The Count and Countess of Sticov were furious at Edward Hans’s outrageous behavior. Throughout dinner, they cursed him, calling him a “scoundrel” or “an ungrateful wretch.” They expressed how they couldn’t tolerate what he had done to Lydia.
Moved by her parents taking her side, Lydia began crying in the middle of eating her steak.
“I thought everyone would hate me. He was my sister’s fiancé… I thought I’d be hated for hurting her…”
“Oh, my dear. Everyone knows you’re innocent.”
“That’s right, Lydie. Who could possibly hate you?”
The Sticov couple put down their cutlery and comforted their second daughter. Eleanor silently agreed as she popped a roasted cherry tomato into her mouth. Of course. There’s no such world where the female lead gets hated. Even she felt the same way.
Being the older sister of the protagonist was a burden, but Lydia was lovable.
So Eleanor, unexpectedly, liked her younger sister. Though Lydia lacked tact, as a proper heroine, she bore no ill will.
Though it was a bit annoying that getting involved with her often led to trouble, purely as sisters, Lydia was an affectionate, sweet younger sibling.
“I’m going to send a letter of protest to Viscount Hans right away. That son of his dared to look down on my precious treasure!”
“Yes, darling. Teach him a lesson!”
The Count clenched his fist. Although it was both daughters that the Hans boy had wronged, the Count only mentioned one, and the Countess, not noticing, agreed wholeheartedly.
Eleanor didn’t care either way. While they were at it, she wished they’d wring more penalty fees out of the Hans family.
Even if they were protesting for Lydia’s sake, she’d be the one receiving the compensation.
She wasn’t the protagonist and lacked any real talent to earn money—so this was a rare source of income for her.
While fuming, the Count and Countess kept glancing at Eleanor. She’d been quietly eating the whole time without saying a word.
They strictly viewed Eleanor as the elder sister of their second daughter. So if she didn’t act like an older sister, it felt unnatural to them.
Oops, I forgot my role.
Hurriedly swallowing her meat, Eleanor gently placed her hand on Lydia’s shoulder.
“Lydia, no one understands your frustration better than I do. Who could possibly hate you? I won’t just stand by and watch that happen.”
In the novel, Lydia was deeply loved by her family. Her mother, father, and sister all doted on her.
So Eleanor had to adore Lydia, too. And loving someone as lovely as Lydia wasn’t difficult.
“I’m sorry you got hurt because I couldn’t judge a person properly.”
“That’s right, darling. Honestly, I didn’t like him from the start either.”
“I was worried about sending my eldest daughter off to someone like that.”
Eleanor remembered how pleased her parents had looked when they first brought Edward home, but she didn’t bother pointing it out. Maybe, like her, they simply lacked discernment and were only realizing it too late.
She didn’t feel the slightest guilt over her broken engagement. Who told him to fall for the younger sister of his fiancée? Even if he were criticized for the rest of his life, he had it coming.
“Still, it’s so heartwarming to see the bond between you two.”
Watching Eleanor with her hand still resting on Lydia’s shoulder, the Countess smiled warmly.
“Of course! They’re the pride of the Sticov family!”
“I want to live forever with Mom, Dad, and Sister, never getting married.”
The Count puffed his chest out proudly as Lydia smiled innocently, her cheeks tinged pink.
If the male leads heard that, they’d probably cry blood, Eleanor thought with a chuckle.
“Ha ha! Shall the four of us live together forever?”
“Sounds good!”
Eleanor responded to the Count’s joyful voice with a smile.
They truly were the perfect, harmonious family of the female lead.
Even if no one comforted Eleanor.
“Young Lady, are you alright?”
Lisa, brushing Eleanor’s hair, asked cautiously. Eleanor, who had her eyes closed while letting Lisa work, moved only her lips.
“What do you mean?”
“The thing with Master Hans… How could he propose to the younger lady?”
“Yeah, it looks like Lydia’s the one stuck in a tough spot.”
“Well, that’s true, but you’re the one most affected, Young Lady.”
Eleanor slowly opened her eyes. In the mirror, she could see Lisa pouting. Eleanor’s eyes curved gently.
“You’re thinking of me.”
“Of course! You’re my mistress—my Young Lady!”
Lisa answered with conviction. Everyone else was comforting Lydia, but the one who suffered the most from Edward’s actions was Eleanor.
Two years of engagement, only to have her fiancé stolen by her younger sister—the gossip would spread through the social circles like wildfire.
People would bring up the previous two fiancés who broke off their engagements after falling for Lydia too.
Three times in a row—no one would think highly of her.
Some might pity her, but just as many would assume Eleanor was the problem.
She hated both the pitying glances and the ones that judged her unfairly.
It wasn’t even a divorce—it was just a broken engagement. Why was everyone so sensitive? Even if it were a divorce, what business was it of theirs? But in this world, noble honor reigned supreme, and things never went how Eleanor wanted.
“It’s fine. This much trouble is nothing.”
Eleanor spoke calmly. Honestly, it was her third time, so she was numb to it. The socialites might act like it was some major scandal, but it would blow over with time.
As she combed Eleanor’s thick, soft hair, Lisa kept muttering complaints. Since Eleanor didn’t badmouth Edward, Lisa did it on her behalf.
“He’s such a heartless brute. I really hate him. If I ever see him, I’ll pretend to greet him and curse him under my breath.”
“What if he hears?”
“I’ll say I was talking about my shoes or a passing dog’s color. I’ll be subtle—he won’t be able to catch me!”
Lisa’s earnest determination reminded Eleanor of Stella, who had vowed to beat Edward if she saw him at night. They both were like loyal little puppies.
Lisa finished brushing and applied scented oil to Eleanor’s hair. A lovely rose fragrance filled the room. Her long, wavy locks were neatly styled.
“To lose such a beautiful lady… He’ll regret it for the rest of his life.”
Lisa said with conviction. Eleanor quietly stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Wheat-colored hair inherited from her grandmother, blue eyes like her father’s.
Her parents were good-looking, so Eleanor resembled them. Even by her own judgment, she looked decent. Pretty enough that compliments didn’t feel like lies.
But unlike Lydia, Eleanor lacked a unique charm.
There were plenty of pretty girls like her in society. Since women dressed in vibrant colors, moderate beauty wasn’t enough to stand out.
Eleanor thought of Lydia.
Even in a world with many hair colors, Lydia’s pink hair was exceptional. Her green eyes came from their mother. A small, delicate face, perfectly arranged features, fair skin that never tanned—even in the sun. A tiny, fragile frame.
Lydia was like a flower in full bloom under the spring sun. Just standing still, she caught everyone’s eye.
If Lydia was a real flower, Eleanor was artificial.
That was the difference between the heroine and her extra sister.
“Looks aren’t everything.”
Lydia’s popularity also stemmed from her bright personality. Like a flower blooming in the meadow, she fluttered around like a cheerful bird, and everyone loved her. Eleanor herself liked that aspect of her.
Eleanor held Lisa’s hand resting on her shoulder and tilted her head to press her cheek against it, smiling.
“Thank you for always being on my side, Lisa. I only have you.”
“I only have you too, Young Lady.”
“Really? Then shall we get married?”
“I’d love to!”
Lisa’s quick response made Eleanor burst out laughing. Her maid really was adorable. Too bad same-sex marriage was forbidden under imperial law.
‘Still, I’m glad I have Lisa.’
Thanks to her, Eleanor wasn’t completely alone in the Count’s household.
In a world that only allowed Lydia to shine, Lisa was one of the few things Eleanor could truly have.
Because Lydia didn’t need her, Eleanor could claim her.
The only maid who had stayed by her side since childhood.
By living as Eleanor, she realized that as long as something wasn’t essential for Lydia’s story, she could have it.
Having lost many people to this realization, Lisa was one of the few she cherished.
The scandal Edward Hans caused clung to Eleanor like shackles. Whispers followed her everywhere, making her shudder. She wanted to hide away like before, but it wasn’t easy.
Of all times, she had a tea party coming up.
Eleanor debated endlessly whether to cancel it. Her heart swayed back and forth several times a day.
If she went through with it, she’d look shameless. But canceling would be like admitting guilt.
Thanks to Edward’s strange wording, Eleanor was plagued by rumors.
Some even said she knew he liked Lydia and forced the engagement anyway.
‘If I’d known he liked Lydia, I never would’ve agreed to it.’
They were trying to paint her as the villain. But she had to swallow the injustice. Speaking up now would only fan the flames.
After much thought, Eleanor decided to proceed with the tea party. She didn’t want to worsen the suspicions.
Thankfully, everyone knew the party had been scheduled before Edward’s proposal.
On the day of the tea party, Eleanor dressed with just the right amount of flair.
She styled her wheat-colored hair in a low twist and wore a beige dress with a rounded neckline.
Pearl earrings and necklace, white gloves up to her elbows.
Too plain, and people would say she was wallowing in heartbreak. Too flashy, and they’d say she was putting on a show.
To make matters worse, Lydia would also be attending. Eleanor had to strike the perfect balance to avoid comparison.
“Thank you for inviting us, Lady Sticov.”
Though their eyes scrutinized her, the guests smiled outwardly.
Eleanor greeted them without losing her own smile. Even the slightest crack in her composure would lead to a flood of anonymous gossip articles the next day.
“Thank you for coming.”
After welcoming everyone, Lydia entered last.
Wearing a yellow dress cinched with a white ribbon, Lydia looked fresh and vibrant—less fancy or plain, and more like a cheerful young girl.
“Welcome, Lydia.”
A wise choice.
Eleanor thought as she greeted her sister. The girlish appearance naturally disarmed people.
Despite being involved in the same scandal, Lydia radiated innocence.
She looked like a sweet, beautiful girl who had been unfairly dragged into her sister’s messy love life.
That’s what people saw. Just as Eleanor suspected, the tea party guests gazed at Lydia with kind eyes.
“Please sit here, Lady Sticov.”
Seeing Lydia shrink back nervously, a noble lady pulled out a chair for her.
As Lydia cautiously sat, warmth spread through the group. Eleanor sat across from her and smiled faintly.
A vase with a white bouquet, a gold-trimmed teapot, matching teacups, and beautifully plated desserts adorned the table.
As the maids poured the first round of tea, the party began in earnest.
“Lady Sticov, things must be difficult lately. Are you okay?”
Barely having sipped her tea, Eleanor was already faced with a sensitive question.
She glanced at Lydia, who flinched, and smiled as she nodded.
“Yes, I’m perfectly fine.”
Of course, she had to be—even if she wasn’t.
But the noble lady looked flustered, glancing at Eleanor, then said awkwardly,
“Oh… there are two Lady Sticovs, right? Haha, I meant, how is the other one doing?”
The lady turned toward Lydia, and the smile on Eleanor’s face cracked.
Heat rushed to her face. She quickly raised her teacup to hide it.
Why did I assume she meant me? Of course, she meant Lydia.
Eleanor clenched her hand under the table and feigned calm.
“I’m fine. I’m more worried about my sister getting hurt…”
“Oh, my, dear. Don’t worry just about your sister—take care of yourself, too.”
“Yes, you always worry about others so much, I end up worrying about you!”
The two noble ladies next to Lydia chimed in. The others quickly followed.
“I’m sure you were hurt the most, Lady Sticov.”
Hearing the guest beside her, Eleanor smiled. She forced a convincing smile and glanced at Lydia, who looked touched and teary-eyed.
“Thank you. I honestly thought everyone would misunderstand… that I was a terrible person who stole my sister’s fiancé…”
“Absolutely not. Everyone knows you’re innocent. Only malicious people spread such rumors.”
“Don’t worry. None of us are like that. We came because we were worried about you.”
“That’s right! No one would doubt someone as kind and pure as you.”
Eleanor set her teacup down. It clinked loudly against the saucer, but no one paid her any attention.
Lydia smiled softly, her eyes and nose red. Her thick, pink braids added to her angelic aura. She looked like a blooming flower.
“Lady Sticov is truly lovely.”
Someone said, and Eleanor slowly opened her mouth.
That lovely female protagonist, Lydia Sticov—was her younger sister.
It was time for Eleanor to say something.
“I’m so thankful everyone recognizes Lydia’s innocence. She was really worried. I’m glad everyone supports her.”
Only then did people turn to Eleanor. Only after she fulfilled her role as the loving older sister.
Their gazes finally landed on her.
“You two always seem so close.”
“This must be the deep bond between sisters.”
“I don’t have siblings, so I’m jealous.”
Eleanor smiled warmly, as if she was happy to be praised for her sisterly affection.
But the interest quickly faded, and their attention returned to Lydia.
“Lady Sticov, don’t let it get to you. Ignore any cruel words.”
“Yes, no matter what you do, some people will find fault. It’s not your fault that young master Hans behaved improperly.”
“Be strong. I hope you’re not too hurt.”
The lady next to Lydia grabbed her hand. Eleanor watched as she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her lips. With her face partially hidden, her expression seemed cold.
But when she lowered the handkerchief, she was smiling as always. Her eyes curved gently.
“See, Lydia? I told you no one would hate you.”
Unless someone was written to hate her, everyone in this world was bound to love Lydia.
Even at a party Eleanor hosted, Lydia naturally became the protagonist. People easily warmed to her and adored her.
“Of course! Who could hate someone as sweet and lovely as Lady Sticov?”
A lady responded enthusiastically to Eleanor’s remark.
Warm laughter filled the room.
Eleanor accepted the fact that no one cared about her. In a world where someone else was the protagonist, she was merely an extra.
To resent not receiving the same treatment as the lead was laughable.
But…
Eleanor swallowed the emotion rising in her throat. What mattered most now was preventing any unpleasant rumors about the tea party from appearing in tomorrow’s tabloids.
“Sister, this is delicious. Try it.”
“Thank you.”
Eleanor smiled as she accepted the tiny cupcake Lydia offered her.
Just like the kind older sister of the sweetest protagonist.
Let’s just elope with Lisa and Stella 🙄