After finishing the book, the girl had only one thing to say:

“She missed out on a good thing.”

The protagonist of the novel she’d just devoured happened to be the illegitimate daughter of a marquis who toiled as a maid.

One fateful day, a royal decree arrived at the marquis’s doorstep, commanding him to wed his daughter off to a soldier. Although of humble birth, this soldier had achieved remarkable feats on the battlefield, awaiting the honor of a formal title.

The emperor aimed to bring this talented and renowned soldier into his political fold, and he scoured the realm for a suitable noble household for this purpose. Before long, his choice fell upon the marquis’s family, longtime loyal supporters.

Yet, the marquis’s daughter vehemently rejected the idea of marrying a commoner and fled her home. With no alternative, and the weight of the royal decree bearing down on him, the marquis recognized his illegitimate daughter—the former maid—as his own and arranged her marriage to the soldier.

This soldier possessed a silo brimming with grain, ensuring a lifetime free from financial worries. He was not only rumored to be extraordinarily handsome but also held a distinguished reputation across the nation for his wartime exploits. With a kind-hearted disposition and robust health, he was the complete package.

Of course, the soldier eventually learned the truth about his bride’s origins, but he cared little for her past. He treated her with such love and devotion that no one could ever guess she’d once been a humble servant. Together, they forged a bond, and their love story became one of pure bliss.

On the flip side, the runaway daughter’s life took a dark turn as she encountered a sinister man in the streets, suffering both physically and emotionally. Fate reunited her with the soldier she’d once spurned, but her attempt to win him back by claiming her rightful place failed miserably. He saw through her ruse and banished her from his estate.

While most readers would sympathize with the main character, the girl found herself empathizing with the runaway daughter instead, feeling a profound sense of sorrow for her.

See, you shouldn’t have rejected him.

With that final thought, the girl gently closed the book and drifted off to sleep.

***

Upon awakening, the girl found herself in an entirely unfamiliar setting. Enveloped in a soft, plush blanket, she gazed upon an ornate coat of arms from her bed, utterly bewildered.

What on earth…?

It was undeniably surreal. Suddenly, memories and thoughts not her own began flooding her mind—she was merging with someone else.

“Aaaah!!” she let out a blood-curdling scream.

Agitated by her screams, maids hurried into the room from the corridor.

“My lady!”

“Are you alright?”

Clutching her head, she looked at the maids in their black Western-style dresses with white frills. As she recognized these dresses as maid uniforms, she couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes, my lady?”

“I am Marquis Ian Horissen’s only daughter, correct?”

The maids exchanged puzzled glances before nodding. “Indeed, that is correct.”

“My God!” she exclaimed. She had transformed into the hapless Lady Aris Horissen, the character she had pitied the most.

She jumped out of bed and scrutinized her dainty, youthful hands, then dashed toward the nearest mirror. There, in her reflection, stood a girl who couldn’t have been more than ten.

“I’m younger now,” she muttered.

Not only had she regressed in age, but her appearance had also blossomed, as Aris Horissen had planned to win the male lead’s heart with her beauty.

She clenched her fists determinedly.

She wouldn’t let her destiny be dictated by the plot of a novel.

She was determined to live a new life.

***

Chapter 1 – And So It Begins

Act 1 – I Refuse the Position of Crown Princess!

“What are the accomplishments of Emperor Goji?”

“To ensure the people’s well-being, he issued a decree requiring the nobility to procure ample quantities of manure fertilizer. This made it possible for the common citizens to access fertilizer at a more affordable price, thereby extending the harvest season.”

“That’s absolutely correct.”

The professor gazed at his student with satisfaction. He felt a swell of pride for her ability to recall yesterday’s lesson and recognized her as an exceptional student. Despite being just sixteen years old, she displayed a remarkable level of maturity and conducted herself admirably in class.

She diligently absorbed knowledge and studied to retain everything she had learned throughout the day. While she may not have been a genius or a prodigy, her hard work compensated for any deficiencies. The professor preferred this type of quiet, hardworking student over those who possessed brilliance but carried an air of arrogance.

“Today, we shall delve into Emperor Goji’s other notable achievements,” he began.

“Yes, Professor.”

There was still much to learn about Emperor Goji, and the girl prepared to take detailed notes as the professor lectured, the neat ponytail in her brown hair bobbing as her chocolate eyes remained focused on the professor’s every word. She was completely engrossed in the subject at hand.

“Class concludes for today. Your assignment is simply to transcribe your notes from today’s lecture.”

Whether the professor had assigned it or not, the girl had already planned to do so. She knew that without revisiting past lessons, it would be challenging to grasp new historical concepts.

“Thank you, Professor.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

As the professor exited with a small bow, the girl let out a sigh and dropped the gracious facade from her face.

“How dreadfully dull,” she sighed.

The professor might have been wise, but he lacked in excitement. Staying awake during his lectures was a challenge.

“When will I ever get through all of this?” she grumbled.

The amount of work demanded by the professor’s lessons was staggering, and it required an even greater effort on her part to keep up with it all. She had no particular fondness for history, but it was an obligation as a member of the aristocracy.

“Lady Aris!” a maid named Lucine entered the room.

Lucine was the main character of the original novel.

“What’s next?”

“Your dance lessons, my lady.”

The day’s schedule mirrored yesterday’s, and it would likely repeat in the same fashion for the foreseeable future. She would rise, attend history lessons in the morning, have lunch, participate in dance lessons in the afternoon, dine, complete her homework, and then retire for the night.

She had once assumed that being a lady meant endless leisure, but reality proved starkly different. There was a multitude of duties to fulfill and countless lectures to endure. Fortunately, she wasn’t subject to exams, but her aversion to studying remained steadfast—she simply saw no need to vocalize it.

In the original novel, Aris Horissen despised academic work. She refused to engage in her studies and imposed her homework on Lucine. This resulted in Lucine becoming well-educated and cultured despite her lower birth status. However, this time, things would be different.

When the girl awakened in the world of the novel, she had inherited all of Aris Horissen’s memories and worldly knowledge. Armed with this newfound wisdom, she was determined to forge a superior version of Aris.

With the wealth of knowledge from the old Aris, adapting to her new life within the confines of the novel was surprisingly straightforward. Nevertheless, her transformation into Aris Horissen didn’t mean she would passively accept the preordained course of her story.

Everything I do is to change the outcome of the story, she resolved.

She offered a contented smile and took a sip of the tea Lucine had thoughtfully brought to her. The intriguing flavor pleased her palate.

“This is quite nice.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Mhm.”

Aris regarded Lucine. She was a vivacious and spirited young woman. Despite her illegitimate status, there was a possibility she could have been accepted into the family if the head of the household had permitted it. However, the marquis had declined.

Lucine possessed a pretty, if somewhat unassuming, countenance, along with a certain magnetic charm. Her vibrant blue hair and striking golden eyes made her stand out. It was no wonder the male lead had grown fond of her, even after discovering her humble origins.

Even I like Lucine, Aris mused.

After her demanding classes, Aris often found herself thoroughly exhausted. Lucine, with her perceptive nature, frequently brought her tea and snacks to uplift her spirits.

“I can feel my weariness fading thanks to your tea, Lucine.”

“Were you feeling so tired?”

“Well, enduring three hours of class isn’t exactly a walk in the park,” she replied with a smile, intentionally leaving out her thoughts about how dreadfully tedious it had been.

Lucine wasn’t the type to spread rumors, but it was always prudent not to utter anything that might be twisted or misconstrued later on—just to be safe.

Aris took another sip of her tea, and Lucine inquired, “Do you have a lot of homework to tackle today?”

“Yes, quite a bit. Would you like to study alongside me?”

Lucine shook her head at Aris’s suggestion. “I’m just a maid, miss.”

In their empire, education was not a right but a privilege. The upper class had the means to afford tutors and professors, while common people had no avenue for learning, especially since mandatory schooling had yet to be established. Education was a symbol of privilege—without wealth, access to knowledge remained elusive. Studying was a pursuit reserved for affluent heirs and nobles.

However, the novel’s male lead had been an exception. Despite his family’s financial hardships, his parents had sent him to an academy, where he excelled in swordsmanship. His skills surpassed those of any other commoner, and he became something of a legend at the academy.

Upon completing his education, he emerged as a hero on the battlefield, achieving remarkable feats for the empire’s sake. Although the emperor had offered to grant him a title, he declined and retreated to his countryside estate, expressing disinterest in politics.

The male lead possessed an exceptional reputation and formidable skills. Knowing this well, the emperor sought to secure his loyalty to the throne and decided to marry him into one of his supporters’ families. The chosen bride was none other than Lady Horissen.

Me. I’m the one who was chosen.

Understanding that rumors were inevitable, Aris resolved to shape her reputation in a more favorable light, opting for an approach contrary to what the original Lady Horissen would have done. She had once examined the rumors surrounding her and was pleased to discover that her only reputation was that of a beautiful and sophisticated young lady.

As Aris reached for another cookie, she found the plate was empty. Her desire for more did not go unnoticed by her attentive maid.

“You’ll still have to eat lunch later, my lady. You shouldn’t indulge in too many cookies,” Lucine advised gently, seemingly attuned to Aris’s thoughts.

“Okay.”

Aris maintained a relatively modest diet to preserve her figure. While she didn’t gain weight easily, she had learned through experience that she needed to be mindful to avoid any unwanted weight gain.

Descending to the lower floor for lunch, Aris spotted her father, Ian, already seated at the dining table.

“Father!” she exclaimed, her face radiant with a warm smile.

In the original novel, Aris and her father had a strained relationship. The marquis had been perpetually disappointed with his thoughtless daughter and attempted to reform her, but Aris had grown resentful of his constant nagging.

Things were different now. Since becoming Aris Horissen, she had taken meticulous measures to maintain an impeccable reputation. Ian was aware of this transformation. Although he was a reserved and stern man, he melted in the presence of his daughter. How could he resist when she was as lovely and endearing as she was?

“Aris, you’ve joined us.”

The dynamics had shifted. Ian knew that Aris had changed, and he no longer felt the need to scold her.

“Did you enjoy your lunch, Father?”

“It was adequate.”

“You must make sure to eat well!” Aris playfully admonished her father, her smile unwavering.

She held Ian in high regard and believed him to be a good man. At the very least, he was a father who cherished her simply for striving to be her best.

“I will.”

Ian’s countenance brightened in response to Aris’s affectionate chiding, and he smiled tenderly. Aris lowered her head. The first time she had done so, he had been unsure of how to react, but now he understood her intentions perfectly. He extended a hand and affectionately patted her head, running his fingers through her silky brown hair.

“Are you heading to the palace today?” she asked.

“Yes, I am.”

Though she had yet to visit the palace, Aris had heard countless rumors about it. The one she found most appealing was the notion of a garden with perpetually blooming flowers.