Chapter 1: Mellisa Collins


    The vi, reminiscent of a pce, was filled with mellow melodies. A grand charity ball hosted by Leopold was in full swing.


    The wealth and honour umted by Leopald, the kingdoms number one businessman, were truly remarkable. There was no one in the whole kingdom who did not look up to that name. Even the Royal Family paid their respect to them.


    Sir An is as dazzling as always


    A voice of admiration was suddenly heard. As quietly drank the champagne in the corner, I slowly raised my head.


    Mr. Leopold was busy greeting, and a cold-looking young man stood next to him. It was An Leopold, the only son of the great Leopold.


    Perhaps because of his pitch-ck hair, skin like white snow, and noticeably tall height, he stood out from a distance.


    (T/N: in the description its said that An has blonde hair and here its ck hair, idk why the author said it like this but I crossed check with the raws and it showed the same)


    My goodness, hes like a ck swan.


    I know.


    The women chatted with red faces as they headed towards me. I was forced to focus my gaze on their dresses. It was so colourful and sophisticated that it was iparable to my worn-out dress.


    I cant believe theres such a beautiful man like him. He turned twenty this year, right?


    I quietly stepped back a couple of steps with my shoulders curled up. Originally, I was not a sociable person, but today it was particrly difficult. Tme passed slowly, and the empty seat of my one and only friend was toorge,


    He isnt going to dance today?


    Oh, I wish we could dance together, just once.


    Me too, me too.


    Womens fuss continued. My dazed gaze, counting the small bubbles in the ss, returned helplessly to the object of praise.


    An stood by his father in an upright position. Perhaps because of the unique cool atmosphere, only his surroundings looked cold like winter in the north. Like he is warning you not toe closer.


    Like everyone else, I thought even that aspect of him was cool. I seemed to know the mind of Pygmalion, who passionately worshipped the cold statue.


    (T/N- In Greek mythology Pygmalion is a legendary figure of Cyprus, who was a king and a sculptor. He was a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had carved.)


    Somehow I was thirsty to see him. My hands crumpled helplessly at the hem of my old dress.


    Ha


    I have a crush on An Leopold.


    Melissa!


    I heard my mother calling me from the first floor. Melissa Collins. Its my name here.


    I was possessed by , a liberal arts and romance novel. I was so surprised when I first opened my eyes in the body of a 10-year-old girl.


    The Collins couple approached me and told me that this was Florin, the capital of the Sourn Kingdom. It was the moment I learned that I was possessed by the world in


    With browntro hair and brown eyes, I was the daughter of an ordinary family just like my appearance. Since I turned twenty this year, this life has already been for ten years.


    Having lived as Melissa for ten years, my memories and names in Korea now seem unfamiliar to me as if they belonged to someone else. I even have the illusion that I belong here from the beginning.


    In fact, I am an extra whose name does not even appear in the novel, and I have never met the main characters. Because they dont live in the capital city in the first ce, Since its a calm novel without a twist or a viin, I guess will live peacefully as it is in the original story.


    Even though the environment has changed, I was still an introvert and ordinary myself, which was frustrating at first. But over time I havee to truly love this life, so now I know. That I am the only protagonist in the novel called Life.


    Thinking this far, I heard my mothers cry once again.


    Mel!


    I-Ill go down!


    I sat in front of my mother with an awkward face. Because I already knew what I would hear.


    Did something happen at the Leopold charity ball?


    There wasnt.


    There must be something special!


    My mother made a loud roar, causing microscopic ripples on the water surface in the teacup. Im just saying this just in case, but she is not a bad person.


    Vi hurt her leg so she couldnte. quietly listened, to music.


    Vi, vi! How long are you going to talk about friends, Mel! Are you going to get married with friends? Yes? Phew, Its frustrating!


    My mother pounded on her chest. Again Im repeating, she is not a bad person. She is a little hot-tempered and has a unique voice. If I hadnt possessed, Melissa would have grown up to be a brave woman who resembled Mrs. Collins.


    Youre an adult now, too. You know what Im saying, right? By the way, women must


    Must have to get married well.


    Must have to get married well!


    Theres a reason why I still abide to my mothers words. This is because the society here is obsessed with marriage. My mothers hysteria, which had been getting worse year by year, peaked this year when I became an adult,


    Recently, people here have begun to open their eyes to womens rights, but it feels like its still a hundred years early. Most people still think that womens life is only sessful if they get married well.


    However, it is not an unfortunate world to live as a woman, but women here are too passive. I was timid and quiet in Korea, so I said everything if I felt that way.


    Women need to be able to captivate men sometimes, Mel. The older they get, the less likely they are to get married.


    My mother gulped down her tea as of she was frustrated from her only daughter


    Its a small family, so you have topete with others. You dont look so attractive.


    When you were young you wanted to marry a prince. want to know what happened to you who was confident.


    Melissas childhood memories inside her mother seem to, have been left intact despite all these years. How old, would I be to think that the prince would be a handsome boy without ever seeing him?


    Are you listening? Property is basic, and you have to look carefully at whether or not he is a person whos going to screw up the house like your father.


    Yes


    I answered right away. This is because it is obvious that the mothersint will continue for a long time when the story of her fathers youth begins. Theyre two good people, but..


    Your eyes cant be too high. If you waste time on a tree that you cant climb, you cant eat porridge and just get old. Do you get it?


    But this time, I couldnt answer. My crush is An of the great Leopold. It would never be an illusion to think that it would be easier to marry a prince.


    Im asking if you got it, Mel! Please think about your moms blood pressure.


    Not answering is the only way to keep your blood pressure from rising, Mother.


    So, Mel? Whats next?


    The protagonist of this unique voice is my only best friend, Vi Graham. As the same age as me, we became friends while studying under the same tutor.


    Its out of the blue, but if it werent for my mother, we wouldnt be friends. Because it was my mother who gave Graham a small amount of money and asked him to take sses together. She was the one who gave me courage to face my shame in a difficult situation.


    I deeply agree with the saying that every mother is great. can only thank my father for allowing me to umte knowledgeparable to other young children despite the difficult circumstances of getting fraud.


    That was about eight years ago, so my friendship with Vi has already entered the ninth year.


    I replied back to my old friend with a dead voice.


    What else can I say? Its all about looking at his face from afar.


    But Im still jealous.


    Vi stretched her words with her unique voice. Her ankles, wrapped in bandages, floundered in the air.


    I wanted to see sir Ans face, too!


    I hope you get well soon, Vi. The social world without you is hell.


    You always say that, whether Im there or not. Theres not enough desperation.


    Thats true, but Without you, its not just hell, its fire, hell.


    Viughed at what I said.


    Then Sir An must be an angel, a snow angel.


    ..what snow angel?


    Because he will put off the hell fire with his cold beauty. Its perfect, right?


    At the yful question, I nodded continuously. Vi admired An like me and other young nobles. When we started talking about An, our conversation would continue endlessly.


    Vi.


    I momentarily hardened my expression.


    Come to think of it, youre dating someone. Missing Sir An..


    Hey, its Sir An, not anyone else. Jacob will understand.


    Vi recently started dating. Jacob, her significant other, is an aristocrat, a year older than her and it is said that he was handed down his great-grandfathersnd which is quiterge.


    He doesnt live in the capital, so I havent met him yet.


    I dont think hell get angry because theres nothing going on in the first ce. Who would be jealous of flowers or dresses?


    Thats true.


    Vis metaphor was so appropriate that I smiled.


    Mrs. Collins might have said something because of me, Mel.


    Mom must be frustrated too. Shed feel better if I were in a rtionship like you.


    What? You cant date.


    The vi answered immediately.


    Do you think we dont know that you dont like to meet someone you dont like?


    ..Its disrespectful to the other person to meet them if you dont like it. Im also frustrated with myself because Im like this.


    Oh! I dont think thats a bad thing about you. Its good to have convictions, well. Youre smart, so youll live well without relying on men.


    Thanks for the words, but I was not confident in living as she said, so I quietly blinked my eyes. Vi spoke in a low voice.


    But you know, I want you to confess.


    What are you talking about?


    I mean your heart. To Sir An.


    W, what am I doing to whom?


    There is a loud noiseing out. Thats a joke.


    Its been years since you liked Sir An.


    Even so.


    Since Sir An is an adult, he will slowly find his significant other. There is no way that Leopolds only sessor will not have a spouse.


    Spouse?


    I was full of energy. I could say more than ten reasons why I couldnt even reach his toes.


    Vi. I dont have a lot of family, Im not blonde like you, and I have such a normal appearance that people can forget when turned around


    I dont know!


    Vi cut me off bravely


    Do you think An of Leopold will ask about the family? And youre pretty, why?


    Your brown hair and brown eyes are so cute. Like a puppy.


    Is it apliment?


    Lets give it a try, Mel. Its a piece of cake! After being rejected, you may want to meet someone else.


    I had no disagreement with what the vi said. Because its true that Ive been obsessed with An for too long.


    ..It is bittersweet that rejection is a premise, but there is no disagreement.


    What should I do?


    I asked nervously during the day. Vi turned her head toward me, and her lips drew a cool arc.


    Ill teach you the method I used on Jacob.