Less than a month left until the grand year-end ball at the royal palace—a night awaited by nobles, where ambition, romance, and tragedy often dance together under glittering crystal chandeliers.
Inside her elegant, quiet room, Sevine Laurentia—now known as Yelena Darconer—sat seriously, holding a pen and a piece of paper filled with her secret list. It was her survival guide in this new world—a plan to stay alive as the story's female antagonist, who was doomed to fall in the original plot.
Survival Strategy for the Year-End Ball:
1. Stay away from Reinhardt Baterville.
At the event, the crown prince will isolate himself on the palace balcony because he hates crowds. In the original story, Yelena accidentally runs into him while getting fresh air. That moment sparks a huge mess later on. So, no balcony. Period.
2. Don't talk to Lidya Helix.
The daughter of Marquess Helix is a nosy and shady noblewoman. In The Crown Prince Demands Fake Marriage, Lidya was one of Yelena's main partners in crime. Getting close to her could dig up unwanted past connections.
3. Don't dance with Franklin Bazar.
He's a royal knight with short hair and a triangle-shaped birthmark on his palm. In the story, he falls in love with Yelena that night—and because of that love, he helps rebels sneak into the palace during Reinhardt and Rosse's wedding. Must avoid at all costs.
4. Stay close to Linden.
His cold stare and intimidating presence are more than enough to scare away any flirty men. He's basically a walking shield.
5. Avoid all suspicious strangers.
No talking. No smiling. No eye contact.
6. Build a good relationship with Madeline Blouis.
She's the soon-to-be Duchess of Winchester. The ball is also when her engagement to Jayden Winchester will be announced. Becoming her ally could open many doors later.
Sevine looked at her notes with a satisfied smile. She had just crafted her personal battle plan for this dangerous noble society. But as soon as Emily, her loyal maid, entered the room, she quickly shoved the paper into her vanity drawer.
"My Lady we should get going," Emily said softly.
Today, they were heading to the city to order a dress for the ball. Duke Darconer had actually suggested calling a designer to their estate, but Sevine had refused completely.
"I just love the feeling of walking past all those little shops," she had whined when asking for permission. And as usual, the Duke couldn't bring himself to say no to his spoiled 'daughter'.
As the carriage slowly left the Darconer estate, Sevine gazed out the window and murmured, "I just realized... this place is huge."
"The Darconer family emblem is an eagle," she casually commented.
"The eagle flying high in the sky represents freedom," Linden replied calmly from across her. "That's why the first Duke Darconer chose it—for the family's symbol."
"Huh… I never knew that," Sevine mumbled. There had never been any mention of the Darconer family emblem in the original novel.
Emily perked up, clearly interested. "If the Darconers are the eagle from the west, then the Winchesters are the black dragon from the east."
"The what?" Sevine raised an eyebrow.
Emily leaned in, eyes sparkling with excitement, and grabbed Sevine's hand. "Okay, hear me out,My Lady. There's an old legend—back when the first Duke Winchester made a contract with a black dragon to help the first king defeat the Kingdom of Aragos and found this kingdom."
"Whoa… that's epic."
"Right?!" Emily squealed. "They say the dragon transferred half of its power into the body of the first head of the Winchester family. That's how they became the strongest family in the kingdom. To honor the dragon, they chose it as their emblem."
Emily finished her story looking proud, obviously a huge fan of House Winchester.
"So what about the northern Ruberius family?" Sevine asked curiously.
This time, Linden jumped in to answer. He had plenty of connections working in the Ruberius estate.
"Ruberius is known for producing the first Saintess back in the day. To honor that history, their family emblem follows the symbol used in the worship of the Goddess of Light."
Sevine leaned back into her seat cushion. This world… felt more and more real. More complex. And she knew that if she wanted to survive, she had to learn every little detail—because behind those noble emblems might lie the key to her future.
»»——⍟——««
Sevine and her entourage finally arrived at the heart of the capital. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, she stepped down gracefully, aided by Linden.
"Should we head straight to Vivian's shop?" Emily asked, carrying Sevine's handbag.
Vivian was one of the most renowned designers in Baterville. Every dress she created was a hit, and her boutique was considered the epicenter of fashion among noblewomen. Her collections were highly sought after—nobles would fight just to own a single piece.
"No," Sevine replied, her tone calm but firm. "Take me to a shop that's less known but makes beautiful dresses."
She had her own plan.
Giving her design to Vivian would be a mistake—it would ruin all the hard work she had poured into it. If Vivian's team got their hands on her design, her modern concept would spread like wildfire and quickly become mainstream. Every noblewoman would be wearing it. And who would profit? Vivian, of course.
Sevine had no intention of handing over success to a stranger for free. Besides, she had plans to open her own boutique someday.
The dress she had designed carried a modern theme, inspired by memories from her past life. It resembled the one she had worn on her 23rd birthday in that previous life—a timeless design that didn't belong in this outdated fashion world.
The styles in this world weren't to her taste at all. She despised the giant bell-shaped skirts and tight corsets that squeezed the waist down to nothing. Just the thought made her wince.
"I know a hidden shop," Emily offered. "It's a small place—not fancy, but the dresses are gorgeous. Mostly commoners go there, though."
"Perfect. Take me there."
Emily nodded and led Sevine through a maze of narrow alleys, just across from Vivian's boutique. Linden followed close behind, alert and watchful. Eventually, they reached a small shop with faded paint peeling off its walls.
Emily opened the door. "Excuse us."
"W-welcome, customers," a girl with glasses and a freckled face greeted them shyly.
Sevine scanned the small interior. The space was tiny, but the dresses on display were stunning—elegant, original, and just as beautiful as anything Vivian had to offer. A true hidden gem in a forgotten corner.
"Are you the owner of this shop?" Sevine asked.
"Y-yes, my Lady. I-I am," the girl stammered.
"I want you to make a dress for me," Sevine said as she pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from the bag Emily carried.
The girl took the paper hesitantly. As her eyes landed on the design, her face lit up with astonishment.
"This… this design is incredible, Lady! I've never seen anything like it!"
"That's exactly why I came to you. I want you to bring it to life."
"M-me? Are you sure?" the girl asked, wide-eyed with disbelief.
"Of course. I believe in you. You won't disappoint me, will you?" Sevine gave her a warm, confident smile. Inside, she was thrilled—she had found a diamond in the rough.
"Y-yes, Lady! I'll do my best, I promise!" The girl clutched the sketch tightly as if it were a treasure.
"Actually," Sevine continued, "I have a proposal for you."
"A proposal?"
"Would you like to work for me? I plan to open my own clothing boutique in the future. And after seeing your work, I believe we could make a great team."
The girl's eyes widened. "I—I would love to, Lady. But are you sure? I'm just a humble seamstress…"
Sevine gently shook her head and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I trust my instincts. I never misjudge people when it comes to business."
The girl dropped to her knees, overwhelmed. Sevine had just offered her a chance most people could only dream of.
"Th-thank you, Lady. I would be honored to serve you."
»»——⍟——««
Two days before the royal year-end celebration in the Kingdom of Baterville.
The people of Baterville were in high spirits, celebrating the return of the royal soldiers who had just crushed a rebellion in the northern region, near the borders of the Ruberius Duchy.
The army was led by Duke Winchester and his son, Jayden. From what Sevine had heard from her father, some of the northern residents had tried to break away from the Kingdom of Baterville. The rebellion was supported by the Kingdom of Aragos—Baterville's long-time enemy.
To handle the uprising, the king sent Winchester and Ruberius. With the destructive strength of Winchester's knights and the healing magic of Ruberius' mages, the battle was won without much struggle.
"Did you see him?"
"Of course I did! My heart almost stopped when I saw Young Master Jayden from the Winchester family!"
"He was riding a black horse—so majestic, just like him!"
"Lady Blouis is so lucky to be engaged to him!"
"I heard Duke Winchester is older than Duke Darconer, but he looks so much younger!"
"Father and son—they definitely inherited the looks of the gods!"
The kitchen of the Darconer estate was buzzing with excitement. Some maids had just returned from watching the victory parade at the capital's main square. Sevine could hear their chatter loud and clear. But honestly, she wasn't interested at all.
Those maids were clearly in the same group as Emily—devoted fans of the Winchesters. If they admire the Winchesters so much, why don't they just go work for them? Sevine thought, annoyed.
"Don't pout like that. The Winchester Duchy has always been popular," Duchess Darconer said, gently scolding her daughter.
"How can they admire another household when they work for us?" Sevine grumbled. To her, it felt disrespectful.
Her mother just laughed. "Back when I was young, Duke Winchester was the heartthrob of every noblewoman. Even some married ladies couldn't hide their crush on him."
Sevine gave her mother a suspicious look. Was she a Winchester fangirl too?
Duchess Darconer chuckled. "Hey, that doesn't mean I was one of them. Your father will always be number one in my heart."
She sighed softly before continuing, "If Lizbeth were still alive, she'd be proud to see her son grow into the kingdom's top knight. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree."
Before they got married, Duchess Darconer and Duchess Winchester, Lizbeth, used to spend time together at tea parties. They weren't super close, but they did chat now and then. After her marriage, Lizbeth became harder to find and rarely showed up to social events. Rumors said she became frail after giving birth to her first child. And when that child turned one year old, Lizbeth passed away.
»»——⍟——««
The day had finally arrived—Baterville's grand year-end ball. Thirty minutes before Sevine's departure to the royal palace.
"My lady, you look absolutely stunning!" Emily and the other maids gasped in admiration, their eyes sparkling as they took in Sevine's appearance.
She looked regal in a deep blue gown adorned with delicate moon-shaped beadwork. The rich color contrasted beautifully against her porcelain skin, making her resemble a snow princess who had just stepped out of a fairytale.
Sevine examined herself in the mirror. Just like the maids, she couldn't help but admire the reflection of Yelena Darconer. Her long chestnut hair flowed elegantly down her back, her bright blue eyes shone like the afternoon sky, her small but high nose gave her a noble profile, and her lips—thin and delicate—completed the look of a young aristocrat.
Even now, Sevine still wasn't used to seeing this face in the mirror.
"I hope no creepy men try to flirt with you tonight," Louis muttered, offering his arm and escorting her down the staircase.
"I'm not ready to see my beautiful daughter belong to another man someday," said Duke Darconer, dabbing at the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.
The middle-aged man was clearly moved, watching his daughter grow into a fine young woman. Next year, she would turn seventeen—the age that marked the beginning of adulthood.
Duchess Darconer gave her husband a playful pinch on the waist. "Don't be such an old-fashioned father."
"But darling, are you truly ready to see her taken away?" Duke said, sighing.
"Of course not," she replied gently, "but as parents, we must want the best for Yelena. It's part of the cycle every noble girl must go through. They grow up, marry, and follow their husbands to their new homes."
The couple shared a quiet, emotional embrace—until Vincent awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Ehem… Sir, Madam … Your carriage is ready."
»»——⍟——««
Linden stretched out his arm to assist Sevine from the carriage. The moonlight cast a soft glow on their surroundings as they arrived at the grand gates of the Baterville Palace.
Sevine's heart raced with excitement, yet she noticed Linden quickly look away, his face flushed with embarrassment as he realized he had been caught stealing a glance at her. The knight's bashful expression made Sevine suppress a mischievous smile.
First time I've been to a ball like this, she thought, her excitement barely contained.
The ball was a world she had only ever heard of in romance novels—an extravagant event where nobility flaunted their wealth and status. Men paraded their luxurious carriages, while women displayed their extravagant gowns, adorned with intricate lace and diamonds that sparkled under the soft glow of chandeliers. Waistlines were pulled tight to create the illusion of an impossibly small waist, and every movement was a display of refinement.
Among the sea of opulent gowns, Sevine's appearance was strikingly unique. Unlike the other women, whose gowns flowed out in voluminous skirts, Sevine's dress had a narrow, elegant hem that seemed to gather in a delicate swirl at her feet. Her gown, a deep sapphire blue, shimmered subtly as she walked, reflecting the soft flicker of candlelight around her. The bodice clung to her figure, and the neckline, a Sabrina cut, revealed the smooth expanse of her shoulders, which were as pale as milk.
Around her neck, a green sapphire necklace glistened, catching the eye of everyone who passed by. Sevine could feel the gazes of the nobility upon her, their whispers swirling through the air like soft breezes. But it was Linden's protective glare at anyone who dared to stare too long that caught her attention. His fierce expression warned others to stay away, and Sevine couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement.
"My Lady, there's someone I must speak with. Is it alright if I leave you for a moment?" Linden asked, his voice laced with reluctance.
"Of course, go ahead," Sevine replied with a small, gracious smile.
"Thank you, I'll be back as soon as I can."
And with that, Linden vanished into the crowd, leaving Sevine alone to navigate the sea of elegant guests.
Just as she was adjusting to her solitude, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"My, your gown is absolutely stunning, Lady Darconer!" A voice chirped, and Sevine turned to see a young woman with silvery hair approaching her.
From the very shade of her hair, Sevine knew exactly who this woman was. There was only one family in the kingdom known for their striking silver-haired lineage—the Ruberius family from the North. This had to be Ivanka Ruberius.
"Thank you, Lady Ruberius," Sevine responded smoothly, her voice as poised as ever. "Your gown is also quite beautiful."
With a soft chuckle, Ivanka looked Sevine up and down, her eyes glinting with a mix of admiration and something more calculating. The battle of the noble ladies had officially begun.
They exchanged pleasantries, but behind each smile was a subtle undercurrent of rivalry. Words dipped into the realm of subtle insults, veiled compliments coated in layers of passive-aggression.
"Good evening, Lady Ruberius," another voice cut through the conversation. Sevine glanced to see another woman, her expression a mixture of sweetness and malice. "As always, your gown matches the one you wore last year. Lovely as ever."
Here it begins. Sevine thought with a sigh, mentally preparing for the coming exchange.
"Ah, Cornellia," Ivanka's voice had a hint of sweetness, though it barely masked the tension. "Thank you for your kind words. I wore this gown specifically so you could add it to your collection. I hear your mother has been visiting Vivian's shop late into the night to secure the newest designs."
The mention of Vivian's exclusive shop sent a ripple through the air. Cornellia's face tightened, her smile faltering. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words.
"I would love to stay and chat more, Cornellia, but I must attend to something very important with Lady Darconer," Ivanka declared, not waiting for any response. She immediately grabbed Sevine's arm and led her away from the tense exchange.
Once they were out of earshot of Cornellia and her followers, Ivanka released Sevine's arm.
"I'm sorry for dragging you away like that, Lady Darconer," Ivanka said with an apologetic smile. "Cornellia is always causing trouble, and I didn't want to ruin the evening."
Sevine gave her a small smile, though inside, she was slightly irked by being pulled around without warning. "No harm done."
Ivanka continued, lowering her voice. "I heard that you received a blessing from the goddess to become a better person." Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, though Sevine could sense the underlying intent to probe for more information.
Sevine's stomach twisted at the mention of the blessing. Who spread that rumor? she wondered, momentarily flustered. But she quickly regained her composure, offering Ivanka a serene smile.
"Yes, I was truly shocked by the blessing, Lady Ruberius. I'm grateful to Goddess Eeter for her guidance."
Ivanka's eyes sparkled with a mix of disbelief and skepticism. "How fortunate you must be, Lady Darconer. As I understand it, the goddess does not reveal herself easily—even to the high priests at the temple"
Sevine remained calm, feeling the subtle trap Ivanka was trying to set. "Indeed, I consider myself very fortunate. As you surely know, the Goddess cares deeply for her followers, and I am sure that the Ruberius family, as her devoted worshippers, must also be aware of such blessings."
Ivanka faltered, her words dying on her lips. Sevine's poised response had left her no room to maneuver.
"I-I see," Ivanka stammered, her confidence waning. "Of course, the goddess cares for all of her followers."
The conversation came to an awkward halt as Sevine subtly took her leave. She turned to find Linden approaching them, his voice breaking the tension.
"Lady... Lady Yelena," Linden's deep voice startled both women.
Sevine seized the opportunity to gracefully exit. "It's almost time for the dance, Lady Ruberius. Linden and I will find a place in the ballroom. We'll take our leave for now."
"Ah, yes. Until we meet again, Lady Darconer," Ivanka replied, her tone a mixture of forced politeness and lingering animosity.
As Sevine walked away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. She had deftly maneuvered through the web of social traps set by the other ladies, and with Linden by her side, she was ready to face whatever this grand night would bring.