Eileen’s face crumpled terribly.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“Are you badly hurt?”

The ladies-in-waiting who had been frozen by the sudden commotion belatedly grasped the situation and rushed over to support Eileen. Floria approached me and asked.

“What happened, sister?”

Though she looked flustered, someone as perceptive as her would have already guessed what had transpired. I lowered my head, feigning ignorance.

“I apologize for causing a disturbance. I inadvertently stepped on the lady’s foot…”

“You intentionally stepped—!”

Eileen, who was about to sharply retort, bit her lip with a look of realization and glared at me. She couldn’t say that I had knowingly stepped on her foot. After all, it’s difficult to step on a foot neatly hidden under a dress. Unless, of course, someone had deliberately extended their foot with the intention of tripping someone.

As I smiled unknowingly at Eileen’s frustrated expression for falling for her own clumsy trick, her face grew even more menacing.

Oh dear, I didn’t mean to just now, but that was too villainous.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“Y-Your Highness.”

As Floria bent down, not only Eileen but all the ladies-in-waiting were at a loss.

“It’s swollen and red. But fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a serious injury. It would be best to call the royal physician for an examination.”

“Your Highness…”

Eileen’s cheeks flushed, seemingly touched by Floria’s concern as she carefully examined the injured foot. However, when our eyes met, she scowled as if nothing had happened.

That was because I was giving a silent sneer to appear even more detestable, since I already looked like a villain. I’m certain I must have looked extremely annoying even to myself.

Then, just as Floria turned back, I quickly changed my expression, causing the ladies-in-waiting to glare at me with exasperated looks.

“Sister, I’m sorry, but could you please call for the royal physician?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Floria turned her attention back to Eileen’s foot, I took the opportunity to shrug at the ladies-in-waiting before leaving the room.

‘With this, Floria’s reputation must have increased by +1.’

I wonder if my reputation dropped by about -50?

I went along with this obvious ploy because it was what Floria wanted from me. Of course, she didn’t explicitly demand it.

But her situation and the intentions that subtly revealed themselves during our conversations suggested as much. She didn’t truly want me to turn over a new leaf. Rather, she wanted me to freely display my nasty personality to others.

That way, she could portray herself as benevolent, warmly embracing someone like me, which would help solidify her position in the palace.

‘It’s already a successful method.’

I hear that in the outside world, unaware of Floria’s true nature, they praise her and even create plays about her. They say that among the royal family members, Floria currently receives the most support from the people, which says it all.

‘Though the support for the First Prince is not to be underestimated.’

Although he’s called a war maniac, it’s natural given that he’s subjugated enemy countries and expanded territories. Between the two, the First Prince had a more solid support base. After all, the commoners’ affection for Cinderella was something of a syndrome.

Thus, in the latter half of the original story, Floria resorted to all sorts of measures to undermine that solid foundation.

“Well, it’s none of my business.”

I plan to escape far, far away to a place unrelated to the original story before the two of them start seriously confronting each other. So I intend to show the image Floria wants, regardless of how low my reputation sinks. After all, once things are settled, I’ll never see these people again.

‘That being said, since I’ve come this far, should I take a look around the palace?’

It might be good to memorize the layout of the palace in advance, not knowing when I’ll have the chance to escape.

‘If they complain about me being late, I’ll just say I got lost since it’s my first time here.’

With that light thought, I left the Second Prince’s palace, only to find myself truly lost not long after.

“…Isn’t this the same place as before?”

The saying that words become reality seems to be true.

I glared at the familiar wall that I felt I had seen at least twenty times already. Everything had been chaos since leaving the Second Prince’s palace. This way led to the same path, that way continued to the path from before.

Although it couldn’t possibly be the same place, the spacing of the trees planted along the wall, and even the number and pattern of stones laid on the ground were exactly the same.

Despite having a fairly good sense of direction, I now had no idea where I was.

“Ah, I don’t know anymore!”

After wandering under the scorching sun for over an hour, I was completely exhausted and plopped down, forgetting all about dignity. Leaning against the wall, the cool sensation made me feel alive again. I fanned myself with a hand fan while glaring at the deserted path.

If only there were people passing by, I could at least ask for directions. Forget about calling for the royal physician, even finding my way back to the Second Prince’s palace seemed hopeless.

“I let my guard down and got played.”

Floria, who must have known how complex the layout was, deliberately set me up by asking me to call for the royal physician when I had only been in the palace for two days.

“How cunning.”

I took off my shoes and threw them aside, fanning my burning soles while grinding my teeth.

“May your hair get tangled in your comb and be pulled out in clumps!”

As I was spewing curses, a shadow fell over me, and before I could look up, something suddenly appeared. In the blink of an eye, a man landed lightly in front of me, startling me so much that I couldn’t even scream.

‘He jumped over from there?’

I looked up at the wall. It was easily three times my height, an incredible height.

“So you’ve finally entered the palace.”

After a moment of shock, I quickly turned my head at the familiar voice.

“!”

The man with his irritatingly curled lips was none other than the very culprit who had turned me into a mayfly.

“…Yes. Thanks to you.”

I spoke each syllable through gritted teeth, clenching my trembling hands.

“You don’t seem happy to see me?”

Why would I be?

My heart is held hostage because of you, not knowing when I might die, and you have such a relaxed expression? I wanted to confront him about what I had gone through because of him, but the man was Floria’s follower. A very zealous one at that.

What if I make a careless remark and he runs off to tattle?

Although he didn’t look like the type to run and tattle to Floria, he also didn’t look like someone who would spend all night guarding under someone else’s window.

‘What a waste of a face, you bastard.’

His face, revealed by the bright sunlight, was far more handsome than when shadowed by moonlight. So handsome that anyone would be captivated.

‘With looks like that, he should have an important role in the novel.’

The man exuded an intimidating aura more suited to having followers than being someone’s follower. It was much easier to imagine him giving orders rather than receiving them from others.

For example, someone like the First Prince. But there was no reason for the First Prince, the ultimate villain, to be idly guarding under someone else’s window.

Moreover, unlike the First Prince described as a cold-blooded killer and taciturn, this man was excessively glib. Furthermore, he was wearing a servant’s attire. Although it seemed to suit him, there was also something subtly out of place.

‘The name Ja-an bothers me, but his hair isn’t black either.’

While I was skeptically looking him over, thinking “surely not,” the man tilted his head at an angle.

“So, what are you doing here?”

Following the man’s gaze, I finally became aware of my sprawled-out state. I hurriedly covered my feet with my skirt and picked up my shoes. I don’t know why I keep showing such unseemly appearances in front of this man.

“I was resting because it’s hot.”

I answered nonchalantly as I stood up, too proud to tell the truth for some reason.

‘Why is he so tall?’

I knew the man was quite tall that night, but seeing him in daylight made him seem even taller. I stepped back a couple of paces, my eyes dazzled from looking up at him.

“What about you? Where did you suddenly appear from? Is it okay to jump over the palace walls like that?”

I pointed at the wall behind me with my thumb, and the man raised an eyebrow.

“If I use the gate, the guards might pay attention. I’ve been jumping over occasionally for a while now.”

…This guy.

Judging by the mischievous smile on his lips, he was clearly teasing me. He was undoubtedly mimicking the nonsensical excuse I had blurted out that night. Right, there’s no way a man like this could be the First Prince. I nodded inwardly, convinced.

“Well then, please continue on your way.”

I had planned to confront him about his rudeness that night whenever I met him again, but now wasn’t the right situation. With my hair all messed up and my appearance drenched in sweat, I wouldn’t look very threatening even if I tried to argue.

Instead, I cleared the path with my hand, hoping he would disappear from my sight immediately, but he only curled his lips leisurely.

“Is it okay to go like this? You look lost to me.”

“…”

He’s quite perceptive too.

Truth be told, I felt relief and gladness when I first saw the man. After all, he was the first person I’d met after wandering for an hour. If I let him go now, who knows when I’d meet someone else.

As I remained silent without answering, the man asked.

“Where are you headed?”

“…To where the royal physician is.”

I answered a beat late, avoiding his gaze. I thought he might make me ask for help, but the man just chuckled softly and walked past me, taking the lead.

Sensing his intention for me to follow, I quickly trailed after him.