Lenaris sat quietly as Rina finished brushing her long golden hair. The soft strokes of the brush echoed in the large room while sunlight streamed through the tall windows.
Everything still felt unreal.
Just yesterday she had been Lena—an ordinary girl with a broken life.
Now she was Lenaris Elsie Dunham, the notorious villainess of Bejeweled Rose.
Lena stared at her reflection in the mirror again.
The girl staring back was breathtakingly beautiful. Golden hair flowed down her back like liquid sunlight, and emerald eyes shimmered like polished jewels.
It was hard to believe this body belonged to the same villainess readers hated in the novel.
If I remember correctly… Lenaris was cruel, arrogant, and obsessed with the prince, Lena thought.
She sighed quietly.
No wonder everyone despises her.
Rina finished tying a ribbon around her hair.
"My lady, breakfast has already been prepared in the dining hall."
Lena hesitated.
"Will… my family be there?"
Rina paused for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. His Grace the Duke and the young masters are already present."
Lena's stomach tightened.
In the novel, Lenaris had a terrible relationship with the Duke and her stepbrothers. They barely tolerated her presence.
Still… avoiding them would only make things worse.
"Alright," she said, standing up.
"Let's go."
The Dunham mansion was even more magnificent than Lena had imagined.
Tall marble pillars lined the hallways, while elegant paintings decorated the walls. Servants bowed respectfully as she walked past.
But Lena noticed something strange.
Their expressions weren't warm.
They looked… cautious.
Almost afraid.
So this is the villainess's reputation, she thought bitterly.
When they arrived at the dining hall, Rina pushed the large doors open.
Three men sat at the long table.
At the head sat a tall, imposing man with dark hair streaked with silver—the Duke of Dunham.
On his right sat a man with sharp gray eyes and a stern expression.
Lord Elvin.
And beside him lounged a younger man with black hair and a lazy smile.
Lord Veneric.
The moment Lena stepped inside, the room fell silent.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward her.
None of them looked pleased.
Elvin's expression immediately darkened.
"Well," he said coldly.
"The troublesome sister finally decided to wake up."
Veneric leaned back in his chair, studying her with amusement.
"I heard you fell down the stairs," he said lazily.
"Did you hit your head hard enough to lose your temper for once?"
Lena blinked.
So this was how they treated Lenaris.
No wonder the original Lenaris acted the way she did.
The Duke finally spoke.
"Sit."
His voice carried authority that left no room for argument.
Lena quietly walked to the table and sat down.
Breakfast was served immediately, but the tension in the room was thick.
After a few moments, Elvin spoke again.
"You've been quiet."
His sharp gaze locked onto her.
"That's unusual."
Veneric smirked.
"Maybe the fall fixed her personality."
Normally, according to the novel, Lenaris would have exploded in anger by now.
She would scream, throw insults, and storm out dramatically.
But Lena simply picked up her teacup.
Then she calmly said,
"Maybe I've decided to grow up."
The entire table went silent.
Veneric nearly choked on his drink.
Elvin frowned deeply.
Even the Duke looked slightly surprised.
Lena took a sip of tea, hiding her nervousness.
Good, she thought.
Let them be confused.
Because from now on…
She had no intention of acting like the villainess they expected.