Everything felt...

Alive.

My eyes moved from one place to another.

Trying to take everything in.

Trying to convince myself that this was real.

Because only a few weeks ago—

My world had been apartment buildings.

Convenience stores.

Crowded buses.

School uniforms.

Late-night convenience store dinners eaten alone.

This place felt like something from a dream.

Or maybe a movie.

No.

Not even that.

Movies eventually ended.

This was my life now.

Or at least—

It was supposed to be.

Mother watched my expression quietly.

"You're staring."

I looked away from the bakery window.

"Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for everything."

The words caught me off guard.

Mother smiled softly.

"You've always loved visiting the capital."

Always.

That word still felt strange.

Because every memory she spoke of belonged to someone else.

Someone I had never met.

Someone everyone missed without realizing she was already gone.

I lowered my eyes.

The boutique occupied an entire corner building near the center of the capital.

The moment Mother entered—

The owner hurried forward personally to greet her.

"Countess Ardent."

The woman bowed respectfully.

"It's an honor to welcome you again."

Mother greeted her warmly.

Apparently Mother wasn't simply respected.

She was influential.

Very influential.

Which somehow wasn't surprising.

Even in the novel, Countess Evelyne Ardent had been described as one of the empire's most successful businesswomen.

Servants quickly brought tea and refreshments.

Soon dresses began appearing one after another.

Some had already been prepared months in advance.

Ordered by Mother.

Chosen by Seraphina.

I quietly stood while attendants adjusted fabrics and ribbons.

The dresses were beautiful.

Far too beautiful.

It felt strange knowing another girl had once imagined herself wearing them.

Another girl who would never return.

Eventually Mother became occupied discussing business matters with the boutique owner.

So I wandered toward the display section nearby.

Rows of dresses filled the room.

Silk.

Lace.

Embroidery.

Jewels that sparkled beneath crystal lights.

Everything looked expensive enough to buy an apartment.

Maybe several apartments.

Then—

I heard voices nearby.

Noble ladies.

Gossiping.

"...the Duke's illegitimate daughter."

"...at the café across the street."

"...I heard she spilled tea on someone again."

"...how shameless."

"...typical of someone like her."

My body froze.

Isolde.

I turned toward them immediately.

One of the women noticed me listening and lowered her voice.

Too late.

I had already heard enough.

The café across the street.

Without thinking, I stood.

"My lady?" one attendant asked.

"I'll only be outside for a moment."

The attendants followed immediately.

Unfortunately for me—

The capital was crowded.

Far more crowded than I expected.

Merchants.

Nobles.

Servants.

Carriages.

People moved in every direction.

Then I saw it.

Crimson hair.

Long.

Bright beneath the sunlight.

Just like the novel described.

My heart skipped.

Isolde Marianne Virelith.

The villainess.

My favorite character.

I moved forward instinctively.

Someone stepped in front of me.

Another person brushed past my shoulder.

For a moment I lost sight of her.

Then—

I lost sight of my attendants too.

Wonderful.

That seemed problematic.

I turned quickly.

Too quickly.

My foot caught against uneven stone.

The world tilted.

I hit the ground hard.

Pain shot through my palms.

The crowd gasped.

Then I heard it.

Horse hooves.

Fast.

Far too fast.

A carriage.

Coming directly toward me.

I should move.

My body didn't.

For one strange moment—

I simply watched it approach.

If I disappeared now...

Would things return to normal?

Would Seraphina come back?

Would everyone stop looking at me with love meant for someone else?

Would that be easier for them?

The thought lasted only a second.

Maybe less.

Then—

Someone grabbed my arm.

Hard.

The world spun.

Suddenly I was no longer in the middle of the street.

The carriage rushed past.

Close enough that I felt the wind against my face.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

For several seconds—

I couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think.

Couldn't move.

Then I looked up.

Crimson hair.

Violet eyes.

Sharp features.

Beautiful.

Cold.

And standing directly in front of me—

Was the woman who had died smiling at her own execution.

Isolde Marianne Virelith.

The villainess.

Who had just saved my life.