The sunlight had barely crept over the horizon when Hana found herself standing in front of Seraphina's wardrobe.
Rows of elegant dresses hung like soldiers at attention. Silk, velvet, embroidered with delicate patterns—every piece seemed impossible to wear without tripping over it. Hana's small frame made them feel like tents.
Inside her mind, Seraphina spoke with her usual calm precision.
Choose something appropriate. We have visitors from the northern estates today.
Hana swallowed.
"…Visitors? Who… do we have to impress?"
Status, influence, diplomacy. The same things you have yet to understand.
Hana peeked at a pale blue dress with silver embroidery. It looked like it belonged in a museum.
"…This one?"
Yes. Elegant. Not ostentatious.
Hana frowned at the silk. Elegant… not ostentatious… Got it.
She stepped into the dress, fumbling slightly as the fabric slipped over her arms. She yelped when she nearly stepped on the hem. Seraphina internally sighed.
Careful. You are making a mess of a garment that cost more than a commoner's house.
"I'm trying!" Hana muttered.
Clearly, your attempt is… chaotic.
Once dressed, Hana moved to the mirror. Long black hair fell past her waist. The style had to be proper—no messy strands allowed. Hana lifted the brush, already dreading it.
Gentle strokes. Start from the ends.
Hana's hands trembled as she brushed slowly. She could feel the tension in the room—Seraphina's mind never relaxed about appearances.
Focus. Precision. Elegance.
"I… I think I'm doing it," Hana said uncertainly.
You are not ruining it. Too much motion can break the style. Now… the hairpin.
Hana placed the silver pin in the right spot, trying not to stab herself. Seraphina's inner voice hummed with faint approval.
Acceptable.
Satisfied, Hana turned away from the mirror.
"Okay… now what?"
Breakfast. But we are not eating. We are supervising the estate staff.
Hana blinked.
"Supervising… again?"
Yes. The household runs on orders, schedules, and precision. Part of your duties as head of the house involves oversight.
The office was quiet when she arrived. Servants scurried at the sight of her, some still stiff from their fear of the villainess. Hana waved nervously, hoping she didn't accidentally insult anyone.
Do not fidget. Command presence.
Hana swallowed.
"…Command… presence."
She followed Seraphina's exact instructions—hands behind her back, shoulders straight, eyes calm. It looked awkward, but surprisingly effective. The servants bowed.
"Good morning, My Lady," they whispered.
"Good morning," Hana said, trying to keep her voice steady. She hoped it sounded confident enough.
The rest of the morning was a blur of mundane but critical tasks.
Reviewing incoming letters from neighboring estates. Hana had to decide which required immediate attention.
Inspecting reports of grain storage, livestock health, and taxes collected. Numbers made her dizzy, but Seraphina's guidance made the decisions feel… natural.
Approving clothing requests from the staff, ensuring uniforms were in order. Hana didn't know why it mattered, but apparently, it did.
By mid-morning, Hana found herself in Seraphina's study, where the true hobbies of the villainess came into focus.
This is… your leisure time, Seraphina explained.
Hana blinked. "Leisure time? You get… hobbies?"
We do not allow the mind to stagnate.
The first task was embroidery. Hana stared at the delicate fabric and the needle. Her fingers shook, the thread tangling immediately.
Stop panicking. Precision, control.
Hana took a deep breath, following Seraphina's guidance carefully. Slowly, the pattern began to take shape. Seraphina's patience in Hana's mind helped her relax.
Next was reading. Seraphina's collection of books covered history, politics, poetry, and philosophy. Hana picked up a volume on political treaties between northern estates. She could barely read half of the archaic language.
Skim for information. Focus on relevant points.
Hana tried, and surprisingly, she found herself absorbing more than she expected. Seraphina's mind made it almost painless.
Then came music. A harpsichord sat near the window. Seraphina instructed Hana on proper posture and fingering. Hana fumbled, hitting wrong notes.
Again. Precision. Grace.
After several minutes, Hana was able to play a simple melody. It was not perfect, but she felt… proud. Seraphina said nothing, though Hana could sense faint approval in her mind.
Finally, Hana discovered painting. Watercolors, landscapes, and delicate brush strokes. Her hands were unsteady at first, but she gradually produced something recognizable—a small tree by a riverbank.
You have natural instinct, but the lines are rough. Focus will improve them.
Hana beamed. "Hey! That doesn't look too bad!"
Acceptable for a child. For an adult… refinement is required.
The sun had moved high by the time Hana finished the day's "hobbies." She felt tired in ways she hadn't expected.
"…This is your life?" she whispered inside their shared mind.
It is a mixture of duty and cultivation. One cannot be head of a house and weak in either.
Hana nodded slowly. "Wow… you really do a lot, don't you?"
Yes. And you will do it too, eventually.
Hana frowned. "…Eventually?"
Do not worry. For now, you are eleven. You will learn as you grow. And I will guide you.
Hana stared out the window at the estate grounds, sprawling and perfectly maintained. Birds flitted in the trees, servants moved about their work, and sunlight glinted off polished windows.
"…I guess being a villainess isn't all evil plans and scheming," Hana murmured.
No. It is more exhausting than scheming.
Hana laughed softly. For the first time, she felt a little closer to understanding the woman whose body she now shared—and a little more prepared for the chaos that still awaited.