Chapter 04: Mission Comes First

The sunlight seeping through the curtain of my new glass window brushes my eyes awake, the birds and bees have started to sing, the soft silky bed cushion hugging me, and the fluffy comforter that covers my body. 

Several maids slowly rush in to prepare my bath and they all line up when I get up, rubbing my eyes and stretching my body. 

“Good morning, My lady. These are the new maids the Grand Duke has appointed for you including that maid." 

The butler pointed to the previous maid who tried to hurt me. I calmly nodded at him as he added, "His Majesty wants to have breakfast with you, My lady. If you'd like, but it's still-” 

"I'll have my breakfast here, Thank you. After all… it's my new room." I smiled and the maids started undressing me to bathe. “Understood, My Lady.” He bowed and went outside as he closed the door gently. 

I stared at the maid I didn't let go off easily, and when our eyes met, she flinched like a deer trembling from a predator. 

When I finished my glam, I immediately went to my dining area to eat. The table faces the long window glass with a nice landscape view outside. I took the tea and sip a small amount of it elegantly like a true lady. Old habits die hard, they say.

I dismissed the three maids for the day and only one is left. I sliced a piece of the steak scorching with hot fumes as my knife glides its juiciness and tenderness.

“You have a little brother who's bedridden, am I right?" I coldly implied to the maid, they call her ‘Milly’. 

I knew about this information based on Luziana's memory, all displayed in her diary. 

“Y-yes, My lady." She instantly replied with a pitied look in her eyes. “Then you know what I'm capable of, hm?" 

 "I'm so sorry, My Lady!” She suddenly whimpered in front of me, kneeling. I just stared outside the window when she suddenly pleaded forgiveness.

“It was my fault and I deserve your cruelty. Please don't do anything to my brother, I should be the one to be punished, I apologize!” 

“Yes, you deserve to be punished." I smiled as she barely stopped her whimper. She looked at me with curiosity and I smiled. 

… 

According to the story, next month is the coming of age of Ivory and I, my Step-sister. A party that will be hosted by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, and I'll never forget how many times I died when I played the game. It’s the place to see whose scheme wins and the loser gets framed. 

"Ivory drank a poisoned wine and I was the one framed for that incident resulting in dungeon imprisonment." I rubbed my forehead trying to recall all the important details of the game. 

That was when I saw the spoilers people discussed online, and luckily leveled up after that scene.

“I don't know anymore, that was the last part of the story before I went inside the game itself.”  I walk back and forth in my living area “But…somehow, there's no game display or any buttons to play? Does that mean I can do anything of my own accord here?” Delight started to show in my eyes as I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled brightly like a little girl. 

" I can definitely save you.” I assured myself but I'm implying the real Luziana. 

“But to survive, I need to have a strong backbone that can support me. That even in times this family would kick me out, I can just live on my own."  

[FLASHBACK]

“Yes, you deserve to be punished.” I stated. “You need to go out to the city and find a 30 hectare land, send me a letter once you find it.” 

“L-land...M-my lady? Is that supposed to be the p- punishment?” She cautiously asked in a brittle voice. 

“Don't worry about your brother. I'll take good care of him. I'll also pay you twice, thrice, or whatever you want as long as you'll cut ties with everyone you made a deal with. Got it?" 

“Y-yes, o-of course! My lady!" She bowed her head at me admitting defeat. “Make sure as well that the land you're gonna find has many people coming in and out." 

“I'll pack as fast as I can, my lady. Thank you for sparing my life!" 

...

I went to the library alone at midnight. I studied the history of the kingdom, Its current state, businesses, magic, people's status, and how to eventually make money.

I realized that the people in the empire and the people in my real world value different things.

"One values technology and artificial advancement, the other one values status and power more than anything."

With 30 hectares of land, I can build an empire of my name.

"But what business should I build?" deliberately thinking of a source of income that people won't get tired of buying.

" How about something where people who are desperate to be rich can purchase something that compliments their status?"

A brilliant idea that flashes through my head, I formed a slight smirk knowing the quality of my soon to be business. One that exists in my real world.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

MILLY’S POV

I hurried outside to not make her angry again. The things I'd do for my brother, as long as I can get him to treatment…I'll do everything. 

I walked towards the maid’s room and packed my clothes for my lady's order. 

After everything that I've done to Lady Luziana, I don't think I can forgive myself so easily. 

“Why did he order me to torment her anyway? Why do they hate her so much.” 

She's different from what they told me. She was an adamant, mad, and jealous person that throws tantrums when she can't get what she wants. 

“I don't think so anymore …" 

LUZIANA'S POV 

Now, I need to highlight the main characters of this story. 

Luziana Ambrose, the step-daughter of Duke Nacius Xenth Ambrose and Eufracia Ambrose. Her biological mother caught the eyes of the most dangerous man of this empire because of her beauty. 

“I haven't met her biological mother yet, the person that strangely fell ill." 

Aldric Cullen Ambrose, the main character’s brother, the Academy Prodigy who aced countless of research theories, contributed to the development of Magical Stones, and proposed a new method of solving Fibonacci Sequence. One who's likely to inherit the dukedom. 

Ivory Ambrose, the story’s main character, the empire’s saint and a crown princess candidate. She's the most beautiful flower in the kingdom as rumored with the kindest soul one has to covet. Everything she wears, use, or even eat becomes hot and trendy.

"I wonder what kind of person she is, I'm kind of excited to meet her. Unfortunately, she went on vacation to the summer-side estate, where their grandmother resided."  I tap my forehead with my pen trying to think about all the details about the main characters.

‘I forgot the name of the magician who has a crush on Ivory, what's his name again?’

I saw him in the game’s cover though.

 He has white silky hair, blue eyes, a well-built body especially his broad shoulders, his voice is quite manly I admit.

“Now, who else…”

Ah, that person…the most important person in the story; the male lead. 

Kkerel Caint Oldenburg, the empire's crown prince, Ivory's fiancè. He has golden silky hair, the most handsome man in the kingdom, basil colored eyes, rosy lips, and a model's body.

I don't know much about him since I only know about the Grand Duke’s confrontation, and the rest are Luziana's memories written in her diary. 

"This is what happens when you ask the wrong person to help you. Tsk” I pointed out Luziana's portrait on the wall across the bed hanging. She really is a beauty, far more beautiful than any other maidens I've seen. 

"I wonder how Ivory looks in real life, if Luziana's this beautiful, how much more if I could take a look at Ivory.” I murmured, thinking deeply about my future. 

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* 

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