C2
One week ago, on a cold winter afternoon, just a few days before her wedding with Kalis Haneton, she was sitting in her room, asleep and dreaming.
Suddenly, Seria, the greatest maniacal villain of the empire, screamed.
—So what? I wanted you!
The voice, filled with anger, was already different from the demeanor of a noble. Envy, jealousy, rage... Seria's hands were already stained with blood.
—Lina, Lina!
Lina, the Saint. From the moment she descended, she caught the attention of everyone Seria wanted. She was so loved. Seria terribly hated Lina, who gave her an unbearable sense of defeat.
—What's up with Lina? The only thing I couldn't do was cut her throat and throw her into the lake!
A sharp knife cut Seria's throat. The red blood flooded. Lina could no longer watch the scene and tightly closed her eyes.
—Ugh!
Seria opened her eyes frightened. Her body trembled. A scene from the original story that came to her mind when she thought she had already forgotten it.
—My lady, was it another dream?
It was terrifying. Life was scary. After waking up as the villain Seria, she often dreamed of dying according to the original script.
Well, anyone would. If you find out this is actually a novel and you are going to die brutally because you are a villain, you will have no choice but to suffer nightmares.
Moreover, with the appearance of Lina, the original plot began.
She grabbed a thick shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked out the large window, and a desolate winter garden caught her attention. Suddenly, she felt a bit strange when she remembered that Kalis took off his jacket to cover Lina's shoulders there before. However, she didn't have time to feel uncomfortable, and the reason was ridiculous.
—Lady Seria! She is here!
—What is happening?
The maid who served her stood up with a jump.
—The designer Begonia is here!
—Begonia? Already?
—Yes!
She stood up from the sofa in panic.
Begonia was currently the most popular designer in the Glick Empire, even though it had been less than three years since her debut.
The reason Begonia was so popular was not just because of her skill but also because her grandmother was a princess. In other words, she had royal blood. It was only a matter of time before she became a sensation, as noble veins were well equipped.
To request a dress from designer Begonia, you needed money besides status. It was her fiancé, Kalis Haneton, who asked Begonia for a wedding dress and a suit.
"Now that I think about it, in the original story, Lina also wanted a dress made by Begonia."
Anyway, thinking she shouldn't keep people waiting, she ran.
As she ran, she honestly admired Seria's elegant steps since she could never have that grace. Even after arriving, she couldn't just open the door and enter.
After all, as a successor of royal blood, Begonia placed great importance on noble appearance. Otherwise, she thought it wouldn't match her clothes. Seria quickly checked her face with the handheld mirror the maid gave her. Perfect hair. No disheveled parts.
—Lady! Oh, you are the most beautiful again today.
She laughed at the maid's clumsy compliment. Well, it wasn't bad. Although Seria was a crazy villain, her beauty was undeniable.
She coughed and entered while the maid opened the door. She entered with dignity, although she would probably still be judged by Begonia.
Inside was designer Begonia and Lina, the original heroine. Seria felt embarrassed for a moment, but Begonia gave her a noble smile.
—Designer Begonia. Did I arrive late?
—No. I arrived early.
Begonia laughed and responded affirmatively, but Seria could guess the hidden meaning.
"You don't look good," was what Begonia wanted to tell her.
She could read other people's faces well, but it was the result of a year of her struggle to survive.
She didn't want to go against the male lead or the second male lead, so she learned to read their expressions and remain hidden.
Now she could grasp people's emotions easily, and that was her key to survival. It all depended on whether the expressions were good or bad...
As Seria became a bit sad, a hand suddenly grabbed her chin. Her eyes widened in surprise.
—Wow, Kalis' fiancée.
Lina's eyes sparkled with a smile. Then, suddenly, she grabbed Seria's hand.
—No, rather...
Did Kalis already give Lina permission to call him by his name?
It took Seria 11 months to get permission to call him by his name. As expected, where does the blood of second male leads go?
Lina spoke with a gleam in her eyes.
—I am Lina. It's an embarrassing title, but they call me the Saint...
There was no one in this empire, not even on the whole continent, who didn't know that Lina was a Saint. Seria gently removed Lina's hand and said.
—Of course, I know, Saint-nim.
Lina looked around the living room without worrying about that.
—I heard you are making your wedding dress today! Is that so?
—Yes, it is.
—Oh my God! A wedding dress from another world! I was so curious to see if anyone wears wedding dresses here!
Said Lina, her eyes lighting up.
—Can I see it with you?
—See it together?
It was a strange request. Firstly, a wedding dress was not supposed to be seen by anyone other than close family or friends, and Lina was not in any of those categories.
However, before Seria could speak, Begonia opened her mouth first.
—Saint, I'm sorry, but trying on a wedding dress is not a spectacle.
—Oh.
Lina was surprised and immediately clasped her hands together. However, she wasn't as insensitive as in the original story.
—I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. Because I don't know much about this world...
Indeed, Lina was a saint sent by God. Begonia remembered that and spoke with a soft smile.
—Of course. But can you step out for a moment?
—What? But...
—I can't work if there's an outsider here, I hope Saint-nim understands.
—Yes...
Lina left with a desperate expression. She looked back several times with a lingering look on her face, but Begonia remained firm. She even murmured softly when Lina closed the door and left.
—She has no dignity.
For the moment, Seria remembered the original story she had read in her previous life. Designer Begonia was a very proud woman, having inherited royal blood. In a way, she was arrogant.
Once in the story, Begonia politely declined the request of Marquis Kalis Haneton, who came to ask for a dress as a gift for Lina.
—Saint-nim is beautiful. However, she doesn't have the dignity I wanted. I can't make a dress without inspiration.
So, in the original story, Lina saw Begonia's dress and fell in love at first sight. But she became very sad when she heard that statement.
Finally, Kalis got angry enough to press Begonia's shop from behind the shadows. After all, he was the biggest importer of silk. In the end, Begonia stepped back and gave in.
So Begonia turned out to be a designer who also became a villain. However, no villain could match Seria Stern.
The original story with its plot twist was a charming development, but since Seria was reborn as the villain, only tears flowed.
—Lady Seria, this shade of white is the best complement for your eyes! This part and this part should be sewn on the back...
Begonia's face lit up instantly when Seria came out after putting on the wedding dress. She was satisfied.
—Congratulations on your marriage to Marquis Kalis Haneton, Lady Seria.
—Thank you. Your dress is the most beautiful dress I've seen in my life.
—Oh my. Ahaha!
Now, there was no way Kalis would present a dress to Lina. It was fortunate that Begonia, who was a bit pompous, didn't have to go through an ordeal with her. Seria also liked the wedding dress made by Begonia very much.
—Seria!
She lifted her head in surprise when the bedroom door opened abruptly.
—Kalis?
The tall man entered. Kalis turned towards the wedding dress hanging on the mannequin in her bedroom and tilted his head.
—Is this the wedding dress?
—Yes.
He looked closely at her dress as if something was wrong. Seria wondered what he didn't like about it.
—What is it?
—No. It's a bit too...— Kalis hesitated and spoke. —I'm afraid I can't allow my fiancée to wear something like this.
—What?
—The color is a bit dull and there are too few jewels.
—But designer Begonia said that's the trend these days.
—Eh?
Kalis' expression changed instantly. But soon he spoke with a warm smile.
—Seria, you are not just a noblewoman. You are a Stern. So I want to give you the most perfect wedding dress.
They were sweet words at first glance. But she was a villain who had been accompanying the second male lead for a year, she could tell the difference just by looking at his expression. And currently, Kalis was in a bad mood.
But she didn't care and asked bluntly.
—Kalis. Don't you like the dress?
—I really can't deceive you.
—Then I will talk to Begonia again. Although she is a busy person, she has a clear sense of responsibility for her work.
After all, there were only a few days left for the wedding. However, Kalis stopped her from calling Begonia.
—Aside from Begonia, what about other designers?
—Not Begonia?
What nonsense was this? Perhaps he knew she was reading his expression, Kalis seemed a bit stiff. When Seria urged him, he sighed and responded.
—No matter how much I think about it, I don't like my precious fiancée wearing a dress from such a vain designer.
—Vain?
—Yes.
The moment Seria heard his words, a bad premonition arose. But she hoped it wasn't as she thought.
—Are you doing this because of Saint Lina?
