Extra-Changing Fate ==Editing==

Chapter 11 ==Tea Party Held by the Villainess==

"Will you wear the anklet, My Lady?"

Ellie's voice gently pulled me from my sleepy haze. I slowly opened my eyes to find myself all dressed up. Today was Sister's tea party, an event I was obligated to attend as a Silverton. I knew it would be filled with elegantly dressed ladies, their smiles as sweet as the tea, but their words often laced with subtle barbs aimed my way.

It was rather unfortunate how the whispers always seemed to revolve around the two handsome men – the objects of many ladies' affections – who had, to everyone's surprise, shown interest in me, a seemingly unremarkable girl. Luckily, these rumors usually faded when I wasn't around; it was my presence that seemed to fuel their gossip.

"Yes, please," I told Ellie as she carefully fastened the 'Dé Amuleté' around my ankle.

The necklace, which I had surprisingly won at the auction last week with a bid just one jewel higher than everyone else, now served a more discreet purpose. I had asked a craftsman to convert it into an anklet so it wouldn't be easily recognized by the noble ladies who would undoubtedly know of this antique piece.

Besides, this amulet wasn't meant to be a pretty accessory to show off. It was my secret defense, something to protect myself in unavoidable situations.

"All finished, My Lady. Good luck surviving a hellhound for a few hours," Ellie said, a hint of amusement in her voice. I scoffed playfully and gave her a wry look.

"Can I even survive the nasty looks some nobles send my way? Or their so-called threatening words?" I replied sarcastically. Ellie smiled softly.

"You can do it, My Lady... after all, you're more than just the black sheep," she said, patting my head affectionately.

Ellie filled a deep void in my life, the emptiness left by my family's neglect. She was like a mother to me.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself before leaving my room and heading towards the greenhouse, where Sister was hosting her tea party. The greenhouse was a beautiful space, filled with lush plants and small trees. And I would survive this ordeal, even if it was just for a few hours.

"That's absurd!"

As I sipped my tea, the shocked exclamation from one of the ladies reached my ears.

Apparently, some juicy rumors were circulating. Thankfully, no one had spoken to me directly since my arrival a while ago, as the current hot topic seemed to be a Count's alleged affair with his slave. I found such gossip distasteful.

The Princess, however, had been sending daggers my way with her eyes for some time now. Perhaps it was because I had declined her invitation the previous week? Or maybe it was the fact that her Prince Charming seemed rather interested in me.

It was common knowledge that the Marquis was trying to win my hand in marriage, a prospect the Princess clearly loathed. I mean, who would like it if their beloved was pursuing someone else? Anyone would be furious.

Well, even if I were to die, the two of them wouldn't end up together in the original story. The Princess was eventually banished, and the Marquis never found love, forever pining after the heroine. You know how these stories go.

"But it seems I've heard rumors that could turn the kingdom upside down," Lady Chroptin from the Chroptin Earldom announced, drawing everyone's attention.

"Do tell us the rumor you heard, Lady Chroptin?"

"I heard from my father that the King of the Northern Kingdom will visit in early fall," she said with a smile, causing a collective gasp of surprise among the ladies.