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chapter 01
“…Did I hear that wrong?”
Duke Bledel’s black eyes narrowed. His long, dark eyelashes trembled slightly. In response, the corner of his mouth twitched as if in a spasm.
The duke slowly withdrew the hand he had extended forward. Before him stood a girl in rags—no, a true “beggar girl,” Siena.
“To think there is a woman in this country who would reject my proposal.”
As he rose, the onlookers looked elsewhere, though shock was written all over their faces. What unexpected act would the humiliated duke do in the square? The tension was taut, like a drawn bowstring.
Of course, the person most tense in the situation was Siena, the very one who had refused the proposal. Unlike the boldness she had shown initially, now she trembled, her gaze fixed on her toes. It was understandable—she had just refused the duke’s proposal twice in one sitting.
“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to do that on purpose…”
“I am not offering you a government position. I am offering the title of Duchess Bledel.”
The onlookers inhaled sharply. A beggar in front of the temple, and she is to become Duchess Bledel?
“Even if you are a beggar…”
The duke scanned Siena from head to toe with cold eyes. A chill ran through her, and she instinctively clutched the tattered cloth around her.
“You must have heard the rumors about the Bledel family’s wealth.”
Siena exhaled quietly to herself.
Of course I’ve heard. Their vast estates in the northeast of the empire, their annual income said to surpass even the royal family… Do you think I’m unaware?
“Mansions, clothes, jewelry. I will give you anything you desire.”
Siena’s eyes shook violently for a moment. The duke, noticing the change, gleamed with interest.
“You could even buy an entire shopping district if you wished. And if you desire…”
He licked his lower lip with the tip of his red tongue.
“I promise satisfaction even at night.”
Wow… I almost nodded without thinking.
Siena, realizing she had been momentarily entranced, shook her head. No matter how angelically tempting the duke’s beauty, no matter how vast his wealth—enough to buy a kingdom—Siena could not marry him.
“Hmm. Young lady, what is your name?”
A kind voice intervened, causing the crowd to flinch once again. Siena jumped and hurriedly bowed to the ground.
“I am Siena, Your Highness.”
The duke glared at the interloper with displeasure.
Dressed in a white uniform from head to toe, the crown prince smiled at the duke and then spoke to Siena.
“What should we do, Siena? The duke does not understand women at all. Would a lady agree to a loveless proposal?”
Siena remained silent, listening while prostrating herself. The duke pouted like a child at her response.
“Hmph. What’s so great about love anyway?”
Muttering with a sneer, the duke leaned down again to look at Siena’s face. There was sincerity in his eyes.
“If you wish, you may take a mistress. As long as you promise to stay with me.”
“Oh my, the duke seems rather impatient, doesn’t he?”
The crown prince exaggerated an expression of pity.
That has to be a teasing look…
Siena stole a glance at the crown prince and bowed her head again.
“Wouldn’t taking a mistress bring too much disgrace to the Bledel family name? Besides…”
The crown prince smiled and let his eyes travel over the duke’s strong body.
“There could be unnecessary rumors about the duke’s health. Refusing his proposal was wise, Siena.”
A vein suddenly appeared on the duke’s forehead as he stood beside her.
“…Your Highness,”
The duke stepped forward and spoke.
“You must be in a situation where you cannot propose casually. But is there any method more certain than a proposal to have a young lady of this age by your side day and night? I am free in such matters.”
“Well, the duke has lived as he pleased his whole life, so that makes sense.”
The crown prince paused before continuing.
“Even though he desires to retire, passing his title to such a reckless son… what was the late Duke Bledel thinking?”
The crown prince glared mischievously at the duke once more, then extended his gloved hand to Siena.
“Siena, please rise.”
As Siena reached for his hand, he removed the glove and offered his bare hand. She took his fingertips and carefully stood. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and small wrinkles formed between his well-shaped eyebrows.
“Finally, I have met you.”
He stared at her intently. Siena hurriedly lowered her head, feeling that it would be improper to look a person of such high status straight in the eye.
I’ve adapted quickly to the social hierarchy.
Although she had only recently possessed this body, she had fully immersed herself in the role of a beggar girl.
“Siena, come to the palace and stay by my side. I offer you a blank contract.”
The crown prince raised his hand, and a guard behind him pulled out paper, a quill, and ink from his breast.
“I knew I would meet you someday, so I prepared in advance.”
The guard handed Siena the contract and quill at the crown prince’s nod. Surprised, she looked down at the paper. It was already filled with writing, except for the section detailing what compensation would be offered to the signatory.
“Mansions with vineyards, trading guilds controlling trade routes, diamond mines—whatever you desire, speak it aloud. If you wish, I can even grant you a title. Write it here, and it will be yours, Siena.”
In short, it was a blank contract.
Yesterday she was an ordinary citizen of South Korea, today a beggar girl, and tomorrow a noble of this country?
Isn’t this something out of a drama?
Siena’s small fist trembled as she held the contract, standing at the brink of life-changing fortune.
The threatened Duke Bledel stepped closer.
“I can give vineyards, guilds, mines, even the title of duchess. So choose me.”
“Instead of a nominal duchess, how about becoming a marquise, Siena? I could make it possible for you.”
Siena alternately stared at the hands extended by the two handsome men. Her head was about to explode.
Even considering her previous life as Iroha, had she ever held such fortune in both hands at once?
Either choice is like winning the lottery.
Siena looked at the faces of the two men in turn: the arrogant, overbearing duke, and the kind, dignified crown prince.
Their vibes were completely different, but both matched her taste. Just looking at them made her doubt her decision. She wanted to close her eyes and choose blindly.
Sigh… damn it. I feel like crying blood.
But there was no other way. Siena knew the correct answer.
The duke’s black eyes and the crown prince’s golden eyes both fixed on her lips.
Siena managed to open her mouth.
“I… cannot choose either of you.”
Both handsome faces twisted in surprise.
“I only wish to serve the Goddess.”
Of course, this was a lie she didn’t truly mean, but it couldn’t be helped. If she had even a little knowledge of the original story, this was the right thing to say.
Tonight, Siena planned to slip out of the capital, to avoid the two men who would soon obsess over her.
