Verratoux Familys test was held in the thousand-year-old duchy. If she fails this test, Vi would be discarded without any hesitation.


    Phew.


    While I was breathing deeply, therge door opened wide, and she slowly got a glimpse of people who were inside. Vi moved solemnly with Xenon behind her.


    The Seventh Princess of the Verratoux Family. Young Lady Vi Verratoux enters.


    She was called the seventh princess, not the Sixth Princess.


    Just like in the novel.


    Walking several steps further, she nced to her right and stared at the butler who called her the Seventh Princess.


    In fact, the dukes test starts from here.


    Whether she would correct something that was wrong on the stop or not. If she gets it right and acts how a Verratoux should act, then she would pass the first test.


    I cant do the same as Vi.


    In the original book, Vi moved swiftly and stabbed the butler in the neck. Sadly, she couldnt make the same move as her. If she followed her actions from the novel, she could have exposed unwanted loopholes.


    So, instead, she chose a different method.


    Choosing a method she could do better.


    Step by step.


    The sound of Vis footsteps echoed in the silence. Slowly, she approached the butler. As the original story went, she had to kill that butler, but she decided to twist the original plot a little.


    Thats not a real butler.


    It is not a real person. It is a doll strung by a puppeteer.


    [ The fourth finger of the butlers left hand had a thin thread attached to it.


    A very fine, shiny thread could be seen. Vi stood before him silently. She slowly took out the dagger from her arms and swung it very leisurely with a nonchnt attitude.


    The dagger given to her was from Verratoux. The special dagger was made by the dukes workshop to fit her wistful spirit for its high quality. Although it was a rough-and-dull dagger, it was not impossible to break the thread.


    Swish! The thread broke, and the butler doll lost its strength and copsed.


    Vi wasnt too surprised to know it was a doll. Now, we can step on that head. It was difficult to trample on people, though it was not that difficult to trample on dolls.


    Step!


    Vi deliberately put her foot on the butlers head. She trampled on it slowly. She practiced really hard while looking at the mirrorst night.


    Smile.


    Oh, no, thats not fun at all.


    The man rolled up his lips andughed, hiding the tension withughter. She peered at the man.


    Savann Marcos.


    [ The person who manipted the doll was the puppeteer, Savann Marcos.


    She could feel the tension from his stare. All the other family members, except Vi, are sitting at the long table.


    Duke Heron Verratoux.


    Duchess Isabe.


    And the eyes of her five siblings could be visibly felt at once, too. With all the pressure, Vi seriously wanted to cry. Wow. This is too much for me. Among all the stares, it was difficult to differentiate whose eyes were a violent, wild animal.


    I shouldnt even look over there.


    So, she decided not to look at them on purpose. There is no need to talk with her siblings, anyway. Todays scene is about the Duke, Duchess Isabe, and of course, Vi. Us three were the main characters.


    Vi decided to concentrate on that fact instead. Then, Savaan approached.


    Uhm.


    He walked a few more steps closer, covering his mouth with his hands andughing. Savann, who came in front of Vi, bent down.


    I have made a mistake, princess.


    I guess you know it was a bad call.


    Im sorry.


    If youre really sorry, would you like to die for your mistake? Vi pretended to hold her dagger tighter and smirked.


    Savann shook his hand.


    I dont think its that much of a felony. Ho, ho, ho. Please look over here.


    Savann pointed at his neck, which fine wounds were visible. They were wounds inflicted by the scissors that Vi had wielded in her sleep.


    Shouldnt you say that Ive been charged already? I almost died.


    Savann Marcos looked toward the Duke. Vi unknowingly followed his gaze as well. She gave the Duke a single nce.


    Vi was a kid whom he, the owner of a winter castle, had adopted himself. The handsome man had ck bangs and captivating eyes, to say that he was handsome was an understatement. Her perspective was rather a deep affinity for the duke.


    Isnt that a fraud to look that good even though its a novel?


    That face contained immunity for anyone to forgive him of all wrongdoings.


    Han Arin felt that his fathers appearance is more improbable than her own thought of the novel. Theres no such father in the present world.


    Youre so handsome, Duke.


    Heron read Vis feelings through the novel as twisted.


    [ T/N: It is expressed as a Jin-an, which is not a proper word for Jin-mu which means twisted, in the basic hanja (). The meaning is Calm and caress the people who caused the chaos. ]


    She tried to ignore the good feelings that were forming. This warm feeling didnt suit Verratoux.


    The duke then spoke in a grave voice.


    Vi, stop and sit down.


    She turned away. Gently and carefully, Vi walked towards her seat. She then put the dagger back in her arms and held the hem on both sides of her dress. Along her steps, she could feel the eyes of her siblings. Vixens expression is also full of excitement.


    Phew


    This is the real beginning.


    ***


    Vi nced around the area once.


    It was a long rectangr table. Her five siblings are sitting around the table, but she decided to not care about that for now. Because regardless, they are just spectators in this chapter. Though Vi couldnt deny that she felt scared from their gazes for a while now.


    Xenon pulled up the chair for her.


    You can sit here, princess.


    Her seat is facing Duke Heron and Duchess Isabe. At the rectangr edge, this is the seat of the main characters.


    Duchess Isabe was wearing a white veil, so her face was not visible.


    Vi knew how to proceed to the next step in this novel. Isabe will first throw a test disguised as a question.


    [ Sixth Princess. I have two questions.


    So, Vi nned to take the first step first. She had to get her act together first to ensure that she had an advantage. Han Arin, who is now Vi, is not the real Vi, so she had to do her best to survive.


    Vi spoke with a rxed smile.


    I dont think that you have the atmosphere to wee me.


    She nced around on purpose. Its my fathers impulsiveness that brought me here unterally.


    To verify my eligibility as a Verratoux.


    Vi looked into Isabes eyes that were hidden by the veil.


    Well need verification from two other owners of this family.


    Two other owners.


    It means two duchesses. However, another one is not here.


    The other duchess did not appear in the novel, though she was only roughly mentioned. So, the only duchess left is Duchess Isabe.


    Because another person is not here, Duchess Isabe will test me, right?


    Han Arin couldnt do it like how Vi did it in the novel. She doesnt want to die, nor kill anyone. Her movements are not sharp, and she didnt have a cruel personality like Vi. Thats why she chose to do this.


    If you dont think you can prove your physical ability, you must prove your worth with your mentally.


    If she couldnt prove that she has the qualification, shell die. Fortunately, Han Arin already knew the story of the novel  Shadow of Verratoux.


    Duchess Isabes red lips continued to move.


    But youre right. That was brilliant, Sixth Princess.


    Thank you for thepliment. So, whats the test?


    Id like to ask you two questions.


    The examination began.


    First. Why didnt you stab him in the heart?


    She added, Why didnt you kill the butler (doll) who called the Sixth Princess., the Seventh Princess?


    Vi frowned on purpose.


    Is that a question?


    It was as though she was indicating,is that all you could think of asking me? Her tone was sarcastic, too. Duchess Isabe was briefly taken aback by Vis attitude.


    Pardon?


    The familys eyes widened in unison.


    Im scared, Im scared! Even though she was terrified inside, Vi kept staring at Duchess Isabe on purpose. Thankfully, with the veil covering Duchess Isabes eyes, they were not very visible and it made Vi less nervous. Yes, Ill just look at Isabe. And so, she did that.


    It seemed to others that Vi is not at all daunted by Isabe. She did not even pay the slightest attention to her siblings, but is rxed while dealing with Isabe. Savanns makeup also had a helping hand ofpletely concealed her fear from showing, too.


    Isabelle smiled lightly.


    Ive been tasked by the duke to ask questions. Did you have to tarnish me like that?


    No, it was not my intention to do that at all.


    Then?


    You asked me something that was so obvious that I was just genuinely confused whether it was a serious question or not.


    Vi was getting nervous again, so she quickly continued the conversation. I didnt mean to, but I apologize if you felt that way.


    I should just smirk at this point, right?


    Smirk. Thinking so, she proceeded to smile softly.


    The reception hall was tranquil. Only the sounds of Isabe and Vis conversation filled the dining hall.


    Ill ask you again. The reason you didnt stab the butler in the heart is because you noticed he was a doll?


    Yes.


    How did you find out?


    It is a weing dinner with my family and my closest friends.


    I nced around the room. But there was one person whos not a part of the people that I just mentioned.


    Although Savann Marcos is an important person and close aide to the duke, he was hardly considered as the closest person in this circle to join her weing dinner. There were only personal butlers of Verratouxs immediate family.


    And Im sure that I am the Sixth Princess, so if he calls me the Seventh Princess, then it meant you want me to kill him, right?


    She thenughed sensibly deliberately.


    But this is a ce where the absolutews of Winter Castle apply, so I shouldnt kill him. And that left me with one answer. Is that right, mother?


    Keep talking.


    So, someone who was closest to him would be suspected as the one who manipted the doll. It was obvious that Savann Marcos, the puppeteer of Winter Castle, would be the culprit.


    Vi continued as if she had seen through everything.


    But here, Savann Marcos couldnt have been dogmatic without fathers permission, So, in other words, his actions would have been following fathers and mothers orders.


    He looked toward Savann Marcos.


    She peered at Savann Marcos and concluded her words. Thats why I didnt kill him. Is my exnation enough, mother?


    There was a moment of silence.


    Why?


    Why is it so quiet?


    Did I make a mistake? Did I talk too much? Should I have just stabbed the butler in the neck like the original Vi?


    At that moment, Duke Heron Verratoux broke the silence and threw a heavy word.


    Thats great.


    Everyones eyes turned towards him. Their eyes were filled with wonder.