At The Breakfast Table

Ivy's POV

"My Lady." I heard Anya's voice through the door. I quickly wiped away my tears.

"You can come in, Anya," I called out.

She walked in, her steps soft but sure. "Good morning, my Lady. Did you sleep well?" she asked as she opened the curtains and turned off the night lamp.

"Yeah, I slept well," I replied absentmindedly. My mind was still on the dream I had just woken from. The dream itself wasn't the issue—it was my reaction to it. Why did I react that way? Was it because I didn't actually die but somehow found myself in a different body?

"How are you feeling today, my Lady? Better, I hope."

Anya's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I paid attention to my body before replying, "I'm all good." Now that I think about it, my body feels oddly fine for someone who supposedly fell off a balcony.

Did Lady Ivy have super healing or something?

I got up and stretched.

"Um, my Lady, what are you doing?" Anya asked, her face a picture of confusion.

Shit, I did that out of habit. And damn, this body is out of shape.

I shed an invisible tear. All my fifteen years of training, gone just like that. I should have just died. Is this my punishment for being a killer?

"I'm stretching—it helps get rid of the stiffness," I explained.

Her confusion deepened. "Can't I just give you a massage?"

I chuckled. "No, it has other benefits. Anyway, prepare my bath. I want to take a bath, then have my breakfast."

After my bath, Anya helped me dress in a beautiful, comfortable baby-blue gown. The fabric was as soft as a whisper, its pale blue shimmering in the morning light as the maids laced the silver ribbons of the bodice. The flared sleeves brushed my wrists, their embroidered vines delicate against my skin. The skirt flowed like water, its hem glinting with tiny silver threads. With the girdle fastened at my waist and a sheer shawl draped over my shoulders, I caught my reflection in the mirror.

Lady Ivy really is beautiful. Will this be my face from now on?

"I'll have your breakfast prepared," Anya said and turned to leave, but I stopped her.

"No, that's okay. I'll have my breakfast with everyone," I informed her. I wanted to meet the Ravenshield family.

"Are you sure you're well enough for that?" Anya asked, though I knew she was more worried about their reactions than my health.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

She sighed. "Fine, I'll have someone inform the family that you'll be dining with them." She clasped her hands and headed out.

---

Anya escorted me to the dining hall. The whole family, except for Irene, was there. If my memory serves me right, that girl didn't even hurt herself—not seriously, anyway. She's probably just lying to soak up sympathy from the Ravenshield family.

As soon as I walked in, they all paused, staring at me like they'd seen a ghost.

Lucas, my third elder brother, scoffed. "What are you doing here? Don't you know it's disrespectful to come down for breakfast when you're late?"

I paused, surprised. I know they don't like me, but can't they at least pretend to be concerned? I allegedly jumped off a balcony.

Ignoring him, I went to sit in the seat next to my father, Marquis Ravenshield. He didn't even acknowledge my presence, continuing with his meal as if I hadn't just walked in.

Marquis Ravenshield had always been like that, acting as if his daughter didn't exist. This broke Lady Ivy even more than when he openly despised her.

I sighed as the servants brought my plate and filled it with the food I'd requested. Ignoring everyone at the table, I began eating.

The food was honestly one of the best things I'd ever tasted. I continued enjoying it, oblivious to Lady Victoria's disdainful stare.

"My Irene is still in bed from the shock, and yet here you are, enjoying your meal. How on earth are you even fine? Just a week ago, the doctor said you were on your deathbed," she spat.

I paused my eating and stared at her.

"Mother, the way you just worded that, one might think you wished I hadn't gotten better. And for the record, I didn't push Irene off the balcony. I wouldn't be that sloppy if I really wanted to kill her."

Everyone looked taken aback, Lady Victoria especially. She seemed more upset than surprised, likely because she hated when Lady Ivy called her "Mother."

Liam, my second elder brother, slammed his hands on the table. "You dare deny pushing your sister off the balcony? Have you no conscience?" he fumed.

"Is it really that hard to believe that, for once, I didn't do something so sinister? I mean, when have I ever done anything that's actually life-threatening to Irene? Seriously." I sighed. "And please, let's observe table manners. It's uncouth to chatter away while eating."

I returned to my meal.

My father, who had been silent the entire time, finally cleared his throat.

"The crown prince informed me that the wedding has been moved to two days from now. This is such short notice, so the preparations need to be rushed."

I stared at him blankly, wondering where he was going with this.

"There's no time to prepare your wedding dress..." He paused for a moment. "Irene has offered to lend you the white dress the crown prince gifted her at her previous birthday. It's just as grand as a wedding dress, and I've called for a seamstress to make any necessary alterations."

I stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously asking his daughter to wear a regular dress to her wedding? I'm marrying the crown prince, for Christ's sake!

Then, I remembered Lady Crystal's wedding dress. It was still safely stored in the treasure room.

A smile crept onto my lips. "What about Mother's wedding dress? Can't I have that?" I asked innocently.

I knew how much the Marquis treasured that dress. There was no way he would let me, the person he believed caused his wife's death, wear it.

He looked furious for a moment, but when he glanced up at me, his expression softened. "Alright." He replied, shocking everyone at the table.

"Alright," he replied, shocking everyone at the table.