Chapter 1

Marquess' Daughter, Amaryllis Linoverta

With dark cherry hair and crimson red eyes, the magenta, flamboyant dress is her trademark.

The beautiful tyrant... a devil who bewitches men. With a beauty that captivates like a lustrous butterfly, she ascended the grand staircase. Amaryllis, who swept through high society, even rose to become the fiancée of Harvey, the second prince of the country.

However, she harbored boiling hatred.

Amaryllis was an adopted daughter of Marquess Linoverta, taken from an orphanage. Amaryllis... that name was engraved on the back of a pendant she had since birth. It was the only thing she possessed.

Amaryllis, who had been an orphan, was genuinely happy to become a noble.

She clung to beauty when she learned that she was chosen simply because she looked beautiful and her hair color slightly resembled the Marquess Linoverta's.

(If I'm not cute, if I'm not beautiful, I'll be abandoned...)

Amaryllis polished herself for the Linoverta family, even though she knew she wasn't expected to do so. She was desperate to hold onto the status she had gained.

(I absolutely don't want to go back to that poor place.)

However, the more she grew, the more the sense of discomfort increased. Being taken in as "Amaryllis" was just an action to maintain their appearance.

Amaryllis was merely an accessory for the Linoverta family. The only time she felt like part of the family was when they went out. Everyone praised the Marquess for taking her in, but it was only for that reason.

(Why do I exist...?)

She had never been treated with particular affection.

Whenever they met, she was harshly told to "not bring shame to the Linoverta family" and to "work hard." All the care was left to the maids. She was drilled with the manners and studies of a noble in a way that was unbearably strict for a young child. It was a painful and terrifying experience.

No matter how much she cried for help, no one responded. None of the household staff reached out to her. Since the Marquess and his family didn't treat her as important, they could do anything to her without being reprimanded.

Amaryllis' position naturally became lower and lower.

(Why did you take me in? I've had enough of this miserable feeling.)

No one noticed the growing hatred Amaryllis secretly harbored.

Even as she grew, her treatment did not change. Harsh words like "orphan" and "commoner" were always whispered behind her back.

Then, the Marquess' wife, who had been told she could not have children, gave birth. Amaryllis had never received affection from the Linoverta family since being taken in. However, all the affection she had ever wanted was poured into the child in the womb.

When Amaryllis was five years old, Lucibelta was born.

After Lucibelta's birth, even the interest in Amaryllis was taken away.

They were obsessed with their long-awaited, blood-related child.

No matter how hard she studied, how much she practiced dancing, or how much she tried to become beautiful, she could not match Lucibelta. Even when she called out her name, she wouldn't even meet her gaze.

At that moment, Amaryllis was brought back to reality.

Tormented by loneliness, she spent sleepless nights. The life she had dreamed of was cold and harsh.

Her hopes were shattered, and she was pushed to the edge. And that despair turned into madness.

Amaryllis gradually became more selfish.