Chapter 2
By the time Evelyn turned fourteen, she had grown into a graceful beauty, her charm impossible to ignore.
She knew exactly what she wanted in life: to enter the Royal Court and become the most honored woman in the entire kingdom.
So, when that golden system screen appeared once more, everyone fell silent, holding their breath.
It said, "Annual rewards have been refreshed. Evelyn, please make your selection.
"Option 1: A beauty so stunning it could topple the kingdom.
"Option 2: An ethereal elegance."
This time, even I couldn't help but feel my heart skip a beat. Looks meant everything, especially for a girl dreaming of court life.
Evelyn's eyes lit up like never before. She almost shouted her answer, "I choose Option 1. Of course, I want to be the most beautiful woman in the world."
As soon as she spoke, a dazzling golden light enveloped her. When it faded, the courtyard was filled with gasps of shock.
Evelyn stood there, her features so perfect it was as if a divine hand had sculpted her.
Her beauty was fierce, almost intimidating. It was so stunning that people couldn't bear to look directly at her, yet couldn't help but be drawn in.
She lifted her chin proudly, basking in the stunned and envious looks from everyone around.
Then, like always, she shot me a sideways glance, her eyes full of disdain, as if she was granting me a favor I didn't deserve.
It was as if she were saying, "See? This is something you'll never have."
As for me, I quietly accepted the reward she discarded without a second thought: [Ethereal Elegance].
There was no golden light, no strange phenomena. Only a subtle, refined aura that began to transform me from within.
My features didn't change dramatically, but my eyes gained a gentle warmth, and my presence carried a hint of literary charm.
If Evelyn was the scorching sun, then I was the serene moon. She stunned everyone, while I put people at ease.
My dad made the call right then and there. Evelyn was going to the Royal Court. Rainford Manor was thrown into a frenzy. The finest silks, the priciest jewels, and the most famous mentors all rushed to Evelyn's room.
Everyone believed that with her kingdom-toppling beauty, she would outshine every other lady in the Royal Court and bring the Rainford family unmatched honor.
Meanwhile, my room stayed utterly tranquil, almost lonely.
My mom gazed at me, worry clouding her face. "Charlotte, now that your sister is... What will you do in the future?"
I patted her hand gently and reassured her in a soft voice, "Don't worry, Mom. I have my own path to follow."
Yes, I truly did have my own way forward. Evelyn would win the world with her beauty. As for me, I'd rely on my mind.
While everyone at Rainford Manor was busy preparing for Evelyn's big move to the Royal Court, I quietly started working on my own scheme.
With my [Excellent Writing Skills], I copied the Prime Minister's handwriting and wrote a simple letter, a proposal about how to deal with the flooding down south.
Then, with the one-off rewards Evelyn had tossed aside over the years, like the [Swift Step Talisman] and [Stealth Talisman], I slipped into the Prime Minister's study and tucked my letter in with the stack of reports on his desk.
After that, I went back to my room, poured myself some coffee, and played chess as usual.
I knew my bait was set. At that moment, I had to wait for someone to take the bait.
*****
Three days later, news arrived from the Royal Court.
While handling official reports, King Edward Kingsley happened upon an anonymous proposal.
Its insights into the southern floods were truly one-of-a-kind. The analysis was razor-sharp, and the solutions were so groundbreaking that no one had ever heard of them before. And they were surprisingly workable.
Edward was so pleased that he immediately ordered a thorough investigation to uncover who had written this remarkable proposal.
The Prime Minister's Residence was in an uproar as everyone searched for answers.
In the end, the Prime Minister could only report nervously that the proposal had mysteriously appeared in his study, and the handwriting wasn't his own.
Edward was a ruler of great ambition and vision. He didn't care how the proposal ended up there; all that mattered to him was finding out who had written it.
Royal proclamations were plastered across every street and alley in Capitavia.
The search was on for the author of the proposal. No matter who they were, man or woman, noble or commoner, whoever was found would receive a generous reward.