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Chapter 5
“Were you really serious about that?”
“Was there ever such a thing as fake seriousness?”
Heraise grinned and tapped me lightly on the head.
So that’s what it was—Heraise’s suggestion had been to bind us in a relationship. He must have wanted to experience the perks of romance.
If that’s what he wanted, then I could provide it—on the condition that he agreed to my plan.
“You seem like you want to date. I can do that. But there’s a condition.”
“What kind of condition? Tell me.”
“Since we’re doing this, why don’t we make our romance like a novel—with build-up, climax, and a touch of romance?”
“If what I want is dating, then what is it you want, my girlfriend?”
“I want to change my reputation.”
The plan was simple: since nobles were currently obsessed with romance novels, I would ride that wave.
‘A Love Story Between the Villainess and the Villain.’
Doesn’t just the title sound like it could shoot to the top of the bestseller list? By gifting the nobles an entertaining story, I’d gain popularity and transform my image.
People are often drawn to the unexpected sides of others. When a good person makes a mistake, they’re scolded, but when a bad person does one good thing, they’re praised. That’s the psychology I wanted to exploit.
By presenting a romance like in a novel, I’d stir their curiosity and showcase my “good side.” The “villainess” title was just a baseless rumor anyway—this was simply a matter of time.
“For the record, my only experience with romance is with Whistler. But I can be a proper girlfriend. I know the basics.”
“…”
“I can provide the kind of emotional bond the Duke might want from a relationship, and even help you gain the skills to find a better girlfriend later.”
I was pretty convinced that the rumors about Heraise were false. Not only did the original novel confirm it, but really—someone who disliked Whistler couldn’t possibly be a bad person.
Heraise had sharp observational skills—he had recognized me immediately at the party. He had also managed to sneak into the masquerade, which meant he was good at keeping secrets. He seemed like a capable partner.
“My girlfriend seems to be misunderstanding something.”
Heraise’s eyes met mine, and his smile curved like a crescent moon.
“You’re more than enough for me.”
“Enough?”
“Yeah.”
He leaned in and whispered with a smile that could enchant anyone.
“Because you’re my first love.”
At that moment, my mind went blank. His sweet words and honeyed voice felt like they were melting right into my ears.
Before I could say anything, Heraise raised the book he had been holding behind his back.
“I was just thinking the same thing as you. Guess we’re in sync.”
Dangling from his hand was a book: The Rise of Lucifer: Rebellion of the Grand Duke of Dukes. The line he had just used was straight from the novel.
“Romance novels are trendy, so referencing them isn’t a bad idea. But you really forgot what we talked about the other day, huh?”
“Just the last part.”
“Thought so. Actually, we already agreed that this relationship would be contractual that day.”
He chuckled softly through his teeth.
“The finer details are what we’re discussing now.”
Ah. Suddenly his composed demeanor made sense.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. And I’m sorry for causing you trouble that day.”
“Don’t worry about it. But in return, stop calling me ‘Duke’ and just call me Heraise.”
“That’s—”
“That’s the condition for accepting your apology.”
“…Then I accept.”
“So, is there anything else you need?”
I kept asking questions to better understand my new partner.
“What you want from this relationship… is it emotional intimacy?”
“Well, that’s not wrong. It’s not just that though. It’s fun.”
He stroked his chin and took the book from my hands, scanning the shelf as if telling me to pick freely.
“And you’re cute. If you weren’t, I wouldn’t even be considering this.”
I froze for a moment, then brushed off the compliment casually. He seemed like the type who was smooth-talking and generous with praise.
“There’s something I want to ask you too.”
Heraise plucked the book I’d been about to choose. When I glanced at him, his red lips stretched into a smile.
“You haven’t broken up with Whistler yet, have you?”
“I’m about to.”
Whistler’s vile nature had long surpassed what I could tolerate. I wanted to cut ties completely.
“You haven’t sent the letter yet, right?”
He could even see through that? My trust in him grew a little.
“Why not just not send it?”
“The longer I delay, the higher the chance I’ll be dumped first. That hurts my image.”
“No. Unless you say something, Whistler will stay nice and quiet for a while.”
“So you think delaying would actually benefit me?”
“How could it not?”
Heraise reached out and patted my head again, more playfully this time.
“Let’s cheat on him together. That’s revenge, isn’t it?”
“That seems a little far from my real goal. It would hurt my image.”
“Would it though? Right now there are rumors that you’ve been cheating with countless men already. The worst-case scenario you’re worried about has already happened.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know Whistler better than anyone. I’ve got the wealth, the title—if things get messy, I can handle it. Besides, my parents owe me debts. When I was abroad I might have been a duke only in name, but now the power is mine. The worst won’t happen.”
“…Hmm.”
“So let’s take revenge. The easiest idea is cheating back, but the real goal is to make that bastard regret ever breaking up with you.”
He smiled, radiating confidence like a halo.
And somehow, I felt like I could actually do it with him.
“We’ll need to set a time frame, but fine—revenge sounds good. Cheating could work, but I’ll come up with some other ideas too.”
“Oh?” Heraise widened his eyes with a small sound of surprise. Even I felt a little startled by how firm I sounded, but not too surprised.
After all, cheating as revenge was even suggested in a book I’d read, and I had prepared several scenarios for this very meeting.
“As you agreed earlier, I’ll send you a scenario soon, based on romance novel tropes.”
“I said referencing novels is fine, but I never said we’d follow a script.”
“Why not? A script maximizes impact. It keeps us from being caught off guard and lets us present ourselves in the best light. There’s no more efficient or sensible way to pull off a perfect love story.”
Heraise folded his arms and leaned closer, pausing as if to make a grand point.
“Because that’s boring.”
Boring. That word hit me hard. I couldn’t contradict my contract partner’s conditions.
“Well, my thoughts are the same, so I’ll still send one. Just… consider my ideas, alright?”
“Of course. I’d never turn down a letter from Filena.”
I had been ready to say that if he refused, we should call the whole thing off—but his answer was perfectly reasonable. Thankfully, for all his forceful attitude, he seemed flexible too.
Smiling, I extended my hand without hesitation.
“Then I’ll count on you.”
“The pleasure’s mine, my girlfriend.”
Heraise grasped my hand firmly and shook it. His grip was steady and professional—it was satisfying.
That was how our contract relationship began.
That night, I had a strange dream.
I usually didn’t dream, so it was odd. Maybe meeting Heraise had left me more nervous, uneasy, and exhausted than I realized.
In the dream, I had just recently transmigrated. I was fifteen—still just a child. Back then I was even more lethargic and numb than now.
The summer sun was blazing.
I had been wandering around for what felt like forever, searching for Whistler, the male lead. Finally, I gave up and plopped down on a hill.
“So hot.”
Sure, getting daily vitamin D was good, but sitting out too long in the heat wasn’t. Sunlight didn’t just accumulate endlessly.
“I’ll just tell Mother I tried my best to find Whistler.”
After all, I’d only been running around so I wouldn’t get scolded. Even if it wasn’t our first meeting, there was still a huge difference in our status.
But it didn’t matter—our fates were intertwined. We’d keep meeting anyway. No need to overexert myself.
“Let’s go back.”
I dusted off my skirt and stood, when suddenly—
A low growl echoed.
From the bushes, a shadow leapt high into the sky.
A wolf.
A beast that had no business existing anywhere near House Grey. Its claws gleamed as it lunged straight at me.
“No!”
Just then, someone pulled me into their arms and rolled us across the ground.
By the time I opened my eyes, dazed, I was lying on the ground, and a boy was beside me, staggering from the impact.
He groaned, wobbling to one side.
“What are you doing out here alone? Are you okay, Filena?”
It was Whistler—the one who, for a time, had stirred my heart.
As soon as I thought that, my vision went black, pierced only by a shaft of light.
I woke up.
“…What the.”
Rubbing my cheek, I frowned.
Whistler’s tone in the dream had sounded exactly like Heraise’s.
Had meeting Heraise messed with my memories from years ago? It seemed like a reasonable conclusion.
