Eleanor sat on her balcony chair, thinking hard about the crazy stuff that went down last week. Should she spill the beans or keep it zipped? The fact that the truth would come out sooner or later made her lean towards spilling it now.

Let's rewind a week back when Noelle was still Noelle, chilling in her favorite library spot with "The Perfect Princess" book glued to her hands.

It's a book from ancient times where a young girl's envy escalates as her friend constantly garners attention, leaving her overlooked.

Motivated by jealousy, Eleanor takes a drastic step by ending Amelia's life, resulting in the fracture of their friendship. Amelia's parting words to Eleanor resonated with deep sorrow.

Following Amelia's passing, Amelia's father, Edward, exhibits extreme behavior by eliminating Eleanor's entire family in her presence. Despite their previous camaraderie, Henry's response lacks empathy towards their loss, heightening the emotional intensity of the narrative.

Compounding the tragedy, Eleanor is apprehended by the guards, facing severe consequences. Subsequently, Amelia's brother, Henry, assumes responsibility and chooses to execute Eleanor personally.

Noelle let out a sigh, followed by a yawn and a stretch. "No matter how many times I read it, it's still very tragic," she murmured to herself. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was already past 9:00.

Noelle's parents had cast her out when she turned 16, no longer considering her their pride and joy as they welcomed twins into the family. Since then, she had been quietly residing in the library, away from prying eyes.

As fatigue set in, Noelle's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into a quick slumber.

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And that's how I ended up in my current situation. I drifted off to sleep and woke up in the body of Eleanor, the jealous best friend from "The Perfect Princess."

To ensure my survival and protect my family, all I have to do is refrain from harming Amelia, the main character. I hope it's as simple as it sounds.

"What are you doing out here on the balcony?" Eleanor's brother, Alexander, asks in his usual calm tone as he steps onto the balcony patio.

Alexander has stunning black hair styled partly to the side, complemented by silver-like eyes and a flawlessly tailored suit.

Meanwhile, Eleanor's hair cascades in beautiful waves down her back, complementing her captivating light-brown eyes. Her dress strikes the perfect balance between stylish and relaxed, not too formal but still elegant.

"Drinking tea, of course," Eleanor responded, her tone nonchalant as always. Alexander's eyes flickered over to the snacks on the table, and he couldn't resist grabbing one. "Don't mind if I do\~," He says with a slight smirk before taking a bite of the cookie.

Eleanor shot back with a playful sass, "Well, if you had just asked, I would have happily shared." Alexander countered in a mock-betrayed tone, "What about the time three days ago when I asked, and you slapped my hand away, gave me a glare, and kept the snacks all to yourself?"

"Because those were the last three, and they happen to be my absolute favorite!" Eleanor retorted, a touch of humorous annoyance in her tone. Alexander couldn't help but tease her with a smirk. "No wonder you are gaining so much weight." he joked lightly.

Eleanor's maid, Josephine, stepped onto the balcony, putting a halt to the banter between Alexander and Eleanor.

"M'lady, Amelia is here to see you," Josephine announced in her usual unenthusiastic tone.

Eleanor perked up at the mention of Amelia. She hadn't seen Amelia since her reincarnation, and this was her chance to make things right. She was determined to get close to Amelia and show her that she wasn't just a jealous snob.

Without Eleanor's knowledge, her determination was like a blazing fire, and she was fully committed to proving herself.

Meanwhile, Alexander glanced at Eleanor and muttered to himself, "Is this really my sister? She's acting like she belongs in a mental ward," as he finished off the last bite of his cookie.

Eleanor gave a nod of gratitude to her maid, Josephine, accompanied by a faint smile, before turning back into her room. As she entered, two knights stood guard by her door, maintaining a respectful distance. With their company, Eleanor made her way to the room where they meet guests', where she anticipated meeting Amelia.

Eleanor opens the door, and her eyes widen in awe as she sees Amelia, the royal princess. Amelia's stunning features include long, gorgeous black hair, sparkling gold eyes, and an incredibly elegant dress befitting her royal status.

"Eleanor!" Amelia exclaimed with joy, rushing to hug Eleanor tightly before releasing her. "I haven't seen you in a month! I've missed you!" Amelia's enthusiasm was palpable.

"I've missed you too, Princess," Eleanor replied with a slight smile, but her words caused Amelia to gasp. "Princess!? Call me Amelia or even Lia like you usually do. It's only been a month, Ellie," Amelia said, her tone tinged with hurt.

"R-Right! Sorry, Lia..." Eleanor quickly corrected herself, trying to ease the situation. Amelia graciously beamed again and hugged Eleanor once more before letting go. "That's more like it!" she exclaimed with a giggle.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot why I came here!" Amelia exclaimed in a sudden realization.

"A reason?" Eleanor inquired curiously.

"Yes! The Ravenswoods are hosting a ball," Amelia announced with a beaming smile.

Eleanor's expression faltered. "A... Ball...? The family of magicians?" she asked with a hint of fear, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes!" Amelia confirmed cheerfully. "It's for the eldest son, Merlin, to find a wife," she explained, her smile brightening.

As Amelia spoke, Eleanor's thoughts raced. The Ravenswoods—a family of magicians—and Merlin, Amelia's first love interest. She couldn't help but recall Eleanor's own feelings for Merlin, which had fueled her jealousy toward Amelia and ultimately led to tragic consequences.

"What am I going to do...?" Eleanor muttered under her breath, lost in her thoughts.

"Hm?" Amelia responded, unaware of Eleanor's inner turmoil.

To be continued.

Amelia expressed her concern gently, saying, "Eleanor, are you alright? You seem a bit... different?" Eleanor swiftly composed herself and replied with a reassuring smile, "I'm fine, Lia\~."

Amelia maintained her concern, with a hint of uncertainty, saying, "If you say so..." However, she swiftly transitioned to a lighter tone, asking about Eleanor's attire for the upcoming ball.

Eleanor, aiming to keep the conversation upbeat, mentioned her plans to explore town with her maids for a suitable outfit. Amelia eagerly encouraged her, sharing her excitement about her own ballgown. Eleanor, trying to match Amelia's enthusiasm, nervously chuckled in response.

After Amelia departed from the mansion, Eleanor retreated to her room, exhaling heavily as she settled onto her stomach on the bed.

"Who would have thought dealing with the female lead could be so draining?" Eleanor remarked with a tinge of weariness in her voice. "Yet, she was kind, just as the book described," she added, reminiscing about the book she found herself in.

Eloise, Eleanor's maid, entered the room. "My lady, it's time to freshen up and prepare for bed," Eloise announced calmly. "Of course," Eleanor replied, rising and stretching before following Eloise to the bathroom.

As Eloise diligently scrubbed Eleanor's back in the bathtub, Eleanor's mind drifted to the upcoming ball. Despite her reluctance, she knew attending was inevitable, given her family's likely invitation. She sighed softly. Sensing Eleanor's mood, Eloise paused momentarily. "Is everything alright, my lady?" she asked, her scrubbing momentarily halted.

"Yes, everything is fine," Eleanor reassured in a calming tone, prompting Eloise to resume her task.

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The following morning, Eleanor's maids prepared her for the excursion to select her ballgown for the Ravenswood ball. Accompanying her were her knights, Roland Usoro, Edmund Marlowe, and Cedric Laurier, along with her two maids, Matilda Hawthorne and Josephine Chambers. Additionally, Charlotte and Charles, Eleanor's younger siblings and the twins of the Lockheart family, opted to join the outing to explore the town.

Charlotte and Charles possess striking features, boasting gorgeous, sleek blonde hair complemented by their bright, shiny blue eyes and charming attire. Despite being fifteen, they still carry off their cute outfits well, although they're reaching an age where such attire might soon be outgrown.

While browsing a shop, Eleanor turns to Charlotte. "Char, have you found a ballgown yet?" she asks with curiosity. "Not yet," Charlotte replies impatiently, eager to continue exploring.

Turning her attention to Charles, "Charles, do you have a suit yet?" Eleanor asks. "Do I really need one?" Charles responds, clearly uninterested in shopping at the moment.

Eleanor sighs, exclaiming, "Of course, you doofus," and glances around at the bustling town before looking back at her siblings. "No more exploring until you both have something for the ball," she declares firmly. Charles and Charlotte protest mildly before reluctantly agreeing.

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Entering a stunning boutique adorned with elegant gowns on one side and suits on the other, they are greeted by an enthusiastic owner. "Ah, what can I do for the Lockhearts?" the owner exclaims with excitement.

"I'd like a custom-made ballgown for myself and my younger sister, and a suit for my brother," Eleanor requests calmly, her knights and maids waiting outside.

"Certainly! Please follow me for measurements," the owner responds, bowing and leading them to the measuring area. However, measuring Charlotte proves challenging as she stands lazily, yawning and not maintaining a straight posture.

Eleanor sighs and turns to Charles. "Charles, ask your sister to stand properly," she instructs.

"Why me?" Charles retorts with a hint of attitude. "Because she listens to you. Do it, or there will be no more exploring," Eleanor asserts sternly. Charles reluctantly agrees, sighing in defeat but still displaying a hint of attitude in his voice.

Charles approaches Charlotte as she is being measured.

"Charlotte, if you do this, I'll share some snacks from my stash with you," Charles says in a lazy tone. Charlotte's eyes brighten, and she straightens up, abandoning her previous lazy posture.

After Charlotte adjusts her stance, Charles rejoins Eleanor's side. "Was that really so hard?" Eleanor playfully teases. Charles responds with his usual grumpy demeanor, looking away slightly.

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After a long day in town, they return to the mansion. The ordered gowns and suit are expected to arrive within a week, perfectly timed for the upcoming ball. 

After freshening up, Eleanor heads to the dining hall for dinner with her family. As she enters, she notices everyone already seated: her father - William, her mother - Victoria, her brother, Alexander, and the twins, Charlotte and Charles. William occupies the end of the table, with Victoria seated beside him. Charlotte sits across from Victoria, placing her beside William, while Charles is beside Charlotte. However, Alexander is seated next to Victoria, which is where Eleanor joins, taking the seat beside Alexander.

Victoria's blonde hair cascades elegantly, complementing her perfectly elegant figure. Her eyes sparkle like purple jewels, adding to her beauty and grace.

William's hair is a soft black shade, with eyes that blend purple and blue hues, further enhancing his sophisticated figure.

William takes a sip of his wine before setting the glass down. "Eleanor, I heard you went out today with Charles and Charlotte," he says in a tone that can seem intimidating, although he isn't actually a scary person.

"Yes, Father. I needed to find a gown for the ball, and I thought Charles and Charlotte should also prepare in time for the event," Eleanor explains in an elegant yet composed manner.

"Well done, Eleanor," William acknowledges before taking another sip of wine. "Yes! And because of that, Charles promised to share his snacks with me!" Charlotte chimes in enthusiastically.

"You still remember that?" Charles responds, hoping Charlotte had forgotten about it altogether. "What do you mean? I remember everything related to good food," Charlotte replies innocently, leaving Charles sighing in annoyance.

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Time flew by swiftly, much like the wind... and now, it was the moment I dreaded—the ball I was adamantly avoiding. However, attending was unavoidable; it would reflect poorly on my family and our esteemed name as the Lockhearts of the Dukedom family.

To be continued.

The maids hurriedly enter while Eleanor is still asleep. "M'lady! Today is the ball, and there's a lot to get ready for!" Matilda exclaims urgently.

"Matilda's correct! We have dress fittings, makeup, hair, and more to attend to!" Eloise adds quickly. Eleanor sits up, still groggy and yawning.

Before she can fully wake up, Josephine seizes her hand and rushes her to the bathroom for a quick wash, with Eleanor barely registering her surroundings.

Later, Eleanor is in a random room of her mansion where the shop owner is also present. She tries on her ordered dress while the owner takes measurements simultaneously. Charlotte is also brought along for the dress fitting.

Afterward, she manages to have brunch. However, soon after, she is whisked away again for various tasks before finally getting a chance to snack. Then, she has to go through hair and makeup before putting the ball gown on.

Today has been relentless for Eleanor, and she's at risk of dozing off at the ball due to exhaustion. The Lockhearts head outside to board their carriages. Charlotte, William (the father), and Victoria (the mother) occupy one carriage, while Alexander, Charles, and Eleanor take another since the entire family can't fit into one carriage.

In the carriage, the three siblings engage in conversation.

"Eleanor, you look quite lovely today. I almost didn't recognize you; usually, you're lounging around without a care for your appearance, both in the mansion and around town," Alexander remarks teasingly, prompting chuckles from Charles.

"Oh, is that so, dear brother? I must admit, I was taken aback as well. You typically resemble a tipsy uncle, but today you appear quite refined and sophisticated," Eleanor retorts with a playful slapback. Charles gulps and subtly shifts away from his seat beside Eleanor, while Alexander and Eleanor exchange smiles while glaring at each other.

After the tense exchange, they finally arrive at the Ravenswood mansion. Stepping out of the carriage, the knights assist Victoria, Charlotte, and Eleanor to ensure they have a steady hand to hold onto and avoid any mishaps.

As the announcer calls out their family name, the entire family enters the ballroom, drawing awe from the attendees due to their esteemed reputation. Charles wears a smug expression until Eleanor playfully slaps his head and delivers a silent lecture through her facial expression, causing Charles to look away in a grumpy mood and making Charlotte chuckle.

Amelia rushes over to hug Eleanor briefly before letting go. "Ellie! Your gown is stunning!" Amelia exclaims cheerfully.

"I love yours too, Lia," Eleanor responds with a playful chuckle.

"And I detest this delightful atmosphere," Alexander interjects, abruptly spoiling the mood as he walks away towards the ladies' area.

Amelia shoots a playful glare at Alexander as he walks away, sparking a chuckle from Eleanor.

"Oh, Charles, look! Pastries!" Charlotte exclaims excitedly, causing Charles to salivate at the sight of the treats. "I suppose I'll join you if you insist, not that I actually desire them or anything," Charles says in a disbelieving tone, prompting a chuckle from Charlotte, who then grabs Charles' hand and hurries off to the pastries.

"May I have everyone's attention?" The announcer's voice booms, causing all eyes to turn in his direction. "I am pleased to announce... the Ravenswood family!" Anticipation fills the air as their name is called, although this moment only adds to Eleanor's nerves, evident in her gulp.

As they make their way out, Merlin's mother stands at the front beside his father, with his older brother and sister by their side. However, it's Merlin who catches Eleanor's attention the most. In that moment, she becomes certain that he is indeed Merlin.

His hair shines like gold strands, enhancing his captivating appearance alongside his stunning attire. His eyes, a radiant shade of purple with a touch of sadness, add depth to his perfect look.

In this scene from the book, Merlin enters the room and his eyes immediately lock onto Amelia. His sadness vanishes, replaced by a lovestruck expression. Now, all Eleanor can do is wait for that pivotal moment.

Merlin moves to stand beside his father at the front, preparing for his father to discuss Merlin's future wife selection.

"Thank you all for gathering," his father begins. "We are hosting this ball for our son, Merlin, to choose a wife!"

The crowd gasps and exchanges glances, with whispers filling the room. "Oh no, I should have worn a prettier dress!" one person frets. "These ladies don't stand a chance against me," another boasts. Yet another voice threatens, "I'll make life difficult for any lady he chooses who isn't me."

It's safe to say the atmosphere is chaotic and tense.

Amelia leans in to whisper to Eleanor, "I already had a heads-up about this, thanks to someone."

Eleanor's attention sharpens, suspecting that Sebastian Delacroix, known as the Information Czar, might be the one who shared this information.

Sebastian and Amelia share a childhood friendship, which theoretically gives him an advantage in winning Amelia's affections due to their long history together. However, as is often the case in stories, the childhood friend rarely stands a chance against the primary romantic interest.

After Merlin's father announces the marriage arrangements, numerous females approach Merlin as his father steps away. However, their hopes will be dashed soon because as in the story, revealing that Merlin's heart belongs only to Amelia.

Merlin feels uncomfortable with the attention and scans the room for an escape route, his gaze landing on... Eleanor. Eleanor flinches, unsure if their eyes truly met or if it was just her imagination.

As Merlin approaches them, Amelia introduces herself, "Merlin! Hello, I'm Amelia De Montfort, the princess of this kingdom," she says with a slight bow.

"Good evening, your highness," Merlin responds respectfully, bowing in return before turning his attention to Eleanor. "And, who might this be...?" he inquires, his eyes resting on Eleanor.

"Oh, this is Eleanor Lockheart!" Amelia replies eagerly.

"Hm, from the Lockheart family? It's a pleasure to meet you," Merlin says as he takes Eleanor's hand and kisses it. "Ah! No, the pleasure is all mine!" Eleanor responds, feeling a bit flustered by the gentlemanly gesture.

Merlin's prolonged gaze at Eleanor leaves her feeling perplexed.

What's happening? Shouldn't he be engrossed with Amelia by now? she wonders to herself.

To be continued.