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In the magnificent residence of the Bolsheik family, Jane, who had just arrived that day, responded with an unexpectedly casual reaction, as if she had anticipated the situation. It was a response that would raise eyebrows for anyone witnessing it.
However, the butler and servants merely blinked before nodding slightly, their composed demeanor undisturbed. Jane couldn’t conceal her satisfaction at their impeccable professionalism. These were the people who would be serving her.
“If you have any discomfort or require anything, feel free to inform them.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
As the man who appeared to be the head butler spoke, Jane realized that she did not have a servant exclusively assigned to her. Despite this realization, she carefully observed the servants with a glimmer of hope, restraining the words that were about to escape her tongue.
Why are there so few servants?
She knew she shouldn’t question it. Given her current status, she should be content with the treatment she was receiving. She accepted this fact rationally, confident that she would be granted much more in the future.
Yet, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of disappointment at that moment.
Jane’s expression momentarily hardened, but the butlers and servants paid it no mind.
“As for the areas you have access to, they include the east annex, including this room. Access to the main building is prohibited without the lady’s permission, so please keep that in mind.”
Upon hearing that her movements were even restricted, Jane’s cheeks flushed momentarily. However, she quickly covered it with her hand and smiled, ensuring no one noticed.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Now, regarding your other requirements…”
“I will explain.”
At the butler’s signal, a servant stepped forward, while the butler himself left the room without seeking Jane’s permission.
“As for your other needs apart from meals…”
While Jane attentively listened to the servant’s words, her face maintained a serene smile, but internally, turmoil churned within her.
If she endured and persevered, she believed she could attain what she desired.
Jane constantly reminded herself of this, taking a deep breath to regain her composure.
“…please pull the call rope if you require anything.”
Once the servants had completed their tasks, they left the room without awaiting Jane’s permission.
Jane maintained her gentle expression until they all disappeared, but as soon as the door closed, her face contorted in a grotesque manner. However, she refrained from screaming or venting her frustration by mistreating objects.
Instead, she straightened her posture, pulled her chin up, and did her best to emulate the bearing of the aristocracy.
Everything would soon be within her grasp.
She had only just begun, and she didn’t want to jeopardize her progress due to fleeting emotions.
But she would not forget.
The humiliation, anger, sorrow, and injustice she currently experienced.
“I must endure until I find my place.”
And she would exact revenge on them all.
Jane savored the first taste of the poison she had long stored deep within her.
No one, not even Jane herself or those who crossed her path, could detect the scent emanating from her.
Except for Lyna, who had been sentenced to death after gradually succumbing to insanity from consuming the poison Jane had concocted before her regression…
In that very moment when Jane encountered the butler and servants, Lyna found herself surrounded by servants busily preparing for a tea party.
“The tea party you will be attending this time has a specific theme…”
“…However, the host doesn’t seem to appreciate this particular theme.”
Lyna raised her hand as she listened to the unsolicited explanations and recommendations from the servants.
Taking a quick glance around the serene room, she frowned at the choices made by the servants and spoke up.
“Please bring something else.”
The dress, adorned with an abundance of blue sapphires, looked unbearably burdensome at first sight.
She wished she could simply attend the tea party with a light and unadorned outfit, fitting the ‘Blue Night’ theme, just briefly showing her face and then swiftly leaving.
However, that would be an incredibly foolish thing to do.
Regardless of Lyna’s own feelings or plans, she was currently bound by her status as a Bolsheik.
Furthermore, her engagement to the second prince had already been publicly announced.
What if she were to show up at the party in an outfit barely acceptable, without engaging in any conversations as expected, and quickly disappear?
Anyone, even a passing duke, could speculate that something was amiss.
“How about this one?”
Since several dresses had been prepared in advance, a servant quickly offered another option.
“No.”
As Lyna rejected both the best and second-best choices, the servants hurriedly prepared the third dress.
Lyna, who was reclining in her chair, suddenly felt tired of it all.
Indeed, attending the gathering was deemed important, but it was not something she truly needed…
The reason for her presence as a successor was essentially to interact with other successors and showcase the family’s prestige.
For a family like the Bolsheiks, shouldn’t things naturally gravitate toward them even if they simply remained stationary?
Yet, she felt compelled to go.
The one reason Lyna decided to endure the annoyance and attend was for her future after leaving the family.
Lyna had resolved not only to step down as the successor but to completely sever ties with the Bolsheik family itself.
Therefore, she couldn’t rely on anything from the family.
In fact, she had no intention of relying on them in the first place.
As a former successor who had already departed from the family, lingering around could disrupt the family’s order.
To those who aimed to dismantle the Bolsheiks, a former successor who continued to hang around even after leaving would be an enticing target.
Even young children starting their education at the age of six could recognize that.
Besides, even after leaving the family, she didn’t wish to live in constant turmoil.
Without much thought, Lyna picked up an item and asked,
“How much does this cost?”
The servants blinked in surprise at her sudden question, but Becky swiftly responded.
“It would probably cost as much as my four months’ salary.”
Upon hearing this, Lyna pondered for a moment, tilting her head.
She had been reviewing documents, including the servants’ salaries.
Soon after, Lyna nodded and set down the item she had picked up.
She realized she would need to earn more money than anticipated.
There was a price to pay for freedom and living independently.
The greatest of these prices was ‘money.’
From the substantial expenses like housing to the cost of basic necessities.
Moreover, Lyna had no intention of relinquishing the luxurious lifestyle she had been enjoying within the Bolsheik residence. Instead of significantly downgrading her standard of living, she aimed to earn enough money to maintain her current lifestyle.
Lyna believed that her shortcomings lay in luck, not ability. Even if she anticipated failure, she understood the importance of taking the first step.
Attending the upcoming tea party became an opportunity for her to directly observe the trends among the other families and further refine the investment opportunities she had already identified.
“Next.”
As Lyna shook her head at the third dress presented, the servants grew increasingly cautious. Becky, who had been alternating her gaze between Lyna, lost in thought, and the increasingly anxious servants, nodded vigorously and gestured busily.
“Miss, how about this one?”
Becky recommended a dress adorned with intricately woven lace instead of heavy decorations. Each delicate lace, meticulously crafted by hand, adorned not only the entire dress but also the sleeve ends. It was a valuable piece appreciated by those who understood its artistry.
However, since it required an appreciation only possessed by a select few, it had a relatively low priority. The servants glanced at Becky simultaneously, concern evident in their eyes, but Lyna chuckled. Observing her reaction, Becky laughed and carefully laid out the flowing dress.
“It has minimal jewel embellishments, and the lace is lightweight.”
“Okay. I’ll go with this one.”
“Yes!”
Becky replied energetically and proceeded to give instructions to the servants in a natural manner. The servants, in turn, followed her lead, moving with precision.
To an outsider, it might have been a bewildering scene. Becky hadn’t been serving Lyna for an extended period of time. Although during their time together, she had spent more one-on-one time with Lyna than anyone else and had even accompanied her to significant events like hunting competitions.
Nevertheless, it was clear that she was not in a position to oversee all matters related to Lyna’s official outings. However, no one attempted to impede Becky’s actions. No one exhibited reluctance or spoke ill of her behind her back in Lyna’s absence.
Perhaps it was a testament to her honed sociability, enabling her to navigate social dynamics and thrive. At some point, she had transitioned from Emma to Becky, and yet there was no backlash.
‘…For these reasons, I’ve been living as Emma until now. I’m sorry.’
The servants didn’t point fingers at Becky, who sincerely bowed before them.
‘Yes, Becky suits you better than Emma.’
‘Indeed. I always thought Emma was a bit too subdued of a name.’
‘What about changing it? Emma, or rather, Becky now, right? Becky is simply Becky.’
They simply smiled, gently caressed Becky’s flushed cheek, or patted her back.
The servants took turns comforting Becky, who silently shed tears, holding back her emotions.
Perhaps the reason she was accepted without resistance was because she had given her best each day since entering the Bolsheik household.
Her day started by opening her eyes and diving into her work, sharing laughter and engaging in lighthearted conversations, and generously helping those in need.
The accumulated time gradually revealed the essence of the person named ‘Becky,’ a character that could not be replaced by mere words.
Soon, Becky, having efficiently completed the remaining preparations, handed a delicately crafted fan adorned with sapphires to Lyna.
“It’s better to have one, don’t you think?”