Lucille's Realization

The next morning, Kalina woke up feeling more refreshed than ever. As the maids were called in to help her dress, she remembered the ring.

'I haven't slept so well since forever,' Kalina inwardly thought. 'Maybe the ring is some sort of good luck charm? It would be nice if it really does have magic, like Holly said.'

Unfortunately, Kalina's good mood was spoiled just thirty minutes later during breakfast.

"What? Father's coming home today?" Kalina's expression showed no excitement, like her past self had. Instead, there was a subtle look of disgust concealed under an expressionless exterior.

"Yes," the Duchess answered hesitantly. She was expecting a happy reaction out of her daughter who had been so serious lately, but Kalina didn't look happy at all. "He'll be back in the afternoon. We'll be leaving for a meeting at the imperial palace tomorrow morning."

"Alright." Kalina answered, getting up. Her appetite had completely disappeared. "I'm not feeling well today, so I'll be excusing myself."

"Oh! Of course, should I call the doctor? Are you sick?" The Duchess placed her fork and knife down, standing up immediately with a worried expression on her face.

"I'm fine," Kalina smiled weakly. She felt her stomach churning and grasped the back of her chair tightly to steady herself. "It'll get better with some rest."

The Duchess nodded and Kalina turned to Olivia, who took her young lady's arm and supported her to her room.

"Miss, are you really okay?" Olivia asked. She helped Kalina sit down onto a tufted sofa with a concerned expression.

"I'm fine. Go out."

"Yes, Miss. Please call me if you need anything."

"Haah..." Kalina sighed and leaned back, covering her eyes with the back of her hand. She wished she could erase those awful memories of her past. If she couldn't even think about her despicable father without feeling nauseous, how was she supposed to face him in the future?

'This won't do.' She sat back up and clenched her fists. 'I can't let him get to me.'

She looked around the room and saw a forgotten bracelet resting on her vanity. It must have fallen out of her jewelry box when the maids were cleaning. It was the very bracelet that she had worn to see Lucille for the first time.

'Why don't I go visit my lovely sister? I haven't seen her for a few weeks.'

A wicked smile spread across Kalina's face as she thought about Lucille's small face that was streaked with dirt. Olivia, who was watching through a crack in the door, shivered at Kalina's expression. She quickly blinked in disbelief, and when she looked again, Kalina had returned to her usual calm demeanor, her eyes closed in a serene expression.

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After Lucille and Kalina's first meeting, the former spent her days thinking about the girl's beautiful dress and flawless appearance. She hid the accessories she had received under her bed, fearing that her mother would take them away and sell them.

During the day, when Nessa went out to find work, Lucille would take the accessories out and pretend she was Kalina. She would try and copy Kalina's hair and expressions, pretending her rags were a ballgown.

The Duke didn't know about Lucille yet. After getting pregnant, Nessa didn't tell him and instead raised her daughter in secret, knowing that he had a wife that could easily harm her and the child.

Nessa received monthly living expenses from the Duke, but it was only enough for one person to live frugally. Divided amongst two people, the pair could barely afford to eat one meal a day. She lived a better life in the brothel, where she could eat for free with the clients.

Though Nessa hated her situation, she didn't dare ask the Duke for more allowance in case he found her greedy. After all, he was probably raising other former prostitutes like her. She was beautiful, but her beauty was not a one-of-a-kind. Alluring women were plentiful in brothels. Nessa was just exceptional at using her appearance to get what she wanted.

Now, as she constantly went hungry, her face and body were beginning to deteriorate. The Duke also visited her less frequently. She would have to make her move soon and tell the Duke about his child, so she could be taken into the family as a concubine.

She constantly told Lucille about nobles and how they were all inherently elegant, glamorous, and intelligent. She spoke about the balls they attended and the luxuries they indulged in. Sometimes, she even brought Lucille to look at the displays of the boutiques the nobles frequently visited.

A few days after Lucille met Kalina, Nessa again took Lucille to look at nobles' clothes. This time, she brought Lucille to a children's boutique.

"Look," Nessa pointed to a pink dress full of ruffles and bows that looked like it belonged on a doll. "Isn't it pretty?"

"Yes, Mama!" Lucille chirped. She peered past the dress into the shop and saw the very dress that Kalina had worn to see her.

"Mama, Mama! Look at that one!" She tugged her mother's sleeve, pointing at the dress.

"Which one? That gray one? It's too plain and boring. If you have the money, you should spend it lavishly," Nessa frowned and lectured her daughter. She didn't understand why some nobles chose to dress simply when they could afford more.

Lucille pouted. She thought Kalina looked good in it, but she kept quiet and silently followed her mother back home.

Nessa went out again, leaving Lucille alone. As Lucille laid on her mattress, she played with her favorite hairpin as she hummed.

She then remembered her mother saying that the store they gone to was one especially for nobles.

'If Sister was wearing a dress from there...does that mean she's a noble?'