16 Thin Ice (2)

"I WAS so sure that I was going to die last night." I absentmindedly spoke out as I stared at the forest from my window, which is now my favorite spot.

Avril is beside me, as usual, pouring honey-infused tea in my cup as she laid sandwiches and madeleines on the table.

I have decided to eat my breakfast in my room to avoid constipation early in the morning aka my sisters.

"I am sure the young misses won't do anything drastic nor would they touch you…openly."

I blankly turned my head towards Avril after she said that and responded in a sarcastic tone.

"Wow. Thanks for the info."

"You're welcome."

I will never win against her in this.

I looked outside once again but my mind is wandering elsewhere and since I have limited permission to go outside, per Mother's orders.

All I could do for now is stay inside my room and learn more about this world.

'But still… I…'

"I don't get why they hate me so much." I muttered under my breath.

I know that I have read the novel and knew why Elishia and Ekrisilia hate Eris, but I never see the justification as to why they hate her to this extent.

Sure, their parents care for Eris but is that Eris's fault? I mean, she never meant to take away all the attention from them.

'It was just…she was sick.'

I sighed in frustration as I think of ways in getting close to them, which will be harder than it seems. So, I better start getting healthy to fix our relationship.

I need to avoid all death flags as soon as possible.

"Lady Eris?"

A voice called out from the door making both Avril and I look at each other.

"Should I answer it?" Avril asked whispering to me.

I nodded at her as she nodded back and looked at the door.

"What is it?"

The voice was silent for a while before we heard a familiar, yet cold, voice.

"It's me."

Elishia.

Avril immediately opened the door and as soon as she did, I was greeted by a maid dressed in a dark green uniform, and in front of her is another beautiful girl wearing a beautiful peach gown with lots of accessories.

The girl has the same light brown eyes as Ekris but she also has lighter brown hair. The moment I looked up to her, she looked down at me coldly and her stare can send shivers down someone's spine.

Who else will enter my room looking all elegant and graceful yet hostile at the same time?

"Eristheria."

I sighed out heavily when she called me using her emotionless voice. I was still sitting comfortably in my chair while she was waiting for me.

"Aren't you going to greet me?"

When she said that, I stood up from my chair and lowered my head slightly to her, giving her a curtsy.

"I greet Sister Elishia."

Elishia made her way towards me as she stood tall, almost towering over me.

I almost bit my lip when her eyes hardened while looking at me but I clearly remembered how she looked at Ekrisilia yesterday.

I don't know why but my heart starts to ache and I can feel a lump block my throat, preventing me from speaking.

Original Eristheria, this is how you felt when they treat you like this huh?

She didn't say a word and I know it is etiquette to not stand straight unless the person you greet told acknowledged your greeting.

I was still awkwardly bowing before I heard her speak again.

"Stand up."

I did so and as soon as she spoke and when I stood up straight, my eyes met hers as silence surrounded us.

'Should I…look away or say something?'

"My Lady, Lady Elishia, I have prepared the balcony for your own leisure."

Avril's voice cut through that silence, making us look away from each other.

I secretly heaved out a sigh of relief as I gratefully nodded at Avril. She led us to the balcony without any of us making any conversations as we settled down, Avril stood beside me while Elishia's maid is behind her.

Avril poured both of us some tea and I drank it slowly, still cautious as to why Elishia is here and what does she want.

Knowing Elishia, she will probably not start talking unless I initiate it.

And so, I put my cup down for a moment before looking at her again.

"Sister, what brings you here?"

Elishia paused for a minute as she slowly sips the tea. I don't know if she is enjoying it or just creating suspense for both of us.

Suddenly, she spoke.

"I believe you are not fitting for a debut."

My eyebrows furrowed at this.

"May I ask why?" I tried to ask politely without showing any irritation that I felt.

"It is because you don't know how High Society works. Once you have your own debut, you will be either criticized or loved."* She answered calmly, setting the cup down.

"Neither can be a bad thing for your social standing and as the daughter of the Holstead."

No matter how harsh and cold she is by saying that, she has a point. I would probably bring shame to our family at some point, and I don't even know the customs of this world.

What is considered acceptable and what is not.

"You are right." I said as I looked at my cup.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Elishia nodded in approval while Avril just shook her head gently, putting pastries on the table before returning to my side.

"But I can't learn without making mistakes."

The moment I said that, Elishia's grip on the cup tightened as she glared at me, not expecting my words.

It is true that I may not know what High Society is, but it won't harm me to enter it.

I have been amongst rich people in my past life, I even babysat one, what could possibly intimidate me at this point?

Rich kids, nobles, aren't they alike?

"Eris." Elishia's voice became threatening.

I ignored her tone and smiled widely at her, cotinuing to add fuel to the fire burning between us.

"I'm sure I could learn, since I am a Holstead."

I tilted my head and smiled even more sweetly.

"Right?"

Elishia coldly looked at me, her hands are formed into a fist as she stood up. She was trembling, probably with anger, as she turned her back at me and left without a word.

"I never thought My Lady would say something like that."

Avril broke the silence again but this time, I was confused as to what she meant.

"Like what?"

She looked at me for a full minute before slowly speaking.

"...That." She emphasizes.

My eyebrows furrowed for a moment then it dawned on me what she meant. My eyes slightly widened as my mouth formed into an o-shape, my hands on my cheeks.

"…Oh."

'Well... I just pissed off Elishia even more.'

I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted, about the whole interaction. I knew that Elishia hates Eris but not to the extent that she will treathen and ridicule her own sister.

However, that gives me more strength to try and repair our relationship.

"Avril."

Avril turned her head towards me while I just stared straight ahead and thought about it deeply before speaking again.

"What can I do to repair my relationship with my sisters?"

She was silent for a moment before answering.

"That...I don't know too."

I stared at her before sighing again.

"Should I try getting close to them?" I asked her again and this time, she answered with a clear opinion.

"That may be a good step however, I think it might not work well on the first try."

I grinned at this and leaned my back on the chair. I feel little excited just thinking about the different ways I could fix this and how the end goal will be.

If I can babysit and rich, spoiled kid in my past, then I can overcome this!

"Then I won't give up! I'm going to make my sister's like me so I can have a comfortable and peaceful life!"

'Of course, I need them to survive in this world, no?'

"Comfortable and peaceful… life?"

I nodded at her words and turned to her.

"Yes! If I have any bad blood with my sisters, then I won't be able to live my life to the fullest."

This will be the ultimate plan of them all!

'The capture plan!'

The capture plan is not foolproof of course, but…If I do it wisely then I may end up having the comfortable life that I wanted.

To survive in this world that was from a novel  in my past life.

Thinking about it, if I gain my sisters' favors by being cute or being their adorable sister, I may live happily here.

That is, after I broke down the huge wall they put up and they let me in.

The downside is that, if I failed to make them like me, even just the slightest bit…

'I'll kiss my comfortable life goodbye!'

Avril tilted her head, "My Lady is saying that to have peace and tranquility in your life, you must make peace with the chaos first?"

I stared blankly at her, not understanding a word she said but it sounds right.

"I don't know what you just said but it sounds smart, so yes!"

I thought Avril will look at me like she is amazed at what I just thought but it was the opposite.

She looked at me subtly, you won't even notice it but I did and it was as if she is saying that I am stupid, but I'm not stupid!

'Okay, maybe a little bit?'

Avril sighed as she pinch the bridge of her nose.

"I don't know what My Lady is planning to do, but I will still support you."

My eyes glint at this and I almost let out a snort but held back. I just cleared my throat and tried not to look as excited as I was but I still look like I am that excited to make my sisters like me.

"So, let us start Mission: Capture my sisters!"

Avril just nodded at me as if she understood my point and because I am giddy.

I'm going to make my sisters like me so they can protect me in the future.

Who knows?

Maybe they'll like me enough to not let me be sold off into pointless marriages!