CH 6

I was led to one of the guest rooms in the castle and instructed to wait there until the envoy from the Styx Kingdom came to pick me up.

I didn’t ask when they would come to get me. I hoped it would be as soon as possible, but who knows. I waited anxiously, and suddenly the door to the room opened, catching me off guard.

“Ara, you must be Eleni. Hmph, nice to meet you. I’m Paulina. I’m your half-sister.”

A woman with the appearance of a noblewoman, accompanied by several maids, appeared. She wore a long lavender dress adorned with glamorous lace, and her golden hair was neatly tied up with gold and silver hairpins, earrings, and a necklace that shone brightly. I had never touched precious metals before, so I didn’t know their value, but they looked expensive. Unfortunately, despite her good looks, her skin was so rough and damaged that it couldn’t be hidden by makeup.

Paulina, my half-sister, stood confidently with her chest puffed out. She probably never had anything in her life that didn’t go her way. She was loved by the Duke, and that allowed her to indulge in luxury.

To be honest, I don’t feel envy or jealousy. I even thought that being confined to the monastery was the right choice rather than becoming someone who embodies such arrogance.

I put my hand on the medal on my chest and bowed. It wasn’t a noblewoman’s bow, but rather a bow of a nun.

“It’s nice to meet you for the first time, Paulina-sama.”

“Not calling me ‘sister’ shows your sarcasm.”

“I apologize, that was not my intention.”

“It’s fine. I don’t intend to think of you as my sister either.”

Paulina was quite confrontational. There was no point in arguing with her, so I didn’t resist.

Paulina looked me up and down, frowning.

“Anyway…you look so poor. A nun? Do something about that mourning-like outfit.”

“I would love to, but I don’t have any other clothes.”

“Well, that’s a pitiful story for a lady who is supposed to get married. Are you trying to disgrace Otoo-sama?”

Despite knowing this, Paulina chuckled.

She must know about my situation. At the very least, she shouldn’t think I’m living a more luxurious life than she is. So saying something like that can only be interpreted as a sarcastic jab.

I try to hold back. If I stay quiet, she’ll eventually leave. If I make a fuss, it’ll only make things worse if the Duke finds out.

However, Paulina shows no signs of stopping.

“Or perhaps, in the Styx Kingdom, that outfit would be more appreciated. It would be better to say that you serve the gods. Oh, how clever of you. I’m impressed.”

Paulina smirks and smiles with satisfaction. She knows I won’t say anything back. It must be quite satisfying to say whatever comes to mind. The maids behind her are also enjoying themselves, basking in their mistress’s good mood and looking down on me. I’m just a toy to them. To them, I’m a toy given to them to play with. How vulgar. The secular world is truly ridiculous. Humans are truly ugly.

Paulina’s joy reaches its climax.

“Anyway, you have no home to return to. As a noble, if you cannot fulfill your duties, then you should spend your life in a land that is not worthy of your status, without any enjoyment. After all, as a prince of the Styx Kingdom, he can surround himself with as many women as he wants, other than his wife… Oh dear, how pitiful. You will not even be called to the bedroom, yet he is forced to call someone his wife.”

Paulina’s laughter echoes loudly.

I snap.