Olivia was jolted awake by a woman's voice shattering the morning silence. The woman wore a dress made of coarse, brownish wool with a tattered white apron.
"Hey, brat! When do you plan on waking up? My, my, how nice it is to be sleeping like this!"
The old woman screamed while repeatedly hitting Olivia's legs with a broomstick. Her breathing sounded heavy and coarse. With her large hands, she snatched away the thin cloth blanket covering Olivia's body.
"Aishhh, shit... please don't scream while I'm sleeping. It's annoying, you know!" Olivia retorted with a scrunched face. She let out a loud huff, still half-asleep.
"Eh"Olivia's heart whispered suddenly.
"Ahaaa... haaaa..."
Olivia repeated the sound several times while covering her ears. Her eyes widened.
*HAH? WHY DOES MY VOICE SOUND LIKE A CHILD'S!* she screamed in her heart.
She immediately shifted to look at her tiny hands and feet. "Huh, for real!"
"Brat! What is wrong with you? Instead of spinning around like that, you better go wash the dishes in the kitchen! HURRY!" the old woman barked while massaging her brow, looking annoyed.
Olivia touched her hair. It was long, black hair that now reached her waist.
"Huh, as I recall, my hair only touched my shoulders... why is it so long?" Olivia said while stroking her hair from top to bottom with a look of disbelief.
Before she could think further, the old woman approached and grabbed her hand. Olivia was startled and tried to pull her hand back, but her strength was no match for the sturdy woman in front of her.
Next, Olivia was dragged out. In the main hall, many children could be seen eating and drinking in a dingy, foul-smelling house. Apparently, this was an orphanage.
As soon as they reached the kitchen, Olivia fell silent seeing five children aged between 9 to 12 years old working hard.
"Go wash those plates quickly! Or else, you'll sleep outside tonight!" the woman bellowed.
All the kids there bowed their heads, not daring to speak. The old woman then threw Olivia aside until she stumbled.
"Go, do your work now!" she screamed before walking away.
Olivia, still in pain, stood up slowly. She headed toward a girl who was washing dishes. With lingering anger, she whispered.
"Emm, hello... who was that old woman just now?"
The girl turned with a terrified face. Her eyes glanced nervously toward the door. "She's the wife of the orphanage owner. Don't make her angry..."
Olivia could only continue her work with a resentful heart. However, as soon as she looked down at the clear water in the basin, Olivia was frozen.
The rippling water reflected the face of a girl who was cute yet hollow-cheeked. Her eyes were round and brown, filled with a spark of fear. That was not the adult face she knew before.
*Ehh, this is my body when I was 11 years old!*
She turned to look at the red-haired girl beside her. "Em, what's your name?"
"Huh, did you forget? My name is Celine," the girl answered softly.
"You know me?" Olivia asked again, wanting confirmation.
Celine looked up. "I do. But you never told me your name. All I know is people call you Vivie."
Olivia nodded in understanding. "Hihi... My real name is Olivia." She smiled widely from ear to ear, making Celine return it with a short smile.
Not long after, they were called by Marline—the old woman from before.
"Brat! You two go fetch this water for a moment!"
Olivia was forced to follow Celine to take wooden buckets. "Haish, are we servants or something?" Olivia grumbled with a furrowed brow.
While they were changing their wet clothes, Olivia asked again, "Celine, is this the only dress provided for us?"
"Yes. Every child in this house only has one straight white gown that reaches below the knee," Celine said.
The situation in that house was heartbreaking. Many children were skinny to the point of showing their skeletal frames. The musty smell that filled the space made the atmosphere feel dirty and suffocating. Olivia could only take a long breath.
The next day, Olivia witnessed Marline's cruel routine. They would be beaten for small mistakes, especially when Marline was drunk. Olivia couldn't take it. She was determined to find a way out.
That afternoon, Olivia was assigned to sweep the entire house because an 'important person' wanted to meet the orphanage owner, Ruth—Marline's husband.
While busy sweeping, Olivia unknowingly found herself in front of Ruth's office door. She leaned her ear against the tightly locked door.
"The Young Lady, Ophlia, needs a companion her age. Any suggestions?"
Olivia was silenced. She tried to distance herself, but—
"PAK!" The broom in her hand fell. Olivia panicked and immediately ran away. She was panting heavily.
Inside the room, Ruth and a stranger came out to check. "Who was that?" Ruth asked.
"No one, probably the wind," the man answered calmly.
While walking back to the kitchen, Olivia's brain was thinking fast.
"Ophlia? Isn't that the female lead in the novel My Beloved Ophlia? Don't tell me I've entered the novel!"
Olivia tapped her cheeks while smirking to herself. She immediately asked Celine, "What century is this? Who is the reigning King? What territory are we in?"
Celine was startled and immediately covered Olivia's mouth. "Shhhhhh! Someone's coming! You can ask later."
PAK! PAK! PAK!
The sound of footsteps was heard. Marline appeared with a soft tone (which was very suspicious). Olivia gritted her teeth.
"Everyone please gather in the dining hall exactly at noon. Don't be late!" she said before leaving.
Suddenly, a tall man appeared. With An expensive black shirt, white hair, and his sharp orange eyes. His presence made the hot kitchen air suddenly feel cold and rigid.
All the children bowed their faces to the floor. Olivia, who was confused, only scratched her head before Celine signaled her to bow down as well.
The man observed every corner before his finger pointed at Olivia.
"You, black-haired . Follow me now!"
Olivia was startled. "Huh? Me?"
She stepped slowly toward the man. However, chaos broke out when Celine was also hit by Marline for being considered rude.
"How dare you!" *PAP!* A slap landed on Celine's hollow cheek.
The orange-eyed man only watched calmly. He stroked the end of his mustache while staring sharply at Olivia, who was hugging the crying Celine.
"Hmm, I've never seen a black-haired child before," the man's heart whispered.
"How noisy. Bring both of those girls with me."
Olivia and Celine were pulled by force until they reached a luxurious carriage. Shiny black paint with a grand noble crest.
"Isn't that the Aethelgard family crest?" her heart whispered. Based on the novel she once read, Aethelgard was a noble family titled as The Most Noble House of Aethelgard.
They held the highest position due to very strong political influence. In fact, the king also had strong ties with this family because of their invaluable contributions since previous eras.
"I think I've heard this family name before, but where?" Olivia monologued to herself while trying to dig through her old memories.
Since she was so obsessed with reading fantasy novels in her original world, she was a bit confused about which novel she was currently living in. her daydream was startled when her small body was suddenly lifted by the luxurious carriage coachman.
"Get that child up!" the stranger commanded.
The man was already sitting at the edge of the plush seat. In front of him sat a girl wearing a pastel blue gown.
The taffeta fabric wrapped around the little princess's small body shimmered beautifully, reflecting the light from outside the window. Although only ten years old, the princess sat with perfect posture—the result of a corset that wrapped her waist neatly.
Her small hands clad in silk held an ivory fan tightly. The edges of her lace pantalettes looked clean white and stiff under the wavy skirt. She only stared lonely out the window.
Olivia was mesmerized. The elegance was truly on a different level.
Olivia and Celine sat side by side on seats covered in plush wool fabric. For them, the seat felt like a cloud—a stark difference from the hard wooden chairs at the orphanage that always hurt their backsides.
The light entering through the curtains caught the eye color of the girl in front of them. Crystal blue. Her hair was a brownish-tan that waved beautifully framing her smooth white face.
Suddenly, Olivia's eyes were fixed on a small spot. A mole at the corner of the lip.
Olivia's eyes widened. She mumbled to herself in her heart while immediately bowing her head.
*Brownish-tan hair... round crystal blue eyes... a mole at the corner of the mouth... Oh mannn! This is the description of the Female Lead in My Beloved Ophlia!*
"So, the person in front of me now is... PRINCESS OPHLIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Olivia screamed in the depths of her heart.
"It turns out I will be a servant to the character who kills my favorite character? NOOOOOOOOOO!"
Olivia huffed in annoyance, still in her thoughts.
*Usually if you enter a novel, people become the FL or villainess. Why do I get to be a little brat version of my original face, just a playmate... LOLLLLL!!!!!!!! Hashhhshhshhssh!!!!!!*
Although her facial reality looked innocent and calm, in her heart, Olivia had already started imagining naughty plans.
She imagined herself putting poison in a cup for Ophlia, planning to kill the Male Lead, worshipping, making figure statues of the hero for Javien, and becoming his biggest supporter.
"Muehhehehehehh..."she smirked evilly in her mind.
"Which one first, Ophlia or the Male Lead, which knife the kitchen knife or a sword, which side to stab legs arms ohh! Face face!! YEAAAAA MUEHHEHHHEHEHEHEHEH"
she continued in her mind.
Ophlia, who had been silent, suddenly turned. Her round crystal blue eyes stared directly at Olivia with a spark that was cheerful but at the same time had a deep wound readable in her eyes.
"What is your name?" Ophlia asked briefly.
"Umm, I'm Olivia, she's Celine," both of us answered.
She only nodded smiling and went back to looking outside the carriage window.
Not long after that, the noise of the residents began to be heard, indicating that we had reached the center of the kingdom called Certial. Olivia, who had never seen people other than her friends at the orphanage, was amazed to see the atmosphere of the city residents which was very harmonious and peaceful.
The laughter of children, the smell of food at the stalls spreading throughout the city, the voices of residents telling stories to each other livened up the city atmosphere.
Olivia's eyes welled up seeing an atmosphere that was foreign to her but brought a sense of peace to her heart.
Before they knew it, they were in front of a large iron gate. The same emblem as the one carved on the carriage could be seen.
PLAK PLAK PLAK EEII
The sound of the horse being stopped. Olivia and Celine looked at each other. Both their hearts were beating fast together.
"Eeeh, what do we do, Celine?" Olivia asked while holding Celine's hand which was also shaking. Celine only shook her head indicating she had no idea.
Olivia and Celine were ordered to get down and followed by Ophlia who was assisted by the Butler—the stranger man earlier—out while being led by the hand by the butler.
Next, the Butler ordered them both to follow them. Along the way, Olivia could feel the sharp stares of the servants and people around the residence.
"Haaihhh," Celine sighed.
Olivia was surprised to hear the sigh from Celine who had never sighed no matter the situation.
"Aik, why Celine?" Olivia asked.
Celine only offered a faint smile while shaking her head.
"I'll poke their eyes out," Olivia said while looking at those servants .glaring back at the servants. Celine let out a small giggle, covering her mouth with her hand.
During the journey, they were separated from Ophlia. The Butler brought both of them to the Duke's office. Once both of them entered, they were told to stand.
"Ehh, turns out it's the father of that brown-haired brat blehhhhhh," Olivia's heart whispered while widening her eyes.
"As I recall, Duke Herold's real name is Duke Herold Frederick von Aethelgard. He is 38 years old. And he is the king's right-hand man in resolving conflicts and political affairs of the country. He has succeeded in becoming a very influential family at that time. hmm quite young too hihi."
Olivia's heart whispered while seeing Duke Herold's face live.
Duke Herold stared at both of us in that quiet and still atmosphere. The Butler then spoke as if he knew what his Master wanted to say.
"Your Grace Duke, both of them have been chosen by me as requested by the Princess," while opening documents containing the records of both of them.
"Only they seem suitable for the princess's age," the Butler said again.
Duke Herold, who had been observing us, shifted his eyes to the butler.
"Why two? Didn't I say I only wanted one? Do you think everything I say is just a joke!? HUH? ANSWER!"
Duke Herold screamed so loudly at the Butler that he knelt on the floor.
"Forgive me Your Grace, I will return one of them immediately," the Butler answered calmly.
Duke Herold covered his face with both his hands while pressing his already wrinkled forehead. And for a moment the Duke fell silent.
"Okay, so which one of these two will be a companion to my child? Any opinions?" Duke Herold asked with a tense face while his arms were crossed.
"Um, how about the black-haired girl?" the Butler asked earnestly.
"I see her hair is very unique, even rare for a female to have dark black hair like hers, I'm sure she must have something special," he elaborated further.
Olivia blinked and lowered her face, then looked at Celine who was in fear beside her.
"Cis! What's special? I'm just an ordinary human huaaaaa" Olivia's heart whispered while letting out tears profusely.
"Hmmm, interesting," Duke Herold answered.
"So what about the other one?" the Duke asked, pointing his ring finger toward Celine while raising his left eyebrow.
"She has an elegant style suitable for being the princess's companion. And from my investigation, she is the daughter of the Marquis Lysander family that collapsed 3 years ago. It seems she had 4 siblings. After her parents died, their family had no male heir. There are rumors saying Celine was cast out when she was 2 years old by the Marquis's relatives," the Butler continued.
Duke Herold nodded and thought deeply. Silence broke the room of Duke Herold's office.
*Haishh, when will this end,* Olivia's heart whispered.
"How about, if one of them becomes a companion and one becomes a servant at the Aethelgard residence," Duke Herold asked.
The Butler began to think "There's some truth to that, Your Grace Duke," he answered.
Olivia and Celine looked at each other. Olivia, without thinking long, spoke out loudly.
"Forgive me Your Grace Duke, if allowed, I would humbly become..."
Before Olivia could state her wish—
Celine suddenly gripped the hem of Olivia's dress tightly. Her friend's body was shaking violently.
"I... I am willing to be a servant!" Celine interrupted with a broken voice. Her eyes were watery staring at the floor. "Please don't separate me from Olivia. I am willing to do any hard labor, as long as I can stay here with her."
Olivia was stunned.
"Celine... you're willing to lower your dignity as a Marquis's daughter simply because you're afraid of being separated from me? ILYSM"
Duke Herold watched the scene with a cold gaze. The office atmosphere felt increasingly suffocating.
Wait a moment, Olivia started calculating in her heart. "If I become Ophlia's companion, it means I will always be by the Female Lead's side. I can monitor her every move. I can stop her from meeting Javien! But if I become a kitchen servant... how am I going to save Javien whose status is a noble?"
Olivia took a deep breath. She had to make a decision now. Her round eyes looked directly into the emerald green eyes of Duke Herold. No more fear. There was only the determination of a 24-year-old woman wanting to survive.
"Your Grace Duke," Olivia's voice sounded calm and clear, making the Butler himself a bit surprised by the courage of such a small child.
"Let Celine be Princess Ophlia's companion. She has noble blood and etiquette far better than mine," Olivia said while bowing perfectly.
Duke Herold raised his eyebrow. "And you?"
Olivia smiled thinly. A smile full of secrets.
"I will be the Princess's personal maid. I will manage all the princess's daily needs, while Celine will be her conversation partner. With that, Your Grace doesn't have to send anyone away, and the Princess will receive the best support, isn't that so?"
"And with this personal maid position, I can go in and out of the palace more freely to find Javien!" Olivia cheered in her heart.
Duke Herold fell silent, observing Olivia like a predator assessing its prey.
"Interesting. An orphanage brat who cunningly bargains with me."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Fine. I accept your offer. But remember... if the Princess is even slightly scratched because of you two's negligence..."
Duke Herold lowered his voice, full of threat.
"Your lives will be the price."
Olivia swallowed hard, but she still nodded firmly. Okay, phase one is complete. Wait for me, Javien Alistair de Valois. Your weird heroine is coming to save you!
TO BE CONTINUED..