The Crown Princess selection party, which was to take place five months later, allowed Gina, trapped in Althea's body, to breathe a sigh of relief for a moment.
That party was where she first met the Crown Prince, sparking love and admiration for the empire's most dazzling figure. Then, the sweet fruit appeared in her hands without effort. She was named the future Crown Princess, but also died in that much-coveted status.
Did Gina want it? No. The body possessing Althea currently despised the sweet scenario that ended with a bitter taste in her throat. For that, she was determined to avoid her fate.
But, could she still do it?
"Althea, hey, ugly maid. Get over here," Anna's scream spread throughout the Baron's residence.
Althea, who was hanging clothes to dry, paused as a servant approached her. The servant joined in scolding her like Anna and delivered her mistress's order.
"Althea, hey, stupid. Didn't you hear the mistress shouting just now? Go quickly, Mistress Anna has been looking for you," she yelled loudly, staring at Althea with hands on her hips.
Althea exhaled roughly, resumed hanging her clothes, then casually answered the servant before her. "And you're going to take over my job?"
The young servant looked at her in confusion. "Why should I take over your job?"
"Because you're telling me to go see Anna immediately. But my work is piling up now. If I don't do it, I'll still get scolded, and..."
"Hey, stop arguing with me. This isn't like you at all. Just go, I have a headache listening to the mistress's screams," the servant said resignedly. Her rough hands had already taken over Althea's task skillfully.
But, Althea still didn't leave. Her cold gaze fixed on the young servant in front of her.
"What else are you doing? Why are you still here?"
"Hey, why are you talking to me like that? I'm a Baron's daughter too, right? So stop looking down on me. Even though my noble blood isn't pure, it's not a hundred percent the same as yours," she said, making the servant's jaw drop. But one word confused her further.
"Percent? What are you saying?" she asked, full of emotion and demand. But, Althea didn't want to answer the servant's burning curiosity.
"Stupid," Althea said, leaving the servant who was raging like a bull.
Was answering back to the servant her sin, that she received karma this instantly?
"Hey, stupid. Where have you been? You know, I've been looking for you forever. Do you want to make me wait? Do you want to ruin my dream?" Anna screamed down the hallway.
Her slender legs walked quickly, while Althea, who was short, struggled to catch up.
"Hurry up and dress me! The gown I've been waiting for has finally arrived. Tonight, I'm sure the Crown Prince will be mesmerized by me," Anna said flirtatiously and bashfully, but a girl behind her stared sharply. Her large footsteps halted when she heard her words.
"What are you saying? Why would the Crown Prince choose you tonight?" Althea's cold voice made Anna stop. Her thin body turned around with rapid blinking eyes.
"Because... because I'm beautiful."
"You said the party was in five months, right? Then why is it happening tonight?"
"Five months? What nonsense is that? The party is today, stupid!" Anna said, regaining her confidence, yelling loudly, and then walking quickly again.
"No, no, I heard you say five months from now," Althea shook her head, unwilling to accept the truth entering her ears.
"Did I say that? Well, what's the difference? The important thing is all my preparations are perfect. And now, you must dress me."
"It's true I'm dressing you. That means you're going alone, right?"
"Not a bad idea, but ugly one, you have to go too. All noble Ladies are obligated to attend. And, you don't need to worry about your gown. An ugly face like that will ruin everything anyway."
The palace ballroom was not yet completely filled with music and dancing. Crystal candles were lit, the chandeliers glittered, while young nobles stood in small groups, whispering, stifling laughter with fans in front of their lips.
In the middle of the crowd, Anna stood in her new gown—a pale pink dress full of ribbons and lace. Althea accompanied her from behind, wearing a simple, worn-out dress given to her without care.
Soft whispers immediately reached their ears.
"Look at that, the poor Baron's daughter... she actually came."
"Her gown... oh God, how many ribbons does she need? It looks like a cheap market doll."
"And the other one? Don't tell me she's a noble too. She looks more like a lost maid. Her face... it's horrifying."
Small bursts of laughter sounded, sharp like thorns piercing the ears.
Althea looked down, not out of shame, but to hide the dangerous look in her eyes. This body—this face—was truly an object of ridicule. But more than that, she could feel the bitterness of the original Althea's life.
However, Anna—the source of all the ridicule—did not show the slightest sign of wavering. Instead, her head was held high, her chin lifted. Her eyes sparkled with confidence, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"Let them laugh now," Anna whispered to Althea, as if the insults were nothing more than a passing breeze. "Soon, they will be kneeling, begging for my forgiveness. Because I am the one who will be chosen as the Crown Princess."
Althea stared at her for a long time, coldly, then turned her face away.
Stupid girl. Even if you are chosen, it's not a blessing, but a curse.
Around them, the laughter of the noble Ladies still echoed, waiting for the start of the dance. The large candles continued to burn, as if preparing to witness an unavoidable fate.
Althea couldn't bear the stares and the noble Ladies' laughter anymore. Anxiety had been consuming her. Her head felt heavy, her chest tight.
She wanted to leave this party as quickly as possible.
To avoid meeting the Crown Prince.
For that, she chose to leave the ballroom before the first dance music began.
Her plump body walked fast, her steps heavy but hurried.
She opened the side door leading to the palace garden, lit by moonlight. The scent of roses filled the air, leaves glistening from the light of lanterns hung along the paths.
But her steps froze.
Among the blooming rose bushes, she saw the figure she was supposed to avoid at all costs. The Crown Prince.
Tall, towering, a muscular body that looked solid even beneath his magnificent dancing attire. His golden hair glistened in the moonlight, his pair of blue eyes sharp like a boundless ocean.
And in his arms—a Lady with a slender, long figure. Her wavy blonde hair fell beautifully, her golden eyes closed passionately.
Their lips met in a scorching kiss.
Althea froze. Her breath caught, her blood felt like it stopped flowing.
The sight was like a knife plunging through her chest. She didn't know why her feelings felt crushed—even though it wasn't her love, not her destiny.
But this body, the original Althea's heart, trembled violently witnessing it.
She realized she had been standing there too long. Her body turned, trying to flee with panicked steps.
But that heavy voice sounded.
"Stop."
Althea's heart leaped to her throat. She was forced to stop. Heavy footsteps approached, then a faint smile appeared on the man's face.
"It's you, after all."
Althea trembled violently. Her hands gripped her shabby skirt, her body bowed deeply. "I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... I didn't see anything..." her voice trembled, almost inaudible.
Without daring to look up, she immediately ran back to the ballroom. Her breath ragged, her face pale.
Seeing the two main characters kiss was not part of the plan.
Therefore, she had to escape quickly. Before that cursed fate dragged her deeper.
"Anna! We have to leave now!" she hissed as she found her sister eating at a table.
But Anna slapped her hand away roughly. "Are you crazy? I was just waiting for this moment. Tonight, the Crown Prince will look at me!" Anna answered with her mouth full
"Anna, listen to me—" Althea whispered tightly, her face pale and full of fear. "The Crown Prince will never look at you. He... he already has a lover. Just leave, before—"
The slap of those words made Anna's blood boil. "Shut up! You're just jealous! Your ugly face will never understand my position!"
The room rumbled. Anna's raised voice drew the attention of many guests. All eyes now turned.
Althea tried to grab her hand, but Anna pushed her hard. Althea's heavy body lost balance—she fell backward.
But before her body hit the floor, a strong hand stopped her.
The atmosphere instantly fell silent.
The Crown Prince stood behind her, easily supporting the body. His smile was faint, but the look in his eyes was meaningful.
"So you're here..." his voice echoed in the silent room. Then, without hesitation, he added in a tone that made all the guests gasp.
"...my beloved."