Event 1

I couldn't even eat the tantalizing dessert because I left the dinning hall after Caleb and Accorsa.

Argh, that's right.

Where's Mariana and the head maid?

I finally found my way to my room and walked inside quietly shutting the door behind me.

Thankfully, the candles had been lit, so the room was not dark. I walked to large bed and got on it. Tatiana in the original novel also had a room like this but not many paid attention to her since her real identity had to be kept hidden.

But, in this timeline, the happenings are entirely different, for example, I didn't even have to wear pants like the original Tatiana. In fact, I even have a lot of dresses for someone who just arrived.

The only role of Tatiana in the novel was to act as a male heir but if I don't play that role, it would take a much longer time for Accorsa to become Duchess.

I laid on the bed and sighed helplessly, I really wanted to go home but I don't know where to start my mission from and how this small body of mine can be of help.

The next event after Tatiana's entry was the beast attack, it happened in the centre of the dukedom, where the commoners in the territory buy and sell, that means the next beast attack happened in the market. This attack would have been like any other one since Accorsa could handle a wave of beast of that size but this time it was different.

Firstly, the warlocks had a hand in this attack, they controlled the beasts and buffed them with magic, making them stronger and faster. The warlocks are a hated group of magic practitioners in the empire and beyond. They dealt with black magic and used human life force to enrich their mana. But this warlocks decided not to hide anymore.

They wanted to rule above the kings of kingdoms and the emperors of empires. They wanted to command power and become the so called 'punishers' that would make people tremble at the call of their name.

Their plan was to take over a dukedom first and what could be easier than an unstable and unpeaceful dukedom that held strong military power. Duke of Blithwine was their first target.

Secondly, one of the spies in the duchy had switched Accorsa's sword with a fake. In this event she'll be badly injured and almost die but she will be saved by the male lead who would make her fall in love with him and then leave her heart broken and miserable in the future.

And this event would be happening in a few days time, probably the day after tomorrow and Accorsa had already set out with Caleb.

Was that why Caleb didn't want me to hear the report?

By this time, the beasts would have started appearing one after the other before the real wave begin.

I shuddered, I definitely cannot let this happen. The head maid would be immobile for a while because of the punishment she received so she can't do anything now.

I can focus on the event properly but what can I do?

The only thing I can do is warn Accorsa but... would she believe me? Her illegitimate step sister?

I was startled when the door to my room opened but I calmed down when I saw the pink hair.

"Oh, I thought you were asleep, little princess."

Irene smiled and happily came to the bed side, she pulled up the duvet to cover me.

I shook my head in response.

"Accorsa said you'll be quite lonely here even though your cousin is with you. So, I thought about letting my little sister be your personal maid." Irene sat at the side of my bed and patted my hair.

I didn't even remember that Irene had a little sister. In the original novel, after Irene died, Accorsa took care of her little sister.

And if I'm not mistaken, it's the same little sister that Irene is currently talking about.

"She's four years older than you but I'm sure you'll like her."

If she's four years older than me, that means she's nine years old. Can a nine year old child be an exclusive maid?

"Huh?"

"What? You don't want it? If you don't want it, it's fine then." Irene had a dejected look on her face, she lowered her eyes.

"Uh? That's not it, big sister. Tatiana likes it but Tatiana is worried about... about pretty sister." I sat up and sighed pitifully.

"Accorsa?"

"Hm." I nodded in response with a slight hum.

"Hahaha, you don't have to worry, princess. The lady is strong and can overcome anything." Irene chuckled and said words to reassure me.

Yes, she can overcome anything but this event would put a strain on her.

A lady who had never been loved suddenly finds a man who accepts her and claims to love her. If she is heartbroken, it would only make her colder and more dejected than ever.

This event would create the villainous female lead that never hesitates to kill and get rid of any obstacle.

This would make things harder and more dangerous for me.

"Can Tatiana meet pretty sister?"

"I'm sorry, Tiana. But, pretty sister has gone out, so why don't you rest now, my little sister would be coming tomorrow." Irene helped me lay properly on the bed, she blew out the candles and left the room after wishing me a goodnight.

Accorsa had left the duchy, there was nothing I could do. So, should i just sit and watch everything play out like in the original? If I do nothing and just watch then what is the reason for my presence in this world and what is my purpose?

***

I opened my eyes and jolted up, it looks like I fell asleep while thinking of a way to save the female lead. But the reason I woke up was because I heard the sound of my door opening and just like I thought, a petite figure stood by my door with a candle in her hand.

"Tatiana?" The person called.

The voice was Mariana's, I sighed at that realisation and asked, "What do you want, Mari?"

"Oh, I, I couldn't sleep, so..." Mariana stuttered.

I knew what she wanted, she had grown up sleeping by her mother, suddenly sleeping alone in an unknown place must be hard for her.

I clicked my tongue and gestured for her to come closer.

"Come here." I added when she still stood, fidgeting by the door.

She slowly made her way to the bed.

I tapped the bed. She understood what I meant and quickly climbed on the bed.

"Blow out the candle and sleep." I said in a light voice.

I suddenly feel like an elder sister.

I turned to the other side and covered myself with the duvet.

"Tati? Can, can I hug you?"

"Hmm?"

It seems like she's scared of the dark too.

I sighed and turned to face her.

"Okay." I replied.

"Thank you." She expressed her gratitude with a smile.

Well, I guess I have two babies to take care of now.