CH 7

(Rubette’s POV)

Juliet Karenina.

No, starting today, Rubetria Diollus.

I’ve lived a busy life of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days in a year from my previous world, but I’ve never been tired before, till now.

I’m the type of person who enjoys a busy daily life and I really hate wasting time.  Since I’ve already crossed over a river, in which I can never go back, then that means that yesterday was already enough for me to weep my loss.

In order for me to live my life as Rubette in the future, and to pay off the debt that I  owe to her, then that means I need to change this life and I don’t have a moment to waste.

‘The good news is that Rubette is quite knowledgeable.’

She seldom left the house and stayed in her room, reading books all day.

‘Since she didn’t want to hear that she’s a nuisance to her family, she studied hard.’

‘She had mastered everything that a noble lady needed to learn in depth.’

It’s not that she was very passionate about her studies, but because she had more time to spare.

There isn’t a book she hadn’t read about that was related to politics, economy, society, and culture. But she was never tempted to read the daily newspaper to see what’s happening to the world and go back to the outside world.

Since the original Rubette had never had a proper social life, she was not able to show others how good she was in social etiquette and dancing.

‘I will do it.’

‘Everything that you have studied hard, I’ll use it well for you.’

After giving a brief thanks to Rubette inwardly, I thought.

‘First things first.’

Now I am fully motivated.

‘Put aside the crazy hierarchy of this house where Molga Diollus is in control.’

All the employees of this family, which was bought by Molga, are on her side. Also, my two older brothers, who were raised by Molga’s hands since childhood, didn’t know this side of her at all.

And the only person who can help me is my father, but unfortunately, he had his own problem as well.

‘I’m about to lose my mind because I don’t want to die, but everything seems so hard.’

My father, the 8th Duke of Diollus. Leonard Diollus.

He was a very romantic man, who was known to be good with words, but in other aspects, he’s very languid, that’s why he was considered more irresponsible.

The tragedy began when Rubette’s mother, the Duchess of Diollus passed away when she was only 4 years old.

After the death of her mother, Rubette’s father became completely apathetic, and abandoned all his duties as the head of the household, and lived by only breathing.

Staying in his room for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with only drinking alcohol, even though they’re living under the same roof, they could see the stars in the sky more often than him.

Anyway, because of that reason, since 10 years ago, my three brothers were raised under the hands of Molga.

‘But that doesn’t mean that Rubette’s father pretended to be ignorant of his children at all, but…’

To put it bluntly, the Duke was the kind of father who we can compare in modern times, the one who would give credit cards and let his children party with their friends on their birthday, but wouldn’t give at least a greeting to his only daughter.

In other words, since I used to feel tired of being loved by everyone (when she was still living as Juliet), not just by my family but also by my fans. So such a father is rather more welcome….

‘While the real Rubette needed affection and attention.’

Rubette closed her mouth toward her indifferent father, and Duke Diollus also did not pay much attention to his indescribable daughter.

‘It’s really disappointing. Since I did not receive any memories of Rubette’s father, he’s way worse than anyone in this family.’

Even if he was doomed to die at the age of 40 while living with his daughter and drinking alcohol.

“My lady, don’t you have any appetite today?”

“Ah”

After thinking for a while, I suddenly came to my senses.

Rebecca, the maid who had neatly tied black hair, had a worried expression on her face while looking at the breakfast table that she had set in her room.

‘Rebecca…’

As I searched for Rubette’s memory, I could see a different girl in front of me.

Among the servants of the Duchy, she was the only one who cared for Rubette, and tolerated the abuse of the demon…

‘I’m really getting mad.’

Based on the commotion that took place on Rubette’s 16th birthday– ‘I really don’t want to do it, I don’t want to talk about it. But I can no longer ignore the abuse inflicted on Rubette.’ That’s when Rebecca decided to complain to the Duke about Rubette’s situation.

That was the beginning of the tragedy.

Molga knew this in advance and grabbed Rebecca and beat her.

Molga’s voice whispered to me as she looked at Rebecca, who was gasping for breath.

“You’re such a bad girl. Even if Lilia and Ricky invited their friends to celebrate your birthday, you should have been grateful. And now you want to tell your father about that simple joke that your friends did?”

“No, Grandmother. I didn’t mean to tell…”

“Are you trying to lie to me? Did you tell this foolish maid about everything that happened that day?”

“I was just talking to Rebecca. And, I didn’t intend to tell father…”

“I caught this maid who was about to go to your father’s room. What do you think she was going to do?”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong…”

Rebecca was locked up in solitary confinement.

“Grandma, please let go of Rebecca. It is all my fault, I’m the one who’s at fault please…”

Molga, who came to talk to Rubette after three days, smiled and showed her Rebecca’s condition, but…

“Re… Rebecca…?”

She was already dead. Since she didn’t receive any treatment or even a sip of water for three days and three nights.

“That girl died pitifully because you intended to talk about nonsense things.”

Molga warned Rubette, who was shocked after seeing a carriage carrying a corpse, roughly covered with straw, as it left the Duchy.

“Please be good Rubette, if you don’t want to see people dying for nothing. So try to behave better in the future.”

Rubert, who was already intimidated by the constant abuse, suddenly thought.

‘Yes…. I really acted like a fool, because of my foolishness Rebecca died. So, I should just live my life, like a dead person…’

Eventually, with Rebecca’s death, Rubette completely closed her mouth and withdrew further, to the point of being crazy.

“My Lady…”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something else.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened at my response.

“Did your memory come back?”

“Huh? Ahh, I mean…”

I can see that she was thinking that until yesterday, the young lady, who was so indifferent like a complete stranger, suddenly returned to being friendly and full of spirit in just a day. That’s why Rebecca’s intention of leaving the house was no longer in the bay, after seeing the lady’s spirit back.

‘Well, she wasn’t wrong about it.’

I smiled and nodded my head.

“After I woke up earlier everything came back to me, as if I was woken up from a deep sleep. Thank you so much for your concern.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Today, I purposely requested the chef to prepare a bunch of dishes that you would love, so please eat a lot.”

“Ah.. ha…”

I whimpered as I looked at the terrifying table.

A whole roasted turkey was placed in the middle, and on the front, there were two chunks of thickly sliced lamb, next to it was a salmon steak and a half glass of white wine to accompany it.

Land, sea, and air in one place? All of this for breakfast at 09:30 am?

‘Are you kidding me?’

It was absurd, but Rubette was the one who had always eaten like this, who would I blame other than Rubette herself.

“And, Rebecca.”

“When you’re done, I’ll bring out a butter bun with a bunch of blueberries. It’s a compote made with fresh blueberries brought in just yesterday from Camilla Farm.”

“Yeah, I know… ”

“Oh! What’s wrong with you? You aren’t in the mood for some bread jam today? Then how about a chocolate cake filled with macarons on top?”

Rebecca squinted her eyes with a gesture like shooting a pistol.

Her tearful efforts were revealed by deliberately pretending to be brighter than usual for the sake of a depressed young girl, who had committed a suicide attempt.

But I would have to reject it though.

I really appreciated Rebecca’s consideration for preparing a magnificent meal this morning, but I waved my hand and refused.

“I’m sorry, but I would pass all of this to you. Since it would be a waste because I would not be eating any of this starting today.”

“What? You don’t want breakfast?”

I got up from my seat and slowly warmed up and said.

“I’m going to lose weight starting from today.”

“……”

I glanced back at Rebecca, who hasn’t said anything at all, since she didn’t expect to hear it coming from me. She blinked her gray eyes with a strange expression and nodded her head vigorously.

Her thoughts seemed to turn as if saying: ‘How many days or hours will my lady’s short-lived diet last this time?’

“I understand, so I’ll put it aside for now, so just tell me if you’re hungry later.”

“It won’t happen. I’m not going to starve myself, I’m just going to make some adjustments to my diet.”

“What’s your diet?”

“Yes. Starting today, I’m going to do an hour-long workout on an empty stomach in the morning. Then, after my workout, I will have breakfast ready in my room at 9:30. The menu is half an apple and a plate of oatmeal.”

“Okay. Yes?”

“Do you have any paper and pens? So can you write it down?”

Rebecca blinked her big eyes, then rummaged through the front pocket of her maid’s suit and pulled out a small notebook and a pen.

Then I started talking again.

“Breakfast is at 9:30. Half an apple and a plate of oatmeal.”

“Yes. Yes!”

“Lunch is at 1 pm. Bring the regular main dish from the kitchen that day, but tell the chef not to season it. Here…”

I pointed to the lamb and salmon steaks on the table.

“Do not use any sauce for this kind of steak.”

Next up is the giant turkey.

“Don’t season any chicken dishes.”

“Then it wouldn’t taste good, would it?”

“That’s okay. How can I lose weight, if I’ll be eating all those delicious things?”

“That’s true, but… ”

Even though she was so flustered, Rebecca diligently wrote down everything that I said in her notebook.

“And since one menu is enough, don’t overdo it like this again and also don’t ever add wine. Avoid all foods containing wheat. Of course, I won’t be eating any bread, so from now on I’ll drink a bottle like this every week…!”

I hated it, as I spread my arms out to express the enormity.

“… You don’t need to add a new compote. Oh, and then.”

I brought out the bag of snacks that I had roughly thrown behind the bed. Rubette’s snack was wrapped in a tablecloth.

As I pointed with my chin.

I put down the tablecloth at Rebecca’s feet, as it made a rustling sound.

“What is this?”

“My snacks, which I hid and forgot once in a while. So please take them all.”