The news of the "headbutt" spread across the Empire like wildfire, becoming the talk of the town by morning. As for the Duke, he was drowning in a sea of shame and regret; not just because of George's reckless behavior, but because he suddenly realized the toxic influence he had on his sons. He saw in his son's cruelty a mirror of his own harshness toward Holina. Overcome by guilt, he decided to change his behavior and grant her the status she deserved. However, he had no idea that the real "Holina" had already departed, and the one inhabiting that body now was "Hannah," a woman fighting a very different kind of war.
Inside her room, Hannah was in a fierce standoff with the translucent window that had appeared out of nowhere. After driving everyone away with sharp screams, she began her interrogation:
"Where did you come from? And who created you?"
The window remained silent, offering only a cold, digital void.
"Damn it! Curse everything!" Hannah roared, kicking over the teapot and chair. Not even the vase was spared, shattering into tiny shards against the floor.
After her fit of rage, Hannah sat down, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. She asked in a low whisper, "Do I have a connection to this girl whose body I'm in?"
Words formed clearly on the window: [Yes, you are closely linked to her, Villainess.]
Hannah froze for a moment. "What? How? This is just a fictional novel! Have I gone mad? Yes, surely I've lost my mind. Where is the nearest asylum? I hope the meals are good and the bed is soft!"
She then asked suspiciously, "Did my friend 'Ella' design you?"
The word appeared: [Yes.]
Hannah's anger flared, and she kicked the table. "Damn her! She wrote a novel and trapped me in this garbage without my knowledge?"
The window answered immediately: [No.]
Hannah felt a chill of confusion. She hadn't even asked, yet the window answered! She demanded sharply, "Does this have to do with my reincarnation?"
The response appeared: [Yes.]
The window vanished, leaving Hannah's mind to connect the dots while a splitting headache throbbed behind her eyes. How could a fictional novel be linked to reality? Her chain of thought was broken by a rapid knocking on the door. A servant's voice followed: "My Lady, the Duke requests your presence for tea."
Hannah replied with pure contempt, "Get lost, both of you! Let him drink the poison that matches his rotten morals!"
But the door opened, and the Duke entered with his usual majesty. With his jet-black hair and icy blue eyes, he looked like he was in his early thirties despite being in his late forties. He said in his deep, resonant voice, "Holina, I want to have tea with you."
Suddenly, the red window flashed before her eyes: [Warning: Bad language or violent behavior is forbidden. Punishment will be enforced immediately upon violation.]
Hannah gritted her teeth, trying to suppress her rage. She spoke in a voice dripping with sarcasm: "Thank you for your uncalled-for and useless kindness, but I prefer to drink my tea alone. Having someone else here causes a certain... rot in the air."
A stunned silence filled the room. The Duke was shocked, and even the system seemed to be processing her retort. Hannah laughed inwardly: "I said it with respect and didn't curse. You couldn't stop me from telling the truth, you cursed window!"
The Duke cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem... I understand. When you wish to join us, you are welcome."
She replied with a mocking, victorious laugh. "I will never do that. I'm not crazy enough to live with a group of contagious viruses. You people give me a nervous breakdown, and I don't want to lose my mind just yet—I'm far too young for that."
The Duke left, still reeling from the shock of her words, while Hannah watched the empty air where the window had been with a terrifying smile.