A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up.

Mary stood by the door.

"My lady," she said softly, "Lady Elara has come to visit you."

My body stiffened instantly.

Elara.

Of course she would come.

In the original story, Seraphina and Elara were inseparable childhood friends.

If I refused to meet her now, it would only seem strange.

Still…

I didn't want to see her.

Not because she had done anything wrong.

At least—

not yet.

But every time I thought about the original story, I remembered something uncomfortable.

While the Crown Prince ignored Seraphina—

Elara had always stood beside him.

The two of them solving cases together.

Laughing together.

Understanding each other in ways Seraphina never could.

And in the end—

Seraphina died.

I slowly lowered my gaze.

Maybe I was being unfair.

Elara wasn't the villain.

She was the heroine of the story.

Kind.

Gentle.

Loved by everyone.

But my chest still felt strangely tight.

Maybe because I had just left my previous life behind.

Maybe because I still wasn't ready to face people.

Or maybe—

Some part of me was already afraid of the future.

"Should I tell her you are resting, my lady?" Mary asked carefully.

I hesitated.

That would be easier.

Safer.

But avoiding her now would only create suspicion later.

And if I wanted to survive this story—

I needed to understand the people inside it.

I took a slow breath.

"No," I said quietly.

"I'll meet her."

Mary immediately began fixing my appearance again.

At this point, I genuinely didn't understand noble society.

Why did I need to change clothes every single time I met someone?

Was wearing one dress for several hours considered illegal here?

Mary chose a pale cream dress with delicate lace around the sleeves.

Simple.

Elegant.

And apparently appropriate for receiving guests.

After fixing my hair, she stepped back with satisfaction.

"You look beautiful, my lady."

I stared at my reflection.

Beautiful.

That word still felt unfamiliar.

"Lady Elara is waiting in the reception room," Mary reminded gently.

Right.

I slowly stood.

Then forced myself to walk toward the reception room.

The moment the doors opened—

I saw her.

Lady Elara Whitmore.

She stood near the tall window as sunlight poured around her like a painting.

The curtains swayed softly with the wind.

And for a moment—

I understood why the entire kingdom adored her.

Her chestnut-brown hair flowed elegantly down her back in soft waves. Her light green eyes reflected the afternoon sunlight so beautifully they almost seemed unreal.

Even her posture looked graceful.

Elegant.

Natural.

Everything about her was mesmerizing.

Her face.

Her voice.

Her dress.

Even the atmosphere around her felt warm.

I was a woman—

And even I found it difficult to look away.

So this was Lady Elara.

The heroine loved by everyone.

The girl destined to stand beside the Crown Prince.

“Seraphina!”

Before I could react, she hurried toward me and wrapped her arms around me tightly.

I froze.

The sudden warmth startled me.

It felt strange.

Unfamiliar.

Uncomfortable.

Maybe because this was my first hug from a friend.

Or maybe because—

I still wasn’t used to people caring about me.

Elara slowly pulled away and looked at me anxiously.

“You scared me so much,” she whispered.

Her eyes looked slightly red, as if she had cried recently.

“It was all my fault.”

I quietly looked away.

Being Seraphina already felt difficult.

Now I also had to face the female lead of the story.

“I’m fine,” I said softly.

I guided her toward the sofa.

Mary soon entered with tea and snacks before quietly leaving us alone.

Elara finally settled down, though she still looked worried.

“I’m really sorry about the allergy incident,” she said again.

“The desserts were purchased by the servants. I didn’t know they contained apricot.”

I lifted my teacup slowly.

“It’s okay.”

But the moment I answered, her expression changed slightly.

“…Are you angry with me?”

I blinked.

“No. Why would I be?”

“You’re speaking differently than usual.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the teacup.

“I still don’t feel very well,” I answered carefully.

Immediately, guilt filled her expression again.

“I’m truly sorry, Seraphina. If I had checked more carefully—”

“Please stop apologizing.”

The words escaped my mouth more firmly than I intended.

Elara fell silent.

I slowly lowered my gaze.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I said more quietly this time. “And I don’t want to hear you blame yourself anymore.”

“…Okay.”

Silence settled over the room.

Awkward.

Heavy.

I tried to think of something to say.

Anything.

But courage never came easily to me.

In my previous life, I had never really learned how conversations worked.

I didn’t have friends.

The few people I once considered close eventually chose my stepsister over me.

After she spread rumors about me at school, people slowly began avoiding me altogether.

The class bullies mocked me constantly.

And while my stepsister had time to study peacefully—

I spent most of my days doing housework.

My grades were always average.

Not because I was stupid.

But because I was tired.

And eventually, even my father chose her over me.

Because she was easier to love.

So now—

Sitting across from someone beautiful and kind and socially perfect—

I didn’t know what to say.

Without realizing it, I smiled bitterly at the absurdity of my situation.

Elara tilted her head slightly.

“What’s funny?”

I froze.

Right.

I had forgotten she was still here.

“The upcoming ball,” I said quickly. “I was thinking about it.”

“Oh.”

Her expression brightened again.

“Then let’s go shopping together in the capital!”

For a moment, I almost panicked.

Shopping together?

That sounded terrifying.

“I can’t,” I answered gently. “Mother already plans to take me.”

Elara nodded understandingly.

“I see.”

Then she suddenly asked,

“Who will be your partner for the ball?”

The question sounded innocent.

But I understood what she truly meant.

The Crown Prince had never escorted Seraphina to royal balls.

Not once.

Everyone in noble society knew it.

And everyone mocked her for it behind her back.

Elara was worried about me.

At least…

I think she was.

“I’ll attend with Lucian again,” I answered calmly.

“He asked me already.”

I took another sip of tea before adding quietly,

“Apparently too many noble ladies are bothering him.”

Elara laughed softly.

And somehow—

The atmosphere finally became a little easier to breathe in.