ISFU 01

Chapter 1

Just a few hours ago.

Mia had been standing in her room, staring into the mirror and smiling.

If this is what possession is like, I’d do it a hundred times!

This was Ha-yoon’s first-day impression after possessing the body of an insignificant noble lady, Mia Lisitsa.

Her sand-colored hair that reached her waist and her lively light green eyes were nice—but what she loved most was her smooth, petal-like cheeks. The scar that had troubled Ha-yoon her entire life was completely gone.

“Miss Mia, it’s time to change your clothes—”

A maid with a tired face entered the room. Mia tossed the rough clothes the maid was holding onto the bed and grabbed both of her hands. As Mia spun around in circles, the wooden floor creaked under the worn carpet. The maid’s skirt swirled along with her.

“Miss, I’m getting dizzy!”

Only after spinning ten times did Mia finally let go of her hands. She couldn’t contain her happiness at all.

The maid, panting with her hands on her knees, scolded her.

“The mansion’s… atmosphere is already… such a mess… haah… If this continues, the master will scold you.”

Mia, who had been excited ever since possessing this body, suddenly froze.

Was I too reckless on the first day…?

Worry spread like a stain. She had been too careless, intoxicated by her beautiful new face.

I absolutely can’t change the original story because of me. I should act like the usual Mia.

In the original novel Ha-yoon loved, Mia Lisitsa was always timid—especially in front of her cold father.

Quickly recalling the necessary information, Mia spoke in a subdued voice.

“Is Father in a bad mood again today?”

The maid glanced around and lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret—even though they were alone.

“You know what today is, Miss. There’s no way the master would be in a good mood.”

What day is it…?

Startled, Mia blinked. She had just possessed this body, so there was no way she could know.

“That day?”

The maid let out a deep sigh.

“It’s the deadline to repay the debt owed to the imperial family. Did you forget? Well… you did go out late last night, after all.”

Ah, so today was that day.

Now she understood everything. Mia calmly asked another question.

“What about Valentina?”

The maid’s face darkened.

“Miss Valentina is crying beside the master right now. If we can’t repay the debt on time, who knows what that cruel Grand Duke might do…”

Before the maid even finished speaking, the sound of a bell echoed from afar.

Mia quickly recalled the original story. If the bell had rung, then he would arrive soon.

Without a word, Mia obediently changed into the plain dress the maid had brought. The worn sleeves bothered her, but she let it go.

After all, Mia wasn’t the protagonist of this novel.

But when she put on the old shoes, she couldn’t help but frown.

“Don’t we have anything else? My feet hurt.”

The maid looked troubled.

Ah, right.

Mia recalled Mia Lisitsa’s situation in the novel and smiled bitterly.

Although the Lisitsa family had two daughters, only the younger one, Valentina, was loved. Clothes, shoes—everything went to the beautiful Valentina first.

With the family unable to even repay its debt, there was no way the neglected eldest daughter would have spare shoes. It was already fortunate that she had a cheap plated locket around her neck—it made her look a little less shabby.

“It’s fine. My feet hurt, so I’ll wear the shoes later. Do my hair first.”

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

The maid seated Mia in front of the mirror and quickly brushed her long hair.

She seemed to pity Mia, who was treated poorly even in a collapsing household.

There was no need for that.

Mia smiled again as she looked at her pretty reflection.

She liked Mia Lisitsa’s life.

No—she wanted to live as Mia Lisitsa.

According to the original novel “The Moon That Reflects Your Face,” Mia’s younger sister, Valentina Lisitsa, would eventually become Empress.

After that, the empire would prosper—and so would the Lisitsa family.

Which meant that Mia, the Empress’s older sister and a mere side character, was destined for a comfortable life!

I love this possession. It’s the best!

To walk a flowery path in this life, there was only one thing Mia had to do today:

Get a job.

Specifically, become the secretary of the novel’s hidden villain, Grand Duke Assad Ulliel.

Only then could she create the opportunity for the heroine, Valentina, and the male lead, the Crown Prince, to meet.

For me, who memorized the beginning of the novel, this is easy.

With anticipation, Mia reviewed what she had to say.

She would ask the Grand Duke to hire her as his secretary in exchange for her family’s debt. He would mock her at first, but after a short conversation, he would change his mind.

In the original story, Mia Lisitsa answered every one of his questions perfectly—even about his personal habits and how he handled social circles.

She was the very definition of a “prepared secretary.”

So I just have to answer exactly as I remember. It’s basically like past exam questions.

A faint smile appeared on Mia’s lips.

Just then, the sound of armored knights entering the mansion echoed from downstairs. The maid turned pale.

“I-It must be the imperial enforcers.”

Mia calmly put on the ill-fitting old shoes and adjusted her clothes. Finally, she picked up the handkerchief resting neatly on the table.

Preparation complete.

Her heart was filled with excitement.

You’re here… my favorite. Grand Duke Assad Ulliel.

He was the hidden villain of the story—and the owner of the beauty that had captivated Ha-yoon at first sight.

According to the novel, his indifferent expression and noble elegance were especially outstanding.

I can’t believe I’ll see him in real life.

Mia steadied her racing heart and opened the door to the hallway.

Knights stood in a circle around the marble staircase connecting the first and second floors.

The first thing she saw was the back of Grand Duke Assad Ulliel.

His broad shoulders and black hair made her heart race wildly.

The middle-aged man kneeling before him must be the head of the Lisitsa family—Mia’s father.

And the radiant beauty dabbing her tears with a handkerchief in the middle of the stairs—

That was Valentina.

She shone as if the sunlight existed only for her.

As expected of the heroine. With that face, I can definitely trust my future to her.

Mia smiled in admiration at her sister and headed downstairs.

The marble steps were slippery, and she wasn’t used to her outfit.

But with each step, she got closer to Assad Ulliel.

His tall figure was right in front of her now. Just like in the novel, his clothes fit him perfectly.

If she was lucky, she might even touch the hem of his clothes.

If I become his secretary, I’ll get to see that face every day.

Mia was so excited she almost snorted like an eager horse.

“Ah!”

At that moment, she stepped on the hem of Valentina’s dress and fell.

She flailed, trying to grab anything—but falling down the stairs was inevitable.

And that’s how things ended up like this.

“Is this woman an idiot?”

Mia covered her burning cheeks.

It had been a long time since she’d been insulted like this—and hearing it from her favorite character hit hard.

If my boss has this kind of personality, being a secretary won’t be easy…

But her goal in this life was a happy ending tied to employment.

No matter what, she had to become his secretary.

Just as she was thinking of how to fix her terrible first impression—

The dark-skinned aide standing behind Assad suddenly stepped forward.

In the next moment, Mia felt a chilling sensation at the back of her neck.

The sharp tip of his sword was just about to cut her skin.

“W-What are you doing?!”

Mia gasped.

“Shall I cut it?”

The aide looked at Assad, as if asking for permission.

Cut what? Don’t tell me—my neck?!

Mia’s eyes widened as far as they could.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She felt like she couldn’t breathe.

I just bumped into him! Or maybe I said something wrong! You’re going to kill someone for that?!

Assad gave a small nod.

As casually as if he were asking someone to pour wine at dinner.

No matter how handsome he was—a villain was still a villain.

At that moment—

Mia lost all her admiration for him.

You… you…

The aide tightened his grip on the sword.

…you crazy psychopaths!!

Her silent scream echoed in her mind.

At the same time—

Crack.

The aide twisted his wrist sharply.

The blade gleamed as it caught the light.