best English translation for: Death Is the Only Ending for The Villainess

ch165(150 in the manga)

Like every time I attended a banquet, the maids woke me at dawn.

I hadn't slept much anyway, so it wasn't as bothersome as usual. They scrubbed my face and body, then washed me with perfumed oil until I felt like a marinated kimchi.

"Everyone knows what day it is today, right?" one maid chirped. "My lady, you must shine more than ever!"

"Yes, yes! Leave it to us, my lady! We'll pour our souls into making your beauty stand out even more!" another chimed in.

The maids, who usually couldn't raise their heads in my presence, were determined today.

"Just do it, please," I muttered, my plea ignored.

The maids worked meticulously on my makeup and hair. When they finally let me go, I saw my reflection in the mirror.

"Ha..." I breathed.

As I slowly opened my eyes, a maid gasped. Unlike other times, they were silent. I soon saw why. My reflection was stunning.

My eyes, accentuated with makeup, made my expression bright. My cheeks were rosy, my lips a delicate shade of red, and my dark pink hair was finely braided.

I raised my hand, touching my cheek. '...Pretty.'

The image of Penelope from the illustration of the coming-of-age ceremony in easy mode was breathtakingly pretty.

'You're so pretty,' I thought, feeling a pang of sorrow for not recognizing her beauty earlier.

Looking in the mirror, I felt a pang of sadness. I pitied the original owner of this body, who would soon be helpless against my actions.

"You can't touch your face! Don't touch your face today!" a maid exclaimed, pulling me back to reality. "Okay," I sighed, lowering my hand. It was better to say nothing today. It would be the first and last time.

Another maid approached. "My lady, the dress..."

I planned to wear something subtle that covered my neck. But as I was about to speak, the maids presented a dress on a hanger.

"Please, wear this dress today, my lady," Emily said. "This..."

"Nothing looks better on you today than this dress!"

I hesitated. The dark blue gown spread out to the floor, glistening with silver powder. Gold embroidery adorned the hem, resembling the calm, moonlit sea at night. It was a gift from the Crown Prince.

I grimaced. Emily noticed and begged nervously.

"It's the one and only ceremony where you should shine more than anyone else, my lady. Commoners also wear expensive clothes even if they have to go into debt."

"..."

"Just this once. Please do as we say today. Yes, my lady?"

"That's right, my lady. The clothes you usually wear are a little dark and simple..." "But of course, my lady looks beautiful in all types of clothes!"

The maids were determined. They seemed sad at my modest look.

'What is this?' I wondered, seeing their resolve. "Okay. I'll put it on, just this once."

"Really? Are you serious, my lady?" they cheered.

"Well, then you're going to wear accessories as well, right?" "Don't ask such an obvious thing!"

The maids were ecstatic. I felt sorry for the Crown Prince's gift, but this would all be a memory soon. '...Maybe he won't come today.'

I recalled the Prince's angry departure from the greenhouse. Perhaps I would be angry too if someone repeatedly refused my offer. I swallowed a bitter laugh.