PDTVD 07

Chapter – 07 

 The Forgotten Poisoning Incident

I gazed at the countless cosmetics lined up across the room and let out a dreamy sigh.

It was such a heavenly sight that I felt I could stand here forever.

“That’s quite a lot, isn’t it? With this many, it’d be hard to use them all. Why don’t you sell some?”

I gave Ann an exasperated look as she made a coin shape with her fingers.

Of course she’d think of selling them the moment she received them — that’s so like her.

“What are you saying, Ann? I’ll use all of them. First, I’ll check how they feel on the skin and how they look, then I’ll mix and layer the colors — I want to try everything.”

“Eh… there are too many to even count, though? Wait — are you saying you’re going to do your own makeup, my lady?”

“Of course! Ah, it’s like a dream come true. Look at all these brushes — so many kinds! How wonderful~”

When these arrived this morning, I was truly astonished.

There were rose waters and scented oils for both skin and hair, base products like powders and rouges, and countless brushes and makeup tools. Seeing the maids carry them in one after another was overwhelming.

The head butler had promised yesterday to have everything prepared immediately — and he truly meant it. But this was far beyond what I’d imagined. Not a single set — but a hundred, no, a thousand!

The head butler of House Irvine must be incredibly capable. If possible, I’d like him on my side. From what I saw yesterday, he didn’t seem inclined to treat me poorly — but I’ll have to watch and see.

For now, I needed to take stock of all these cosmetics.

Humming to myself, I tested the softness of a brush when a knock echoed through the room.

I called for the visitor to enter, and in came a calm, intelligent-looking young man — Fred.

He was the butler assigned to manage this detached house starting today, and, apparently, the head butler’s grandson. They did have the same eyes.

“Lady Olivia, it’s nearly time. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Let’s go, Ann.”

With Ann beside me and Fred leading the way, we left the detached residence and headed for the main manor’s dining hall — to dine with the family.

This morning, after greeting me, Fred had said, “His Lordship requests that you attend dinner if you are feeling well enough.”

Fred had been considerate, telling me not to overexert myself — but refusing wasn’t an option. After all, it was a direct order from the head of the house.

Besides, though I’d already met my stepmother in this second life, I hadn’t yet seen my father or stepsister. I wanted to confirm whether they were the same as in my first life.

◆

The quiet dining hall was filled only with the faint sound of silverware.

At the long, lavishly decorated table sat my stepmother, my stepsister, and my father.

The girl with curled hair in a gaudy dress — that was my stepsister, Janette, my stepmother’s daughter from her previous marriage. She had the same disagreeable look in her eyes as always.

Her obvious disdain for me seemed unchanged from my previous life.

Seated near the fireplace was Clive John Irvine, head of the Irvine Marquisate — and my only blood relative present.

The last time I saw him in my previous life was when I was being taken to the tower prison.

He’d looked at me with cold eyes and said only, “How foolish you are.” There had been no trace of affection.

And now, in this life, nothing had changed. When I entered the dining hall, his first words were, “You’ve come, Olivia,” spoken in that same icy tone.

It wasn’t as though it didn’t hurt — but his lack of love wasn’t my main concern right now.

Looking over the table, I nearly put my hand over my mouth in dismay.

(It’s just… meat, meat, and more meat. I feel full just looking at it.)

Chicken, pork, veal, duck, rabbit, lamb, venison — this world’s nobles seemed to eat nothing but meat.

Seafood was rare, as we lived far from the sea, and vegetables, when they appeared at all, were only used to garnish meat dishes. Nobles didn’t favor vegetables, apparently.

There was no sign of poison in any of the dishes, but honestly, I felt like I’d die of fat and oil poisoning before anything else.

For my current body, this was all far too heavy. A detox was desperately needed.

Still, out of propriety, I offered a token prayer to the Creator God before the meal — though I had little appetite.

“Ann, could you serve me some fruit?”

“As you wish.”

As Ann selected grapes and apples for me, I noticed Father watching me closely.

“…Is something the matter, Father?”

“I heard you were unwell. If your appetite hasn’t returned, then that matter might be difficult.”

That matter?

Father paused his meal, then looked at us all before speaking slowly.

“A divine oracle has descended.”

At those words, my stepmother and Janette clattered their silverware in shock.

I stared at Father’s calm expression.

So it was this year. The year the Creator God, Demiur, sent down his divine oracle.

“My dear, what did the oracle say?”

“It spoke of the coming of a Saint.”

“The Saint — the legendary maiden who contracts with the Goddess of Light!”

Janette’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Father nodded.

I knew exactly what he would say next.

“In three years’ time, at the Royal Academy, the Saint will appear. Thus, all noble children of the appropriate age are to appear before His Majesty at the palace.”

“Three years… That means—”

“That means me! I’m eligible! I can go to the palace!”

Janette’s face glowed with joy, as though she were the Saint herself.

Typical — the villain who bullies the villainess acting like the heroine.

“Yes. …Olivia, you as well.”

The room fell silent.

All three of them turned their gazes on me.

“I—”

“My sister can’t possibly go!”

Janette cut me off with a smirk full of malice.

“With how sickly you look, people will say the marquis’s daughter is a frail invalid. It would be an insult to appear before His Majesty in such a state.”

Yes. In my first life, she’d said the exact same thing.

I hadn’t defended myself back then, and Father had agreed with her: “There’s no need to force yourself.”

Of course, I hadn’t been the Saint, so there’d been no reason to go. I hadn’t wanted to meet the King or any royals, either — especially after what happened later…

(Wait. Something happened that day, didn’t it?)

Yes — I hadn’t attended, but there was a major incident at the palace that day.

An incident… that’s right. A member of the royal family died during the audience. A child, the same age as me—

(That’s it! The First Prince was poisoned!)

It all came back to me.

On the day of the royal audience, the First Prince — son of the late Queen — was poisoned in the Crown Prince’s palace.

Afterward, the current Queen’s eldest son became Crown Prince… and later, I became his fiancée.

If the First Prince didn’t die this time, the story — the very game’s scenario — might change. And so might my fate.

“Father!”

I had no hesitation.

Meeting his cold gaze, I spoke firmly.

“I will go to the palace as well.”

“My, what are you saying now?”

“My sister should look in a mirror first! You’re in no condition to appear before—”

“Refusing a royal summons would be treason, wouldn’t it?”

At the word treason, both my stepmother and Janette fell silent, their faces sour.

“If I prepare properly and dress appropriately, will you permit me to attend?”

Father’s icy eyes narrowed slightly. “Very well.”

“Thank you, Father.”

My stepmother and stepsister exchanged mocking smiles, certain I’d fail miserably.

But I was confident.

The part of me that had once been a top-performing beauty consultant — nationally ranked number one and personally praised by the CEO — was roaring to life.

(My hands are itching to work!)

◆

Three days later, the day of the royal audience.

After styling my hair and applying my own makeup, I donned the dress tailored just for the occasion and made my way to the main hall.

As my heels clicked against the marble floor, all eyes turned toward me — my stepmother, stepsister, even Father froze in shock.

“T-that’s impossible…! How can this be?!”

Janette trembled in disbelief.

And I, certain I’d earned my place at the palace, smiled like a true villainess.