Chapter 2
It had been a long time since I last walked down this hallway to the dining room. I never imagined I’d walk this path again.
When I stopped in front of the door, the servants bowed politely. After announcing my arrival, they opened the door.
The scene inside was familiar. At the far end of the long dining table, two people were already seated. The first person I looked at was the one sitting at the head of the table—my father, the Marquess of Bartoli.
To see him looking so young and healthy… It took my breath away.
Why hadn’t I thought of this before? If I had returned to the past, of course that meant he had too.
My mind spun in confusion. But thanks to years of training in etiquette, I still managed to greet him properly.
“You’re late,” Father said, frowning, as if even scolding me was too much of a bother.
“Yes, I apologize,” I answered politely and took my seat. I tried to act calm, but my hands trembled slightly.
When I looked up, I saw Leonie sitting across from me.
Leonie ta Bartoli.
She had ash-blonde hair and light green eyes—just like Father. My little sister smiled brightly and spoke cheerfully.
“Hi, Sister.”
“…Hi.”
Leonie widened her eyes in surprise. She didn’t expect me to reply.
Those emerald-green eyes…
They were the last thing I saw before dying—when Leonie stabbed me in the heart. Even through my blurry, weakened vision, her eyes had glowed brightly.
My chest ached at the memory. I resisted the urge to clutch it.
But the Leonie sitting in front of me now wasn’t the one who killed me. She was still only nineteen.
Young, full of life, and confident—like the world was hers.
Coming back in time gave me a chance to reflect on my past from an objective view.
“Pathetic thing.”
“You’re not even a little better than your sister.”
“You’re a disgrace to the Bartoli family.”
All my life, I feared my father, yet longed for his love. But he never loved me. Not even once—not until his dying breath.
“Live as if you’re already dead. Don’t bring shame to our family.”
That was the final message he left me with.
Unlike my sisters, I was neither a genius nor a future Empress. I was just a useless eldest daughter, someone not even worth loving.
The more Father compared me to Leonie, the more he hated me—and the more I hated her. And Leonie, in turn, hated me back. In the end, my entire life had been ruled by Father.
I only realized it after his death. But by then, I was already running toward a doomed future like a runaway train. And that future ended with my death.
The root of all this pain… was him.
I don’t even want to call him Father anymore. “That man” is enough.
“By the way, Leonie, what brings you home this time?” he asked with an unusually kind voice.
Leonie giggled and acted cute in response.
“Are you upset I showed up so suddenly? Am I bothering you?”
“No, no, of course not. I was just wondering, since you must be so busy.”
Ugh. He’s obviously nervous, thinking something might have gone wrong between her and the Crown Prince.
It was unfortunate for the me of this timeline, but I knew there was no need to worry—after all, the Crown Prince fell in love with Leonie at first sight and passionately courted her until they got married.
Leonie answered sweetly.
“Well, the imperial palace is hosting a ball soon. For Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday.”
The man nodded.
“That’s right. Why? Are you short on dresses or jewelry?”
“Well… not exactly…”
Leonie lowered her gaze and tucked her hair behind her ear like she was embarrassed. My nostalgic emotions shattered in an instant. Even now, I couldn’t help but find her annoying!
As if she could possibly lack anything! The Crown Prince probably delivers gifts to her every day! Not to mention, our family is one of the most prestigious marquis houses in the Empire!
“Your great-grandmother and grandmother both made sure to dress their best when attending the Empress’s birthday ball, even before they became Empresses themselves,” the man said. “It’s a great chance to impress the imperial elders. Tell the butler to prepare whatever else you need.”
“Actually, Father…” Leonie looked my way briefly as she continued.
A bad feeling crept up my spine.
I remembered something—an old memory from before my regression.
Back then, Leonie said—
“Remember the dress you once gave my sister? The one you gave her as an engagement gift?”
“Oh, that,” the man replied casually.
My heart dropped.
Three years ago, during my engagement, he gave me a dress. It was the first—and last—gift he ever gave me.
Of course, it wasn’t out of love. It was due to pressure from Grandmother and the need to keep appearances in front of the Duke’s family. But maybe that’s why it was such a grand and beautiful gift.
A deep emerald-green gown layered with rich fabric, decorated with gold embroidery and hundreds of glittering yellow topazes that sparkled like butterflies.
It was the only luxury item I ever owned. I had lived a frugal life to prove I could be a worthy Empress.
“It’s too much for someone like you. Keep that in mind and act accordingly.”
“Yes, Father. Thank you.”
That dress… was the only sign I ever had that the cold man might love me, even a little.
And now Leonie casually brought it up.
“I just thought, why buy a new dress when there’s already a nice one at home? Her Majesty values frugality, after all. If I just say I altered an old dress, it’ll make a good impression. Besides, my sister never wore it.”
No—I didn’t wear it because I couldn’t. I loved it too much. It was too precious.
You know that, don’t you, Leonie ta Bartoli?
And she’s shorter than me. If the dress is altered to fit her, I’ll never be able to wear it again. You can’t just extend a shortened dress without ruining the look.
A younger sister stealing her older sister’s engagement gift—it’s outrageous. Normally, Father should have scolded her.
But I knew he wouldn’t.
Just as I remembered, he nodded gently.
“You’re right, Leonie. How shall we alter it? Should I call someone now?”
“Oh, Father, that’s too much. Wouldn’t it be better to have it tailored by the palace maids? Then people will praise how thrifty the future Crown Princess is. Please send it directly to the palace.”
“Good thinking. Let’s do that.”
Then the man called the butler, who had been waiting nearby.
“Have a maid fetch the dress. Send it to the palace immediately so Leonie receives it when she arrives.”
“Yes, my lord.”
It all happened before I could even open my mouth.
The butler glanced at me with a hint of guilt, but that was all. He simply followed orders.
Leonie smiled sweetly at the man.
“Thank you, Father. I’m really happy.”
Then she looked at me with a cheerful smile and said,
“Thanks for giving up the dress, Sister. I’ll wear it well.”
I was so stunned I couldn’t speak. The man chuckled like he was proud.
“How thoughtful she is.”
Of course, he wasn’t talking about me—the sister who lost her dress—but about Leonie, the one who took it.
I slowly inhaled and exhaled.
It’s okay, Sophia. You can endure this.
In my previous life, I couldn’t.
I was so upset, I started crying at the table. I didn’t even get angry—I was just overwhelmed and said nothing.
The man clicked his tongue and mocked me, saying I wasn’t fit to be the eldest daughter. Leonie acted overly apologetic, saying, “I’m really sorry, Sister. I thought you wouldn’t mind. Besides, the dress suits me better…”
Then I was told to leave the dinner table.
Just remembering it made my blood boil.
But the truth was, I never had the right to refuse.
So instead of crying this time, I smiled warmly at my sister.
“There’s nothing to thank me for, Leonie. That’s what sisters are for. If you liked it, you could’ve just told me sooner. I’m sure it’ll suit you better than me.”
Leonie’s eyes widened. Even the maids watching from the corner looked shocked. They must’ve thought I’d throw a tantrum or at least cry.
But compared to everything I’d gone through before, this was nothing. I would do far more than this to change my fate.
Thankfully, that man didn’t stay for dessert.
That meant I’d be alone with Leonie—and I could finally say what I wanted to.
The dessert—rich chocolate brownies topped with ice cream—was clearly Leonie’s favorite. But I had no complaints. I sat quietly, organizing my thoughts.
Just as I picked up my fork, I locked eyes with Leonie. She hadn’t taken a single bite yet.
That was strange. Normally, she would’ve dug in the second the tea was served.
Was she… waiting for me?
I felt a flicker of hope—until she asked, with an annoyed look:
“Did you poison this?”
“What?!”
“I don’t think you’re that careless, but still…”
She pulled something from her pocket—an antique silver spoon.
Unbelievable.
Ignoring my shocked face, that annoying little sister dipped the spoon in the tea, rubbed it on the rim of the cup, then poked the ice cream and brownie with it. Only when she confirmed the color hadn’t changed did she take a bite.
How thorough. It made me mad!
But I calmed myself. I had returned to the past today—and I had a plan.
Taking a deep breath, I said calmly,
“I’ve decided to give up on becoming Empress.”
