In the Midst of Revenge on Cinderella - Chapter 5

“The older sister from before was, how should I say… I think she had more expressive features. Her tone was also more lively.”

“Was I like that?”

I responded as nonchalantly as possible. However, contrary to my calm exterior, my mind was in turmoil.

Did my actions to avoid offending seem too different from usual? Right, the original Reneola would have been unable to hide her jealousy! Now I appear too calm!

“The situation has changed now. As His Highness the Second Prince said, Her Highness is no longer my younger sister but the princess consort of a nation, so I must be mindful of my words and actions.”

I answered, trying not to show my confusion. It wouldn’t do any good for them to discover that I had possessed this body. If I revealed that I wasn’t the real Reneola, they wouldn’t simply let me go, but rather try to use me in some way. Especially, I couldn’t let Shana, who uses magic, gain leverage over me.

Glancing around discreetly, I saw Floria tilting her teacup. It seemed she had no intention of probing further. After all, her interest in ‘mere’ Reneola would only go this far. Shana appeared to be watching me a bit more closely, but soon averted her gaze, and I inwardly sighed with relief.

“As I mentioned earlier, it’s not easy adapting to life in the palace.”

Floria spoke as she set down her teacup. After a brief pause, she lowered her eyebrows sorrowfully.

“It must all be due to my inadequacies.”

‘Ah.’

Now that I think about it, in the early parts of the original story, Floria, who had become the princess consort, didn’t easily blend in with the royal family.

It was quite different from the overwhelming support she received from the citizens and court officials who favored stories of good triumphing over evil.

Due to the much-talked-about marriage of the century, she was already being called the princess consort even before the national wedding ceremony, but the royal family had not yet fully accepted her.

The conservative royal family, which placed great importance on class, traditionally only formed alliances with families of marquis rank or higher. So they were not pleased that Floria, from a count’s family and even treated as an outcast within her own household, might become the consort of Prince Eric, who could potentially ascend to the throne.

‘Moreover, some rumors must be circulating that Floria deliberately seduced Prince Eric.’

There were also talks that she had intentionally approached Prince Eric using her beauty and then staged the dramatic glass slipper incident to become the princess consort. The logic was that otherwise, how could there be only one person in this vast kingdom whose foot fit the glass slipper?

I don’t know who first harbored such suspicions, but I’d like to compliment them on their keen eye for people. Of course, the reason why Floria was the only one whose foot fit the glass slipper was due to fairy Shana’s magic.

Anyway, due to these circumstances, Floria was having a hard time during this period because of her unstable position in the royal palace. For her, it was important to solidify her position as princess consort as quickly as possible.

“I always feel so alone and lonely.”

Floria shed tears with a piteous expression. Everyone else might have been fooled by that sorrowful look, but not me. I knew better than anyone that those were crocodile tears. However, I played along as if I had fallen for it.

“That’s not true, Your Highness. How can you say you’re alone? His Highness would be upset to hear that.”

“But he’s always so busy…”

“Yet that busy person rushed here in no time out of concern for you. I could feel how much he cherishes you.”

The former Reneola would have rejoiced at Floria’s situation. Having been suspected once, I deliberately twitched my expression to appear that way, and Floria twisted her lips as if finding it amusing. I felt relieved at her air of having expected as much.

“Just talking with you like this makes me feel much more at ease. Actually, it was Shana’s idea to invite you to the palace. I’m glad I listened to her.”

You, my nemesis.

I glared at her briefly, but when my eyes met Shana’s, I quickly blinked and pretended not to notice. To think that it was because of that cursed fairy that I was called to the palace, unlike in the original story.

‘Could she have noticed that I’ve possessed this body? No, if so, Floria wouldn’t be acting like this.’

It was clear that while they sensed I wasn’t the same Reneola as before, they didn’t know the reason. They probably felt uneasy and intended to keep me close to watch over me.

“I suppose she was worried about me staying up all night, unable to sleep due to my concerns.”

Floria grasped my hand and continued speaking.

“Sister, it’s true that we’ve grown distant, but that’s all in the past. I’ve forgotten everything. So why don’t we be close sisters from now on? Please stay by my side, here in the palace.”

If I were to refuse here, they’d probably send pigeons flying as soon as I left the capital. From the start, there was only one answer I could give. I deliberately ignored the pigeons glaring at me while bobbing their heads beside me.

“It would be an honor if you allow me to stay by your side.”

I nodded, pretending to be moved as I clasped her hands. Floria’s eyes, which had momentarily narrowed imperceptibly, curved prettily. Then she hesitated, her lips quivering slightly.

I sensed it was time for me to speak first.

“If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. When I think of the mistakes I made when I was young, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Your Highness.”

“Sister…”

“Just a moment, Your Highness.”

As Floria pretended to be moved, her eyes glistening with tears, Shana, who had been standing quietly behind her, interjected. It was clear they had rehearsed this beforehand.

“You mustn’t trust this person lightly.”

“Shana!”

“People don’t change easily. Please don’t forget His Highness the Second Prince’s concerns.”

“Don’t take offense, sister. Shana is just being overly cautious.”

My, how well they work together.

I watched the two of them as if I were watching a drama. Of course, I didn’t forget to maintain an expression mixing indignation and anxiety. After scrutinizing me for a while, Shana reluctantly took a step back.

“If you wish to keep her close, why not take a pledge as collateral?”

“Collateral?”

Finally, we’re getting to the point. I waited for what was to come next, watching Floria react as if she had heard something unexpected.

“I have some modest skill in magic. How about we make a simple contract?”

“A contract?”

Just as I was wondering why she was drawing this out so much, Shana’s next words nearly made me spill my tea.

“We’ll engrave a contract of loyalty and secrecy towards Your Highness on her heart.”

Wait. Her heart? That’s not simple at all!

Floria’s face showed a glimmer of satisfaction as she looked at me, who had turned pale. But she quickly changed to a worried expression and shook her head.

“That sounds too dangerous.”

“There’s no danger at all if she’s loyal to Your Highness and maintains secrecy.”

Damn it. If she puts it that way, how can I back out of the contract here? It’s as good as saying I’m planning to betray Floria someday!

I briefly considered running away, but guards were standing outside the door, and I couldn’t exactly break through the window. I had no choice from the beginning. Even if Floria revealed her true colors and demanded my heart, I’d be helpless.

If there’s only one conclusion anyway, it’s better not to hesitate any longer. Before arousing suspicion, I nodded reluctantly towards the two watching me.

“If such a trivial contract can make you believe in my sincerity, I’ll gladly comply.”

“Sister… Thank you for saying that.”

Floria smiled awkwardly and then nodded to Shana as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Would you please stand up for a moment?”

At Shana’s words as she approached, I reluctantly stood up. I hadn’t expected something like this to happen.

‘Is she going to chant some magic spell?’

It was then, as I anxiously gazed into Shana’s golden eyes. Shana, who had been muttering something rapidly in an inaudible voice, slowly raised her hand and then suddenly pierced my left chest.

“Gasp!”

I inhaled sharply and took a step back at the sudden event. Although no blood flowed and I felt no pain, the shock of seeing my chest pierced before my eyes was considerable.

In this surreal situation where I couldn’t close my mouth, not only did fear and awe wash over me, but the realization that I had truly possessed a character in a novel hit me harder than ever before.

As I felt the eerie sensation of being invaded defenseless, my lips trembling, Shana withdrew her hand from my chest. Between her fingers, unstained by even a drop of blood, was a red jewel.

I quickly felt my left chest. Fortunately, I could feel the faint beating of my heart under my palm.

There wasn’t even a scratch, let alone a hole, where I had been pierced, making me wonder for a moment if I had dreamed it all. But the red jewel held between Shana’s fingers proved that it was all real.

‘Could that be my heart?’

My hand clutching my clothes trembled.

“Here it is.”

Floria examined the red jewel she had received from various angles.

“Is this really my sister’s heart?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Try pressing it.”

At Shana’s suggestion, Floria pressed the jewel she was holding between her thumb and index finger. At that moment, my vision flashed, and an intense pain surged through my heart.

“Gasp!”

Every time Floria applied a little pressure with her fingers, it felt like my heart was being squeezed. Unable to bear the pain any longer, I clutched my chest and collapsed to the floor. Only then did the pressure and pain constricting my heart vanish all at once.

Floria ran over with a startled face and supported me.

“I’m sorry, sister. I pressed it gently…”

I saw you smiling, you know?

The more I writhed in pain, the more satisfied Floria’s lips curled up. Suppressing the urge to shake off the hand holding my arm, I stood up with her help. Seeing Floria, who could barely hide her satisfied expression, only one word kept spinning in my mind.

‘I’m doomed.’

*

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When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem…

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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.

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