Chapter 02
Before she was reincarnated into this world, she was what people commonly called an influencer.
Not just a small-time one, either. She had been a huge influencer.
How huge? Her schedule was so packed with events and parties that 24 hours in a day simply weren’t enough.
Attending brand events, fashion shows, influencer meetups, launching her personal brand, celebrity networking gatherings, and more—
She was so busy that even ten bodies wouldn’t have been enough to handle everything.
Changing outfits and makeup daily, she’d snap around 1,000 selfies, pick the best 10, and post them on her feed—standard procedure.
She’d upload content to Stargram Stories and posts, while also doing live streams.
Her popularity was so explosive that even celebrities slid into her DMs, asked to collaborate, and even requested her contact info.
“That’s how incredible I used to be!”
Of course, she was still doing well now.
As someone who thrived on attention, she found joy in being loved by the public.
But the brighter a star shines, the darker its shadow.
“If I can’t have you, no one can!”
He was just a good-looking guy she had casually dated, but he’d become obsessively possessive, acting as if he owned her.
She tried to escape him, but ended up in a car accident.
“In my next life, I swear I’ll never get involved with another handsome lunatic.”
As Eileen Edger mulled over her past life’s regrets, people began to gather around her again.
“By the way, Lady Edger, there’s quite a rumor going around lately that the Grand Duke of the North has taken a keen interest in you.”
At the lady’s words, Eileen’s perfectly practiced smile twitched.
“Oh-hoho, ah, yes, the Grand Duke of the North, you say…?”
“Yes, that very Grand Duke of the North.”
Eileen groaned internally.
The problem was the content of the novel. This novel was a true tragedy—happy endings had been thrown out the window.
Eileen Edger, in the original story, was destroyed both physically and emotionally by the Grand Duke’s obsession, and ultimately—
“I do this because I love you too much.”
—she was killed by her husband after hearing those insane words.
And now, that very lunatic Grand Duke was making moves on her.
If she wasn’t careful, she could end up repeating the novel’s bad ending.
Ha… it was better when I couldn’t remember my past life…
Putting her past life aside—why, of all things, did she have to be reincarnated into this godforsaken novel?
Eileen’s eyes sparkled as she gave a shy smile and fluttered her lashes at the young noblemen nearby.
“Unfortunately, I have no interest in the Grand Duke of the North. It was just a dance, nothing more—oh-hoho. Personally, I prefer warm, sun-like men!”
…That’s all she said at the ball.
Yet after that one remark, noble suitors came swarming to send her marriage proposals.
Every day, carriages loaded with flower bouquets and proposals lined up at the Edger estate.
But exactly one week later, not a single proposal remained.
That’s right. It had begun.
The Grand Duke of the North’s destructive obsession.
Where did all the marriage proposals for Lady Eileen Edger go?
Apparently, countless noblemen began canceling their proposals and invitations out of fear of the Grand Duke’s strong intent to marry.
[…]
So, who will Lady Eileen choose?
Eileen trembled as she read the society news, then slammed her head against her desk.
“Damn you, Helius…!”
The strongest character in the novel, the Grand Duke of the North, let out a single roar—and all her suitors vanished in fear.
“Seriously? Not even one? Isn’t there at least one groom out there who can stand up to the Grand Duke but still be low-key and kind?!”
As she despaired and messed up her hair, her eyes suddenly landed on a bold piece of gossip at the bottom of the crumpled paper.
Who will become the next Southern Grand Duchess, strong enough to endure an ugly duke and extreme in-law hardship?
Ruler of the southern territory, surrounded by fields and orchards.
He is said to live in complete seclusion, ashamed of his appearance.
Rumor has it he’s never even been on a single date.But now that he’s returned from a long overseas trip, it seems he’s been shouting the Southern-style confession: “Bear my child!” all over the place.
[…]
Who will be the kind and merciful lady, willing to marry into the countryside of the South?
Eileen’s eyes sparkled.
“I found my husband!”
One hour after waking, and one hour before bed.
Eileen never skipped yoga in her daily routine.
Stretching out her stiff body and entering meditation always left her feeling physically and mentally refreshed.
“Don’t you agree, girls?”
Flushed and glowing from her sweat, Eileen turned and smiled brightly—only to click her tongue at what she saw.
“Ah, milady—why on earth are we doing this…”
“My body feels twisted… But also kind of good… maybe?”
“This is too hard, milady!”
Unlike Eileen, who moved with ease, her maids were groaning and sprawled out on the floor.
This strange scene of everyone, maids and lady alike, doing yoga in pajamas on mats in the early morning was all orchestrated by Eileen.
“Oh, come on! It’s only hard because your bodies are stiff. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body!”
The maids looked at her like she was speaking gibberish.
Eileen didn’t care. She clapped her hands and barked out orders like a drill sergeant, “Alright! Let’s continue with the next move!”
As soon as she regained memories of her past life, Eileen started working out.
Even though she had already been physically fit since childhood…
Something had her anxious. She kept ramping up the intensity of her workouts.
“A skinny, pale body like this will be useless in the future. I need to train even harder!”
“Why are you making promises about ‘the future,’ milady?”
In response, Eileen pulled out a piece of paper.
Due to the South’s traditional and conservative culture, being a Southern Grand Duchess is notoriously difficult.
The current Grand Duke is known to demand a “traditional Southern daughter-in-law.”
Shall we look at these outrageous requirements?
“What do you even want with these inhuman demands, milady?!”
To that, Eileen simply smiled serenely, as if transcending all worldly concerns.
She nodded for the maids to keep reading. Trembling, they continued:
First. A Southern Grand Duchess must know how to manage a farm.
Good heavens, what kind of noble lady manages a farm?
Most would be doing embroidery or enjoying tea time!
“Oh dear God… please…”
“This is already too harsh—I can’t keep reading, milady!”
“Oh, come on! That’s nothing! Keep going!”
Second. She must integrate well with the people.
To fulfill her duty, she must participate in the Southern region’s monthly festival.
But with cow dung and pig smells everywhere, what exactly is her duty? Slaughter pigs?
“Whether it’s pig slaughter or shoveling manure, core strength is essential! And nothing builds core like yoga.”
Eileen confidently flexed her arm like she could lift a haystack with one hand.
“Look at this! See my biceps? Built entirely through yoga!”
Her proud display left her maids pale with horror.
Our lady… she really means it. She seriously wants to marry into the Southern territory…
Lastly, third! While not an official requirement, everyone knows this one:
The Southern Grand Duchess must be so compassionate and self-sacrificing—and have eyes set on the ground—to live with the wildly unbalanced facial features of the Southern Grand Duke for life.
And finally, her parents and three older brothers, upon learning of the chaos, all sat with grave faces as they read through the tattered gossip paper full of jabs at the Southern Grand Duke.
“My one and only precious daughter… with her eyes set on the ground? What cruel joke is this from the heavens!”
From that day on, rumors spread across the empire that the Marchioness of the Edger family had taken to bed in despair.
