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Chapter 1
I was a modern person who died and reincarnated into a child-rearing romance fantasy.
Or so I thought.
“That was before I realized what ‘family’ really meant.”
“A remarriage to someone over forty?”
My voice was openly filled with disbelief, and it seemed my mother across from me picked up on it, looking slightly troubled.
“Oh, honey. Saying it like that makes it sound like we’re setting you up with someone awful.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing?”
“Not at all! I went through great effort choosing and re-choosing to find the perfect match for my beloved daughter.”
“Oh, and after all that choosing, you landed on a man in his sixties—”
“Goodness! Sixties? He’s still quite youthful and, might I add, vigorous!”
If you have to say someone is “youthful for their age,” that alone disqualifies them from being called young.
My mother, ignoring my frosty expression, continued with the dreamy look of a girl in love.
“And do you know how generous he is?”
I mean, what man wouldn’t feel generous when he’s marrying someone forty years younger? Is he even human if he doesn’t feel lucky? Honestly, the fact that he proposed at such an age difference shows he gave up his conscience long ago.
As I pressed my forehead, trying to keep my thoughts from boiling over, my mother kept rambling about this so-called “generosity.”
“He’s a royal who strictly follows traditions, so he usually doesn’t like it when his wife goes out much. But knowing that you’re used to family affection, he’s generously allowed you to visit us freely.”
Smile.
She curled her lips, as if she truly appreciated his kindness.
“Isn’t it the perfect marriage? You can come back anytime you miss us.”
‘Come back… home?’
I glanced upward.
The extravagant ceiling of our mansion came into view, with its glistening chandelier bought with the profits of a recent business success.
Every inch of this home was adorned in luxury, clearly showcasing its exorbitant value.
“So even if your husband doesn’t like your… outside hobbies, you can always come back and enjoy them here.”
“Outside hobbies?”
“Oh, my. Sorry, dear. You didn’t like me calling your trade business that?”
My mother gave me a sorrowful look, as if she truly felt guilty.
‘No wonder I got confused.’
Right. How could anyone keep their wits with such well-crafted deceit?
Even as I tried to calm myself down, patting my heart internally, she didn’t stop.
She probably hadn’t even gotten to the main point yet.
“Running a business may not be the ideal hobby for a noble lady, but if you had to give it up after marriage, that would break your heart.”
“……”
“So we made sure you’d be able to continue your trade business whenever you visit. Isn’t that what family is for?”
Clink.
I set down my tea, which had turned bitter in my mouth, and gently touched my lips.
So basically, what she was saying was:
‘After marriage, you’ll still drop by often under the pretense of visiting, and handle our family’s trade business.’
At first glance, it sounded like she cared about my passion.
‘But it’s the massive annual profits from the business that have been fattening up the family’s treasury.’
And they all know exactly who’s generating that income…
‘They’re not letting go of their golden goose.’
Tap, tap.
The rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the chair’s armrest helped me think clearly, free from lingering emotions.
I didn’t even need her to explain further; I could already decode everything she was about to say.
“We picked this match with great care, just for you. And he’s even gifting you a villa near the capital as a wedding present!”
‘So I’ve been priced at the value of a villa, huh?’
The marriage was planned without my input—entirely arranged for the benefit of the family.
I no longer had the patience to listen to her sugar-coated nonsense. I cut her off as she continued to spout ridiculous justifications.
“You must be worried about the age gap because you’re still young, but an older man makes a more considerate husband—”
“Oh? Then how about finding a bride 40 years older for my brother too?”
“What?! How could you say something so cruel about your brother?”
Her face, previously full of forced kindness, instantly twisted with anger.
Realizing she’d let too much of her real emotions show, she tried to smile again, lips twitching awkwardly.
“Well, what I meant was—”
“……”
“Ahem. Men and women are just… different, you see.”
Sigh.
I let out a stunned breath at the absurd excuse.
“This is… I can’t even pretend to be fooled anymore.”
“W-What do you mean, fooled?”
Maybe feeling guilty, my mother’s words came out hesitant. I ignored her and stood up.
“W-Wait! I haven’t finished yet—”
Thud.
I shut the door firmly behind me, cutting off her voice.
Soundproofing sure is worth the price.
My legs moved swiftly on instinct, like a calculator clicking in my head.
“Oh? Pudding. Where are you rushing off to?”
That sweet nickname—my younger brother.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look so good,” said my older brother, his brow furrowed.
They surrounded me like always, and I thought:
‘No wonder I was fooled.’
When I realized I had reincarnated, I thought I was in a wholesome child-rearing story.
Flashback
The only daughter of a noble family.
Surrounded by older brothers who all called me by their own special nicknames.
A family that whispered, “You’re our precious daughter and sister.”
Sound familiar?
‘It’s the classic setup of a childcare-themed romance fantasy!’
I even spent my childhood alone in the countryside—classic trope, right?
They raised me far away for reasons, but it was all for my sake.
Later, the misunderstandings would be cleared up, and the family would smother me in love, making up for the lonely years.
‘Just my type.’
In my past life, I loved romance fantasy, especially child-rearing stories.
Maybe it was because I’d never had a real family—I was an orphan.
So the loving families in those stories were sweet, like my first taste of cotton candy.
‘So I tried.’
Before my family even came for me, I made sure there were no misunderstandings.
I wrote letters saying I never resented growing up alone and that I knew they loved me.
And I didn’t want to just take their love—I wanted to contribute too.
‘Running a business is basic for a childcare fantasy heroine!’
I didn’t have special knowledge or cheat powers like in other stories.
But I remembered all the business ideas from the novels I had read.
There were some hiccups, but eventually, I succeeded.
My trading company became the biggest on the continent. Even nobles envied the wealth it brought.
‘Romance fantasy novels are so useful!’
I used my past-life knowledge well.
And when I finally met my family, they welcomed me with open arms, and I thought:
“I finally have a real family.”
‘Everything will be happy and sweet from now on—just like in a childcare fantasy!’
‘What a joke.’
I stared coldly at my brothers, who were clearly trying to read my mood.
I already knew what they’d say next.
“Ahem. Pudding, about that lakeside villa. Mind if I use it first?”
“Julian! What are you saying? The gift hasn’t even arrived yet, and you want to use your sister’s wedding present? Have you no shame?”
“Come on, it’s not like I’d embarrass her or anything.”
“Enough. Anyway, about the family business… We’ll need more investment. Could we borrow some funds from your company—”
‘Yep. Knew it.’
I tuned out his words.
‘They’re just here to ask for money.’
A dry voice escaped me.
“…Big brothers in childcare stories don’t say things like that.”
“What?”
I’m sick of it.
All the sweet words, nothing but empty sugar wrapping selfish intentions.
“In childcare stories, the family refuses to marry off their precious little sister, saying she’s too young!”
“W-What are you even talking about?!”
I ignored their confused looks and turned my back.
‘This is what they call family?’
The family I dreamed of…
The blood ties I longed for since my past life…
Weren’t supposed to be so transactional.
My breath grew ragged with anger.
Tap tap tap!
My footsteps pounded the floor as I stormed down the corridor.
‘Enough is enough.’
The rushing wind cooled my burning cheeks.
‘Fine. Let’s face reality.’
They were sucking me dry.
I’d tried to ignore it, pretending everything was like the stories.
But my so-called family—the mother and brothers who were supposed to love me—only ever made demands.
‘This empty noble house had never seen so much money until I built that trade business.’
I tried to understand.
They were blood, after all.
But still…
“Blood is thicker than water? My ass!”
Marrying me off to someone forty years older? They’d crossed the line.
Anger flared again.
“They just wanted to suck me even drier!”
They hadn’t postponed my marriage out of affection, but because they hadn’t finished leeching off my business.
The last illusion shattered that day.
I made a decision.
“I’m done being
