To My Eternal Love: I Refuse to Accept the Second Male Lead Fate

I'm at The Female Lead House!!

Olivia internally seethed.

Normally when someone gets transported into a novel they become the FL or the villainess. Why did I get stuck as a tiny child with my original face, just a playmate and nothing more..!

Though her expression on the outside remained perfectly blank and calm, inside Olivia was already sketching out her evil schemes. She imagined slipping poison into Ophlia's teacup, plotting to eliminate the Male Lead, building a shrine full of Javien figurines and becoming his number one supporter.

Muehhehehehehh... she cackled internally.

Which one first, Ophlia or the Male Lead ... kitchen knife or sword ... which leg which arm .. oh!! The FACE the FACEEE!! YEAAAAA MUEHHEHHHEHEHEHEHEH

Ophlia, who had been sitting quietly all this while, suddenly turned.

Those round crystal blue eyes looked directly at Olivia bright and cheerful on the surface, but carrying something deep and unspoken underneath.

"What is your name?" Ophlia asked simply.

"Umm, I'm Olivia. She's Celine," we both answered.

She nodded, smiled softly, and turned back to the window.

Not long after, the sounds of a bustling crowd began filtering in signaling that they had arrived at the royal capital, a city called Certial.

Olivia, who had seen nothing beyond the walls of the orphanage for as long as she could remember, was completely awestruck.

Children laughing. The smell of food drifting from market stalls spreading through the whole city. Residents chatting and calling out to one another, filling the streets with warm, lively noise.

Olivia's eyes glistened.

The sight was unfamiliar to her and yet it settled something quietly in her chest.

Before she knew it, they were stopped before a massive iron gate. The same crest as the one carved on the carriage gleamed above them.

"PLAK PLAK PLAK EEII"

The horses came to a halt. Olivia and Celine exchanged a glance. Both their hearts were hammering in perfect unison.

"Eeh, what do we do now Celine," Olivia whispered, gripping Celine's hand which was also trembling. Celine just shook her head. No idea.

Olivia and Celine were directed to step down, followed by Ophlia who was assisted out of the carriage by the Butler, the mysterious man from before ,who guided her carefully by the hand.

The Butler then gestured for the two of them to follow. The entire walk through the estate, Olivia could feel the sharp, piercing stares of every servant and resident they passed.

"Haaihhh," Celine sighed.

Olivia startled. In all the time she had known Celine, she had never once heard her complain.

"Eh, what's wrong Celine?"

Celine just smiled faintly and shook her head.

"I'll poke your eyes out,"

Olivia muttered under her breath at the onlooking servants.

Celine stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her left hand so no one around them would notice.

Along the way they were separated from Ophlia. The Butler led both of them to the Duke's office. The moment they stepped inside, they were told to stand and wait.

Ehh so THAT'S brown hair's father blehhhhh, Olivia thought, eyes going wide.

"If I remember correctly, his full name is Duke Herold Frederick von Aethelgard. Age 38. The king's right-hand man for resolving political conflicts and national affairs. He single-handedly built this family into one of the most influential houses of the era... hmm not bad looking actually hihi"

...she thought, eyeing Duke Herold live and in person.

Duke Herold studied the two of them in the heavy silence of the room. The Butler, seeming to sense what his master wanted, spoke first.

"Your Grace, I have selected both of them as requested by the Young Princess," he said, producing a folder containing documents on both girls.

"They appeared to be the most suitable in terms of age, Your Grace."

Duke Herold, who had been watching them, shifted his gaze to the Butler.

"Why are there TWO? Did I not say I only wanted ONE? Do you think everything I say is a JOKE?! HUH?! ANSWER ME!!"

Duke Herold's voice cracked through the room like a whip. The Butler sank low, head bowed to the floor.

"I humbly apologize, Your Grace. I will return one of them immediately," the Butler replied, composed.

Duke Herold pressed both hands over his face, fingers digging into his furrowed brow. He was quiet for a long moment.

"...Fine. So one of the two becomes my daughter's companion. Thoughts?" Duke Herold asked, face taut, arms folded.

"Perhaps the black-haired girl, Your Grace," the Butler said thoughtfully.

"Her hair is quite unique , it is rare to see a girl with hair as dark as hers. I believe she must have something special about her."

Olivia blinked rapidly and dropped her gaze, glancing sideways at Celine who was visibly trembling beside her.

"Tch!! Special?? I'm just a regular human being HUAAAAA" Olivia wailed internally, tears streaming freely in her heart.

"Hmm. Interesting," said Duke Herold.

"And what about the other one?" He turned, pointing his ring finger toward Celine, left eyebrow raised.

"She carries herself with an elegance befitting a lady-in-waiting to the Young Princess. Upon investigation, she is the daughter of the Marquis Lysander family, which collapsed three years ago. She has four siblings. After her parents passed, the family had no male heir. There are rumors she was cast out by her relatives when she was two years old," the Butler continued.

Duke Herold nodded and fell deep into thought. The silence pressed heavily against the walls of the office.

"Haishh when is this going to end," Olivia sighed internally.

"What if one of them becomes a companion, and the other becomes a servant here at the Aethelgard estate?" Duke Herold proposed.

The Butler considered it. "There is merit to that, Your Grace."

Olivia and Celine exchanged a glance. Without overthinking it, Olivia spoke up clearly

"Forgive me, Your Grace. If permitted, I would humbly like to be"

Before she could finish

Celine suddenly gripped the hem of Olivia's dress. Her whole body was shaking.

"I... I'll be the servant!!" Celine cut in, her voice breaking. Her eyes were glassy, fixed on the floor. "Please don't separate me from Olivia. I'll do any kind of hard work. I just... I want to stay with her."

Olivia was stunned.

Celine... you'd lower yourself from your status as a Marquis's daughter just because you're scared of being separated from me?

Duke Herold watched the scene unfold with a cold, calculating gaze. The air in the office grew heavier.

Wait, Olivia began doing mental calculations. If I become Ophlia's companion, I'll always be by the Female Lead's side. I can monitor her every move. I can stop her from getting close to Javien!! But if I end up as a kitchen servant... how am I supposed to save Javien when he's a nobleman?

Olivia drew a slow, deep breath. She had to decide right now.

Her round eyes lifted and met Duke Herold's emerald green ones directly. The fear was gone. What remained was nothing but the pure, unshakeable resolve of a 24-year-old woman determined to survive and to save the man she had crossed worlds for.

"Your Grace," Olivia's voice came out clear and steady calm enough that even the Butler was slightly taken aback by the sheer boldness of a child so small.

"Please allow Celine to be Princess Ophlia's companion. She has noble blood and manners far superior to mine," Olivia said, bowing with perfect, practiced grace.

Duke Herold raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

Olivia smiled. Small. Quiet. Full of secrets.

"I will be the Princess's personal attendant. I will handle all of her daily needs, while Celine serves as her companion and confidante. That way, Your Grace will not need to turn anyone away and the Princess will have the best of both worlds. Is that not so?"

And with the position of personal attendant, I can move in and out of the palace freely to find Javien!!

Olivia cheered inside.

Duke Herold studied her in silence , the gaze of a predator sizing up its prey.

"Interesting. A girl from an orphanage... negotiating terms with me."

He leaned back into his chair.

"Very well. I accept your offer. But understand this clearly..."

Duke Herold lowered his voice. Every word measured. Every word a threat.

"If the Princess is so much as scratched due to any negligence on either of your parts..."

"Your lives will be the payment."

Olivia swallowed hard. But she nodded. Firm. Unwavering.

Alright. Phase one complete.

Just you wait, Javien Alistair de Valois.