Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

It felt as if the topic had changed abruptly... Why was Anastasia’s name suddenly brought up?

Marie slipped out of my arms and stood alone in the hall. The expression on her face as she spoke, almost as if singing, was strangely peaceful and even seemed cheerful.

“I danced with Anastasia only once. It was the day before her debut into high society. My parents told me to just stand there and act as her male partner... So I took my sister’s hand and put my arm around her shoulder.”

Marie straightened her back. She gently reached out her hand as if to caress something far away, as if escorting a beautiful lady. Seeing her tall figure do that was breathtakingly dignified.

“My sister was beautiful. Small, delicate, and adorable... with soft blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. From a man’s perspective, Anastasia was truly stunning.”

Her fingers traced the air. It took me a moment to realize she was caressing her sister. It wasn’t a gesture of siblings playing happily together, nor was it filled with jealousy or anger toward a woman she resented.

It was the same kind of tender touch I would give Marie... a caress full of love and affection for someone precious.

“My sister was a good dancer. She led me skillfully and danced lightly.

Originally, she was a lively girl. Not merely sociable as a noble lady, but always jumping around, running through the mansion. When she talked too much, grandmother often scolded her.

My sister wasn’t just beautiful. She was cheerful, energetic, kind... truly a wonderful woman.”

Marie spoke clearly and strongly. I felt a fierce heat burning inside me — perhaps jealousy.

At the same time, there was anxiety and frustration.

What was Marie talking about?

“...No matter what I do, I can’t compete with Anastasia.”

I nearly shouted to cut her off.

“That’s not true. You’re beautiful. You’ve improved at dancing. You’re bright, kind, and everyone in the castle likes you.”

“Everyone doesn’t know Anastasia.”

“That doesn’t matter. I met Anastasia that night. But you’re the one I proposed to!”

“You didn’t meet her, you only saw her, right!?”

Finally, Marie shouted. I was taken aback by her force and words.

...What she said was true. That day, I searched the entire Chadelan Mansion for Marie and saw Anastasia in the main hall. She was smaller than Marie, looked younger, wore glamorous clothes, was smiling, and I think she had blonde hair — that was all the impression I had.

Marie shuddered and stepped back. She pushed away my hand when I tried to catch her.

“Marie.”

“I can’t compete with Anastasia.”

Her voice was stronger than ever.

Although what she said was terribly negative, it was filled with confidence and certainty unlike before.

That was because this was her true feeling. It wasn’t brainwashing forced by her parents; it was what she herself had deeply felt in her body and heart.

—There was no evidence to deny it.

“I know the words you told me weren’t lies... but this was my sister’s place. I have to return it.”

For the first time, I noticed a possibility.

She was gentle, and although stubborn at heart, recently she had become bright and shared feelings with me — suddenly she had become so unsettled. Could it be?

“Marie, do you really think Anastasia is still alive?”

Marie’s gaze confirmed it. I laughed, deliberately frivolous, waving my hands.

“You mean what Ruifeng said yesterday? The foundling at Norman’s place? He said it was a misunderstanding himself.”

“...I haven’t met the person myself.”

“Ruifeng saw his face. He said it was a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy.”

“My sister was much smaller than me. If she wore boys’ clothes and a hat and kept her face down, she could fool a short-time guest.”

Hearing that, I found it hard to argue since my memories of Anastasia were vague. Indeed, I recalled thinking she looked younger than eighteen-year-old Marie. If she dressed as a boy, she could appear like a boy whose voice hadn’t changed yet...?