Chapter 2

Ortanxia was originally born to a singer at a small tavern.

Her mother, being a woman of many loves, did not know who her father was.

Still, she lived happily with her mother in her early years.

Though their life was poor, laughter never ceased.

...Until her mother, who fell ill suddenly, passed away at a young age.

With no relatives to rely on, Ortanxia, now an orphan, had to live in an orphanage.

Life in the orphanage was not so bad.

Though she was bullied by mean children, everyone still lived together, supporting each other.

By the time Ortanxia turned seven... the then Duke of Verite—her father—came to the orphanage.

To take Ortanxia in as a foster daughter of the ducal family.

It seems the Duke was one of Ortanxia's mother's lovers.

Upon hearing through others that her mother had passed away and that her daughter, Ortanxia, was left as an orphan, the Duke wondered if she might be his daughter and began searching for her.

—"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, Ortanxia. I am your father."

On the day they first met, the Duke of Verite—her father—said this and hugged Ortanxia.

It seemed that the father was convinced that Ortanxia was his daughter.

(But if you think about it... he might have just wanted a "ducal daughter" to marry off to a powerful ally as a political pawn! Father is really good at acting!)

The Duke of Verite promised substantial aid to the orphanage and took Ortanxia in as his daughter.

An orphan who had received little education suddenly became a duchess's daughter!

The Verite ducal family is one of the four great ducal families that have existed since the founding of the country, making it one of the most prestigious noble families in the land.

Ortanxia, who had been happily weeding in the orphanage just a few days ago, suddenly became a "young lady" who was bowed to by many servants.

(Honestly, I was more surprised than happy... "Is this huge castle-like place really my home!?" )

At first, everything was unfamiliar.

Ortanxia, who didn't even know basic table manners, was scolded a lot by the education staff.

Behind her back, the servants mocked her, saying, "She's just a bastard" and "It's doubtful if she even has the Duke's blood."

(I couldn't ask anyone for help, and I would always cry silently in bed at night... The pillow soaked with tears was disgusting.)

The Duke of Verite, her father, was a busy man and often away from the mansion.

Even to a young Ortanxia, it was clear that the father had no time for his daughter, so she couldn't consult him when she had problems.

(And the biggest obstacle was...)

Her stepbrother, Gérard, was a different problem altogether.

Communicating with him was hopeless from the start.

Ortanxia, who was terrified by Gérard's icy gaze during their first meeting, began to avoid him excessively.

She tried to avoid him as much as possible in the mansion, and even when they had to sit together at meals, she couldn't meet his cold gaze.

(Well, from his perspective, I'm just the daughter of a lowly tavern singer, and it's no wonder he can't accept me as his sister...)

Because of this, Gérard never initiated contact with Ortanxia, and the two lived like strangers in the same mansion.

No, worse than strangers.

Gérard treated Ortanxia as if she didn't exist, and Ortanxia would run away at full speed whenever she saw him.

(All that running made me more familiar with the structure of the ducal mansion than anyone else. It wasn't very useful, though.)

Thus, Ortanxia spent several years in the large mansion, feeling lonely.

She managed to learn enough manners to not be embarrassing and eventually made her debut in society as a duchess's daughter.

Ortanxia, who stepped into the social world as a duchess's daughter, was warmly welcomed by everyone.

...At least, on the surface.

"She's a bastard. No wonder she lacks refinement."

"Gérard-sama doesn't even speak to her. He must find it unacceptable to have a lowborn person in his noble bloodline."

"She should understand her position better. It's embarrassing."

(I hear you! Gossip! People say these things on purpose to be overheard...)

As a sudden duchess's daughter, Ortanxia was often the target of nasty comments behind her back.

The timid Ortanxia couldn't respond and always looked down at parties.

Though she was often invited to dance due to her position as a noble duchess's daughter... she always declined out of fear of making mistakes.

Her attitude only made the gossip worse, with people saying, "For a daughter of a prostitute, she's awfully snobbish!"

(If only I had pushed for a marriage with a random suitor, maybe I could have avoided the worst future...)

Thus, with no real prospects, Ortanxia, at the age of sixteen, was sent to the palace as a candidate for the Crown Prince's consort.

It wasn't because the Crown Prince had taken a liking to her, but to maintain the ducal family's reputation and to meet the quota.

According to the country's tradition, if the Crown Prince reached a certain age without a consort or fiancée, eligible noble daughters would be gathered at the palace to interact with the Crown Prince in a so-called "bride selection event."

Ortanxia, who was of age and had no lover or fiancé, was invited and, following her father's advice to treat it as a social experience, went to the palace.

However, Ortanxia stood out in the bride selection event.

The other candidates, beautifully dressed and constantly trying to impress the Crown Prince, seemed to shine.

Feeling inferior, Ortanxia spent most of her time locked in her room.

(I escaped into reading and embroidery... I was so plain.)

The time set aside for each candidate to interact with the Crown Prince was filled with awkward silences as she tried not to make him uncomfortable.

No one probably saw her as a rival.

During this time, her father suddenly fell ill and passed away.

(I was shocked... There were no signs of it at all.)

Ortanxia was temporarily allowed to return to the ducal family, where she shed tears over her father's early departure.

Her stepbrother, Gérard, still wouldn't speak to her, and his occasional glances were cold... but Ortanxia vaguely worried about him.

With her father's death, Gérard had to take on the ducal title at a young age.

At the funeral, he maintained a composed demeanor without shedding a tear.

But he must be suffering.

I need to be strong and support my brother.

Despite her position, Ortanxia thought such things.

(To him, it must have been a nuisance.)

Back at the palace, Ortanxia, ignoring the intensifying bride selection event, only thought about when she could return home.

When she got back to the ducal family, she would study to be of some help to her brother.

While she was thinking this, a shocking event shook the palace... and the entire country.

One of the candidates was nearly poisoned.

Fortunately, the doctor's quick action saved her life, but it was a close call.

Hearing the news, Ortanxia was terrified and was arrested as a suspect.

Apparently, there were multiple witnesses who testified that Ortanxia had acted suspiciously and had conflicts with the targeted lady.

(I didn't even realize I was being framed... I just panicked and thought, "When did my doppelgänger appear!?")

Having spent most of her time in her room with no allies and no alibi, Ortanxia was quickly treated as the culprit.

Gérard, known as the "cruel duke," did nothing to help his step-sister.

She was arrested as a criminal, interrogated... and eventually executed...

(Reflecting on it, what a terribly unlucky life I had...)