Chapter 2
Celestia Rotisch, born as the only daughter of a count's family, was raised with great love from her parents.
Although she had the typical selfishness of a child, she polished herself just enough not to be ashamed as a noble lady and dreamed of a happy life with her future husband and children—an ordinary girl found anywhere.
The turning point for that ordinary girl came the year after her mother died of illness, on the day her father brought a new wife and her daughter to the mansion.
The gentle stepmother and the adorable stepsister were the wife and child of a baron who had been her father's close friend, but as newly risen nobles, they were considered single-generation nobility whose titles would not be inherited by their children.
There was nothing shady about it. He had simply taken in the two who were at a loss after the head of their house passed away.
Besides, with Celestia still being young, a mistress was needed to manage the household in the master's absence.
Whether it was out of sympathy or convenience, Celestia couldn't tell, but having just lost her mother, she was inwardly in turmoil.
However, the stepmother was very kind and tried her hardest to become a mother figure to Celestia.
That's why she quickly warmed up to her.
The true source of the turning point was the stepsister.
Mirabel, the stepsister one year younger than Celestia, was a quiet girl who would shyly smile while hiding behind her mother.
The way she would peek at Celestia from behind things was like a small animal, and when spoken to, she would blush and look down, stirring a protective instinct—so a few weeks later, Celestia decided to cherish this adorable stepsister as an older sister should.
'I'll tell you this now, Celestia. I'm the heroine of this world. Everyone will love me, and in the end, I'll have a happy ending with a prince!'
During afternoon tea, when they were alone together for the first time because Mirabel said she wanted to get closer, she completely changed her demeanor.
After glancing around in confusion to see what had happened and returning her gaze, she saw Mirabel with her hands on her hips, turning her chin away with a pout...
That pose made her look like a child trying to act grown-up, making her even more adorable, and the maids standing a bit away were covering their mouths, shaking with suppressed laughter.
Thinking she was just a dreamy girl, Celestia watched with a smile—until Mirabel suddenly threw a tantrum.
She slammed the table repeatedly, the teacup shattered with a loud noise, and the sweets bounced from the vibrations.
"...Well then."
What else could she even say?
Celestia, who had been strictly taught manners, was so shocked her mind went blank.
"What's with that face! I-I'm going to be in a much higher position than you, big sister!"
She mumbled the words "big sister" in a small voice while fidgeting, but still clearly upset, Mirabel started pounding the table again.
"Even becoming royalty isn't just a dream! Hey, don't nod! You don't believe me, do you!?"
Girls around that age all dream of marrying a prince at least once.
Her friends had said similar things at tea parties with blushing cheeks, so Celestia nodded—but apparently, that wasn't appreciated.
"I don't like that face of yours! It's scary!"
"Oh my..."
When she erased her expression after being told her face was unpleasant, she was told that was no good either.
(What am I even supposed to do...)
Giving up on talking with Mirabel, Celestia raised her hand to call the maids standing at a distance, but was stopped when Mirabel leaned forward and grabbed her hand.
As Celestia stood there bewildered, Mirabel gave a sly grin at close range.
"If you don't believe me, then I'll predict what's going to happen to you from now on."
That's what she said.