The Original Story

This was a typical 'condemnation' style otome novel. Cecilia—the original heroine. Born as the eldest daughter of the House of Earl Elford, her father remarried after her mother passed away. The new Countess brought with her a daughter from her previous marriage, Lizette Elford. Lizette—in the original story, the wicked younger sister who met a miserable end. Glamorous, cute, and raised having almost everything she wanted, she had disliked Cecilia from the start.

Hiding clothes. Making sure invitations never arrived. Whispering lies to the servants and enjoying the sight of her sister in distress. They were all childish harassments, but for Cecilia, who had no sufficient allies within the home, they had become a long-standing daily reality. And the main hero who would protect Cecilia and eventually be united with her was the First Prince, Alexis. There is one more important person in the original story. Guest—the final boss of the story's end. Guest was also one of the candidates for succession with formal royal rights to the throne. Although First Prince Alexis was the most likely candidate, the heir had not yet been decided. In the original story, there were nobles and factions supporting Alexis and Guest respectively, and eventually, the two would engage in a full-scale struggle for the throne. And Lizette was the fiancée of that Guest. An engagement arranged by Earl Elford to gain the backing of the royal family. However, for Lizette herself, it wasn't just a political marriage. She loved Guest from the bottom of her heart. "I am Guest-sama's fiancée." She would say this and boast happily to those around her, never doubting that she was the special existence meant to stand by Guest's side. Using that position as a shield, she would have her way and intimidate those she disliked. She would unilaterally crush rumors unfavorable to Guest and distance those she deemed a nuisance. Before long, in Lizette's mind, her own position and Guest's had become almost one and the same. But the original Guest didn't care about her at all. He didn't love her. She wasn't even an important political pawn. A cute girl who admired him and followed him happily. A toy just right for passing the time when he was bored. That was all she was. The story began to move significantly at a royal palace ball. Lizette, who was harassing Cecilia as usual, finally pushed her into a fountain.

It was then that, for the first time, someone appeared to stop Lizette head-on. It was Alexis. He personally rescued the soaking wet Cecilia and protected her in front of the crowd. The sister she had always thought was beneath her was being specially protected by the First Prince, who was a match for her own proud fiancé. Lizette took this as a severe humiliation. From that day on, allies gradually began to increase around Cecilia. Alexis also gradually began to care for her, seeing her living earnestly despite being hurt, and eventually came to love her truly. Conversely, those who had previously catered to Lizette began to drift away, and her small harassments no longer worked as they used to. The more Cecilia was recognized, the more Lizette was backed into a corner. Even so, there was one thing she believed in until the end. —Because Guest-sama, at least, belongs to me. Eventually, upon learning that Alexis truly loved Cecilia, Lizette came to a certain conclusion. Perhaps Cecilia was the First Prince's weakness. If so, by using her sister, she could shake Alexis, who was competing for the throne. That way, she could be of use to Guest. It wasn't that the original Guest had asked her to. Even so, Lizette believed that if she succeeded, she would surely be praised. But Cecilia would not submit even when threatened. And Lizette finally crossed the line. She kidnapped Cecilia and presented her to the original Guest, thinking she had achieved a great feat.

That was her greatest mistake. The original Guest, who until then had only seen Cecilia as 'the woman Alexis cares about', became deeply involved with her for the first time. And—he was drawn to her. Interest eventually turned into a strong possessiveness. It wasn't just Alexis. Even the fiancé she believed belonged to her until the end began to desire Cecilia. Something that had remained inside Lizette until the last moment broke. She gripped a dagger and lunged at Cecilia. But the one who stopped her arm was the original Guest. He snatched the dagger away and, with the very blade she had brought, slashed her throat deeply. The wound was fatal. Even so, Lizette could not die immediately. Seeking breath in a pool of blood, she reached out a trembling hand toward Guest.

But no voice would come from her wounded throat. The original Guest didn't even look back. The only one in his line of sight was Cecilia, whom he had saved. Lizette watched that scene until the very end. She thought she was special. She thought she was needed. She thought if she were more useful, she would be loved more. But in the first place, there was never a place for her in the original Guest's heart. The wicked younger sister who kept oppressing the heroine had her life taken at the end by the very hand of the fiancé who protected the heroine. Lizette's story ended there. However, the original story still continued. Guest, the true final boss, continued to fight Alexis for the throne afterward, deepening the conflict over Cecilia. And in the end, he was defeated by Alexis. The defeated Guest protected Cecilia and resolved the crisis caused by his own faction. Afterward, he personally renounced his status as royalty and his right to succession. Alexis and Cecilia also eventually forgave Guest. At the very end of the story. At the wedding of the heroine and the main hero.

There was also the figure of the final boss who once stood in their way. The original Guest offered his blessings to the two and then quietly departed from the story.