The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 20
To get accustomed to my new appearance in this world, I scrutinized myself in the mirror. Gone was the round-faced, black-haired figure of my real-life self. The mystical violet eyes and facial features were starkly different from the dark brown eyes of my original body.
My slightly upturned eyes gave a feline impression, and a beauty mark under my right eye added a touch of sophistication to my overall appearance.
Though my features could have appeared cold and prickly, my utterly indifferent personality seemed to balance it, resulting in the reflection of a precocious child.
My complexion was flawless, as if untouched by sunlight. Surprisingly, despite my life as a street urchin, my skin was unblemished and radiant.
In my past life, no matter how much make-up I applied, freckles would still show through. Truly, good skin must be a matter of genetics.
As I marveled at the perks of transmigrating into a romance fantasy novel, the preparations were almost complete. Right on cue, Theodore arrived.
Knock-, knock-.
“Lassetia, it’s your eldest brother.”
“Come in.”
Theodore, already dressed and ready for the outing, entered and took a seat beside me as the maids finished styling my hair.
He immediately began barking orders to the maids on how they should style my hair.
“Two pigtails would look cuter.”
“The accessories should match your eye color—purple. No, wait, we’ll buy new ones today, so it’s fine if the outfit is simple.”
“It might get chilly in the evening, so bring a coat as well.”
Today marked the first day of my adoption, not the first year.
Theodore displayed excessive kindness and familiarity toward the child who had been adopted for resembling his lost sister. There wasn’t a trace of a brother mourning his missing sibling.
‘Is this really a childcare-themed novel?’
An orphan plucked from the market overnight, seamlessly filling the role of the missing sister. A duke who anxiously catered to her, and children who saw nothing strange about it.
I was aware that in childcare novels, family members would shower the female protagonist with implausible affection. But this level of attachment was unnervingly unrealistic.
Coming from a family in the real world that was as stoic as classic Gyeongsang-do natives, this overly sentimental affection felt overwhelming and suspicious.
Stealing a wary glance at Theodore, I mentally ranked him as the number one person to keep an eye on.
“If you’re ready, let’s head out.”
“Yes.”
Following Theodore, I climbed into the waiting carriage. He offered his hand to help me up.
‘He’s only twelve, but manners seem ingrained in him. Must’ve learned it from the duke.’
I nodded slightly to express my gratitude and stepped into the carriage. Theodore seated himself across from me, and I stole glances at him, my thoughts churning.
Theodore was abnormally kind to me and seemed fixated on being called “brother.” Yet, he didn’t act genuinely close. His behavior, as if showing goodwill while drawing a line, wasn’t exactly reassuring given my precarious situation.
‘Is this his way of leaving something behind for his real sister? Best not to get too involved for my own mental health.’
Feeling motion sickness creep up again, I rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes. For now, emptying my mind seemed the best way to stave off the nausea.
The unpaved road transmitted every bump to the carriage, making it impossible to sleep. As my head and body swayed with each jolt, a nauseating wave welled up, leaving me struggling to endure the discomfort. My face involuntarily twisted in response.
Letting out a sigh, I cracked my eyes open slightly, catching Theodore glancing out the window before shifting his gaze toward me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing you need to worry about. I just feel a bit nauseous.”
I replied, tugging lightly at the neckline of my dress. The unfamiliar attire felt tight and constrictive around my throat, adding to the discomfort.
“Shall we stop for a bit to rest?”
“No, it’s fine. But would it be alright to open the window? I think some fresh air might help.”
“Of course.”
Theodore replied, studying my pale expression as he opened the window for me. A refreshing breeze brushed against my face as soon as the window was ajar. Taking a deep breath, I felt the fresh air fill my lungs, bringing a momentary sense of relief.
The carriage window was originally designed solely for enjoying the view outside, making it impossible to open. However, after learning about my severe motion sickness, the Duke had the carriage modified to allow the window to be opened and closed. I was slightly taken aback; I hadn’t expected this level of consideration.
Still, it’s probably just an act to keep up appearances since the contract was only recently finalized. Don’t let your guard down over something so minor.
Not ready to feel reassured yet, I resolved to stay vigilant. Lost in thought, I barely noticed the carriage speeding along until we arrived at the bustling downtown area.
