“I heard you went to the academy, but it seems like the academy is on vacation now, right?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re seventeen, then you must be in your last year.”

I nodded. I was at a loss. Freya had never been friendly to anyone. Her personality stood out because she grew up always having her own way, and among all the people under this roof, she hated me the most. So, I still couldn’t figure out why she was suddenly so friendly. Anyway, the reason doesn’t matter. Freya was being nice. At the moment, that was more important.

“That’s right.”

“Huhu~ You must have had a hard time, too.”

Freya flapped the lace fan with her delicate hands.

“Women shouldn’t even receive hard training for a long time like men in the first place. I heard that when you broke your leg, you didn’t even complain, did you?”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

“It must have been.”

Tak. Freya folded her fan. Surprised by her venomous look behind the fan, and hurriedly hid her expression.

I swallowed nervously. Freya approached with a pretty smile.

“It must have been hard without being able to dress up.”

She hugged me in her little arms.

“I’ll make you pretty, sister.”

* * *

“Well? What do you say?”

I was sitting in front of the mirror wearing unsuitable make-up, tacky trinkets, and a weird dress. Despite this, Freya was looking at me with pride.

“Do you like it?”

The maids who looked at Freya with adoration, turned their eyes to me. And when I hadn’t replied for a while, she glared at me with annoyed eyes.

“Yes, I like it.”

“Kyaaa~ Sister!”

Freya hugged me tightly. My heart was turmoil at the sudden warmth of Freya. Then, she told me with her sparkling golden eyes.

“You’ll be wearing this for dinner tonight, right?”

I nodded slowly. Freya seemed to be more pleased than anyone else.

“See you then, sister.”

I smiled, returning hers. I felt very good thus far.

That is, until I saw Freya’s twin brother, Derek.

“Foundling.”

T/N: A ‘foundling’ is a child/baby abandoned by their parents, and then found and cared for by someone else.

Derek, despite being seven years younger than me, has never called me ‘sister’. He always picked on my origin and called me ‘foundling’.

“Where did all these dresses and jewelries come from?”

“They are all gifts from Miss Freya, Young Master.”

“Lies. These are all for my sister’s coming-of-age ceremony.”

His face hardened, then called for the servants.

“You even dared to touch my sister’s belongings as soon as you got home? You really want to be punished, don’t you?”

“Young Master, you can ask Freya.”

He looked at me with contempt and spoke coldly, as if his decision was already set in stone.

“Very well.”

I was very confident that Freya would tell the truth.

We walked for a while to look for Freya. When we found her, she was sitting on our father’s lap, reading a book. Upon seeing us, she looked at me brightly.

“Freya, did you allow this foundling to wear your clothes and accessories?”

Freya’s eyes turned to Derek. Then, looked at me again for a long time and lifted one side of her mouth to give me the vilest smile in the world. Perhaps, that smile was reserved only for me.

“Ah, Derek,” she said to him with a sweet smile, “Please forgive her. Anyone can make mistakes.”

“……”

“Sister,” Freya blinked and looked at me,”Did you think you could become like me if you wear my things?”

Freya laughed sarcastically.

“I’m sorry.” I stood there, unable to say anything else.

* * *

That night, before things became more complicated, I went to see the Marquis

“What is it?”

I showed him the large crystal ball in my hand that shone brightly in the dark. Although he gave me a scornful look, I still managed to say what I wanted calmly.

“This crystal ball can show you that Freya really dressed me up today.”

“Give it to me.”

I handed the crystal ball to my father. But, as soon as he took it, he threw the crystal ball to the floor with all his might. The sound of the crystal breaking echoed loudly, then disappeared into white smoke.

I looked down at the floor, not knowing where to look.