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Chapter 2
Miti glared at the face reflected in the carriage window.
So I really transmigrated into some ridiculous story world.
The woman in the glass puffed out her lower lip.
Minachelti Minachelti Sestol was, by nature, an extremely timid and weak woman.
If someone wanted to put it nicely, they could call her obedient and kind, but to Miti, she was basically just a fool.
And what’s with all this fluttering lace?
Miti repeatedly pinched the frills hanging all over the dress with the tips of her fingers before letting them fall again.
It looks like it would tear apart if someone kicked it once.
Then she squeezed her thin arms and legs, so skinny that it was hard to find even the shape of muscles.
“How is someone supposed to survive in a harsh world with a body like this?”
Muttering quietly to herself, Miti once again became painfully aware of reality.
This was not a world filled with exciting adventures and dangerous crises.
It was a foolishly romantic world where people acted elegant, drank tea, made eye contact, and suddenly fell in love.
How does making eye contact lead to love?
Feeling hopeless about the future, Miti lightly knocked her forehead against the window.
“Miti. Sit properly.”
At Mirhel Sestol Mirhel Sestol’s low scolding voice, her back straightened automatically.
“You seem especially restless today.”
A faint sigh mixed into his words.
Without realizing it, she lowered her eyes to the floor. It was probably a habit left behind in Minachelti’s body.
To Minachelti Sestol, Mirhel was someone farther than the sea and higher than the sky.
Mirhel was the talented eldest son who carried all the expectations of the family, while Minachelti was the useless burden who excelled at nothing. She was not even popular.
Perhaps because of that, Minachelti always acted submissively around Mirhel.
“So why is that habit still stuck in this body?”
Miti muttered unhappily.
“What?”
“Huh?”
Perhaps he had heard her muttering, because Mirhel immediately looked at her.
“Didn’t you just say something?”
“Ah… well, that is…”
“If you have something to say, then say it clearly. Stop stuttering.”
“So naggy.”
The complaint slipped out before she could stop herself.
Miti hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
It seemed her naturally rough and blunt personality would need a very long time to adapt to this body.
This is seriously driving me crazy.
Miti secretly glanced at Mirhel with only her eyes moving.
Mirhel blinked blankly in confusion.
His quiet and timid younger sister, who had spent her entire life obediently behaving herself, was suddenly acting restless as if she had been struck by lightning.
Right. I’ll argue later.
For now, Miti decided to survive this trial first.
Act like Minachelti. Act like Minachelti…
“W-we’re going to Count Kirchhoff’s estate, right?”
She forced herself to use an awkwardly delicate voice.
Mirhel looked at her suspiciously before slowly nodding.
“Yes.”
“Why is the party being held?”
“Well, it’s the usual annual party. If you want to be specific, it’s closer to a charity party.”
Mirhel began explaining in earnest.
“As for why the mages were invited, I suppose the Count intends to put serious pressure on them regarding that matter.”
“Ah… I see.”
Miti barely listened to his explanation.
Will the party last long?
She had only asked about the party to change the subject.
Why the Count was holding the party did not matter to her at all.
What am I even supposed to do with that scammer-like man?
Her mind was already full of different worries.
“Well, this may actually be a good opportunity for you. The Count’s parties are always popular. You might find yourself a decent marriage prospect.”
The moment he finished speaking, the lights of a massive mansion became visible beyond the carriage window.
Miti quietly sighed so that Mirhel would not notice.
As if that sigh were a signal, the carriage came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived.”
A servant outside opened the carriage door.
After briefly fixing his clothes, Mirhel extended one arm toward her.
“Miti? Come down.”
“…Yes.”
Miti placed her hand on Mirhel’s arm.
Even without thinking, her body moved on its own like a puppet tied to strings. Honestly, she was relieved.
If she simply stopped thinking and let the body act naturally, she might survive whatever happened next.
But why did the canary specifically tell me not to fight with anyone?
“May I see your invitation?”
Mirhel handed the invitation to the gatekeeper guarding the hall.
After checking it, the gatekeeper politely bowed and opened the hall doors for them.
“Let’s go.”
“…Yes.”
Forcing herself to keep using such a soft voice felt unbearable.
The moment they stepped into the grand and luxurious hall, she noticed a man who stood about half a head taller than everyone else.
His pleasant smile turned toward her.
Their eyes met across the air.
That man is Renearn Kirchhoff.
Miti recognized him immediately.
It almost felt as though the canary were whispering inside her head.
That’s the man, Miti.
Count Renearn Kirchhoff’s neat lips curved smoothly upward.
After briefly moving his lips as though excusing himself from the gentlemen he had been speaking with, he walked directly toward Miti.
His gray eyes tinged with blue sparkled like scattered stars in space, while his dark black hair, carrying the same bluish shade, swayed lightly with his movements.
Renearn Kirchhoff looked like a man painted with a spoonful of ocean blue poured into the darkness of night.
His refined appearance and flawless posture naturally drew attention.
Not my type.
Miti scoffed inwardly.
She preferred someone with a softer and gentler appearance.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Sir Sestol.”
The Count gracefully moved through the crowd and offered his hand to Mirhel.
“This is my partner, Miss Erhael Lizier.”
The Count gestured beside him.
A woman was clinging tightly to his strong arm.
Her ruby-like eyes slowly swept over Miti from head to toe.
As though evaluating her.
Miti’s eyebrow twitched at that quick glance.
What’s her problem?
It was an unpleasant look.
Instinctively, Miti sensed the hostility hidden within the woman’s gaze.
So she immediately looked Erhael up and down in return.
She had no intention of losing a battle that had been started first by the other side.
“Thank you for inviting us to the party. It’s truly wonderful.”
While Mirhel exchanged formal greetings with the Count, Erhael Lizier seemed to finish judging Miti.
The corners of Erhael’s thin lips tilted slightly.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Smiling faintly, Erhael offered her hand for a handshake.
The heavily made-up woman looked at Miti the way a tiger might look at a squirrel.
Like she found the tiny creature too small and insignificant to even bother eating.
…Is she asking for a fight?
Miti’s eyelid twitched.
Borrowing the memories given to her by the canary, she recalled who Erhael Lizier was.
Erhael Lizier Erhael Lizier.
The rose of high society and the strongest candidate to become Count Kirchhoff’s fiancée.
The woman who would use jealousy as an excuse to completely trample and torment Minachelti.
The woman destined to become one of her future trials.
She’s barely worth one punch.
Miti clenched her teeth tightly as she accepted Erhael’s handshake.
Nothing had even happened yet, but she already disliked her.
“I-it’s nice to meet you too.”
“Please enjoy the party comfortably.”
Miti’s forced smile came out awkward and broken.
Meanwhile, every movement Erhael made—from her fingertips to even a single strand of hair—was smooth and seductive.
Smiling sweetly, Erhael wrapped herself around the Count’s arm.
The way she exposed her pale skin and elegant collarbones while shyly shrinking her shoulders made it obvious this was not her first provocation.
Erhael even spoke arrogantly as though she herself were the host of the party.
“Let’s go. Sir Ackerman is over there.”
“Then I hope you enjoy yourselves.”
With her rippling golden hair deliberately swaying behind her, Erhael turned away together with the Count.
Should I just deal with her now?
Miti stared at the back of Erhael’s head.
If Erhael was destined to be removed from the story later anyway, maybe removing her early would not be such a bad idea.
But Miti quickly abandoned the thought.
Forget it. How am I supposed to fight with this skinny body?
After calming herself with a deep breath, she moved to a corner of the hall with Mirhel.
The party began in earnest.
Miti formally danced one song together with Mirhel.
Afterward, she picked up a piece of finger food and ate it.
Honestly, she wanted to eat much more, but the corset was squeezing her so tightly that she had no appetite.
Soon, several gentlemen approached Mirhel.
But no one approached her.
So she remained standing silently near Mirhel like wallpaper.
The boredom became unbearable, and breathing was still difficult.
She seriously worried that the corset Mrs. Sestol had tightened so harshly might actually break her ribs.
I want to go home.
Just as the light in her eyes was beginning to fade—
“Are you enjoying the party?”
An unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupted.
