TVWD 02

Chapter 02.

The Duke of Lysianthus, who doesn’t hesitate to embarrass even a lady.

“…Very well.”

Thankfully, the Duke offered his left hand, and I placed mine on top as we headed to the floor.

Among the couples stepping onto the floor for the first dance, the Duke and I held the highest rank, so everyone else stepped aside to make room. It meant we were meant to stand out.

Thanks to that, it was easier to talk — and the Duke made no effort to hide the contempt in his eyes.

“What is your intention in asking me to dance?”

“I just wanted to dance with you, Your Grace. That’s all.”

The partners faced each other — one hand joined, the gentleman’s other hand placed on the lady’s waist, and the lady’s on his shoulder.

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“Then, what do you think my reason is, Your Grace?”

“That’s…”

The Duke of Lysianthus frowned.

He was not the kind of man to ever utter words like, ‘Do you like me?’

Even if he did think I harbored feelings for him, he would also know that — as the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Revian, whose wealth and prestige were comparable to most ducal houses — sending him a formal proposal would have been a far more practical approach.

If I truly liked him, that would have been a much more effective way to pressure him.

“There’s no suitable reason, is there? Of course not — I really did just want to dance with you, Your Grace.”

“Why me, of all people?”

“Oh my, must I say the same thing three times to a gentleman?”

I laughed brightly.

“Because you’re you, Your Grace.”

It was the truth.

From this moment forward, my life would be devoted entirely to preparing for my death, and that journey would be full of lies. But right now — this one fleeting moment — was the only time I could be sincere.

Of course, the Duke knew nothing of that, so I simply smiled — that smile society so often praised as beautiful. His face twisted in a strange expression.

When the music ended, the Duke escorted me off the floor.

At the moment when partners were meant to part ways, I beamed and said loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear:

“I’m planning to host a tea party soon at the Marquis of Revian’s estate. Would you be so kind as to attend?”

The Duke’s face clearly showed that he’d been caught off guard.

To refuse a public invitation like that would be an affront not just to me but to the entire Revian household.

“Of course, I’ll be inviting many others as well, not just Your Grace. It is the season, after all.”

As I looked around as though seeking others’ agreement, most people nodded or said, “That’s right.”

Cold as he was, the Duke was also impeccably courteous — so there was no way he could decline.

“Very well. I’ll come.”

“Wonderful. It will be held on the last day of this month, so please do attend.”

Just in case he tried to back out later with some excuse about scheduling, I drove in the final nail. His impeccably straight brow furrowed.

“…Understood.”

He replied as if he were chewing on the words, then turned and walked away without looking back.

Asking the frigid Duke to dance, then publicly pressing him to attend a tea party —

Without a doubt, I would become the juiciest gossip of this entire social season.

But that didn’t matter to me. I’d long since abandoned shame for the sake of my goal.

As when I’d arrived, I left the ball with my parents.

“Roa. I didn’t know you had an interest in the Duke of Lysianthus.”

In the carriage, my mother — sitting beside me — spoke with sparkling eyes, while my father, seated across from us, sighed.

“But if you marry a duke, it’ll be hard for you to inherit the marquisate…”

“You still have Calvin, Father.”

“Well, yes, but I’d hoped you would succeed me. He’s diligent, but he doesn’t have your flexibility or business sense.”

Calvin Revian — my hopeless younger brother who threw away even his sister for the sake of the heroine, Merina.

Though Calvin, a member of the royal knights under the command of the Duke of Lysianthus, was certainly capable, he was all diligence and no cunning.

“Calvin’s just young. Why not start giving him proper heir training, Father?”

Because I plan to die before I can inherit anyway.

My father didn’t seem convinced, remaining silent, and my mother lightly waved her hand as if to dispel the heavy air.

“Let’s not talk about gloomy things. I heard people say there’s going to be a tea party at our house?”

“Yes. I’m planning it myself. Though I’m a bit worried — there’s not much time left.”

I never really liked social gatherings, nor did I enjoy hosting them, so my mother usually oversaw all our family’s events.

“Oh my, Roa! If you’re holding a party, of course I’ll help!”

My mother seemed delighted that I was taking initiative for once.

“Let’s make it floral-themed! Which flower should we use…? Darling, help me think!”

“Oh? Me too? Well then, since it’s our daughter’s party, let’s do our best.”

Watching my excited parents, I simply smiled quietly.

Through forty-eight lives, I’d learned a few things.

First — I have only about ten months left to live, but if I alter the original story, my lifespan extends.

The further the deviation from the original events, the longer the extension.

For example, if I host a tea party that never appeared in the novel — say, six of them — my life increases by about half a day. But if I thrust the heroine into an unforeseen danger, I gain about a week.

Second — there’s a reason twisted stories always end the same way.

Not just the endings, but major episodes tend to force themselves to happen as if by fate. I discovered, a few lifetimes ago, that it’s because of a place called “the Center of the World.”

If I can reach that place, I might learn why these things happen — and perhaps, finally, how I can die for good.

Until then, I must keep subtly distorting the story to prolong my life.

Of course, inviting the Duke wasn’t only for that reason…

“Are you already planning the party, Roa?”

My mother’s question brought me back, and I smiled as I nodded.

The next morning, my dearest friends, Pony and Stella, came rushing to the marquisate.

“I saw everything, Roa — you throwing yourself at the Duke.”

Stella sprawled across the sofa in my private sitting room — as if it were her own — and plucked grapes from a plate as she laughed. Her golden curls spilled over the cushions.

“Me too! I saw it! But you said just last week you weren’t interested in the Duke of Lysianthus!”

Pony’s round eyes grew even rounder as she spoke. Each time she nodded, her soft pink hair fluttered in the air.

Did I?

I didn’t quite remember those small conversations from before the timeline reset, but I kept a calm expression.

As I quietly sipped my tea, Stella and Pony continued chattering.

“Are you trying to provoke Merina Ikel? I heard she’s interested in the Duke.”

“If it’s just to get under Merina Ikel’s skin, isn’t the Duke too high a wall? His presence is suffocating.”

Pony shivered, while Stella’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“That’s exactly why some girls like him, though. Anyway, Roa, if you wanted everyone’s attention this season, you’ve definitely won.”

“I do have an interest in him, but not in the way you two are thinking.”

“Oh, you’re no fun.”

Stella began plucking grapes faster, leaving behind only bare stems.

“Still, don’t let Merina Ikel beat you. The way she treats you drives me crazy.”

“Right? You never do anything, yet she acts like you’re some kind of villainess.”

Pony clenched her fists indignantly.

Their perceptiveness almost made me smile — but I pretended not to notice and changed the subject.

“Anyway, you’ll both come to the tea party, won’t you?”

“Of course!”

“I can’t wait for the last day of the month!”

Unlike me, Pony loved every social event imaginable. She clasped her cheeks and laughed joyfully.

And just as she wished, the last day of the month came quickly.