TLWM 01

Chapter 01

Tap.
Thud.
Clack.

Those were the sounds of all sorts of documents being stacked on my desk.

“Your hands stopped moving, Rose.”

This crazy, tyrannical boss.

“Are you that free?”

I glared at the monster who gave me this pile of work, expressing my protest silently. Then, with a long sigh, I got back to writing again.

My hands were completely stained with ink. The middle finger joint was rougher than when I was studying for exams in my previous life.

Honestly, I missed the keyboard I used to pound on while cursing during late-night study sessions.

I grumbled endlessly in my mind but couldn’t deny reality, so I just focused on the scratching sound of my pen as I worked through the mountain of papers.

How did my life even turn out like this?

I was supposed to have been reincarnated as the heroine of this novel.

So how did everything go wrong just because I twisted my fate a little?

Did my family really have to go completely bankrupt, God?!

***

My name is Rozelita Salice, the only daughter of Baron Salice.

That’s who I am in this second life.

A second life—sure, I’d read about it countless times in the novels I used to enjoy, but I never thought it would actually happen to me.

If I had known this would be my fate, I would’ve only read sweet, healing stories filled with romance and warmth. Then I could’ve been reborn as some beloved youngest daughter or her gentle maid.

But I’d read too many stories—of every genre imaginable.

So, of course, fate chose one of the worst possibilities: I was reborn inside a tragic novel.

I should have realized then—

“Wow. I really have terrible luck.”

But I didn’t, because… well, at least I was the main character, not some villain or one-line background extra.

Sure, the heroine faced death seven times, got kidnapped, blackmailed, and thrown into misery over and over again—but hey, she did get a happy ending in the end.

So even though I wanted to avoid that fate, I still thought maybe, just maybe, it would turn out okay.

After all, in my past life, I was just an ordinary person who liked to de-stress by reading novels and watching variety shows.

And now I was supposed to be the strong, resilient heroine who overcame all kinds of hardships?
No way.

“God, I don’t know why You’ve thrown me into this life, but I am not qualified for it.”

I prayed that when I realized this world was that tragic novel, maybe some other motivated soul would take over my role instead.

I didn’t want to be the grand protagonist of a painful story—just the peaceful protagonist of my own quiet life.

My family, Baron Salice, was modest but stable. My parents were loving, responsible, and kind—just like they were in the original novel, where they always supported the heroine.

So I made a little change in destiny.

Instead of saving the male lead as a child—an event that tied the heroine to endless suffering—I decided to live quietly as an ordinary country noble’s daughter.

I never imagined that small decision would lead to this.

“We’re sorry, Rozelita.”
“Our dear daughter… of all times, right before your debut ball…”

And that’s how my family completely collapsed.

***

If I’d known it would come to this, I should’ve started the same business the original Rozelita did in the novel.

Even after selling off all our valuables, all we managed to keep was our estate and the mansion. And there was still a mountain of debt.

But it was too late to change anything.

“I didn’t want to touch the heroine’s story… because I knew it would make me live through it.”

Still, there was no time to hesitate now.

Starting a business? That takes money and a foundation. Ours was already gone.

My kind parents tried to reassure me—

“Don’t worry, Rozelita. We’ll protect you no matter what.”

But I wasn’t someone who could just sit back and rely on them.

Even in my past life, I’d worked hard to support myself, so why stop now?

I was perfectly healthy and capable. Depending on others was out of the question.

So while other noble girls prepared for their debutante balls, I went job hunting.

But finding a job as a baron’s daughter wasn’t easy. Most employers rejected me because of my noble status—or because their jobs were illegal.

After endless searching, I finally found one position that was legal, decent, and paid well.

“Now Hiring: Assistant in the Second Prince’s Office.”

The problem? The Second Prince was the male lead.

The very man I had tried so hard to avoid.

But what choice did I have? I couldn’t eat destiny for dinner. People can’t live without money.

I submitted my application.

And less than two weeks later, an acceptance letter arrived.

That winter, at nineteen years old, I headed to the capital to protect my family.

Ironically, it was the same age that the original Rozelita had met the male lead in the story.

***

Looking back, all the warning signs were there during the interview.

“Come in, Miss Salice.”

For some reason, I was the only candidate there.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Miss Salice. If your family estate were closer, I would have sent a royal carriage.”

The male lead—who was supposed to be cold and curt with everyone, even the heroine sometimes—was smiling warmly at me.

“Th-thank you, Your Highness. That’s very kind.”

He smiled even more at my awkward answer. (Now that I’ve worked with him, I recognize that smug grin anywhere.)

“Not kind at all. Your résumé and documents were so impressive that I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t hire you.”

The arrogant prince was acting too polite, but back then, I didn’t notice.

“The interview is just a formality. I mainly wanted to discuss your working conditions. It’s more convenient this way.”

Then he handed me a contract that was… shockingly generous.

***

Employment Contract – Summary:

• Base monthly salary: 500 gold coins
• Overtime pay: Double hourly rate
• Working hours: 8 hours per day (1-hour break)
• Housing: Two-story house within 10 min by carriage (maid included)
• Meals: 3 per day or meal allowance
• Clothing allowance: 50 gold per month
• 20 vacation days per year, 4-day work week
• Compensation for overtime or paid leave
• Severance pay upon resignation
• ***

It was better than anything I’d seen in my past life’s world of labor laws.

So of course, I signed it without thinking twice—
carefully writing my name, Rozelita Salice.

And now…

“Rose.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“It’s six o’clock, your favorite time.”

“….”

I clenched my teeth.

“Happy? From now on, that is.”

Thud.

Another stack of papers hit my desk as he smiled devilishly.

“It’s your favorite—double pay overtime.”

Only then did I realize why the salary was so high.

Why there was mention of “compensation or double pay.”

“Tonight’s dinner is medium-rare beef from the eastern province with seasonal vegetables, and a low-alcohol wine.”

So that’s why the job included “three meals a day.”
Because I’d basically be working through them.

“There’s really no better workplace than this, right, Rose?”

He said that with the dazzling smile that made the newspapers swoon and society ladies sigh.

I forced a smile back at him.

You devil.

“God…”

I prayed silently.

“I really, truly should’ve never gotten involved with the male lead…”