Hasika_Chongtham

Lilic Aster was supposed to die. As the illegitimate daughter of a powerful noble, she was nothing more than a footnote in the grand tale of her esteemed brother, Leor—the cold and brooding heir destined for greatness. The problem? She refused to play along.

Instead of meeting an untimely demise, Lilic charmed the nobles, spread outrageous rumors about herself, and somehow became a beloved figure in high society. Now, she’s an unpredictable wildcard, impossible to remove without causing a scandal. Her brother is exasperated. The aristocracy is intrigued. 

With a sharp tongue, a strategic mind, and an unwavering refusal to die, Lilic is determined to live her best life—whether the plot agrees with her or not.

After all, why be a tragic extra when you can be the most entertaining person in the room?

The Illegitimate Lady's Guide to Avoiding Execution

Lilic Aster lounged across a chaise, idly twirling a quill between her fingers as she watched her brother pace the room. He was fuming—again.

"You are causing me a lot of trouble," he hissed, glaring at her like she was a particularly stubborn stain on his meticulously planned life.

She sighed dramatically. "Yes, yes, I got the memo. A tragic illegitimate daughter meets an unfortunate end at the hands of her cold, brooding brother. Very poetic. But, alas!" She threw her arms up. "Here I am. Alive. Thriving. Annoying you."

Her brother, the oh-so-honorable heir of House Aster, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you even care that you're ruining everything?"

She gasped. "Ruining everything? Brother, please. I am improving it. Have you noticed how much more interesting court gossip has become? Just last week, someone swore I was secretly the lost princess of a neighboring kingdom. A princess, Leor. That's an upgrade from 'unwanted extra daughter' if I do say so myself."

Leor scowled. "I should have just—"

"Ah-ah-ah," Lilic interrupted, wagging a finger. "Should have what? Finished the job? Brother, dearest, you are too late! The people love me now. Infatuated right ?." She leaned forward with a smirk. "You can't kill me. Not without making things… messy."

He muttered something indecipherable under his breath.

Lilic grinned. She had spent her entire life—well, this life—carefully rewriting her fate. She had charmed, manipulated, and outright bamboozled her way into noble society. No one questioned how she had avoided death; they were too busy being entertained.

"So, what now?" Leor asked through gritted teeth.

Lilic stretched, kicking her feet up onto the table just to watch him flinch. "I think I'll open a tea shop. Maybe meddle in some politics. oooooohhhhhhhh Possibly adopt a dog."

"And yet, alive!" she sang, twirling in her seat. "And that's all that really matters, isn't it?"

For the first time since she'd arrived in this world, she had a future—one she chose.

And she was going to make everyone's life as chaotic as possible with it.

outro