Looking at the spectacular ruby gems and accessories, what occupied Daisy’s mind was concern. She wondered if these gems would last in this household. Once her father saw them, he would clamor to sell them and Rose would be on the edge of her seat to take them away.

Realizing this, she even thought she wanted to get married quickly. The “job” of being Killian de Essel’s wife wouldn’t be easy, but she’d at least be liberated from her family. Daisy rushed into the room carrying the jewel box before anyone could see it. Coming out of her room, Rose suspiciously watched Daisy’s back.

***

In the afternoon of Daisy and Killian’s scheduled dinner, there was a small quarrel in the Philbern family. When Rose returned from a tea party of an acquaintance, she was fuming.

“I heard that Marquis Killian de Essel sent a marriage proposal to the Philbern family.”

“Congratulations, Rose! You couldn’t have done better. Getting married to a wealthy nobleman is a blessing to a woman.”

The news that Killian de Essel proposed to one of the daughters of Baron Philbern had spread all over the high society in no time. The source of the engagement rumor was the jeweler. He revealed that Killian de Essel had put an urgent request at the famous fine jeweler to purchase the best jewels.

Many came out and said that they had seen one of the butlers of the Essel family at the jeweler.

The face of Killian de Essel’s butler was well-known. It was said that he bought the most expensive jewelry in the store with cash and requested it to be packaged in a traditional oak case since it was an engagement gift.

Some thought it was Rose who received the proposal given that she was the most beautiful daughter of Baron Philbern. No one could’ve guessed that it was Daisy who was the least attractive one out of the flower sisters.

With a forced smile, Rose had to correct people and say, “Daisy is the one engaged.” It was a horrible experience for Rose.

“Really? That’s unexpected.”

Changing their facial expressions, they continued, “Next time, bring her with you. I want to get to know her.” Rose was so angry that she was about to lose it.

Soon the ladies changed the subject and obsessed about the engagement gift, “Ruby of the Sun.” They were saying that Daisy received this year’s highest-appraised jewel as her engagement gift.

‘I can’t believe that ugly Daisy got a better groom than me. A handsome man like Killian de Essel at that!’ Rose stormed into Daisy’s room as soon as she got home.

“I heard that you received your engagement gift. How could you not show that to your sisters? So greedy of you! You don’t want to share nice things with your sisters?”

“What?”

Daisy, who was getting ready to go out, responded in disbelief. Of all people, it was especially ridiculous for Rose to say something like that. She always had to buy what she wanted for herself, and even though she received lots of gifts from her admirers, she never allowed Daisy to even try them on once.

When they were young girls, Daisy was once so envious of Rose’s pumpkin brooch that she tried it on without telling Rose. Rose called her a thief and threw the brooch at her. The brooch scratched Daisy’s cheek and cut her. Daisy was terrified that it would leave a scar. Though Daisy walked around with an ointment on her face for days, Rose never even apologized to her.

“Where did you hide it? That jewel.”

Rose started turning the room to find the engagement gift that Daisy had hidden. Eventually, she found the jewel under Daisy’s bed in an envelope. When Rose opened the envelope, she inhaled deeply. There was a jewel of more glorious brilliance than any Rose had ever seen or received as a gift.

Rose asked with trembling lips, “What scheme did you use on him?”

Seeing her room in a mess, Daisy coldly responded, “What?”

“Killian de Essel! How did someone like you seduce him?”

“Don’t be a child, Rose. I didn’t seduce him. He proposed to me.”

“I’m sure you used a cheap trick. You’ve been going out a lot wearing thick makeup. Did you get into his bed? Yes, that’s it. It’s obvious!”

Annoyed, Daisy responded, “You can’t have everything in the world, Rose.”

Ever since Daisy received the proposal, Rose couldn’t wait to take a bite out of her. Rose, very beautiful and sensitive like a real rose, was livid that Daisy—someone she openly treated like a person beneath her—had landed such an amazing husband. What made her so upset seemed to be the fact that this person was Killian de Essel, the man who showed absolutely no interest in her.

Daisy was annoyed by Rose’s behavior but also worried. ‘Did Rose fall in love with Killian again this time? What if she dies because of Killian?’

The guilt would stay with her like a bitter aftertaste.

‘There’s no telling what a person might do.’

In the mirage of her previous life, Rose married a rich man, but Daisy heard that she ended up having an affair with another man because she was not satisfied with her husband.

A few years after Rose got married, Daisy and Jasmine lost touch with Rose and only heard about her through rumors. Later, when Daisy and Jasmine went to visit Rose, she wouldn’t even invite them in the house.

“If it’s because you have feelings for him, you have to let that go.”

“What?”

“Marquis Killian de Essel is not the man for you. He’s not who you think he is. And now, whether you like it or not, he’s going to be your brother-in-law. Someone like you, Rose, could surely find a better husband than him. Frankly speaking, every guy in the capital has a crush on you, except for him. Wanting him because he’s the only guy who doesn’t worship you, isn’t that so juvenile?”

“What?”

“Grow up, Rose,” Daisy said sternly.

“You, why the hell are you acting like a different person?!” Rose cried out.

Daisy seemed to have become a different person in just a few days. Up until a few days ago, Daisy never talked back to Rose no matter how mean Rose was being. Daisy was someone Rose had completely overlooked, but Daisy was criticizing Rose and being right about everything. Rose’s face seemed to say that she felt betrayed.

“I decided not to put up with you any longer. Honestly, it’s for your good, too, sister. You need to face reality. Marquis Essel is going to marry me, and he’s not into you.”

“Daisy…”

Rose looked at Daisy with her enchantingly beautiful face.

“Isn’t your personality your only redeeming quality? If you act that way, you’ll be mistreated. Guess there’s no need for worrying. Since you seduced him with your body, you’ll be mistreated soon, anyway.

“Are you out of your mind?” Daisy couldn’t believe it. Rose was too much like a child, not even worth fighting.

“Am I wrong? Daisy, think about it. Yield this groom to me for the good of our family. If things work out well for me, I’ll find you a good husband.” Rose changed her tune. Her logic was ludicrous. Yield the groom? What a crazy thing to say. Only Rose who had to take everything from Daisy would say something like that.

“No, thank you.”

At that moment, a low voice was heard from the back. Rose and Daisy turned their heads at the same time. Killian was standing there.

“Marquis, how…?”

“The front door was open, and I heard a loud noise coming from upstairs, so I thought there was a robber or something. But I guess the robber didn’t come from the outside,” said Killian as he glanced at the jewel in Rose’s hand. Rose, who had been holding Daisy’s engagement gift, blushed.

“Even if she yields, I decline the offer. The person I want as my bride is Daisy de Philbern. Is everything clear now?”

“Oh…”

Rose kept blinking her eyes, not knowing what else to do. Rose was so beautiful, seeing her like that would’ve softened anyone’s heart, except for Killian.

“As my fiancée nicely laid it out for you. I’m not interested in you. The fight’s over now, right?”

“…”

“May I take my fiancée out now?”

Rose breathed heavily as if she couldn’t believe what was happening.

“Wait a minute, Marquis Essel!”

Rose rushed towards Killian and stood in front of him. Batting her eyelashes desperately, she said, “It’s a misunderstanding. I was scolding Daisy for her rude behavior… Anyway, I’m not that kind of woman, Marquis. If you get to know me better, the misunderstanding will be cleared up.”

Rose pleaded with a look that would melt the hearts of every man in the world. Killian stared at her for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“What’s your name?”

“What?”

A man didn’t remember her name? That never happened in Rose’s world, but soon, she smiled softly. Asking her name was a sign of interest, wasn’t it?

“Rose. It’s Rose.”

“Okay, Rose.”

“Yes.”

“Will you give the jewel back to my fiancée? Daisy needs to wear that to go out. Or, is it your job to hold her jewels? Like a hanger or a tray? Is that how things are done in this house?”

“…”

“Oh, and I have no desire to get to know you better. Will you please stand aside? I’d like to take my fiancée out.”

Rose’s mouth opened. Daisy was shaking her head inside. ‘See? I tried to tell you, Rose. He’s not the man of your imagination,’ was what Daisy would’ve said to Rose if Killian wasn’t there. Not surprisingly, Killian was being a sarcastic, sadistic demon lord.

“I don’t like to waste my time. The thirty seconds I just spent is all I can spare on you. I might get angry if you waste any more of my time. Will you please hand over the jewel?”

Confusion spread across Rose’s face. ‘Just as I expected,’ Daisy thought. Handing out vitriol was Killian de Essel’s specialty. Rose handed the jewels with her trembling hands.

Holding the jewel with his hands, he put the necklace around Daisy’s neck and the ring on Daisy’s finger. When his strong hands touched Daisy’s pale, delicate skin, her heart started to pound. Killian placed the earrings in Daisy’s hands. Observing the scene, Rose held her breath.

“Let’s go, Daisy.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Killian wrapped his arms around Daisy’s waist and escorted her out. Rose’s gaze could’ve burned a hole on their backs.