In a flash, misfortune came.

I, a twenty-five-year-old flower, suddenly passed away and reincarnated.

Death and birth were inseparable; however, I never thought I’d be reincarnated as soon as I died.

I wonder how I passed away. My life has always been rock bottom, but there was a fine line between good and bad. Whatever, I’ll just move on.

What’s important is where I am now, and what kind of life I will strive to live from now on.

I was satisfied with the fact that I was reincarnated with memories of my previous life.

While I was struggling just trying to figure out how to make my useless legs work, I was treated as a precious toddler in my house.

A kind mom and dad, a big brother who had always been delighted to see me, and a twin sister who’d embrace me every day.

I was treated as a treasure in my house to the point where my legs were deemed useless.

Kugh, I had been reincarnated to my own doom.

I was happy. I thought I was born with a golden spoon.

However, despair arrived far too quickly for me.

It was my seventh birthday.

“It’s time for our Estiya to take classes.”

I was excited.

As I have seen in novels, it was a given I had to take nursery classes as a noble.

Elegantly drinking tea, arranging flowers, embroidery, dancing … However, everything was out of my expectations, and my predictions were completely wrong. On the day of my birthday, I distinguished a collection of presents that had been prepared for me.

“D-D-Dad, what is this?”

The unoccupied warehouse was filled with gifts.

Because of the light that penetrated through the small window, the jewels embedded on the gifts glistened and gleamed miraculously.

One of them looked so expensive and colorful that I had to cover my eyes with the back of my hands.

However, these gifts weren’t appropriate to present a young aristocratic lady.

Daggers, lengthy swords that weren’t covered with sheaths, a flail with sharp spikes, a small spear and short sword that was more than twice my height. In addition to overly sized bows that were similar to the ones you would see in a fantasy game, what is it with that thorny iron ball?

The warehouse was full of dangerous weapons. I blinked my eyes.

“Oh my God, is there anything more adorable than Estiya’s stammering? Take a close look at this sword, Estiya. These were weapons used by Count Kiskaya, one of the legendary figures from the Three Great Dynasties. They smeared thousands of people’s blood. Legend has come to say …”

Her father’s explanation of the weapons was endless.

“Well, so, all these weapons gathered here are legendary?”

Furthermore, these weapons also slaughtered thousands of people.

“Yes, Estiya. What do you say? Isn’t it great?”

I couldn’t find the answer I wanted and thus was left completely speechless.

As an ordinary aristocrat who was only seven years old, I needed an explanation as to why you were giving such a gift to myself.

I like to smash grass with rock while outside and throw pebbles.

“You know what, honey? Estiya is more interested in conducting poison. I’ve observed her studying poisonous plants.”

No, Mom.

That’s not it! I was playing house!

“Oh, my … is it like that, Estiya? It seems this father didn’t know anything about our Estiya. Then, I’ll construct a lab for poisonous plants right away. The class is all about your effort and when you feel like it. Isn’t that great?”

Isn’t that great, isn’t that great, isn’t that great …

My father’s question, like an echo, striked my ears.

“And this arsenal is also yours. So whenever you feel like it, try it out. If you need a practice target …”

My father’s eyes gleamed.

“Just ask.”

I realized that I should never ask.

I wasn’t reincarnated to live free, I was possessed by an evil spirit.

I was the youngest member of the villain family, who couldn’t even find or feel any hope.

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My family, Cartina, was a villainous one that contained no room for salvation.

Cartina (excluding me) didn’t perform small bad things in the social world, such as stealing drinks, accessories and treasury from nobles.

They commit crimes such as capturing people, torturing them until it becomes boring, then sell them to human traffickers …

They were like kings of the back alley.

Like a mafia? No, a Triad in Hong Kong*? Anyway, They were terrible.

*TL/N: The Hong Kong triad is distinct from mainland Chinese criminal organizations. In ancient China, the triad was one of three major secret societies.

I’ve read the novel, and the writer’s objective was horrible! Since we were the villains, our relationship with the main character was also trash.

Killing his parents, selling his sister as a slave to the human traffickers, destroying the family that helped the male lead, leading the women whom the male lead loved …

I’ll skip that part.

Revealing that this novel is a rated-19, hardcore novel from the male lead’s point of view, our family’s atrocities are to be left to your imagination.

“Estiya, this is a creature I just caught. Do you want it?”

“Estiya, this sister stole a book on how to make poison from the back alley that’s one-hundred years old. It’s a gift.”

“It probably takes a long time to get to class. Estiya, should I buy you some slaves from the Western Empire?”

However, although they were psychopaths, the members of the villain family adored me.

Estiya, Estiya, Estiya … to the point where I started hearing voices during my sleep. Their love for the youngest daughter was special.

So naturally, I grew up in the residence as their youngest daughter, Estiya Cartina.

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I lived as a Cartina for seventeen years.

In that time period, I learned various skills that evil characters managed to pull off, such as swordsmanship, physical arts, bomb manufacturing, poisoned arrow shooting, archery, and mental endurance.

“Our Estiya, I heard you failed the poison manufacturing promotion test.”

“She can’t do it. Should I steal the test papers?”

“You don’t have to. I’ll have the test tube ready, Estiya. Don’t worry.”

I smiled awkwardly, observing my brother and sisters who said they would do anything for me.

The Cartina family had a thorough education curriculum.

Only after I succeed in simple tasks could I be recognized as a Cartina.

The basics were to obtain second grade in various subjects. However, I’d been situated in the third grade for years. My family’s worries were only increasing, but I didn’t care.

That was because I had been deliberately maintaining my third grade place. In fact, Cartina presented red badges to those who show outstanding talent after completing the first grade if they decide to do so, and I don’t want that.

“Estiya, don’t worry. You have your older sister. You don’t even have to deal with the bad guys.”

Eyla stroked my hair, assuming my awkward expression was a concern for the future.

Sister, we’re the bad guys.

“I’m here too, Estiya. Your brother will protect you.”

Kaylan spoke with confidence and patted my shoulder. My brother and sisters seemed to affirm that I was going to die without them.

Oh my god. I’m sorry. However, I just kept my mouth shut since my ability needed to be kept secret. They’ll grow along with these seeds of misunderstanding and move on. I’d still be a ‘delicate and weak Estiya’ in their eyes.

“Pfft, brother? Not long ago, didn’t you fail to assassinate the eldest son of Belott?”

Among the twin sisters, the short-haired Ether opened her mouth.

I held my breath. My hand shook a bit, causing the liquid in my teacup to flutter.

Do not be agitated.

“What? Fuhaha. You mean, Belott, who became a knight just a while ago? You couldn’t handle a single knight like that?”

Eyla, with her long hair curled, laughed at Kaylan.

The atmosphere became ugly. Kaylan frowned as his pride had been scarred.

“He hired a great mercenary. I’ve done everything I could, yet he blocked all my attacks. He got an unusual talent, and it’s not easy. The smoke bomb was successfully removed in a superior way. I’m determined to catch that mercenary.”

Kaylan spoke with a grim face.

I was so startled that I spit out the tea in my mouth.

“Oh, what’s wrong, Estiya?”

My sisters looked at me anxiously.

“Th-Th-That man, Belott. Is he a bad person, brother? Enough to kill?”

I changed the subject in a hurry.

“Of course not. He just caught the deer I was attempting to capture.”

Oh …

The reason for killing a person was so clear and straightforward; I was speechless.

“I’ll take care of that Bellot. I’ll pay a visit to his residence tonight. Then, I’ll approach him in his sleep and slice his throat at once!”

“Hey, Ether!”

Sister Eyla exclaimed.

As expected, sister Eyla is the normal one here.

I really wished for Eyla to stop Kaylan and Ether.

“Our Estiya’s listening.”

Eyla covered my ears.

After she had placed her hands over my ears, they proceeded, whispering above my head.

“In my room, there’s a drug that makes one feel pain.”

Hah.

I heaved a great sigh and sat down.

I don’t think I will be able to sleep early tonight.

I have to hurry and rescue Belott before my siblings could perform their evil.

I’ll have to at least reduce the amount of pain from my siblings’ torment.

“I’ll have to deal with Belott and find out about the mercenary.”

“The mercenary? Brother, there’s no need for that, is there? How could he block your attacks? It must have been a coincidence.”

I asked Eyla to remove her hands as I attempted to convince Kaylan to stop.

“No, it’s not normal. I’m going to find out which organization he’s from.”

His eyes shone with determination.

I swallowed my saliva.

I lowered my head and stared at my reflection on the tea cup. You should never be caught.

Don’t let them know that the mercenary who served Belott was, in fact, Estiya.

I might not be able to deal with all my siblings at once if they ever attacked.

In fact, since I was seven years old, I discovered I possessed such a talent. I couldn’t understand why I was overly talented in mastering such dreadful techniques.

Maybe it was because I knew I was living inside a novel?

From my point of view, it came naturally, but for the original owner, it was due to her hard work.

In the novel, although Estiya does not show her abilities to the male protagonist, she dies in his hands … Her abilities were outstanding, despite her identity as a villain.

However, in a romance fantasy novel, the main focus wouldn’t be on the abilities of a villain.

Estiya was able to subdue knights with her bare hands, and a whole unit with only one sword.

She was one of the most influential successors of the Cartina family.

However, I pretended that I was not talented all this time. I pretended that I was weak.

This was because Cartina didn’t care about age or gender. If I was recognized, I’d be immediately sent on missions.

I pretended to be tender-hearted, have no talent for bullying others, despise blood and perceive the world purely.

It succeeded.

Then, one day, I thought I could stop the Cartina family from the countless incidents they had been causing.

On my first attempt, I collapsed as I witnessed the scene where my siblings were abusing an innocent.

So my sisters and brother freed the victim.

I was proud. I kept mother and father from committing multiple crimes, including my older brother and sisters. There were already about fifty people I’ve deceitfully rescued.

Ah, I’m going to heaven.

However, if I keep such a long tail, I’ll eventually get caught.

I could imagine what would happen if I confessed that I had stopped my siblings from doing these things.

What if they would become vex and pounce at me?

I didn’t want my sisters and brother to be wounded, although it was wrong to go out and commit these crimes.

For the past seventeen years in this life, they have poured out their love and nourished me.

It was too bad, but I’ll have to protect Belott and try to keep the situation under control for the time being.

Kaylan said he would catch me. If my tail is long enough, everything would be revealed.

However, my decision completely became a waste, because of the male lead.

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Boom!

A fire broke out.

The bomb I had thrown exploded, and the small stable burst into flames. Smoke rose above the blazing fire. The explosive’s capacity was vast. It was a good punch.

I smiled with relief as I recalled the horses that had safely fled to the forest at this moment.

Everything was as planned. I pretended that it was a bomb-throwing class, so I hurled the bomb towards the stable. I didn’t wish to eliminate lives, so I let the young and strong horses out before I casted the bomb. The stable was full of old and sickly horses.

You’ve had a hard time, so it would be good to run freely until you die in nature.

“Estiya, were you surprised?”

I trembled reflexively. My older brother Kaylan, who witnessed my reaction, gently covered my shoulder while pulling me closer to him.

His soft silver hair fluttered in the wind. It was a beautiful face that you wouldn’t forget once you’ve witnessed it.

However, don’t be fooled by that face.

He could break 365 pieces of bones in a human’s body with that beautiful face and enchanting smile.

I didn’t forget to quickly nod and tremble my shoulders, pretending to be terrified.

“If Estiya was startled, why would you ask? You still don’t know? A bomb doesn’t suit Estiya. Do you think a black bomb could sugarcoat her? We have to teach our Estiya how to use the sword. Just imagine, her dancing with a colorful jeweled sword; Estiya, let’s go with your sister.”

My twin sister, Ether, grasped my hand as she dragged me.

I didn’t want to learn more about swords or bombs. What’s the difference in using a sword covered in jewels to kill a person? It’s the same as every other thing that’s used to commit murder.

I showed that I had no talent in catching and torturing people until I was seventeen, yet my sisters and brother did not give up on me.

They were worried about the talentless me, living in constant danger as a member of the Cartina’s family.

The Cartina family came across countless enemies. There have been many attempts inside as well as outside. Rather, it became a bigger problem when the enemy was a Cartina.

The Cartina family had an inheritance system in which forced them to turn each other into their enemies. It was different from the existing aristocratic families, which had the eldest son accepting the inheritance as a principle.

Any Cartina could inherit the family inheritance and title, so a fierce succession battle would arise.

Political scuffle?

No.

All they had to do was somehow earned a letter of submission from the opponent to give up succession.

The key word here was ‘somehow.’

Stefan, my father and the current Count of Cartina, was the third son of the preceding Count of Cartina.

 He crippled an arm of the first, Schubert, and kidnapped the second’s, Shuran’s, fiancee.

Stefan became Count Cartina, yet he could not confirm for certain that the next Count of Cartina would be succeeded by his son or daughters.

There were still the children of Schubert and Shuran who were after us.

“Fencing? You’re going to make my little Estiya lift that heavy sword? You, I’ll kill you if you blister my sister’s baby palms. Estiya is better off learning how to torture more gracefully than that.”

Torture is not elegant, Eyla.

I smiled awkwardly and took turns glancing at Eyla and Ether, both of them were grabbing one of my hands. Please stop.

“Ha, I shouldn’t have spoken. Take the sword, Eyla.”

“The sword? Who fights with a sword?”

Ether let go of my hand as she lifted a vial out of her pocket. Her eyes shone grimly as she placed the medicine bottle between her fingers. The atmosphere was not pleasant.

This is serious.

As Ether gently waved her hand, the black liquid sparkled. The content inside the bottle was a dreadful medicine that would melt a person’s flesh as soon as it made contact with the skin.

“If you’re fighting over Estiya, I shouldn’t be left out.”

Kaylan pulled a fist-sized bomb out of his pocket.

What’s wrong with you?

Things became menacing. It wasn’t your typical cute siblings’ fight. The cute, typical fight would cause some hair loss and earns some bruises on the face. Our fight is …

I recalled the quarrel a few days ago. The topic of that fight was bizarre. Nonetheless, it was regarding who would have lunch with me. Then, a fight broke out for such an absurd reason.

So what happened?

The eastern mansion was destroyed.

Several servants were injured. There were some who were so badly hurt that they could not work anymore.

This fight would contain bombs, poison and even a sword, so it’d turn out worse than last time.

Please stop now. I didn’t wish for the innocent to get hurt.

“I want to learn everything. As a Cartina, I want to learn everything so that I can become a person who is not ashamed!”

My siblings’ eyes looked down at my face; I was half as tall as them.

I was never small. They’re just big for nothing.

It was at that moment when their eyes, which had been burning with ferociousness toward each other, became deeply moved.

The three hugged me simultaneously.

“Oh my God! Our Estiya is so studious.”

I’m not interested in killing other people at all, but I couldn’t help it this time, in order to stop the fight.

“What should we learn first, Estiya? How to construct a bomb?”

I’m doomed.

I never imagined the end of this fight would be the beginning of another.

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Eventually, the fight broke out, and the results were disastrous. The poison field that our mother, Hela de Cartina, cherished deeply, was burned down.

“How dare you fight in front of Estiya? Are you crazy?”

With transparent, white skin and cherry-red lips, Hela de Cartina was the villain among villains.

She was an expert on poison within the Empire and possessed a natural talent of feeding deadly chemicals to others without batting an eye.

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

Both Kaylan and my sisters knelt in front of her.

“Where do you want me to break?”

Hela clenched her hand. My body flinched whenever I heard a crackling sound resonating from her delicate fingers.

Her punishment was abnormal.

I’ve seen it multiple times before now. However, no matter how often I witnessed the punishment, I could never become accustomed to it.

It was too bad a punishment for a child’s fight.

It was worse.

If we were in Korea, this would have become the trending news.

I think those who do bad things deserve to be punished. However, no one in my family was commonly punished. No matter how guilty they were, I refused to let my sisters and brother, who have grown with me for 17 years, suffer such terrible incidents in front of me.

I blinked my eyes multiple times. Following that, I turned my head to the other side and opened my mouth as wide as I could. Tears welled up around my eyes as I forcibly yawned.

Very good. I grabbed Hela’s skirt before my tears could dry up.

“Mom, brother and sisters are not at fault. It’s all because of me. Because I’m not talented … hick.”

Like this.

A teardrop flowed down my cheek.

Good timing.

I could successfully become an actor if I wished for it.

“Estiya, don’t blame yourself. It’s not our Estiya’s fault.”

Hela held me in her arms.

“Mom, I’ll be very distressed if brother and sisters get punished.”

I raised my head as Hela held me in her arms.

Hela’s cavernous red pupils met with my bright green eyes.

“Our Estiya, she’s very thoughtful of her siblings. How can you be so different from your siblings?”

Hela swept over my wavy blonde hair.

“Mom, you’ll forgive them, right?”

Hela’s eyes quivered.

I sincerely hope Hela will think cleverly.

“Alright. Since Estiya is asking for this, I’ll forgive them. Instead, Estiya, will you accompany mom to choose new dresses?”

“Yes, Mom.”

I smiled broadly.

Kaylan, Ether, and Eyla were sighing in relief after I’d convinced mother.

No matter how monstrous the Cartina family was, they still cared deeply for each of their precious bones.

There’s something to point out in that statement. They don’t care about physical pain, they worry about feeling guilty when they’ve done something unacceptable.

“However, you’ll have to take responsibility for what you’ve done, understood?”

“Yes, Mother.”

The three answered simultaneously.

Hela raised the corners of her mouth, favoring the obedient reply. Thus, she ended up giving a mission instead of her deadly punishment.

“Rodrigo Develi Erhardt, get him.”

“What? Mom, who?”

I was so shocked that I unconsciously asked back.

“Rodrigo Develi Erhardt, the Grand Duke of the Empire. Why, are you interested in him, my daughter?”

Hela’s face chilled for a moment.

“Oh, n-no. It’s not like that. I don’t even know who that person is.”

That is a lie.

I know very well who he was.

I am extremely interested in him.

Rodrigo was the man who destroyed our family in the original!

To explain a bit more, the person I had an unrequited crush on in the original work, and the one who hated me very much … He was the main character of the original.

“Yes, yes. Our Estiya doesn’t have to know him.”

Hela smiled as she hugged me, satisfied with the answer.

My heart started constantly beating.

Are we eventually going to meet the main character? Can’t we avoid him?

Unsympathetic God, I have lived quietly and calmly for 17 years, yet you are so heartless.

Are you placing a death flag on me?

“Estiya?”

Hela opened her mouth as she noticed my dark face. I forced the corners of my mouth upwards.

“Estiya, let me know whenever you’re uneasy. We are Cartina. There’s nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be worried about.”

That’s right! I’m a Cartina!

If it doesn’t work, I’ll make it do.

I strengthened my will to live.

There were several proverbs in the Cartina family. ‘If you don’t want to die, kill it first’ was one of them.

I’ll be using this proverb a little bit differently, and that would be, ‘If you don’t want to die, save it first.’

To be honest, this was an evil family, so it wouldn’t be strange to get struck by lightning while committing evil acts.

As such, I’ll do something good.

I don’t want to die getting stabbed on the street or drinking poison.

I made up my mind.

Let’s save Rodrigo.

If the people in my house do bad things, then I would secretly do good things for the male protagonist.

Plus one and minus one equal zero!

That was my operation.

“Do it a week later, during the banquet. It’s an excellent environment to kidnap the person. Rodrigo has countless enemies, so they wouldn’t be able to easily find out who committed the act.”

There was only one reason why Hela set the kidnapping as the banquet day.

“It’s a good day to work.”

I could feel Hela’s heart beating with excitement.

It was dangerous.

The male lead is in danger.

It wasn’t the time to stand and watch. I have to stay calm. I have to proceed.

“Mom, I want to go to the banquet too.”

I spoke earnestly, my eyes sparkling.

“That …”

Hela opened her mouth.

All you have to do now is say ‘Yes.’

“… You cannot.”

I was unexpectedly rejected?

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“Mom, I want to go to the banquet too.”

“That’s not possible.”

Hela’s refusal was uncalled for.

I thought she’d in fact like the idea.

I was in need of new dresses and jewelry in order to attend the banquet.

I could undoubtedly wear one of my old dresses. However, most noble women would make changes to their outfits, such as the style of their ribbons. The only exception to this were the poor households.

That’s why, when large banquets were being held, visiting dress boutiques and jewelry shops were a part of the aristocratic customs for banquet preparation. Popular areas had nobles wait in order to enter.

In other words, since Estiya would attend a banquet, Hela would go ‘shopping with her daughter’ and at the same time ‘slay people with her wealth.’

Yet, why don’t you like the idea?

“Why, Mom?”

I asked for reasoning, unlike my usual self.

In the Cartina lineage, asking ‘why’ to someone holding a higher position than them was prohibited.

Asking why was none other than a metaphor for, ‘Let’s fight.’

“I’m afraid others will fall for you. Mother gets annoyed just imagining tadpole-looking men flirting with you.”

Eh? Does that mean I’m to be stuck at home?

Hela continued.

“Especially banquets. Do you realize the occasion of the one that will be held? It might seem as having simple conversations; however, all of this is for one purpose only. I have a target I need to seize. That is why, Estiya, you shouldn’t go there. It’ll be a mess, won’t it? People will also gather around you, like how a swarm of bugs would to the summer lanterns. They won’t even recognize their subjects. Estiya, you should just live happily with your dear mother.”

Hela is such an elegant figure.

Only her outer appearance, that is.

I used to feel a subtle joy whenever I heard harsh words dancing out of elegant Hela’s mouth. However, today was not the case.

“Mother is right. I’m not pretty enough to go outside, I need to stay at home, right? My family only loves me because I’m a family member.”

I said so while dejectedly waving my hands.

“Estiya! What are you talking about? You’re the most beautiful woman in the Empire. You’ve been thinking that all this time? This breaks your brother’s heart!”

Kaylan bursted.

Um, oh?

Did I make a mistake?

I learned that humility was a virtue after spending twenty-five years of my life. In Korea.

What I just said was an automatic reflex.

I know I’m pretty.

However, I can’t openly say ‘I’m pretty’ in front of other people just yet.

“Mother, I can’t take this. I don’t think Estiya realizes how beautiful she is. I’ll dig all those eyes who glance at Estiya even once, so please allow her to come with me.”

I was more curious why Kaylan was angry, but the results flowed in a way that wasn’t unpleasant.

“Sigh.”

Hela was mixed in agony.

“Brother, I won’t fall from your side.”

I encouraged Hela’s decision. Hela’s forehead scrunched as I gazed at her with earnest eyes.

After she finally made her decision, the folds on her clear forehead disappeared.

“Alright, go ahead. It is necessary for our Estiya to have an opportunity to recognize herself objectively.”

Hela smiled broadly.

“Alright, how about we go shopping?”

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Thud.

I collapsed on my bed as soon as I set foot inside the mansion, belatedly realizing shopping was much more difficult than training.

“My lady, are you drained?”

Jane replied so, realizing everything by a mere glance at the boxes making way into the room.

Jane was my personal maid.

Jane and I were very similar in size, shared the same hair length and color. However, if you observed carefully, I had vivid blonde hair while hers was a brownish blonde.

Jane was but a maid, however, she also acted as my substitute in case of emergency.

“Jane… it’s tough.”

Jane clicked her tongue as I stretched my words and acted like a child.

It was not the common owner-maid relationship.

I always treated Jane like a friend. Jane and I were of the same age and grew up together since we were quite young.

She was the only one whom I could confide my feelings with.

I felt like I was always indebted to Jane, the person who would sacrifice their life any time there was an emergency, so it was hard imagining her as ‘a normal maid.’

“My lady, are you really going to this banquet?”

Jane clicked her tongue once again as she witnessed the boxes piled up on the one wall of the room, which was as big as an ordinary aristocratic mansion.

Jane approached the bed without even thinking of unpacking the packages.

“Why? What, are you afraid I’ll be bothered by the flies?”

“What?”

Jane lifted a corner of her lips and frowned, her expression appeared grotesque.

“Do you think I’m worried about my lady right now?”

“No?”

Jane nodded her head.

“Then, who are you worried about?”

“The flies.”

Jane straightened her finger and drew a circle in the air. As if a fly was there.

“By the time my lady has to get married, there will be at least one fly left. However, Milady will be going to the banquet soon. Whether or not they’ll fall in love with you after this, is questionable. Those men will, however, somehow come in contact with you at least once in their lives. Oh, good Lord. God bless them.”

Jane exaggeratedly placed her hands together, pretended to pray, and continued.

“Will you and the other ladies escape from the flies’ sight that day? Absolutely not.”

Slash, Jane placed her hand against her throat and pretended to slice her neck.

No matter how much a Cartina says she doesn’t care, Jane went too far. We’re going to just kill them if they make eye contact?

I threw a pillow in response to Jane’s silly joke.

Jane dodged the throw as she laughed.

“My lady, it’s sunset.”

Jane pointed out the window. As Jane said, the sun disappeared behind the mountain.

I jumped up.

I forgot, I was too busy speaking.

“Remember to come back early.”

Jane said so as she packed my black clothing and swords hidden inside the closet.

It’s time to go save Young Master Bellot.

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It was very easy to get to the Bellot’s. All I had to do was be surrounded by people.

That night, I threw heavy stones and broke all the windows inside the house.

Of course, Bellot’s house was outraged. They thought it was a thief.

Soon after, the capital guards arrived.

I breathed a sigh of relief. With the guards dispatched, no matter how much the Cartina’s take a risk, they wouldn’t be able to finish off Bellot.

It wasn’t worth the risk.

“I’m tired.”

If you’ll give me another chance in life, at least make me a character in a romance novel.

I gritted my teeth and raised my middle finger to God as I headed back home.

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A week later, the day of the banquet arrived.

“Beautiful.”

Jane’s compliment was very sincere.

Jane was a good maid who helped me face reality, in case my family’s excessive affection caused me to be blinded.

She was stingy with compliments and wouldn’t utter flattering words.

So, whenever I earned praise from her, I naturally gained confidence.

On top of that, it was clear to see Stefan standing by the door and stealing glance with a tearful handkerchief in his hand.

On top of that, it became all clear to me when I witnessed Stefan standing by the door, stealing glances with a wet handkerchief in hand.

I’m pretty.

I checked my reflection against the mirror. I inherited Hela’s blonde hair. The brilliant blonde, managed by money earned from evil deeds was excessively lustrous.

My clear and transparent face, along with my big, sharp nose and red lips appeared to shine as if pearl powder had been applied on it.

I was a typical beauty.

The killing point was the tiny dot located on the tip of my right eye that folded smoothly when smiling.

Having inherited only quality characteristics from my mother and father, I was much more good looking than my twin sisters, who were known to be quite beautiful.

It was not a princess disease but an objective fact. It was stated like so in the novel.

“Estiya, why don’t you change your mind now? Why don’t we go to a banquet where daddy can be with you? No, daddy will hold a banquet just for you.”

Stefan approached as he attempted changing my mind.

That’s a lie.

There is one thing I learned while preparing for the banquet.

I am 17 years old this year. That meant I would be an adult next year.

In the Pillémon Empire, one could make their debut two years before they became an adult.

Most families with both money and power rushed to prepare for their daughters’ debut as soon as they turned sixteen.

Their intentions were to leave them in society a little earlier and catch themselves a good husband.

However, although I was a Cartina that wielded both money and power, I haven’t been able to make my debut when I reached sixteen.

The reason was simple.

That is because Stefan obstructed my social debut by openly claiming, ‘A Cartina isn’t forced to get married.’

This was completely different from when he bestowed my two older sisters a grand debut after they reached sixteen.

“I’ll be back.”

So today would be my official social debut.

Debutants weren’t really much.

Attending the first banquet of the aristocrats as a young lady, that is basically what a debut was.

The more powerful the host in charge of the banquet, the better the debutante stage. However, that didn’t mean much to me. I am a Cartina.

Even if I made my debut atop a shabby stable, no one would be able to simply ignore me.

I stood up and kissed Stefan on both his cheeks.

If I delayed the kiss a bit longer, Stefan may have driven me unconscious and prevented me from attending the banquet.

Stefan’s body smelled like a specific drug that was in charge of driving people unconscious almost instantly.

As I tried to swiftly move away from Stefan, he called me urgently.

“Estiya, wait a minute.”

Stefan pulled brightly colored feather ornaments from his pocket.

He carefully placed a few feathers on top of my head.

“Father …”

I was very grateful to Stefan, who handed me a gift despite his unhappiness and unwillingness toward me attending the banquet.

An affectionate gaze lingered on my face for a while.

It was none other than Stefan who broke the peaceful silence.

“Estiya, I’ve placed poison underneath, so when the tadpoles come from their dens, stab them with it. Daddy will fix everything.”

PR/N: I love this family .

I did think it was strange for him to place the fancy feather on my head, turns out there was a hidden motive.

I laughed awkwardly.

“Thank you, Father.”

It was time to enter the carriage.

Hela wasn’t in the mansion due to province duties. Stefan was to leave soon, so he didn’t hold me any longer.

Both my brother and sisters perched on the horses.

The carriage which I was in seemed visibly weighty.

Was I the reason for such weight? No, the carriage was loaded with weapons.

Finally, it was time to meet the male lead, Rodrigo.

I’ll save you.

So you can save me too.

I clenched my fists.

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