My mother was Her Grace, the Duchess, a woman of legendary beauty in her day, the King’s own sister. My father was the Duke, a man renowned for both his strategic genius and his prowess on the battlefield. Yet, though I was their legitimate daughter, my two older brothers doted on a mere servant girl, Willow Creston, to the point of obsession. To win her favor, they even allowed her to masquerade in my place. At the Spring Gala, Willow snatched the crystal scepter—a royal gift from the King meant for the Duke’s true daughter—and announced loudly, “If it weren’t for the kindness of your brothers, Ethan and Liam, letting me bring you along to see the world, when would you ever get to lay eyes on a treasure bestowed by His Majesty?” “Even though you’re just a lowly maid,” she’d lectured me, “every word and action of yours reflects on the Duke’s household.” In my previous life, I’d been cowed by my brothers’ threats, too timid to speak. But I’ve been reborn. Watching Willow’s insufferable arrogance, I strode forward, snatched the crystal scepter from her hands, and slapped her so hard she sprawled on the floor. “Who in the hell do you think you are, acting so brazenly before me? You dare to lay your filthy hands on a gift from my own uncle, the King!” No one expected such audacity from me. As shock rippled through the guests, I calmly instructed the head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, to secure the scepter. Mrs. Gable shot me a hesitant, conflicted look, then, trembling, started to offer the scepter back to the furious Willow. “M-Miss,” she stammered, “perhaps it’s best if you return the scepter to the young lady…” I settled myself in the seat of honor, a faint smile playing on my lips. “‘Miss’? I am Annelise Thorne, the Duke’s legitimate daughter. In private, I might let ‘Miss’ slide. But out here, in public, what should you be calling me?” Mrs. Gable trembled, her eyes darting towards Willow, who was scrambling up from the floor, face contorted with rage. Before she could utter another word, I stepped forward and kicked the old crone, sending her tumbling. “Since you can’t tell master from servant, perhaps we should just sell you off.” In my past life, this old bat, emboldened by my brothers’ favor towards Willow, had made my life hell. She hadn’t just skimped on my food and clothing; after helping Willow drive me to my death, she’d stripped me bare and thrown my body into a filthy pigsty. Hearing my words, Mrs. Gable forgot all about Willow. Clutching the scepter, she scrambled to kneel beside me, begging, “It was this old servant’s transgression! Please, My Lady, have mercy!” “Annelise, dear, why must you make things so hard for the staff?” Willow’s voice, usually as sweet as a songbird, now trembled as if she were terrified of me. She looked so pitiful, on the verge of tears, a picture of wronged innocence. Many onlookers, seeing her distress, frowned in my direction. Elara Vance, daughter of General Vance and a close friend of Willow’s, was incandescent with rage. She stormed up to me, jabbing a finger in my face. “You! You worthless servant girl! How dare you act so insolently in front of Willow, the true daughter of House Thorne! You must have a death wish!” “Everyone knows how much the Duke and Duchess cherish their only daughter. Looks like someone’s about to meet a nasty end.” “I heard this servant girl was dragged in from some backwater village. Always scheming to climb the social ladder. Seems the rumors were true; she’s utterly uncouth.” When I was first brought back to the estate, I was still adjusting. My brothers, seeing my timidity, were ashamed to present me in society. That’s how all sorts of nasty rumors about me started, none of them flattering. Reborn, I finally understood. I was Annelise Thorne, legitimate daughter of a Duke, niece to the King himself—a lady of the highest nobility, precious and esteemed. Why should I be overshadowed by Willow, a genuine servant, and those two sycophants my parents had taken in, born from a lesser branch? The thought sharpened my gaze like a blade as I fixed it on Elara Vance. “And who, pray tell, are you? The daughter of a mere Brigadier General, daring to meddle in the affairs of my Duke’s household! I doubt even General Vance himself would dare speak to me so rudely!” Elara clearly hadn’t expected me to talk back so publicly. Her face flushed crimson. She lunged, hand raised to strike, but I deftly dodged and landed a stinging slap across her own cheek. “You—a servant—you dare hit me? I am a General’s daughter!” she shrieked in disbelief. The surrounding young ladies gasped. Willow clutched her chest, looking faint with fury. She snarled at the servants cowering nearby, “This girl has lost her mind! Tie her up and throw her in the woodshed, now!” I swept my gaze over the few footmen who, ropes in hand, were hesitantly approaching. A dangerous glint entered my eyes. “I am the Duchess’s own daughter. Even if you’re household servants born and bred to House Thorne, you dare lay hands on me?” Willow’s expression froze. A flicker of panic crossed her face, quickly masked by a forced sneer. “What utter nonsense are you spouting! Everyone in the capital knows you, Annelise Thorne, are just the girl who empties the chamber pots for the Duke’s household!” The others clearly didn’t believe me. “Willow’s right. She really has gone mad.” “The Duchess has spent years in seclusion at Mount Serene, deep in prayer for the well-being of her only daughter, and this shameless creature has the audacity to impersonate her.” Unperturbed, I instructed my personal maid, Summer, who stood beside me, “Go tell my eldest brother and second brother that this Spring Gala seems to be over.” Summer looked at me, her expression torn. My brothers doted on Willow; if they knew I’d humiliated her, they wouldn’t let me off easy. Seeing my nod, she hurried out, her face still etched with worry. Willow, however, couldn’t have been more pleased. She tilted her chin smugly. “If Ethan and Liam knew what you’ve done today, they’d never forgive you.” In my past life, the brothers I’d admired since childhood had stood by and watched Willow bully me, watched her steal my identity. In the end, they’d thrown me into a den of beggars. As filthy hands tormented me, I’d screamed for my brothers to save me. But they’d merely said my cries were frightening their dear sister Willow. They had my tongue cut out. When I died, there wasn’t an unblemished patch of skin on my body. Now, I’ve clawed my way back from hell. Let’s see who won’t forgive whom. 2 It wasn’t long before Summer rushed back in, her face etched with guilt. Head bowed, she said, her voice tinged with pity, “My Lady, the Young Lord Ethan and Master Liam are having tea. They said your… minor issues… shouldn’t disturb them, and that everything should be handled according to Miss Willow’s wishes.” Of course. No matter how cruelly I was treated, in their eyes, it was just a “minor issue,” not worth their attention. Willow let out a snort of laughter. “See? You even made her run around for nothing…” Before she could finish, someone else stormed into the room. It was Preston Miles, my fiancé, the legitimate son of the High General’s household. Summer, thinking he was here to help me, brightened instantly. I just gave a small, wry shake of my head. When we were children, he’d trailed after me like a puppy, begging me to marry him when we grew up. He’d pestered his father to formally propose and exchange tokens of betrothal. But ever since he’d laid eyes on Willow, he’d become utterly bewitched by her, even helping her humiliate me. Preston anxiously scanned Willow from head to toe, as if terrified she’d lost a single strand of hair. Then, he turned to me, his face a mask of disgust. “A wretched servant girl! I can’t believe I was fooled by you, actually thinking you were the high-born lady of House Thorne. Thank goodness the Young Lord Ethan set me straight. If I had actually married you…” “The Miles family would have become a laughingstock for the entire kingdom!” My own fiancé was adamantly denying my identity. This instantly changed the expressions of those who had harbored even a sliver of belief in my true status. The unfolding drama captivated the onlookers. Curious eyes darted between us, and the smirk on Willow’s face grew more pronounced. To further champion Willow, Preston’s expression hardened. He ripped the engagement locket from his neck. “Here’s your token back! Someone as lowborn as you should find a stablehand or a night watchman to marry!” Seeing Preston’s resolute determination, I remembered how, in my past life, after my death, the King had been furious. Preston had knelt before my uncle, the King, weeping uncontrollably, swearing he had always loved me, that he’d only been deceived by villains into his foolish actions. It was so laughable, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Preston’s face darkened. “What are you laughing at?” “I’m laughing at how blind you are, mistaking a fish eye for a pearl. Breaking off our engagement for a real servant girl. I wonder what your father, the old General, will say when he finds out.” A collective gasp went through the crowd at my words. “Willow Creston is the actual servant?” “But why would the Young Lord Ethan claim she’s his sister?” Murmurs erupted, all eyes fixated on Willow and me. I stood there, unadorned by makeup, yet my natural elegance and noble bearing were undeniable. She, in contrast, though dressed in finery, couldn’t hide the cunning in her eyes, the inherent vulgarity, the air of a clumsy imposter. Willow’s face turned pale. She bit her lip and hastily retorted, “If you’re really the high-born lady, why does no one here recognize you? You can’t just make up lies because you’re jealous that Preston cares for me!” Preston scoffed. “Willow has been too kind to expose your true identity, and now you have the gall to turn things around and accuse her!” Their words quickly swayed the onlookers. Elara Vance, who had just been humiliated, suddenly found her courage again. “She’s just a servant! Even if we beat you to death today, no one would stand up for you! I’ll teach you a lesson on Willow’s behalf!” Several other young ladies, not wanting to be left out, ordered their maids to restrain me. One of them kicked me to my knees. “Let’s teach her how to apologize properly,” one sneered, then forcefully shoved my head down, again and again, until blood stained the ground. Preston pulled Willow behind him. “It’s too vile. Don’t let it dirty your eyes.” Willow smirked triumphantly. “I told you not to cross me, but you wouldn’t listen. Who do you think you are to have a say in this household?” I tilted my head back defiantly, glaring at her. “My mother will be back soon! And when she is, none of you will get away with this!” My Coming-of-Age Ball was just after the Spring Gala. My mother was returning to preside over it, and my uncle, the King, was to officially grant me the title of Countess on that day. That was why all these people were scrambling to curry favor with House Thorne. In my previous life, however, I never made it to my Coming-of-Age Ball. Willow framed me, and I died without ever seeing my mother again. Willow leaned down, her voice a derisive whisper in my ear, “You’re so naive. The Miles family commands vast armies. Once I marry into their family, who would dare touch me?” The memory of how my constant yielding in my past life had only led to a horrific death fueled my resolve. This time, I wouldn’t let her escape. 3 I struggled fiercely, trying to pull out a hairpin to defend myself, but before I could, a furious voice boomed, “Preposterous!” My two brothers, Ethan and Liam, strode into the room, and my attackers hastily released me. A flicker of panic crossed Willow’s face, but she quickly composed herself and, smiling, took Liam’s arm. My second brother looked at her with doting affection. Ethan, my eldest brother and the Heir, shot her a concerned glance before turning his disgusted gaze upon my disheveled form. He rebuked me publicly, “A vulgar, worthless wench! Daring to disrespect your betters! Can’t you learn to behave with some of Willow’s grace and poise? Then maybe you could find a decent man to marry you off to.” In my past life, my brothers had said such things countless times. Desperate for their approval, I had tried to emulate Willow, only for them to mock me as a clumsy copycat. I finally understood: those who don’t care about you will never see your efforts, no matter how hard you try. At this thought, a cold smile touched my lips. “Learn from Willow? You mean her fake sentimentality? Or perhaps her talent for being an imposter?” Fearing they’d be implicated, the gaggle of noble girls all started chattering at once, heaping all the blame on me. “She even dares to contradict the Young Lord Ethan! No wonder she bullies poor Willow.” “Yes, just now she was not only rude to Willow but also tried to steal the royal gift! If we hadn’t protected Willow, who knows what outrageous thing she might have done.” Preston Miles stepped forward, his voice filled with righteous indignation. “This country bumpkin isn’t fit to touch a single hair on Willow’s head! Today, in front of the Young Lord Ethan, I formally break off our engagement!” My second brother, Liam, looked deeply apologetic. “It’s all our fault. We failed to discipline this troublemaker. It’s a disgrace to both our families.” It seemed the alliance between House Thorne and the Miles family was shattered, all because of me. Ethan frowned. “House Thorne has no daughter who would bring such disgrace upon us. Willow Creston is my only sister.” Willow’s eyes widened in delighted surprise, then she lowered her head, sighing theatrically. “It was my mismanagement… allowing a mere servant to dream of taking another’s place. It’s my fault…” Her words tugged at the heartstrings of the three men. Preston immediately produced the marriage contract and dramatically tore it to shreds. He then took the engagement locket he’d snatched from me and reverently fastened it around Willow’s waist. He announced loudly, “Esteemed guests, today it has become abundantly clear who the true young lady of House Thorne is. I, Preston Miles, now formally ask for the hand of Miss Willow Creston in marriage!” Amidst a chorus of cheers and blessings, Willow shot me a triumphant, smug glance. I ignored her provocation. If she wanted such a fickle man, she was welcome to him. Seeing no trace of remorse in me, my second brother, Liam, turned to Ethan with a cruel suggestion. “Brother, today Annelise publicly disrespected her superiors and humiliated Willow. However, out of a sense of compassion, perhaps we should just marry her off to a stablehand and banish her to one of the rural estates.” Ethan seemed to hesitate. “If you publicly admit your mistake today and then spend the night kneeling in the family chapel, we’ll let this go.” The smile froze on Willow’s face. She said with feigned grievance, “It’s alright, brothers. You don’t need to be angry on my account. I don’t care about such empty titles.” Then, turning to me, she added, “But sister, no matter how willful you are, you shouldn’t disgrace the family name.” At her words, Ethan’s impatience became visible. “You still refuse to admit you’re wrong?” he demanded of me. Hah. These were the brothers I had admired since childhood. They hadn’t always enjoyed their current status and wealth. It was because I, as a child, loved to follow them around that my mother had formally adopted these sons from a lesser branch of the family under her name, even securing the title of Heir for Ethan early on. I stiffened my neck, wanting to slap myself for being so foolish, for wasting my genuine affection on such vipers. Ethan’s face was grim. He turned and ordered the servants, “Do as the Second Young Master said. Go to the stables, pick out a groom for her to marry, then throw her out onto a country estate. If she doesn’t admit her fault, she’s never to return.” I met Ethan’s gaze, my voice cold. “What right do you have to banish me? Even the head of the Thorne clan wouldn’t dare to strike my name from the family records!” Liam snorted. “Father and Mother aren’t here. As the Heir, Ethan naturally has the authority to manage household affairs.” Ethan announced solemnly, “The Duke has only ever had one daughter, Willow. Annelise Thorne has nothing to do with us.” Willow, beaming with triumph, instructed a servant, “This is all so sudden. Later, the family carriages will be needed to send our honored guests home. Just call for a common cart from outside the estate to send her away.” Just as they were about to drag me off—
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "392497", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel