TOFP 07

“Lady Margaret, I had no idea Lord Daryl’s younger sister was this beautiful. If I had known, I would’ve begged him to introduce us sooner.”

A typical, slightly greasy line. Kasha frowned and gave only a small nod in return.

“What nonsense are you talking about. Don’t try anything funny.”

“Funny? What, are you already acting like a protective brother? Anyway, shouldn’t you go over there?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Kasha, pretending not to care, perked up her ears.

“That lady you secretly admire… Lady Margaret Yonder. She seems to be in a bit of trouble.”

“What? What do you mean? Be clear.”

Margaret Yonder. At that unexpected name, Kasha froze for a moment.

At that moment, the orchestra began playing the opening of the dance.

Already?

Kasha’s brows twitched.

No one had even come to escort her onto the floor yet.

And what was that about Margaret Yonder?

Kasha focused more sharply on their conversation.

“She’s been dragged into the very center.”

Viscount Fenilton’s son shrugged and pointed behind him.

“The center?”

Daryl and Kasha turned their heads.

In the middle of the ballroom—filled with loud music, laughter, and swirling colorful dresses—many men and women were dancing in pairs.

Amid the moving crowd, someone stood still in the very center.

A pale sky-blue dress. Brown hair.

“Lady Margaret!”

Daryl shouted, trembling.

Kasha almost shouted as well.

Why are you standing there, Margaret Yonder?

That place.

In her past life, it had been the same scene—Kasha collapsed like a beast in a cage while people mocked her. Among them, only one person had reached out a hand to her.

A pale hand in a sky-blue sleeve.

Margaret Yonder, the owner of that hand, was now standing there.

A beast in a cage.

Odette glided gracefully across the ballroom, holding the hand of one of her handsome noble supporters.

With every step of the dance, her mood improved.

Especially every time she passed Margaret Yonder standing helplessly in the center.

Of course, if that Kasha girl had been there instead, it would’ve been even more satisfying.

Bam.

With a dramatic movement, the music ended.

Applause and cheers filled the hall.

Odette glanced at Margaret.

She was stumbling toward the exit.

How shameless.

Odette crossed her arms, watching.

Her partner quickly stepped forward and shoved Margaret.

“Ah!”

Margaret fell awkwardly, her skirt flipping up, revealing thin legs and worn undergarments.

Pfft.

Odette hid her smile behind a fan.

How ugly.

Just as her mood improved—

“Lady Margaret!”

A loud voice cut through the crowd.

At the same time, a slender figure stepped forward and held out a white hand.

Odette’s eyes narrowed.

Kasha Ryushchino.

That irritating girl was offering her hand to Margaret.

“Get up.”

A dull, lifeless voice.

But her hand was firm and certain.

Margaret hesitated, then tremblingly took it.

Odette lowered her fan, annoyed—and their eyes met.

How dare you ruin my entertainment?

Odette’s smile vanished.

“Lady Margaret!”

Daryl rushed in, pale-faced.

“Are you alright? Who dared—”

“Brother.”

Kasha calmly stopped him.

“Lady Yonder seems very shocked… please help her rest.”

“Ah, right. Of course.”

Daryl supported Margaret, and they left the ballroom.

Before leaving, Margaret looked at Kasha for a moment, then lowered her head.

Now only Odette and Kasha remained.

All eyes in the hall were on them.

Odette’s mood sank completely.

“Still the same, aren’t you?”

“What did you say?”

Odette forced down her anger.

Kasha’s expression irritated her—like she saw through everything.

“There are two types of rulers.”

“Are you done talking nonsense?”

But Kasha continued without caring.

“One type is naturally respected. People follow them without effort.”

“And the other type constantly steps on others just to confirm their place.”

Her gaze moved across Odette’s followers.

“Who can guarantee they won’t be the ones trampled next?”

The room fell silent.

Even those who should have laughed were listening.

Odette quickly stepped in.

“Lady Ryushchino, your words are hard to understand. How pitiful.”

A few weak laughs followed.

“Looks like you still don’t have a partner?”

At Odette’s signal, everyone around Kasha stepped back.

She was alone again.

Kasha Ryushchino…

But something was different.

The loneliness no longer hurt her.

You cannot hurt me. Only I can hurt myself.

Once foolish enough to walk willingly into death…

But not anymore.

She stood tall.

Odette’s confident expression began to crack.

Then—

Step. Step.

Heavy footsteps echoed.

A tall man with shining platinum hair appeared.

Leon Aranius.

Kasha’s eyes trembled slightly.

Seeing him alive—unlike in her past life—filled her with overwhelming emotion.

His arms were intact. His eyes were bright.

She almost smiled.

I didn’t realize… I was waiting for this moment.

Leon was the only person she had ever felt a strange sense of shared fate with.

His death had left a deep scar on her.

Then Odette’s excitement flared as well.

Leon finally appeared.

But instead of looking at her—

“Do you not have a partner?”

He asked Kasha.

Not Odette.

“…No.”

Kasha answered.

Time seemed to stop.

Odette bit her lip until it bled.

Ever since I saw her, I knew she was disgusting.

What bothered her most was Kasha’s expression.

Even now, she looked calm.

As if this was natural.

Odette trembled with rage.

Leon continued, unfazed.

“Would you care to dance?”

Again, directed at Kasha.

The room froze.

Odette’s mask shattered completely.

Her expression turned sharp and cruel as she glared at Kasha.

Then—

“I don’t want to.”