Extra-Changing Fate ==Editing==

Chapter 27 ==Heroine's Arrival?==

"Sister, shouldn't you be in your room preparing for your grand appearance at tonight's party?"

The words, light and airy, sliced through the quiet morning air, pulling me abruptly from the fringes of sleep. Before I could even fully open my eyes, a figure loomed over my bed. It was my sister, Amelia, her bright, inquisitive face hovering inches from mine. She had burst into my room at an ungodly five o'clock in the morning, a time when only the servants were stirring, forcing me to abandon my precious slumber for whatever pressing matter she had concocted.

"Sister, I'm here to confirm something," she declared, her voice firm.

I let out a long, drawn-out sigh, pushing myself up against the soft pillows. "Shouldn't that wait until later? After breakfast?" I mumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Amelia gave me a look that perfectly conveyed her disbelief – a slightly raised eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. It was a look that instantly jogged my memory.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," I muttered, a dry chuckle escaping me. "How utterly presumptuous of me to forget that you won't be gracing the breakfast table, given your need to get ready for your grand birthday celebration. My deepest apologies for the tardy greetings, but... Happy 18th Birthday, sister." I finished with a forced smile, watching as a small, genuine smile finally bloomed on her face.

Just then, the door clicked open, and Ellie, my kind maid, entered the room. "Here are your refreshments, my ladies," she announced, her voice soft, as she carried in a tray laden with delicate porcelain cups and small plates. She carefully placed them on the bedside table, then began to serve us.

I picked up a glass of milk, the cool liquid a stark contrast to Amelia's earlier intrusion. "Have a drink, sister," I said, offering it to her.

"I assure you, there's no poison in it." I took a deliberate sip of my own milk, making sure to linger over it. I needed her to think I still possessed a childlike innocence, that I was still the same naive girl she had come to despise. I couldn't afford for her to suspect that I was no longer the sister she thought she knew. "So, tell me... what's so important?"

Amelia took a hesitant sip of her own drink before speaking. "Sister, I know we haven't spoken like this in two years..."

I chuckled, a light, airy sound that masked the bitterness swirling inside me. "Ah yes, that would be around the time I was formally engaged to His Highness, wouldn't it?" I uttered, the words tasting like ash.

She nodded, her eyes clouding slightly. That was indeed the beginning of her intense hatred for me. What on earth did she even see in the Crown Prince? He was nothing special, truly, beyond his vast wealth and impressive title.

Perhaps it was the title she had fallen in love with – the future Emperor of the Empire. Who wouldn't be enchanted by that?

"By the way, sister, I have an esteemed guest joining us this evening," she began, changing the subject abruptly.

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "An esteemed guest? Do you mean His Highness the King? Or perhaps our dear Cousin?" I asked, gently placing my cup back onto the saucer, a soft clink echoing in the quiet room.

"Ah, no, it's quite obvious they'll attend," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"But I'm talking about Viscount Nizel's daughter, a young lady who is quite unknown to everyone."

My breath hitched. I froze, the glass of milk halfway to my lips.

Wait...

"Whom did you say it was?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.