Chapter 2
Miti stared at the face reflected in the glass window.
“I got possessed into a completely wrong story world…”
The woman in the reflection pouted her lower lip.
Minachelti Sestol was, by nature, extremely timid and weak.
If you put it nicely, she was obedient and kind—but to Miti, she was basically just a fool.
“What is with all this fluttering lace?”
Miti pinched the frills hanging all over the dress with her fingertips, lifting and dropping them repeatedly.
“It’ll probably break if I just kick it.”
Then she squeezed her thin arms and legs—so skinny that it was hard to even find any muscle.
“How am I supposed to survive in this harsh world with a body like this?”
Muttering quietly to herself, Miti came back to reality again.
This world was not one filled with thrilling adventures and dangerous crises.
It was a ridiculous romantic world where you drink tea elegantly, meet someone’s eyes—and fall in love.
“Falling in love just from eye contact? Does that even make sense?”
Feeling lost about the future, Miti lightly knocked her forehead against the window.
“Minachelti. Sit properly.”
At Mirhel’s low voice, her back straightened automatically.
“You seem a bit restless today.”
There was a faint sigh in his voice.
Without realizing it, she lowered her gaze to the floor. It was probably a habit from Minachelti’s body.
To Minachelti Sestol, Mirhel was someone higher than the sky and farther than the sea.
Mirhel was the talented eldest son, carrying all the family’s expectations.
Minachelti, on the other hand, was useless—good at nothing. She wasn’t even popular.
That’s why she always acted submissive toward him.
“Then why do I still have this habit?”
Miti muttered in dissatisfaction.
“What?”
“Ah—?”
Mirhel reacted, as if he had heard her.
“Did you say something just now?”
“Ah… n-no, I…”
“If you have something to say, speak clearly. Don’t stutter like that.”
“So annoying.”
The complaint slipped out without thinking. Miti quickly covered her mouth.
Her naturally blunt and rough personality would take a long time to adjust to this body.
“This is driving me crazy…”
She glanced at Mirhel’s expression.
He was blinking in confusion.
After all, his quiet and timid sister was suddenly acting like she had been struck by lightning.
“Fine… I’ll deal with it later.”
Miti decided to just survive this situation for now.
“Like Minachelti… act like Minachelti…”
“W-we’re going to Count Kirchhoff’s house, right?”
She forced out an awkward, gentle voice.
Mirhel, still suspicious, slowly nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why is the party being held?”
“Well, it’s the usual annual party. If anything, it’s closer to a charity event.”
He began explaining properly.
“They probably invited the mages to put pressure on that matter.”
“Ah… I see.”
Miti barely listened.
“Will the party take long?”
She had only asked to change the subject.
Why the Count held the party didn’t matter to her at all.
“What am I even supposed to do with that scammer-like guy?”
Her mind was already full of other worries.
“Well, this might actually be good for you. The Count’s parties are always popular. You might find a decent marriage prospect.”
As soon as he finished speaking, lights from a large mansion appeared through the window.
Miti let out a quiet sigh so he wouldn’t notice.
As if it were a signal, the carriage stopped.
“We’ve arrived.”
A servant opened the carriage door.
After adjusting his clothes, Mirhel extended his arm.
“Miti? Come down.”
“…Yes.”
Miti placed her hand on his arm.
Even without thinking, her body moved like a puppet on strings.
Maybe that was better.
If she just let her body move on its own, she might get through this safely.
“But why did the canary tell me not to fight…?”
“May I see your invitation?”
Mirhel handed it to the guard.
After checking it, the guard politely opened the doors.
“Let’s go.”
“…Yes.”
Forcing out a soft voice felt unbearable.
The moment they entered the grand, luxurious hall, she saw a man standing taller than everyone else.
His pleasant smile turned toward her.
Their eyes met in the air.
“That man is Renern Kirchhoff.”
She recognized him instantly.
It felt like the canary was whispering in her mind—
“That’s him, Miti.”
The Count’s neat lips curved into a perfect smile.
After excusing himself from the gentlemen he was talking to, he walked straight toward her.
His gray eyes with a hint of blue sparkled like scattered stars, and his dark hair with a blue tint swayed lightly.
Renern Kirchhoff looked like a man who had a drop of ocean blue mixed into the black night.
His refined appearance and flawless posture naturally drew attention.
“Not my type.”
Miti snorted inwardly. She preferred someone softer and kinder-looking.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Lord Sestol.”
The Count reached out to shake Mirhel’s hand.
“This is my partner, Miss Erel Rizie.”
He gestured to the woman beside him.
She clung to his arm like an attachment.
Her ruby-like eyes scanned Miti from head to toe—
as if evaluating her.
Miti’s eyebrow twitched.
“What is that?”
It was an unpleasant look.
Instinctively, Miti sensed hostility in her gaze.
So she looked Erel up and down as well. She didn’t want to lose a fight that had already begun.
“Thank you for inviting us. It’s a wonderful party.”
While Mirhel exchanged formal greetings, Erel seemed to have finished judging Miti.
The corner of Erel’s lips tilted slightly.
“Nice to meet you.”
She smiled faintly and offered her hand.
Her gaze was like a tiger looking at a squirrel—
a small, insignificant creature not even worth eating.
“…Are you picking a fight?”
Miti’s eyelid twitched.
She recalled what kind of person Erel Rizie was.
Erel Rizie.
The rose of high society, and the most likely candidate to become the Count’s fiancée.
A woman who would torment and crush Minachelti out of jealousy—
and someone who would become her future trial.
“She’s not even worth a punch.”
Miti clenched her teeth and took her hand.
She already disliked her, even before anything had happened.
“I-I’m… also… nice to meet you.”
“Please enjoy the party.”
Miti’s forced smile broke awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Erel’s every movement was smooth and graceful.
She linked arms with the Count, smiling sweetly, exposing her pale skin and delicate shoulders—clearly not her first time provoking someone.
She even spoke as if she were the host of the party.
“Let’s go. I see Lord Ackerman over there.”
“Then, please enjoy yourselves.”
With her golden hair flowing like waves, Erel turned away with the Count.
“Should I just deal with her now?”
Miti stared at the back of her head.
If Erel was meant to fall later anyway, getting rid of her now didn’t sound like a bad idea.
But she quickly shook her head.
“Forget it. How can I fight with this weak body?”
Taking a deep breath, she calmed down and moved to a corner with Mirhel.
The party began in earnest.
Miti danced one formal dance with Mirhel.
Then she picked up a small piece of finger food.
She wanted to eat more—but the corset was too tight.
Soon, several gentlemen approached Mirhel.
But no one came to her.
So she just stood silently beside him like wallpaper.
The boredom grew unbearable.
Breathing was still difficult.
She even worried her ribs might break from how tightly the corset was tied.
“I want to go home…”
Her eyes were starting to lose focus—
when suddenly,
“Are you enjoying the party?”
A strange voice spoke to her.
