Sophia sat beside the window, the warm sun illuminating her strawberry-blonde hair. She was radiant and wearing a pearl-studded dress. 

Anastasia sighed inwardly. Of course, the female lead was beautiful. However, this Sophia resembled the TV series, not the book. If the Prince resembled the book and Sophia resembled the TV series, what was the plot of this world?

“Anita, you don’t look well. Please sit down,” Sophia gestured to the lounge chairs nearby but did not get up to assist her cousin. 

Crystal, the maid, assisted her. She handed her a glass of water and retreated to the corner of the room. Crystal was young, but Lucia had great confidence in her. Although she was new, she was not hesitant to help her, unlike the other maids. Over the last few weeks, she had discovered that a few of the maids had been with her family since she was young, but now they avoided her. 

“Have you not visited the doctor?” Sophia asked. 

“I have not had the opportunity” Anastasia replied. 

“I know our family doctor was unable to help you before” Sophia said while gesturing to Anastasia’s scar, “but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your health”. 

“I’ll visit the doctor soon” Anastasia said. 

Sophia nodded and then exclaimed, “You will be guests at the ball! You, dear cousin, need to get out of this place and experience life. Scar or no scar, you need to make yourself known to the world!” 

“I don’t think that -” Anastasia began to reply.

“Stop that! You will be my guest and that will be the end of that. I already received your mother’s permission,” she said. 

Anastasia realized that the only answer Sophia would accept was a quick nod in acceptance. Afterwards, the conversation became one-sided, and just as quickly as Sophia arrived, she left. 

Anastasia held the gold and pink invitation in her hand. Could she attend a ball? It wasn’t the ball at the palace but still an important event. 

In the end, however, she realized she had no choice. Her mother had given her word that Anastasia would attend and it seemeded that her mother’s words were law.