The Original Heroine of the World Where the Villainess Was Possessed – Chapter 1
These days, they say even cats and dogs get possessed.
“Woof, moo.”
I never thought I would become one of those cats or dogs.
“Huh? Did you call me, young lady?”
“No, I was just trying to escape reality for a moment.”
At my words, Nana—the only maid left in the estate—nodded.
“I understand. I can hardly believe it either.”
We sighed at the miserable sight before us.
“All the valuable things in the estate were sold long ago, the steward and every servant returned home, and even the remaining junk was just taken by the debt collectors.”
Thanks for the summary, Nana.
“Now the only thing left in the mansion is that silver plate you’re holding.”
At Nana’s words, I looked down at the silver plate in my arms.
Did I really keep holding onto this?
Right—during the earlier scuffle with the debt collectors, I had desperately protected it with my whole body.
Ever since I was young, I had always guarded my bowl no matter what.
I didn’t even know why; it was just a habit.
Maybe it was because I was Korean and lived on the strength of food.
Of course, this wasn’t Korea.
“Young lady, what should we do now?”
Hearing that, I turned my stiff neck and looked at her.
Her maid uniform was shabby, her hair disheveled.
Nana, who had been beaten and mistreated by the debt collectors, looked back at me.
“You’re still pretty, young lady—even though we look the same.”
Nana whispered, sniffling.
I lowered my gaze to the silver plate and saw my reflection.
I too was a mess—clothes torn, hair tangled.
But my brilliant golden eyes, hair that looked golden under sunlight, and delicate yet radiant features still made even my disheveled appearance look charming.
The problem was…
“Nana, no matter how pretty I am, I can’t live on my face.”
It wasn’t like I could eat beauty, after all.
Overwhelmed by despair, I collapsed onto the floor.
My memories of the modern world were strangely hazy, but everything about the novel remained clear.
I had possessed the body of the female protagonist of the romance fantasy novel I had recently read—Daphne Sain, the classic candy-like heroine who never lost her smile no matter how hard things became!
In the beginning of the story, Daphne ends up in massive debt.
Her father, Baron Sain, suddenly fell ill and needed money for treatment.
But the baron’s illness couldn’t be cured, and Daphne kept borrowing money until she was buried under debt.
The problem was that I had realized I was possessed just yesterday…
Already feeling detached from reality, the debt collectors had swept through the house, leaving my head in a fog.
“Are you all right, young lady? Shall I take you to the bedroom?”
Nana paused for a moment and covered her mouth.
“Right. They sold your bed, didn’t they? I’ll take you to mine! It’s not great, but you can still lie down and rest.”
“That bed was taken too.”
“Oh, right.”
Nana tried to remove her apron so she wouldn’t let a noble young lady sit on the bare floor.
I stopped her and brushed the dust off my clothes as I stood.
“I have to go out!”
“Now?”
“The debt collectors said they’d return in three days. I have to do something before then!”
“But we don’t even have a carriage or horses.”
“It’s fine. I have legs.”
I patted my thigh and forced a smile.
According to my memories, even if we counted everything they had taken, we still owed money.
Another 100 million gold coins.
Still, there was hope.
I knew information that could make money in this world!
If I used even one of those opportunities, I could pay off the debt quickly.
The shock of possession was over!
If I didn’t pay, the debt collectors would sell me off—so I had to solve this first.
“Then I’ll come with you!”
“No, you stay here. A letter should arrive soon—make sure to receive it. And take care of this silver plate!”
“Huh?”
“Alright, I’m off!”
Before Nana could reply, I hurried out of the mansion.
I had actually intended to send her away yesterday.
But she had cried, saying she was an orphan and couldn’t leave Daphne Sain, the person who had taken her in.
So I told her to stay—for now.
“Did Daphne even have a personal maid originally?”
…She probably did.
Most female protagonists in romance fantasies have at least one maid serving them.
After a brief thought, I shrugged and quickened my pace.
It should be around here.
After wandering the alleys of the capital square for a long time, I rubbed my aching leg and looked around.
This area was lined with shabby little shops where sunlight filtered through.
One of them must be the place I remembered from the novel.
The clothing atelier often mentioned in romance fantasies!
A small atelier run by a talented designer who never received recognition because of humble origins.
“Excuse me, where is ‘Flora’s Atelier’?”
Even though I remembered the novel well, it was hard to find a shop described only in text.
So I stopped a passing stranger and asked.
“Uh… um…”
“If you don’t know, that’s fine.”
“Ah… it’s… it’s over there…”
The man blushed and pointed toward the main street.
That would lead back to the square.
Was it in another alley?
“Thank you.”
“Y-you’re welcome…”
He fidgeted, face still red.
What was that about?
I already hated asking people for directions.
It always made things awkward.
Now I understood why protagonists wore cloaks.
I should buy one when I have money!
“But where am I?”
After returning to the main street, I looked around the square again.
I had taken a different exit and now saw unfamiliar shops.
Wow, these places look so fancy.
While walking and thinking that, I passed a sign I shouldn’t have seen.
…What did I just see?
I stepped back and stood in front of the shop.
It was a large atelier displaying elegant dresses in the window.
On the sofas inside, well-dressed noble ladies chatted among themselves.
“Excuse me. Is this ‘Flora’s Atelier’?”
As soon as I asked, the clerk approached with a smile.
“First visit?”
“…Yes.”
“Please wait here. I will bring the catalog.”
Following her guidance, I sat on a plush sofa and tried to calm my racing heart.
Right, a shop with such refined staff and luxurious decor couldn’t possibly be Flora’s Atelier.
It must just share the name.
My hope was crushed by the conversation of the ladies across from me.
“Oh my, look at this catalog. It features Madame Flora’s new designs.”
“How elegant. As expected of Flora, always ahead of the trends.”
“I can’t believe such a designer once struggled to survive day by day…”
Hearing that, I widened my eyes and interrupted.
“Did the madam of this shop have such a past?”
They looked at me and laughed lightly.
“It seems you don’t know this story!”
“And you look unfamiliar—are you new here?”
They wouldn’t recognize Daphne, of course.
Her mother died when she was young, and her father was too busy to care for her.
With no friends and no interest in society, Daphne never even attended a debutante ball or coming-of-age ceremony.
After a moment of thought, I offered an explanation.
“I often travel to other countries to help my father, so I’m not well-versed in social news.”
That father was already dead from illness and our family was likely ruined, but still.
“I see. Come join us.”
“Right, sit and talk with us.”
They accepted easily and let me sit among them.
Huh, they’re surprisingly kind.
I had expected some suspicion, but they smiled warmly and even shared snacks!
From the novels I read, noble ladies were usually a bit prickly—but I guess not all of them were.
I gratefully accepted their kindness and popped a cookie into my mouth.
While chewing, I noticed their dresses.
The flowing skirts and pastel colors were far more luxurious than my shabby navy dress.
I raised an eyebrow.
The designs they wore weren’t supposed to be in fashion at this point in the novel.
Wasn’t darker, more subdued clothing with moderately puffed skirts the trend?
Those dresses looked exactly like the ones Daphne and Flora had created together.
“…Could you continue the story from before?”
“Oh, you mean Madame Flora’s past?”
“I still remember that day vividly. The moment Cesia Eos appeared wearing Madame Flora’s dress! She was breathtaking.”
“Exactly! The design was revolutionary. I had never seen a style that exposed the shoulders like that.”
“After that, Madame Flora’s dresses became incredibly popular. She always said it was thanks to Eos, and she refuses orders from clients if they conflict with Eos’s schedule.”
“Famous boutiques and ateliers who once clung to their pride ended up copying Eos and Flora’s designs. Thanks to that, we can buy new dresses without waiting—but still.”
Their words made me doubt my ears.
So… someone else did what Daphne was supposed to do, accelerating the trend?
Huh?
Is that even possible?
