TVKSM 07

Chapter : 07

“So you were the one looking for me, Princess Pravice.”

Raphael didn’t make me wait long.

He looked exactly like he was described in the book—from head to toe. Neat, bright attire, and long mint-colored hair.

But what stood out the most were his blue eyes.

Raphael Celestian. This guy’s clear-eyed madness was even worse than what was written in the novel.

So this is what it feels like in person…

Even though he was smiling the same way, Evelyn’s memory of him didn’t feel like this at all.

I recalled the situation earlier. The moment I said I had come to request something from the leader of the underworld organization Pagrasium, his expression changed instantly.

That sudden shift in temperature still hadn’t settled in my skin. But I couldn’t afford to look weak here.

I adjusted the fur draped over my shoulders and relaxed my sharp gaze into a smile.

“I came to make a request.”

“A request.”

Raphael sat across from me, legs crossed, hands loosely clasped.

“May I ask first how you found out I am the head of Pagrasium?”

“No.”

I answered lazily, arms crossed.

Even with such a rude attitude, Raphael still smiled as if he found it amusing.

I frowned at his expression, but my thoughts were slightly different.

…He really is handsome.

So he really wasn’t just the “secondary male lead” for nothing.

But I had read the original novel. I knew exactly what kind of person he was. Just the fact that he ran the underworld said enough.

Ugh. I should avoid guys like him. Damn it, all because of Ulysses.

Seriously, this life had nothing but bad luck except money.

Fortunately, Raphael didn’t press further, so I went straight to the point.

“The request is simple. Pretend to be my fiancé.”

“…Fiancé?”

His smiling face froze for a moment, eyes widening in surprise.

“Is this… some kind of jealousy-inducing plan against His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“No. The opposite. I hate him now. But he won’t let go of me.”

“…Pardon?”

Raphael’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

Of course he wouldn’t understand. Ulysses had treated Evelyn so badly. He was probably assuming I was spouting nonsense.

Without further explanation, I threw down the crumpled letter I had stomped on earlier.

Raphael unfolded it reluctantly. His expression slowly changed as he read.

Only after seeing Ulysses’ absurd handwritten nonsense did he finally accept it as real.

“…I see. So it’s true.”

“Exactly. So act as my fiancé and get rid of him. That’s your advance payment.”

I tossed the pouch containing 200 gold that I had received from Asil onto the table.

It landed with a heavy clink.

“Hm.”

Raphael picked up the money bag.

He was quick with calculations. A simple job for 200 gold? Even if he wasn’t short on money, who would refuse easy income?

“Very well.”

He nodded easily.

I secretly felt relieved.

Surprisingly cheap fee.

As expected, you had to start negotiations by cutting the price in half.

I smiled and quickly added, in case he changed his mind.

“Good. Let’s sign a contract first.”

“You’re more meticulous than I expected.”

This bastard.

His tone clearly sounded like he was mocking me. But honestly, if it were the real Evelyn, she probably wouldn’t even think of a contract.

Soon, while he prepared two copies of the contract, I explained further.

“I need to align our story because I’ve already reported something to the Emperor.”

“…What?”

His pen stopped.

He clearly hadn’t expected this to involve the Emperor.

“People don’t know, but His Majesty favors me quite a bit. If necessary, he would even force my engagement to the Crown Prince.”

“I’ve never heard of this.”

Raphael replied, dumbfounded.

Well, that was understandable.

The Emperor didn’t openly show his intentions. He treated Evelyn favorably in private, but not in public. The rumors around Evelyn Pravice were too infamous.

How clever of him.

Using me to correct Ulysses while keeping all blame directed at me.

Well, if it were the real Evelyn, this might’ve actually been a win-win strategy.

Too lazy to explain further, I spoke flatly while tilting my head.

“Anyway. On the day the Crown Prince rejected me, you followed me, gave me a huge bouquet of roses and a ring, and confessed. You don’t need to prepare the ring—I’ll handle that—but remember it as if you gave it.”

“….”

Raphael looked like he had just been struck on the head.

Then suddenly—

“Ahahaha!”

He burst out laughing.

His laughter grew louder, until he was even wiping tears from his eyes.

“Sorry, sorry. No, it’s just… this is more interesting than I expected.”

“I don’t find it funny.”

Even as I kept a straight face, he couldn’t stop laughing.

Now I was starting to feel uneasy.

There were readers who had bizarrely shipped Raphael and Evelyn.

A villainess and a secondary male lead. Back when I was just a reader, I even thought, huh, not bad?

But now that I was Evelyn?

I wanted to strangle my past self.

Not because I thought I would be killed.

I didn’t do anything wrong to Raphael. Why would I die?

In the original, Evelyn’s death was caused by Ulysses, not Raphael.

So why did I want to avoid him?

Because Raphael is both emotionally unstable and a psychopath.

And I’m a normal person who prefers peaceful, healthy relationships.

Please don’t let him become interested in me.

I quietly pushed another pouch of money I had taken from Douglas forward.

“…An additional 300 gold. One more condition.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

Pff—

Raphael laughed again.

He looked almost angelic when he smiled, but somehow it felt like he was mocking me.

I expected to look ridiculous, but this wasn’t just confidence—it was grounded confidence.

Was Evelyn really that attractive?

Even though she had a terrible personality and was infamous as the Crown Prince’s stalker, she still had wealth, power, and beauty.

Plenty of people had tried to approach her.

They all ran away after experiencing her personality.

Anyway, Evelyn’s charm wasn’t something to be dismissed just because of her villain reputation.

Raphael finally stopped laughing and regained composure.

“Additional payment is unnecessary. It’s not a difficult job.”

He pushed the money back toward me.

His confidence was excessive, which made me uneasy. I took the pouch back and warned him.

“…If you show even a hint of liking me, I’ll terminate the contract. Ten times the penalty fee.”

Raphael suddenly stopped moving.

Then he smiled gently, eyes narrowing.

“You’ve already ruled out the possibility of me falling for you.”

Honestly, if that smile had been shown at a social gathering, ten out of ten women passing by would’ve fallen for him.

That was how dangerous it was.

But—

“I prefer people with healthy mental states.”

“….”

His smile disappeared.

For the first time, his expression went completely blank.

I smirked.

“Why? Am I wrong?”

He didn’t answer.

He looked like he never expected to be called insane by a woman widely known as “that crazy noble lady.”

We mutually labeled each other as crazy people right to each other’s faces.

Honestly, this was a perfect start for a client-contractor relationship destined to be cut off later.

Feeling a quiet sense of victory, I slammed an invitation onto the table.

“Then starting tomorrow, take good care of me, fake fiancé.”

I stood up and left the Marquis’ mansion leisurely.

To be honest, Raphael was more gentlemanly than I expected—but he was still the leader of the underworld.

Once the contract ends, I’m cutting him off.

Only then will I be able to live a comfortable life, spending money freely.

I got into the carriage, completely unaware that Raphael’s gaze was still fixed on me, and returned home thinking nothing of it.