THREE YEARS LATER.

The main district is buzzing with people as usual. Some were nobles roaming around to look for dresses and accessories, while some were merchants making a living for their families. Everyone seemed to coexist with each other, if we don't add the fact that everyone of us is entangled in a system referred to as ‘hierarchy’ within society. I took another sip of the chamomile tea before placing down the teacup I was holding. A couple of noble ladies discussing some stuff passed by the window close to my seat, which piqued my interest.

“Do you think it will be Glinder and Fier in The Green Witch’s Love?”

“I doubt that.”

“I’m sure it will be Elna and Fier.”

“Oh, my Glinder heart is being torn!”

Well, hierarchy aside, it appears that consonance between each other can be accomplished through book reading. I smiled to myself. I was so preoccupied watching the streets that I almost forgot my agenda for today. I was only pulled back to my senses when I heard that baritone voice of that old geezer calling my attention.

“As I was saying, my lady, it would be best if another part is released for your readers. The publishing house is always filled with letters requesting another part of Lady Hyacinth’s third book.”

I turned my gaze back to him as I folded my arms to my chest. “I figured they’d be asking for that too, so I already finished a sequel for it.” His wrinkled face was filled with confusion and somewhat amusement as he stared at me. And instead of clarifying my words, I handed the packed manuscript I had with me, placing it between us. “Edited, revised, and ready to be published.”

I think I caught his eyes shining as he teared up. I would assume it was tears of joy with how happy he sounded. “You are truly the best, my lady!” His loud, deep voice rang on my ears and I almost covered them, but he had already caught my hands as he shook them in excitement. Geez… How can this old man be this energetic?

“I’m glad I made you happy, Mr. Turner. And for that, I’ll be making a request.”

“Yes, please go ahead!” He finally let go of my hands as he took the package in front of him.

“I’ll be taking three months' rest from writing to complete another project of mine. But don’t worry, I’ll work on my next piece after three months.” That didn’t seem to bother him a little given how his smile never faded.

“Of course, my lady! You can take as much break as you need, but please do promise me that you won’t replace me as your publisher.” I would probably fall for those tears if he weren’t rude the first time we met each other. I mentally rolled my eyes as memories of him shouting at me flashed back.

“No need to worry. I won’t change my publisher, Mr. Turner.” Not right now, perhaps? I know how much value I’m gaining here, despite our ugly first encounter. He eventually became my life saver after the release of my first book. Despite his mean demeanor, Mr. Paige Turner is not someone who would take advantage of his client, especially if they’re making his business explode with money.

“Great! I will also be busy with expanding our market to our neighboring country and proceed with exporting. You don’t know it yet, but Lady Hyacinth’s works are starting to be recognized even outside the Evorian Kingdom.”

Oh, exporting. That’s not a bad idea. So the old man will have things to do while I work on my next plans. “I’m wishing you great luck for that, Mr. Turner.”

Before I left Script Thing Publishing, I bagged the money I needed from my stash. I couldn’t bring them home, at least not yet, so I had Mr. Turner keep them in the Publishing House’s treasury. For the past three years, I have been working my brains rotten into writing novels. Not just the usual novels I’ve seen in our library, but romance novels that no one in this kingdom had written before. I didn’t want to do manual labor to generate money, I’m quite lazy for it, not to mention weak. So I did what I was good at back in my previous life, writing stories.

After some research I did, I found out that the romance genre was not yet famous in this world, and I was one of the few authors who made it popular. I also took the risk of writing some scandalous novels–that I won’t be discussing anymore as it is not part of our concept. Anyways, I’m faring well in terms of being an author, and to secure my identity, I used a pen name, one I have used before; ‘Lady Hyacinth’.

I wore back the hood of my velvet cloak over my head as I exited the building, not wanting to gain any unnecessary attention. I was to meet Amelia in the alley on Cornerwall Street, which was two blocks from the publishing building. That’s also where we usually park the carriage.

The bag of money I bought with me was safely hidden underneath my cloak, so I was able to pass through the sea of people in front of me without losing anything. I only needed 1 million Plutian from my stash for my next project, so my bag wasn’t that full. Plutian is what the Evorian currency is called, and 1 Plutian is quite equivalent to 1 dollar in my previous life. So imagine having 1 million of those right now. I could probably call myself rich.

I was greeted with Amelia’s smile as I reached the carriage. “I received the information, my lady.” I took the black envelope she was handing over to me, and exchanged it with the bag I was holding.

“Then we will proceed to our next plan.” I smiled back at her, pulling off my hood as we got inside the carriage. “Hide this along with the other funds. We’ll use it for our next project.”

Amelia wrapped the bag with a bigger and thicker pouch, adding extra security on it. Then she knocked on the carriage, signalling the coachman on the other side to move. I pressed my back comfortably on my seat as I unsealed the envelope. Inside were the details for the upcoming auction, which would happen in a week. I’ll just need to burn this once I’m back at the manor.

I DIDN’T REALLY FORGET THE details of the book, but at this point, it would be unnecessary information for my plans. I’m not really on my way to the original characters’ paths, so everything should be okay. I had to remind myself of this because of the recurring memories popping in my exhausted brain. I just need to focus on my plans and my life should be fine.

But I guess I spoke too soon, forgetting all about the fact that my brother is part of the original characters, which I regretted as my life went on.

We reached the manor after almost an hour with my back now aching from the excessive sitting. Amelia took my cloak before discreetly descending to her quarters, bringing along the bag with her. After our family was stripped off our rights to our wealth and territory, we were thrown close to the border of Evoria Kingdom. A run-down manor with three floors, four main rooms–one for each of us, a kitchen connected to the dining room, the parlor, and the space for servant quarters for the few we had brought with us.

Fortunately, we are still able to eat three times a day, including tea time. And our family’s still included in banquets and other gatherings, official or not. I guess we could all agree that our current condition is still better than being completely shunned away by society.

“Sister!” My ever so lovely twin brother greeted me as I entered the manor. Aizen had grown taller than me, completely towering against me. It made me frown every time I saw him. This is because I now have to look up to him, literally. Damn genetics!

His brown hair looked pale against the light, somewhat resembling mine. “Did you miss me already?” I teased, making him pout. How adorable.

“No! I’m just here to announce something important,” he scowled, still, I found him adorable. Even if he’s grown a tower taller than me, he’s still my twin brother who’s three minutes younger than me.

“He escaped from the training grounds again,” Beatrice chirped. I didn’t even notice her approaching us. Darn… This kid is really creeping me out sometimes.

“Shut your mouth, loser. Why don’t you focus on your garbage of a garden?” Aizen bit back.

If there was something that never changed here, it was the two of them always bickering around each other every time they have a chance. I covered both of my ears, shaking my head as I quickly marched away from them. I’m too old to be watching them fight.

I found my mother sitting alone in the dining room, whilst holding a parchment in front of her face. She must have noticed my presence that she spared a glance at me, a smile forming on her lips. “You’re just in time, my dear.”

I must have felt some bad omen trickling down my spine as I went towards my mother. She seemed to be in a good mood, so I brushed off that odd feeling and sat on the chair beside her. “What are you doing, mother?”

“We have been invited, thankfully,” she said as she turned the letter she was holding a little sideways so I could see it, and I almost dropped my eyeballs after seeing what was written on it.

YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE GRAND DEBUTANTE BALL.

Oh, my dear Plutus… Have I spoken too soon?