Chapter 1.1

<b>CHAPTER 1.1</b>

It was when I was around the age of nine that I started to realize I was living my second life and  it would eventually begin to go downhill, and that I was in a position of great danger.

At that time, I understood that I had been reincarnated and the memories of my previous life were gradually coming back to me.

So without knowing the full plot of the ‘original story’, I was living quite happily and ignorantly.

Until I met ‘him’, the person who would trigger everything.

“Laure. Say hello. This is the Duke of Rochester. He’ll be your fiancé in the future.”

‘D-Duke of… Rochester?’

A handsome, young boy with golden hair and blue eyes that resembled the autumn sky was standing in front of me.

The moment I saw him, I was awakened by the truth like a thunderbolt.

This world where I was born in was a fictional world inside a novel, and the fact that I was reborn as the “villainess” of the original story. And that boy, who will become my fiancé, is the ‘male lead’.

‘No way. That’s a lie. This can’t be true.’

My knees gave up, I slid down to the floor with a thud and burst into tears. Both my father and the  young duke were so taken aback that they didn’t know what to do. Even with their futile attempts to pacify me, I just wouldn’t stop crying.

‘Who wouldn’t in my situation, I was destined to be executed and killed at the age of twenty!’

And now, I only have 10 years left to live! It was so unfair. So far, I’ve never done anything bad or cruel, I was planning on being a good-hearted person in the future too, like I’ve always been.

“Laure. Stop crying. Hmn? Dad already made up his mind about this engagement. Don’t cry.”

“Hic…”

While I was eating the chocolate cake that my dad gave me to soothe my crying, I made a promise that day…

In order to survive, I will never, ever associate myself with the ‘male lead’.

*        *        *

However, life never goes the way you want it to.

“Haaah…”

I sighed. In the mirror set in front of me was a cute-looking woman, wearing a white dress with long pink hair and her eyes were filled with melancholy.

Laure Ecree.

The youngest daughter of Marquis Ecree. It was me.

11 years have passed since I first met the male lead.

Tonight, I’m going to spend my first night with my fiancé, the Grand Duke of Rochester. Much to my dismay, everything is going according to the original plot.

– Laure. Won’t you spend the night with me?

I couldn’t refuse him as he asked me so intently. Because, even if I knew it was downright stupid, I already came to like him.

– Y-Your request, I’m willing to accept it.

‘Ah! Really! Why did I do that. All I had to do was shut my eyes and say no. I shouldn’t have looked him in the eye then.’

“Haaah.”

Sighing for the thousandth time, I stepped out in front of the mirror.

My fiancé, Grand Duke Calix Rochester, was the main character of the novel “The  Devilish Man.”

There was no one who made eye contact with him for more than three seconds that did not fall in love with him, and there was no one who could ever resist him once they heard his  sultry, low voice.

He was a very handsome and capable man. And with the Duke’s family name, he could possess everything he wanted. He is someone without any shortcomings.

But even to a seemingly-perfect person like him, there was one thing that proved he was also human, and that was trauma, he got it after his family died in an accident when he was seventeen.

The Grand Duke of Rochester, Calix, used to have nightmares during those times. The horrible sight of his family members dying before him made the simple action of closing his eyes burdensome.

The young man, who was left alone after losing his family, lived in great solitude and remained very lonely in his vast castle for quite a period of time. It was me who stood by his side during those sad and empty times, Laure Ecree.

As his fiancee, I visited Rochester Castle almost every day, and in the summer I spent my vacations there.

At first glance, Calix seemed unapproachable, but in fact he was actually a fairly friendly person.

Even though I hadn’t yet invested some feelings, while taking care of him during those times, I slowly grew to like him.

Despite the fact that I strived to never like him, my heart was naturally drawn and I couldn’t do anything.

Eventually, I fell in love with him, and  managed to survive to this point in time.

I still had a chance.

“Should I just run away now?”

I muttered, and with impeccable timing, Calix appeared.

“What does that mean?”

He walked out of the bathroom and was only wearing a blue gown. Through the loosely tied front, a hard-chested torso could be seen slightly.

“Laure.”

He approached me slowly as he called my name.

“Perhaps you don’t really like this.”

He said with uncertainty.

“T-That’s not it!”

‘Damn, I answered reflexively without realizing it. This was a great opportunity to refuse.’

“If you don’t dislike this… then, are you nervous?”

Calix  brushed his hair backwards gently and asked. I nodded, trying to calm my pounding heart. Y-Yeah. Let’s say it like that. Though there are other reasons that can explain my anxious behavior.

“I’m nervous too, Laure.”

And then Calix laughed softly, his laugh was as sweet as cotton candy. Ugh, this is foul play! You shouldn’t be this handsome. No matter how much of a male lead you are!

I wholeheartedly resented the writer even though I personally didn’t know who they were. It’s all that writer’s fault that I fell in love with Calix. If only even 0.1% of Calix  was not likable, if only even 0.1% of Calix  was not my type…

But what’s the point of thinking about this now? There’s no use crying over spilled milk.

“Laure.”

“Y-Yes…”

Hearing the sweet voice of Calix, I answered a little feebly.

Calix stared at me with his beautiful but sad sapphire eyes. He looked just like a haplessly rain-soaked puppy.

‘Ugh, it’s not good for the heart. If you look at me like this, I’ll have no choice but to give you everything you ask.’

To be honest, when the heroine of the novel ‘Sia’ appears in the future, I was planning on quietly giving the seat next to Calix rightfully to her.

According to the original story, Laure Ecree, who was wrapped up in jealousy, committed all kinds of evil acts, threatened Sia’s life, and ended up being executed.

I didn’t want to die like that. I can’t the blessing of my second life go down the drain just like that.

Though my feelings for Calix were sincere, they weren’t in a deep enough stage that would make it unbearably impossible for us to break up. Fortunately.

If I had loved Calix enough to sacrifice my body and soul for him, like the original Laure, I would definitely suffer.

So, Mr. Male Lead, this beautiful night shall only be left as a  pleasant memory.

I smiled softly at Calix.

“Calix, I’m fine. I’m just a little nervous. Y-You know… it’s my first time…”

‘Ah, how embarrassing.’

Looking at my cute blushing face, Calix laughed.

“I’ll be gentle. Laure. I won’t let you get hurt.”

“I, I believe you…”

My voice turned into a hushed whisper towards the end and I could feel the nape of my neck burn. Calix’s hand touched my cheek. I thought his hand would be cold to the touch, but instead his hand felt very, very warm. Thanks to this, my heart pounded even more.

“I like you, Laure.”

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“I like you too, Calix.”

‘I know that your heart will change once ‘Sia’ appears.’

However, for the time being I’m grateful that your heart is mine.

Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes for no reason. I smiled broadly, wiping the water from the corners of my eyes as Calix held me tight.