Olivia was jolted awake by a woman's voice shattering the morning silence. The woman wore a rough woolen dress in a muddy brown colour, paired with a worn-out white apron.
"OI, GIRL! When are you going to wake up?! Look at you, sleeping like a queen!!"
The old woman shouted while repeatedly smacking Olivia's legs with a broom. Her breathing was harsh and rough. With her large hands, she yanked away the thin blanket covering Olivia's body.
"Aishh, shit... please don't scream while I'm sleeping. So annoying!!" Olivia snapped back, face scrunched up. She groaned, still half-asleep.
Eh? her heart whispered suddenly.
"Ahaaa... haaaa..."
Olivia repeated the sound over and over, covering her ears. Her eyes went wide.
HAH? WHY DOES MY VOICE SOUND LIKE A CHILD'S!! she screamed internally.
She quickly looked down at her hands and feet. Small. Tiny. "What on earth?!"
"Girl!! What is WRONG with you?! Instead of spinning around like that, go wash the dishes in the kitchen!! NOW!!" The old woman barked, pressing her fingers to her temple like she was developing a migraine.
Olivia grabbed her hair. Long black hair that now reached her waist.
"Huh, I remember my hair only reaching my shoulders... why is it so long?" she muttered, running her fingers through it from top to bottom with pure disbelief.
Before she could think any further, the old woman stormed over and grabbed her wrist. Olivia flinched and tried to pull back but her strength was absolutely no match for the powerhouse standing in front of her.
She was dragged out.
In the main hall, a crowd of children were eating and drinking inside a dingy, musty-smelling house. So. This was an orphanage.
The moment they reached the kitchen, Olivia went quiet. Five children aged roughly between 9 and 12 were working themselves to the bone.
"You!! Go wash those dishes RIGHT NOW!! Or you're sleeping outside tonight!!" the woman snapped.
Every child in the room bowed their heads, not daring to make a sound. The old woman then shoved Olivia aside so hard she stumbled and nearly fell.
"GET TO WORK!!" she screamed before marching off.
Olivia, still aching, slowly got back on her feet. She made her way over to a girl who was washing dishes. Still simmering with irritation, she whispered.
"Emm, hello... who was that old woman just now?"
The girl turned with a frightened face, her eyes darting toward the door. "She's the wife of the orphanage owner. Don't make her angry..."
Olivia had no choice but to get to work, her heart heavy with annoyance. But the moment she bent down and caught her reflection in the clear water of the basin she froze.
The rippling water showed the face of a small girl. Cute but gaunt. Round brown eyes, filled with something that looked like fear. That was not the face of the adult woman she had known all her life.
Ehh, this is my body at 11 years old!!
She turned to look at the red-haired girl beside her. "Um, what's your name?"
"Huh, you forgot? My name is Celine," the girl answered quietly.
"You know me?" Olivia asked again, needing to be sure.
Celine looked up. "I do. But you never told me your name. All I know is people call you Vivie."
Olivia nodded in understanding. "Hihi... My real name is Olivia." She grinned so wide her smile nearly reached her ears, making Celine return a small smile of her own.
Not long after, they were summoned by Marline ,the old woman from earlier.
"Girls!! You two, come carry this water!!"
Olivia had no choice but to follow Celine as they grabbed the wooden buckets. "Haish, are we unpaid servants or what?" she grumbled, frowning deeply.
While changing out of their wet clothes, Olivia asked, "Celine, is this seriously the only clothing provided for us?"
"Yes. Every child in this house only gets one straight white dress down to the knee," Celine replied.
The conditions of the house were heartbreaking. Many children were so thin their bones were visible beneath their skin. The musty smell that filled every corner made the air feel thick and suffocating. Olivia could only breathe a long, heavy sigh.
The next day, Olivia witnessed Marline's cruelty up close. The children would be beaten for the smallest mistakes, especially when Marline was drunk. Olivia couldn't take it. She was determined to find a way out.
That afternoon, Olivia was assigned to sweep the entire house because an 'important person' was coming to meet the orphanage owner, a man named Ruth, Marline's husband.
While sweeping, Olivia found herself drifting without realizing it, until she was standing right in front of the door to Ruth's office. She pressed her ear against the locked door.
"His Highness's daughter, Ophlia, needs a companion her age. Any suggestions?"
Olivia went still. She tried to step back, but
CLATTER. The broom slipped from her hands. Olivia panicked and bolted.
Inside the room, Ruth and a mysterious man stepped out to check. "Who's there?" asked Ruth.
"No one. Probably just the wind," the man replied calmly.
As Olivia hurried back to the kitchen, her mind was racing at full speed.
Ophlia? Isn't that the female lead from My Beloved Ophlia? Don't tell me... I've actually entered the novel!!
She slapped her own cheeks and broke into a grin. She immediately turned to Celine — "What century are we in right now? Who's the reigning king? Which territory are we in?"
Celine startled and quickly covered Olivia's mouth. "SHHHH!! Someone's coming!! Ask me later!!"
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Footsteps. Marline appeared, with a suspiciously soft expression on her face.
Olivia gritted her teeth.
"Everyone gather in the dining hall at noon sharp. Not a single person late!!" Marline announced before disappearing.
Then suddenly, a tall man appeared. Expensive black shirt. White hair. Sharp amber eyes. His presence alone made the warm kitchen air drop several degrees.
Every child immediately bowed their heads to the floor. Olivia, thoroughly confused, just scratched her head, until Celine urgently signaled her to bow too.
The man surveyed every corner of the room. Then his finger pointed directly at Olivia.
"You. The black-haired girl. Come with me. Now."
Olivia jolted. "Huh? Me?"
She stepped forward slowly. But chaos broke out when Celine was suddenly struck by Marline for being considered disrespectful.
"How DARE you!!"
PAP!!
A slap landed hard on Celine's hollow cheek.
The amber-eyed man watched without flinching, calmly smoothing the tip of his moustache. His sharp gaze landed on Olivia, who was hugging a crying Celine.
Hmm. I've never seen a black-haired girl before, the man thought privately. "Noisy. Bring both girls with me."
Olivia and Celine were pulled along until they stood before a magnificent horse-drawn carriage. Glossy black paint. An imposing noble family crest.
Wait, isn't that the Aethelgard family crest? Olivia thought. Based on the novels she had devoured, the Aethelgards were a noble family known as The Most Noble House of Aethelgard. They sat at the very top of the social ladder, their political influence unmatched. Even the king had deep ties to this family, owing to their invaluable contributions across generations of rule.
"This family name sounds familiar... but where have I heard it?" Olivia murmured to herself, digging through her memories.
Because she had been so obsessed with reading fantasy novels back in her original world, she was getting a little mixed up on which novel she had actually landed in. Her daydream was cut short when her small body was suddenly hoisted up by the carriage driver.
"Load the children!!" ordered the mysterious man.
He was already seated at the far end of the plush seat. And across from him sat a little girl in a pale blue ruffled gown.
The taffeta fabric shimmered beautifully in the light streaming through the window. Despite being only ten years old, the girl sat with perfect posture, a testament to the corset cinching her small waist. Her tiny silk-gloved hands held a delicate ivory fan. The lace trim of her pantalettes peeked out below the hem of her layered skirt, crisp white and perfectly pressed. She gazed quietly out the window as if the world outside was the only thing worth seeing.
Olivia was mesmerized. That level of elegance was truly something else.
Olivia and Celine settled side by side on the wool-padded seats. To them, it felt like sitting on clouds, worlds away from the hard wooden chairs at the orphanage that had been slowly destroying their backs.
Light slipping through the curtains caught the eyes of the girl sitting across from them.
Crystal blue.
Her hair, warm brown with gentle waves, framing a smooth, fair face.
Then Olivia's gaze snagged on something. A small dot. A beauty mark at the corner of her lips.
Olivia's eyes blew wide. She started muttering frantically inside her head while immediately dropping her gaze.
Warm brown hair... round crystal blue eyes... beauty mark at the corner of her mouth... OH MAN. That's the description of the Female Lead in My Beloved Ophlia!!
"So the girl sitting in front of me right now is... PRINCESS OPHLIAAAAAAAAAA!!" Olivia screamed inside her soul.
"So I'm going to become a servant to the character who's responsible for killing my favourite character?? NOOOOOOOO!!"
Olivia internally seethed.
Normally when someone gets transported into a novel they become the FL or the villainess. Why did I get stuck as a tiny child with my original face, just a playmate and nothing more... LAHHHHH!!!!! Hashhhshhshhssh!!!!!
Though her expression on the outside remained perfectly blank and calm, inside Olivia was already sketching out her evil schemes. She imagined slipping poison into Ophlia's teacup, plotting to eliminate the Male Lead, building a shrine full of Javien figurines and becoming his number one supporter.
Muehhehehehehh... she cackled internally.
Which one first, Ophlia or the Male Lead ... kitchen knife or sword ... which leg which arm .. oh!! The FACE the FACEEE!! YEAAAAA MUEHHEHHHEHEHEHEHEH
Ophlia, who had been sitting quietly all this while, suddenly turned.
Those round crystal blue eyes looked directly at Olivia, bright and cheerful on the surface, but carrying something deep and unspoken underneath.
"What is your name?" Ophlia asked simply.
"Umm, I'm Olivia. She's Celine," we both answered.
She nodded, smiled softly, and turned back to the window.
Not long after, the sounds of a bustling crowd began filtering in, signaling that they had arrived at the royal capital, a city called Certial.
Olivia, who had seen nothing beyond the walls of the orphanage for as long as she could remember, was completely awestruck.
Children laughing. The smell of food drifting from market stalls spreading through the whole city. Residents chatting and calling out to one another, filling the streets with warm, lively noise.
Olivia's eyes glistened.
The sight was unfamiliar to her and yet it settled something quietly in her chest.
Before she knew it, they were stopped before a massive iron gate. The same crest as the one carved on the carriage gleamed above them.
"PLAK PLAK PLAK EEII"
The horses came to a halt. Olivia and Celine exchanged a glance. Both their hearts were hammering in perfect unison.
"Eeh, what do we do now Celine," Olivia whispered, gripping Celine's hand which was also trembling. Celine just shook her head. No idea.
Olivia and Celine were directed to step down, followed by Ophlia who was assisted out of the carriage by the Butler, the mysterious man from before who guided her carefully by the hand.
The Butler then gestured for the two of them to follow. The entire walk through the estate, Olivia could feel the sharp, piercing stares of every servant and resident they passed.
"Haaihhh," Celine sighed.
Olivia startled. In all the time she had known Celine, she had never once heard her complain.
"Eh, what's wrong Celine?"
Celine just smiled faintly and shook her head.
"I'll poke your eyes out,"
Olivia muttered under her breath at the onlooking servants.
Celine stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her left hand so no one around them would notice.
Along the way they were separated from Ophlia. The Butler led both of them to the Duke's office. The moment they stepped inside, they were told to stand and wait.
Ehh so THAT'S brown hair's father blehhhhh, Olivia thought, eyes going wide.
"If I remember correctly, his full name is Duke Herold Frederick von Aethelgard. Age 38. The king's right-hand man for resolving political conflicts and national affairs. He single-handedly built this family into one of the most influential houses of the era... hmm not bad looking actually hihi"
...she thought, eyeing Duke Herold live and in person.
Duke Herold studied the two of them in the heavy silence of the room. The Butler, seeming to sense what his master wanted, spoke first.
"Your Grace, I have selected both of them as requested by the Young Princess," he said, producing a folder containing documents on both girls.
"They appeared to be the most suitable in terms of age, Your Grace."
Duke Herold, who had been watching them, shifted his gaze to the Butler.
"Why are there TWO? Did I not say I only wanted ONE? Do you think everything I say is a JOKE?! HUH?! ANSWER ME!!"
Duke Herold's voice cracked through the room like a whip. The Butler sank low, head bowed to the floor.
"I humbly apologize, Your Grace. I will return one of them immediately," the Butler replied, composed.
Duke Herold pressed both hands over his face, fingers digging into his furrowed brow. He was quiet for a long moment.
"...Fine. So one of the two becomes my daughter's companion. Thoughts?" Duke Herold asked, face taut, arms folded.
"Perhaps the black-haired girl, Your Grace," the Butler said thoughtfully.
"Her hair is quite unique , it is rare to see a girl with hair as dark as hers. I believe she must have something special about her."
Olivia blinked rapidly and dropped her gaze, glancing sideways at Celine who was visibly trembling beside her.
"Tch!! Special?? I'm just a regular human being HUAAAAA" Olivia wailed internally, tears streaming freely in her heart.
"Hmm. Interesting," said Duke Herold.
"And what about the other one?" He turned, pointing his ring finger toward Celine, left eyebrow raised.
"She carries herself with an elegance befitting a lady-in-waiting to the Young Princess. Upon investigation, she is the daughter of the Marquis Lysander family, which collapsed three years ago. She has four siblings. After her parents passed, the family had no male heir. There are rumors she was cast out by her relatives when she was two years old," the Butler continued.
Duke Herold nodded and fell deep into thought. The silence pressed heavily against the walls of the office.
"Haishh when is this going to end," Olivia sighed internally.
"What if one of them becomes a companion, and the other becomes a servant here at the Aethelgard estate?" Duke Herold proposed.
The Butler considered it. "There is merit to that, Your Grace."
Olivia and Celine exchanged a glance. Without overthinking it, Olivia spoke up clearly
"Forgive me, Your Grace. If permitted, I would humbly like to be"
Before she could finish ...
Celine suddenly gripped the hem of Olivia's dress. Her whole body was shaking.
"I... I'll be the servant!!" Celine cut in, her voice breaking. Her eyes were glassy, fixed on the floor. "Please don't separate me from Olivia. I'll do any kind of hard work. I just... I want to stay with her."
Olivia was stunned.
Celine... you'd lower yourself from your status as a Marquis's daughter just because you're scared of being separated from me?
Duke Herold watched the scene unfold with a cold, calculating gaze. The air in the office grew heavier.
Wait, Olivia began doing mental calculations. If I become Ophlia's companion, I'll always be by the Female Lead's side. I can monitor her every move. I can stop her from getting close to Javien!! But if I end up as a kitchen servant... how am I supposed to save Javien when he's a nobleman?
Olivia drew a slow, deep breath. She had to decide right now.
Her round eyes lifted and met Duke Herold's emerald green ones directly. The fear was gone. What remained was nothing but the pure, unshakeable resolve of a 24-year-old woman determined to survive and to save the man she had crossed worlds for.
"Your Grace," Olivia's voice came out clear and steady, calm enough that even the Butler was slightly taken aback by the sheer boldness of a child so small.
"Please allow Celine to be Princess Ophlia's companion. She has noble blood and manners far superior to mine," Olivia said, bowing with perfect, practiced grace.
Duke Herold raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
Olivia smiled. Small. Quiet. Full of secrets.
"I will be the Princess's personal attendant. I will handle all of her daily needs, while Celine serves as her companion and confidante. That way, Your Grace will not need to turn anyone away and the Princess will have the best of both worlds. Is that not so?"
And with the position of personal attendant, I can move in and out of the palace freely to find Javien!!
Olivia cheered inside.
Duke Herold studied her in silence , the gaze of a predator sizing up its prey.
"Interesting. A girl from an orphanage... negotiating terms with me."
He leaned back into his chair.
"Very well. I accept your offer. But understand this clearly..."
Duke Herold lowered his voice. Every word measured. Every word a threat.
"If the Princess is so much as scratched due to any negligence on either of your parts..."
"Your lives will be the payment."
Olivia swallowed hard. But she nodded. Firm. Unwavering.
Alright. Phase one complete.
Just you wait, Javien Alistair de Valois.
Your weird little heroine is coming to save you.
TO BE CONTINUE...