After the meal, she returned to her room.
She climbed onto her bed and began recalling the events.
"…In three months, the selection for Crown Princess candidates will take place."
In the novel, the candidates weren't chosen through any formal selection process. They were simply representatives from the major noble houses.
Right after the selection, the academy would begin.
That was when the real story started.
"Now I have to prepare," she murmured to herself. "As long as I stay quiet and don't interfere with any events… no one will notice me."
A brief pause.
"I'll be safe."
Silence settled in the room once more.
For a moment, everything felt… manageable.
The plan was simple.
Stay out of sight.
Avoid the main characters.
Graduate without incident.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Peace wasn't something she had in her previous life—
But here, as an extra, it was within reach.
As long as she didn't make a mistake.
A faint knock broke her thoughts.
This time, softer.
Careful.
"My lady," a voice called from outside. "Preparations for the selection have begun. A tailor has arrived to take your measurements."
She opened her eyes.
So soon.
"…I understand," she replied calmly.
Of course.
Even if she wanted to stay invisible—
The story had already started moving.
She flipped through the sample designs and chose something simple—something that wouldn't draw attention.
"Miss Rodvick, your outfit will be ready in six weeks," the tailor said with a polite bow. "I will personally deliver it. If any alterations are needed, we can adjust it then."
With that, he took his leave.
She let out a quiet breath and relaxed.
Before she knew it, sleep claimed her.
When she woke up, the room was dark.
It was already past dinner time.
No one had come to wake her.
Of course.
She said nothing.
Instead, she walked to the window and looked up at the night sky.
Stars scattered across the darkness—
It was so beautiful that it soon became her favorite place.
After that day, no one came to see her.
Nor did she see them again at the dining table.
She lived a quiet life.
But those peaceful days were coming to an end.
With the Crown Princess selection only a month away—
everything was already in motion.
The estate, once indifferent to her presence, had begun to stir.
Even her name—
Fiona Rodvick—
was now part of those whispers.
She noticed the change, but didn't react.
There was no reason to.
As long as she remained quiet…
nothing would reach her.
That's what she believed.
Until—
"Miss Rodvick, preparations for your departure have begun."
She paused.
So it was finally time.
The moment she had been avoiding—
was already here.
She stepped into the carriage without a word.
The door closed behind her, sealing the quiet space.
Moments later, it began to move—
carrying her toward the palace.
She leaned back slightly, her gaze drifting to the window.
The passing scenery blurred, unfamiliar yet distant.
Soon, she reached the Paranosa Palace, and the sight left her breathless.
"...I never thought I would witness this scene when I read the novel. It's far beyond anything it could ever describe."
All the other candidates for the Crown Princess selection had already gathered in the grand hall.
Fiona quietly found herself a secluded spot. She leaned against a pillar hidden in the shadows, making sure no one would notice her.
A soft murmur filled the hall as nobles exchanged polite smiles and hidden judgments.
Fiona kept her gaze low, observing from the shadows.
"So those are the main characters…" she thought, her eyes briefly landing on the center of attention—a group surrounded by nobles. Laughter came easily to them, as if this place already belonged to them.
In contrast, she remained unnoticed. Just the way she wanted.
A sudden hush spread across the hall.
The large doors opened.
He walked in.
The Crown Prince.
Every gaze turned toward him, admiration and anticipation filling the air. His presence alone commanded the room.
Fiona didn't move.
"…There he is," she murmured under her breath, her expression calm.
Unlike the others, her eyes held no excitement—
only quiet caution.
Fiona straightened and stepped away from the pillar.
She moved into the crowd, blending in with practiced ease.
After all, standing alone would only draw unnecessary attention.
Soft smiles, brief nods, a few polite greetings—she played her part just enough to appear natural, yet not memorable.
No one paid her any special notice.
Exactly as she intended.
A bell chimed softly.
The murmurs faded at once.
A noble official stepped forward, his voice steady. "All candidates, prepare yourselves. The selection will begin shortly."
A wave of tension passed through the hall.
Some straightened with confidence, others hid their nerves behind practiced smiles.
Fiona remained still.
"Right on schedule," she thought.
Her gaze swept the room once more—faces filled with ambition, calculation… and a few she recognized all too well.
"…So it starts."
She exhaled quietly.
This was the moment where everything in the novel began to change—
and she intended to stay out of it.
Names were called one after another.
Each announcement was followed by either quiet relief or poorly hidden disappointment
.
Fiona listened without reacting.
"…Just as I remember," she thought.
Then the final names echoed through the hall—
The villainess, Amber Materick.
And the two sub characters of the story, Mellonia Rutherford and Tiara Melvin.
A soft wave of approval spread among the nobles, as if the result had been expected all along.
Fiona lowered her gaze slightly, hiding the faint curve of her lips.
Of course it was them.
The selection had never been fair to begin with. Influence, bloodline, hidden arrangements—everything had already been decided long before today.
This ceremony was nothing more than a performance.
"…And I'm not part of it," she murmured inwardly.
Everything was proceeding exactly as it had in the novel.
Which meant—
From here on, the real story would begin.
Fiona stepped back quietly, already planning her exit.
There was no reason for her to stay any longer.
After all, she had no intention of getting entangled with any of them.