THJDM 21

chapter 21

As Rubiana stepped into Cornis Boutique, her crimson eyes sparkled like the sun.

‘Wow…! So pretty! So dazzling! So elegant! As expected of a romance-fantasy world!’

Her head was overflowing with admiration.

Everywhere she looked, her eyes were delighted—glittering dresses in every shade on one side, gleaming jewelry on the other.

Cornis Boutique, the most popular in the capital, occupied an entire three-story building: jewelry on the first floor, women’s clothing on the second, and men’s clothing on the third.

Rubiana and the Countess had come for the final fitting before the gown she would wear to the weekend’s party at Duke Burnett’s estate was complete.

Her gown was yellow, off-shoulder, with a voluminous bell-shaped skirt that stood out magnificently.

“Oh my, my daughter! It suits you so well!”
“Yes, I think so too, Mother.”

Both Countess Virginia Payson and Rubiana herself were smitten with the sight.

Standing before a full-length mirror, Rubiana twirled right, then left, gazing rapturously at her own graceful reflection.

‘Ah… as expected of the heroine’s beauty! Rubiana really is so pretty! Wait… come to think of it, I am Rubiana, aren’t I? I’m the heroine! Hohoho.’

She regretted that the gown wasn’t finished enough to take home with her.

While Virginia ordered a few more dresses, Rubiana descended to the first floor to browse the jewelry.

‘In my previous life, the pretty things were always my sister’s… I only got what she left behind…’

But not anymore.

Now, whatever was the loveliest and most desirable became hers the moment she chose it.

‘This heroine-possessed life is the best!’

She couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from lifting as she immersed herself in shopping.

“Oh my! Isn’t that Rubiana?”
“Heavens! Rubiana, it’s been so long!”
“How have you been?”

Three young ladies entering the boutique spotted her and approached.

Rubiana studied their faces carefully.

A blonde, a brunette, and a redhead—each different in hair color, but all sharing the same style: straight bangs, hair pinned up, adorned with oversized ribbon ornaments.

‘I don’t recognize any of them. I don’t remember their faces at all.’

When she had first possessed Rubiana’s body, she hadn’t retained any of its memories—not even her own name.

But now, a month later, memories from the body had slowly begun seeping into her mind.

Though not everything had returned, she at least understood key people and events.

‘If I don’t recall these ladies, perhaps Rubiana wasn’t very close with them?’

In the original novel, Rubiana’s main stage had been the Imperial Knights, so there hadn’t been much detail about noble girls her age.

With a polite smile, Rubiana greeted the strangers.

“Hello, everyone. It’s been a while.”

Her voice and expression were awkward.

She couldn’t help it. Pretending intimacy with people she didn’t know wasn’t her forte.

“Rubiana, have you been well? I heard you were unwell.”
“I’m not fully recovered yet, but I’ve gotten much better. Thank you for your concern.”

Their normal small talk let Rubiana breathe a little easier.

Whenever she met someone she didn’t remember, she always worried first that they might treat her with hostility.

“Oh! I read about it in the paper. Your sister Stephanie’s accomplishments are impressive.”
“Yes, I saw too. I heard the Spirit Division of the Imperial Knights, under Stephanie’s command, pulled off another great success yesterday.”
“I’m so jealous, Rubiana. To have such a remarkable sister!”

Hearing praise for her sister made Rubiana’s shoulders swell with pride.

“That’s right. My sister really is amazing. At home, she’s so kind, too! She’s strong, has a great personality, and she’s beautiful on top of it all. She really has everything.”

Hohoho. She boasted cheerfully—then froze.

The smiles on the young ladies’ faces weren’t friendly.

‘Ah… did I sound like a shameless braggart just now?’

She suddenly felt embarrassed, realizing she had laid bare her genuine admiration before strangers.

While she kept her mouth shut, awkwardly averting her gaze, a shop attendant approached.

“Lady Payson, the Countess is calling for you.”
“Really? I’ll be right up.”

Saved.

Mother, thank you!

Rubiana smiled brightly at the ladies.

Still awkward, both her tone and expression.

“Then I’ll be going. Have a lovely time.”
“Yes, take care.”
“Goodbye, Rubiana.”
“Stay healthy.”

As she gracefully ascended the stairs, she caught clear whispers behind her.

“Aren’t you ashamed? Born into such a prestigious family of spirit mages, and still not one yourself.”
“Exactly. Even after watching her sister become one long ago, she doesn’t seem to feel anything.”
“Is her brain pure to the point of being empty? Or maybe she’s just living in some rainbow-colored flower field?”
“I think you’re right.”

Hohoho. The young ladies laughed merrily.

Her knees nearly buckled beneath her.

‘So that’s why I didn’t remember them. They were people I didn’t want to remember—blurred out on purpose.’

Clutching the railing, Rubiana forced herself onward, teeth clenched tight.

‘I’m the heroine… I should be able to laugh off trials like this.’

She tried to console herself, but it wasn’t easy.

Thump-thump, thump-thump—her heart pounded wildly, and her fingertips trembled.

‘It’s okay, Rubiana! It’s too early to despair. This is just the beginning. You’ll recover soon.’

She inhaled deeply.

Breathing out the gloom, breathing in determination.

Each step became firmer, more resolute.

‘Then I’ll become a spirit mage, and I’ll shine as the heroine. There’s no need to be hurt by the words of mere extras.’

At last she reached the top of the stairs, lifting the corners of her lips in a radiant smile.

“Mother, you called for me?”
“Rubiana, come look at these. The designs are all so pretty, I can’t choose. Won’t you help me?”
“Of course.”

With light, quick steps, Rubiana hurried over to Virginia.

Meanwhile, in the Hasmik Empire’s capital, Batra, the city stretched like a long horizontal oval.

At its northern center stood the Imperial Palace, and at the southern center, the Great Temple. The distance between them was great—about an hour’s ride by carriage.

Although there was a small chapel within the palace, Empress Miranda made a point to visit the Great Temple once a week to pray.

The High Priest welcomed her as she arrived.

“On this beautiful day gifted by Goddess Ipholyto, I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Good day, High Priest.”

Led by him into the prayer chamber, Miranda immediately took her seat and clasped her hands.

It was remarkable—simply stepping into the chamber made both body and mind feel purified.

Several noble ladies prayed quietly, seated apart with reverent devotion.

Once the High Priest left, Miranda closed her eyes tightly and prayed fervently to Goddess Ipholyto.

‘O Divine One! Please, stay by our Crown Prince’s side! That fragile child needs your protection, O God!’

Tears streamed down as her prayer began.

‘Look kindly upon the pure soul of the Crown Prince. Grant him grace so that your faithful servant may endure the scorn of evil forces and ultimately triumph.’

Her prayer, filled with love and concern for her son, went on for some time.

When she was finished, Miranda sought out Saintess Florencia.

The Empress began to speak at once, as if pouring out her heart.

“Saintess, I can’t bear this anxiety any longer.”
“Your Majesty, what troubles you so?”

Florencia gently clasped Miranda’s hands.

Yet even her warm, tender touch couldn’t smooth the deep furrow between Miranda’s brows.

“How much longer must we wait? You know how much effort we’ve poured into this matter, Saintess.”
“Of course I know well, Your Majesty.”

Florencia swallowed a sigh and looked at Miranda with soft, sympathetic eyes.