“Oh dear, miss, you mustn’t use honorifics with me.”

Bagi said again, clearly flustered by Breti’s continued politeness.

‘Miss…?’

All her life, Breti had never so much as commanded another person, let alone been addressed with respect. She’d always been treated as less than everyone else.

So Bagi’s insistence on calling her “miss” left her bewildered.

“‘Miss’? That’s… that can’t be right…”

Just as Bagi was about to question Breti’s use of honorifics once more,—

Knock, knock—the sound of someone rapping at the door was followed by a familiar face entering the room.

“Miss, His Grace the Duke is asking for you.”

It was Benon, the burly man who had brought Breti here yesterday.

His Grace the Duke.

The title Benon used sent a ripple of unease through Breti.

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

With Bagi’s help, Breti took off her ragged clothes, had a thorough bath and changed into an opulent dress. Having washed and dressed herself ever since her mother died, she found it uncomfortable to have someone else do it for her.

While Bagi continued to fuss over her appearance, Breti discovered that the man who had paid such a high price for her was none other than Karsten White, Lord of the White Duchy.

“You have no idea how happy Master was to find you again, miss.”

Bagi said, her voice brimming with genuine delight.

All of Bagi’s kindness felt strange, but the strangest thing of all was being called “miss.”
Miss.

‘I’ve heard the story of the young lady who went missing after an accident as a child…’

Could they possibly believe she was that young lady?

Suddenly, the words he’d spoken to her yesterday came back to her.

“Yes, it’s true I bought you because I needed you.”

He said he needed her.

‘Does he want me to pretend to be his long-lost sister…?’

Bagi’s words echoed in her mind, and Breti couldn’t manage a smile.

“His Grace seems to care for you very much, miss. Well, if I were in his shoes, I would too—it’s taken ten years to finally find his sister.”

By the time Bagi’s endless stream of impossible words finished, Breti’s transformation was complete.

When Breti stepped out, dressed up at last, she found Benon—the man who’d brought her here the day before—waiting for her outside the door.

“I’ll escort you.”

Just the sight of him made Breti flinch. When she remembered his rough hands gripping her face last night, her whole body started to tremble uncontrollably.

“I’ll go prepare some food for when you return, miss.”

Bagi said, bowing her head to Breti before turning away. Breti had to fight the urge to reach out and ask Bagi to come with her.

“This way.”

Following Benon, Breti soon found herself standing before a set of enormous doors. Only when a command came from inside to enter did she step through.

The room was even more luxurious than the one she’d stayed in last night. At the far end, behind a massive desk, sat Karsten.

“There.”

When he saw Breti, he nodded at the sofa with a tilt of his chin. She hurried over and sat down, her steps small and uncertain.

Karsten, on the other hand, didn’t move for a long while, remaining where he was. He only rose after quite some time, once she was seated.

“You must be curious about your purpose here.”

When Breti looked up, she saw that he was sitting right in front of her. He had the same bored, indifferent expression on his face as yesterday.

“For the past two years, I’ve been searching for someone to play the part of my late sister.”

‘Play the part.’

The word made Breti’s heart pound in her chest.

So her suspicions had been right after all.

Flustered, Breti bit down hard on her lower lip.

“If my sister were alive, she’d be about your age now—a young woman with blond hair and green eyes.”

“……”

“Just as you look right now.”

His fingertip pointed directly at Breti’s face.

“As you said, the reason I spent such a fortune to buy you is because your appearance resembles my sister’s.”

“My appearance, you mean…?”

“And from now on, you’ll take her place.”

“W-what do you mean…?”

“The arrangement will last as long as I need you.”

Karsten continued, cutting her off without the slightest intention of listening to what she had to say.

“When it’s over, you’ll be free. I’ll even see to it you have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

So that was the reason he’d paid such an outrageous sum for her. Should she be relieved that he didn’t intend to use her for something worse?

Breti could hardly make sense of her own feelings.

“But you must never forget: nobody can find out who you really are.”

“……”

“If anyone finds out you’re not my sister, you should keep in mind that your pitiful little life could end in an instant.”

The look in his eyes told her he truly meant it. Every hair on her body stood on end.

“Laterna Delia White. That’s the name you’ll bear from now on.”

Laterna Delia White. Hearing even the middle name made Breti shiver a little.

In the Pensia Empire, where the White Duchy belonged, every citizen received a middle name from the temple at birth—a sacred name, proof that one was a child of the gods.

That name would only be shared with immediate family or one’s most cherished companion, the person they promised their future to.

For him to give her such a name meant it was now certain: she would become the stand-in for the missing princess.

“You won’t have to do much. All you need to do is become Laterna and keep my sick mother company.”

It sounded simple enough, but Breti knew it was anything but easy.

“I refuse.”

Breti’s quiet voice rang clearly between them.

Karsten immediately understood what she meant, and his brow furrowed sharply.

“Why not?”

Barely suppressing his anger, Karsten asked quietly.

“I’ve heard rumors that the princess might still be alive somewhere. Wouldn’t it be better to search for the real princess…?”

“My sister is dead.”

“…What?”

“I saw her body with my own eyes, ten years ago.”

Hearing that he’d seen the body himself, Breti’s lips began to tremble.

“Even so… I can’t do it.”

“Why not?”

“Do you really think it’s okay to trick your sick mother into thinking her daughter is still alive?”

Karsten’s only response was to narrow his eyes. She could sense just how displeased he was with her. Now, Breti thought she understood why he had brought her here. She had already heard rumours that the former duchess was seriously ill.

Of course a mother would long for a daughter whose fate was unknown. For a moment, Breti felt a pang of sympathy.

But standing in for his sister was an entirely different matter. If the truth were ever revealed, her life would be forfeit in an instant.

“I’ll repay you for everything you’ve spent on me, no matter what it takes. So please don’t ask me to do this.”

“Insolent.”

Karsten cut her off.

Leaning back against the sofa, he spoke in a soft voice, but Breti could feel it had turned colder than before.

“Presumptuous.”

Feeling the change, Breti’s shoulders gave a small, involuntary shudder.

“Just because you’re wearing different clothes, do you really think your lowly status has changed?”

“That’s not—!”

“Repay two hundred thousand gold…?”

Karsten let out a low, mocking laugh.

“Ridiculous. Did you ever truly believe that was possible, given your station?”

His quiet words struck Breti’s heart like a blade.

It was humiliating.

She had endured this sort of treatment all her life, but this man’s words seemed to cut deeper, wounding her with sharper shame.

Breti glared at Karsten, her eyes full of resentment. But he didn’t so much as blink.

“I never asked for your opinion. As I said yesterday, just keep your mouth shut.”

Karsten met Breti’s deep green eyes without wavering. His penetrating gaze made her shoulders hunch up. It felt as if he had chosen his words deliberately to humiliate her.

Her tightly clenched fists began to tremble in her lap.

Karsten glanced briefly at her hands, then stood up straight from where he had been leaning against the sofa. Leaning in close, he whispered softly.

“There’s only one thing you need to do: like a bird trapped in a cage, you are to sing or chatter away.”

“……”

“That is your value. That is your purpose.”