Erin
Memories of this body's past owner flooded in my mind in an instant. The moment I woke up, I can feel her memories melting unto mine.
That horrid looking woman was like from the same part of hell where Magnus' dad came from. No wonder this body's so weak and the past Lisbeth (who's actually Erin) died because she's so weak-minded and easy to decieve. Her level of naïvité is at the level of a baby having her candy stolen by an ill-intentioned adult! What level of idiocy! Although she is undeniably kind-hearted but damn... People with bad intentions can easily make use of this and bend you until you break.. I can't stand it!
She was treated badly in the Baron Lisney estate but wasn't given hard tasks as they wanted to sell her off in a high price. So she was bathed and fed luxuriously, taught proper etiquette, educated in the best they could in their social standing (education here is controlled, based on social standing.. Barons' daughters can only attain home-making knowledge such as embroidery, dancing and musicality lessons which Erin preffered a harp. Hah, I get the last laugh 'coz I finished university in my past life and I bet I'm even better in arithmetic, literature, warfare strategizing and social studies than even the Emperor or Ava herself! It sure pays to be a wide-reader hehehehhe come at me! I read and memorized Lao Tzu's Art of war and several related books about governing, economy, and the likes.. B*tch, I aint playin'..)
She was talented in her education but with her limited resources, she can only be considered as a mistress in her evaluation by the board of nobility (stronghold in upholding Debrett's Rank and Privileges of Peerage) at the young age of 12. Since Erin was an adopted noble young lady of the Baron Lisney's estate, she was granted a right to be considered by high-ranking nobilities despite her poor birth as a daughter of a maid named Esther. Having the highest rank that considered her as a mistress being Duke Courtenay, Magnus' father.
Perhaps it was her beautiful face reminiscent of a budding flower soon to be in full bloom or her rare pink-eyes that only a few in this world wield that made the Duke want Erin for his son so much that he even considered taking her in his estate already. Of course Baron Lisney declined because he won't be able to be compensated handsomely (they can't refuse the Emperor's brother and a powerful Duke blatantly). He hid his intentions by saying he's attached to the child and won't part with her until her coming of age. Of course the Duke Courtenay knew his hidden motivations and will give five hundred thousand gold taels for Erin's hand in marriage (which is already a huge amount considering the Duke can easily take her under his wing without their blessing and no one would be able to bat an eye, not even the emperor. That's already a huge grace.) Years passed and the agreement was set in stone. Lady Erin of Baron Lisney's home was to be wed as a mistress of the Duke Courtenay's son.
Unfortunately for the Duke Courtenay, another nobleman swooped in. Marquess Farron came up with a bigger offer. Driven by greed, Baron Lisney sold me off having 2 million golden taels at hand. The exchange happened within a span of a day and now the Baron was given a similar-looking dead body from a nearby morgue to present as me. They soon declared Erin's death at the age 14 as I, the real Erin, assumed Lisbeth's identity that's due to be wed as the official wife of Duke Courtenay's son.
Well, it sure made a roundabout yet ended the same fashion. Either way, I was to be wed to Magnus.. Who's life I was most interested in even as Irene Kim.
In my past life, I've never even had a real boyfriend before. Have I had sex? Yes. But only casually (it's not a big deal in New York, okay?).. My first was with my editor in the first publishing company I worked with after graduation. He was a jerk so I never met him again. (Certified womanizer, so I left him with blue balls the second time.)
Now in my new body, of course, I am a virgin. My romantic skills is barely even there but in terms of warming the bed, I was often told I'm quite the hustler so safisfying Magnus won't be a pinch.
Anyhow, I'm still at my developmemt stage as a woman. Looking at my body now as I am bathing, I can tell just how much I improved. Before I was 6.7 at best but now I'm a freakin' 10. Not only is my body hot, my face is a peerless beauty whilst my mind and knowledge is beyond my years (since I reincarnated/transmigrated into this 14-year-old body even though I'm already in my middle twenties in my past life)
Magnus are you ready for me? I thought to myself naughtilly as I lathered vanilla-scented aromatic oil all over my naked body. Today's our first official meeting.. And since nobody ever saw the sickly Lizbeth in any social gathering, this is the first time anyone will ever see me.. As her.
I smiled to myself, time to set the plan in motion.
**
In the novel it was never mentioned what Lisbeth actually looks like. She was only vaguely described as "quite dainty, silent girl who occasionally blushes. Beautiful but never known as a beauty because she always lowers her head." Even his husband, Magnus, only saw her face clearly once and that's when she's already impaled by his double-edged sword, Ban, to her death.
That's the first thing I'll change in this novel. I looked at myself as I was adorned by blue chrysanthemums and aquamarine rhinestones as my headdress. Apparently, the color blue and these flowers are the real Lisbeth's favorites. As for me, I also like blue and chrysanthemums.
In the mirror, I saw a doll-like 14-year-old girl with lovely sakura-pink eyes. The blue in her lacy princess dress that she's wearing juxtaposed the determination in her eyes, complimenting her angelic features. Akin to a mythical warrior angel known as the Archangels in Catholicism, she exuded the aura of a celestial being that's on a mission to expound on the purity left inside the hearts of the secular world.
I can't believe this is me now. I took one last look at myself in the mirror as I was eventually urged to move because I can't possibly be late. I was reminded by my personal maid, Debbie, that I am Magnus' official companion to the knighting ceremony as he is the Dame Grand Cross, the highest rank in the Order of Knights in the kingdom.
Knowing full-well the responsibility that this piece of information entailed, I wasted no effort and hastened my pace in the most elegant way possible. This is my debut as Lisbeth. As I'm planning to rewrite my fate as a side-character, I'll have to raise up my head and never hide this wondrous God-given creation that is my countenance.
**
We finally made it to the royal palace. As expected, this palace is beyond my imagination as a reader. (And to be honest, it's a pleasant surprise!) The ceilings were so high, the walls pristinely painted with white as the gates are gold-plated. There's also the jade pathway that lead to the Jade Hall, which will be the venue for the knighthood of various young men today.
Right now, there's not much people yet aside from the people involved in arranging this event. After exchanging pleasantries with some nobles who are part of the board of nobility, I can feel that their attitude towards me is somewhat complicated. In the novel, they never had much of a reaction to the timid Lisbeth but now, this one is definitely making waves and showing off my charisma submerging them in unprecedented tides.
As I am a wide-reader, I'm well-informed to the tactics used by people who want to be well-liked. Put them at ease, crack a few jokes to ease the tension, compliment genuinely.. non-verbal-communication is also important.. Keeping close, looking them right in the eyes, mirroring... Being beautiful is only half the task. You have to work for it to be in people's good graces.
Eventually, I was then approached by the personal maid of Magnus, Lynette, who told me that her young master is currently in the north garden waiting for me. I thanked her, bid farewell to my few new acquaintances who seemed to have fallen over my captivating social skills. Perhaps my eloquence also made the job thrice as easier.. Who said readers are useless introverts again who can't interact in social gatherings? Huh, come take a second look, hun.
The north garden. A lot happened here based on the novel. This is the place where the young Magnus gone to whenever he's lonely or tired. There's nothing spectacular in the north garden.. Compared to the east's, it pales in comparison. What Magnus visits here remains unknown even to me who read the novel. All I know is that this place recharges him. That there's something in here that he tries so hard to remember but can't.
It's vague, yes. But as we all know, information is key. It is important to know especially when both our lives are at stake. Who knows if I can reincarnate again?
I'll use this little information I have to our advantage.
After a few minutes, we finally reached our destination. There was a pavillion near a big oak tree where there stood a tall, brooding elegant young man who's crimson hair is swiftly flowing with the wind. His eyes a bit downcast, exposing his long dark lashes that beautifully fanned his milky white clear skin.
Despite his proud, strong stance, he exudes an aura of a melancholic pensive man who's purple eyes, having met mine, shone like gems unravelled in the sunlight after millions of years in isolated reverie. His facial features were ethereal, I actually felt the urge to touch his face just to make sure he's a living person.
There we stood in silence for a while, looking at each other for the very first time after two years of being betrothed.
Magnus Baudin Veritas Courtenay, finally we meet.