Chapter 1.3

If you want to know how extreme human despair can reach, I’d like to say lift your head and look at me.

I never dreamed that my life’s greatest wish would be to draw out someone’s extreme disgust. In my former life, I thrived on being the center of attention and the object of everyone’s affection, but who would have guessed that at times, being the target of someone’s disgust would feel so crucial?

Indeed, people live long and—no, they live through a lot.

“Eve, are you nervous?”

Standing before the magnificent ducal residence, I shook my head at Father’s words. Father had been maintaining such a consistent smile since I received the duke’s invitation that I was quite curious whether his jaw might fall off.

“No, I’m not nervous.”

—which is complete nonsense.

Actually, I was nervous. And rightfully so—if I failed here, there would be a straight highway from marriage to a destruction ending, so of course I’d be nervous.

I followed Father’s footsteps while reciting the ‘Principles of Dirtiness’ I had diligently studied these past few days.

If this succeeds, I’m definitely going to publish a book. ‘Being Dirty Was the Easiest Thing in the World!’

“The head of Clauda Trading Company has arrived.”

Following the butler’s guidance into the ducal residence, the interior was far more magnificent than I had imagined. It was so magnificent that it was truly the height of splendor, surprising even me.

As the daughter of new money, I believed nothing could surprise me—but class distinctions really stand out when you look closely.

By the way, I want that candlestick—couldn’t I take it? Goodness, it’s so much my style.

“Eve, focus.”

Seeing me gaping as I walked, Father must have thought I looked quite stupid as he gave me a warning. However, I wasn’t particularly bothered by it—wouldn’t it be better if I looked stupid?

“Yes, Father.”

But since I’m a good daughter through and through, I should at least pretend to listen.

Soon we’ll reach the study where Rubellian is. That detestable guy. To invite me and then stick to his study—I shook my head in disbelief.

Indeed, he’s not worth reforming.

“From here, it would be better if only the young lady enters.”

As I was slowly taking steps, the butler suddenly stopped and spoke to me and Father, and Father so naturally smiled and let go of my arm that I became flustered.

“Ah, Father?”

“Eve, do well. Don’t forget to be courteous to His Grace.”

Father’s affectionate voice provided no comfort to me at all. Was this how Beauty Belle felt when sold to the Beast? Though she was probably too kind to curse her father.

The butler guided me with a bright smile. Father was laughing heartily while looking at me with a burdensome expression.

No, what is this? Why are you doing this? I had no choice but to follow the butler with a heart that wanted to cry.

“Here it is.”

The butler bowed his head.

This is just like that thing. You know, in old oriental romance stories, there are court ladies entering the emperor’s bedchamber. That’s exactly what I’m like right now. Even the treatment is similar. In a way, aren’t I going to be selected?

No, that’s not it.

Those women were going to be selected, but I came today to be dismissed.

With me making such a resolution inwardly, the door slowly opened.

“You’re here?”

As I slowly entered the study, I could see Rubellian standing in front of the bookshelf.

His face was truly picture-perfect, making me admire him once again, but since I came with a mission, I offered a greeting first.

“Hello? Hehe.”

Now, you will witness the process of a common transmigrated woman trying to get rejected.

Honestly, if getting rejected is the goal, isn’t it proper courtesy to be prepared to ruin one’s image?

“Uh, may I sit there?”

I smiled like a dim-witted person and pointed to the sofa. I greeted him in the most inappropriate way possible and made sure to act like a complete fool.

Of course, no woman has ever treated me like this—ah, this is really annoying to say. Let’s just abbreviate it to “I’m different.” Anyway, I’ll show such dirtiness that such thoughts won’t even occur.

“Sit.”

Rubellian seemed to think about my behavior for a moment, then nodded.

Seeing that he remained calm, he was definitely a formidable opponent. I tilted my head slightly and sat on the sofa.

“It’s an honor to meet like this today, Lady Clauda.”

“I’m also tremendously honored.”

I grinned foolishly.

Even at my smile, Rubellian showed no sign of frowning and calmly picked up an already set teacup, saying:

“Drink. This is tea currently favored by young ladies in social circles.”

“Oh my, did you prepare this for me? Thank you.”

As soon as Rubellian finished speaking, I picked up the teacup.

His face drinking tea with utmost composure was radiant, and his posture was brilliant.

Really, what a waste of a face.

I shook my head and shifted my gaze to the teacup. Whether Rubellian resembled Nicholas Hoult, or Leonardo DiCaprio in his prime, or outshone all Hollywood actors—I had to be rejected by him today.

I slowly brought the teacup to my mouth, took a few sips, then—

“Pffffff—!”

I spewed it forward like a flamethrower.

Nice! Good direction, good angle, and just the right amount.

“Oh, oh my, oh, what should I do? I’m sorry, I choked.”

I put on the most pitiful expression as the perfect mix of my spit and tea stained not just my dress but also the table. When I glanced at Rubellian, sure enough, his face was twisted, just as I’d hoped.

And rightfully so, because the tea mixed with my saliva was magnificently decorating Rubellian’s face as well.

“Oh my, oh my, what should I do about this?”

What to do indeed. It’s paradise.

I made a fuss and fidgeted restlessly, but actually had no intention of wiping his face. Rather, going one step further, I sprayed saliva on his face while speaking earnestly.

Wow, at this rate his whole face will get wet.

“What should I do?”

Without offering any solutions, and actually having no intention of offering any, I kept repeatedly exclaiming “What to do!” while Rubellian’s gaze fixed on me. He seemed to have a lot he wanted to say but appeared to be holding back the words trying to spill out.

Looking at him like that, I made a very innocent face.

“Sob sob, Your Grace, I’ve committed too great a discourtesy, haven’t I?”

“…No. It’s a mistake, so it can’t be helped.”

Huh? Is he really the mastermind? Did I remember the name wrong? Could he be a bodhisattva? Was there some plot twist?

Even after doing this much, it’s still not enough? Should I just go lick his face like a dog? Would he finally scream that it’s dirty?

“First, let’s do something about the Lady’s dress.”

“What? What? My dress… gasp.”

At Rubellian’s words, I looked down at my dress. Only then did I recall that today, of all days, of all days, of all days! I had worn the thinnest silk dress.

My mouth must have greater capacity than I thought—I was horrified at my thoroughly soaked front. I had only thought about spewing tea on Rubellian’s face, never expecting it would drip on me too. And I never imagined it would show through to my undergarments.

‘Ah, if I had known this would happen, I should have worn a velvet dress.’

I pressed my forehead. This is why you shouldn’t do things that harm others. As I was inwardly offering a brief moment of silence for my stupid behavior, Rubellian spoke.

“I’ll give you a dress to change into.”

“Ah, no. I can just dry it.”

I brushed my front. I still had plans B, C, D, E, F, G left. I had absolutely no intention of leaving this place until he told me to get lost. With that thought, I reached for the coat next to me and put it on.

“And if I wear a coat, it won’t show.”

“……”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

After putting on the coat and buttoning it up one by one, I lifted my head and was startled by Rubellian’s bright red eyes.

“I can’t figure out what you’re thinking.”

“……Pardon?”

What is he saying?

I tilted my head slightly, then realized that revealing my true thoughts here would be very dangerous, so I grinned foolishly again.

Then suddenly, a smile appeared on Rubellian’s lips too.

A smile?

Huh?

“How was the tea?”

“Ah, it was delicious.”

I spewed it all out so I don’t actually know what it tasted like, but since he asked, I answered. Forcing out a smile, I watched him wipe his face with a handkerchief and spoke.

“Actually, I really love eating.”

“Is that so? You don’t look like it.”

“I didn’t used to like it, but I ate well to become sturdy.”

This was true. Until I transmigrated 5 years ago, Evangeline Clauda was someone who stayed glued to her bed and barely came outside.

But thanks to all my flailing around trying not to marry Rubellian after I transmigrated, the current me was quite robust.

Of course, I still looked pure and pitiful on the outside.

“Eating well is good.”

“That’s right.”

“The ducal kitchen’s chef is skilled, so you’ll probably be quite satisfied with dinner as well.”

“Yes, thank… what?”

At Rubellian’s words, I sensed something strange and turned my head toward the window.

It was currently a bright sunny morning. It hadn’t even reached midday yet. Why is he suddenly talking about dinner here? I tilted my head.

“Shouldn’t it be lunch rather than dinner?”

“Didn’t the trading company head mention it?”

“……What?”

At Rubellian’s words, I became a bit flustered. Somehow holding the anxiety that was gradually rising, I asked him. What on earth is this about, on such a fine day?

At my question, Rubellian made a face as if this was unexpected.

“I understand you’re spending the day at the ducal residence.”

“What?”

I jumped up from my seat. Dad, you never said anything like this!

I barely restrained myself from wanting to grab Father and shake him thoroughly. No matter what, is it okay for an unmarried woman to sleep over at an unmarried man’s house without the party’s permission?

I gaped. But then, realizing how much I was overreacting, I sat back down.

“Um, I’m sorry, but that would be a bit difficult.”

“Why?”

“There are the eyes of society to consider, Your Grace is unmarried, and I’m just a commoner…”

It was a bit like counting chickens before they hatch, but from my position of knowing the future, I couldn’t help but worry. Moreover, I’m currently known in social circles as ‘the woman who threw herself at the crown prince and got rejected.’ If I stayed overnight at the ducal residence today, who knows what rumors would spread tomorrow?

And I was more afraid that those rumors might become reality.

“I don’t think it would be particularly problematic. Many guests have visited the ducal residence.”

“But as you know, I have a rather bad reputation… I worry it might harm Your Grace…”

Of course, harming him didn’t particularly matter to me, but I refused to be harmed myself.

However, whether he knew my feelings or not, Rubellian just continued speaking calmly.

“It’s not particularly harmful.”

“……!”

“We’ll have lunch simply in the garden. I’ve instructed them to keep lunch and afternoon tea light, and prepare dinner lavishly.”

What about my opinion?

“So there’s no need to worry particularly.”

That’s exactly why you’re the most worrying!

I could only blink in disbelief at the situation where my opinion was completely ignored.

But unlike me, his face was utterly calm, and there wasn’t a trace of disgust about me spewing tea just moments ago.

For a moment, looking at his quietly settled eyes, I frowned.

This is strange. Why is it strange—

“Your Grace.”

I slowly called Rubellian. The earlier foolish giggles faded as I returned to my normal composure.

A subtle expression flashed across Rubellian’s face as he looked at me.

Seeing that, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Did you perhaps make some deal with my father?”

The reason I remember the character Rubellian so well among countless romance fantasy novels is that this guy showed the perfect example of a truly polite and considerate gentleman, at least until the first half.

Just imagine my shock when he started plotting a rebellion later on, going as far as trying to kill both the male lead crown prince and the female protagonist.

It turned out that the gentle smile and affectionate tone from the first part were all lies, nothing but schemes to drive the male and female protagonists to despair.

The sense of betrayal! I thought he was one of the good guys, but he turned out to be the mastermind. The root of all the chaos!

And currently, I was feeling that sense of betrayal once again.

From none other than this person.

“Hmm?”

At my question, Rubellian let out a meaningful exclamation. As his sexy appearance carried a smile, I swallowed my saliva.

This face definitely didn’t belong to someone kind.

There were still months left until entering the original story, and he shouldn’t reveal his true identity yet. But to show such an appearance…

I couldn’t help but make a tense expression.

“A deal… why do you think that?”

No. I shouldn’t answer this question at this point. My instincts were telling me.

It was almost a foregone conclusion that there had been some deal between him and Father. Otherwise, he couldn’t act like such a bodhisattva when a strange woman spewed tea in front of him.

But nothing had been clearly revealed yet. I still had to make him disgusted with me.

So I immediately relaxed my face into a smile and said:

“Hehe, I just thought there might be a deal.”

“What kind?”

“Because otherwise, someone as great as Your Grace wouldn’t have invited me.”

I continued with a silly smile.

“Even being invited like this is such an honor, but to stay until dinner—goodness, it’s not like my father has a friendship with Your Grace…”

“It’s not that there isn’t one.”

As expected.

“Oh my, then it’s such a tremendous honor for me.”

I covered my cheeks with both hands and smiled shyly. But honestly, a part of my heart was already so rotten it felt like a volcano had erupted, spewing lava everywhere.

Ah, if I had known this would happen, I should have just assassinated my father. He may be Evangeline’s biological father, but to me he’s just some guy I’ve known for only 5 years.

Soon, Rubellian, who had been examining my face carefully, stood up.

“Then it would be good to change your dress so we can have a simple lunch in the garden.”

Why does this guy keep obsessing over my dress?

“You can’t drink tea wearing that coat.”

I nodded while reading Rubellian’s expression. Although my reason was telling me ‘It’s already too late, so it’s useless,’ my emotions were still shouting at me ‘It’s okay, there’s nothing in the world that won’t work if you try!’

Eventually, I stood up and headed to the guest room under the guidance of a butler who had appeared without me noticing.

* * *

Until Mrs. Jena, who introduced herself as the ducal residence’s head maid, barged into my room with several maids, I still couldn’t grasp what situation I was in.

However, when I soon saw the maids bringing in a pile of dresses and hanging them on hangers, I finally realized why Rubellian had been so eager to make me change dresses.

This guy was trying to bribe me with dresses.

Like a male protagonist from a romance fantasy novel, or like a male protagonist from a mini-series drama, or like a Harlequin male protagonist who would claim to be the original, he seemed to have instructed people to purchase dozens of dresses for me.

While I was frozen in shock at how oddly things were unfolding, Mrs. Jena stared at me with an icy expression.

“Miss, I’ll help you change clothes. Which dress would you like?”

Her face read ‘Be grateful that you, a mere commoner, can wear such precious clothes!’ but I swallowed my saliva more at the atmosphere that suggested if I went out wearing this, I’d definitely be selected as the duchess.

No, excuse me. Didn’t they say that in this world, a man giving clothes to a woman has a very special meaning?

“Um, I… if I just dry this and wear it…”

“It’s His Grace the Duke’s instruction.”

“I… I shall do my best to explain myself to His Grace.”

“Surely you don’t intend to disobey His Grace’s command?”

Now she’s trying to pressure me with rank?

But because status really was everything in this world, I eventually had to choose a dress reluctantly.

I was about to choose something as dazzling as possible that Rubellian would hate the most, but remembering the lesson from last time, I chose a dress that was modest to the point of being plain.

But then it happened.

“Ooh—”

The dress I chose was a very ordinary beige design, and naturally, it wasn’t really suitable for the nobility to wear. Actually, it wasn’t my preferred style either. I like flashy and loud things.

But Mrs. Jena was letting out a light exclamation as if she found it quite unexpected that I had chosen this dress.

Getting slightly anxious at her reaction, I blinked, and Mrs. Jena spoke.

“Miss has similar taste to the previous duchess.”

“Pardon?”

“This was the dress the previous duchess treasured most. Who would have thought Miss would also enjoy such things?”

No, wait. Didn’t Rubellian’s mother already pass away? No, this is insane? Why are you mixing in the clothes of a deceased person to give to me? Is this a test? Is this The Princess and the Pea?

Now I just want to lose my mind.

Rubellian’s mother, the former Duchess Florence, was exceptionally made duchess despite being of commoner origin, but she was someone who caught the emperor’s eye and was forced to become his mistress.

She was then forced to reside in the imperial palace and even became pregnant with Rubellian. In other words, the current crown prince and Rubellian were half-brothers.

And the duchess committed suicide after giving birth to Rubellian.

Actually, this part became a reason why many readers couldn’t help but understand the mastermind Rubellian to some extent.

Hatred toward the emperor, and the empress who tormented his mother at the time, and her son the crown prince.

Of course, that didn’t justify all his actions.

Though the emperor was definitely a bastard, it wasn’t the fault of the male and female protagonists.

And this was also the reason why I had decided I couldn’t reform Rubellian after transmigrating into this original work. I didn’t want to dismiss his anger carelessly just to save myself.

“Did His Grace include this dress?”

I asked Mrs. Jena, but she shook her head.

“No.”

“Then please remove it. Let me choose something else.”

But no matter how much of a mastermind he was, I didn’t want to provoke him in this way. To me it might be a novel, but to him it would be real life.

At my words, Mrs. Jena frowned slightly. I don’t know what relationship she had with the previous duchess, but trying to test me like this was beyond presumptuous—if I had been nobility, I would have slapped her.

She was probably trying to see whether I’d choose a flashy dress or a modest dress. Disgusting people.

“Don’t you like the dress?”

“You said it was a dress the previous duchess liked.”

“That’s correct.”

“I don’t want to casually wear a deceased person’s belongings, and I don’t think this would be courteous to His Grace either.”

At my words, Mrs. Jena stared at me. She seemed to think about something, then readily nodded.

Eventually, I chose a dress that was neither too plain nor too flashy.

* * *