The current situation that Angelika found herself in was bizarre. She was awoken this morning by the heavy footfall of the maids scattering about in her room. They rushed to dress her and ushered her into the carriage. Now she found herself sitting across from the Duchess, who was snickering at her disheveled state.

It was absurdly decorated, every finite detail coated in a layer of blinding gold, glistening alongside the cobblestone pathway. Angelika could feel the awkward stares of passersby, jaws agape as they saw the eccentric carriage drive past. If she could, she would melt away into the seat cushion.

"That's quite the face you are wearing, Angelika."

"It is because My Lady has yet to tell me where we are heading" Angelika said, smiling through gritted teeth and weary eyes.

"Today will be your first tea party."

Angelika was well aware of the importance of tea parties. It was the peak of aristocracy, a place where women form alliances and pounce on the weak. The heroine of the story was often devoured in scenes like these. Just thinking about it made her head hurt. 

It was evident that Eltisa's sadistic nature was enjoying her current predicament. At the moment, she had splayed out a fan in front of her face to conceal a grin. She mirrored her son, Cooper, as both loved to see her squirm. It was easy to see where he had gotten his rotten personality.

"We will be there soon," she stated softly. She looked to Angelika, looking forward to seeing what sort of expression she would pull.

But instead, her eyes landed upon a different scene. Angelika held her head up high, posture upright as she stared ahead at their destination. Her eyes were hardened and glazed over, expression unreadable as she remained still, and unwavering.

Eltisa sighed despite herself, sulking and settling on looking outside the window. Although it was good that the girl had confidence, it was much more fun to see the child uncomfortable.

Angelika was unsure what sort of life the owner of this body had been living up until now. However, she knew that for her sake that she wanted to become someone who couldn't be ignored. She wouldn't let Angelika disappear into the background anymore. Angelika didn't deserve the type of life she was living. She had no family and no friends. She had no purpose. Her sole being exists only to progress a story that she has no idea she was in. And as a result be miserable due to the consequences of actions that are not made by her own free will.  How is it possible that someone who has lived for this long has no memories of her own?

If I ever make it back to Earth, I promise that I will make Mari write you a good ending! She thought to herself, clutching her chest.

"Do a good job observing your competition, ok?" Elitsa said, fanning herself.

"Can you call it a competition if I have no intention of marrying the Prince?"

"No, but these girls are catty. They'll eat you up if you let them."

"I'll be attacking first, then," Angelika concluded, running her hands through her hair. 

She found herself in a different dress a few nights ago; however, she was adorned in similar heavy jewelry and rib crushing corset. It seemed as though the Abella's endless amount of money has resulted in Elitsa's newfound pastime- dressing Angelika up like her toy.

"I'll look forward to seeing that. Do try to stay out of trouble."

"I will try my best," she said, nodding along to her statement.

"We have arrived." Elitsa stood up from the carriage and snapped her fan closed, staring at Angelika. Elitsa looked at her up and down only to sigh. Angelika very obviously pulled an annoyed expression as her lady was escorted off.  No matter how long she lives at the Abella state, she could never get used to her eccentricities.  Elitsa confused her to no end, but she was glad to have her on her side rather than against her. Having no real personalities in place from the original novel, it was striking to see that many of the Abellas had such bold ones.

Angelika accepted the outstretched hand of the coachman, escorted into the large mansion in front of them. A maid guided her through various hallways came the courtyard; at the center stood a delicately ornate marble fountain, the sound of softly cascading water filling the air alongside buzzing conversation.

Upon arrival, it felt as though there was a force that propelled her away from the gathering. Everything in her body screamed not to move forward- after all, she was always the type to avoid confrontation. But she had to, for Angelika's sake.

She held her chin high in the air as she walked in, disregarding everyone and bee-lining towards Elitsa's side. She walked with an air of regality, garnering the stares of the gossiping women. Elitsa looked as though she was thoroughly enjoying herself, her body shaking with silent laughter as she stared at the ceiling to calm herself.

Angelika politely nodded alongside casual conversation, droning it out to look around briefly at who was there. There were about four girls her age- all beautiful in their way. But she didn't particularly know any of them from the novel. Through strained smiles, they looked as though they were forcing themselves to get along with each other.

Then she saw her. Tamara Rozenstern. The villainess of this novel. Fiery red and untamable long hair alongside wolfish seafoam green eyes. Her face slightly rounded, skin tone a shade lighter than ivory, she sports lightly stained rosy cheeks. She had a kind of untraditional look to her, one that left Angeika breathless in her presence. She looked like a doll and dressed like one too. It was easy to see how she could rival the heroine's beauty.

She felt different from how they depicted her in the novel. She sat quietly tucked away into the farthest corner, eyes staring at the porcelain teacup in front of her. You could tell that she felt insecure with the way her shoulders slouched over, head hung in shame. How could such a shy girl be capable of bullying someone? It was almost pitiful. But perhaps she just had a weakness for beautiful women.

"Lady Rozenstern's probation just ended. What is she doing here?"

"Look at her, sitting there."

"It's so shameful of her to show up as though nothing had happened."

"What exactly happened?" Angelika found herself speaking before she could stop herself, swirling her tea with her left hand. Why would Tamara be on probation so early on in the novel? It would mean that she had done something drastic- enough for the royal family to prohibit her from attending social gatherings for at least three months.

"Lady Angelika, you are rather out of touch, aren't you?" someone mused, making Angelika roll her eyes. She could hear several people laughing-the stifled laughter of Elitsa being much more comforting than the mocking high pitched giggles of strangers.  Although she was glad her lady was enjoying herself, why did she have to be the main source of entertainment?

Angelika pondered what to do. Should she sit and endure? If she did, it wouldn't be much more different than what Angelika had been living through. And now that she had the backing of the Abellas, surely there would be no retaliation if she were to do something.

It didn't look as though the girl in front of her had much power. She was testing her- seeing whether Angelika could be bent to her will. The fact that she would even try to check her in front of Elitsa shows how ignorantly bold she was. Or perhaps she was just stupid?

"It was a simple question. If you are so incompetent to be unable to answer it, there is no need for you to respond." Angelika took a long inhale of breath, bringing the teacup to her lips and taking a long sip. 

She maintained eye contact with the other woman, eyes ablaze as she taunted her silently to make another comment. Instead, she stuttered- mouth opening like a trout before closing and deciding to stay silent.

Angelika stood up from the table, the woman noticeably flinching by her sudden movement. She sucked her teeth, making a displeased sound at her dramatics. As if she would go and bother to hit someone like her.

She walked to approach Tamara, gliding towards her with her shoulders rolled back. She sits-- no, more like slams her whole body into the seat across from the villainess. 

Angelika finds the other staring at her with a blank expression; however, upon closer inspection, her demeanor was anything but. Her hands shake as they gripped onto the side of her teacup, raising it to her lips with an unstable grasp. Was she scared? Or was she shaking with anger?

"Lady Angelika does not need to sully her reputation with defending the likes of myself," she whispered, her voice fruity and whispy as she fidgeted.

Tamara's eyes were darting back and forth, assessing the situation in front of her. The younger women began to group, already resuming their sharing of gossip, undoubtedly discussing the sudden duo. Elitsa Abella looked as though she were having the most enjoyable moment of her life. And then like a hurricane came the woman named Angelika who had appeared from nowhere to defend her.

"It is more fitting for two fools to spend time together than to suffer separately."

"Are you not afraid of me?" she asked. But how could Angelika have the right to fear the villainess that she created?

"No. I hardly know what you have done to garner such a reputation." Angelika said, instinctually pouring both of them another cup of tea. "Would you like sugar?" she asked, looking up. 

Her eyes laid upon an even more confused-looking Tamara and heard banging from the table over. She turned to see Elitsa in another fit of laughter, slamming her fist on the table. The older women surrounding having a shocking lack of reaction to her seizure-like state.

"Why do you not have the servants pour it out for you?" she asked, sounding appalled. So that was what she had did wrong.

"I don't particularly feel the need to bother them with such aimless tasks."

"But they are servants?"

"Yes, well..." she paused, wondering how she should explain before giving up. There was no point in explaining to Tamara, who, in the novel, was known to treat her servants like trash. "I suppose you are right. But I am almost certain that they have better things to do."

"Like what?" Tamara asked, almost as though she were looking at Angelika for guidance.

Although her question could arguably be looked at as condescending, there was no real animosity in her words. It seemed as though she were genuinely asking her like she knew no difference. Was this really her villainess from the novel?