction was in charge of the human trafficking?”

I, who was just lazying around my bedroom, heard all of this out of nowhere. Human Trafficking? What? I stood up in amusement, what the heck was going on?

“Yes, the Casino, in fact, has all sorts of rare items, however, rumors show that they might have an auction to sell slaves.”

Casino? Slaves? That sounds kinda irrelevant. But interesting too. I hadn’t really thought about a world beyond this household drama.

“Wow~ slaves? From where?” A maid asked. “From those abandoned kingdoms which fell off from powers?”

“Yeah, and the Kingdom has no laws regarding those people of those nations. That’s what makes them quite vulnerable to slave traders and human traffickers.”

“My, my. The tickets are quite the price.”

I eavesdropped onto the conversation as much as I could. I put my ears into the wall and tried to listen to it properly. Wow. I really need to look into it. Afterall, outside politics were also crucial to my survival.

“Lady Mielle,” Emma came from behind me, “I’m not sure about the hourglass, but I’ve talked to other maids having seen it before. I believe that she took it with her on the trip.”

“Oh,” I said, biting my lips. So Aria was ahead of it all, wasn’t she? “Oh well. Emma, do you happen to know about the Casinos and Human Trafficking?”

“Uh, yes. But why?” Emma said.

“It would be good if a noble is well acquainted with political matters,” I told her.

“Uh, yes. It is quite the rumor for commoners, but not for a lot of nobility.” She tells me. That’s stupid. Just because commoners find these affairs more interesting than nobility doesn’t mean that the rumors are less prioritized than it.

“Oh well, whatever, just tell me.” I wave her off.

“Uh… The Casino is rumored to have been selling slaves underground along with a few treasurable artifacts. The price of each is quite high, Lady Mielle. And tickets themselves are also quite high.”
“Oh, treasurable artifacts, you say…” I was more interested in such artifacts. “I’m interested.”

“Goodness! Why would a noble lady like Lady Mielle want to be part of the Casino?” Emma asked.

“The slaves. If I help them, won’t I become painted as a kind noble-lady? And if I get my hands on such artifacts, won’t it make me quite the person?”

“But these are illegal!” Emma brought out.

“Is that so? Then why is it a legitimate thing?” I asked her out of confusion. “There is a legal Casino that is happening tonight.”

“Well… that is because the Imperial family has done nothing about it.” Emma mumbled. “Besides, Viscount Lovure’s investments have seem to be gone down as well.”

“Who the hell is Viscount Louvre?” I ask.

“Oh, My lady, you forgot? He was a nobleman who came to visit Count Roscent two years ago, if you forgot. Rumors are that he is the owner of the Casino.”

“So you’re telling that Viscount Louvre, the owner of the Casino, will most likely shut down the Casino because he is out of money?” I told Emma bluntly.

“Oh… really?” Emma asked me this time. I sighed, so she really had no idea as well. Oh man, what a failed dream. To have artifacts that could possibly do magical things like Aria’s hourglass. If I could only hold onto them…

“Emma, make contact with Viscount Lovure now,” I told her.

“O-okay.” Emma nodded.

“And tell him, I would like to support him,” I told her happily. “In return, he must keep my exchange with him a secret. Do not let him know that I, Mielle Roscent, made contact with him.”

“Oh okay.” She nodded and left.

Woah. I kinda feel bad. I think I’m making Emma work a bit too hard. Oh well, next time, I’m going to treat her for sure.

Chapter Text

I heard that Aria had come back from her little trip,and I looked out of the balcony to see her holding a precious wooden box around her chest cautiously. No doubt. It was the hourglass…

My fingertips turned cold as I turned away from the balcony and cursed at myself for not making decisions before. Did Aria now have the unlimited power to use the Hourglass? Was the hourglass going to affect me now?

Shit. Shit.

I ran my palm through my face. I really needed to get hold of her Hourglass before long. Honestly, I don’t think she has begun to realize the power of her hourglass yet. Although it would be good if I could use it for myself and know.

Would the hourglass really work for someone like me, who is not Aria? I would like to know before Aria would realize it’s power.

And on top of that, Emma was already out running on her business. So I had to take care of everything on my end.

But most likely it would be too late, I worriedly thought. How would I do this? I needed to make them have a weakpoint.

***
***
On the other end with Emma:

Emma looked out, cautiously moving around Viscount Louvre’s mansion according to Her Lady’s wishes. But unfortunately, a large hoard of black-cloaked men surrounded the mansion before her and seemed like they were out to Viscount Louvre as well.

What is this..?! Emma thought to herself, were these people shark-loans running after Viscount Louvre because he didn’t have a successful investment? She turned to assess the Leader of the Gang. He was a tall, broad man. Dark black raven hair, and blue ceruluan eyes. How mysterious…

…He seemed quite familiar to Emma, although she hadn’t remembered him at all. Most of all, he seemed to have a scary aura behind him.

Emma quickly turned away, thinking of ways to contact Viscount Louvre. How will she do so, without getting caught?

She quickly fled to another side of the road. And then she was met with a rushed hooded figure who was also running away in broad-daylight.

“Hey! Watch where you are going, won’t you!” The Man rudely yelled. Emma recognized the man immediately.

He was for sure, Viscount Louvre! Emma thought to herself. She quickly grabbed him and whispered, “If you are trying to run away from those cloaked men in front of your mansion, then follow me!”

Viscount Louvre followed Emma quietly as she lured him outside of the area before anybody else found it suspicious. She pulled him into a nearby cafe stop where the customers were hidden well.

“You! What do you want?” Viscount Louvre angrily gasped. He was a bald, and greedy man for sure, Emma thought to herself as she rolled her eyes.
“My master wants to support your failing business.”

“Hah! Your Master? Who are they? Some kind of clown who thinks they can support someone like me?!” Viscount Louvre said angrily.

He sure was one kind of an arrogant man. Emma didn’t understand why Her ladyship, Mielle would want to make some of kind of contact with this arrogant man. Whatever.

“Two thousand gold.” Emma offered unwillingly. This was all of Lady Mielle’s savings together. “Two thousand gold to exchange in terms of free goods only exclusive to my Master.”

“Hah? You have that much money?!” Viscount Louvre yelled. “What kind of family does–”

“If you are going to be any more annoying, then I will retract the deal.” Emma said coldly.

“Fine! Fine! I accept it!” Viscount Louvre said. “Money in exchange for goods. Seems fair to me, alright, hahaha.! Anyway, what kind of goods does your master like?”

“Good artifacts.” Emma said.

Viscount Louvre spit out laughing, “Hohoho, your Master has pretty good sights. The artifacts are from fallen nations with mystical powers.”

“I see,” Emma said completely disinterested. “I will give you the money next week, once my master will have finalized our purchase.”

“What?! Oh, okay…” Viscount Louvre didn’t say anything else. Emma rolled her eyes, but she remembered to add something else:

“Do you know who were the dogs that were chasing you?”

“Uh…” Viscount Louvre scratched his head. “I think they were from that stupid Imperial Family. That dumb Crown Prince who wanted to shut down my well-known business! That bastard, how dare he?”

Emma’s eyes widened. The Crown Prince?! The Crown Prince wanted to shut down Viscount Louvre’s business. Oh, dear…

All of this time, Emma had no idea that the man she was dealing with was already a criminal. Because of this… Emma had made the mistake of associating herself with the enemy of the Crown Prince and potentially putting Lady Mielle in danger as well!

Emma stood up and then said, “I’ll be leaving now, Viscount Louvre.”

“W-wait! Hey!” The Viscount yelled after her. “Our deal?!”

Emma turned around. If she let the man speak about their interaction, she will surely be investigated, along with Lady Mielle. She needed to kill Viscount Louvre.

But Her ladyship… will she be mad? Whatever, she didn’t need to know that Viscount Louvre died by her hands. Either way, Viscount Louvre will be sentenced to death by the Crown Prince, better to kill him now.

But…

“Fine, I’ll help you out since you’ve decided to come this far. Show me the warehouse for your goods.” Emma bargained. Then will she kill him?
***
***
***

Emma hadn’t come back now, so I had was started to get a little worried. Did something happen? Did Emma get in trouble? Endless troubles filled into my stomach.

“Is there something wrong, Lady Mielle?” Sarah asked softly while we were doing our secret Embroidery classes.

“Of course not,” I mumbled, acting cute. “Anyway, how well is my sister doing?”

“Lady Aria is very clever, and she has already mastered doing Embroidery with me!” Sarah slipped up. She quickly realized it and covered her mouth saying, “Sorry excuse me,”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I exclusively told you to only teach me. My Elder sister must have been also fazed by your embroidery and wanted to learn.” I laughed calmly. “Anyway, has been learning table manners quite well?”

“Yes, she has already mastered them all, and is going to attend her small tea-party with a couple of my friends.” Sarah told me softly. Oh… a teaparty. That’s kinda cool. I wondered if she was going to leave that hourglass of hers behind.

I needed to inspect and use it for myself before she realized it.

“Thank you so much for helping my Elder sister, Sarah! You are truly very kind, “ I held her hands together nicely and said. “Anyhow, please continue keeping this a secret from her. I don’t want her to worry about this. She is a very cheerful yet fragile girl after all.”

I rolled my eyes internally.

“Don’t you think so too, Lady Mielle?” Lady Sarah said happily. “I thought about that for Lady Aria, as well– how could a kind and docile lady as her have such malicious rumours behind her? It is as if someone really wanted to harm her from the inside– Oh!”

Sarah slipped up again.

“Malicious rumours, that is quite concerning.” I faked it. “I’m sorry Sarah, you wouldn’t mind telling me what kind of rumours are spreading around her? As her sister, I feel quite worried about it myself.” I said to her.

“Oh… well something like Lady Aria used to show tantrums when something didn’t go her way, or yelling out loud, and such.”

Oh, that kind of stuff. I shrugged to myself, “It’s true my Elder sister use to act like that because she came from such humble origins, however after some time, she has come to accept everyone as family.”

“I see,” Sarah said.

“Anyhow, I hope you can help my elder sister to impress your friends to mak her have a successful debut.” I smiled at Sarah.

“Indeed, Lady Mielle! I will definitely help you do so!”

“Just let me know, how it goes,” I told Sarah, as I pat her back. “What kind of people will she be meeting?”

“Oh..” And like that, we continued our heartfelt conversations.
***
***

Chapter Text

Day arrived for when Aria Roscente was leaving for her small -teaparty debut. She was leaving with her maid Jessie on her side and rode the carriage on her way out. On finally had Emma returned.

“Oh, so how did it go?” I asked Emma. Emma shook her head and said, “I managed to get the goods, however when I tried to give him the money– he was already found dead.”

“You got the artifacts!” I asked Emma happily. “Wow, Emma you are so great!” I hugged Emma, realizing that only Emma would be this loyal to someone like Mielle and myself. “But why was Viscount Louvre found dead?”

That… Emma evaded my eyes. “He was a trialed criminal. He was caught by the Crown Prince and found dead. However I managed to get the goods before it was too late.”

The CROWN PRINCE?! Holy shit. Holy shit.

Wasn’t he the male lead of the novel who fucked Mielle and her other part-time buddy who played to screw up Aria Roscenete?! Fuck. Fuck. I really miscalculated.

“Do not worry, Lady Mielle. I made sure that rat did not speak about us at all.” Emma reassured me. “Besides, we have what we need, so do not worry about such trivial matters anymore.”

Oh okay… I guess. Since Emma was reassuring me, I begun to relax a little bit. There was no way Viscount Louvre had revealed to the Crown Prince about me. If he did, I will certainly go off with my head for sure. Hahaha…

“What kind of artifacts did you find?” I asked Emma. Emma brought a large suitcase from outside the door. She looked on both ends to see whether the other maids from the manor saw us carry such a suspicously big bag.

Not that it mattered though. Everything under this mansion was controlled by Emma afterall. Even if Aria’s mother was the Countess, the maids were handled by Emma.

She pulled the bag in front me, and suddenly my eyes were flashed with jewlery and all kinds golden objects.

Woah! Woah! What the fuck was this? My hands dug through endless jewelergy and so-called random objects that I had never seen my entire life. I picked up a blue big orb from the bag. It was a really interesting color.

“What do you think about this Emma?” I asked my nanny about the big blue orb which I had held out.

“I have no idea, my Lady.” Emma bowed. “However, I can say all of these artifacts are indeed suspicious.”

“True? What gave that away?” I asked Emma for her opinions.

“You see, my lady– that these items are actually imported from the Kingdom of Croa.”

“Oh, okay so?” I asked non-chalantly. “Isn’t that the neigboring country?”

“Yes, these are magical artifacts from a very prestigious family. The Piast family, I believe.” Emma brought up. “Rumors have it that everyone in that family have some kind of magical power of some sort.”

The Piast family? Sure sounded quite familiar. Oh well, fuck. Not that it matters anyway. These names were definitely going to be the end of me. I moved the blue orb around me.

“What are you going to do with these artifacts, my Lady Mielle?” Emma asked.

“I’m not sure,” I mumbled. “If nothing good comes out of these, I might just auction it for myself for a higher price,” I said.

“My Lady, aren’t you suspicious about what that wench is doing in that tea party of hers?” Emma asked me. I shrugged. I already had Sarah keep an eye on Aria and report to me about the things she has done and said.
Although Sarah talks about Aria through a filtered lens, so that won’t be that useful. Therefore… if only…

“I have already arranged for another coachman,” Emma told me. “That one will surely eavesdrop about the situation that will go at the Tea-party.”

“Woah! Already?!” I asked Emma out of surprise. Damn, Emma was for sure, the super maid in this entire household! Go, Emma!

“And Wait-! Can you please check into Aria’s room to see if she has left behind an hourglass?”

“Oh… an hourglass, my lady? Again? Why must… we can get you a new hourglass, My lady.” Emma sighed when she had to go back and check into Aria’s room for her belongings such as the hourglass.

Well, won’t that be pointless? I wondered if it actually had to be that specific hourglass for Aria’s magic to work. Oh well.

“Just check. Let me know, if you find it.” I told her. Emma bowed and left. I don’t think I saw her carry it in her hands when she was leaving this time. Hmmm…

So Aria hasn’t noticed its power. At least for now.

I moved the giant Blue Orb. I started to shake it around and around. Nothing happened. Wow, how useless. I tossed it aside and moved to look through the other artifacts.

Will anything actually go in my way for sure? I rubbed my forehead. If I don’t do anything– Aria Rosecent will surely frame me and put me through a downfall. Especially if she gets hold of the power of the Hourglass.

How will I outdo such a power?
…
…
Was it me or was that Blue orb glowing next to me?
***
***
***
Rumors flew everywhere about the Incident of Viscount Louvre. Words spread out that the Crown Prince had killed Viscount Louvre, and some other rumors flew out that Viscount Louvre was already dead before the Crown Prince found him.

Either way, the Casino and the illegal Traficking chapter was a closed story. Well, until I saw Aria’s cold and pale face when the story was being told.

Huh? What’s up with that? Oh, gives a fuck about that. With that I moved on with my life. Afterall, I had bigger things to do with my life.

Eventually, Emma still hadn’t found that damn hourglass. Damn it! I didn’t blame Emma though. Emma was my best trump card for now.

“You look so pale Aria, are you feeling well?” Aria’s mother, Countess Roscente asked her daughter.

“It’s nothing mother.” Aria shivered as she ate. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Sister, if something is bothering you, please tell.” I told Aria this time. Go ahead and share some information with me too~

“It’s fine.” Aria evaded her eyes and scorned away. “You don’t need to worry about, Mielle.”

“Oh okay~” I backed down, realizing it wouldn’t be good if I pulled funny-tricks with her. Afterall, if I did, I’ll be signing away my life sentence on that moment. However it seemed to have something to do with Viscount Louvre’s incident.

Hmm… I wonder why though?

Wait. Was it because it was of the Crown Prince?! Holy Shit. That makes so much more sense, so Aria and the Crown Prince did end up meeting after all.

Was it about the fact that Aria told the Crown Prince something about Viscount Louvre? And she is starting to become nervous about that?

But why would it be such a big deal though? Was it because the future was changing?

No… that wouldn’t make sense either. Oh well, fuck that. Thinking too hard of these things made my head hurt. The most important note here was that the Crown Prince and Aria had already met.

Damn. Wasn’t my death approaching a bit too early?! Is it because I have been careless for some time being? I should really go outside this darned mansion and actually do something.

What was the name of the original Mielle’s supporter? I forgot her name…. Something like Ivanna? Irene?

Oh well. I would eventually find her if I ask Emma.

But before that, I needed to do something with her darned hourglass though! That is going to be the death of me.

It wasn’t like I could just directly ask Aria to see the hourglass. Asking to enter her room and then looking for it was also very suspicious. Therefore I had to execute the plan very conspicuously. Hmmm...

What was the name of that maid again that was always by Aria's side?

Julia? No... Jessie. Yeah, Jessie. Her.

***
***
Asterope's POV:

"Your Highness," His attendant behind him approached Asterope from behind. "I found details about the woman who told you about the Casino incident. Her carriage was the Roscent Family carriage. We think that woman's name is certainly Mielle. Mielle Rosecent. Although there is the other daughter, I think it is quite possible for it to be Mielle."

"Mielle..." Asher spoke out loud, trying to remember his encounter with the beautiful woman who told him about the Casino. "It's a name that certainly doesn't fit you."

"And your Highness! When we found Viscount Louvre dead, he was dead in the warehouse. Witnesses say that he was seen around with a middle-aged woman near the Cafe where we believe the suspect was the Nanny of Mielle, Rosecent."

Asher froze in his spot. This surely clarified that it was Mielle Roscent. He smiled to himself. Mielle Rosecent, I will reward you for sure.

Chapter Text

My Lady! Good news!” Emma came into my room as she woke me from bed today Morning. “Young Master Cain is returning from the Academy!” She said happily as she opened up the curtains. “It is finally the day you were hoping for.”

I yawned as I said, “I was?”

Emma frowned as she said, “I thought you were always happy when Young master Cain came back from the Academy. You always wanted to wake up early and prepare for him.” Emma told me.

Wow. I didn’t give a fuck about Mielle’s old attitude with Cain at all. So what? Well, well, since Emma was being so hopeful, I decided to wake myself up anyway and get myself ready. It was an important day after all.

I took a good look at the Blue Orb which was sitting beside my bed, and then stood up to get ready. I put on a simple white gown which I had received from Cain as a present.

Even though I didn’t like that guy, I guess he was a kind brother to Mielle who really cared for her. I guess, I was supposed to be atleast on his side.

I got downstairs to get ready to greet him, and all the other maids were lined up and in a hurry. I saw quite the scene with the unpacking and all. What’s all of this fuss about..? It seems as if they were welcoming the member of the Imperial Family or something.

Then in front of me stood two figures instead of the one, supposed guest.

“Oh, Mielle, there you are!” Cain called out happily when he saw me. He waved happily “I’m back at last, aren’t you happy to see me?”

I wanted to internally roll my eyes but I gave him a smile and waved from afar. “Hello brother.” But my eyes instantly fell into someone who was standing besides him.

Who was this guy?
Dark raven hair, and golden serene eyes that had a very soft expression. Damn.
He was very goodlooking when he stood next to Cain. I scratched my head. Was he another guest? Cain’s fellow friend?

Nothing clicked into my head.

He smiled and nodded at me, when he saw me staring at him. Suddenly my eyes were blinded when he smiled at me. OH MY GOD- my eyes! He’s too good-looking!

“Mielle, aren’t you happy that I finally tagged him along this time?” Cain said from behind the good-looking man.

“Oh… yeah.” I nodded. “...but I’m sorry, who is this guy?” I asked pointing at him curiously.

Suddenly everything around me froze.

…
Huh?! What the heck was that expression for? Maids started to whisper across from each other, and even Cain and Oscar turned a bit pale when I asked such a question.

Emma quickly came behind my back and quietly whispered: “M-My Lady… this is Oscar Frederick. Do you remember?”

“No…” I whispered back at her. Who? Oscar? Fredbrick… what? I wanted to scratch my head. Ah, fuck that whatever.

“Lady Mielle, you must have forgotten me because of some time,” Oscar told me politely with a loose smile. “My name is Oscar from the Frederick family.

Huh? Wait… Oscar. Frederick… hold up. That did sound familiar. I went and whisperingly asked Emma into her ear: “Sorry who was he?”

Emma sighed and quietly whispered back, “My lady, h-have you truly forgotten?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking you, Emma.” I told her back.

…
Cain and that Oscar guy were still staring at me, who was busy whispering back into Emma’s ears and that. Both of them had wondered why they were whispering so loudly infront of them.

Cain started coughing, while Oscar stood there.

“My Lady, he is your fiancé. Oscar Frederick.” Emma finally finished.

Oh right of course.

Hold up! Shit. Was he that Oscar?! Oscar Fredrick, the second male lead of the novel? The one who also screwed Mielle over?! Shit. Shit.

“I’m so sorry, Sir Frederick!” I quickly bowed at Oscar. “I didn’t mean to be so rude to you! It seems that I haven’t been feeling well at all!”

“N-no of course not.” Oscar politely said.

“So you have forgotten…” Cain said, slapping his forehead. “Oh dear, Mielle.”

I bit my lips as I looked away from him. Damn it! Damn it! Nobody told me that he was coming today and I should have mentally prepped to get on his good side. He most likely sees me as a nuisance. Fuck.

There goes my head again… Hahaha… FML.

“Um… I hope that Sir Frederick forgives me. Hahaha…” I awkwardly laugh.

“No, you are fine… I did come uninvited.” Oscar said.

Nope. I don’t think I was just fine. There Haha.

…
“-Sir Frederick?” Another sweet voice came from behind me. I turned around to see, Aria’s surprised face standing out in the hallway. She was wearing a cardigan around herself. She looked nervous when she saw all of us together without her.

Huh..? What the heck is she doing here? Did she come here because she heard the commotion?

“Oh…” Aria nervously bowed and then hurried back up the stairs.

…What’s the deal with her?

Oh well… I turned to see Cain rolling his eyes as he told Oscar: “Hey why don’t we refreshen up and then chill to have some snacks.”

“I-It’s fine, Cain. I’d better leave before I-” Oscar politely pleaded. But Cain pretended to not listen to him as he dragged Oscar along with him in the dinning hall.

“You come too, Mielle,” Cain called me. HUH me? I pointed at myself and forced myself to follow the duo. Ugh… I don’t want to do this. Fuck.
***
***

Well, since Oscar Frederick is my fiancé, it wasn’t bad to get on his good side. On top of that, his looks are kinda my type. But I wiped that thought out of my head since he was the second male lead who had a crush on Aria Rosecent.

Wasn’t there a scene where she gives him a handkerchief or something? Either way, I have to make sure I can use him to get close to Aria.

“Mielle, your stares are kinda creeping Oscar out,” Cain warned me. I blinked thrice realizing that I was basically gawking at Oscar with my eyes wide-open. Oh shit. Was I drooling too? Fuck.

I shook my head and apologized, when Oscar coughed to himself and said, “It’s fine. You don’t need to get so apologetic, Lady Mielle.”

Was this guy a doormat? He never really seems like the guy to get mad. Oh well…

*Knock* *Knock* The door behind the reception softly opened when a sweet voice entered through the door. “Excuse me. No one told me after such time, so I came down on my own… Am I bother you all?”

Aria Roscent shows up at the doorway, wearing braided hair and meekly looking towards the guests in the Dining hall. Oh, shoot. It’s her.

I looked to see if she had the hourglass on her. Seeing that she didn’t bring any other belongings with her, I took a deep breath out in relief. Phew! Another good day has passed without her knowing.

“Oh, it’s a new guest,” Oscar said when he quietly inspected Aria standing carefully in the doorway. “I’m Oscar. From the Frederick family.” He introduced himself.

Aria smiled at him happily as she said, “Oh, it’s an honor to meet you. My name is Aria.”

Woah. Was Aria already on her to seduce Oscar?! Woah… wasn’t this a bit too much for her to steal her step-sister’s fiancé? Oh, right… this was part of her plan.

Not that I cared much about Oscar. I glanced over at him making the same uncomfortable smile he makes with everybody.Ah… as if I gave a fuck about that.

But since Aria was so invested into stealing Mielle’s fiancé, then I would gladly let her. She can have the role of the step-sister who stole her sister’s fiancé.

Since she isn’t cooped up in her room, wasn’t this a good time to get her hourglass or something? I slightly called for Emma and said, “Please excuse me, I need to do something.” I told the others.

Cain looked nervous as I slowly started to leave the reception. Even Oscar who saw me leaving, stood up from his seat as he said, “You are leaving, Lady Mielle?”

“Uh, yes… please have a good time without me,” I answered oddly as I headed out of the reception room, not understanding why they were making such a big deal.

Aria looked at me, who was already leaving out the door, with a worried glance. Uh… I had nothing to say about that one.

….Wait, was she suspicious?

Right. Who wouldn’t be? First of all, I was leaving my so-called fiancé, whom the previous Mielle used to fawn over, and then I acted so out of order. On top of that, she probably finds me moving around suspicious.

Who knows if she hadn’t caught onto the fact that I’ve been sending maids into her room to look for a hourglass?! Even if Emma was the only one who knew… but still.

I calmed myself down when I left the reception to meet the worried face of Emma standing in front of me.

“My Lady, Mielle, is everything alright, in there?” She asked cautiously. “Did that stupid wench come to destroy– ah! I should have definitely stopped her from coming, it’s all my fault, my lady!”

“No, you did well.” I told Emma. “You did well Emma. Now, this is our chance. Get the hourglass. Now.”

Operation Find the Hourglass!
***
***

This time, all the maids became busy entertaining the guests downstairs. Since he was the son of Ducal Frederick, he was a pretty big shot. So no one was really guarding Aria’s room this time.

This was a good chance for me to look for the Hourglass myself. On top of that, I told a maid to keep Aria in check downstairs. And if she tries to come back to her room, the maid would warn the other one and send out a warning sign.

I tipped into her room, going through her blankets and her drawers. Nothing there… Did she perhaps hide it on purpose? Like a secret drawer? I looked under the table and such. Nope, nothing.

After all, there was a reason why the other maids haven’t found the Hourglass here before either. Should have figured it beforehand.

As I went through her drawers, I found a conspicuous wall that connected to the closet. Huh. I opened the door, to find a huge cupboard within with all kinds of dresses.

“My Lady,” Emma said behind me. “What is that?” Emma pointed at the beautifully colored textured box in front of me, kept at the middle of the cupboard.

I happily went inside and pulled the box out. Yes…!

I opened the box carefully, hohoho…. Aria, if you truly wanted to keep the hourglass safe, you should have locked it with a key!

Inside was a beautifully treasured hourglass kept within the glass.

So this was the so-called Hourglass… Huh? Emma gasped behind me.

“There is a Blue Pidgeon out on the Window!” A code ran across the halls. I quickly realized that it was the code for when Aria was finished talking with Oscar.

“And it flies far into the cloud!” Another voice followed. I quickly shut the wooden box with the hourglass, realizing that it meant that Aria was not coming up the stairs with her maids!

Shit. Shit!

I stood up hurriedly from my place and closed the wooden box. And then…
IT TIPPED OVER?!

…

“My name is Oscar, I am from the Frederick family.” Oscar politely introduced himself to the table. What a familiar feeling this is… and wait isn’t this the reception room?

Huh?

And Aria, who was sitting right across from him, smiled as she said, “It is an honor to meet you, my name is Aria.”

Wait. What?

A familiar scene. A familiar place. It couldn’t be… it was the Hourglass’ doing?

Chapter Text

“My name is Oscar, I am from the Frederick family.” Oscar politely introduced himself to the table. What a familiar feeling this is… and wait isn’t this the reception room? I wanted to rub my eyes when I revisited a very familiar scene in front of me.

“It is an honor, my name is Aria Rosecent.” Aria said with a very beautiful expression on her face.

…No fucking goddamn way. I hadn’t believed it. I looked up to see the clock on top of the Dinning Room. It was twenty-minutes backwards? What?

“Mielle, are you alright? You feel sick.” Cain asked, cutting off the interaction between Oscar and Aria.

“Oh my Mielle, are you okay? You look a bit pale.” Aria said, softly looking back me with an innocent expression.

It couldn’t be..! No way. My heard started to hurt when I tried to recall my previous memories. What was going on. It can’t…

Then, as if something washed to wipe my entire brain clean- my memories left me to replace it with new ones…

Hold up.

If Aria didn’t have her hourglass on her then, that means that Aria still hasn’t found out about the Hourglass’ power right? And since she is here downstairs talking with Sir Oscar Frederick, that means that the hourglass was still back in her room, wasn’t it?

Perfect, it was still the time to go look for the Hourglass!

But why does my head hurt when I try to think about the hourglass? I didn’t understand why, but I should probably not waste my opportunity to look for the Hourglass with Emma. Since Aria isn’t cooped up in her room, wasn’t this a good time to get her hourglass or something? I slightly called for Emma and said, “Please excuse me, I need to do something.” I told the others.

Cain looked nervous as I slowly started to leave the reception.

“Mielle, are you feeling alright?” Cain asked me again.
Huh? Why would he ask about that. All of a sudden, Aria gave me a nervous look when she saw me leaving out the door.

Fuck. Why the hell did it all seem like a dejá vú? It’s my first time experiencing all of this… wasn’t it?

“Uh, I’ll be back before you know it.” I smiled as I quickly left the room. I turned to see Emma standing there, naseous as well before me. She looked worried when she saw me exit the room and said:

“My Lady, Mielle, is everything alright, in there?” She asked cautiously. “Did that stupid wench come to destroy– ah! I should have definitely stopped her from coming, it’s all my fault, my lady!”

Ugh… such familiar lines. Yet…

“No… it’s fine Emma. You did well. We have an important thing to find. That is the hourglass.” I told her instead.

It was finally time to look for that damned hourglass. Operation Hourglass let’s go!
***
***
My head hurt more as I tipped upstairs towards Aria’s room when nobody was watching. Since the son of the Ducal family Frederick had arrived, all the maids were busy with their duties to keep their guests entertained as much as they could. Therefore there was no one guarding Aria’s bedroom.

I snuck right in with Emma, and tossed around familiar feeling blankets. There was no hidden hourglass hidden beneath the sheets, or the drawers. Did Aria hide them from general sight? Of course she had to…

I looked underneath tables and the bed. Nope. Nothing there either. Eventually I had gotten very tired with this useless search until Emma’s voice caught my attention.

“My Lady, the secret door.” Emma pointed towards a hidden wall hidden with the sight of the huge wardrobe. What the hell? I walked up to it and slightly opened the door to see if anything was inside.

A huge fucking cupboard was right infront of me! I rubbed my eyes, when I saw a wooden textured box infront of a table, kept well within the cupboard. The Hourglass!

Suddenly, something in my brain fizzed up familiar memories… No… it couldn’t be. I stopped mid-way feeling a sharp pain run down my brain. A command code filled my head: ‘Forget’ ‘Forget’ ‘Forget’

‘You are not the Original user.’ ‘Forget’

Fuck! My head was killing me, I groaned loudly in pain, and Emma came running next to my side: “My lady Mielle! Are you alright?”

No fucking way. Was this the Hourglass’s doing? I pushed Emma’s hands aside and moved closer towards the Hourglass.

The more I did, I felt as if an invisible force was pushing me back… Was this the power of the Hourglass not wanting to accept me?

Why?

Why did you chose Aria and not me? Why was this world built for Aria Rosecent but nor for Mielle Rosecent?

I reached and finally touched the wooden box, and forced it open. FUUUUCK. My head was ripping apart when I opened the box, and saw the beautiful light of the hourglass before me. It was shining brighter than anything else.

…Why did I have to become Mielle Rosecente? Why not Aria? What made that woman so special?

Accept me… I wanted to scream. I will destroy this stupid hourglass!

I picked up the hourglass, and smashed it to the the floor in anger.

*CLING!*

The glass shattered, and all the sand poured out of the glass, breaking the beautiful structure of the hourglass…

Suddenly the pain in my head was gone, and I fell down into Emma’s hands as she screamed, “Lady Mielle?! Lady Mielle! Are you alright?”

Memories filled back into my head. And familiar memories collided with these ones… so… I did turn back time after all. Huh?

“S…stop shouting… E-Emma.” My voice came out. “O-Or the others will h-hear you..” I quietly said, looking straight into Emma’s worrisome eyes.

“My lady!” Emma yelled as she caressed my forehead. “It’s all my fault, my lady!”

Hah… how greedy I was. To ask for someone to truly love Mielle and give her a happy ending like all the other characters… but I forgot, someone like Emma had existed by Mielle’s side. How could I forget?

This world, which rejects me like this hourglass… Fuck you.

I stood up and said, “We need to clean up this mess now Emma.” I pointed at the broken hourglass. “I will replace it with another hourglass. Quickly!”

Emma nodded, as she quickly picked up the sand and the glass shards from the carpet. What a loyal woman, she was. The Hour-glass was broken after all. I had her keep the pieces to ourselves. However, I needed to find a new hourglass which I could replace it with.

I looked around the entire house for another Hourglass. I could only find a smaller version of the hourglass in Father’s study room. It was a little more of a miniature model than it was from the previous hourglass.

I hoped that Aria wouldn’t notice. I put it back into the box and shoved it inside the cupboard. I was still a little worried at the new hourglass would still work the same as the older one.

Did that make any difference? I wasn’t really sure. But fuck that… the old hourglass gave me a fucking headache anyway. So it was better for me to destroy it. And we quickly fled before any of the code words were said.

…
What an eventful day.

***
***
That night, I wept for the first time in my entire life. I felt completely dreaded. In fear. That pain around my head and my throat. The voices from the Hourglass telling me to stop because I wasn’t special.

Fuck.

I really hate it when I feel this fucking way. I felt shitty.

I stood up from my bed and walked towards the balcony for some fresh air. No… Mielle Rosecente. You must keep calm and not give a Fuck. Remember that motto? I took in a large deep breath and exhaled.

Ah… much better.

I turned around to head back into my bed. Instead, I froze right up on the spot where there was a shining blue orb glowing right in front of my dresser.

I rubbed my eyes when I realized that I wasn’t hallucinating. That orb… was it glowing?! I ran towards it and picked it up with awe. What the hell…

It was as if it was responding to me. Such a beautiful blue orb. I wonder what it means though. I shook the blue orb around, but it still kept glowing in the dark.

“How the hell…” Was this some sort of a Night light? It was an artifact after all, maybe it worked like a nightlight during the Night and just a boring blue orb in the morning.

Hmmm… I was feeling quite sleepy because I could remember how I ended up falling back into the bed with the glowing Blue orb in my hands as I fell asleep. How mysterious.

Chapter Text

The next day Sir Frederick Oscar had left. Well, he bid goodbyes as he left with Cain back to the Academy. Aria was still around and bid them all with a smile, while I stood outside the window and watched them go away.

But before all of that, I saw Oscar Frederick glance at me through the window and smile at me politely with a bow as he went into the Carriage.

Huh? What the fuck was that about? This Oscar guy really freaked me out. I don’t know if he was actually interested in Aria or something else rather. I scratched my head as I went back to focus into the matter at hand. Oh well.

I decided to tell Emma about the glowing ball because she might know something about it.

“So my Lady is saying, that you witnessed the Blue orb glow during the night?” Emma asked. I nodded and said, “Precisely. That’s why I think we shouldn’t sell it.”

“Oh, of course.” Emma sighed with her head down. “But My Lady, to keep such a dangerous artifact from the banned Casino that the Crown Prince himself had–”

“Shhh!” I put my index finger on my lips. “As long as we don’t go around saying that, we won’t get caught you know?”

“Fine, my lady.” Emma nodded. “Anyhow, I think the ball glow might be related to the power of the Piast family.”

“Piast family?”

“I believe I had explained it before,” Emma said. I tilted my head. She did? When? Emma sighed when she realized nothing was going through my thick brain anymore.

“The Piast family is from the Kingdom of Croa. They hold a mysterious power of their own to control something. I believe this artifact might be from such a family. That’s why My lady had witnessed this magical glow… although it is hard to believe.” Emma said.

“The Piast family, huh?” I scratched my head. I swear to fucking god I had heard the name somewhere… but where? Oh well. It didn’t help if we thought about it for too long.

“Anyhow, I think the other Artifacts might also belong to the family,” Emma said. “It’s better if we sell them out.”

“Wait, Emma. If we sold them, won’t that make us suspicious?” I told her. “I mean… if the Crown Prince had himself shut down the Casino and all the circulation of illegal artifacts, then wouldn’t it be weird if someone like us were to announce it to the world? It’s like declaring that we had possessions of illegal things.”

“That…” Emma said. “That we can lie and such. Who knows, we can give them out for free.”

“Never!” I said. “Emma! We had went through such lengths to retrieve them, we should atleast sell them for a price.”

“They are the possessions of the Piast family. If they were to know we possessed such things then…”

“Are they powerful? Can they really take down our family, the Rosecent family?” I told Emma.

“They are from the Ducal family in the Kingdom of Croa, My lady.”

“Oh shoot–” I muttered. Oh well. There goes my plan to make money out of all these.”Wait, what if I give some of these Artifacts to Sir Frederick as a present?”

Emma looked at me suspiciously. “I mean, they are from the Ducal family too right? If the Piast family were to find these, they would definitely fight it out with the Frederick family, am I right?” I explained. Loving my brilliant idea.

Like that, I can easily dispose of such artifacts without anything else attached to it. Along with a nice price tag as well. Hohoho….

“Lady Mielle,” Emma sighed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked Emma.

“Nothing. In fact, this was the first time that Lady Mielle had thought of a genius plan.” Emma told me.

Hey, what the heck was supposed to mean?! Is she saying that all my ideas were so far, so dumb? Mean… I was supposed to play Mielle, the dumb bitch hoe… but to think Emma says it fits my character?

…Rude!
***
***
The next few days were peaceful until a letter arrived at the manor. It was a special letter that was gifted from the Frederick Household. Apparently, Oscar Frederick had presented both Aria and I with presents for treating him well yesterday.

Everybody around me was super hyped about these presents, but I honestly didn’t see why they were overreacting. Sure presents were awesome and all, but don’t you think it’s kind of strange when your supposed fiancé sends presents to your step-sister as well?

If I were really the original Mielle, I would have been a little heartbroken about that; honestly making it more of a reason to be more jealous of Aria. But since I wasn’t the real Mielle, it didn’t matter as much at all.

“Oh my, Aria must have taken good care of Sir Frederick,” Aria’s mother recounts happily when she sees all of this happening with her daughter. I also didn’t miss the wink she gave to her daughter from behind the fan.

“That’s a relief to hear… but this gift… seems to be in return for the handkerchief I gave him,” Aria said with a soft smile.

Suddenly murmurs around all the servants in the household started, and they all got very curious about the reason why Aria had gifted Oscar the handkerchief and such. It was such a shocking event, and on top of that, the servants didn’t miss the gossip about “Mielle”’s reaction to it all.

To be honest, at this rate, everybody’s eyes were on me. On ‘Mielle’s ‘ reaction to everything. Even Aria glanced at me from afar when she saw this all. But what was I supposed to do? Become jealous? Tear Aria’s head apart? Complain? Whine?

I think I remembered this scene from the novel. I was surprised that the original Mielle didn’t react as wildly as I would have. If Oscar Frederick would have been the man I truly loved, I would have certainly ripped Aria’s head apart.

Hah.

“...So does Elder sister… like Sir Oscar?” I blurted out loud, sounding exactly as Mielle would have.

Aria froze, but she calmed down to say, “No way! I certainly don’t think so… I just happened to help him in the times of need… you understand don’t you, Mielle? Oh… unless it makes you angry that… then I’m so sorry Mielle,” Tears slowly pooled out of her eyes.

Wow. That is to be able to cry a fountain anytime you want. I wanted to roll my eyes at this point. Is this all Aria could muster? Is this the kind of intelligence that is possible from a mentally twenty-eight year old woman, Aria?

Aria’s mother quickly but in and assisted from behind adding, “I heard that there were letters as well…”

The butler nodded and said, “Yes, in fact there were two.” He pulled out the presented both Aria and I two letters. I pulled mines open.

…What kind of gibberish writing is this? I squinted my eyes as I tried to read through the all of the cursive writing through an old ink pen. Who the heck even tries to make sense of all of this stupid nonsense that someone wrote on a nice font?

“My, my, Aria. I wonder why Sir Oscar sent you a gift.Will you read the letter out loud?” Aria’s mother asked in a chuckling manner.

Aria glanced through hers, I couldn’t really get a peek of hers because she was hiding it close to her chest. But Aria quickly turned over the subject towards me: “I don’t think my letter will be too interesting…Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to hear Mielle’s letter instead?”

Aria smiled at me as tried to steal a glance through my letters.

“Gosh, what are you saying?” I asked her from the distance, hugging my letter close to my chest. Hah? You want me to read this gibberish and bullshit font? I don’t think I can even make out the first three letters of the first words.

“You are the one who plans on marrying Sir Oscar, so I am curious about a love letter than my boring old letter,” Aria asks me.

Uh… uh. I ain’t reading this. Should I just make up the contents of the letter on the spot? Ahhh…shit. How do I get out of this?

However seeing that I couldn’t speak anymore, Aria burst out a small laughter, as if signaling her win from this tiny little fight we had. “Pfft. Mielle’s so serious because of your naughty joke, mother.” Aria said when she turned to face her mother. “So it would be quite rude if we read it out right? Although… I’m a little curious about the gift.”

Aria looked over all the servants and then pointed at the tall servant behind me: Emma. “You there, open the gift for me.”

Emma bit her lips while looking disdainfully as she reluctantly walked over to the two present boxes. She pulled the one with the blue ribbon, and then inside the box was gifted a beautiful floral pink dress, with a brooch and a hairpin.

It was certainly breathtaking for a present. Aria giggled as she said, “It looks really good.”

“Why don’t you change into this?” Aria’s mother held up the beautiful floral pink gown for everyone to get their sights on.

“I’m running a little late because I have somewhere to go, so I’ll just wear the headpiece,” Aria said with a smile. “I’ll be taking my leave, everybody, although it is a shame that I didn’t get to see Mielle’s present.” With that, Aria left out for town and left the mansion.

…
Wow. What kind of commotion did she make and what kind of commotion had she left the entire Manor in?

As soon after Aria Rosecent had left the manor, the Countess retired immediately calling for her break, while the other servants were busy gossiping about the state of affairs between Aria, Oscar, and me.

How baffling. To act this arrogant because you stole your thirteen-year-old sister’s fiancé. That’s just kinda petty. She should be happy that I also wasn’t ready to steep that low to get dirty with her. Honestly…

As usual, I didn’t give a fuck. I wanted to yawn and return to my room. As I was about to turn around and retire as well, Emma asked:

“Does Lady not want to see her present?”

“Ah…” I turned and completely forgot about opening the present. “You know, you can take that present and sell it or give it to someone free for charity,” I told Emma bluntly. “Whatever you do, I don’t care.”

***
***
***
As soon as I got back to my room, I shut the door and fell right back into the bed. I honestly had much more important things to think about. Like the hourglass, and Aria’s negligence in noticing the difference of her new hourglass.

Should I get the one I broke, fixed? I sat back up, and opened my wardrobe to look for the broken shards of the old hourglass in a wrapped up handkerchief. Who knows, maybe this magical hourglass could work on me?

I highly doubt it. Even if I turn the hourglass, I won’t remember a single thing. That’s what happened last time. It only seems like Aria is the only one who can turn back the time for the hourglass.

Hmm…that’s why the hourglass is kind of worthless to me.

I looked back at the Blue crystal orb which was laying by my desk without a reason. I picked it up and shook it again, but there was nothing coming out of it. What the heck? How did it glow again?

…Forget it.

I fell back into my bed. If only that Blue Orb was actually useful like Aria’s hourglass or something. Or maybe it would give me divination of the past and future like a divination ball? Ah… how great would that be.

“My Lady Mielle, it seems that you have received an important letter.” A maid with red-ginger hair with freckles over her face.

I looked up at her. It seems that she was a new servant in this manor that was recently assigned to me. What was her name? Anna? Annie? I think it was Annie. “Open it for me and read it.” I ordered the maid.

“Uh… alright my Lady!” The ginger-head said when she nervously peeled over the letter and said, “I think the sender… is from the Frederick house.”

“Again?” I spoke my thoughts out loud.

“Uh… it says… Dear Mielle Rosecente, it is a pleasure to have greeted you after five seasons have passed from your birthday celebration. It has been quite a while ever since we had a cup of tea with sweets, so do come over for some treats at the Frederick mansion to catch up to some friendly chatter, won’t we? I also apologize for my younger brother’s frivolous behaviours at the Rosecente mansion… and I disciplined him properly to make sure he won’t make such unruly behavior again. Sincerely, Isis… Frederick.” The ginger-head stopped reading out loud.

I stood up from my seat and snatched the letter from the maid, and started to reread everything that said in there.

…Isis Frederick? Was she… the older sister of Oscar Frederick?

“It seems like the letter was from Princess Isis, milady.” Annie added.

“I see…” I mumbled as I dismissed her. “Call for Emma immediately, I have pertaining matters to discuss with her.”

“Alright.” Annie bowed obediently and left to grab Emma, who appeared only a few moments ago as if she was awaiting for my calls.

“My lady, Mielle…” Emma bowed as she came under my presence. “What is it?”

“It seems like I’ve been invited for some tea with Princess Isis of the Frederick Household.” I told her.

“Shall I arrange for some presents and gifts to prepare?” Emma asked.

“...I’m not too sure… Princess Isis,” I stopped as I reread the letter. “Sounds like a really scary preson. She even wrote: I disciplined my “frivilous behaviors” of my brother to make sure he won’t do anything unruly again?” I laughed nervously. “Hahahaha…she sure sounds kind of powerful and someone not to mess with.”

What the heck did that mean? I mean, to call the daughter of the Duke, not Lady, but Princess? And to discipline the heir of the household, what kind of scary person was this Isis? Hahaha… makes me not want to go.

“Princess Isis, is the representative of the Aristocratic Faction, my lady. She is the pinnacle of power in the entire faction. Not only is she is a genius to take over the Frederick household matters into her own hands, but also the entire Aristocratic Faction. On top of that, she is engaged to the Crown Prince Asterope.”

…AHAHAHA… fuck. I thought she sounded familiar for real. So she was that Isis. The real antagonist, villain of the entire novel. The master-mind behind Aria’s downfall in her previous life. I remembered atleast that much even though I didn’t really read the novel.

“So, I have to go right?” I asked Emma.

“It’s my lady’s choice if she wants a successful debut into High-society.” Emma added. “Any close associates of Princess Isis are regarded as important members of the Aristocratic faction. Not only will you receive endless support from the Frederick household, but also the entire Aristocratic faction.”

More reason not to go and get stuck in this…but… If I didn’t go and make allies with someone powerful like Princess Isis, who the hell would help me once Aria gets the power of the hourglass and decides to ruin me for real?

Fuck. Fuck.

“Fine… I’ll go. You have to help me write the reply letter Emma. I don’t think I have the courage to lift the ink and respond.”

“Yes, indeed my lady,” Emma said. “What kind of presents shall we gift Princess Isis?”

I thought about it for a second and then I smiled when I remembered: “How about gifting them an artifact from our collection?”

Chapter Text

Welcome to the Frederick Manor, Lady Rosecent.” The butler in the front of the grand, and gigantic entrance of the Frederick manor bowed respectfully. “Thank you for coming.” He very respectfully assisted me down from the carriage.

My eyes became rounded at the sight of such a luxurious manor that was standing in front of me. It was grand and massive, larger than the manor of the Rosecent household! My jaws fell as I approached down.

Emma next to me mouthed, “My Lady, please don’t drop your jaws. It looks unladylike.”

I closed my jaw and straightened myself up. “I have an appointment with the Princess,” I told the butler.

“Yes, I shall escort you to the waiting room immediately,” The butler bowed and led us both into the manor’s entrance. There was a huge garden in the scene with a water fountain in the center. Out in the sides were small canals that were attached to the fountain, which made it look like a tiny river…

And the gardens… oh my god, the topiary within the gardens as well… this shit was just to another level. Just how big was the Frederick manor?! It makes the Rosecent manor look like a joke!

And when we entered the household, the insides were decorated with white marble stone and granite that looked freshly polished with reflective surfaces. And… my god.

“The guests have arrived, Princess.” The butler announced in the reception room’ as he opened the door.

Inside was sitting a beautifully dressed woman with the most refined and elegant look that I’d ever seen in my entire life. Dark ebony hair that shone like the dark night, and golden yellow eyes that resembled the sun– so this was… Princess Isis Frederick.

“You’ve arrived at last, Mielle Roscent,” Princess Isis, looked up from her cup of tea and matched her golden cat eyes to mine.

Oh my lord, it's actually her!

...
“...” I stared open-mouthed until Emma kicked my leg and I quickly bowed to say, “G-greetings, P-princess Isis…”

Isis put down her cup of tea on the desk and took out her fan as she said, “My, it seems that Lady Rosecent seems quite tired. Why don’t you sit down so that we can have a conversation?”

I slowly stumbled towards a seat across from her and nervously bowed when she met my gaze. S…scary. She looks like someone who could kill you if you do something bad with her.

Isis said nothing at my behavior as she ordered, “Servants, please pour our guest a cup of tea.” And servants quickly came at my side and poured me down a cup of chamomile tea into a floral tea-cup that looked like it was made of gold and diamonds.

…Even the tea-cup… hahaha… screams rich from here.

“It has been quite a while since we chatted like this, Lady Rosecent. How is Count Rosecent doing?” Isis asked as she sipped the cup of newly brewn tea. I sipped some of mine and responded, “My father is doing well, Princess.”

“I heard that he has recently gotten re-married.” Isis said taking out her fan.

“Hoho… it seems like the rumors spread fast.” I answered.
“Getting remarried is one thing, but marrying someone of… low status is very…un-noble-like. Surely Count Rosecent is aware of the disdain he is doing to his honor, and the nobility’s honor?” Isis asked me.

What the heck am I supposed to do? It’s not like I told him to get remarried, nor can I tell him to get divorced or anything. This time, I decided to not answer anything. Speaking up could clearly mean I was disagreeing with her.

The Villain. She is the most powerfulest person in this Empire right now. Going against her could cause my downfall. Or my death… whatever comes first.

“Haha… what I am saying now? I didn’t mean to scare you, Lady Mielle. I was just discussing things with you because I know this is a very heavy topic for you.” Isis told me with a slight chuckle as she cooly looked at me with a glance. “Why don’t we talk about more interesting things?”

I gulped as I sipped my tea. “Whatever does the Princess want?”

“Out of every other nobility present, the House of Rosecent, it the one of the few, highest and purest nobility in the entire Empire.” Isis tells me. “Out of every other graceful lady, I believe that Lady Mielle Rosecent would be the perfect fiancée of the Frederick family.”

HUH?

Fiancée of that… thing? Oscar?! I was about to spit out my tea, but I held it back. I could have sworn, Emma, who was standing behind me was glaring at me. But I covered up my face with a hand and slightly giggled at Isis who stared curiously at my behavior.

“...You jest, Princess,” I told her.

Isis said with a light chuckle, finding my words amusing. “Why ever should I, Lady Rosecent? Do you really take my words as a joke?”
“No…no… I think it is too big of an honor, Princess,” I turned her down, shaking my hands earnestly.

“Is that so? Why not, Lady Rosecent?” Isis asked me. “Is there something that… Oscar is lacking?”

“Uh…” I looked away. “It’s just…” I didn’t know what to say. I DON’T WANT OSCAR. Honestly… Sure, he was my type and all, but GOD NO. I don’t want someone who is infatuated with MY STEPSISTER. But I couldn’t say that.

“I don’t think… Sir Oscar actually has feelings for me. I think it’s better for us to consult each other.” I told her instead.

“You are marrying the Frederick family. Don’t take the words of that boy to your heart. If he did something rude, let me know so I’ll discipline him accordingly,” Isis told me. “Marrying out of love is purely something fictional for us, nobility. We have to think about the greater cause, Lady Rosecent.”

Right… these were plutocrats who did marry their children off as if they were selling property. WAIT. Wasn’t Mielle, only thirteen years old?! I gaped when I realized this, feeling violated with this fact. Wasn’t this child marriage?!

“I believe I’m also too young to decide, I think my father is someone more mature to do this,” I said, praying internally that my father would not sell off Mielle to the Frederick family at all. Uh, uh. No way.

“I see, I think that will be a more appropriate form of proposal.” Isis agreed with me. “But… is your father truly the person you want the decision from?” She asked me. “Afterall, not everything a child desires, is what a parent desires?”

I see. I think I understood Isis’s words. She is asking me whether my father really cared about me or not. About his remarriage with Carin– Aria’s mother. If Count Rosecent had really cared about his daughter, Mielle, he would have asked about their feelings on this remarriage before doing so.

All of these shenanigans wouldn’t have happened if the Count had reached out to his children about a new family moving into the house.

…What should I say? Should I agree with her? Should I disagree?

“I am not too sure about what Princess Isis means! It must be because I’m still not mature and a bit too ignorant of the outside world!” I told her with a stupid smile on my face.

There… acting stupid was the best thing to do. A child’s innocence is a blessing in disguise. The original Mielle would have done this too. And I don’t think Princess Isis would be fond of someone as stupid as me.

I remember that from the original novel at least. Although Isis had supported Mielle’s actions, not all of them had gone off the hook. Isis really looked down on Mielle’s stupidity. Even I had to say, I’ve never seen anybody as stupid as Mielle.

Isis sighed this time and said, “It can’t be helped, you are still young after all.” She agreed with me as she sipped another cup of tea. “It was a sunny afternoon and I really wanted all three of us to eat outside, but it seems it will happen next time.”

All three? Next time?

“It was a pleasant afternoon,” I told Lady Isis Frederick. “Thank you for inviting me for tea. And oh! I’ve brought you a present.” I was suddenly reminded of that.

I ushered Emma over to my side, as I got out a fancy gift box and handed it softly to Isis’s hands. Isis inspected the box curiously and opened it to find a bright obsidian jeweled necklace that was surrounded by white diamonds.

“...Quite beautiful,” Isis added. I nodded, I really did choose the right present for her. A black obsidian gem was one of the artifacts that Emma had brought from the warehouses. It stood out to me the most because it was of no use to me. And also the obsidian kinda matched with Isis’s hair and aura.

“Princess, this is uh…” I tried to remember the blurb that Emma had prepped me for, “This is Raven Diamond, the one and only kind of jewelry that was found in the underground ruins of the Kingdom of Croa. Legends have it that it brings good luck and blesses the wearer good fortune and health.” I said.

“Lady Mielle truly has eyes for presents…” Her eyes turned sharp instantly, as she eyed me from head to toe. “I had no idea that Lady Mielle had access to such a jewelry of this caliber.”

“...” I couldn’t say that I got this from an illegal auction. “Princess, this is indeed a present from afar, but nothing is beautiful compared to you, Princess.”

“Hmm… how beautiful. More the reason why you should marry into the Frederick family.” Isis added.

I feigned innocent laughter, “What can I do, Princess? Anyhow, thank you for inviting me.”

“Indeed, it was good to chat with you, Lady Rosecent. Come again next time.”

NOPE. NEVER. I don’t think I want to come back to this scary ass atmosphere again. It really brings goosebumps within me. I shivered as I laughed in eerie. How scary.
***
***

Isis’s POV:
“Butler come in.” Isis ordered as soon as Mielle Rosecent had left the Frederick manor with the Rosecent carriage. The Butler, who had just escorted the guest out, came right in and bowed respectfully at Isis.

“My Princess,”

“Butler, investigate this jewelery for me. I don’t believe that fool’s words.” Isis said jokingly. “Mielle Rosecent said that this is a Raven Diamond. Do you have any idea what that means?” She handed him the beautifully crafted obsidian jewelery.

“My Princess…”

“The Raven Diamond is one of the key artifacts of the Croa Kingdom. I’ve heard about it from one of the books in the Royal library. It’s one of a kind, and legends have it that the jewel was lost eons ago.” Isis said. “Ha! So, how did it come to end up in the hands of the Rosecent manor? It must be a fraud for sure.”

“I-I shall check for myself and let you know.” The butler bowed.

“And…” Isis added, “Did she look a bit different? She is certainly changed for the better… or perhaps the worse.”

Chapter Text

The next day, Count Rosecent came on after me as soon as he discovered that I had just visited Princess Isis Frederick. He seemed quite anxious about it too, running around, as if he had just heard something ominous.

Bro... just chill.

"Please, father don't let anybody else know. It's embarrassing, but I turned down the Princess' offer." I told him softly.

"T-t-turned down... the Frederick family?" He went pale instantly as soon as he heard that. "M-Mielle, what are you saying?!" He started becoming scared.

"Princess Frederick was talking about how I should get engaged to Sir Oscar Frederick because our family is pure and prestigious or something," I told him. "But I rejected her saying it was too much for our family and I wanted to let father decide instead."

"E-engaged to Sir Oscar Frederick?!" He started. Oh my god. "Why did you reject her so rudely?!"

What? Do you want your thirteen-year-old daughter to get married off that badly? I knew this old hag was after money after all. He never gave a fuck about Mielle anyway.

"...Well, I thought the Princess was testing me," I said with teary eyes. "What if she thought I was someone greedy who wanted to hog the Frederick family because of their wealth and status..." I wiped off my wipe tears from my edge. "Also, the Princess said something like... The Rosecent family's honor has become disdained due to the recent affairs of marriage."

The Count paled instantly. Take that, you little bitch.

"...I'm sure the Princess didn't want to mean anything bad!... But she said something about Count Rosecent's reputation becoming dishonored because he married... stepmother." I told him. " I thought it would be rude if I accepted her proposal right away then."

"Oh..." The Count said, face-palming his face. "Is that what the Princess said?" He turned pale. "I never intended this to happen..."

Wanting your daughter to get married off into a wealthy family so that you could reap benefits, isn't that selfish, you little hag?

Then you act as if it's not your fault that you married a prostitute off the streets when your first wife just died recently.

I wanted to roll my eyes so that it'd reach the back of my head. But that was too much for me.

"Did I do something wrong... father?" I asked him as if I did something wrong with tears in my eyes. "I knew I shouldn't have..."

"No! No! Mielle, you did the right thing. You are such a bright girl, even I didn't think this far ahead. You truly are my daughter, of the Rosecent family after all." The Count reassured me by patting my head.

"So please don't bring this up in front of brother Cain, sister Aria, or stepmother, because I think they will be very upset with what the Princess said about our family. I don't want this to affect us." I told him tearily.

"Indeed, I shall not speak a word." He agreed with me. "Now, now. You can go." He dismissed me from his office.

Ah... petty little hag. I yawned as I exited his office, finally deal set done. I just didn't want Aria to get the wrong idea that I was meeting with Princess Isis. Or anybody that idea yet? Isis wasn't my ally. I don't intend for people to see my strongest card, for which Isis still isn't completely on my side yet.

"Emma, let's go, I'm done with my side. Did you do what I've told you to do?" I asked her.

Emma nodded, as she said, "I've made all the arrangements, we'll leave as soon as possible."

Good. I want to figure things out before Aria does. Get ahead of the story before she gets hold of the power of the hourglass.

"Then we'll leave tomorrow afternoon." I told her.

It was finally time to outdo the story!
***
***
"My lady, we have arrived at our destination," Emma told me when the carriage had finally arrived at the middle of the city at last. I looked out in awe at the city that was in front of me. What the heck...

This looks sure hell looks like a billion dollar movie-set. The town, the people, the medieval architecture, and whatnot. My jaws fell down. It had been a while since I had stepped outside and touched real grass outside the Rosecent manor.

I stepped outside the carriage and took in to breathe some fresh air. The town is sure looks lively as heck. So this was the real world outside the novel looks like. Its atmosphere was bright and beautiful.

Suddenly, a young figure bumped into me when running around the town. It was a small bruised boy who seemed to run around wildly until he bumped into me. He became scared and ran off when he glimpsed into my face.

...Uh...

Do I look scary?

"Those low vermins." Emma cursed. "They dare not to apologize to our lady."

"Emma," I warned her. "It's just a kid. It would be quite a disaster if we wanted to make a scene out of something small. If we did, we'd only be the villains."

"I-I apologize for not thinking hard," Emma said. Damn... warding off Emma's murderous aura was sure scary, wasn't it? What the heck was the overprotectiveness for?

"It's fine. You are a great person, nanny." I told Emma. She was the most helpful person in this entire world. If there was anybody who loved Mielle more than anybody else in the world... it would probably be Emma. "I'm just saying that you don't need to be aggressive."

Emma smiled softly. "My lady, are you alright? If it's uncomfortable, I shall take you to a new place. My apologies for not realizing it first before taking you here." Emma apologized to me.

Instead I turned around to the group of five guards who were behind me and said, "You five! Do you know what your job is?" I asked them lot.

All of them became surprised with my voice, who seemed to be talking them all, and they all answered, "My Lady! It is to protect to you, of course, my lady!"

"Wrong!" I said back to them, as if correcting them.

All of them looked up at me dumbfoundedly. "Huh?"

"Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! A knight's duty is first to be loyal to their Master!" I told them. "Loyality is the most important thing in this entire job."

"Of course, My lady!" They all replied.

"So what do you think is the most loyal thing that you can do?" I ask them together.

"L-loyal thing?"

"My lady, is there something wrong with our service?"

"I'm asking you a question. If you can answer it, you will stay. If not, go back to the Count's manor and reflect on your actions." I tell them.

"Uh! My lady, the most loyal thing to do is to offer one's body to their Master!" One of them answered.

"One's body?" I repeated. "How so?"

"Uh... like using the body for unspeakable things."

All kinds of dirty images flew through my mind... very nasty things, until I slapped myself I shook my head and said, "Close... try again!"

"M-My lady...is it to fulfill the master's wishes?" Another Knight behind the one, answered with a much more serious tone. "And satisfying the master's needs."

At this rate, I knew that the things these knights were saying DID not match the imagination I was having in my head. I blushed in humiliation and embarrassment when I went through this...Holy...

Me and my derranged mind. How could Mielle Rosecent have such indecent thoughts?!

"Why don't you phrase these things in a better way?" I asked them. "Cought, cough."

"M-My lady, are you alright? Is the heat getting to you?" One of the other knights pointed out.

"Wait! This is a test! Everyone, get My Lady a glass of cold water!" Someone yelled. "She is having a heat-stroke!" Suddenly as if this was akin to happen, all of the Knights ran away to look for a glass of cold water.

Leaving me alone with Emma...

Seriously! I just want to f*cking kill myself! I face-palmed my red face which was now flushing with indecent thoughts those innocent Knights had filled in my head. What the actual fuck is really wrong with me?

"My Lady, just what is going on?" Emma asked me. Emma, please don't. You don't want to know. You are too good and pure-hearted to know.

"Nevermind that, let's go and get that thing back." I told Emma. Emma nodded as she led me towards the pawn-shop that she was talking about. It was a rusty old place, but it was much fancier in the inside with all the gadgets inside.

Oh... My eyes widened with all the toys and all the things around the Pawnshop. The shopkeeper, who was an elderly man, kindly smiled at me and said, "My lady, the hourglass is fixed." He said, as he took out a treasured old wooden box and placed it infront of me.

...

There it was. In front of me laid the very hourglass that I angrily broke a month ago. It was beautifully crafted and such, and now it was fixed. Perfect. I reached to touch it.

"...Hey. Did you perhaps experience anything weird when you touched this?" I asked the Shopkeeper. The Elderly man looked confused as he said, "W-what do you mean, My lady?"

"Like strange occurrences?" I asked him. "Or anything... of that sort."

"No, I don't think I have, my Lady." The elderly man responded sincerely with fidgeting hands, wondering if he had done something wrong. "Is there something wrong, My lady?"

"No nothing, thank you for being honest," I told him. "Now, can you do me a favor?"

"Huh?" The Elderly man asked when I said that to him. "What is it, my dear lady?"

"Take this hourglass and turn it," I ordered the Shopkeeper.

"Oh...okay." The Shopkeeper obediently took out the finely crafted hourglass from the wooden box and put it out. Then he took the hourglass and flipped it to the other side, where the sand started to fall down to the other side very slowly.

...

Nothing happened.

Well, at least, I don't think anything happened. I was on my guard this entire time this process had taken place, and my heart was pounding so loud in my rib cage it just wanted to kill me. The process caused me anxiety.

...I knew that this Hourglass would not have the same effect to me as it did to Aria. If this hourglass was turned then, Aria would be the only one who would be unaffected by the change of time flow.

The others like me, Emma, and the Shopkeeper wouldn't change our behaviors and memories with the change of time flow. In other words, we wouldn't even know if the Hourglass was turned or not. We wouldn't be aware if there was a change in time flow or if I had already asked the shopkeeper to do something twenty minutes ago.

Like last time, when I had accidentally flipped the hourglass, I had turned back time– but I forgot that I even turned the hourglass in the first place and repeated the same experience again.

However... something doesn't make sense. If Aria was someone who could control this thing, did that mean that she remembered something had happened when I turned the hourglass? Did she notice the change in time flow?

And how did I remember it even now, if I wasn't supposed to be affected by it?

"You seem quite troubled with the object in your hand, my dear." A very soft voice called me out of my trance.

!!!

What was that?!

Chapter Text

"You seem quite troubled with the object in your hand, my dear." A very soft voice called me out of my trance.

!!!

I stared up toward the source of the voice and looked around.

"Emma, did you hear something?" I asked Emma, who was looking for the Knights that had just run off. Emma looked at me in confusion and shook her head. Wait. Am I hearing things?

"Is that an hourglass? How peculiar~" A voice chimed in my head. I looked up at the sky and then looked back around at my surroundings. Suddenly, in front of my eyes, I see a hooded figure standing approximately fifty feet away from me.

The tall hooded figure seemed to signaling to me with her voice. "Come follow me. I'll answer all of your questions. Outsider."

What?! My fingers turned cold and I could feel my soul leaving me as soon as I heard the word: outsider. N-no way.

My eyes seemed to follow the hooded figure, who had just started to turn from an alleyway into a street. Wait.

"M-My LADY! W-where are you going?!" Emma yelled after me, but it was too late– I pulled up my skirts and followed the hooded figure across the streets, chasing her into the alleyway. The figure ran really fast, however, she made it so that I could follow easily.

I didn't want to turn around and look- but my feet already took off. I kept running into the ghastly dark alleyways of the unfamiliar and fictional city. Of this imaginary world. Even Emma's voice couldn't reach me. My feet, that never heard of freedom, could start feeling it.

...Did I just randomly follow a stranger? Yes.

Am I going to regret this?

Most likely.

I realized that I had made quite the mistake following a hooded, mysterious figure in front of me.

"Just around the corner." The figure alerted me, softly just into my brain. It was like a whisper that tickled into my ear– I couldn't believe it! Telepathy?!

The figure ahead of me came to a stop, and so did I.

"...w-what are you? N-no... who are you? W-what do you want from me?" I ask her at last, panting uncontrollably. My legs were about to give out on me, and I wanted to fall into the ground to take a rest. The heat, and the layers of garment in this dress were going to be the death of me.

"I'll answer all of that soon~" The figure merrily told me, without taking off their hood.

"...Wait... do you have telepathy?" I ask her, wiping my sweat on my forehead. "Because that's sick."

"Well, I don't know what that word is." The figure communicated to me. I looked at her... clearly they were not using their mouths to verbally communicate with me.

"Telepathy is... when you communicate with someone using your mind..." I answer. I realize that it was more of a science-fiction word rather than a fantasy word. Clearly, people of this era lack scientific knowledge.

"Interesting. I take it that it comes from your world, outsider." The figure communicated with me. I nodded along, feeling reminiscent of my original world. I can no longer remember the specific details of it at all.

"H-how did you know that I'm an outsider?" I asked them instead. The figure showed a sign off chuckling before they responded,

"I just happened to know~"

"Are there any other outsiders in this world?" I hesitantly asked.

"...Well fairly amounted yes," The figure said. "You realize that this world is functioning on its tenth no– on its thirteenth-time loop."

I scrunched up my eyebrows. THIRTEENTH time loop?

"It is the number of times that someone had turned back time to take revenge." The figure responded. "The first time loop lead to the second one, while the others revolved continuously."

The first time loop? What does that mean? I clearly remember that Aria had still not turned back the Hourglass–

No! She did. She's only done it once! And I don't think me turning the hourglass does anything else. Clearly, this person is referring to the time loop as... the number of times someone had turned back time to get revenge?

"Are you sure it is the thirteenth loop, not the second one?"

"I am very sure."

"Then who is turning it thirteen times?" I asked confused. Holy shit. Clearly, no one other than Aria could turn back time. And I took the hourglass away from Aria– but still...

Can Aria use other forms of an hourglass or..?

"It's you." The figure asked.

"What?" I stood gaping at this voice. My jaws dropped at this very moment.

"Outsider, you are responsible for turning back time thirteen times."

***

***
"IT'S YOU." THE FIGURE DROPPED THE BOMB CASUALLY. "Outsider, you are responsible for turning back the time thirteen times."

"What?" I stood gaping at this voice. My jaws dropped at this very moment. Holy Fuck, what? I don't think even I have even had the guts to turn back the hourglass that many times... "...but how?!"

No wait. I squinted my eyes for a second. That made no f*cking sense.

"How do you know that?" I asked the figure itself. "Who are you? Where are all of these claims coming from? Are you scamming me?"

"That hourglass." The figure said pointing at the glass case in my hands. "That object is quite peculiar. It contains remnants of magic that can be only used within a certain lineage. The Piast Dukedom."

"The what family?"

"Piast family." She corrected, coughing on her hands. "It certainly can be used only by the members of the Piast family. However..." The figure glanced at me. "You don't possess the bloodline of the Piast family at all. How peculiar..."

The Piss– I mean the Piast family bloodline. Aren't they part of the nobility from the Kindom of Croa? Precisely part of the royalty descent? That means– Aria must be part of the Piast family?!

Then that...

...All those artifacts which Emma had obtained from Viscount Louvre– including the Blue Orb Crystal ball also belong to that family?!

"Why did I, Mielle Roscent, turn back time thirteen times?! No h-how could I? Am I not the villainess–" I accidentally let my thoughts out loud.

The figure asked told me. "Although I don't know why exactly you have needed to turn back time– however, you seem to come back at a specific moment of time."

"C-come back at a specific moment in time?" I asked. I-I've turned back the hourglass so much that I needed to come back in time to do something?!

How many times have I turned the hourglass? Am I even allowed to turn back the hourglass?!

"I've felt something was very strange in this world... as time was repeating itself continuously. Some things can't easily come to an end. I've felt like I've lived through almost a millennia already."

"A millennia... how long ago did I turn back this hourglass?" I asked desperately.

"Let's see, you have at least returned back two years' worth of time." They told me. "Outsider, you have gone back two years' worth in time."

Chapter Text

.. how long ago did I turn back this hourglass?" I asked desperately.

"Let's see, you have at least returned back two years' worth of time." They told me. "Outsider, you have gone back two years' worth in time."

...Two years?! H-how is that possible? Have I been turning the hourglass exactly at the same moment of time rewinding the time by two years?! And I've been doing this... thirteen times..?

I didn't need to do mental math to figure out how long I have been subconsciously stuck in this body of Mielle Roscente.

But why? How?!

"I believe you have the same questions as I did, however, I only know as much as you know. But you have been regressing back to the date of the 23rd day of the spring, the year of XIV of the Imperial Calendar."

But that was exactly four months ago... around the time I had reincarnated into this world...

...No wonder why I had been so sane coming into this world– I've been stuck here in this goddamn world thirteen times?!

"Have you ever reached out to me prior to this?" I asked her. "In my previous lives before my current regression?"

"That...even I'm not sure myself." The figure told me. "Perhaps I did, maybe I had this exact conversation with you in your past regressions."

Oh shit. Is it because I am not able to remember because the power of the hourglass only belongs to Aria? Then how was I able to regress back in time? Because no one other than Aria Roscente can reverse the time of the hourglass.

"So you, yourself are not aware of how you lived before this life?" I asked, intuitively. The figure shook its head. This is not good.

Under what circumstances had I been forced to use the hourglass, exactly thirteen times in a row?

...

The answer was obvious: Mielle's death?!

I know that I am not capable of fighting against Aria Roscente, however for me to go back in time by two years repetitively, that means this had occurred two years in the future. Had Aria Roscente already fucked me over by then?!

I don't think the original story was over in two years. It had to be at least five years... am I that pathetic?

"As you said, I do not possess the power to regress in time because I do not have that family bloodline within me," I said. Wait.

"I am not sure how you were able to use the power, however interestingly," the figure added, "can I try this hourglass of yours?" They stretched out their hand from the hood, and I carefully pulled out the sand-boxed hourglass from the wooden case and handed it to them.

The figure took it and flipped it on its side. The sand then started to slowly fall into the other side. Absolutely nothing happened. Or perhaps this was our perception?

Maybe we have reversed time but we are not aware? Just like I am not aware of the times I had regressed in time thirteen times?!

Fuck. This shit was messing with my brain cells. I don't think I can function anymore.

"Did you feel any time changes?" I asked, pinching my forehead in distress.

"Well... perhaps. I felt as if there was a slight distortion in this world, like a ripple."

"You can feel it?" I asked her again, scrunching my eyebrows.

"Well, I know there has been a change to some extent. But there is no knowledge regarding what had occurred in the past. As if knowledge had been wiped."

"And as soon as I try to revive those memories, I feel distressed too." I agreed.

"Hmmm... it seems that it takes five minutes for all of the sand to fill to the bottom of the glass." The figure observed. "For you to turn back two years' worth of time– it's not possible with this hourglass. You need a bigger one."

Exactly! But Aria Roscente was able to turn back five years' worth of time when she was on her deathbed. Is it because of her bloodline?

"Before that, do you think it's this hourglass itself that gives the people of the Piast family power? Or can they use other forms of hourglasses to do the same thing?"

"I would need to look into that, personally." The figure said. "All of this is... very interesting."

Interesting my ass.

"Fine, how much would you need?" I asked the figure. The figure looked confused as they said: "Pardon?"

"How much are you charging?"

"... I do not need a human's money."

"So you are not a human, are you?" I asked the figure. The Figure did not respond to my terms, but that didn't mean anything.

Instead, I added, "It'd be awkward for this one-sided exchange. No rather– it seems strange that you would be willing to work for free on something this tedious. So what's the catch?"

"Free?" The figure laughed. "I never do anything for free."

Hold up! Red-flag! My eyes became alert immediately, but the Figure laughed even more as they visibly noticed my expression become wild. "I've already obtained what I need. You don't need to worry about it."

"W-wait? W-what does that mean?!" I asked.

"In a week's worth of time, I shall send you a letter report on my findings then. See you then, outsider~!" The figure said as they bolted away from the alleyway.

"HEY! Where are going–" I yelled. However, in a flick of a second, they seemed to disappear from the naked eye. "SHIT!"

I cursed. I looked around at my surroundings. The thing is: I do not know my way out. I should have taken Emma! But no... she wouldn't have led me in here.

What was that person's deal? I wanted to seriously chase after that bastard–! Ugh! I scanned the area around me– not good. I'm lost for sure.

Ugh. Fuck. This shit is really messing with me. First, someone tells me that I've regressed back two years' worth of time thirteen times. That's twenty-six years–?! I've already lived a lifetime of how much I'd lived in my previous world.

How many times have I been living through this?

...No the person mentioned something about revenge, didn't they? One time loop leads to another.

Aria's already time-looped once. But I've been time-looping thirteen times. Holy Shit. But why? Because of Mielle Roscente's death in two years? And I think I might have been even aware of my circumstances by then as well.

...So what am I doing wrong? Perhaps my actions are the same as last time? Is Aria Roscente, herself aware of this?! Definitely not.

Ugh... shit! I am not even sure of what's going on myself. I clutch the hourglass to chest and try to reground with Emma in the others. I'm pretty sure~ that Emma is seriously concerned with me. But that's not the problem now:

The problem is how do I go back? Fuck. I looked around me.

I am lost.

***

***

I WIND DOWN SEVERAL PATHS of alleyways and streets walking across unfamiliar roads. Goddamnit! Am I lost for real? Will I never return home? No... think carefully- I can just take a carriage back home.

Wait. But I don't have any money though. SHIT! I curse at myself for being so careless while wandering around in the streets. I realized that this was the most dangerous decision in my life right now.

A thirteen-year-old little girl dressed nicely in neat and fancy clothes while walking wanderlessly in the streets without an escort or a bodyguard? This screams for trouble. I may be well aware of some martial art tricks- however, in this body, I am too weak, small, and lazy. I am in no condition to get away if someone tried kidnapping me.

FUCK. I rampaged through my neatly combed honeyed blonde hair. UGH! This is driving me crazy. I looked around when I finally reached a tall white glamoured building in front of me.

Suddenly, golden blonde hair passed by my eyesight in a second. I rubbed my eyes three times just to make sure that I was seeing all of this properly. Wait....that person looks familiar.

W-w-was that Aria Roscente?!

"My lady, this is for you." A sweet voice filled my ears when I heard this. I studied properly and saw a figure proposing to Aria with flowers.

Just what in the world is going on?!!!!

Chapter Text

GODDAMIT I KNEW I WAS LOST. I had just walked down this entire block of streets for the last twenty minutes– and I've been coming back to this same street over and over again!

My back became hunched and my feet had started to go numb walking aimlessly without a goal or life. I didn't have a single penny on me right now to go back home. Shit. I really should have thought this through before going anywhere.

Usually, most noblewomen don't carry around wallets with them because they have their attendants or escorts for them using the family name. So Emma would have to authorize the purchase. I knew it! I should have brought Emma with me!

I am getting too used to this world! Maybe because I've been regressing thirteen times!

Suddenly, golden blonde hair passed by my eyesight in a second. I rubbed my eyes three times just to make sure that I was seeing all of this properly. Wait....that person looks familiar.

W-w-was that Aria Roscente?!

"My lady, this is for you." A sweet voice filled my ears when I heard this. I studied properly and saw a figure proposing to Aria with flowers.

Just what in the world is going on?!!!!

Without thinking twice, my body moved on its own and hid behind another bricked building immediately, as if to not catch their attention. My breath stopped, however, I silently peeked my head out of the building to catch a glimpse of this scene.

It seemed to be a floral atmosphere, all flowery and buttery~ I could see Aria and this hooded figure standing in front of her flowers. Her guards who seemed to be a bit wary, looked confused at this hooded figure as well.

...What the heck is going on?

There were five hooded figures. Only one tall figure stood tall amongst them all. I could tell from their stature that it was a man– with soft-dark black hair with cerulean blue eyes. Hmmm... He looked familiar if I wasn't going to lie.

I felt like I'd seen him somewhere. Perhaps in my other lifetimes?!

Suddenly a chill ran down my spine. Holy cow. Just who the heck is this guy? His aura was so regal and intimadating at the same time.

Anyhow, I still had to focus on this scene. The dark-haired man looked ever so passionately at the golden-haired disinterested woman.

"What is the meaning of this?" Aria questioned with a stern voice towards the kind-looking man. Her expression was grim, reluctant, and cautious.

"This is a humble token of appreciation for the information you shared with me before." The man told her with a gleeful expression. I could tell that he was enjoying teasing Aria like this. "Your great advice helped me to evade a grave loss."

I didn't need to be a mind reader to tell from Aria's scrunched eyebrows. She was probably thinking just like me: Advice loss? What on Earth is this guy talking about?

"Actually, I don't even remember any conversation that you'd be thankful for..." Aria looked, evading his eyes as if she wanted to wrap up this conversation.

"That's impossible. Thanks to you, I didn't buy the auction tickets to the Viscount Louvre and was able to protect my valuable assets." The man said with a flowery smile.

V-Viscount Louvre? I gasped in my breath. Hold on... Aria had helped this man from getting into Viscount Louvre's auction? Huh? At that point, I couldn't hold it in any longer, my gasp had escaped out of my mouth when a realization had struck me.

It had to be..! No way it couldn't be..!

IT WAS THE CROWN FUCKING PRINCE!

"Please, take these tulips. They are the blessings of our kingdom." The Crown Prince said with a soft smile on his face when he gave the flowers into Aria's hands. Aria, for some reason, looked irked and completely disgusted with the man infront of her.

However, Aria bit her lips and reluctantly took the flowers into her hands. "I can't accept these without knowing your name."

"My goodness, how rude of me. Please call me Asher." He said. Yup. Yup. It's definitely him! That's the man on the white horse! The motherf*cking male lead.

"May I ask what family you're from?" Aria asked disinterestedly. The Crown Prince smiled as he said, "For personal reasons, I will not disclose this."

Aria nodded sullenly, before taking the flowers from Asher and shoving it against a guard's nose. She smiled politely back at him, before turning around and saying, "Well then, I have to go." Asher looked interestedly as he watched Aria, turn around to return to the carriage.

Suddenly, while Aria was stepping into the carriage, her feet slipped and she accidentally stepped on the bouquet of tulips while gasping in surprise. Her face mechanically turned into a shocked face as she looked back at Asher and told him,

"Goodness, what shall I do?" She cried as she crunched on more flowers by stepping on it. She didn't even bother to pick it up. "The flowers are ruined..." She made a teary expression.

My goodness...ARIA!!!! I became even more shocked when I witnessed this scene! That's the fucking crown prince damnit!

Not to my surprise, the Crown Prince, Asher burst out in laughter after seeing such an amusing behavior.

-_- Ugh

"T-those Tulips are not befitting of my lady's tastes, so it'd be better if you threw them away." Asher said laughing in utter joy. W-what is this?

Is it because Aria is the female lead? I bet that if a nobody like me stepped on those flowers, tomorrow I would standing in front of the execution table.

"Then I will leave these to you," Aria told him, quickly passing off the flowers to Asher in a hurry.

"Of course," He said, regaining his composure and smiling back at Aria. Aria, turned back to look at him before stepping into the carriage again. And by then, the carriage had already rattled forward.

...

Wait. Should have I butted in and gotten a ride with her as well?

SHIT! My dumb shit self! That was my ride back home goddamnit!

While I was fuming in the corner looking at the carriage disappear into the midst– I realized that something was wrong immediately. No... it was as if I was the one being watched all of a sudden.

Adredaline filled my body, and when I glanced back at the scene in front of me- I had realized- the figures that were ahead of me had now disappeared. W-what? Did that Crown Prince just disappear? As if he was never there to begin with...

What about his subordinates?

Oh no.

I felt it. The instinct of knowing when something is going to go wrong. The feeling when all the danger alarms filled within my body to run away. That gut instinct. Shit.

I was being watched.

"You there, how long have been onlooking into the scene?" A voice spoke from behind me. And before I could turn around and gasp at the source of the sound: a blade was put onto my throat.

...

"FUC–!" I let out under my breath.

Fuck! It was the Crown Prince! "You have been spying on us quite intentlessly. Usually, I wouldn't care as such, but a person like you..." He was going on behind me, keeping a sword around my neck.

"..I bear no bad intentions! I swear!" I yell on top of my lungs. My heart beats in my ribcage. No... what is this? Was he trying to KILL ME? "I...I was just trying to..."

"Trying to what?"

"C-can't you s-see that I'm a noblewoman?" I tell him. "...I-I.... was just staring at you two because I-" I mumbled in fear. Suddenly a blade against my neck was immediately dropped when the person took that into account.

"I see," He told me. -_- Is he dumb?! Can't he see from the way I dress that I'm a noblewoman?! Is he only blind to Aria?!

"S-stay away..." I gasped for my breath, holding it out. "I'm a n-noblewoman... I will destroy your family if you touch me." I yell. "I-I'm a R-Roscente."

"You. Did you call yourself a Roscente?" He asked me, stepping closer to me.

"Stop don't approach me!" I yelled, cowering my hands into the alleyway. "P-Please."

I didn't have time to waste, because as soon as Asher dropped the blade down from my neck I took my chance and ran for my life. I had to get out of here!

My legs sprinted past the dark alleyways that I had just come out from.

I couldn't trust the male lead with my life at all.

"-Hey! Where are you going?!" The man yelled after me. I knew it didn't do much, but it was a weird distraction.

I ran as fast as I physically could. My legs started to quiver, from moving around my thighs.

I didn't dare to look behind, but I was guessing that there were already three figures chasing behind me. I sprinted farther into through the darker sullen alleyway. My breath was started to get sharp and legs moved on their own.

"Stop right there!" Someone raised their voice against me. N-no way?! Why the hell would I stop?

Instead I paced farther and farther. P-please! E-Emma, where are you?! I gasped for my breath but I kept running. My short petite legs started to slow down and burn out. UGHHHHH....

I was already reaching my limit, and on top of that my followers were gaining behind me. I winded down the alleyway behind a dumpster area. I held my breath and sunk myself into a corner.

Shit.

Fuck. Would I get killed for sure? That's how Viscount Louvre died, right?

Is this really how I die?

I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together. Please. Please. Save me. Anybody! Before I knew it a small light blinded my vision. It radiated within me and before I knew it–

CRASH***

"NEIGHH!" A loud animalistic voice was heard instead, followed by a galloping voice that yelled, "Hey! Watch out!"

My vision blurred and right in front of me stood a horse and a carriage.

-_-. Wait. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

***

Chapter Text

CRASH***

"NEIGHH!" A loud animalistic voice was heard instead, followed by a galloping voice that yelled, "Hey! Watch out!"

My vision blurred and right in front of me stood a horse and a carriage.

-_-. Wait. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

"My lady! Watch out!" Emma's voice yelled behind me, as her strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me up from the roadside. "My lady! Are you alright?! What happened? And where did you run off to?!"

Even I had no idea how to explain this. What was going on?! Wasn't the Male lead chasing after me or something?! I touched all over my body, just what the heck is going on?! And where am I? Wasn't I at the alley?

Wait! The Crown Prince?!

I frantically looked around me to see if the figures were still following me. Oh no! What if they...

"My lady-!" Emma yelled once more to bring me back from my thoughts.

Thank god Emma was here! There is no way the Crown Prince could ever harm me now that Emma is by my side. She could even vouch for my identity. But...

I looked back up at Emma and responded with a quiet voice, "...Emma..."

Realizing that even I had gotten quite a shock, Emma closed her mouth and warmly wrapped her arms around me, I could feel the dampness of her clothes, probably from the cold sweat that broke out because of my disappearance.

"My lady, please don't run off like that again. I know that things have been very difficult for you at the mansion and sudden changes that have appeared in your life. But please know that I and the Young master, your father, and everyone cares about you very deeply. We would be very saddened if you had left us like that."

Ah... Emma must have registered my actions like that of a young child running away from her home because she was being neglected and bullied. But for some reason, I couldn't help but feel warm and truly affected by her words.

Ah, Mielle, you were truly loved.

I felt kind of guilty for making Emma feel sad because of my sudden actions, but I kind of had to use this opportunity to my advantage. "I-I'm so sorry Emma... I won't do anything reckless again."

"Thank you, my lady." Emma pulled away from the hug brushed off the dirt from my skirt and fixed my bonnet.

"And please don't report this to my family, I believe they would be very angry at my... selfish actions," I told her.

Emma lightly smiled back at me and responded, "Your wish is my command," in reassurance. But, I really squinted my eyes at her and told her: "Really, I mean it. Please, don't mention this to my father."

Emma pursed her lips, "but..." she said back but bit back the rest of her words with a soft smile. "Alright, my lady."

"You will do it right?" I asked her.

"Do what?" Emma asked back.

"Emma!" I scolded her and, Emma started to laugh instead, "Yes, yes, I will. I won't tell anyone. Nor the Master."

"Good." I sighed back in relief. "Let's go back home."

Emma nodded held my hand tightly and led me towards the Roscente carriage that stood in front of the workshop where I had just gotten my hourglass fixed.

Now that I think about it, what just happened?! I pulled out the box that had the hourglass within it.

A couple of hours ago, I had just been contacted by some other-worldly creature saying that they knew I wasn't from this world. And then I figured out that I was time-looping through the events of the story already?! And I had already rewinded the hourglass thirteen times to the beginning of the story?!

Just what was going on?

On top of that... I witnessed the scene between the male lead, Crown Prince Asher, and Aria's first or second exchange, and then... wasn't I chased?!

I was running away from the Crown Prince through some dark alleys that led me nowhere, and before I knew it, I had landed in front of a carriage on the road-side that lead me back to Emma.

How?

Now that I think about it, the Crown Prince stopped pursuing me? I was pretty sure he was only a width away from grabbing me...

What did actually occur?

Think! Think!

I remember being cornered in an alleyway. And then what? I think I might pray? Then a blinding stream of light embellished me, and before I knew it, I ended up in front of the roadside near to where Emma was.

A light! A light engulfed around me and then I sort of... teleported? No... way. That can't be it...

Then what was it?

"-My lady? Are you alright?" Emma interrupted my thoughts, "You are frowning too much... please don't do that, you will cause wrinkles on your face."

"Emma... just out of curiosity. How did you find me?" I asked her. Emma looked startled all of a sudden. I think she is starting to go through her thoughts as well.

"Well... my lady, after you ran off... I had chased after you for a while, but before I knew it, you had disappeared from my very eyes. I... don't have much to explain for myself... but I deployed all the guards that were supposed to accompany us, but there was almost no news about you for almost thirty minutes..." Emma said quietly. Her eyes teared up and her expression looked worrisome.

"I see... and then?" I asked her quietly.

"T-then... I was about to call and send a messenger to the Roscente family about your disappearance. Immediately then, and in front me, I saw you all appear in front of my eyes out of nowhere and about to be... run over by a carriage." Emma said.

"...Appear out of nowhere..." I sounded my thoughts, before closing my mouth when realizing Emma's face.

"...Yes, it's my fault. I must be c-crazy! How dare I say that..." Emma said back. "...I'm so sorry my lady! If my old eyes had caught on sooner, you wouldn't have been almost run over by that carriage! How unbefitting of me to be your nanny! How could I ever blame you for my lack of service?!" Emma blamed herself.

"Emma-! It's not your fault... it's my fault for being selfish and running away after not consulting with you. I wouldn't do that again."

"...You are too kind, my lady." Emma bit her lips and quietly looked out the window.

Okaayyyy. No fucking way... So I had just crystallized out of nowhere?

What does that even mean?! I mean I just got engulfed in a light in an alleyway where I was sure that I would be captured by the Crown Prince, then I just appeared out of nowhere?!

...Just what is this ability?

I mean I know this book talks about some other kind of abilities, but did that mean I just obtained an ability?

To teleport?! Me?!

Before I knew it, my mouth erupted into a burst of laughter, no fucking away. Emma looked at me in worry, "-My lady?!"

"Sorry Emma, I just find this whole situation... too much." I quieted myself down.

Just a couple of hours ago, I realized that I could time travel. But now I can teleport as well?!

Was that even teleportation?! Now that I think about it...

Aria could time-travel. And looking back into the events that had occurred... I could... somehow also time-travel.

Didn't the Crown Prince also have an ability that allowed him to teleport or speed-travel?! ... And now... I could also teleport...

Was I grabbing every character's ability like Pokemon cards or something?

This is ridiculous. Utterly crazy!!! I wanted to grab my hair and pull it apart into bits!

Anyhow, this was not supposed to be happening in the original timeline! Nothing makes sense! Just what the fuck happened to the story? Is it because I am an outsider? Or is the story changing so much because I had gone back in time thirteen times, and fucked everything.

So for a recap, I can sort of time-travel, and although this was a hypothesis... I can also teleport.

Man... what a day...

"Emma, I went to go back to bed immediately."

"...What about dinner?" Emma asked quietly.

"Well... I'm very tired, and I don't want to meet with anyone for a couple of hours. Except for you of course," I reassured her. "So please tell the others that I am sick, and need to rest."

"Alright, my lady." Emma nodded.

Damn it, I want to rest now. All of this information is too much for me to bear!

UGHHH.

***

***

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME...

"Without reporting to anyone, you took a broken carriage and almost caused an accident didn't you?!" The Countess, Aria's mother loudly yelled in front of a servant.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I did not even have a day of rest, and here I am- standing amidst a crisis between Aria and the whole world... all over again.

Fuuccckkk... To recap the whole situation, just a few moments after I entered the Roscente manor haggardly, I wanted to head back to my room. But in a few minutes, the Countess- Aria's biological mummy called all of the servants to the center hall of the mansion.

So, since the Countess was calling down everyone, and I was already around in the square perimeter- I had to be there. By obligation.

So what in the world is going on anyway?

***

Chapter Text

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME...

"Without reporting to anyone, you took a broken carriage and almost caused an accident didn't you?!" The Countess, Aria's mother loudly yelled in front of a servant.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I did not even have a day of rest, and here I am- standing amidst a crisis between Aria and the whole world... all over again.

Fuuccckkk... To recap the whole situation, just a few moments after I entered the Roscente manor haggardly, I wanted to head back to my room. But in a few minutes, the Countess- Aria's biological mummy called all of the servants to the center hall of the mansion.

So, since the Countess was calling down everyone, and I was already around in the square perimeter- I had to be there. By obligation.

So what in the world is going on anyway?

"I am the Countess of the mansion! So while my husband is gone, I am in charge!" Carin ordered around. "So where were you?" She pointed at a servant angrily.

"...It happened too suddenly, I believed I took the wrong carriage by accident." The servant responded back.

"So you're saying its the Carriage manager's fault?!" The Countess interrogated the servant.

"N-No! The broken carriages are kept in a different place! Everyone knows that they are in a separate building!" Another servant, who was probably the carriage manager responded back.

Just what is going on... from the sound of it, it looks like some drama to me. Was this in the novel, perhaps? If so, I don't exactly remember the details.

"Mother..." Aria intercepted, "the one in charge of servants is the butler..."

The Countess took the word and pointed her fan to the butler to implore him. The sturdy tall middle-aged man who looked to be the butler of the Roscente mansion looked confused as he said,

"...I've worked in this mansion for thirty years. Much to my embarrassment I have not heard of this incident until now. My apologies, I have no excuses." The butler bowed down in embarrassment and looked sincere.

Gossip started around the mansions, and the maids behind the butler started to chatter.

I looked at Aria's face in confusion, just what was she trying to do? A carriage accident? What?

Oh! Right. That makes sense, Aria left the manor today with a Roscente carriage. And incidentally, I had also witnessed that she had taken another carriage back home. So what happened to the Roscente carriage that had carried her?

"He's always done his job well, there is no need to be suspicious of him." Aria told her mother. "It would seem that someone disliked me, and planned to hid it... from him."

Ah...

So that's what's going on. How could I be so stupid? I merely almost forgot that I was the major antagonist in this novel. So how could I be so humble and leave the drama? Afterall, fate dictates that I must be involved.

Why wouldn't Aria be suspicious of me right now. After all, the person that was trying to harm her the most was Mielle Roscente.

Ugh!!

But I didn't do it! I swear! I really had no idea what is going on! I nearly just broke my backbone today, and now there was this!

Then who was it? Damn it, wasn't it Mielle Roscente who did this in the original timeline! God-damnit, if I didn't get involved, then was it? Oh no. Aria isn't planning to pin it all on me right?

I mean she isn't wrong. Her suspicions are correct, but not at the same time. The original Mielle would have done this 100%. But I wasn't the original Mielle. No... then who was it?

"We should call the police," Aria said cautiously. "If the coachman purposefully took a carriage to harm me, it would have collapsed and I would have died. If the butler, himself didn't know... it must have been thoroughly planned..."

Thank god. I almost breathed a relief of sigh. If it's the police, they should be able to reveal the truth.

"Yes, I think so too, I believe we should call the police." I immediately seconded that. All of a sudden, everyone's eyes were on me.

Even Aria herself looked surprised by my proposal.

Aria, although you think of me as an enemy, I don't plan to harm you. But that doesn't mean I'll allow myself to wallow in the punishment of my predecessor, the original Mielle Rosecente.

In this lifetime, I wish for my survival, as well as for your happiness.

I sighed in as I continued, "This is a very dangerous incident, it could have led to some unfortunate tragedies if it weren't for luck. But if we ignore this incident, I believe it may occur again in the future. Therefore, a police investigation is necessary to find out the culprits of this case."

"Yes, I agree as well," The countess nodded to my explanation. "This incident had nearly taken a life of one. Therefore, I will request a police investigation immediately, and like to have this issue resolved." The Countess ordered. "All of you, are dismissed for now."

The servants looked around each other in confusion, but then immediately withdrew themselves from the center hall. Realizing that this situation will resolve itself, I immediately head back to my room.

I think I spotted Aria's confused gaze upon my back. Realizing this, I turned around and smiled at her, while she instantly looked away from my gaze.

Wow...

Anyway, I wonder who did this. This was a very dangerous situation. If someone had been orchestrating these events without my interference, it is very bad for me and my fate. So who was it?

Emma?! No... it was very rude of me to even assume Emma could do something cold-hearted... no...she definitely would. Emma would definitely...

Do anything for Mielle.

Damnit! I was affected by Emma's biased gesture towards me, wasn't I? This is affecting my decisions and my impartiality.

I know that Emma wasn't the best morally good person. I mean she did go after Aria's and Aria's mother's head all the time. But it was for the sake of Mielle, and a bit of the cruelty was by Mielle's orders too.

No, I couldn't be too sure. Was Emma really acting against Carin and Aria due to her love for Mielle, or out of obligation to follow Mielle's orders? How much did Emma even hate them out of her own will?

But still... this kind of loyalty is the worst. Especially right now. Now that I am not the original Mielle that Emma loved, I had no intentions of following my predecessor's destiny either.

Anyhow, time to rest. I really need time to digest the situation for now. Specially have time to prep against anything that heads my way tomorrow.

***

***

Crown Prince's POV:

"Your Highness.... we haven't been able to track the lady at all..." One of the henchmen next to him huffed in exhaustion.

"Yes, Your Highness! It's like, she vanished! Poof! Right into thin air!" The other henchmen who were next to him reported back. "We looked everywhere, all over the alleyway in the 10 mile radius, but she's nowhere!"

"It's alright." The Crown Prince responded, "I wasn't planning to do anything, I was just curious as to who that woman was... looking at Mielle Roscente so intently. She didn't look she wanted to do any harm. So it's alright."

"But its quite strange Your Highness," One of his henchmen responded, "How can a feeble lady run so far?"

Asher nodded as well, yeah. How could someone who he thought had no bad or ill intentions be so intent to run away? She could have just confessed to something. Damn it, he shouldn't have threatened anyone with a sword anyway.

Why did he have to threaten everyone around him anyway? First was Mielle Roscente, the woman who tipped him about the casino, and now this other woman.

He started to laugh, why did things have to be so interesting around the Roscente manor?

Did he hear that random woman say she was a noble lady? Or a Roscente? No... it couldn't be. He must have misheard. He was tired from dealing with all the events around him anyway.

"Your Highness, it looked like your Majesty had just made a move." A henchman diverted his attention away.

"Alright, I'll head back to the Palace."

***

***

By morning, a Police investigation ensued in the mansion. It looks they were going around the mansion and already interrogating all the servants in the servant quarters. That's why Emma was late getting me ready for breakfast this morning.

I was still suspicious of Emma, although I had asked her no questions about the investigation yet. Instead, I pretended that nothing happened yesterday. Afterall, too many things occurred yesterday anyway.

After mulling over the events last night, I think I needed to really investigate all the materials of Puss– sorry the Piast family that have handed from Viscount Louvre. The strange blue orb specifically. Out of all the things in the bag, that blue orb was the one that resonated with me... or at least did something.

All the other gizmos in that bag hardly did anything. Or at least didn't work. Like the other amulets, gems, etc. Did it have something to do with bloodline of the Piss– I mean the Piast family?

I tried touching it again last night. But nothing happened. It hardly reacted. How strange. Or maybe did it glow in the middle of night when I was sleeping? Nevermind, I really had other things to worry about.

Like yesterday's teleportation?! Maybe I could try doing it again. Time-travelling was impossible for now. How the hell am I turning back time?

Anyhow, I had to also think about yesterday's commotion at the mansion. Haaah....

I already had made a list of possible candidates who could get involved in this case besides me: an internal variable or an external variable.

An internal variable would be a maid, servant, or person who are loyal towards Mielle Roscente, and out of anger or jealousy, acted against Aria. This could be people like Emma, or some other maid who idolized the young beautiful noble lady of the Roscente household and held some kind of proxy hatred towards Aria.

The internal variable could also hold candidates who were jealous of Aria in general. After all, there had been someone within the Roscente manor who was envious of both Aria and Carin's guts. Due to that, accumulated some of kind calculated move against Aria, which if investigated... would also lead to Mielle's downfall as well. If that person's scheme was found, that person could also falsely accuse Mielle to shift the blame.

An external variable would be a spy, maid, servant, or persons who harbor some kind of interest within the Roscente household. Dignified and powerful noble families like the Roscente Countdom had many political and economic rivals in general. If they were able to spur some kind of tragedy within the Roscente household, by planting spies- it would cause the Roscente household to lose its reputation.

In general, internal variables currently pose the greatest threat to my survival and situation. I would like it if an external variable was interfering in this stage. Damn it.

As I headed down for breakfast, I heard the commotion that the Countess had decided to fire the coachman who had abandoned his duties. And the situation had partially closed off, with the rest of the investigation left to the Police's statement.

Haaaah... so many things in one day huh?

***
***

Chapter Text

"AH, MIELLE, HOW ARE YOU FEELING? Your complexion hasn't been very good since last night..." Aria asked me, approaching me quite candidly.

Ahh.... right. There had been too many things on my plate after all. Yesterday was the worst day of my life.

"Sister Aria, I just was so restless after yesterday's incident. You see, I also went out by carriage this morning and came right in while the commotion was happening. I had no idea that a situation like this was even possible..." I murmured back at her. "To think someone wanted to harm you? And what if... they meant harm to me as well? I had no idea, and still took the Roscente carriage back home." I told her back.

Right. I had an alibi, I was also out while this commotion was occurring, so there was no damn way I would be involved!

With my explanation, Aria remained quite puzzled. As if her entire world came crashing down. Good! Now I had to carry this on:

"Big sister Aria! I had nightmares all night! What if something bad happened to you! Or to me! Or to dear Mother?! If someone had intended to harm us, what should we do?" I exaggerated. Although I was partially sincere.

Aria blinked, and pondered on it carefully. She quickly said back, "Yes, you must be really sick. You should see a doctor for now. I feel both thankful and sorry for letting you worry about me..."

"No Sister, of course I would worry. We are family, after all, ~" I answered back.

With this, I think the issue should be resolved. Aria should have no reason to suspect me for the carriage incident. I already have an alibi, and I also requested that the Police get involved with this investigation.

This for sure underlines that I am currently innocent, and have no motive.

I looked out from the corner of my eyes, and saw a frantic Aria, biting her lips as she mulled over my words. She must be putting this together as well.

Aria must know I am not her only suspect, she has other variables to consider. Good!

As I was about to head back, Aria suddenly called out to me: "Mielle! Wait!"

I paused and turned around to see Aria asking Jessie to bring her a box. It looked like a present of some sort.

"It's a little strange giving it to you now, but... Mielle you have been only eating in your room for the past couple of days since you haven't been feeling well. It's so hard to see you, and since I don't know when I'll see you again, I got you a gift." Aria said as she took out the box from Jessie and opened it.

A blue-teared necklace. Wow. How beautiful. "This is a gift from me," Aria said, showcasing the necklace to everyone around her.

"Oh my goodness!" A maid gasped from behind, and all the others around surrounded us all as they watched in awe of the beautiful shimmering necklace.

W-wow. It was really pretty.

"Y-you got this for me? Big Sister?" I said in awe, how did she know I love the color blue?! Wait, I don't think she intended for me to like it... but still... what the heck. This necklace is so... damnit! Don't get tempted. Don't get tempted. Ugghhh...

"Thank you so much Unnie!" I told her, "can you put it around me?" I asked her, turning around to make her able to put it on my neck.

Aria looked a little startled by my initiative, but she smiled as she carefully approached me and put it around my neck. After clipping it, she pulled my hair back, and I turned around.

"Oh my gosh! Lady Mielle, it looks really wonderful!" The other maids complimented.

I had no words... this necklace was beautiful?! For real?! OMG?

"T-thank you so much Aria, it looks so beautiful. I will cherish this." I said, fondling with the gem in the middle.

Aria, looked surprised with my words, but it didn't seem like she took them to heart and calculatively responded, "Well then, I am really happy that you like it... I really didn't know your taste..."

Oh no, you know my taste... too well. What the heck, it's so pretty. "I will wear this forever Unnie,"

"Now, that's too childish," Aria responded back. Woman... I am actually being honest this time.

"Isn't it just our sisterly bond?" I laughed back.

"Is that so?" Aria laughed back. Although both of our laughs were a little strategic.

"Fufufu..." The Countess laughed delightfully as well, "It's nice to see you sisters getting along. Then I'll get going. I must head out soon." She said gracefully before leaving. Aria laughed to herself as she watched her mother leave before heading back up to her room.

Finally, some peace?!

"My lady, are you really going to wear such a necklace gifted by that woman?" Emma asked behind me.

Although I love this necklace, I still had no idea what to do with it? I had to convince Aria that I was not her enemy. At least not in this timeline, as I am not Mielle Roscente. How do I tell her?

It's a little late too...

"It's okay Emma." I told Emma instead. "I'm really hungry because I skipped dinner, would you mind letting me head to the dinning hall for now?" I tell her.

"Alright~" Emma huffed in sigh, as she followed me down to the breakfast table. Yum! I rubbed my tummy at the idea of food. I had also decided to come down late so that I wouldn't have to bear speaking to anyone else in the Manor during breakfast time.

Ughh...

***

"My lady, Breakfast is served."

Finally!

As I sat down for a meal, I finally realized the delicacies of having a noble life. Damn... if I had been born as a servant or a maid, I wouldn't have made it at all! And although being Mielle was one of the worst things in the world- the luxuries that she had were still unmatched.

Ahhh eggs on toast! On top of that, Porridge, Bacon, Pork-chops, along with some fine tea to finish it. Was this a brunch or a breakfast? Well since the chef was serving, I am in! I graciously dug in to the finest breakfast I could ever have.

My previous life wasn't that well-off for me to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a huge brunch. Huh... maybe being Mielle isn't soo bad after all.

Emma was frowning at me the entire time, huh what is it this time? "My lady, you should eat in moderation. Or else..." she said, adding suspense.

"Or else what?" I asked back, and Emma sighed right back, "It isn't a lovely sight to behold if a lady is showcasing gluttony in front of everyone. It is quite unsightly for a noble lady."

Ugh. Right. "Emma, this is my own house, if I don't relax for a day, I am afraid I will... go and run away," I told her back.

Emma hesitated and was immediately reminded of yesterday's events. "F-forgive me m-my lady... I was wrong. A frail young lady like you should eat more! Or else how will you be healthy?"

Hmph. What a turn of tables.

Damn it, she's right though, I should probably eat in portions. I feel awkward now that the other maids around me ar watching me eat like a pig. Blushing, I finish my meal quietly and clean up the dishes quite well.

Wow... there is nothing left of that three-course meal.

Rubbing my tummy, I leaned back against the chair. I almost led out a burp, but held it in because Emma was trying to hold it in.

I stretched my hands, as I watched the empty dishes start to clear up in front of me. Ahhh... I think I'll sleep quite well now. I need to sleep. There have been too many things going on today as well.

I decided to stay up all night and study the orb because I think it's most compatible with nights. It barely does anything in the morning.

"My lady, Breakfast is served,"

Huh?

I looked down as I saw an entire plate new set of plates set in front of me. What? No... my head is hurting... something isn't right. No...

***

***

"My lady, Breakfast is served,"

As I sat down for a meal, I finally realized the delicacies of having a noble life. Damn... if I had been born as a servant or a maid, I wouldn't have made it at all! And although being Mielle was one of the worst things in the world- the luxuries that she had were still unmatched.

Ahhh eggs on toast! On top of that, Porridge, Bacon, Pork-chops, along with some fine tea to finish it. Was this a brunch or a breakfast? Well since the chef was serving, I am in! I graciously dug into the finest breakfast I could ever have.

My previous life wasn't that well-off for me to enjoy a nice cup of tea and a huge brunch. Huh... maybe being Mielle isn't soo bad after all.

But even then, before I could even touch my plate, I had already lost my appetite. Huh? My brain is telling me to eat because I didn't eat anything yesterday... but my body's reaction is quite repulsive towards the trays of food in front of me.

Strange. Wasn't I hungry a couple of seconds ago?

I swear I could dig in any moment now.

Emma was frowning at me the entire time, huh what is it this time? "My lady, is something wrong with the meal?" She asked me.

"...Huh? Oh no... I was about to start." I laughed it out. I graciously took a bite of the Pork chops and the Toast. Strange, I didn't eat anything, yet my body feels full.

Y̶o̶u̶ h̶a̶v̶e̶ e̶a̶t̶e̶n̶ a̶l̶r̶e̶a̶d̶y̶.

G̶e̶t̶ u̶p̶.

As if gears were turning in clock-work, I immediately stood up from the dinning table. N-no way. This can't be!

"M-My lady!" Emma asked startled.

The Hourglass! Aria! S-she turned the hourglass!

Sh-!

As if something wiped clean out from my brain, I sat back down again.

The maid called out from the dinning room again. I looked down as I saw an entire plate new set of plates set in front of me. What? No... my head is hurting... something isn't right. No...

"My lady, Breakfast is served,"

Right before again, sat a fresh mountain of dishes ready to be eaten.

***

***

Chapter Text

"–BREAKFAST IS SERVED."

Right before again, sat a fresh mountain of dishes ready to be eaten. Just like before, I didn't feel good. There was something strange in my stomach. I looked repulsive at the enormous brunch being placed in front of me. How familiar, yet not familiar at the same time.

Shit. My stomach was growling, but my appetite had already disappeared. How strange, wasn't I complaining about eating something earlier? I swear I could dig in any moment now.

Emma was frowning at me the entire time, huh what is it this time? "My lady, is something wrong with the meal?" She asked me.

"...Huh? Oh no... I was about to start." I laughed it out. I graciously took a bite of the Pork chops and the Toast. Strangely, I didn't eat anything, yet my body felt full. Suddenly words flew through my consciousness.

G̶e̶t̶ u̶p̶.

Y̶o̶u̶ h̶a̶v̶e̶ e̶a̶t̶e̶n̶ a̶l̶r̶e̶a̶d̶y̶.

A̶r̶i̶a̶.

H̶o̶u̶r̶g̶l̶a̶s̶s̶.

As if something bolted within me, I slammed the dining table as I got up in realization. No... it can't be... Did the hourglass turn? Already?! B-but I haven't prepared a counter-measure against Aria yet-!

"-My Lady?!" Emma asked in worry as she rushed to my side, I took her hand out as I said, "-I need to go to my room-! Hurry-!"

As soon as my sentences finished forming, I left the dining hall and straight up the stairs towards my room. I bolted the doors of my room and rushed to the closet, reaching for the small box underneath a cabinet.

Inside the box, was the safely kept hourglass. N-no... then how? I stuttered back. Right in my hands were Aria's hourglass that she used canonically to turn back time in the original timeline. I stole this hourglass from her room a couple of weeks ago, while replacing hers with a similar kept hourglass from Father's study.

Then how? How did I time-travel back?

Could Aria manipulate time regardless of whichever hourglass it was?

Now that I think about it... it makes sense! During the original time-line, in the pre-reincarnation era of Aria, she had illusioned the ticking of an giant hourglass in front of her while she was being beheaded. She may not need the physical entity of an hourglass to manipulate time. She could just do it.

Therefore, it didn't matter if Aria had an hourglass or not.

Damn it! I shut the box close and fell back into the floor....

What now?! Aria has now realized her ability to control time... and then... the beginning of the actual novel 'Villainess Reverses the Hourglass' begins now! Then what?! What about me? I still had very limited research on this field...

...

'Outsider... you are the one responsible for turning time 13 times!' A voice rang inside my head. I clasped my head. What does that even mean? If I could control time like that person I met on the streets said... then why?

Why am I still stuck in a situation like this?

What is the benefit of traveling to the past, if you cannot recall the memories of your incarnations or mistakes?

How many times have I been in an accursed time loop anyway? Shit. If there was only some kind of clue that would allow me to count the number of times Aria had turned the hourglass... or allow me to retain my memories throughout the reversing.

And where did this time loop even begin? So many damn questions must be considered to even analyze the situation. I think it must have been when breakfast was served.

Clearly... it was after Aria had left and before I started to eat. That is why I lost my appetite instantly while looking at the food. Although my stomach grumbled at the brunch in front of me... I was repulsive towards what had been served.

Therefore psychological indicators such as food could be used... what else? Sleep? Nah... I can't be bothered to test whether I was in a time loop by constantly carrying food around me to check my appetite.

Damn it!

Then what are the options left?

Confront Aria? Tell her that I wasn't the actual Mielle Roscente and that I hadn't been the one to destroy her in her previous life? Like who'd believe that?

Or do I keep staying in the loop, while constantly finding ways to remove myself from Aria's schemes?

I have no options left... I took the hourglass in my hands and flipped it immediately-!

***

***

"–BREAKFAST IS SERVED."

Right before again, sat a fresh mountain of dishes ready to be eaten. Just like before, I didn't feel good. There was something strange in my stomach. I looked repulsive at the enormous brunch being placed in front of me. How familiar, yet not familiar at the same time.

...

G̶e̶t̶ u̶p̶.

Y̶o̶u̶r̶ r̶o̶o̶m̶.

H̶o̶u̶r̶g̶l̶a̶s̶s̶.

Wait...

As if memories quickly filled me this time, I had realized– time had reverted itself-!

So... the hourglass worked?! How?! It didn't make sense... I stood up from the dinning table abruptly.

"-My Lady?!" Emma asked in worry as she rushed to my side.

"...I can't eat anymore..." I told her, just looking at the hoards of dishes in front of her made me want to puke. Perhaps I have eaten in the previous timelines, and my mind was already repulsive towards the plates of food in front of me.

"...But, My lady, you haven't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch! It's bad-" Emma said. I knew full well that my stomach growled and was looking to digest something, but my mind just couldn't take in another bite...

No... how could the hourglass work? It didn't work when I asked the shopkeeper to turn it in, nor did it when I experimented with it before. So why?! Why did it work now?

Did something occur between then and now?

...It can't be... what occurred... and then there also-

"-Emma, I need to go to my room-!" I told her immediately, as I hurriedly left the dinning hall and ran up the flight up of stairs. I didn't care as the maids looked up in shock at my unruly behavior- No- screw that!

I bolted the doors of my room and rushed to the closet, reaching for the small box underneath a cabinet.

Inside the box, was the safely kept hourglass. This hourglass... I'm sure I flipped it as a last resort in the previous timeline... So... what if time changed again? I reached for the hourglass and again flipped it once more..!

The sand fell on the other end of the hourglass, and...

Nothing happened...

No...

W-what is going on? Did the time change occur or not? Or did it already occur? My head was spinning. Perhaps, maybe I had already gone through fifty-timeline changes...?

Like usual... maybe it doesn't work anymore...

"-Emma!" I called to Emma behind me, and the woman came running up to me dastardly, "M-my lady?"

"D...did I eat breakfast?" I asked her.

"...No.." Emma looked confused, "...My lady... you rushed upstairs immediately... *huff*"

I didn't eat breakfast in this timeline either... so maybe I was in the same timeline. Therefore no time changes have occurred all all then. Damn it!

It's so hard to understand?! If there was only a clock of somesort that measured what timeline had changed?! I wanted to rip out my hair so bad.

"... What's wrong my Lady?" Emma asked, "You have been obsession after this hourglass...what's up with it? Is it something strange?" Emma inquired about my shriveled state. "You must stop this obsession at once..."

"N-no Emma..." I told her back in frustration. I sat down... Hahaha... how could a character of this world hope to understand my issues? Who would dare understand?

...

Outsider... you are the one responsible for turning time 13 times!' The voice of the stranger in the hood came into my mind. Ah yes. That person. Only they'd understand.

I stood up from the floor. I neatly put back the hourglass in the cabinet as I found it, and locked it with the key. This won't do. I slapped my face.

There is still time till the novel ends and Mielle is beheaded. Till then, I still have to play the role of the antagonist of this wild novel and figure out the crazy magic of this world.

I still remember the time when I obtained a new ability, therefore it's still not least to say that I've lost yet. No... it's only the beginning.

I'll have to keep investigating smartly! I'll also have to contact the mysterious stranger in the hood for more information. Till then, I'll survive. But when will I be getting in touch with them?

...I have no idea.

But I'll find out. Surely. I can.

So what if Aria had figured out the power of the hourglass? I can keep at it too. If the previous stupid Mielle could do it. So can I.

"-Emma. You're right. I'll stop acting so obsessive and finally act ladylike." I told Emma. "But till then, you have to keep up with my schemes." I said.

Emma raised her eyebrows before she said, "My lady... I'm... loyal to you than I am to anyone else." She bowed.

Ahhh right. How could I forget I had such a powerful woman behind me?

"Emma, would you mind telling me what my dear Sister is doing this fine afternoon?" I asked her.

"-Ah..." That question caught Emma off-guard, but she bowed as she said, "I'll ask and find out."

"Good." I said to her as she left to find out. I poised my stature. This is fine, I can handle it. Taking in deep breaths, I walked and ordered the maid stationed by the door to bring in a guest.

And minutes later, in front of my door appeared a dark-haired tall woman who knocked on my door lightly, "My Lady, it is I."

I turned around from my desk and saw the guest that I invited. "Jessie. Come in."

I'll have to use the tools that the original Mielle gave me-! Aria... I'm also prepared!

"Yes, my lady."

***

***

A/N: This chapter is about chapter 16 in the Manwha!! It's basically when Aria finally used her hourglass for the first time! It's time for a showdown between Aria and Mielle. Now that Aria has harnessed the ability to use the hourglass... it's about time when Mielle and Aria get in a fist-blow with each other soon!

Between a game of wits and magic... who will win?!

Chapter Text

"MY LADY, IT IS I," The voice finally behind me said.

I turned around from my desk and saw the dark-haired tall maid that I invited. "Jessie. Come in."

I'll have to use the tools that the original Mielle gave me-! Aria... I'm also prepared!

"Yes, my lady." The tall maid entered gently through the doors. Her face looked a bit nervous and confused. Probably as to why she, Aria's exclusive maid, was invited to Mielle's room instead without Aria's permission.

But that's the thing. The one who assigned Jessie to that position was Mielle herself. I don't remember much from the novel, but after recovering some tidbits of information from Emma herself; the moment that Aria arrived in the mansion, I assigned Jessie to serve her.

"My lady, what do you need?" Jessie asked first.

"-Sit down, sit down," I told her, pointing her towards the other side of the study desk. "Let's enjoy some tea. It's been a while." A nice set of tea sat in front of me, and a cup was ready to be full.

Jessie shyly said, "M-my lady... I would dare not-"

"Well, I dare," I laughed as I cut her off. "Come sit. Am I someone so sticky to the rules?" I said coyly. Jessie shook her head and softly came down to sit across from me. "-My lady..." She muttered.

"I've heard that my sister, Aria, is sick. Is she feeling well?" I asked Jessie politely.

"-Sick... well yes a little," Jessie responded. "-She is... recovering by sleeping."

"Is that so... how terrible, especially since the events had occurred." I told her. "Please, also help yourself to tea." I pointed at the kettle, to which Jessie softly raised it and poured to her cup.

"...Yes... it's a lot for Her lady," Jessie explained. "It's probably because she's been studying and working hard."

"Oh my~" I said, putting my hand up to my mouth shyly, "Is that so~ is my older sister that much of a bookworm? Finally, someone in our family who is keen on studying~"

"Hahaha... I've been telling her to rest, but Her lady insists on studying," Jessie said.

"...Is that so?" I repeated, raising the cup of tea to my lips.

...Studying? That girl? Wasn't she studying business to become a rich and financially independent woman? That's a good goal to have. Especially in this time and era where women don't have that much power.

Interesting. It seems that I too need to bring up my power as a backup. I think there will be a time when the Roscente family will fall... therefore having a good financial standing in necessary for my survival. Luckily, I had the power of modern times to help me. Or else...

"Hasn't my sister been invited to a tea-party yet?" I quickly asked. Jessie looked up surprised, by shyly responded back, "...since Her lady is still young, and yet to debut into High society, she still hasn't received anything yet..."

"Ahh... I see, well I have to tell my friends immediately so that we can join the social circles together... I can't believe she hasn't asked for my help yet. We're sisters, yet she doesn't ask me for anything... I told her that I'll be there for her, perhaps... does she take my words too lightly, Jessie?" I asked her.

"A-ah... no! I-it's probably that... Her Lady, Miss Aria, doesn't want to burden you." Jessie defended Aria immediately. Nice.

"Is that so~" I responded back. "Well I can't help it, but will you please tell her Jessie? Tell her that her sister, Mielle, would be there for her? Y-you don't have to tell her that I have told you, i-it's just that... I don't want her to feel burdened anymore. I'll always be available for my big sister!" I tell her happily.

Jessie brightened up after hearing my words, "Of course My lady Mielle! You're too kind!"

"If I am not helping my sister, what kind of sister am I?" I laughed. Jessie lightly laughed with me.

Good. Good.

"...Ah that reminds me, my lady." Jessie intercepted. "Her lady's birthday will be arriving soon."

Ah!

"Really?~ I totally forgot... thanks for reminding me, Jessie!" I told her, clapping my hands in joy and realization. That's it! Her birthday! "I didn't know when to reciprocate the present that I received from big sister! But that's a great idea!"

"Fufuf..." Jessie lightly giggled.

"Anyhow, Jessie, you have to help me pick a present!" I immediately said as I grabbed Jessie's hands in desperation. She looked surprised at my request, but she shyly responded, "-Really... I wouldn't be-"

"Oh Jessie! You are her maid, who else other than you should I ask?!" I ask her. "Big sister will never tell me what she likes..."

Jessie frowned, but quickly agreed as she said, "I'll try my best,"

"-Thank you so much!" I happily responded back to her. "Is she holding a birthday party?" I asked her.

"Ah..." Jessie looked away in the corner of her eyes, "A-about that... Her Lady... isn't planning it to be a big celebration."

"...I see," I said. "Well I'm still invited aren't I?"

Jessie stopped laughing halfway, when she realized, "O-oh of course!"

"Good then~" I said. "Anyway, who did she plan on inviting?"

Jessie coughed as she said, "Well, a couple of the Viscountess Sarah's friends... and...." Jessie lingered off into her conversation, making her sound suspicious.

"And..?" I probe, because information is crucial. Who else is she inviting that even Jessie can't share? The Crown Prince?! Nah... that's a bit too early.

"...The son of the Frederick family... Lord Oscar." Jessie finally said.

"*COugh~!" I splurted in the middle of the conversation. Who?

Wait... isn't that OG Mielle's love interest? N-no... fiancé? S-she invited Mielle's fiancé?! Haah?!

Not that I cared or anything, but woman... you do realize that your reputation is in danger if people think you are inviting another woman's fiancé to your birthday right? I mean, even if that other woman is your sister, much more, your step-sister?

Gaah... this plot is that of a twenty-eight-year-old woman, not an innocent and naive thirteen-year-old child... The audacity. Whatever. I sipped the tea carefully.

Jessie frowned after looking at my reaction. Damn it! She must think I have crush on that Frederick boy. Technically, I already told his sister that I wasn't interested...

"That's awesome! Well I can't hope to be acquainted by all of her friends!" I said back after composing myself. Now I need to ask Sarah to introduce me to them.

"W-well... Miss Aria was also inviting you... so..." Jessie spluttered back after realizing how embarrassing it must have been to tell me. I smiled at her softly and told her, "Jessie, why are you so worried~"

"Well..." Jessie looked away even more.

"Hahaha..." I giggled as I said, "...if you're wondering about Sir Oscar, don't worry, we don't have anything going between the two of us-! My interests are on someone else...."

Jessie breathed a sigh of relief.

"...Well if my sister is interested, then it's a different story~" I said back in a smile. Hohoho... since you want Oscar so bad, you can have him for free~ sister.

"M-my Lady," Jessie politely asked, "May I ask you something?"

"Yes?" I responded back.

"W-who may that person be?" Jessie asked with a small blush on her face. Haaah? I sharpened my eyes, and realized that she was asking about something embarrassing.

"What may who be?" I asked back.

"The other person?" Jessie coughed as she flushed.

"Oh~" I laughed, that part was totally made up. Did you think a grown ass modern woman would crush on some simpleton teenagers from the medieval world?! Besides these love interests in the novel were far off from my type. Edgy guys and shy guys weren't on my hit list. "...that's a secret."

Jessie sighed back in disappointment after hearing my response, "You too..."

I laughed softly in response. I only said that I was interested in someone else in order to keep Aria's attention. The truth was, if I said that I wasn't interested in anyone, Aria would think I was lying, however... because I said I have a crush on someone else, Aria would try to find that out and take that person away from me.

She simply had her eyes set on Oscar for revenge. But now that Oscar isn't the one that I like, Aria will easily throw him away too. Like that, no one has to deal with the bapshit second-male lead drama coming next.

'Phew!' Oscar, I think I just saved your whole life. You should really be grateful.

"Alright Jessie! I hope I didn't take up much of your time by gossiping~" I said to Jessie, as she stood up to go back to her duties. "And don't forget about our deal~"

Jessie flushed and shyly bowed to leave, "Thanks for the tea, my lady."

As soon as Jessie left, Emma walked in straight through the door and said, "My lady, I have inquired about your sister."

"Tell me," I told her, sighing back in my chair and returning to my former self. Acting was hard~

"That woman has been studying some Economics, and picking up a lot of books from the Study. Additionally, she's been handing out treats to the other maids around the mansion, as a means to be on their good side."

Hm... already everything I know.

"She's also been sleeping and resting much during the day and evening."

I see... that must have been the effects of using the hourglass too much huh. Especially since she had rewinded multiple times last time.

Who knows if she's yet to try it on me yet?!

I shivered but kept my calm.

"...Also a letter was sent out to the Frederick mansion." Emma lightly said, as if trying to warp the conversation around the whole Oscar thing. Man... why are people circumventing anything that comes around with Oscar Frederick in front of me?!

Like, I want to throw the whole guy away?

Uggh...

"... that woman had sent out a brooch and a letter inviting him the birthday party she's holding." Emma said finally with a whole bunch of courage.

Yeah, I know that already.

It seems like Jessie has been telling me the truth the whole time. Hmm. That is a very important part. "Oh- and Lady Loren came to visit." Emma dropped. I got up from my chair. L-Loren?! Sarah? "Oh, but my lady, she already left by now."

I drooped down in disappointment. My friend came by and I didn't even know it?! Forget it, if I act too close to Sarah now, Aria will be a little suspicious. Whatever. Now... that I have all the information, I need to move to the next step of my plan.

"My lady, what do you plan on doing-?" Emma asked curiously.

"Hmmm... you'll see,"

***

***

"YOU MUST BE JOKING." A demonic aura filled the entire Frederick estate. Sitting elegantly while holding the report written by her butler, Princess Isis's eyes socketed out while she re-read everything. "Butler." She ordered, putting the stack of papers written by him on the table. "Are you implying that it is real?"

"...Yes, Princess." The butler bowed down. "The Obsidian Black Crown presented by the Roscente family is the real one."

"–Preposterous!" She slapped the tea cup against the table loudly, enough for it to shatter. "How?! It had disappeared a long time ago!"

"...I am not sure myself, Princess." The butler did not flinch at the change in Isis's demeanor.

"...The Roscente family must truly have all the resources to get all of this..! I- for such a family to possess such a powerful thing... and to give away their secret– they must be holding something even more powerful!" Isis muttered, gritting her teeth.

"I shall investigate further, Princess Isis." The butler bowed again.

"...Yes," Isis ordered, angrily shaking her wrist. She did not understand how the Roscente family- who had lost their honor a long time ago– possessed such a treasure.

That Lady Mielle Roscente. Isis had only thought of her as a shallow romantic. She knew that Mielle had eyes for her brother, Oscar.

However, for her to change her demeanor and become intelligent– how clever Mielle is. You, truly have changed. By showing that the Roscente family had such a powerful treasure, and by recklessly rejecting Isis's proposal for the marriage between their families...

No... that Mielle Roscente would never have the brains to calculate this. It must be the Count.

Was Count Roscente trying to show up to the Frederick family? If so... then they have to be allies of the Frederick Family!

'I need to gain more power and control this Empire.'

"Where is Oscar? I'll need to inform him of his next immediate actions right away!"

***

***

A/N: Things are getting heated up. What are Mielle's next plans, now that Aria has loaded her weapons of using the hourglass? Who will emerge as a victor to control this timeline?

Chapter Text

D-DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED-! I woke up a little earlier than I do. And the reason? Today is Aria's birthday. Well, after my little meeting with Jessie, Aria sent me a birthday invitation to her small birthday gathering she was doing at the mansion a couple of days later.

I've been stuck in my room for the entirety of the week, pretending to be sick anyway, so she must be thinking that I'll not be attending her little get-together. But unfortunately for her, that's exactly what I plan to do.

Hohoho... Big sister Aria~ how come you get to make me skip out on all the fun?

That's because today, I have a very important role to play...

I immediately dolled myself up to the frilliest dress that the world could ever give, the dress that screams: 'I love my sister!' than anything else.

Emma was seething in bitterness as I prepared myself. "I don't understand why you'd have to do this to yourself my lady~ you don't even like her..."

"Oh, Emma~ who said that?" I lied straight out of my mouth. "Today is a very important day for a very important actress," I muttered.

"And that dress..." Even Emma agreed that this frilly dress nonsense was a little too much. But honestly, Mielle's only good point in terms of appearance is how adorable she looks. Mielle Roscente's physical features, although not on par with Aria's, were good enough to be called beautiful and cute.

Therefore, I have to enhance this cuteness by only putting on things that little sisters do.

Man~ do little sisters even do this? I remember that on my birthday, the only thing my sisters have ever done for me is to kick my butt. Huh... so I think its probably the most unrealistic thing to do.

Whatever.

I went down the hall earlier than usual and stood out by the door. Even the butler and the other maids around the mansion looked a little confused to my attire. But honestly, it fit! I looked around... so Aria wasn't there yet.

Hmph! She has no idea what's about to hit her-!

Suddenly the doors opened to reveal the set of oncoming guests. Sarah and her gathering of friends appeared right behind each other as they stepped into the entrance with a smile on their faces;

"Welcome everyone," I announce loudly my hands happily welcoming them into the mansion. Everyone looked surprised, or rather shocked at my appearance. Yes. Yes. Be surprised! "Thank you for being here for my sister's birthday." I smiled broadly as I welcomed them one by one.

Sarah looked the most surprised, her face almost bursting into joyousness after seeing me. "A-ah, L-lady Mielle-!"

I smiled even more at her and said, "Welcome Sarah, it's been so long. All of. you, come in." I tell them ushering them into the main hall of the birthday feast. The other girls looked shy as they approached me behind Sarah. Ah... so they must be friends of Sarah Lorenz, invited to come here because Aria didn't have a lot of friends.

Interesting.

"Oh my~! I didn't know so many people have gathered up already-" Aria rushed down the stairs, but when she saw my presence downstairs, she looked surprised, no- almost taken aback by my sudden appearance. "-M-Mielle!"

"Happy Birthday Lady Aria!" The others shouted as they quickly wrapped their hands around hers and gave her the presents. Aria looked shy as she sat down around the others and welcomed them in politely. But I could see that her gaze on me hadn't left.

I looked to see if she had anything near her. Like the hourglass. Nope. I didn't see her carrying anything, unless she's hiding it from me. Hmm... this can get a little dangerous, but it's fine. I still have all my cards.

"Sister~ I'm sorry for surprising you like this, but I really wanted to come down and say 'Happy Birthday,'" I softly chuckled.

Aria laughed as she scanned my outfit. She looked utterly confused as to my choice of fashion. But accepted me with a smile as she said, "W-why should I be surprised? I invited you, haven't I?"

"Anyway, happy birthday, older sister!" I congratulated her. "I got you present, you should take a look!"

Aria softly laughed as she said, "Of course Mielle, I shall."

I handed her a well-wrapped gift box across the table. She took it from my hands and opened it infront of everyone. And before she knew it, her face darkened when she saw what was inside the box.

I almost choked on my laughter.

Suddenly someone besides Aria called out, "-W-wow! What a beautiful brooch!" And before they knew it, everyone else surrounded themselves around the brooch that I presented her. Even Sarah complimented it.

"T-thank you very much Mielle, I like this very much!" Aria said as she closed this box.

"Really? I think you should it try it on!" I tell her. Aria smiled wryly before opening the box again and saying, "well..."

"Try it Lady Aria!" A lady besides her said, the others also eagerly sharing the same opinion. I bit down on my smile, as I saw her darkly take out the brooch out of the box and put it on her dress. She smiled after a couple of seconds, and said with a deep voice,

"I-It looks nice. T-thank you." Aria responded. She hesitatingly put the brooch back into the box and closed it.

"Fufufu... I thought this color would fit your really well~" I said with an innocent smile. "Older sister, out of courtesy, will you wear it everyday? I think this would go along with all of your dresses!"

"I'll try," Aria responded this time with more confidence in her voice. Realizing that there was no need to be nervous. Damn it... it was really funny~

Fufufuf... if you hadn't had a clue, you would most likely think that this was just an innocent exchange of Mielle giving her older sister a lovely little brooch. But in actuality, it was almost some sort of declaration.

The color of the brooch was the exact same, no infact, the brooch entirely resembled that of the same brooch that Aria had gifted Mielle's to-be-fiancé: Oscar Frederick. That gift of the brooch was gifted alongside with the invitation to Aria's birthday party. She must be shocked to find out that the same brooch was given back to her. What a funny little world isn't it, Aria?

How funny. Now you're very nervous aren't you? You must thinking, 'How did she know? Or is she going to expose me? Or does she even know? Is it an coincidence?'

Not that it matters to her in the long-run.

Aria's goal currently is to win Oscar's heart. So me knowing that she's after him, doesn't faze her at all. Infact, that's her entire goal. She wants me to know that she is successfully pursuing my to-be-fiancé. That was her entire scheme.

In actuality she has no idea, that I had already informed the Count that I have no interests of being engaged to the Frederick family. And he accepted. So while the deal looks like it's underway, it's actually in the process of negotiations and cancellations.

Whatever. Very soon. You will find yourself quickly turned around. Very quickly.

***

***

"Try my present next, Lady Aria!" Another lady approached her with a gift in hand. Aria was delighted to move on to another present. The next gift was, Aria unveiled, a cute little music box. That's so lit. You don't see those music boxes very often in the modern world. And it's surprising to see such a sophisticated machinery in the old times as well.

Hmmm... very exquisite. Only wealthy noblemen would be able to afford this. How cute.

After a while, the table was full of all other exquisite stuff like hairpins, earrings, necklaces, bow-ties, sweets, etc. Hmm... quality of the craftsmanship must be quite delicate no?

"Gosh, these are all so cute~" Aria responded happily, "I must put these in my room immediately!"

Finally, it looked like to be Sarah's turn. I was also anxiously waiting for her craftsmanship to appear. And before I knew it, a beautiful set of golden embroidered handkerchief was put infront of me. W-what in the world is this?!

It looks printed huh-?! That literally looks like god's work! Nothing like mines?! I've also been training under Sarah's tutelage a long time ago, but what is this?!

So many intricately detailed patterns, and the small embroidered symbols, oh my~ is this the difference between talent and skill?

"I hope you'll like it," Sarah sheepisly said, blushing very hard.

"Oh my~ what is this?! Did Lady Sarah embroider this by herself?!" Another lady asked in surprise. "It looks so splendid-!"

Even I became a little jealous. Why- what? I want that handkerchief too~ Damn it! And it's a set between Aria and Sarah! Is this what it feels like when your best-friend is taken away from you?

Ughh...

Even Aria herself remained shook with this level of craftmanship.

You'd think that she'd be so grateful to recieve this piece of god's work, but if you inspected carefully, it was obvious, her eyes became a little clouded. Almost with greed and pride. Her little clockwork gear thinking that Sarah had indeed became the best tool.

So disgusting. Treating people like tools, while angrily complaining about your situation from the past.

I was very repulsive towards this. I could care less about people like Oscar, but someone like Sarah... to be viewed solely as a tool. So disgusting. Especially since she remained very genuine.

I analyzed the reasons why I had liked Sarah very much. And it was very specific:

1. She was very sweet, naive, and cute lady. Her innocence would melt you away, and her caring attitude towards her friends was un-matched throughout the whole series.

2. Sarah was very close to my mental age in my past life. She was also very mature and understanding. On top of that, she could converse at my age-level.

3. She was genuine. She never faked anything.

4. She was adorable and cute.

5. The same reason given above, while so on forth.

Overall, she was very cute. I would have wanted to converse with her regardless of how she and Aria were entwined together in the original timeline.

Anyway, you're soo cancelled Aria. Very much cancelled. Ugh...

"Both Lady Aria's dress and Mielle's dresses look very cute." Sarah commented from behind the both of us. Sarah looked at both of our dresses with tears in our eyes. "Sometimes I forget that you are still a young little girl," She said to me.

"And older sister's dress is the most elegant." I say. "This is to celebrate her growth, and a step into high society. Ohohoho..." I say.

Aria lightly laughed after my statement. She still didn't believe my words. Her entire face looked a bit repulsive.

"And look at the fur Lady Aria is wearing~ oh my, isn't it hard to come across fur these days," A lady on the side commented. Aria smiled to that compliment as she said, "Well, these were all gifts from my father... my fashion sense is a bit lacking for me pick these out by myself."

As if. This was out of compensation for his business profit that he gained from Aria. Not going to lie, because of her, the Count had profitted a lot. I have to be grateful that her business idea had saved our family from downfall. Or else who knows if we'd all have to eat in the streets.

"Oh my~ the Count has some great tastes!" They all complimented.

"-But out of all the things I've recieved, I like the teddy-bear the most." Aria said with a smile on her face.

"A teddy bear?" Everyone's interest remained piqued with that statement. "If it's alright, can you show us?"

Aria laughed for a bit before saying, "Of course~ Jessie, please bring it out for me,"

All of sudden, right in front of us, was a brightly jeweled, teddy-bear. What in the-! The entirety of this teddy bear was jeweled with big shiny and expensive stones, and intricately cut into beautiful shapes to decorate it. Wow...

"Look how cute it is~ how the jewels are sparkling, are they not?" Aria said in an almost smug voice, "Father really has great taste, no?" She smirked.

Silence.

I- I can't believe it! She really did it. I didn't even have to look around the room to feel the tense emotions. The audacity to downgrade other people...

That look in her eyes, it was obvious, I remember having recalled this scene. She was saying, 'This is the difference between you people and I. You should remember it.'

Hah! The audacity-! No, no, no, no... Woman, you are soo cancelled. What a spoiled brat-! Ugh. She was boasting about the Count's present to showcase how she was obviously out of their league.

The way she spoke, you wouldn't think a grown twenty-eight year old, mature woman would be speaking, but a child was. How ungrateful.

YOU CAN LEAVE MA'AM. I was utterly disgusted. In her previous life she was crying about why nobles were specials, and now...

The others were also in an awkward position by it, but they laughed it off as a teenager being infatuated with shiny gems. Ughhh, I am so embarassed to be even related with her.

Can I leave? Guys, I am not her sister. We aren't related. Please remember. This is so embarassing. I didn't say anything, but kept my mouth shut.

"-It really is fanc- cuter than we thought, yes! So we are quite loss of words," Some of the other ladies responded. Aria smugly waved them off and said, "Thank you everyone,"

Ugh, brother. Ugh.

"My lady Aria, a guest has arrived." A maidservant said to Aria. "Its a carriage from the Frederick family."

Aria stood up and gleamed in delight when she heard the news. She turned around to gaze my expression. What now? I didn't say anything to her, and instead smiled non-chalantly back at her.

"Happy Birthday, L-Lady Aria," A soft, gentle and masculine voice was heard through the other side of the door. I almost scoffed. So the man of the show finally decided to come, huh?

Through the door was Oscar Frederick, the actual main part of the show.

***

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A/N: Most of chapter's dialouge are referenced in parallel to Chapter 18 of the Manwha! Please check it out if you are curious about the scenes.

And boy oh boy, yes did Aria act like this in the beginnng of the book. Y'all I can't with her– lmao...

Most of Mielle's inner dialouge are what I'd say to Aria in reality. And Girl Aria, you are soo cancelled btw.