A Chilling Welcome

Snowflakes melted in the gentle warmth of the winter sun, casting a soft glow over Candace Manor. Before its grand gates, a crimson carpet had been meticulously laid.

Stella, the young lady of the manor, stood poised at the entrance. Behind her, maids lined both sides of the crimson carpet with impeccable precision. The surrounding flowerbeds were adorned with vibrant blossoms and elegant ribbons, every detail meticulously arranged for this special occasion.

“Miss, it is a rare and pleasant surprise to see you personally welcoming the Saintess,” the elderly butler remarked. “I am certain your parents will be delighted to hear of it.”

The old butler approached Stella, adjusting his spectacles as he gazed at her with a look of profound satisfaction.

“I occasionally wish to try my hand at such matters,” Stella replied, offering the old butler a soft smile. “After all, I will be presiding over this household in the future.”

The old butler nodded slightly in approval. Yet, a flicker of doubt stirred within his heart, for he had watched Stella grow up.

Has the young miss finally begun to mature? he wondered. I truly hope the two sisters can get along well.

Having grown old and frail several years prior, the butler’s main duties had shifted to tending the garden. He had occasionally overheard maids discussing Stella and Mylian.

Most of the news, however, painted a rather bleak picture. Stella reportedly detested her older adoptive sister, Mylian, leading to numerous unpleasant encounters.

The Saintess’s carriage arrived precisely on schedule. Stella gathered her composure, her expression more carefully managed than anyone else present, for her sister was inside that carriage.

When the carriage came to a halt, Eveming was the first to alight. Her appearance, however, did not become the focal point of attention. Instead, it was Mylian, stepping down from the carriage moments later, who instantly captivated everyone.

“Miss Mylian? Why are you in the Saintess’s carriage?”

The old butler voiced the collective bewilderment. The maids exchanged frequent glances; knowing Stella’s true nature, they opted for silence, unwilling to invite trouble upon themselves.

What must come, will come, Stella admonished herself. Do not provoke my sister.

Taking a step forward, Stella lifted the pure white hem of her dress with both hands, performing a gesture that took everyone present by surprise.

“Welcome to Candace Manor, Saintess. And dearest sister, welcome home.”

Stella finished her greeting and rose, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she looked at Eveming opposite her. The corner of her eye also encompassed Mylian.

“Hello, Miss Stella.”

Eveming returned her smile. Her immediate thought upon meeting Stella was to reconsider whether Mylian’s words had been entirely accurate.

Stella was a beautiful, well-mannered girl. Where was the slightest hint of ill character?

During the carriage ride, Eveming had specifically inquired about Stella. Mylian had merely described Stella as a young lady of poor character, without elaborating on any specific misdeeds.

“Stella, is this truly amusing?”

Mylian’s words were sharp and laced with undisguised sarcasm. She yearned for Stella to behave as she had yesterday, to expose the sordid soul beneath that beautiful facade to outsiders.

“Sister, Stella knows she was wrong. Will you please forgive me?”

Stella clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, her expression earnest. The contours of her face, highlighted by the sunlight, appeared so genuine that anyone witnessing it would surely be moved to forgive her.

However, Mylian’s eye twitched only slightly. A wave of nausea churned in her stomach.

It’s always like this, she thought. Putting on this innocent act in front of others. Your acting skills are truly improving, little sister.

Mylian clasped her hands behind her back, her fists clenched tight. The more she saw Stella’s harmless face, the more she recalled yesterday’s stinging slap.

The memory of her face burning with pain, and the humiliation she suffered, surged forth. Mylian’s hatred for Stella intensified even further.

Fine, I’ll play along, she decided. Since you love putting on a show for outsiders so much.

Mylian took a deep breath, etching her profound hatred into every word she spoke.

“Of course, I must forgive my sister. It was merely a minor disagreement. We shall reconcile.”

Mylian’s chilling smile caused the temperature to plummet. Eveming, who was closer to her, shivered and instinctively pulled her neck in. This was the second time she had felt Mylian’s terrifying aura, a pressure even more formidable than when the topic of “home” had been raised.

“That’s truly… wonderful.”

Stella forced a smile. She felt as though the game’s ‘evil ending’ was rapidly approaching; her sister’s hatred for her had become even more palpable!

Oh no! Why did I reset my sister’s affection to its lowest point?!

Stella had believed a sincere apology would work. She had tried her utmost to display the most apologetic expression, yet it had only resulted in her sister’s intense loathing, even a premonition of her turning dark!

Whoosh—

A cold gust of wind swept across Stella’s cheek, as if hinting at the tragic prelude that had just begun.

Unable to endure the cold, Saintess Eveming hugged her arms and prompted Stella.

“Since you two have reconciled, may we discuss further inside the house? It’s quite cold out here, Miss Stella.”

“Oh… of course. Please follow me this way, Saintess. And you too, sister.”

Stella turned, not daring to look back at her sister’s expression, fearing that even a glance would lower her affection further.

Mylian scoffed and followed. She understood Stella’s current situation perfectly: their parents were due to return, and Stella needed to act like a dutiful daughter and a good sister. Such old tricks were utterly worn out!

The group entered the manor. Only when the warmth of the hearth dispelled the cold did the atmosphere become somewhat more bearable.

Stella had prepared the study as the place for their detailed discussion. She had arranged for a three-seater sofa to be brought in beforehand, intending to ease the tension between the sisters. However, it now presented a rather different scene.

Eveming sat in the middle, effectively acting as a “wall.” On her left was the icy Mylian, and on her right, the helpless Stella, creating a delicate balance among the three.

“I think I’ll sit in that chair instead.”

Eveming was about to rise, but her right wrist was gently restrained by Stella’s outstretched hand.

“Saintess, you are a guest of Candace Manor. How can you not take the main seat?”

Stella smiled, gently guiding Eveming to remain seated on the sofa. Eveming’s face immediately fell; her attempt to escape the impending conflict had failed.

“Miss Stella, you are far too polite,” Eveming said. “We are peers, so there’s no need to keep calling me ‘Saintess.’ Otherwise, it reminds me of someone.”

“Who is so similar to me?”

Stella had yet to realize that this very question would bring her new trouble.

“Della, a young noble lord who is always eager to help. Speaking of whom, he seems to know you, Miss Stella. I wonder if he’s ever visited you? He also has quite a close relationship with your sister.”

Eveming mentioned Della inadvertently, causing Stella’s gaze to stiffen. A bad premonition urged her to look at Mylian.

Stella is looking at me? And Della… that name doesn’t sound quite right.

Mylian lowered her head in thought. Eveming’s words had sparked a realization in her: Della and Stella shared some kind of “connection.”

Stella possessed no mind-reading abilities; she could only observe her sister’s changing expression, hoping she wouldn’t deduce that Della and Stella were one and the same.

However, after a moment of contemplation, Mylian’s expression turned solemn. She said nothing, and her silence was the most terrifying thing of all.

What is my sister imagining?! Stella thought frantically. Please don’t suspect that I’m Della! My favorability isn’t high enough yet!