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Chapter 1
“Please marry me.”
The man’s hand, which had been lifting a teacup, froze at the woman’s sudden request.
“…”
That was his only reaction.
For a long while, he didn’t move. He merely cast her a brief glance with his crimson eyes, as though he hadn’t heard a single word.
“If things continue like this, I’ll end up married to some perverted old man.”
Growing more desperate, she hurriedly explained.
“My parents were murdered thirteen years ago. Our title and fortune were taken by distant relatives whose names I don’t even know. I’ve become a thorn in their side, and now they’re planning to sell me off with a dowry.”
“…”
“I know how this looks. A woman suddenly appearing and asking you to marry her must seem completely insane. But Your Grace won’t lose anything by accepting.”
Despite her relentless proposal, the man remained calm, not even the slightest bit flustered.
Time passed in silence.
Finally, he spoke.
“Are you in your right mind?”
She let out a faint laugh.
It had taken him this long just to ask that. Still, she was relieved. At least he hadn’t thrown her out, calling her crazy.
“Yes. Honestly, I never imagined I’d go this far either. But I’m in a rather desperate situation.”
His eyes narrowed at her words.
“And if I accept your proposal… what exactly do I gain?”
The unexpected question caught her off guard.
Only for a moment.
“I won’t live much longer.”
“…”
“I’m going to die soon.”
By your hand.
Of course, that was a future he knew nothing about yet.
And she had absolutely no intention of telling him.
Because only then would everything unfold exactly as she had already seen.
“I know you dislike the idea of marriage, Your Grace. But circumstances will force you to marry eventually. So… use me.”
“…”
“A bride with only a short time left to live. You won’t find a better arrangement than that.”
“Isn’t that much cleaner than getting divorced later?”
He paused.
Only briefly.
Then the corners of his lips curled into a disbelieving smile.
She tensed.
What if he refuses?
Yet no rejection came.
Which meant he was seriously considering her offer.
A small smile crept onto her face.
This might actually work.
She had walked straight into the wolf’s den and survived this much.
She had done everything she could.
Now all that remained was to hold her breath and wait for his decision.
But she wasn’t particularly worried.
The future has already been decided.
Exactly one hundred ninety-nine days from now…
She would die by this man’s hand.
That was the future awaiting her.
Two Days Earlier
“…Miss! Miss Bella! Miss Bella!”
Startled by the frantic voice, Bella frowned and opened her eyes.
Standing before her was Roxy, her maid, anxiously stamping her feet.
“Mmm… What is it, Roxy? It’s barely dawn…”
“Barely dawn? The sun’s already high in the sky!”
“…What?”
Bella quickly turned her head.
The clock on the bedside table confirmed it.
The hands had moved two full hours past her usual waking time.
She had overslept.
“Please hurry! Lady Madam has already been awake for ages!”
Roxy pulled a dress from the wardrobe and rushed toward her.
Bella scrambled out of bed, wiped her face with a damp towel, and hurriedly changed clothes.
There wasn’t even enough time to do her makeup.
She simply tied back her messy hair with a ribbon she found lying around and stood before the mirror for one last look.
Then—
“Bella!”
She winced.
The shout echoed from downstairs.
Her eyebrows instinctively knitted together.
It happened every single morning.
She still couldn’t get used to it.
“She’s certainly energetic first thing in the morning.”
Grumbling under her breath, Bella picked up the broom leaning beside the door and stepped outside.
The moment she opened it, she was greeted by a staircase coated in a fresh layer of white dust that had settled overnight.
“Haaa…”
Another dreadful day had begun.
* * *
“Bella, you should be grateful to us.”
“…”
“We haven’t thrown you out, even though you’re useless. We feed you, give you a place to sleep, and treat you like family.”
Bella, who had been pouring water beside the table, smiled faintly.
Not because she agreed.
Simply because the woman’s words were so absurd.
She set down the pitcher and glanced at her.
From head to toe, the woman was covered in extravagant decorations.
She was the current mistress of the household.
No—
More accurately, she was a detestable fox pretending to be its mistress.
The luxurious dress looked completely unnatural on her, as though she were wearing someone else’s clothes.
Like a black crow strutting around proudly in feathers stolen from another bird.
If I laugh now, she’ll throw another tantrum.
Wisely, Bella erased the smile.
She bit her lip to suppress her laughter, carried in the dishes that had just arrived from the kitchen, and took her place against the wall alongside the other maids.
The first rule they had taught her was simple:
Remain standing until the master’s meal is finished.
To them, Bella was no different from the servants beside her.
She had grown accustomed to it now.
At first, however, she had been beaten countless times for failing to adjust.
“Do you think raising someone else’s child is easy? Tell me, who else would be as kind-hearted as I am? Anyone else would’ve sold you off long ago.”
The noblewoman laughed sweetly before turning to the girl seated across from her.
The daughter, who had inherited her mother’s sly smile perfectly, grinned at Bella.
“That’s right, Bella. You should be thankful.”
Here we go again.
“Our family protected the Count’s title and fortune when it was about to disappear. I never understood why people were always so obsessed with having sons… but now I do.”
The girl giggled, biting her crimson lips before glaring at Bella.
“Oh, and don’t blame us.”
“This is all your mother’s fault.”
“…”
“What good was being the Imperial Prophet? She couldn’t even foresee her own death.”
Bella frowned.
She could endure insults directed at herself.
But insulting her parents…
That she could never tolerate.
The girl’s narrow eyes widened with delight the moment she noticed Bella’s expression.
“Oh my, Bella. Did that upset you? Why are you glaring at me? You’re scaring me.”
The little fox suddenly put on a frightened expression and pretended she was about to cry.
She whined dramatically.
How terrifying Bella was.
How she’d only made one little joke.
Bella, however, saw the truth.
Behind those teary eyes lurked a devil, thoroughly enjoying the sight of her anger.
What an insufferable brat.
She quietly loosened the fist she’d unconsciously clenched.
There was no point falling for their provocations.
If she lost her temper, they’d gladly use it as an excuse to hit her again.
Why fight with filth? Better to avoid it.
Steeling herself, Bella offered a gentle smile.
Apparently that annoyed the girl even more.
Without warning, she grabbed the bowl of hot soup.
Ah… So today’s weapon is soup.
Bella shut her eyes tightly.
She simply waited for the inevitable pain.
Then—
“Ahem. Cecil, that’s enough. Haven’t I always told you? A proper lady should behave with dignity.”
“Hmph. Who cares? It’s only us here.”
“Even so… not today.”
…Huh?
Bella slowly opened her eyes.
The girl’s surprisingly obedient retreat felt strange.
Normally, Cecil would have thrown the entire bowl of scalding soup at her without hesitation.
Something was different.
An odd tension lingered around the dining table.
Then—
“What are you doing, Bella?”
“…Pardon?”
“You should sit down and eat too.”
Bella froze.
Wait… what’s going on today?
Usually, she only ate after the family had finished.
Not in the dining room, but in a corner of the kitchen with the servants, eating whatever leftovers remained.
Long ago, she had once eaten at this very table while servants waited on her.
But those days were gone.
Now she was a “young lady” in name only.
In reality, she was little more than a servant.
This is suspicious.
Watching them carefully, Bella cautiously sat in her old seat.
It had been thirteen years since she had last done so.
Thirteen years earlier…
Her parents, Count and Countess Eton, beloved by the people of their territory, had been murdered by mysterious assassins.
The Count had been a close friend of the Emperor, so a massive investigation followed.
Yet not a single clue was ever found.
The case eventually went cold.
From that day onward, Bella’s life began to unravel.
Under the laws of Arhen, only a son could inherit a noble title.
As the late Count’s only daughter, Bella had no legal claim to succeed him.
There was one possible solution—bringing in a husband who would marry into the family.
But Bella had been only five years old.
That was impossible.
Just as the Count’s lands and fortune were about to revert to the Imperial Family…
A group of distant relatives suddenly appeared.
Using a newborn baby boy as their heir, they seized the title.
Officially, they claimed they would return everything once Bella came of age and was old enough to marry.
Instead…
Bella endured thirteen years of humiliation, abuse, and misery under their roof.
Now that she had finally reached adulthood, she demanded the return of her family’s title.
Not only did they refuse…
They rejected every marriage proposal she received.
Eventually, they even forbade her from leaving the estate so she couldn’t meet any potential suitors.
They had never intended to give her inheritance back.
They’re planning to keep me unmarried forever and lock me away somewhere.
The scheme was painfully obvious.
If this is how I’m going to live… maybe dying would be better.
At this rate I’ll either collapse from overwork or die from heartbreak.
Perhaps it’s better to close my eyes on my own terms.
Just as she was wishing for an end to her miserable life—
“A marriage proposal has come for you.”
“…What?”
Wait.
What did she just say?
