Staring back at those familiar eyes, Francheska was speechless-- 'she' did not know how to respond to this familiar person before her.

Her sister soothed the back of her skirt as she slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

"Sister, are you okay?" she asked the girl who was more fixated on the aftermath of the slap on her cheek.

Slowly soothing the back of the little girl’s pink hair, Francheska was startled at the sudden tug of her hair as she was forced to look at the ‘teenager’ who seemed to hate her existence as the grip on her hair increased its tightness.

“I- I’m fine sister, when did you arrive?” Francheska felt the tension on the back of her hair loosen and then smooth the area as if it would heal and hide the pain.

“Just moments ago. I was really worried that seeing you is the only medicine to mend it away.” her eyes crinkled, with the edge of her lips lifting into a smile, her dimples that were hidden showing on her cheeks surface indicating that she meant the words she just said.

Francheska could hardly blink, this was her sister-- she had siblings ‘before’ but seeing her ‘sister’ when she was rotting in that cell and the difference of ‘right now’ was unexpected.

Marinette Anne Del Von Hartpinjer-- her sister’s complete name, Francheska had her name memorized through the letters that she would receive from her. Francheska tried to understand the young Marinette through their maids and from the teachers how they perceived her sister because the contents inside the letters were not enough for Francheska to know more about Marinette, drawings of beautiful sceneries and the doll gifts were not enough for Francheska of what it meant for her. Perhaps deep inside Francheska was hoping that there was still a possible lovely sister relationship to blossom and that they could help each other out throughout the challenges that the empire would throw at them. Now that she is up close-- her eyes are the same the way Marinette stared back at her when they 'first' met.

The white-haired girl stood up. "now that you are awake dear sister-- how about getting ready, and right after that head straight to the dining hall so that we can eat breakfast together. I will change into something comfortable, it won't be long. So hurry up, time is ticking!" Patting the mattress to get Francheska's attention.

With a final smile from Marinette, she turned her head back to the door as she gestured with a flick of her wrist to the maids and butlers in their respective works.

With the maids circling and the doors closing in with a click of the lock for privacy, all could Francheska think was how pretty her 'sister' was, but because a face contorting that expression of wanting 'Francheska' gone-- somehow riles the insides of Francheska, that sister of hers does not even try to hide it from her.

Just like how every morning goes, as a 'noble' Francheska does not have to make an inch, she just stands there like a statue and let all the maid dress her up like a mannequin. Francheska could not even dare complain about how they dressed her, 'she' looks good in anything anyway.

With a final look in the mirror, Francheska turned to her maids and thanked them for their work. At first, everyone was stunned to receive such a word from her perhaps of her age but Francheska could only assume that it was probably being a Hartpinjer.

Francheska walked her way down to the dining hall, where their servants were preparing the plates, decorations, and food down the long table.

Standing there Francheska could barely remember the day when her 'original' family ate at the same table. Not that it bothers her, Francheska would like to hope that this family would work out and prove to her that the 'theories' she had been expecting would crash down and would not be true, that this time they would love her for who 'she' is.

Making her way to her usual seat, Francheska then settled comfortably, and yet her hands were the opposite she could barely keep her thumbs from playing together.

She's anxious and has been her company, even before the cameras could start rolling or when the word "action" would leave the director's mouth, her anxiety would always win instead of her confidence. However, her practice and professionalism under the spotlight would never betray her sacrifices for a scene where everyone has poured everything into it. Despite that, everything in her very eyes is much the same as before, but the lingering thought that in this lifetime she is Francheska-- that's what everyone sees, would she 'act' or just let 'herself' out?

Closing her eyes, she can remember the flashing lights from media channels, paparazzi, and news reporters waiting for her to crack and spill an explanation of what her actions and words meant. She respects and knows that people like 'her' would give them a source of income and that her job as an actress would be a dish everyone would gobble up. At first, it was just nothing-- her life is boring anyway who would want to know... and that is where she was wrong, it was not because it was 'boring' it was because 'Shiela Winston's AKA Erica's life is boring'-- she was fine being laughed at but it was her family who would let the whole world expose her and laugh with them. Seriously, just how dare 'them' think of her just as a cash cow.

Letting out a sigh, Francheska unfurled her hands and palmed her knees, drying her sweaty palms.

"Sister, you must be really hungry you went in first!" Marinette yelled excitedly that her presence was known to the anxious little girl.

Walking past Francheska, Marinette took a seat beside her younger sister who was closer to where their father sat, indicating Marinette's position of being the eldest.

It was right then their mother and father went in to complete the morning. The two daughters that were seated stood up to show their curtsey.

"My lovely princesses, what a beautiful morning! and to you my dear Francheska how are you feeling?" The duke went up close to Francheska and suddenly hugged her.

Francheska went stiff as a board, she's not used to skinship and would prefer people meant special to her hold her.

Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, and Francheska warmed up to the hug as she leaned in.

"I'm strong and well these days Your grace, I have been taking rest and trying to catch up on the studies I have missed." Although the clothes muffled Francheska's voice, the hand soothing down her back assured her that his grace did hear her.

"I'm delighted to hear that my child. now that I am here you will be much stronger! let's enjoy our breakfast first and tell me all of your interesting stories." The duke let go of Francheska and gave her a soft smile that their servants seemed to stop for a second and continued finishing the table.

Francheska noticed that, but it was rather understandable-- the duke does look very intimidating when not smiling, he seems young but the unusual white colored hair makes him look old, or is it just because of his strong facial features?

Nevertheless, Francheska and Marinette are proof of the House Hartpinjer's cold beauty.

They sat together and started eating. The majority of their talk was short and awkward, yet Francheska could sense her sister Marinette expressing more of what Francheska felt about the incident as she kept mentioning the Galkien daughter and the teacher.

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Even though their eyes were set on their plates, Francheska could feel them staring right at her-- waiting for her to give them something or anything that could make the Galkien household a threat, only say a word, and then the Galkiens would be gone.

Francheska knew that but from what she had experienced, that plan no longer works, and that is why she gave that plan up. As long as Josephine's existence at the moment is unknown, everything is set in neutral-- she's not meant to see each other till the 'debut'.

However, Francheska would disregard the hints and rather share stories kids her age would say. She might be mentally old inside a young body, but 'she' missed the childhood she yearned for and would rather not give it up.

With the clang of the utensils hitting the plate, the duke picked up the tablecloth to wipe the precipice left on the corner of his mouth. Everyone was very satisfied with their breakfast.

The duke sighed and turned his attention to his duchess, then to the girls seated.

"my lovely little princesses, your mother and I have to spend the rest of the day greeting the emperor, so both my little princesses can play for the rest of the day together. There is no need for both of you to follow us to our carriages nor wait for us to arrive, take this time to each other." with that the duke gave them a smile that somehow made the room's atmosphere brighter-- they then glanced at their head butler that responds with a nod.

Both the duchess and the duke stood up from their seats, which prompted the two daughters to follow and respectfully give their farewells on their parents' travel. Seeing them head out the door as the rest of the servants followed them made Francheska feel at ease now... and her only problem would be her sister Marinette.

It seems her sister was still occupied with her things as Marinette went straight to her room and spent hours passing til afternoon.

Francheska decided to take a breather from finishing some of her homework in their garden. Francheska was mesmerized by how the fishes swam in their pond that she almost fell as her sister Marinette startled her from behind with a "boo!"

Francheska could only let out a shriek, "sister! how could you, I almost fell and ruined this dress."

"You're fine that did not happen and besides you can always change we got plenty of pretty dresses," Marinette said as she tried to hide her laughter.

Francheska could only pout, and Marinette is right their dresses can be replaced but for 'her' it's otherwise.

"Come, Francheska, I told them to place a tent nearby to prepare us some snacks. I heard that you finished your remaining homework." Marinette then took Francheska's hands and dragged her to the baby blue-colored open tent where the snacks were so visible and pleasing to children that Francheska could not help but salivate.

Francheska went to grab a cookie before taking a seat. Francheska was delighted that she never realized how much she had already eaten, that she felt her sister Marinette's eyes were on her.

"ah wait you have--" Marinette did not finish her sentence as she pointed a finger near Francheska's cheek, trying to wipe it off with a cloth-- Francheska noticed Marinette move her hands near her and with a swift Marinette's finger land one of the cupcake's frosting and smeared it on Francheska's cheek.

With wide eyes, Francheska was left stunned as she watched her sister innocently laugh at her prank on her.

The atmosphere was so familiar and warm that Francheska could only reciprocate with a laugh and took revenge as she took the same cupcake smearing some on her face.

It almost broke into a food fight but thankfully the head maid inferred the teasing and made them reconcile by cleaning each other's faults on their faces.

That afternoon til evening the two sisters went on playing with tea parties, dolls, drawing, and doing dress-up impressions of people they could imagine but of course, her sister would tease her at every chance she could get. Francheska was elated with the new feeling that this is what it is to have a bond with a sister, she hoped that this kind of bond would last forever-- but still, Francheska worried about the person her sister Marinette would become in the later years.

As midnight starts to creep in, the two sisters can barely stay up for the arrival of their parents and realize that what the duke said at dinner was right there's no need to wait for them and decide sleep is important.

Francheska was awakened from her deep slumber she decided to check for the duchess and duke if they had already arrived.

Slowly and silently opening and closing the door Francheska went on her way to the halls to where her parents could at this moment and her instinct told her to first check their office.

In the corner of her eye, Francheska caught a familiar figure passing by. Sneaking, Francheska knew that it was her sister Marinette-- she last saw her in her gown as they told each other goodnight.

Seeing Marinette go into a room, Francheska realized it was the office of the duke. Following her sister, Francheska thought of bursting through the door and giving them a startling surprise-- especially to her sister to let her taste her own medicine.

Smiling widely with light steps approaching the slightly ajar door, Francheska's smile suddenly dropped sooner than she expected hearing the frustrated voice of her sister Marinette.

"HOW COULD THAT BE POSSIBLE?! I TOLD YOU, FATHER, TO PERSUADE THE EMPEROR THAT IT SHOULD BE ME NOT FRANCHESKA!"

"I apologize my darling, your mother and I tried our best that you are fitted to be with the crown prince... but alas his Majesty was very firm of the title for your sister Francheska." Francheska heard the apologetic voice of her father inside the room. Although Francheska set aside her surprise and just wanted to join the conversation and tell them that she too didn't want the title-- the shattering of an expensive jar on the floor made Francheska take a peek at what was happening inside.

With a shriek and cry from Marinette's throat, "IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME! ME! ME! Do your damn work as a duke and duchess and make me the next Empress and not HER!"

Veins popping from frustration and anger were visible of how much Marinette hated everyone and even her-- Francheska. Seeing the face of Marinette left Francheska shaking as the flashing memories that she saw in the temple and her last days were scary. Her courage awhile ago faded as she dreaded the reality of being a villainess.

A loud slap was heard that made Francheska cover her loud gasp as she saw her mother-- her grace sharply slap the cheek of her sister.

"You are a very disrespectful young lady, throwing a tantrum here won't make you an empress with that behavior!" the duchess yelled, lifting a finger to the door-- Francheska's heart raced.

"There is nothing we can do and you have to take whatever the emperor has decided, so you better go to bed or make your way to the emperor and beg his Majesty yourself to make you the crown princess!" The duchess huffed in anger as she tried to compose herself in front of her daughter.

Marinette could only glare and let out a gruff, "There is one thing only we can do to them and that is by instilling fear with what we have--" another slap landed on Marinette.

"OUT!" the duchess shouted firmly and pointed to the door again-- still their eyes were clashing for domination.

Clenching her jaw from letting out another word, Marinette broke eye contact as she let out her frustration by breaking another jar and throwing the books on the desks.

Francheska then ran to the corner where she was before to hide-- hearing the footsteps of her sister and the loud slam of the door, made Francheska lean to the wall to hide her small frame.

Seeing her sister run passed by her and hearing her utter how much Marinette hated her-- made Francheska teary-eyed, she wanted to cry right there in the dark alone but changed her mind and just went back to her room.

Reaching her room, Francheska who was lying on her bed could not sleep but stare at the boring ceiling as the night started to change its colors to morning.

"There is nothing I can do," Francheska mumbled, "I'm so alone and lonely."

Turning to her side she covered herself with a blanket and let out a muffled scream-- cursing whoever gods gave her this kind of life.

getting up from her bed she went to her vanity and saw herself in the mirror.

"get a grip, you cannot stay hating on yourself like this, living is an opportunity." Francheska pointed to herself in the mirror.

Closing her eyes, Francheska palmed her chest-- inhaling and exhaling as she focused on the beating of her heart.

"I'm not who I was once, not Francheska in the novel-- I'm just me, I'm here and alive, and that's what matters the most," Giving a smile to herself. "Challenge me if you want, I will never back down no matter even if it's death."

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The doors creaked open and her familiar maid was there to start her routine, but surprisingly Marinette was there to greet her too.

"What a morning Francheska I never knew you were an early bird, I came here to tell you that I forgot to give you this," motioning for her maid to step forward, a nicely wrapped box was given to her maid Shelly-- presenting to Francheska for her to unwrap the gift.

"wow," Francheska exclaimed, "she's beautiful." Carefully taking the porcelain doll out of the box, Francheska then hugged the doll close to her chest.

"Thank you, sister," smiling sweetly-- Marinette could only smirk in relief, "I will be on my way, have a great day sister."

Seeing the back of Marinette making her way out of her room, dropped her smile as soon the doors closed and started inspecting the doll.

unstitching the back of the doll's dress Francheska noticed a small compartment a jewelry could be placed made her only smile widely.

At that moment shocked stares went in Francheska's direction as they heard her say, "fuck she made a move already, I'm screwed."