Living a Glamorous Life as Lady Barberini

Antonius' voice cut through her thoughts again. "Claudia, dear, did you hear me?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "Of course, Father," she replied, her voice steady despite the apprehension building in her chest. That's where all the key players of the story converge.

Lady Giuliana's gentle voice followed, as soothing as ever. "Don't worry, darling. We'll ensure you're the star of the evening. Everyone will be talking about you."

Talking about me? Great. As long as I get to wear a new, expensive, luxurious dress, Claudia thought, a grateful smile curving her lips. She was already imagining the breathtaking gown that would accentuate her every move.

Her older brother, Lucius, who always seemed to be looking out for her in his own way, leaned back in his chair with a grin. "You'll be the jewel of the evening, Claudia. It's only fitting for someone as lovely as you."

Claudia's smile softened, genuinely appreciative of his words. "Thank you, Lucius," she said, her voice sincere.

Emilio, across from her, let out a soft chuckle, his fake smirk widening. "I look forward to seeing you shine, Claudia. I'm sure you'll leave quite an impression."

Oh, I'll leave an impression, alright. She shot him a pointed look, her smile brittle. Just not the one they are all hoping for. She kept her tone light, masking the seething irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "I'm sure you'll enjoy watching, Emilio. It's bound to be a grand event."

Emilio's eyes flickered for a moment, but his smirk never faltered. He leaned in slightly, as if to say something more, but the words died on his lips as Claudia's gaze held his. She didn't flinch; instead, her smile remained.

Her father, seemingly satisfied with the conversation, nodded. "Good. The ball will be an important occasion for you, Claudia. But the most important is the selection ceremony. I'm sure you know what it is."

Claudia nodded, her mind already racing ahead. 'The selection ceremony... I'm not exactly worried about that because I will make a different choice.'

"I won't disappoint, Father," she replied evenly.

Lady Giuliana's gaze softened as she reached for Claudia's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're proud of you, darling. Just remember, we're with you every step of the way."

Claudia's heart fluttered for a moment at the warmth in her mother's voice. For a split second, the vulnerability she'd been pushing down threatened to surface, but she swallowed it back. "Thank you, Mother. I'll make sure to do you proud."

As the conversation shifted toward the details of the ball, Claudia's thoughts drifted back to the original story. ' I'm going to change everything...'

After the meal, Claudia's mind was still focused on the debutante ball, but she had other plans. Once Lord Antonius and Lady Guiliana left, She cleared her throat, drawing Emilio's attention.

"Emilio," she began sweetly, her eyes locking with his, "Would you mind accompanying me outside? There's something I need to discuss with you."

Emilio's brows furrowed slightly, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Lucius, don't we have something important to discuss?" His tone was laced with subtle irritation, though he tried to maintain a polite facade.

Claudia could hear the unsaid words in his mind. 'This is absurd. I need to focus on the deal, not entertaining Claudia's whims.'

Lucius, who had been silent up until that moment, raised his gaze and offered a subtle smile. "There's nothing of importance to discuss, Emilio," he remarked nonchalantly, his tone too casual to mask the underlying amusement.

'Claudia, I've given you the opportunity to spend some time with the one you love,' Lucius added with a wink, his gesture as refined as ever.

Claudia, hearing his thoughts, couldn't help but smile softly. 'Ah, what a thoughtful brother,' she mused inwardly, amused by his playful spirit.

Emilio's expression faltered, his eyes widening in disbelief. He turned to Lucius, the incredulity unmistakable on his face. 'This fool of a siscon… I need to finalize the deal between our families, or Father will be most displeased.'

Lucius casually stood up and stretched. "You both should Enjoy the rest of your morning," he said with a mock cheerfulness, before heading toward the door.

Emilio watched Lucius walk away, his fists clenching in frustration. How could he be so naive? All this time wasted... And I have to get that deal signed, or it's over for me.

Claudia smiled to herself, though a darker thought crossed her mind. Because of this so-called deal, Emilio was able to snatch the source of Barberini Duchy's riches—the magical mines in the south that Lord Antonius owns. 'I'll make sure that deal never goes through.'

Her eyes met Emilio's, and she couldn't help but feel the weight of his seething glare. 'It's because of this wretch,' he thought bitterly.

'Sheesh, you don't have to be so harsh,' Claudia thought back, but her smile only grew wider, amused by his frustration.

"Emilio," she said softly, cutting through the quiet tension, "Let's go somewhere quiet, shall we? There's something I need to say."

Emilio, still unsure of her intentions but wary of crossing her, nodded stiffly. "Lead the way."

They walked in silence through the estate, heading toward the forest that surrounded the Duke's manor. The trees loomed above them, casting shadows on the path as they reached a secluded lake, the very place where her soul had entered Claudia's body.

Claudia stood near the edge of the water, her gaze distant. 'This is where the original Claudia was manipulated by Emilio, he asked her to jump in and prove her love for him.'

She turned to Emilio, a cold resolve in her eyes. "Emilio," she began, her voice soft but laced with hidden steel, "Do you remember what you made me do here?"

Emilio chuckled darkly, the corners of his lips twisting into a sinister smirk. "Of course I do... and what of it? At last, I see how deeply you love me. That is all that matters, is it not?" His voice oozed with mockery as he drew nearer. He raised a hand, gently cupping Claudia's face, his thumb grazing her cheek in a manner both tender and unnerving.

'Foolish girl,' Emilio thought, his eyes gleaming with self-assuredness as his fingers traced her cheek.

Claudia heard his thoughts as distinctly as though they had been spoken aloud. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she nodded, her gaze steady as she thought, 'Now I know for certain... this bastard is beyond redemption.'

She placed her hands upon his with the gentlest of touches, her fingers barely grazing his skin, and her voice came forth, sweet. "Since I've proven my love... might you, too, prove yours?"

Emilio's smirk wavered, his eyes widening in confusion. He drew his hand back, her words catching him off guard. 'What in the world is she implying?'

"I wonder," Claudia continued, her voice as calm as honey, thick with syrupy sweetness, "if you would be willing to die for me."

Before Emilio could gather his thoughts, Claudia's hand moved like lightning, she seized the sword at his side, drawing it with the ease of one accustomed to such things. The blade gleamed in the dim light, and she raised it with chilling precision, placing the tip against his throat.

'As the daughter of the greatest swordsman in all the Orgetian Empire... Claudia's skill is unparalleled,' she mused, her grip firm and steady. 'And with her memories now mine, the sword is but an extension of myself.'

Emilio staggered back involuntarily, his breath catching in his throat. 'Is she truly mad?'

Claudia's smile twisted into something far darker, a gleam of madness flashing in her eyes. 'Yes, I am mad,' she thought, the realization fortifying her resolve. 'Driven Claudia had such talent, such beauty, such promise to be the heroine of her own story... and all of it was squandered by this bastard.'

"If you love me," Claudia intoned, her voice dipping into a cold, unnerving tone, "then take this sword and drive it into your own heart. If you do not love me, cast yourself into the lake."

Emilio's breath faltered, his mind spinning. 'So, either way, I am doomed? What absurdity is this?'

He struggled to regain composure, raising his hands in a gesture of calm. "Claudia, we must be reasonable here. There is no need for such dramatics—"

Claudia tilted her head slightly, the maniacal grin never leaving her lips. "No need? You profess your love, did you not? Then prove it."

The tip of the blade pressed against his neck, drawing a thin line of blood. Emilio winced, his pulse pounding in his ears. For the first time, he realized he might have underestimated her.