Like a Cinderella with dazzling golden hair that seemed to absorb all the light in the world, no, Floria looked as if an angel had descended. Her appearance under the brilliant sunlight was so beautiful and sacred.

Instead of dry, lifeless hair and rough skin, she now gleamed with radiance, blossoming like her name, exuding such elegance that it was hard to believe she was once called the ash-covered girl.

‘She’s as pretty as a real doll.’

Certainly, being the female protagonist, her appearance buff seemed extraordinary from the start. Anyone would be captivated by that beauty. A lovable girl who makes you want to give her whatever she desires. This was the praise for Floria as written in the original work.

If only I had been possessed by even a mere maid, I would have genuinely admired her.

Just as I was internally clicking my tongue at being possessed by the stepsister who tormented her, Floria came running towards me with graceful movements.

“Sister!”

‘Huh?’

Embraced by Floria, I blinked my round eyes. This was an unexpected development. As I rolled my eyes, not knowing how to react, I saw a familiar face over Floria’s shoulder.

A man glaring at me with a displeased frown. It was Eric de Hilic, the prince who was putting the glass slipper on Floria’s foot at the moment of possession.

‘Ah.’

Not just the prince, but the court people watching us from all around. Only then did I understand Floria’s warm welcome.

She probably wanted to show that she had forgiven and embraced the sister who had tormented her. Her intention seemed to have worked well, as the eyes of the servants and maids looking at Floria were filled with adoration.

Hoping that she wouldn’t take off her mask even after these people left, I gently patted her back.

At that, Floria’s shoulders stiffened slightly. Thinking this might not be the right move, I stopped my hand, and at the edge of my vision, I saw someone who looked exactly as described in the original work.

‘Shana Sharasti.’

With mysterious blue hair and golden eyes, she was the fairy who helped Floria in the original work and her most important ally.

And next to her, two white doves sitting quietly in a cage, staring with wide eyes. After an unwanted eye contact with one of them, I quickly averted my gaze.

“I missed you, sister. Was the journey here difficult?”

Floria asked, examining me from head to toe after pulling away. Her expression full of joy showed no sign of resentment or wariness towards me.

‘Impressive.’

Seeing it in person, I was even more amazed by her acting skills. As I inwardly marveled, Floria grasped my hands. Unlike mine, roughened by days of carriage travel, her hands were white and soft. They even gave off a fragrant flower scent.

“You look pale. Are you unwell?”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Could it be… are you angry because I forced you to come when you didn’t want to?”

No, if you say it like that, I’ll look like the bad one. Sure enough, the gazes from all around became even fiercer.

“I’m sorry, sister. I thought it would be nice to have family around because the palace felt so unfamiliar and lonely, but I think I was too selfish.”

Floria shed tears while gauging my reaction. Her pitiful expression almost fooled even me for a moment. Everyone looked at Floria with sympathetic faces before turning their gazes to me.

Their accusing looks seemed to say, ‘Why aren’t you comforting her already!’ I inwardly let out a hollow laugh.

“Please forgive me.”

As I was about to actively deny it, Floria firmly grasped my hands and drooped her eyebrows.

‘Hey. There’s a scary child here.’

−I wanted to shout, but the grip on my hands was too painful. How can someone who looks so frail be this strong?

I was amazed at Floria’s multitasking ability, shedding tears with her gentle and delicate appearance while squeezing my hands as if wringing laundry. Intuition told me that if I said a word here, she might strangle my neck next, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Won’t you stay for just a few days? Please, sister. Hmm?”

In a situation where I should be kneeling before Floria and begging for forgiveness, I was instead standing upright and receiving pleas, so the gazes directed at me naturally became even more hostile. Unable to watch any longer, Prince Eric approached and gently wrapped his arm around Floria’s shoulders.

“Don’t cry, my lady. It pains my heart to see it.”

Prince Eric glared at me while embracing Floria, who nestled into his arms as if collapsing.

“This is outrageous. I’ve heard much about the atrocities of the Violet family, and I wanted to drive you out of the kingdom without letting you set foot in it, but I held back because of my lady’s plea. What is this arrogant attitude? Kneel down and beg for forgiveness at once!”

I bent my knees, which had been ready to kneel since earlier, as soon as the prince finished speaking. What do you mean earlier? I had been prepared to do so since boarding the carriage. I just hadn’t put it into action due to the surprise of Floria’s unexpected welcome.

“I apologize, Your Highness. Lady Floria.”

I thought that if Cinderella had planned to kill me, she wouldn’t have called me to the castle in the first place, but if I made a mistake, I might have my head cut off by the prince right here.

Given his hot-tempered personality, it was entirely possible. As I prostrated myself on the floor, bowing my head, I heard Cinderella stopping the prince.

“That’s enough, Your Highness.”

“But this is the one who tormented you all your life.”

“I’ve told you many times that my sister didn’t do it on purpose.”

“You really are too kind-hearted. This could be a problem.”

You’re the one with the real problem, unable to detect the underlying meaning in Floria’s words. I shook my head inwardly at Prince Eric, who failed to notice the bite in Floria’s words.

“People don’t change easily. I still don’t like the idea of keeping someone like this around you.”

“Stop it. You promised you wouldn’t do this.”

“But seeing that face in person makes my blood boil…”

“Your Highness.”

As Floria gave him a look, the Second Prince, who had been about to say more, let out a sigh as if he had no choice.

“Your Highness, I’d like to have a quiet talk with my sister alone. Would you mind giving us some privacy?”

“That’s out of the question. What if she tries to harm you? It’s dangerous.”

“I’ll be with Shana, so don’t worry.”

Despite having thoroughly searched me before entering the palace, Prince Eric maintained his guard as if facing an assassin. However, unable to resist Floria’s repeated requests, he finally withdrew.

“Reneola Violet.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Floria is no longer your sister, but my fiancée who will receive the Hilic Castle and the Princess of the Kingdom. Remember that.”

“Yes.”

“From now on, you must serve the Princess with all your heart and soul. Don’t forget that I will always be watching.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

After spouting threats for a while, Prince Eric finally left the room, taking all the court people with him. Left alone with Floria, Shana, and the two doves, I swallowed the saliva that had built up from tension.

‘Now it begins.’

Just as I had steeled myself, Floria personally helped me up.

“Please stand up, sister.”

I was confused by her unchanged attitude, having expected her to reveal her true colors once everyone had left. What’s going on? My hand that had been held still tingled, so why was she acting like this?

“Oh my, your dress has gotten dirty.”

“I’ll take care of it, Your Highness.”

Despite Shana’s protest, Floria brushed the dust off my dress.

“You must have been hurt, right? Please understand. It seems His Highness has some misunderstandings about our family. I keep telling him, but it’s not working.”

Of course, the Violet family hadn’t done anything right. But seeing the mastermind behind manipulating the Second Prince to bring down the Violet family now playing innocent made me understand the Countess’s feelings for a moment.

“Still, you didn’t need to kneel. Don’t do that from now on, okay?”

Let’s sit down and talk. Floria gently took my hand and guided me to the table, then ordered Shana.

“Please prepare some tea that will help alleviate fatigue. She must be tired from the long carriage ride.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Shana bowed politely and began pouring the tea she had prepared in advance.

“How is everyone in the family doing? I’ve been worried because I left so suddenly without saying proper goodbyes.”

Asking about the family’s well-being when she must have already received reports.

‘It seems she’s pretending not to know about the rumors that the Second Prince is taking revenge on the Violet family on her behalf.’

If she was truly concerned about the family’s welfare, she would have sent at least one letter. I realized Floria’s intentions.

‘She wants something from me.’

She must have thought it better to handle me gently rather than reveal her true colors if she wanted to manipulate me to her liking. Her judgment was quite accurate, as the original Reneola would have rebelled out of competitiveness if pushed too hard. I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

‘That’s a relief. At least she won’t openly torment me.’

“They haven’t yet adapted to the unfamiliar environment, but they are deeply grateful for Your Highness’s grace.”

This should be a satisfactory answer, right? I subtly revealed that the family was struggling and that their lifeline was in her hands.

My thoughts seemed to be correct, as I saw the corners of her mouth slightly curl up behind her teacup. Just as I was about to pick up my own teacup, pretending not to notice:

“By the way…”

Floria, putting down her teacup, looked at me intently and continued.

“You seem a bit different.”

“Pardon…?”

I almost choked on dry air. Forcibly swallowing the cough that was about to come out, I opened my eyes wide.

‘This sharp-witted one!’

I could feel Shana, standing behind Floria, quietly scrutinizing me.