Chapter 3: Meeting Selena Again

“Miss, Miss...”

In a daze, she seemed to hear someone calling her urgently. Struggling to open her eyes, Miranda found it was already midnight.

The surroundings were silent, and the moonlight poured in through the window like liquid silver, mingling with the flickering candlelight.

The room was empty, except for the faint scent of unfamiliar herbs in the air, indicating someone had been there but had long since departed.

She felt something unusual on her wrist. Looking down, she saw a small note pressed against it.

After reading its contents, Miranda burned the note in the lamp.

Her pale, sickly face remained expressionless as the flickering candlelight cast shadows across her features, making her look like a ghost, shadowy and somber.

***

“Miss Miranda, when the Earl comes, you must cry and beg to save this marriage. If you’re rejected, no good family will want you. I’m only saying this for your sake,” Mrs. Wilson lectured while styling her hair and applying makeup.

Miranda’s reflection, pale and sickly, resembled her late mother. In her past life, Mrs. Wilson had always downplayed her beauty, making her appear plain next to Selena.

She once believed she was naturally inferior, but after her marriage, she realized Mrs. Wilson had been manipulating her all along.

A maid announced from outside, “The Earl, Countess, and Miss Selena are here to see Miss Miranda.”

Selena... she’s here too!

Miranda’s calm demeanor broke, trembling as memories of her death resurfaced. She clenched her hands, forcing herself to stay composed as the Earl entered, mistaking her reaction for illness.

He hurried to help her back to bed and covered her with a quilt. “If you’re not well, don’t get out of bed. We’re all family; there’s no need for formalities. Changing clothes and fixing your hair will only tire you. Your health is more important.”

Selena, dressed in a short ivory jacket adorned with red irises and a silver-red high-waisted skirt, with two gold-and-ruby phoenix hairpins in her hair, smiled brightly.

Her radiant appearance was even more striking next to Miranda’s dullness. “Miranda must love beauty. She’s sick but still dresses up. When Father arrived, she was still at the dressing table!”

She seemed to be joking, but her words were malicious.

When the Earl visits, his children should greet him properly. Miranda’s severe illness excused her from this, but to have the energy for dressing up but not to greet her father implied poor etiquette and upbringing.

Miranda gazed at Selena’s dazzling face, struggling to stay composed. Coughing hoarsely, she said, “Selena, you jest. I’m still weak, though better now. I dressed up only to keep Father from worrying. I didn’t expect to be scolded. If that’s the case, feel free to punish me.”

She extended her hand weakly, reinforcing her point—so frail, yet still considerate of her father, perfectly countering Selena’s attack. Her playful demeanor softened the tension, leaving Selena stunned. Miranda had not only avoided the trap but also earned their father’s approval.

Seeing his affectionate look, Selena’s jealousy flared—this attention had always been hers and her sister's. How could Miranda steal it?

The Countess, sensing danger, pinched Selena subtly and smiled, “You’re too considerate. The Earl cares for you deeply. If you exert yourself and worsen, wouldn’t it sadden him more?”

Her response turned the situation in her favor, making her seem dutiful while the Countess and Selena seethed, realizing their plans had failed.

Selena, hiding her intent with a laugh, said, “Father rushed back when he heard Miranda was rejected by Andrew!”

The Earl frowned—mentioning the broken engagement was inappropriate, but he let it pass, considering Selena’s age. A straightforward man, he addressed the issue head-on: “Sweetheart, this marriage is over.”

Finally, the main point!

The Countess felt triumphant. She had instructed Mrs. Wilson and others to convince Miranda that saving the engagement was crucial. If Miranda begged, unaware of her father’s protective intentions, she would only consider the Rochester’s status and her reputation, making the Earl disappointed if she pleaded.

Miranda noticed the Countess’s gleeful eyes and smiled faintly.

In her previous life, she had indeed been foolish, arguing with her father over this matter. But she was no longer the same. This time, the Countess was destined to be disappointed...