CHAPTER 04……………………………………..
After Laura left, the clock pointed exactly to three o’clock.
As she thought about past events, Psyche recalled the only time Karhis had come down to the capital—the New Year’s Eve festival held on the night before the new year.
Of course, she hadn’t been able to attend it back then, but the day after the festival, she had accidentally overheard Letis noisily bragging at a tea party that she had seen the “murderer of the North.”
Tilting her head, Psyche began to consider how she might attend the upcoming New Year’s Eve festival.
Before her regression, Karhis had attended the festival, and there was a chance he might remember her. That alone made it worth trying.
The festival was important—so much so that all nobles were essentially required to attend.
That meant all nobles had the right to be there.
Psyche, a lady of the Benoain ducal house, was no exception. The duke could not outright forbid her from attending.
However, the reason she hadn’t been able to go before was simple—she had no dress.
Psyche hurried to the dressing room, flinging open the wardrobe as she recalled the past.
The narrow, worn closet was pathetically bare.
Two decent indoor dresses—and one formal dress so small it couldn’t even be worn.
“…What should I do?”
She felt a pang of pity for herself.
Despite being treated like this, she had once struggled desperately just to be acknowledged as a Benoain.
How foolish. How pitiful.
What was so great about being a Benoain?
Why had she tried so hard to earn their love?
Clenching her fist, Psyche forced herself to think, searching desperately for a way to attend the festival.
She lowered her long lashes, shadows falling across her eyes as she pondered.
She thought of countless possibilities—but none were realistic.
Then—
The door burst open.
“Why won’t you get up…! You even made me come here myself!”
A sharp, shrill voice cut through her thoughts.
Psyche didn’t even need to look.
Letis.
Her rude half-sister who despised her.
“Psyche!!”
The loud voice made Psyche cover her ears.
How ridiculous—she had once admired that voice.
“Letis, you don’t need to shout. I can hear just fine.”
She spoke calmly.
Letis’s freckled nose twitched in irritation.
Before she could explode, Psyche spoke again.
“Oh. Did you come because of Laura? Your loyal maid tattled on me, didn’t she?”
“W-What did you say?!”
“I asked if you came all this way because of a maid. I didn’t know you cared so much about your servants.”
“Hey! Say that again!”
Letis was stunned.
Psyche wasn’t trembling. She wasn’t begging.
Instead, she stood tall.
Furious, Letis raised her hand to slap her—
But her hand was suddenly restrained.
Not by Psyche’s hand—
By vines.
“What—what is this?!”
Twisting plant stems bound her wrist.
Psyche herself was surprised—but didn’t show it.
“Letis. Mind your manners. To your older sister.”
“Y-you…!”
“Why stutter? Surprised I have powers now? Why? Aren’t all Benoains born with them?”
“W-What trick did you use?! You’re a fake!”
Letis’s eyes trembled violently.
Psyche smirked.
Then released her power. The vines vanished.
Letis collapsed to the floor.
“A fake? I was never a fake.”
“No—you are! I’m the real Benoain!”
“Then shall we go ask Father?”
Psyche walked past her.
Panicked, Letis grabbed her ankle.
And in that moment—Psyche thought of a solution.
A way to attend the festival.
“Let’s make a deal,” she said.
“A fair deal—for both of us.”
Letis stared at her, stunned.
This confidence… this composure…
It was unsettling.
Still, she nodded reluctantly.
“…Fine.”
“I need a dress for the festival. And a pair of shoes.”
“What?!”
“Why? You have closets full. Can’t you spare one for your sister?”
“…!”
“Or I’ll go see Father.”
“…Fine! Take one!”
Psyche smiled.
“In return, I’ll keep quiet about my abilities.”
Letis clenched her fists—but agreed.
Soon, they entered Letis’s room.
The maids tried to stop Psyche—
“Only Lady Letis is allowed—”
“Ask her,” Psyche said coldly.
Reluctantly, Letis nodded.
The maids left.
Psyche opened the wardrobe leisurely.
Then—
A white dress caught her eye.
It reminded her of Karhis’s silver hair.
Her chest tightened.
She took it out.
A soft cream ribbon, delicate fabric, sparkling gems.
“I’ll take this.”
Letis’s face twisted.
Of course she picked the most expensive one…
“That one’s one-of-a-kind—!”
“Good. I like it.”
Psyche continued calmly.
“I’ll also take those accessories. Jasmine perfume. And cream-colored shoes.”
She gathered everything without hesitation.
The maids outside stared in shock.
It was like a storm had passed through.
But—
This was only the beginning.
As dusk fell, Psyche quietly watched the sunset before heading to the dining hall.
Something she had never dared to do before.
She was never allowed to eat there.
She had survived on stale bread and rotting fruit.
But today—
Her family was already seated.
Conversation stopped the moment she entered.
They stared.
Psyche calmly addressed a maid.
“You. Bring me a meal.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I said prepare food.”
The maid hesitated, then obeyed.
The duke slammed his hand down.
“How dare you come here uninvited!”
Everyone flinched.
Except Psyche.
She ate calmly, savoring the food.
The duke grew angrier.
“You never joined us before. What’s changed? Why are you ignoring me?”
The clinking of utensils stopped.
Psyche slowly chewed.
Then laughed.
“Ah… hahaha.”
It was loud.
Empty.
“Since when,” she said,
“have you ever been my father?”
