The bruises on Maris's back would heal. Eventually.
But Serena knew: some wounds weren't meant to be forgotten. They were meant to be remembered.
For Maris, for the chains of her past life, for every fake smile Alina wore in the daylight—Serena would repay in blood, favor by favor.
---
Later that afternoon, a royal carriage arrived—unannounced.
It bore the crest of the House of Arvendale, a mid-tier noble family known for their wealth and loose morals. Out stepped Lady Celeste Arvendale, draped in crimson lace, with a sly smile tucked beneath her veil.
Serena watched her from the second-floor balcony. She remembered this woman.
In her first life, Lady Celeste had been Alina's first political ally—a snake in velvet who funded Alina's gowns, her invitations, and later… her slander campaigns.
And now? She was arriving early.
> [New Mission: Prevent Alina from forming her first noble alliance.]
Method: Any means necessary.
Reward: Blood Echo – Record and replay any spoken conversation within 24 hours.]
Bonus Reward: If alliance is destroyed publicly, gain bonus trait – "Noble Ruin."
Serena's hand curled around the balcony railing.
Let's begin.
---
Downstairs in the parlor, Alina greeted Lady Celeste with sugary words and perfect posture. They exchanged pleasantries like dancers in a masquerade, sipping fruit wine and laughing like old friends.
Serena entered last.
The room fell quiet for a second. Just long enough for her presence to be noticed.
"Ah," Lady Celeste said, "so this is the elder Valen daughter. You were absent at the tea, weren't you?"
"Yes," Serena replied smoothly, taking a seat across from her. "I had… something urgent to attend to. I hear you and Alina know each other well."
Alina shot her a warning look. But Serena smiled sweetly.
Lady Celeste laughed lightly. "We share a few friends, yes. I thought I might help your sister get better acquainted with court life."
"And in return?" Serena's tone was gentle. "You ask for… what exactly?"
Lady Celeste blinked. Then smiled tighter. "I admire a sharp tongue, Lady Serena. But I assure you, my intentions are pure."
> [Optional Decision: Force Lady Celeste's hidden agenda into the open.]
Method: Emotional baiting or indirect threats.]
Risk: Small social backlash if failed.
Reward: Increased Noble Intimidation.]
Serena tapped her goblet, letting the sound echo softly.
"You know," she said casually, "my father used to say anyone who offers favors to young noble girls is either hiding guilt or preparing for war."
Celeste's lips twitched.
"I'm neither guilty nor preparing for war."
"Then perhaps I'm wrong," Serena replied with a tilt of her head. "Though your father did lose his trade ships last season, didn't he?"
A flicker of anger passed through Celeste's eyes.
"You're well-informed," she said coolly. "And not nearly as polite as your sister."
"Politeness doesn't build alliances," Serena said. "Power does."
---
That night, Serena used the system's Blood Echo to replay every word Celeste had spoken… including the ones whispered to Alina in the corridor when they thought no one was listening.
> "Get your sister out of the picture," Celeste had said, "and I'll make sure your name's on every invitation next season. You'll be royalty within the year."
Serena sent a copy of that quote—written in flawless calligraphy—to a gossip writer in the capital. Anonymously.
Two days later, it appeared in The Whispering Silk, the most widely-read noblewoman's paper in the empire.
---
The Arvendale family name took a hit. Lady Celeste returned home in disgrace. And Alina?
She stormed into Serena's room that evening, eyes blazing.
"You think this is a game?" she hissed. "You're ruining your own future!"
Serena stood from her desk, brushing past her. "No. I'm rewriting it."
> [Mission Complete.]
Reward: Blood Echo acquired.]
Bonus Reward unlocked – Trait Gained: "Noble Ruin" – Increase impact of social sabotage attempts.]
---
Serena sat down again at her desk, dipping her quill in ink.
She'd passed the first political test. And she knew, somewhere deep in the palace, someone was already watching.
Someone who wanted her dead… or wanted her to win.
And for the first time in this new life—Serena didn't care which came first.
---