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Chapter 2
Meeting the Villainous Duke
The Leviche Knights were an order belonging to the House of Crustel, and within the Empire, they were the only knight order that could rival the Imperial Knights in size.
That was, at least, if one judged purely by numbers.
However, when it came to the individual skill of the knights, they might even surpass the Imperial Knights.
No matter how talented a knight was, there was an inevitable difference between those who only trained within the imperial palace and those who constantly fought real battles in the northern front.
Of course, for that very reason, the most desired workplace for graduates of the Knight Academy was the Imperial side.
From their perspective, in an era of peace where war seemed unlikely, choosing a safe and comfortable position was the wiser option.
Yet despite everyone’s expectations, Yan Beiholt—who had graduated at the top of the Knight Academy—volunteered for the Leviche Knights of the House of Crustel.
He was a loyal young man.
The reason he chose the Leviche Knights guarding the north was because of his upright character.
To endlessly train himself and grow stronger, so he could protect more people.
‘And later, he’ll betray the ducal family and help the protagonist.’
That made sense, since the House of Crustel were enemies who opposed the protagonist’s will—the villains of this world.
Because of that, Yan would gradually grow doubtful of the Duke he served, and in the end, he would side with the protagonist to bring down evil.
“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Yan, who was riding in the carriage with me, spoke.
Rain was still falling steadily outside.
It was a bit cold, but bearable.
I shook my head, and as if he noticed my condition, he removed the cloak he was wearing and wrapped it around me.
“We’ll arrive soon.”
I recalled the contents of the novel I had read in my previous life.
Then, once again, I fell into confusion.
It was because of something Yan had said a few minutes ago.
‘We’ve come to find the Duke’s biological daughter.’
That was strange.
The Duke didn’t have a daughter. The sons he had now were all carefully selected and adopted based solely on their abilities.
Nowhere in the original story was there any mention of him having a hidden biological child.
Besides, when Rebecca brought me to the ducal estate yesterday, the Duke had driven us away.
‘…Or did I hear it wrong?’
Thinking about it, that was entirely possible.
At the time, Rebecca was yanking my hair, and I was getting drenched in heavy rain.
Honestly, if she hadn’t been screaming at the top of her lungs, I probably wouldn’t have even heard her insults clearly.
‘Yeah… Me, the Duke’s daughter? That makes no sense.’
No matter how much I thought about it, I must have misheard.
But still…
‘Then why am I going to the ducal estate?’
I still couldn’t believe I was riding in the Duke’s carriage. As I hesitated about whether to ask, Yan spoke first.
“Is there anything you’re curious about?”
He really was considerate—just like in the original story.
After hesitating, I shook my head.
Yan relaxed his stiff expression. The corners of his lips curved slightly, and his brows softened. He seemed to pity me.
Yan wouldn’t lie… so did the Duke really order him to bring me?
Just as I was lost in thought, the carriage came to a stop.
There was a gentle knock on the door from the coachman—quieter than the sound of the rain that had been falling earlier.
Only after hearing that small knock did I realize something.
‘The rain has stopped.’
The coachman spoke from outside.
“We’ve reached the main gate.”
At his words, Yan tapped the window a couple of times in acknowledgment. When the carriage started moving again, he said:
“It seems we’re almost there.”
The carriage passed through the main gate and continued onward. Yan opened the window so I could look outside.
Thanks to the cloak, I wasn’t cold.
I saw the vast garden spread out before us, along with gardeners tending to it.
The well-maintained flowers, still wet with rain, swayed gently in the breeze.
It wasn’t much different from what I had seen when I came here with Rebecca, yet somehow, it felt new.
‘Is it because the sky has cleared up?’
Just as the flower-filled garden disappeared from view, the carriage came to a stop.
Yan stepped down first and helped me out.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
Even though I had seen the mansion yesterday, its grandeur still left me speechless.
* * *
“Please follow me.”
As I followed Yan into the mansion, I found myself too busy looking around.
Yesterday, I hadn’t even dared to raise my head because of Rebecca.
Now, there was no one to scold me, so it was practically my first proper look.
‘It’s huge.’
Everything was perfectly arranged, and nothing looked inexpensive.
A chandelier hung proudly from the high ceiling, and the floor was made of expensive marble I had never seen in the back alleys.
Even the clothes worn by passing servants looked more expensive than the dresses Rebecca kept carefully stored at home.
Seeing that, I understood why people joked that even servants in noble households looked refined.
“My lady.”
Yan called me from behind.
I had walked too far ahead while looking around.
“Ah, I’m sorry!”
Startled, I hurried back to him. Yan frowned slightly, as if something displeased him.
I resolved not to get distracted again.
“It’s fine.”
When we entered the room, several maids placed steaming tea and simple snacks on the table.
A warm, sweet aroma filled the air.
Yan guided me to a seat.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
I swallowed nervously, but my eyes were fixed entirely on the cookies in front of me.
‘Those look delicious…’
It had been raining for days, and there was no food at home, so I hadn’t eaten properly.
It was only natural that my attention was drawn to them.
“Soon, you’ll meet the Duke. He—”
I couldn’t hear a word Yan was saying.
Inside my head, two voices were arguing.
‘Can I eat them? Should I?’
These foods were far too luxurious for me.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t…’
I clenched my hands, stopping myself.
Let’s not cause trouble.
Just then, the room suddenly fell quiet.
When I looked up, Yan was staring at me.
When our eyes met, he spoke again.
“You may eat if you wish.”
I blinked in surprise.
“Do you not like cookies? Shall I have something else brought?”
My eyes widened.
There are people who don’t like cookies?
As I stared at him in shock, he looked ready to call for other snacks.
“N-no!”
I quickly stopped him.
“I don’t dislike them!”
More than that—I loved them.
Once, I had secretly eaten a cookie from a gift Rebecca received.
It had been incredibly sweet and delicious.
It was the best thing I had ever tasted.
At my quick response, Yan smiled gently.
“Very well. If you need anything else, please let me know.”
“…Okay.”
I barely heard him.
I slowly picked up a cookie and took a bite.
‘It’s delicious.’
It was far better than the one I had eaten before.
It instantly became the best thing I had ever tasted.
Even though my stomach begged for more, I gripped my knees and forced myself to look away.
‘I shouldn’t eat too much.’
If I did, adults would dislike me.
So far, Yan had been kind—I didn’t want him to hate me.
“My lady, would you like more?”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
Instead, I asked something that had been bothering me.
“Sir Knight… why do you keep calling me ‘my lady’?”
“Because you are the daughter of the one I serve.”
I couldn’t understand that.
The Duke didn’t have a daughter—so why did they keep calling me one?
Yesterday, he had said I wasn’t.
If I hadn’t regained memories of my past life, I might have wondered if I was truly his lost daughter.
But that wasn’t possible.
He had no biological children—only adopted sons.
That was certain.
Since I couldn’t explain my past life, I simply said:
“I’m not the Duke’s daughter.”
Yan hesitated before speaking.
“I cannot explain in detail. However, the Duke has said that you are indeed his biological daughter and ordered me to bring you.”
He spoke slowly and clearly, as if stating a fact.
At this point, I couldn’t help but doubt.
‘Is the Duke trying to accept me as his daughter?’
There was no way he had been fooled by Rebecca.
‘Then why me?’
Just then, the door opened.
“Where is she?”
A cold voice rang out.
The maids immediately stepped back.
“My lord.”
Yan also stepped behind me.
With him gone from my sight, I felt uneasy.
‘It’s okay. Yan is right behind me.’
Trying to calm myself, I turned toward the unfamiliar voice.
And froze.
Seeing him up close made my body tremble even more than yesterday.
When I first saw Yan, I thought he was intimidating—not because of his face, but because of the sharp aura he carried.
But compared to this man, that was nothing.
He was the Duke of Crustel.
The air felt thin, and it became hard to breathe.
Even though I could tell he had no ill intent toward me, it didn’t matter.
The Duke smiled at me.
But his eyes weren’t smiling.
“So, you’re the child from yesterday.”
He reached his hand toward me.
At that moment, I flinched back.
Losing my balance, I fell to the floor.
Thud.
The Duke froze.
The smile on his lips disappeared, and one eyebrow lifted.
