-Alice's POV-
As the morning sunlight pierced through the window, I turned my gaze toward it. The golden rays reached across the room, brushing against my bare, pale skin as I lay naked in bed.
Dark circles framed my eyes—I hadn't slept well in days. Ever since Alex's behaviour changed, something felt off. He used to be timid, wimpy—like a nervous little puppy who only obeyed me, his owner. He would follow my every word without question.
Did that nun bitch say something to him?
I really hated Sofia. She was just an old hag who couldn't keep her eyes off Alex. And as for that slut, Amber—why did she have to come back to the village and stay at the church of all places? God, it is driving me insane just thinking about it. I'm going to ask Alex everything today.
I quickly got out of bed and freshened up before picking out a nice outfit to wear. As the daughter of the village chief—the prettiest and smartest girl in the village, I knew everyone would be watching me. Even nobles from nearby towns had tried to propose to me, but it was far too soon for all that.
Just yesterday, I had received my class—and not just any class. I was blessed with Supreme Sorcerer, a rare and powerful class that significantly boosted my magical abilities. Everyone around me was overjoyed, praising my potential and dreaming of what I could become.
I could hardly wait to leave for the capital and begin training to become the strongest sorcerer in this Kingdom. And maybe... just maybe, I'd meet my destined hero. If he turned out to be handsome, strong, and from a noble family, I wouldn't mind falling for him. After all, it's only natural—we'd be traveling together as part of a hero's party.
If everything went according to plan, I would discard my cute little puppy once I was done with him. For now, though, I needed him to play the villain in this village—while I acted as the sweet, kind girl everyone would praise and admire.
I wanted him to attend the academy and train alongside me. It would be wonderful to have a loyal servant—or rather, a personal slave—by my side.
I couldn't help but smile as I imagined it all.
"Good morning, Father!"
"Ah… good morning, Alice. You look absolutely lovely today! Ahhh… I still can't believe I have such a beautiful daughter!"
"Haha."
I forced a laugh and turned my gaze away from this disgusting pig. Simon, my father—the village chief—was a corrupt and violent man. Despite his status, he was filth. Worst of all, he looked at his own daughter with a twisted, lustful gaze. That's why I often called Alex to my room—to keep this pig away from me. My father wore a kind mask in public, but beneath it was a twisted, violent monster.
"…Dear, breakfast is ready…"
[SLAP]
"You ugly bitch! How long does it take to make breakfast?!"
"…I'm sorry…"
That was my stepmother. She got slapped almost every morning. He'd release all his rage on her—hitting, yelling—but never once laid a hand on me.
In a twisted way, I felt relieved that my real mother had passed away after giving birth to me. I couldn't imagine the pain she would've endured if she had been in my stepmother's place.
To him, his wife was nothing more than a helpless little pet—something to control and abuse at will. I lost count of how many stepmothers I'd had. They all wanted the same thing: money. And one by one, he broke them.
None ever dared to fight back. None ever spoke up. It was natural, I thought—the weak get trampled, and the strong rise above them. That's what it felt like, growing up in this rotting family.
"Father, I'm going out," I called.
At that, he slammed the table and immediately turned to hit his wife again.
"Don't tell me you're going to see that monster boy again!" he snapped.
I stayed silent.
"I won't allow that creature to touch you with his filthy hands!"
"I won't allow it!!"
He was seething. And once again, he released all his rage, on her.
I didn't bother listening to him as I quietly made my way to the door and stepped outside.
I wondered if Alex was still at the church… or already working at the farm.
As I was walking, I passed by a group of boys around my age, hanging around near the path.
"Ah… Alice, are you alright?"
The tallest among them stepped forward—Ken. He always believed I had been tricked by Alex and never missed a chance to bully or beat him.
Ken was handsome, sure, but he was just a farmer. And like all the others, he only wanted one thing from me—my body. Nothing more.
But Ken was easy to fool.
"Ah… he asked me to meet him. If I don't go, he might get mad," I said, lying with a sad expression.
"That monster! I'll beat him up again if I see him!" Ken growled.
"Anyway, Alice, why don't you come with us to the capital? My group's leaving in three days."
"I'm sorry, but Alex said he wanted me to go with him," I lied again.
The look on their faces said it all, they were probably already imagining all sorts of things about traveling with me to the capital.
"That guy!!" Ken snapped.
"Anyway, I have to go see him now, or he'll get mad," I told them before walking past and making my way toward the church.
When I arrived, that bitch, the nun—was sweeping in front of the chapel.
Despite her age, that hag was annoyingly pretty.
"Ara… Alice? Are you here to see Alex?"
When she noticed me, she gave that annoyingly gentle smile—the same look she always wore, as if her kindness was genuine and sincere.
"Ah… good morning, Sister Sofia. Is Alex here?"
I forced a gentle smile as I faced her.
"Sorry, Alice. Amber told me that Alex went out to deal with something, so I'm not exactly sure where he is," she replied.
'Deal with something'?
What the hell is going on? Where did he go?
This isn't like him at all…
Wait—what if he went to the capital without me?
"Hmm… did he go to the capital by himself?" I asked softly, putting on a sad expression.
"…I don't think so. If he did, he would've told me," She said.
So, he didn't. But then where did he go?
Either way, I had to make sure Alex stayed obedient to me.
Maybe I could use this bitch to my advantage.
Sooner or later, she'd be used by Lord Hugo anyway.
I began telling her how Alex had been mistreating me over the past few days—how, as his first friend and the one who had always looked out for him, he shouldn't be treating me so coldly and harshly.
As I spoke, I put on a sorrowful expression, playing the part perfectly.
Sofia, this pure bitch—listened to my lies with genuine concern in her eyes. I couldn't believe how easy it was to manipulate people.
"…Oh my god, thank you for telling me all this. When Alex returns, I'll make sure to speak to him. I'm so sorry, Alice. You've always been such a good friend to him."
After hearing that, I smiled inwardly, said goodbye, and returned home ready to wait for that obedient little puppy, Alex, to crawl back to me.
===================
-Rosebella's POV-
It was supposed to be the perfect time to enjoy my black tea while admiring the beautiful garden before me.
As a princess, mornings like this should be reserved for peace, elegance… and quiet indulgence.
"Here you are, Your Highness!"
"Thanks."
Gabriel—my personal butler and most trusted aide—stood by my side.
He was the only one who truly acknowledged my abilities, the only one who believed I deserved the title of Crown Princess… not my older sister.
I had spent my life growing up in her shadow. She excelled at everything—grace, intelligence, charm. My parents praised her endlessly, their eyes always on her, never me.
Jealousy… envy… those feelings grew and festered, until they led me to this decision—
the plan I had been crafting all along.
"What?! The ambush failed?!"
The teacup slipped from my hand and shattered on the ground.
I shouted in disbelief and despair as the scout delivered the news.
"Please, Princess, calm yourself—and lower your voice," Gabriel said gently.
He swiftly knelt down, gathering the broken pieces of the cup before waving his hand to gesture the scout to leave.
Then he looked up at me and spoke calmly.
"Don't worry, Princess. The plan is still in motion. I've already prepared a Plan B in case it didn't succeed."
Hearing that, I couldn't help but laugh softly, a wave of relief washing over me.
I can't wait to watch my dear older sister fall.