Chapter 1

I will post all 10 episodes, three at a time each day. Since I have already finished writing them, I hope you can enjoy them with ease. However, please be aware that this is not a straightforward, satisfying story. It's more of a subtle, unsatisfying one.

I, Amaryllis Adler, have finally made up my mind.

To make the gluttonous duke eat this hatred.

The Adler family is famous for being a close-knit family.

The earl, known for his competence, loves his beautiful wife, who in turn supports her husband well. The two sisters resemble their mother and are very beautiful.

In particular, the younger sister, Olvia, has been frail since childhood. Her delicate appearance and gentle nature have earned her the reputation of a fairy princess in society.

The elder sister, Amaryllis, is reliable and always stands by her sister in social circles, and is known as a model daughter who listens well to the earl.

When the Adler family is together, they are the epitome of the ideal family, envied even by the king, who has a strained relationship with the queen.

This is the somewhat exaggerated reputation of my family.

It is exaggerated to a great extent.

To me, who is called a model daughter and a reliable elder sister, the phrase "ideal family" sounds like a curse.

But the worst part is that the rest of my family is happy with this reputation and believes it to be true.

Father truly loves Mother and has never had a mistress.

In his youth, he was handsome and very popular, but after meeting Mother, he proposed passionately and they were married.

Even now, he is known as a devoted husband who would do anything for Mother's wishes.

He also cares deeply for his two daughters, or so he thinks.

To be precise, he cares for one of them.

I believe that when I was born, my parents were overjoyed.

And I think they doted on me so much that I never felt bored.

But that was only until Olvia was born.

When my younger sister Olvia was born when I was two, she was very weak.

It seemed as if she might die if left unattended, so naturally, my parents were completely focused on her. Since I was already considered a smart and low-maintenance child, the maids took care of me.

However, this maid was a nasty person who often pinched my thighs and arms from the time I could understand things.

Even now, thinking of her seemingly kind smile makes my stomach churn.

Ah, maybe I should make the gluttonous duke eat this too.

In any case, as far as I can remember, our family has always been centered around Olvia.

It couldn't be helped.

After all, Olvia is frail.

She must always be in pain and have a hard time.

So as her elder sister, I had to endure.

I had to take good care of my sister.

I had to at least try to be the model daughter my father wanted.

I endured, thinking this way.

Even when Olvia's condition suddenly worsened and my birthday party was canceled, I smiled and said it was fine.

Even when the places where the maid had pinched me hurt, I swallowed my pain and sadness in front of the struggling Olvia.

Even when my loving parents were completely focused on Olvia and told me to eat slowly by myself, I said thank you.

Even when we occasionally had a meal together, it was always full of Olvia's favorite dishes, and my parents didn't even know what I liked.

Despite this, they demanded perfect manners and education from me, and my father, in particular, often scolded me harshly.

But it couldn't be helped.

After all, I was healthy.

I was given a good education and a luxurious life.

I had to endure.

Even as I thought these pious thoughts, there was always anger deep in my heart.

Why do I have to endure all this?

Why is Olvia always pampered, while I am always criticized?

I once said this to my father.

He looked terribly hurt and immediately turned red and hit me.

"Are you only thinking of yourself as the one who suffers!"

"It's not... Father..."

"Shut up! No excuses! Do you think Olvia and we are not suffering!"

Mother hugged me as I cried, but she didn't defend me.

"You mustn't say such things again."

"Yes..."

The next day, my parents treated me as if nothing had happened.

They wanted me to be a good girl again.

I had to act as they wanted, hearing their voices.

Maybe I was really in the wrong.

Maybe I was being selfish.

Still, the anger never went away and continues to torment me every night, even now that I am eighteen.

When we attend social gatherings, Olvia always comes with us.

In fact, for Olvia to attend a social gathering, my mother and I must always accompany her. Otherwise, Father won't allow it.

You might think Father should accompany us, but he is apparently very busy.

"Olvia, how are you feeling? Your cheeks seem a bit flushed."

"I'm fine, Mother."

Olvia's blue eyes, which are slightly feverish, are moist.

Her large, innocent eyes and delicate features resemble her youthful mother.

With her wavy, light blonde hair and pale blue dress, Olvia looks like a fairy princess from a storybook.

On the other hand, I resemble my father.

My eyes are sharp, and my calm chestnut hair, while suitable for a man, gives a somewhat plain impression for a woman.

Perhaps my appearance is one reason why my father is strict with me.

"Didn't you say the same thing last time and end up bedridden the next day?"

"Yes, but..."

Olvia looked at me as if seeking help.

I smiled wryly and decided to help her.

"Mother, last time, she probably danced more than usual, which is why she ended up bedridden. Besides, this is the Countess's social gathering. It would be cruel to make her leave now."

The Countess's social gathering is one of the grandest during the social season. It would be too much to forbid a dreamy young girl from attending.

I am at a dreamy age, but since I am always taking care of Olvia, I can't imagine myself doing anything at a social gathering. In a good sense, I am mature, and in a bad sense, I am withered.

"...That's true. Both of you need to start looking for a fiancé soon. I hope you find someone good, and if not, we will find someone for you, so don't worry."

"Yes, thank you, Mother."

Honestly, I wish they would leave my fiancé alone.

Perhaps the most difficult and painful thing is being forced to do something that is meant for my own good.

Swallowing my frustration, the carriage stopped.

As usual, or as expected, soon after the social gathering began, a line of people asking Olvia to dance formed.

A few people asked me to dance, but I was in no mood for it and was busy fending off those who tried to touch Olvia.

Mother?

Mother, of course, was chatting with the other ladies.

Good or bad, she is always young and a socialite, and she always ends up at the center of attention.

"Isn't it okay for you not to dance, sister?"

Olvia tugged at the hem of my dress and looked up at me apologetically.

"It's fine. I understand that it might be annoying to have me always by your side."

"It's not that! It's just... you always turn down invitations because of me."

"Don't worry. If I really wanted to dance with someone, I would leave you behind."

"Oh! How cruel!"

We laughed together, and my gloomy mood lightened a bit.

Surprisingly, when our parents are not around, we are good sisters.

At that moment, I felt the noise around us fade.

Wondering what was happening, we looked around and saw a young man approaching Olvia.

He had beautiful blonde hair.

He seemed to be glowing, clearly different from the others.

When I saw his purple eyes, I realized who he was and quickly bowed.

Olvia, a bit late, also hurriedly bowed.

"No need to be so formal. I'm just a guest today."

"But you are..."

The next king, Prince Gilbert, smiled brightly and shook his head.

"Are you the famous daughters of the Adler family?"

"I am Amaryllis."

I gently urged the clearly tense Olvia.

"...I am Olvia."

The prince's eyes widened.

Of course, up close, she is incredibly cute.

Then he invited Olvia to dance.

They danced not just one but two consecutive songs, and the social gathering was in an uproar.

The prince had fallen in love with the fairy princess, they said.