Rebecca taught me a new technique.
She said a seductive dance wouldn't be effective without facial expressions—like biting my lip or winking.
I blushed immediately. It was so embarrassing, especially with so many people watching, not just the king.
But instead of encouraging me gently, she suddenly slapped me.
"W-why? What did I do wrong?" I asked, stunned.
"I know you used to be a prostitute," she said coldly. "Something like that shouldn't embarrass you."
"What? A prostitute? Who told you that? I've never been one!"
"Pros-ti-tute," she repeated mockingly. "A woman who gets paid for sex."
Fury surged through me. I couldn't stop myself—I slapped her back.
We eventually finished the dance practice, but when I returned to my room, my cheek was still burning. Not even Fiora's makeup could hide it.
Her slap had turned into an unintentional blush that lingered.
"What happened to your face, Miss?" Fiora asked, clearly concerned.
"It's nothing. Just do some retouch. I'm heading to the dining area."
"But… you're not allowed to go there," she said defensively. "Lord Jared will be angry, especially since he's not in the palace right now."
I sighed. Fiora was loyal, but also too obedient to Jared. She reported everything.
"Fine. Just bring Rebecca here instead. We'll eat together in my room."
"Rebecca?"
"Yes. We need to discuss something important."
"As you wish."
Once she left, and I was sure no one was watching, I quietly slipped into Xyra's room.
I wanted to check on her condition.
She had forgotten to close the door. I stepped in and gently shut it behind me.
"Who are you?" she asked nervously.
I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.
"I… I'm the woman you helped the other day."
She seemed to recognize me—her narrow eyes widened in surprise.
She stood up and bowed politely.
"F-forgive me, I didn't introduce myself properly. I'm Xyra."
"Diana," I said, offering my hand. She took it.
"Your voice sounds familiar, but this is the first time I've seen you in the palace. Are you also in the competition?"
"Yes. I almost didn't make it in."
"Oh, I see. I'm glad you did. Please, have a seat. I'll prepare some hot chocolate."
"Thank you."
She still loved chocolate—just like before.
I remembered how she used to make me her special drinks whenever I visited Xyrone.
But she's changed.
She no longer smiled the way she used to.
Her bruises were still visible—scars no one in the palace seemed to question. They just ignored them.
This competition means nothing—they don't even protect the women forced into it.
A few minutes later, she returned and placed a cup of hot chocolate on the table.
"I hope you like it," she said softly.
"Thank you for letting me visit. I didn't expect company today," she added.
She's changed.
I was only gone a few days, yet she already seemed different—more mature, quieter.
Not the clingy, talkative Xyra I once knew.
"It's nothing. I'm also new here... and honestly, I get lonely when my maid isn't around."
"Same here. I gave mine a break—her mother's sick. So I've been alone lately."
Then I noticed the ruby necklace she was wearing.
I used to wear that necklace.
Did my stepmother give it to her? Or… did Sebastian?
"That's a beautiful necklace," I said.
She gave a bitter smile.
"S-Sebastian gave it to me."
"Sebastian? The son of High Counselor Sebastino?"
"Yes, Lady Diana."
"Are you… involved with him?" I asked directly.
"No. It's not like that. Y-you wouldn't understand. Anyway, I have things to do. Let's continue our talk another time."
She wasn't ready to tell me her secret.
When I returned to my room, Fiora informed me that Rebecca had already arrived and started eating.
She was right.
"Don't you know how to wait?" I snapped.
"I was hungry. What do you expect me to do?"
Ever since I slapped her, she'd stopped pretending.
She ordered Fiora to leave as soon as she saw her.
Now it was just the two of us.
"What do you need? Why did you invite me here?" she asked, mouth full of pudding.
"I want to thank you for helping me practice the dance for the upcoming Flower Festival. I was wondering if the decorations for the contest are ready."
"That's a good question. Finally, your brain is starting to work," she said smugly. "I've already prepared everything. I'm using red roses—the most popular kind. They'll make the stage look more vibrant and attractive."
She leaned closer, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"And since you claimed to be from a faraway land, you'll need to explain that your customs are different from the king's. I've already chosen your dress. It's a red gown, adorned with golden ornaments and lace that flows from your shoulders down to your hands. With that look, you might just catch his eye. You used to work in a brothel, didn't you? So you already know how to make a man—well, react."
She giggled at her own vulgar implication.
"Stop mocking me. You don't know the full story. I only entertained men—I never did that."
"I don't care whether you did or not," she said flatly. "What matters is winning the king's favor. Don't you know there's an elimination each round? Right now, there are 50 of us in the palace. In other kingdoms, the king selects three to eight wives—if he allows polygamy. This kingdom has similar laws, but it's the king who decides whether to choose one or many. So do your best. I won't be easy to defeat."
"Then what's my purpose here? You've already done everything."
"To double our chances," she replied casually. "If the king doesn't like me, maybe he'll like you. And if he likes me, you'll do your best to ruin the others' chances. If he likes you, I'll sabotage your chances. Simple. It's a win-win."
"You're insane," I muttered. "But fine. I owe you. I'll do it."
"Great. But to be fair," Rebecca said, licking the pudding from her spoon, "if the king ends up liking you more than me, then I'll be the one ruining everyone else's chances—for you."
I gave her a wary look. "That's… surprisingly generous of you."
She shrugged. "As long as one of us wins, it's still a victory."
I took a deep breath. "Actually, the reason I asked you here isn't about the competition. I need your help with something else."
She raised a brow. "I'm listening."
"I left something behind in a place not too far from the marketplace. While I was gone, I found out that Sebastian tried to kill my friend—Xyrone. He's now under the care of Jared's soldier, Evan. And… Xyra was abused by Sebastian too, while I was away."
Rebecca's playful expression turned a shade more serious.
"I want to do something," I continued. "I don't have the money to start the empire I dream of, but I need to build something as a foundation. A business. I want to open a hair salon."
Rebecca looked at me blankly. "And why are you asking me for that?"
"Because Ares is your friend. And you know I'm just pretending to be Diana. To keep this identity, I need to maintain this look—this face. Ares is brilliant with disguises and transformation. I want him to work for me."
I leaned in with intent. "If you agree, I'll give you 30% of the income from the salon. Like you always say—it's a win-win situation."
She paused, staring at me intently, calculating. Then she leaned back with a short laugh.
"You're cunning," she said. "I like your negotiation. But you don't even have money. You need an investment before any of this happens."
"As I said, you'll get 30% because you'll be the one to help fund it. Besides, aren't you worried that Ares is too far away to come and dye my hair back to ivory when it fades? What if the king finds out I'm not really Diana? What if he discovers I have no empire—no kingdom of my own?"
I gave her an exaggerated pout. "I'll cry. And scream. And ruin everything."
She groaned, holding her temple in disbelief.
"You're annoying," she muttered. "But… fine."
I smirked. She was clearly surprised I'd managed to twist her arm so easily.
"Thank you, Rebecca. I knew I could count on your ambition."
"Just don't get too comfortable," she warned. "I'm helping you for now. But if you ever become a threat to me in this palace—"
"I know," I cut in, smiling. "You'll crush me without hesitation."
She smirked back. "Exactly."