In the Midst of Revenge on Cinderella (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
“My older sister from before was, how should I say… a bit more expressive, you know? Her tone was also quite cheerful.”
“Was I really like that?”
I reacted as casually as I could. But despite my calm exterior, my mind was in utter chaos.
Had my attempts to avoid offending them come across as too different from usual? Right— the real Reneola would never have hidden her jealousy! They must think I’m acting far too composed now!
“Now that circumstances have changed, as His Highness the Second Prince said, Your Highness is no longer my younger sister but the Crown Princess of a nation, so you must be careful with your words and actions.”
I answered while trying not to show any sign of panic. It wouldn’t do for them to find out I was possessed. If I revealed I wasn’t the real Reneola, they certainly wouldn’t just let me go—they’d surely try to exploit me somehow. Especially Shanna, who wielded magic; I couldn’t afford to give her any leverage over me.
I stole a quick glance. Floria was sipping her tea. She didn’t seem intent on pressing further. Of course— their interest in ‘just’ Reneola probably went only this far. Shanna watched me a moment longer before turning her gaze away, and I let out a silent sigh of relief inwardly.
“As I mentioned earlier, it’s not easy adapting to life in the palace.”
Floria set down her teacup and spoke. After a brief pause, she sadly lowered her eyebrows.
“I suppose it’s all because I’m inadequate.”
‘Ah.’
Now that I thought about it, early in the original story, Floria, having just become Crown Princess, struggled to fit in with the royal family.
This stood in stark contrast to the overwhelming support she received from the common folk and palace staff, who adored her for embodying the classic tale of virtue rewarded and vice punished.
Though the marriage hadn’t even been formally celebrated yet, due to all the talk of it being the wedding of the century, she’d already been granted the title of Crown Princess—but the royal family still hadn’t fully accepted her.
The conservative royal house, which placed great importance on rank, traditionally only formed alliances with families of marquis rank or higher. Thus, they were hardly pleased that Floria—a mere count’s daughter, and reportedly treated as an outcast in her own household—might one day become queen as Prince Eric’s consort.
‘And rumors likely circulate that Floria deliberately ensnared Prince Eric.’
Some even claimed she’d intentionally used her beauty to approach him and staged the dramatic glass slipper incident solely to become Crown Princess. Otherwise, how could it be that in such a vast kingdom, only Floria’s foot fit the slipper?
Whoever first voiced such suspicions clearly had excellent judgment—I almost wanted to compliment them for it. Of course, the reason no one else’s foot fit was thanks to Shanna the fairy’s magic.
In any case, due to these circumstances, Floria’s position in the palace during this period was unstable, causing her considerable distress. For her, securing her status as Crown Princess as quickly as possible was crucial.
“I always feel so lonely, as if I’m all alone.”
Tears welled in Floria’s eyes as she wore a sorrowful expression. Everyone else might have been fooled by that pitiful look—but not me. I knew better than anyone that those were crocodile tears. Still, I played along as if I believed her.
“That’s not true at all, Your Highness. All alone? His Highness would be deeply hurt to hear you say that.”
“But he’s always so busy…”
“Yet despite how occupied he is, he rushed here the moment he heard you were worried. It was clear how much he cares for you.”
The old Reneola would have taken secret pleasure in Floria’s predicament. Because I’d once been suspected myself, I deliberately twisted my expression to feign finding Floria ridiculous—and sure enough, Floria’s lips curled slightly in amusement, looking reassured as if she’d expected exactly that reaction.
“Just talking with you like this already makes me feel so much calmer, sister. Actually, it was Shanna’s idea to invite you into the palace. I’m glad I listened to her.”
You’re the one I hold a grudge against.
I shot Shanna a sharp glare—only for our eyes to meet directly. I quickly blinked, pretending I hadn’t noticed. So it was that damn fairy who’d summoned me to the palace, contrary to the original plot.
‘Could she have realized I’m possessed? No—if she had, Floria wouldn’t be acting like this.’
She must have sensed I wasn’t the real Reneola but didn’t understand why, so she decided to keep me close under watch, just to be safe.
“She must have been worried seeing me toss and turn all night, unable to sleep.”
Floria took my hand and continued.
“Sister, it’s true we’ve grown distant, but that’s all in the past now. I’ve forgotten everything. So, from now on, why don’t we be close sisters again? Please stay by my side—in the palace.”
If I refused now, she’d send a pigeon flying out the moment I stepped outside the capital. From the start, there’d only ever been one answer I could give. I deliberately ignored the pigeons beside me, bobbing their heads and glaring as if urging me to speak.
“It would be an honor if you allow me to remain by your side.”
I nodded, clasping her hands as if deeply moved. Floria’s briefly furrowed brow smoothed into a gentle curve. Then, after a hesitant pause, she lightly bit her lip.
I instinctively knew it was my turn to speak first.
“If there’s anything you need from me, please just say it. Thinking back on my past mistakes, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Your Highness.”
“Sister…”
“Just a moment, Your Highness.”
As Floria feigned tearful emotion, Shanna, who’d been standing quietly behind her, interjected. Clearly, they’d rehearsed this beforehand.
“You shouldn’t trust this person so easily.”
“Shanna!”
“People don’t change so readily. Please don’t forget His Highness the Second Prince’s concerns.”
“Don’t take it badly, sister. Shanna’s just overly worried.”
Goodness, they’re perfectly in sync.
I watched them as if observing a drama unfold. Naturally, I didn’t forget to wear an expression mixing injustice and anxiety. After a long, tense silence, Shanna finally relented with an air of resignation.
“If you truly wish to keep her close, why not secure a guarantee?”
“A guarantee?”
So this was the main point at last. I watched Floria react with feigned surprise at Shanna’s unexpected suggestion, waiting for what came next.
“I may be unskilled, but I do know a little magic. How about we form a simple contract?”
“A contract?”
Just as I wondered what elaborate scheme they were building up to, Shanna’s next words nearly made me drop my teacup.
“We’ll engrave a contract upon her heart—one pledging loyalty to Your Highness and secrecy.”
Wait—her heart? That’s hardly simple!
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Floria’s face as she watched my horrified expression, though she quickly masked it with concern and shook her head.
“That seems far too dangerous.”
“If she remains loyal to Your Highness and keeps your secrets, there’s absolutely no danger.”
Damn it. Saying it like that left me no way to refuse without revealing I planned to betray Floria someday!
I briefly considered fleeing, but guards stood outside the door, and breaking through the window wasn’t an option either. Truthfully, I’d never had a choice. Even if Floria bared her fangs and demanded my heart outright, I’d have no recourse.
Since the outcome was inevitable, delaying further would only raise suspicion. Before either of them grew more wary, I reluctantly nodded, swallowing my bitterness like mustard.
“If such a small contract will prove my loyalty, I’ll gladly comply.”
“Sister… thank you for saying that.”
Floria gave a shy smile and immediately signaled Shanna as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
“Would you stand up for a moment?”
At Shanna’s request as she drew near, I hesitated before slowly rising from my seat. I hadn’t anticipated something like this happening.
‘Is she going to chant a spell?’
Just as I anxiously stared into Shanna’s golden eyes, she muttered something too quiet to hear, then slowly raised her hand—and in an instant, plunged it straight into my left chest.
“Gah!”
I gasped and stumbled backward from the sudden shock. Though no blood flowed and I felt no pain, the sight of my chest being pierced right before my eyes was utterly jarring.
Staring dumbfounded at this surreal scene, I was overwhelmed not just by fear and awe, but by the undeniable realization that I truly had been transmigrated into this novel.
As that unsettling sensation of being helplessly exposed washed over me, Shanna withdrew her hand from my chest. Clutched between her clean fingers—stained not a drop with blood—was a crimson gemstone.
I quickly pressed my left hand to my chest. Thankfully, beneath my palm, I could faintly feel my heart still beating weakly.
There wasn’t even a scratch, let alone a hole, where I’d been pierced—it felt almost as if I’d dreamed the whole thing. Yet the red gemstone in Shanna’s hand proved it was all too real.
‘Could that possibly be my heart?’
My hand clutching my clothes trembled violently.
“Here it is.”
Floria examined the crimson gemstone Shanna handed her, turning it over curiously.
“So this is my sister’s heart?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Try pressing it gently.”
At Shanna’s suggestion, Floria pinched the gemstone between her thumb and forefinger and pressed down firmly. Instantly, my vision flashed white as excruciating pain surged through my heart.
“Gah!”
Each time Floria increased the pressure, my heart felt as if it were being crushed. Unable to endure the agony, I clutched my chest and collapsed to the floor—only then did the crushing pressure and pain abruptly vanish.
Floria rushed over, her face filled with feigned alarm, and helped me up.
“I’m so sorry, sister. I pressed it so gently…”
I saw you smiling the whole time.
The more I writhed in pain, the more satisfied Floria’s lips curled upward. Suppressing the urge to wrench my arm from her grasp, I accepted her help to stand. Seeing Floria barely conceal her smug satisfaction, a single word spun relentlessly in my mind.
‘I’m doomed.’
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Shes smart. I love her for this.yeah dont care about the ruin reputation
Girlboss. YEAH LETS GO PLAYING VILLAINESS UNTIL THE END!
Shes really got caught by the demon king. Good luck for the grim future