"Mina.. I appreciate your concern and kind gesture, but I won't be needing a new outfit for tonight's dinner. The one I'm wearing is good enough, thank you."
I carefully spoke in a softer tone as I gave Mina the friendliest smile I could display and took notice of Cherry's absence.
In the novel, Raphael describes Roselyn to Leonardo as an evil woman. A woman with a particular sense of needing to flaunt and explicate her dominance to people inferior to herself. Dressing up extravagant and humiliating them in any way she could.
Mina's words simply confirmed Roselyn was truly a glamorous and presentable person even as a child. A tiny factor unbothered to be mentioned in the story.
Meaning, that it may be a bit of an adverse start for me to redeem Roselyn's image, yet I still hoped otherwise.
'As much as I want to spoil myself in these lavishes, I can't. I must refrain from doing so. Even if it's tempting. I need to prove to them that the wicked and greedy Roselyn in the novel is non-existent.'
( >~<)
"O-Of course, Young Miss."
Mina bowed and quickly grabbed the blue and tailored dress as she hurried to put it away. When she approached the closet and opened it, my eyes expanded from the layout.
The closet was huge and marvelous.
The walking closet was the size of a master bedroom. Every corner is occupied with clothes and shoes. Any girl's dream or fantasy wardrobe that the wealthy owned.
In my past life, I worked as a model but made little money to make a living off of it. I wasn't the highest-paid model nor a celebrity to brand with. I had to work multiple jobs to get to where I was before gaining subtle exposure and being taken seriously in the industry.
It was hard, but I somehow provided for both my mother and me in desperate times. So, seeing such luxury and wealth I currently reside in stunned me.
This time, I was living the rich girl fantasy, but sadly, it was a lifestyle I had to face away for the sake of my bloody survival.
While Mina was putting the fancy dress back in its original place, I was lost in the materials I witnessed nicely hanging and organized in the walking closet as I curiously walked inside it.
There were a lot of tiny doll-like dresses and cute shoes.
A perspective I never gave attention to and regarded in the past when shopping at stores or malls for clothes.
Never focusing on the necessities of the miniature human beings that surrounded the world because I was too busy with work and the troubles of life.
Now, it was too adorable realizing how small children's clothing was and everything that came along with them.
I could see why, as a kid, the female adults would circle around the children and squish their cheeks from the cuteness overload. An occasion I didn't understand or ever cared to experience at the time.
'Kyahh! How adorable! Look at all the cute little dresses and shoes! What an endearing sight!'
I squealed inwardly as I roamed around the huge closet and observed the wardrobe.
Majority of the clothes were dresses and hardly any pants or shirts. The pajamas were only princess nightgowns.
The clothing reminded me of the attire royals always seem to wear. It was interesting to think about.
"Young Miss?"
Mina queried as I turned toward her direction and looked at her.
"Yes, Mina?"
I asked in return.
"S-Should I get the tailor to design you more dresses and shoes?"
At her question, I raised an eyebrow not comprehending what she meant by that.
'A tailor? Why would I want a tailor?'
Then, an imaginary floating light-bulb automatically turned on when I realized the reason behind her sudden question.
She most likely thought I was judging the wardrobe and wanted more. The original Roselyn was just that kind of woman.
"Umm.. it's fine. There's no need for such a thing. I appreciate it, Mina."
I voiced awkwardly with a closed-eyed smile and walked out of the huge closet, along with Mina, who followed behind and closed the closet's door.
Out of nowhere, I paused my movements with the squeak of the shiny black ankle-strapped flats I wore emitting against the marble flooring as I thought of a 'brilliant' idea.
It was simply an approach to engage Mina on my side. Perhaps mend the bad reputation the owner of this body ruined for herself by bonding with the startled maid standing behind me.
"Actually, there is something I would like for you to do, Mina."
I briefly smirked before turning around to make eye-contact with the confused woman.
"I would like for you to help me braid my hair. Of course, that's if you have the time and wouldn't mind doing so?"
I softly spoke while I inspected her expression. Her brown-eyes widened and her jaw dropped slightly in pure disbelief.
'Please, let this be an actual good start. Even if it's barely. At least, up till I figure out how to escape smoothly out of here.'
After a few seconds of patiently waiting for Mina's response, she eventually reacted and revealed an excitement I didn't expect.
"W-Why, of course, Young Miss!"
She yelped before she abruptly hurried to a white vanity desk located a few yards away from us. Quickly, she pulled out a fancy velvet chair for me to sit on.
Her brown-eyes were overflowing with so much intensity and willpower. I could picture the fire burning inside them.
I giggled at the image.
Shortly, I made my way to the velvet chair and sat on it after Mina adjusted the height. Of course, I expressed my gratitude for it.
After a few minutes, a cheerful Mina began braiding what was now my long night-sky hair. Not the past medium-brown hair I once had.
Eventually, I zoned out into my head with various thoughts as I stared at the stranger before me—reflecting on the vanity mirror.
If I wasn't inside the body, I would've assumed the girl I stared at in the mirror was a beautiful tiny human-sized doll.
Her face enhanced elegant and soft features. Her blue eyes reminded me of the nighttime filled with stars. The blue orbs seemed like they contained a hint of glitter in them complimented by the beauty mark on her left under-eye. They looked magical.
Her plum heart-shaped lips and button nose were cute. In particular, the rosy chubby cheeks on her tiny face. Her pretty blue laced dress and black strapped shoes added the finishing touch to the whole perfect doll's appearance.
A miniature creature that should designate the youthful innocence of a child. The utter opposite of what the Roselyn in the novel represented both inward and outward.
A waste of good looks on a fiendish person.
Roselyn's evil characteristics and cause of malicious behavior weren't mentioned in the story. A question readers often wondered about, but were unanswered or unexplained by the author.
The only answer readers assumed was that she was always a terrible human being growing up. Her malicious actions and various attempts to eliminate her brother as a child were enough of an explanation for us readers.
Yet something didn't add up.
As minutes passed, Mina eventually finished braiding the shiny night-sky hair into a long single braid. Roselyn's hair was so thick you'd assume the luscious hair had extensions.
It was enthralling how gorgeous and healthy she maintained her hair. It wouldn't be a surprise if she used some sort of secret home remedies or exclusive products for it.
'She must've put A LOT of dedication and time into it. That's interesting and kind of admirable, yet she presumably made someone else do it for her.'
Shortly, Mina opened a jewelry box and took out a pair of cute blue jeweled hair clips to go with the outfit. Carefully, she pinned the cute hair clips on both sides.
While doing so, I observed her through the mirror. I mentally gasped at how priceless and real the tiny jewels looked. Without a doubt, the hair clips were worth more than my existence.
"I-I hope the braid is to your liking, Young Miss."
Mina said in a shaky voice as she held her hands together.
Propitiously, her voice expressed her shyness instead of a tone conveying anxiety or fear. A good sign of her terror against me fading away.
Luckily, the interaction had worked.
"It's lovely, Mina. Thank you!"
I praised with happiness and satisfaction.
Mina's eyes simply twinkled at my positive feedback and seemed to doze off. Her gaze remained on me through the mirror.
'How cute! <3'
Examining the braid, I began thinking about sweet Mariana. I was getting curious about how Mariana, including the rest of the characters, would look like in person.
An image I could only ever envision and picture inside of my delusional head before I transmigrated here.
Nevertheless, I couldn't recall Mariana's character or what role she played in the novel for an odd reason. It sort of bothered me.
'Hmm. Maybe I'll remember once I physically meet her.'
As Mina did a final unneeded touch to my hair, I thought back to the previous events taken place in the bedroom. Moments before Xavier and Sir Edward arrived at the scene.
I wondered what all of the chaos was about. The reason Mariana uttered such bizarre words and sounded creepy as she did. Had someone tried to attack us?
After all, glass had shattered when she tackled me to the floor. She even whipped off a weird and cold substance on my cheek.
Then, it suddenly hit me.
'Oh, my gosh. Someone tried to attack us. Precisely tried to attack Roselyn, who I now possessed.'
My hands trembled as I gripped on the vanity seat for dear life. The realization appalled me immensely.
Luckily, I was sitting down and not standing. If I was, I would've collapsed hysterically.
"Y-Young Miss! Are you okay!? You suddenly turned pale!"
Mina screeched in horror at the loss of color on my skin. My skin looked more pale than it already was. I didn't even know that was possible.
"Y-Yes, Mina. I'm fine, ha..ha.."
I stammered as Mina gently fanned my face. She used a small notepad she took out of her royal-blue maid uniform's side pocket.
'Act natural. Act natural.'
Slowly, I slid off the seat and patted down the ruffles of the dress. I stood up straight and acted like nothing hadn't happened.
"Y-Young Miss! Are you—!"
Fortunately, someone knocked outside the bedroom door, making their presence known. They simply waited for my approval to be granted permission to enter.
Deep inside, I was thankful for the person on the other end of the door. Unknowingly to them, they allowed me a gateway to avoid Mina's worrisome inquiry about my prior feeble state.
"You may come in."
I permitted, ignoring Mina's puzzled eyes and tilted head of befuddlement.
Shortly, Cherry walked in and bowed as she then spoke with a charming smile. The opposite reaction of Mina's previous frightened behavior.
"Young Miss, dinner is ready and the Jefe is awaiting your arrival."
She apprised, but then her expression changed to a confused one as she looked at my fluffy and lace attire.
Obviously, she must've been surprised. Particularly, because I wore the same blue doll-like dress unlike what the original Roselyn would do, which is change into another excessive outfit.
I couldn't blame her.
The sudden change from the Young Miss of the house must be strange and an odd observation to witness. Their lady acting differently compared to prior to the incident.
After all, it was Roselyn Bleubellé Del Lobelia I was talking about. A malevolent character with conniving tendencies.
"Then we shouldn't keep him waiting for much longer. Don't you think so, Cherry?"
I smoothly bantered with a smile as I waited for her to lead the way into the dining room.
"Y-Yes, Young Miss."
She replied, being taken aback by my nonchalant demeanor.
In reality, it was nothing but a facade I showed to hide my true thoughts and emotions. The anxiousness I felt from the intensity of the family dinner. Normally, I was a carefree spirit.
Curtly, Cherry led us out of the huge bedroom to head over to the diner where he was specifically waiting.
The brave face I tried displaying beforehand didn't last long. The nerves once again appeared the moment we began walking toward our destination with each passing second.
Throughout our trip, I solely wished for the best outcome during dinner.
'Please. Please. Please, don't let anything happen or initiate a horrible aftereffect to the story. Please, let there be only peace.'
(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞
* * *
(Moments Before)
"Jefe, we have informed the Young Miss about tonight's dinner as you wished."
A man notified as he bowed out of respect and courtesy to the individual before him.
"You're excused."
A thick and rough voice spoke. Directly, dismissing the male houseworker without a single care or devoid of a long interaction.
Upon the fancy diner, an attractive man sat on a metallic chair placed at the end of the table. He briefly drank out of a glass cup containing the essence of valuable red wine.
The dinner table was filled with the finest diversities of exquisite food and desserts. Each fancy dish prepared for this particular occasion.
With a swift motion, the man pulled back his beautiful silver-blue hair with his sturdy hand. He withdrew the glass of wine from his mouth and licked the remains of the sweet liquid from his now glistening, luscious lips.
He wore an expensive all-white rose printed suit, along with a navy-blue tie that finished the entire appealing look. His piercings and dark-inked tattoos that peaked through his collar attire gave a ferocious and intimidating impression to anyone who saw him.
A true mafioso man respected and feared in the underworld he ruled over, along with a few other terrifying mafioso men.
Mafioso men who didn't appreciate or agree to share their territory and power. Especially, come to terms with one another and never will.
Sensing a gaze of another, the handsome man confronted the individual sitting on the right side of the table with a narrow glance.
"Speak."
"Jefe, are you sure about this?"
The poised figure asked, who arrived a few moments before the minor dishes were served on the table.
"Are you doubting my judgment, Raphael?"
The man questioned his only son and grabbed the glass of wine sitting on the table. In a circular motion, he swayed the red wine.
"No. I doubt her, not you, father."
The young boy asserted in a dead-set manner. His eyes darkening and displaying a clear dislike for the girl.
The handsome man didn't understand why both of his children up to this day refused to get along despite being in the same mafia. In particular, for sharing the same blood.
'Children,' he thought.
"Even then, she's your sister and a loyal member of the organization, Raphael."
The man stated with a stern expression as he steadily settled the glass of wine down on the table.
"I understand, but she doesn't qualify for it, Jefe. She's not even experienced enough for a C-rank mission."
The boy exclaimed with a hint of irritation in his voice. His expression was perplexed by his father's persistence.
"Which is why I'm sending her to that mission."
The boy merely scowled at his father's response and clenched his child-sized fists against his sides.
He didn't want to go against his father's orders. The boss of the Bleu Rosén Mafia House. An influential and powerful organization in Grunge City, but it was Roselyn they were talking about.
He was disturbed by the idea she'd ruin everything they've ever worked for. Their influence and support of partners, who agreed to buy their weapons.
He felt the need to do something about it. Even if, he had to play along with her transparent and obnoxious antics.
"Jefe, she doesn't even remember us nor herself. How could she be useful after knowing that? I bet she doesn't even remember how to use her mana."
The boy sneered, sarcastically.
"I know."
It was the only thing his father causally said without much thought or consideration to the circumstances.
Seeing how his father didn't budge or react negatively to the information, he decided to go for a different approach. One that'd possibly make his father doubt his choice.
"Yes, but it'd be a shame if—"
"Raphael."
The man warned by simply uttering the boy's name. A warning to have him behave by seeing through his son's intended scheme.
Luckily, the boy listened and dropped whatever he planned to articulate.
The kitchen door opened as the two males remained staring at each other. Shortly, a male kitchen attendant spoke.
"Jefe, dinner will be ready to be served in a few minutes."
Breaking their eye contact, the silver-blue-haired man hummed as a response and the male attendant left right after.
During that moment, the boy couldn't help but recall the startled and terrified reaction of the blue-haired girl, his younger sister.
He wondered if she truly meant everything up to her declaration on having amnesia and her bizarre behavior.
She couldn't be faking it, yet she was the type to do outlandish things because of her unreasonable persona. For the sake of her unknown goals.
What could she be up to this time? Was it for attention? Acknowledgement? Or perhaps for him to let his guard down so she could overthrow his position?
However, it didn't make the slightest sense for his sister to go to such lengths for power and recognition.
'Tsk. I'll have to keep a close eye on her.'
That being the case, he wondered what their father, the boss, thought of the situation.
"Jefe.. do you truly believe she's forgotten her memories? That the incident was enough to cause amnesia?"
The boy questioned, examining his father's expression for any indication of uncertainty or suspicion of his.
"We'll find out soon enough, Raphael."
"How?"
The boy reciprocated as the man sighed at his son's quick query.
"That is why that mission is important, Raphael. It will be evidence about whether she indeed is telling the truth."
The man specified as he simply leaned over the edge of the table with his elbows and his hands put together.
"So, you're skeptical of her?"
"Yes, and no. Let's just say this is also a test based on where her capabilities stand as of now. This can implement her use later on."
The man deliberately answered. This time, his son remained silent and didn't ask further questions.
Unlike his son, he didn't have negative thoughts or feelings about his daughter's sudden change of character. He only thought of it as an opportunity.
'Roselyn, do not disappoint me. It'll be your last chance to redeem yourself.'
Thereafter, a maid made herself known as she spoke with a calm and collected voice.
"Jefe, the Young Miss has arrived."
A maid apprised as she bowed briefly.
"Let her in."
The man ordered in a chilling tone of voice. His blue eyes became narrow as they entirely focused on the diner's entrance. He was waiting for a particular figure to become visible.
At last, the family reunion has properly begun.