Category: Reincarnating as My Husband’s Mistress

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

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Someone seemed to let out a horrible scream inside my head.

It was the cries of Adrienne, who was now dead, and me, who was still alive.

Although no one could hear it, to me however, it felt as if my ears were being ripped apart.

I couldn’t breathe for a moment. It was completely different from what I had thought.

The degree of shock that came to me was different from when I heard it directly from him instead of the unfounded rumours I had heard from the mouths of others.

Novian, whose eyes were quietly smouldering, continued to pour out his words with a sigh.

“I thought about whether I would follow Adrienne in death and die with her if she died. Then I thought about it more. Adrienne wouldn’t want that. Then I thought of you. When I look at you… Damn it, Adrienne comes to mind! If I’m with you, yes, it will still be difficult and painful. However, even while she was alive, I still suffered.”

“…”

“Adrienne was sick and struggling every day. Do you know how it feels to see someone you love keep suffering and suffering, until they eventually die?”

I don’t know.

That’s right, I probably don’t know how that feels.

I’ve never seen a loved one suffer until the moment just before they die. 

The most painful face of Novian I’ve ever witnessed with my eyes is his face while crying over my dead body at the funeral.

And now, it’s the deep cry of him wanting to follow Adrienne in death.

I looked intently at the face of the man who said he loved his wife while making another woman his mistress. 

The face of a man who wants a mistress while talking about love.

It’s unfamiliar to me. 

For a moment, it felt as if everything was just a dream. 

Although it felt as if I had wandered between dreams and reality every moment since waking up in this body, there had never been a moment that felt more like a dream than now.

The flawless and perfect Novian Trovica.

Was this still the same Novian that poured out his heart and soul to only his wife and no one else, despite being ascetic and cynical?

“…So, you’re saying you want to spend the night with me?”

The trembling voice of Blair Acacia broke the silence. 

I ignored the fact that my heart was already bleeding due to its wounds and tried to confirm it with him again.

It was an opportunity given by ‘Adrienne’, which he wouldn’t even notice.

The only man I had depended and relied on within the desolate Grand Duchy.

The only person who had continued to support and encourage me despite my illness and suffering.

Novian Trovica, my pride and my love.

‘Even if it’s only now, just tell me you don’t want Blair, Noah.’

Please let it all just be a lie. A lie that other people had used to insult the deceased Grand Duchess.

Adrienne Trovica had left no trace of her through a birth behind, so they were just trying to ridicule and crush her.

“Ha, hahaha…”

Novian buried his face in his hands, as if he were mocking himself.

Then he laughed, a sound that was similar to that of a grieving cry, and suddenly raised his head.

Those blue eyes that had darkened and were relaxed due to his drunkenness was that of which I had never seen before.

They were eyes that were engulfed in the ‘lust’ I had only ever seen in books before.

The eyes of an adult who clearly wants to share with this body the mature love of an adult that he had never once shared with the sick Adrienne. 

Although I had never received such a gaze from anyone, I could still feel it instinctively. 

My body trembled even more violently when it felt the strange sensation, as if an invisible hand was sweeping over my whole body.

“You seem to want to turn me into trash that can’t even be recycled.”

tl/m: you ready are bitch

“…Is that not it?”

Tell me it’s not, please.

I looked up at my husband eagerly with a glimmer of anticipation. 

However, as if this expression had encouraged him even more, his face distorted, as if he couldn’t overcome his passion and hugged me tighter.

Although I was clearly in the arms of my husband, whom I had missed so much, for some reason, my heart grew cold.

“That’s right, I want you.”

“!”

Within his cold embrace, I stiffened up.

‘That’s right, I want you.’

The confession of love I had received from my loved one, was truly bitter and painful.

“The Adrienne, whom I was never able to have, and the Adrienne, whom from now on and forever, will never be able to have, compared to that, rather…”

It was unfamiliar, but the blue eyes that heated up were intense, as if they could swallow me whole.

“…I want you, who’s right in front of me, even more.” 

 “!”

Suddenly, lips that were full of the taste of alcohol overlapped with mine.

It was a kiss that was as intense as his eyes and seemed to swallow me up.. 

This wasn’t the kiss I knew that was shared between Noah and Adrienne.

It was neither affectionate nor tender.

It was just hot, the taste of it seemingly poisonous.

The strong alcohol he had drunk was enough to make my mouth ache.

Novian, who had acted as if he was going to give all of his breath to Adrienne, yet seemed as if he was trying to suck out all the air in Blair and take her breath away.

I was dazed from Novian’s assault on my lips and just shed my tears.

He didn’t care. 

He just stared tenaciously into my eyes, kissed me, and took my breath away. 

Although it was the wide embrace I had missed so much, the kiss I had always never had… 

It was painful enough to feel as if my heart was being torn to shreds, and so disgusting it felt as if the champagne I had drank just a short while ago was disgusting enough to regurgitate.

As I barely regained my senses and pushed him away, gasping for breath, I saw the pale face of Roadnez, standing and looking at us from below the terrace.

His gleaming red eyes were cold, the opposite of its colour.

***

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.wordpress.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

I got out of the terrace of the drunk Novian and opened the emergency door in the second hallway and fled.

Novian didn’t even so much as look down at me as I ran across the garden. 

Although I didn’t even have the courage to look back, he probably didn’t since he wouldn’t be able to catch me, nor did I feel any gaze on me.

“…”

A silence, more terrible than any scream, settled in the corner of the gloomy garden I had escaped to. 

And I too, had no choice but to stand there blankly, in a daze.. 

Outside a closed corridor without any person to be seen. 

When I saw the image of Blair reflected in the window, tears welled up and quietly flowed down. 

I leaned my back against the corridor wall and collapsed onto the ground, turning away from the reflection of Blair’s crying face.

I had to get back to the carriage quickly, but my body didn’t have any strength left in my body.

“Urk… Hic…”

In a place that obscured the resentfully bright moonlight, I was crying, reeling from the cold and the betrayal. 

Drip, drip.

When a darker shadow fell over the teardrops that drizzled on the dry and dark floor… 

“!”

I realized that the dark shadow that covered my tears didn’t seem like a garden tree. 

Feeling as if my heart had dropped to my feet, I raised my head.

“…You looked like you needed some help.”

The sight of the man that was always talking about that damned help standing there filled my eyes.

A polite, and rather deep voice. 

Yet the voice seemed to sound more arrogant.

Although the voice that had asked if I needed any help was the same, a man with a much colder disposition was now shining right in front of me.

It was Roadnez, the Second Prince.. 

*** 

I just wanted to tell him to leave me alone since I didn’t need any help. 

Would it be too soon for me to jump up and face him?

When Roadnez raised his hand arrogantly, Neil, who I didnt’ even know was there, approached him and handed something to him.

“…”

Tears welled up as I stared at him blankly. 

Looking down at me, Roadnez put something he had received from Neil on the floor. 

Since he had acted so slowly with such a stoic expression on his face, I could barely breathe when I finally looked at it.

“…!”

What Roadnez had put down on the ground was a very familiar shoe. 

To be precise, they were the black shoes I had worn to my funeral and lost after meeting this man and running away.

“You looked like you needed some help.”

ONly then did I check my feet, which had somehow felt cold for some reason.

Ah, I really hate it.

“…Was it wrong of me to think so, Countess Acacia?”

The blond hair of Roadnez, who had tilted his head slightly, shimmered as if it had been sprinkled with gold particles and lit from behind.

A gentle face that knew about the me who had left my shoes behind and fled, the me who lied to Neil, who had come to the Count’s mansion, a face that had already known everything.

Between the sunken eyelids and the tip of his arrogant nose, a light shadow was repeatedly cast and disappearing whenever he tilted his head slightly.

“Thank… Thank you, Your Highness.”

Although I wasn’t thankful at all, I still answered in a deeply reverent voice.

Roadnez’s large hand appeared in front of me. 

Giving up, I accepted his help and quickly put on my shoes.

I could not stand barefoot, nor pretend not to know any longer. 

A prince who wouldn’t even care about who I was in the cemetery nor whatever lies I told Neil. 

Seeing as how neither I, who he had personally seen run away from him, nor I, who had lied to Neil, were being interrogated.

Perhaps he was a more warm-hearted person than what I had thought. He may have just followed me to deliver these shoes.

“Now…”

I tried to pull my hand from his after putting on my shoes, but Roadnez held on tightly to my hand, as if he had been waiting, and pulled me closer towards him.

I looked up at his face, startled at the sound of his exhale brushing close to the top of my head.

“…Don’t you think it’s time for you to introduce yourself?” 

A low voice climbed up my body, as if crawling on the floor which was wet with my tears.

“!”

He knew everything.

He knew the whole time that this body was Blair Acacia.

He knew that I was the woman who had frantically fled from the cemetery.

A polite, and mellow, deep voice.

On the contrary, his eyes that seemed to be fire waging against cold ice, accurately looked down at me.

“…!”

Those cold eyes that had witnessed the moment between Novian Trovica and his mistress.

Those exact eyes.

I felt the rush of shame and humiliation creeping in and my tears welling up.

‘This man has seen it all.’

He had seen it all.

Something that was neither laughter nor tears came out of my frozen eyes and mouth.

‘Who am I?’

“…The mistress of Novian Trovica.”

At that moment, cracks started to appear in that noble man’s face.

The impulsive words I had blurted out became huge fireballs that felt as if they were repeatedly burning my throat.

What was the point in lying to a man who had already witnessed everything?

“I am the mistress of Novian Trovica.”

And in the end, I spat that fireball at that man.

Those beautiful sparkling red eyes shook wildly, yet they couldn’t turn away from me.

I spat it out again in a surge of anger and unexplainable excitement. 

In fact, it was the same as taking your anger out on someone who kept unknowingly encountering the anger that had been boiling up from before.

“And now, I don’t want to live as his mistress…”

A ridiculous shamelessness burst out, like tears bursting out of my eyes.

“…Doesn’t it look like I need some help?”

You kept asking me if I needed any help.

You dared to come all the way here to expose my wounds, even after seeing all of my faults. 

You dare to make me reveal my identity and keep holding my hand. 

However, the shock was brief, and as if someone had drawn it, his beautiful and sharp eyes curved slightly.

As if he was smiling.

“It seems like you do.”

As I stared at him, as if possessed, I had no choice but to shake off the hand that was still held by the red beast.

Since the beast had said this with eyes that were filled with infinite affection and tenderness, yet at the same time, looked as if he would kill me.

“Let me ask you one more time. So… Do you need any help?” 

With an expression that seemed as if he would strangle me immediately if I said I didn’t need it.

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ok, so i think this is the chapter where i do feel really bad for adrienne. she basically got married to this dude as soon as she had her debutante, was sheltered by her maternal family and is super sick, was basically confined within the grand duchy and ostracised by her servants and had at that point, become dependent on her husband, novian, who was the only one within her bounds to communicate with.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, at least as far as im concerned.
he ostracised and isolated her to the point where he became the only one she could rely on.

now, i know i always clown our girl but the way she literally could not believe the fact that he would have a mistress, despite him exhibiting such obvious signs already, must’ve been a big blow to her, and it just reminds me of how dependent she was on her, he was basically her EVERYTHING, and she literally had known nothing else BUT HIM her entire life.
it must’ve been as if her whole world and how she views it has collapsed.

on another note tho, i’m really glad that she’s accepted it and i’m interested to see how the author will progress the plot now!!!

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

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I remained struck stiff until the end of the third dance. 

Although the large hand that bound me must’ve been wearing gloves, the scorching body temperature seemed to be transmitted through the gloves without any hindrance. 

It was clear that the chaotic situation had already been sorted out, and when the song of the third dance was over, all attention would be drawn towards me.

‘No.’

I mustn’t draw attention to myself until I meet up with Novian…!

“Lady Marge, how…?”

“!”

He said Lady Marge. 

The man who called me by an unfamiliar name was Neil, a knight who had come to the Acacia mansion to conduct a survey. 

As Neil looked me up and down with wide eyes, his face turned red, as if he had just been slapped on the cheek. 

I finally came to my senses and tried to free my bound arms. 

When the strength behind the hot hands which seemed as if it would never loosen slowly lessened, I turned my head slightly to look at the person behind me.

My heart sank when I came face to face with those flashing red eyes. 

At the same time, the pupils of the man I had come across narrowed sharply.

‘This is the person who sent Neil.’

As I observed him, he also scanned me up and down, as expected. 

Slowly and tenaciously, his eyes dug between the gaps of my bewildered and flustered expression.

I hurriedly avoided his gaze and turned my head towards the front again. 

Then my arms which had been loosened again were held onto tightly again, his gleaming blond hair close enough to touch my temple.

He remained standing behind me and said.

“You looked like you needed some help.”

“!”

The Empire’s playboy. 

The imperial family’s problem. 

The demon of the battlefield. 

The red wolf that calls for blood. 

It was clear that the nicknames towards him I had seen whilst browsing the gossip magazines had not all been lies. 

Just who was the one that was bothering me right now, just who is the one who is binding a noblewife’s arm from behind and not letting go…!

No matter how loudly they played the dance music, if it weren’t for his knights that surrounded us, everyone would’ve caught sight of my face by now thanks to him.

“You seemed a little troubled without a partner.”

The voices of those around me were so melodic and foreign as they continued to speak per usual, as if they had never seen the situation of his subordinates moving, nor my partner from the beginning.

“…Do you need any help?”

“No!”

I shouted softly in accordance with the loudly resounding dance music. 

Neil, who was still hiding us, could be seen glancing over at us with a grievous expression on his face, as if trying to say that this wasn’t the right way to go about it.

Roadnez pulled me a little closer towards him. 

He was so close that I could feel every single breath he exhaled, from the top of my head to the nape of my neck.

I could feel the goosebumps swell up.

“…Do you need any help?”

The more gloomy his voice was, the more it made me anxious and persistently shake my head in reply.

The only thing I needed was for this man to disappear.

For this man to disappear, and go looking for Novian.

I heard the sound of the dance coming to an end soon afterwards.

And like a lie, his knights who had been covering us began to move away, one by one.

“W-Wait a minute! Please! Let go of me first!”

“…Do you need any help?”

A dreary, but polite voice continued to ring in my ears. 

The devil’s sweet whispers seemed as if they were forcing all the fine hairs on my body to stand on end and capture my entire body.

With the sound of the dance ending, I nodded my head in despair.

“Yes, I need help. So please, let go of me.”

Tak—.

As soon as I said those words while clenching my teeth, the hand that was holding me suddenly loosened its hold on me, as if it had never been there.

Soon after, the sound entering my frazzled ears became clear, as if I had come out from being submerged underwater, and the buzz of people’s murmuring could be heard from a short distance away.

“…!”

Roadnez stood before me with the same arrogant and cold expression he had worn before.

The knights who had hidden us were already scattered everywhere. 

His outstretched hand was suddenly in front of me. 

It was a large white gloved hand. 

My trembling line of sight followed upwards from his long arms and neck and finally rested on his overly beautiful face.

He was so tall that I had to raise my head in order to make eye contact with him.

I could feel the gaze of the people who were waiting for the fifth song to start turning towards him and his outstretched hands.

“Will you allow me the honour of being your first dance?”

It didn’t seem as if he had said these sorts of words to the girl he had first danced with either.

The red-eyed beast was so polite in the manner that he spoke to me to the point that almost made me feel arrogant.

Rejection would just garner more attention. I hurriedly grabbed the hand that was stretched out toward me. 

His tightly gripped hand led me to the center of the hall, as if it were as natural as the flow of the current.

The fifth dance began slowly, as if they were waiting for the both of us to find our place. 

Immediately, his hand touched my bare back. 

I stumbled slightly at the feeling of my hairs standing on end from head to toe, but since Roadnez was leading me naturally, no one noticed it at all.

Even as I felt his overbearing gaze on me, I diligently tried to focus my gaze on his body which was decorated full of medals instead.

Even though the activity required us to look at each other’s faces, I couldn’t bear to look at his face, so I just allowed my eyes to fall smoothly to his slender neck.

His hands which were resting on my bare back were as hot as when he had held my arms.

Furthermore, the tension of knowing that Novian could be watching this engulfed me completely.

‘The Second Prince, Roadnez.’

How in the world did this prince seem to know my original self, and why was he in the cemetery that night?

If Neil had reported that I was a maid called Marge to this prince, wouldn’t it have been normal for him to ask why a maid could attend this, or get mad at the fact that someone had deceived him?

‘Why on earth…’

As I fumbled through my thoughts for a long time, a man’s extremely low pitched voice flooded over my head along with his hot breath.

“Marge, I heard that you were of such low status that you weren’t even granted a surname.”

“…”

“I don’t know if this is any of my business, but…”

He lifted me lightly and spun me around. 

As a child, I had diligently learned how to dance, so although I faltered slightly at first, I immediately regained my balance.

Wearing a subtle expression on his face, a deep voice came out of Roadnez’s lips once more.

“I had my first dance with someone who looked similar to you, right here in this place.”

“Thank you for giving me those memories again, Countess Acacia.” He whispered in a lower voice.

“!”

I was struck slightly into shock. 

He had called me Countess Acacia without any hesitation immediately. 

The lie that was me being Countess Acacia’s maid, had of course, become useless. 

Since there was no way a maid could’ve dressed in these sorts of clothes and danced like that.

And… 

‘The original me danced with this prince?’

I had only ever danced here with Adrienne’s body once. 

It had been at my first debutante when I was 20 years old.

At the masquerade ball held every New Year.

‘Who had I danced with on that day?’

But the only people whom I had danced with on that day had been with my brother, Gregory and Novian though? 

Contrary to the heat of his hands which were touching my hands and back, he maintained an appropriate distance, neither too close nor too far apart. 

Just like Novian had when I first debuted. 

I tried to relax my tense body and to dance naturally until the end, trying to recall the memories of myself when I was an 18 year old debutant.

Roadnez and I danced so well together, as if we had always danced together every time, it was ridiculous.

It was around the end of the dance, when Roadnez tightened his hands on my waist and was about to ask me something again.

I felt a strange gaze on me and turned my head in its direction.

As I lifted my head past Roadnez’s sharp chin, my eyes met the exact same blue eyes of Novian, who was staring at Roadnez and I from atop the high staircase.

“!”

I was so shocked that I just stopped in place, but luckily the dance had already ended. 

I immediately pushed on Roadnez’s firm chest slightly and blended into the swarm of people as they dispersed to their original places.

It was considered extremely rude behavior.

“Lady!”

Although I heard Roadnez’s deep cry, my head went blank and I wasn’t able to think of anything when faced with Novian’s gaze.

‘You can’t miss this opportunity.’

I have to meet you.

I have to meet you and confirm whatever it is. 

Against the wave of people in search of a new partner to dance the sixth dance with, I continued to climb up the stairs.

*** 

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.wordpress.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

Having still missed Novian, I left the banquet hall and ran through the garden.

Despite shivering from the cold, my eyes darted here and there in order to find Novian.

Scanning the exterior walls of the party building and the places where the terraces were mainly clustered at, I saw him at one of the many terraces that lacked outer curtains.

As soon as I discovered the noticeable black hair that was just there all by itself, I climbed up the stairs as if I was a crazy woman.

As soon as I opened the emergency door, pulled back several of the blackout curtains, and entered the hallway on the second floor from which I had escaped from earlier, a cold hand quickly grabbed my forearm.

“Ack!”

In an instant, I was sucked into one of the curtained terraces.

***

“Are you going to continue acting in this manner, Blair?”

It was Novian who had caught me. 

A cold and deep voice. 

Before I could even get surprised, goosebumps erupted.

Cold?

Yes, of course, that was also true, but. 

It was still hard for me to believe that he, who on the first day of the funeral, pretended not to see me, yet could still call out Blair’s name correctly.

With both of my forearms held tightly together, I looked up at him.

‘Will you recognise me?’

Would he even know that Blair was acting a little different from usual?

Novian’s face was flushed red. 

The pungent smell of alcohol wafted through. He seemed to have drunk quite a bit. 

The arms that were holding on to me tightly without any hesitation and the lower body that was slowly getting closer.

My heartbeat was so loud, I could even hear it beating in my own ears.

Despite the terrace being as cold as the garden, I still felt as if I was sweating. 

Eyes that had darkened to black. Black hair that was roughly tied and tangled to the point it seemed as if it had never even been trimmed in the first place.

His deep swollen eyes seemed to have become even drearier.

It really wasn’t like him. 

It wasn’t the always perfect Novian Trovica.

“Have you even decided to not answer?”

He jerked up one corner of his mouth and smiled. 

It was definitely Novian, but it wasn’t the Novian I knew. 

He frowned momentarily at me, who didn’t answer him, then as if he was showing me mercy, tried to put on a gentle expression.

“The promise, aren’t you going to keep it?” 

Promise.

‘Just what the hell is that damn promise, to make you beg like this?’

Again, the voice that threatened to burst out.

Novian, what am I? 

What am I, for you to do this to me? Is Blair really your mistress? 

Are the words of Count Acacia, who’s already one step into the grave, really true?

I bit the words that threatened to burst out of my mouth, and slowly opened my mouth.

“…What promise?”

I decided to ask about the ‘promise’ that had tormented me for days. 

Novian’s hand that held onto my arm visibly tightened. To the extent of restricting my blood from circulating. 

His dark eyebrows twitched visibly. 

I looked at his face frantically, seeing a fierce look that I had never once seen before through Adrienne’s eyes.

“Are you going to play it like this?”

“…What, what promise?”

“The promise we made a year ago.”

‘So, just what sort of promise are you talking about, Novian?’

It has been two years since I had married Novian with Adrienne’s body. 

And Blair and Novian had made a promise a year ago. 

Just what in the world was that promise?

“Should I, who just lost my wife, have to say it with my own mouth?”

Novian erased his fierce expression from earlier and whispered sadly. 

Like a lie, his arms which had been holding onto me firmly, loosened.

He turned his long body away and lowered his head, gripping the terrace railing tightly instead of my arm. 

With an expression that seemed as if he was going to be sick.

I felt as if all the blood in my body was draining out when he said that he had lost his wife.

He was truly grieving. My heart started to beat faster.

“…Please tell me.”

But when else would I hear it, if not now?

At my insistence, he smiled, his shoulders shaking. 

However, he dropped his gaze to the garden under the terrace, not looking at my face until the end.

“I want to confirm it once again, so please tell me.”

I said once again, with more conviction. 

The hand holding the railing trembled, and then he suddenly approached me.

“If I ever lose my wife…” 

And then he said to me, in half a growl.

“…You said that you’d become my mistress completely.”

---

AHHHH PLS ADRIENNE WAKE THE FUCK UP ARC PLSDFJFDS i mean the cat’s out of the bag now so like,,,,she better get some MAJOR character development !!!

also i am fucking SCREAMING at the fact that she actually danced with roadnez as her first dance instead of weird ass groomer novian hELP IT’S SO CUTE HNGLSDKFJFDS
ALSO ROADNEZ IS SO SOCIALLY INEPT AND DENSE IT’S CUTE ???? LIKE HELP EVERYTIME HE KEPT ASKING HER ‘do you need any help?’ WAS SO FUNNY HLEPSLDFKJFSJD like if that happened to me irl i think i’d get fucking annoyed bc DUDE i said i wasn’t interest in a dance alr, go away hGNSDLFKDF but like in a story ??? CHEFS KISS HASDLFKJDJFS

support my kofi if u can hehehehe

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!

---

I couldn’t even sleep a wink at night. 

That’s right, I was nervous. 

Although I had already made my debut, at that time however, I had a chaperone as well as my father and brother resolutely supporting and guarding my back. But now… 

“D-Do I really have to go?”

“…”

“…Right, I should go.”

There was only Count Acacia, who was on the brink of death.

Since the majority of the immediate royal family was going to participate, I couldn’t go alone without a partner to such a big party.

Many other young ladies will also be making their debut here today.

Although it was an unspoken requirement to have a dashing gentleman escort you to the party, that was something I couldn’t choose.

I wore the most inconspicuous green dress Blair had ordered. 

Of course it didn’t match the debutante dress I would’ve normally imagined myself wearing since it had been chosen from among the many dresses which were ‘ordered by Blair’.

The back was cut deeply, as if there was no fabric, and the front was no better, so Yona had to sew it up using the trimmings from other dresses all night long.

If Marge hadn’t been able to find a suitable shawl early in the morning, I would’ve been dressed according to an evening party despite going to a debutante.

My face was also made up in a way I never would’ve in the past.

Although I had asked them not to do it too poorly, the maids, who were excited for their mistress’ first debutante, dressed me up extremely well.

The only thing that bothered me slightly was the makeup that seemed too heavy according to my standards, since I had asked them to do my makeup ‘like it was before’.

Blair seemed to have thought that her charm was her sensuality.

The alluring effect she had was one that was similar to those actresses that belonged to a theatre company who often appeared on the cover of the gossip tabloids or magazine covers.

It was a look that I would’ve never done on my original body, but it suited Blair when she ‘did what she used to’.

With this get up, even if they saw this figure, even those who knew Adrienne’s face to some extent wouldn’t be able to think of Adrienne at once. 

It’s the perfect way to break free from some of those prestigious nobles who might recognise me and sneak up on Novian. 

As soon as I got onto the carriage, Marge, Yona, and a few other maids clenched their fists and cheered me on.

Even the old butler’s eyes were shining as he stood from a distance away. 

The warm reception was different to when I first met them.

Despite the fact that I found myself unable to break free from the memories of my past, they continued to approach me, as if they were crossing the line, however, through their care of me, little by little, I gradually started to feel as if I was their mistress.

‘I think the biggest reason was probably because I was invited to the victory ceremony and brought ‘honour to the family’.’

I waved to them lightly. Yona liked it and jumped up and down. 

For some reason, I felt a strange, soft and mushy feeling in my heart. 

As I looked at them getting further and further away in the window, I heard the sound of Count Acacia taking a breath and sighing deeply as he looked at me.

When the carriage passed through the capital’s central square and reached the entrance of the imperial palace, where it began to get congested, the volume of that sigh reached its peak.

Furthermore, his face grew paler and paler the closer he got to the palace.

“I, Countess. If I happen to fall… Please don’t worry about me and go have fun.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hoo, hoo, hoo-!”

After taking several short breaths, Count Acacia took out a small cylindrical tin case from his breast pocket and poured it into his mouth. 

Smelling that pungent scent, it seemed like a drug that relieves tension.

Since it was something I had tried when I had small seizures, it was something I was extremely familiar with.

“Are you nervous?”

“What are you saying…!”

Count Acacia’s resentful amber eyes turned to me. 

I was no longer nervous or polite in front of him since he never once treated me like his wife.

“Lord God, all glory goes to you…may all our sins be forgiven through the sacrifice of your Lamb…”

Suddenly, he began to recite a series of Lord’s prayers. He must be extremely religious.

I sat up straight and watched Count Acacia’s aging hands clasped together as he recited prayers.

“Since you’re already married, even if you don’t have a chaperone, everyone will understand.”

“I know.”

I just said that I knew, yet your expression whilst looking at me seemed to ask how I could possibly know.

I guess if it was Blair, she wouldn’t have known.

I just shrugged my exposed shoulders. 

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.wordpress.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

The victory ceremony was held quite grandly, with carriages lined up from the entrance.

After waiting for a while, we finally stepped into the entrance. 

Although Blair herself wasn’t very tall, Count Acacia however, was quite short, and now that I had donned high heels, we were now around the same height.

The servant at the entrance of the party who rang the bell to announce who entered glanced at us with a very strange expression.

After the coachman handed over the invitation, the servant alternated between the guest list and our invitation for a while before ringing the bell and announcing us reluctantly.

“Announcing the Count Acacia couple!”

As expected, the party hall was boisterous and noisy with no one paying attention to the announcement of the Count Acacia couple.

When I had attended a few parties with Novian before my health deteriorated, it had been quiet when we showed up since everyone was paying attention to us.

Compared to that time, however, the occasional glances I could feel that were directed at me were of less interest than that which was directed at the champagne the servants were carrying.

We stood close to the wall, away from other people’s attention. 

All the while, Count Acacia’s arm which I was holding continued to tremble. 

The anxiety that had barely subsided within me was slowly increasing again because of the Count, and at this rate, I was bound to become as stressed as him.

“…Calm down, Count.”

“T-The Grand Duke doesn’t seem to have arrived yet.”

I tried to calm him down quietly from behind the fan, but the Count, who was far from calming down, suddenly startled himself when the word ‘Grand Duke’ came out of his mouth, and abruptly shut up.

It was approximately when he was trembling pitifully.

Ding-! Ding-! Ding-! 

The arrogant attendant that had been at the party entrance rang the bell three times. 

The people who had been sitting down on the chairs for a while suddenly jumped to their feet, and those who had been giggling along with them as friends suddenly shut their mouths, looking up at the stairway at the distant entrance.

“Announcing Your Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, masters of the Great Empire of Ronta! Announcing Your Highnesses, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, hope of the Empire! Lastly, announcing Your Highness the Second Prince, who accumulated honour by subjugating the rebels of the west and showed them the Empire’s might!”

Applause broke out once the aging Emperor and the young Empress who had just been crowned, entered at the same time.

The applause, which continued for the Crown Prince and his wife, reached its climax when the Second Prince, Roadnez appeared.

“Ah-! It’s my first time seeing His Highness, the Second Prince!”

“Me too. Wow… How is it possible for him to look as finely carved as a sculpture? By the way, his eyes…?”

“Shh! Be quiet!”

Amidst the chattering voices of the young ladies, I looked up at the man who showed an overwhelming presence with my eyes wide open.

When his gaze, which seemed as if he was looking for someone, skimmed through the entire hall, I hid behind Count Acacia and covered my face unconsciously with my fan.

Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump! 

My heart, which had already been filled with anxiety, suddenly started to beat like crazy.

It was my first time seeing the Second Prince, Roadnez, whose name was famous and held in high regard, in the flesh.

And the problem with the Second Prince was that…

‘Crazy.’

He was the very man who had cried in front of my tombstone not too long ago, as if the whole world had caved in!

I glanced over Count Acacia’s shoulder and pulled my eyes away. 

Roadnez was by far the most exceptional figure amongst the glittering royal family. 

Although the Crown Prince was also attractive, his beauty went beyond the bounds of what it meant to be ‘beautiful’.

With shining platinum blond hair, bright red eyes that flashed like a wild beast and melted languidly, an arrogant expression and sensual lips, he was the very image of what he was often called, a man of pleasure.

There’s no mistaking it.

The man I saw in the graveyard was obviously him.

“Then, I hope today we’ll be able to celebrate the joy of victory and enjoy it to the fullest!”

After giving his warm welcome, the Emperor patted Roadnez on the shoulder and congratulated him, raising a glass of champagne and toasting.

Everyone gathered in the hall also toasted in unison.

“Glory to God! Prosperity in Ronta! Loyalty to the Emperor!”

“Glory to God! Prosperity in Ronta! Loyalty to the Emperor!”

A round of applause erupted once again. Everyone laughed with champagne in their mouths.

The Emperor and Empress, who looked at the crowd below happily, nodded slightly before going up the stairs to sit at their designated seats.

As the band situated at the bottom of the stairs started to tune their instruments in unison, people made space and cleared out the centre of the hall, as if they were waiting for something.

The Second Prince, Roadnez, who was the main character of the victory ceremony, along with the Crown Prince and his wife, descended down the stairs to the main hall.

Soft squeals poured out from wherever Roadnez’s line of sight happened to linger on.

“!”

I grabbed onto Count Acacia’s arm, trembling unconsciously.

Those bright red eyes looked straight at me! 

When our eyes met, I felt as if I had merely become prey in front of a wild beast. 

The arrogant and cold expression on Roadnez’s face cracked slightly.

‘No way, no way! Don’t come over here!’

At this point, I couldn’t tell if it was me or the Count who was trembling.

Although the things we were afraid of were different, we shared the same feeling.

I had barely managed to obscure my face which had turned deathly pale behind my fan and hidden behind Count Acacia, who was already shaking like an aspen tree, before people suddenly began to chatter noisily.

Roadnez, who had clearly seen my face, casually looked down at a young girl who had approached him and asked for a dance.

Even though his face was excessively stiff, the blonde girl grabbed his hand, the tips of her ears red as she walked to the centre of the hall.

When the band started playing, the Crown Prince couple as well as the Second Prince’s pair both started to dance in unison.

“Haa-.”

That was a close call. Contrary to my worries, he didn’t seem to recognise me. 

Anyhow, the person in the graveyard at that time was the mysterious Second Prince, Roadnez… 

As the waltz’s melody reached its climax, I secretly pulled my eyes away and turned my gaze towards the centre of the hall. 

Although the girl stumbled occasionally, Roadnez really danced to the music perfectly. 

The young ladies around me let out a deep sigh whenever his hand touched the girl’s waist or shoulder.

“Ughhh-.”

And beside me was Count Acacia, who wiped away his cold sweat with a strange moan.

We also had to go out to dance soon.

After the first dance of the hosts, the party’s rule is for the guests to immediately pour into the hall and dance with their partners.

“Is everything okay?”

After I calmed down, I turned my attention to the Count.

“Ah… I’m, I’m sorry.”

The Count had a genuinely apologetic expression.

The first dance was already over. 

Perhaps it was because the Count had barely finished wiping off his cold sweat after being hit by the waves of nobles rushing onto the dance floor, like a flood.

“T-The Grand Duke…”

Count Acacia, who had raised his head to some point, eventually… 

“Kyaaaa-!”

“Sir!”

“Count!”

In a small voice that only I could hear, he begged, ‘Save me, save me…’, and collapsed. 

The second dance’s song was fast and extremely grand, so the commotion only caused a small disturbance on the side.

I quickly tried to help Count Acacia up, but he just sat down, slumped against the wall and unable to get up.

No one willing stepped forward to interfere, so only after hearing commotion from the shallow screams from the elderly noblewomen, a night came and laid the count down.

Shortly thereafter, several knights who came with him carried the Count off to the common room. 

Although I should’ve followed them, I had completely come to a stop and couldn’t do anything.

“…!”

In the midst of the crowd, someone from behind crossed my arms and held me lightly with one hand. 

My shawl fell off, goosebumps erupting in an instant as my bare back was revealed.

Although it wasn’t painful, the strength of the man was so overwhelming that I couldn’t even budge.

I was so startled that I couldn’t even scream and stiffened.

The scent of lavender mixed with cigars suddenly engulfed the tip of my nose.

“…Found you.”

At the same time, a deep voice which seemed as if it shook the ground, pierced my ears.

---

and that ends my rmhm mass release spree, MWAHAHAHAHA leave u guys on a cliff hanger hASDLKFJFD

ALSO EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU TO THE ARTIST BC THAT ILLUSTRATION MMHM THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD MAAM THAT COMPROMISING POSITION PLUS THAT SIZE DIFFERENCE PLUS HIS HAND ON HER FACE AHHHHHH YES OUR FL MET ROADNEZ I WANNA SAY ML BUT IDK IF HE IS HASDLFKJSDFJ um i MAY HAVE GOTTEN BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH WHEN I SAW HIM ???? GOD HE MAKES ME FEEL SO JITTERY GN HE IS SO MF FINE IF ADRIENNE DON’T WANT HIM ILL TAKE HIM

also i just realised that i never once wondered where tf the original blair went ?? so maybe she’ll pop up into the story later hASLDKFJDF

also the fact that sis had to go to a debutante with her old ass husband i— i can’t tell if it’s a good thing that ppl didn’t pay attention to the fact that she entered with a dude old enough to be her dad/granddaddy bc of the time period of arranged marriages and parents that basically just saw their daughters as bargaining chips to sell of in marriage but hASDLKJSDF

also here’s a comment i found on naver which i thought was really funny hASDLFKDFJ

glor****: …found you.


my male lead.

this is my daily manifest for adrienne to wake tf up and pick roadnez over our shitty husband novian ❤ bae pls wake up im still waiting for ur girlboss arc pls tell me it’s happening, pls don’t let me down </3 don’t expect chapters for 1—2 weeks, i’m tired of adrienne’s shit hASLDFKJFD IM TIRED OF WAITING FOR HER GIRLBOSSIFICATION </3

as always comment below and donate to the kofi if u can hALSDKFJDFS

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proof reader and editor!

---

Yona looked up blankly at the mistress in front of her. It was the same for Marge, the head maid. 

An upright posture. A low pitched voice which was eerily subdued. 

Their mistress was scolding one of the attendants in the boutique, just like one of those ‘noble ladies’ that came from outstanding aristocratic households.

She wasn’t being unreasonable or causing a ruckus like she normally would, but was ‘rebuking’ them instead.

Adrienne herself was personally pointing every little thing on the bill and matching it with what it corresponded with on the dress.

“You said that this was an S-grade emerald?”

“Y-Yes, it’s obviously…”

“Obviously?”

He had already received criticism for three or four of the dresses, but Matias still tried to deny it one more time.

Adrienne directly tapped a rather large green jewel that was on the chest section with her finger.

“So you’re saying that, in your eyes, this is an S-grade emerald.”

“I, I’m merely in charge of transporting the goods, so I’m not too knowledgeable about the grading of the jewels, Miss.”

“Then you should let me tell you.”

Adrienne leaned towards the servant who had folded his waist in half, bringing her face closer to his.

Matias flinched when he met the twinkling light green eyes. 

He had never seen a noble lady’s face from this close of a distance, furthermore one that was filled with hostility.

“Look at it properly.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Because the colour of an emerald of the finest grade is just like this.”

Adrienne used her eyes to gesture at it as she said so.

When the rough dark green emerald gemstone is cut again and again, a special liquid is poured into it and crafted, a light green emerald tinged with the clearest turquoise colour of the highest grade is born.

There was no way Matias could have known. 

He had merely ordered for someone to replace it with an emerald of a lower grade.

Furthermore, the original emerald had obviously been extremely similar to the colour of Countess Acacia’s eyes.

“Y-Yes…”

“I really can’t believe it.”

Adrienne sighed lowly and looked at the rest of the dresses. 

Each one was gorgeous and beautiful, but some of the jewels on them were subtly different from the ones on the bill.

In some cases, there were even gems that looked closer in appearance to the original uncrafted gemstone.

A quick glance through the order merely yielded a form full of scribbles that had just simply said, ‘with the most expensive item’.

It was a common order for people who didn’t have an eye for such things. Or people who didn’t need to worry about the price.

Of course, Blair had been the former.

She wouldn’t have known, so she would’ve wanted the best, the most expensive item.

However, Adrienne, who had to maintain her dignity as a princess from a very young age without a mother to guide her, was different. 

After following her brother’s fiancee, Bianca, for a while, she had developed a good eye for picking reasonably good items.

Even though the Duchy of Piretta was the richest in the east, she still didn’t want to be scammed of her money, simply because she ‘didn’t know’.

“Ah, in any case, I must’ve brought the wrong one, Miss. I’ll bring Miss a new dress by this evening.”

“It’s fine.”

Matias signed in relief when the lady shook her head quietly.

Madame LeBlair was a famous designer in the capital, someone whom all the noblewomen wanted to get close with.

Since it was the fault of an employee, she probably wouldn’t bother complaining to her about it.

Just as he had thought of such frightening thoughts, Countess Acacia said with a smile.

“I’d like a refund for the ones that were replaced with those of lower grades, and I’ll have to get an apology from Madame herself.”

“Pardon?!”

Madame LeBlair, Matias’ master, was never aware of this fact.

The fact that he makes money by swapping the jewels on a few of the noblewomen’s dresses.

However, if this noble lady suddenly asked for a refund just because of that, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches Madame LeBlair’s ears.

He clutched his trembling hands and politely asked.

“T-This is all my fault, Miss. Please let go of your anger and leave this to me! I’ll speak directly to the jeweler who supplied us this jewel, and of course, I’ll give madam a proper explanation when I bring your dress to you again!”

I have to swap the gems again, before Madame finds out.

That one thought dominated Matias’ head. 

There’s still a chance to solve it. 

If only I could take these hangers with me and change the jewelry again!

“No, I have no complaints about the dress. I just want the difference to be refunded since I paid too much for gems of this grade. If it was only a matter of giving me back the money, then I wouldn’t have made it this troublesome. However, since this is a matter of trust, if Madame doesn’t have enough time, I’ll also accept a letter of apology.”  

[ / / / ]

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.wordpress.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

“Mrs Marge, did you see that employee’s face earlier?”

“He looked like he was dying-. Madam, if you didn’t like the dress, you could’ve sent it back and received an even more luxurious dress as an apology, so why did you do that?”

Marge’s expression was extremely bright while bantering back and forth with Yona, even as she asked why I had done that.

Perhaps because of my sudden change, Marge, who occasionally toed the line by calling me Miss, had somehow suddenly called me Madam one day and treated me tenderly.

“Well, if I were to wear a dress with an emerald of the best class in my current case, I’d only receive a bunch of useless attention.”

Although the behavior of the staff was disgraceful, the end result had still been pretty satisfactory.

I relaxed my body, which I had focused a lot of strength and willpower on in order to show my dignity in front of the servants.

I was drunk on Blair’s healthy body which hardly ever felt fatigued.

It was like a dream. Although it had only been for a short while, I felt as if I had returned to the time when I had been healthy.

However, will there even be enough money within the County’s finances to spend on the already married Countess’ debut?

Although there weren’t many people within high society who knew what Grand Duchess Adrienne’s face looked like, wouldn’t it be troublesome if I met someone who recognised me?

However, making a debut couldn’t be avoided.

It was very unusual for Blair, who didn’t come from a noble background, to become the wife of the elderly Count Acacia, furthermore without even making her debut.

‘And I have to somehow find a way to meet Novian using this debutante season.’

“Nothing good comes out of receiving unnecessary attention. It’s enough just to show your face.”

“P-Pardon~?”

“Why… Why are you looking at me like that?”

Marge and Yona had the exact same expressions on their face as they looked at me, looks that said ‘Hey, I thought you always liked to be in the spotlight, no matter the time and place?’.

I turned my body slightly to avoid them, who had gotten used to putting their hands on my forehead.

It was still somewhat awkward being called ‘madam’ and being treated kindly after living a life as a princess and grand duchess.

I chuckled as I glanced at the dress hangers that I had put inside with an awkward gaze.

“N-Now that I look closely, aren’t these too revealing to be worn to a debutante?”

“Yes, it’s made exactly to your preferences.”

Yona answered brightly.

Ah, the dresses that had deep cuts in both the front and back must’ve been the shit that Blair added in.

I touched my head and wondered if there was a shawl that would be able to match it.

However, as soon as I recalled some of the shawls I had seen in the boutique, I had the impression of an opera singer, or some sort of flashy figure.

I shook my head in resignation.

“If you walk around dressed like that, instead of being inconspicuous, you’ll have all sorts of eyes following you.”

“Didn’t you always say that ‘To not show off such beauty is a sin.’?”

Yona said with a twinkle in her eyes. 

Blair, this woman, just how many shameful words and actions did she have?

Although clothes are clothes, in order to meet Novian, who only participates in big parties, there was no better place to make a debut than the victory ceremony I had seen in the gossip tabloid earlier.

“I have to attend the victory ceremony…”

As soon as those words came out, Marge had an embarrassed expression that seemed to say, ‘so you had another dream like that?’, while Yona had a slightly awkward face.

“I, but… The victory ceremony is tomorrow. Madam…”

“Hmm?”

So we’re pressed for time. Thankfully I had a dress to wear though.

“There’s no invitation…”

“What?”

But I have to meet Noah soon!

So you’re saying that she didn’t even get an invitation?

Was she not invited since her origins were too lowly?

Although it was clearly an invitation that was easy to receive when I had been a Grand Duchess, it clearly must’ve not been the case here.

“What about the Count?”

“Pardon? The master was in the study the whole time…”

“I’m going to ask him if there’s any other way.”

I got up in a hurry and left the drawing room. 

Tomorrow is the day of the victory ceremony.

Does Count Acacia have the power to receive an invitation to such a grand ceremony in such short notice?

As I climbed the stairs in a rush, the old butler rushed in from the entrance of the mansion.

“Madam! Madam!! Madam, madam!!”

As I stopped and looked down, Marge, snatched the small piece of paper from the butler’s hands and waved it around with an excited expression on her face.

“Heavens! It came! It’s come! An invitation to the victory ceremony has even come to the Acacia County! What an honour!”

“What…?”

You’re saying that an invitation from the imperial family came at this time at night?

I thought I would’ve had to write some kind of report to beg Count Acacia…

“You’ll be able to attend the ball tomorrow right away! Heavens, I’ve worked here for over 30 years, but this is the first time the Countess has been invited to such a big ball!”

Attracted by Marge’s loud voice, the servants all rushed out and tried to sneak a look at the invitation. 

Perhaps because she couldn’t open it before me, Marge cheered as she waved the invitation she hadn’t even opened with a flushed face.

The face of Marge, who was leading the servants around like the Pied Piper, seemed genuinely happy.

I grabbed the railing with trembling hands, looking down at the servants who were rejoicing together.

‘Is this perhaps sent by Novian?’

After living in anguish for a few days, I had finally come to the conclusion that I wanted to confirm it directly with Novian in person.

‘Noah, I need to hear it directly from you.’

I won’t believe what anyone else says.

The time we spent together and our relationship with each other isn’t something that can be broken easily just from a few words from strangers whom I’ve met for the first time.

Right?

---

i can’t believe i thought sis would finally wake up last chapter, but turns out she still hasn’t mf gotten it thru her head,,, UGH THOSE LAST LINES JUST ERADICATED ALL MY BRAIN CELLS PLS god i hate it here.

n e ways, here’s me praying for fl’s girlbossification next chapter, and once again, #adriennewaketfupgirlie2021 pls & ty hASDLFKSDF

this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proof reader, and editor.

---

The Count’s pleading voice didn’t go through.

Rather, I suddenly remembered the firm words Bianca had told me before I became the Grand Duchess.

‘Rienne, even if the Grand Duke happened to have a mistress… just pretend like you don’t know.’

Since everyone would keep their mouths shut, and he would still have another lover.

This had been what Bianca had given as advice to me, who didn’t have a mother.

Those words that I hadn’t kept in my mind at that time, along with the Count’s weeping, echoed in my heart.

What was worse was that on top of that, when I had been insecure due to my sick body, so weak that I was unable to prop myself up on the bed with my own strength… 

‘If you had kept another healthy and beautiful woman as your mistress, how could I possibly tell you not to?’

I guess it was inevitable for me to also have those sort of thoughts at times.

So, even though I was suffering alone, I was able to feel reassured and repeat our secure relationship in my mind through presents and letters that were full of love.

Because he was always so sweet, so warm.

Because he treated me so delicately, as if I was a marionette made of glass.

‘But why?’

Why did Novian have a mistress who resembled me this much?

The same face, height, body shape, even the colour of our eyelashes was the same.

Just what did you discover was so new from this woman?

If it was black hair, then this country was overflowing with them.

Most of those passing by outside had brown or black hair.

Did she happen to catch Novain’s eye, just because he happened to have such terribly consistent preferences?

Then, what were the affectionate feelings that he and I had shared all this time?

We could’ve had sex if he really wanted to.

When we were on our honeymoon, when we had just been newlyweds, my body wasn’t going to shatter as if it was glass yet.

‘Because you’re precious to me.’

Those words which had warmed the anxious body and mind of the new bride, had let me to believe that this man was going to be my companion, whom I would be able to fully trust and my heart with.

At 20 years old, I had still been young. 

At 28, he was already much older than me. 

Everyone in the aristocratic circles was well aware of the fact that Grand Duke Novian, who had a young bride, was extremely devoted to his wife and in-laws, the Piretta Duchy.

Adrienne was the beloved Grand Duchess. 

At least it seemed so from her husband, Novian Trovica. 

[ / / / ]

pls do not share this anywhere or the transmigration gods will transport u into boku no pico !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.wordpress.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:

On a cold windy day.

Neil felt a terrible chill and was more nervous than ever. 

His master, Roadnez, hadn’t been able to fall asleep ever since he returned to the capital.

His reaction had been so big that anyone would’ve thought that he was the husband of the Grand Duchess Trovica.

Although everyone had merely thought that it had been due to the Mad Dog Prince’s odd whims, Neil, who had served him closely for two years, had a different opinion.

Roadnez had clearly received a huge shock upon hearing the death of the Grand Duchess.

The reason had been very easy to understand. 

Right in front of his very own eyes, a wind, colder than the northern Trovica estate, was blowing right now.

“Duke.”

This was because, within the very imperial palace in which he was meant to be respected and honoured in, Roadnez was facing his uncle with a cold expression on his face, his bare body wrapped in bandages with only a jacket to cover him and a cast on his arm.

‘Please don’t say anything weird and just walk past him.’

Neil who was standing behind him, held his breath in the unusual atmosphere. 

Grand Duke Novian’s haggard face was so precariously distraught that anyone who saw him would want to comfort him.

The Grand Duke bowed his head slightly first.

He looked gaunt, dark circles underneath his blue eyes which were normally always sharp and cold.

On the other hand, Roadnez, who was equally haggard and gaunt, but seemed to have all kinds of airs, did not bow his head. 

His eyes which shone a bright red in the light, dared to look down at his uncle who was of similar height to him.

‘Is Adrienne Piretta really dead?’

All you have to do is spit out that one sentence. 

Contrary to the arrogant expression on his face, Roadnez’s mouth was completely dry and he couldn’t seem to be able to open his mouth.

“I heard that they were holding some useless event called a victory ceremony…”

“Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness.”

“Of course, the Grand Duke will brighten up the place.”

“…”

Neil tugged at Roadnez’s jacket slightly from behind, as if to tell him not to open his mouth, but his lips didn’t stop.

“I’ll be disappointed if you don’t come, especially since I won the battle due to the troops you dispatched to the battlefield.”

“I understand, however…”

Novian’s blue eyes swiveled to look directly at Roadnez.

“I’m in mourning right now.”

“…”

“I have to guard my wife’s last path she’ll walk on, so I’ll be leaving court for now.”

Novian’s harsh voice echoed through the chilly hallway soon after.

Roadnez forcibly kept his head up.

The last path.

Those words deafened his ears.

“…I’ll go pay my condolences then.”

Novian forced a smile onto his lips. 

It was unknown whether that smile was out of gratitude or not.

Novian, who had a subtle and sorrowful smile, bowed his head and left. 

With trembling hands and feet, Neil, who had been watching this senseless fight, moved closer to Roadnez who was still standing tall and motionless.

“Haven’t you already paid your condolences, Your Highness?”

“Since I haven’t confirmed the corpse yet, it doesn’t count as paying condolences.”

“The Grand Duke must’ve already been informed of Your Highness’ attendance.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“But, Your Highness, after the first day of the funeral, the Grand Duke hasn’t taken out the corpse again.”

Vincento, who had been quiet, spoke up.

“…”

“He told the Emperor directly and said that he didn’t want the Grand Duchess’ corpse to become a spectacle.”

“Woah, isn’t that coming off too strongly? As expected of the romantic of the century…”

“But I wonder how many days the Grand Duke will be able to last? After all, this is still a mandated tradition that even the deceased Empress Lettina couldn’t avoid. If you wish to pay your respects formally, just follow the official procedures.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“Pardon…?”

“There’s no way that bastard will let go of her dead body.”

“What sort of…”

As if letting out a breath he had been holding back for a long time, Roadnez let out a deep sigh while combing his fingers through his hair and abruptly opened his mouth again.

“…Send an invitation to that damn victory ceremony to the estate of Count Acacia.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Wouldn’t they be absent since they’re a vassal of the Grand Duke?”

Even the master had said he wouldn’t attend, so how was it possible for a vassal to haha hihi hoho laughing and talking there?

Neil muttered back and forth with Vincento for a while before looking up at Roadnez abruptly again.

“Perhaps…?”

“The lady of the house is a young woman. Then there should be at least one maid that will accompany her.”

Neil and Vincento both stopped at the same time and opened their eyes wide.

“Are you going to meet Lady Marge in person?”

“Why the Acacia County’s maid all of a sudden…!”

Roadnez, who had stood tall, staring at the hallway where the Grand Duke had disappeared, suddenly disappeared in the other direction without answering their questions.

[ / / / ]

I shut myself in the mansion for a while in shock.

Although I was browsing through the newspapers and gossip magazines that Marge had brought me, my will had disappeared and my body, which had been brimming with strength, suddenly sagged.

“A ball to be held to commemorate the victory of His Highness, the Second Prince, Roadnez. The recently trending dress and hat brands that will captivate and capture the mysteriously beautiful yet dangerous single prince will be…?!” 

All I could see whilst browsing the gossip tabloids was news about Roadnez, the Second Prince.

The news of him returning to the capital earlier than expected after recently wiping out all traces of the western rebels and the remnants of their troops seemed to be of considerable interest to the aristocrats.

That was understandable.

The Second Prince, Roadnez, hadn’t been back to the capital in these few recent years.

With the Crown Prince and his wife taking the lead with external activities, the princes and princesses underneath them didn’t show their faces here and there unless they had other people who they were privately acquainted with.

Although the Second Prince, Roadnez, was rumored to be such an exceptional figure that he appeared frequently in the gossip tabloids, he still preferred to roam around the battlefield in order to accumulate merits instead of at a party with dancing and music.

Perhaps the moment the Crown Prince, who is also his older brother, ascends to the throne, he would be recognised for his achievements and receive a fief as a Grand Duke or Duke, just like Altoran.

‘Just like Novian.’

My heart suddenly felt stuffy as soon as I thought of Novian.

“I don’t want to be involved in this anymore. I don’t want to be stuck like this between the two of you. Wasn’t the reason why we had that nonsensical wedding between you and I in the first place, just so you could legally become the Grand Duke’s mistress?”

Count Acacia had told me about it plainly.

The reason Blair married him was to become Novian’s “legitimate” mistress.

‘It’s not even funny.’

There’s no such thing as a legal mistress in the first place.

That meant that he had just tacitly gone according to the custom within high society, which was to not take unmarried men or women as an outside lover.

This empire was truly broadminded, to be so tolerant to having outside lovers, even if their partner was standing right in front of them, to even wash away the guilt of having one by specifying that only those who were already married were qualified to be mistresses.

“Ha-”

Although it was a position I wasn’t aware would make me feel so dirty and disgusting until later, that was how everyone lived.

Everyone… 

“Madam. The dresses you were fitted for have arrived.”

“Dress?”

It was the maid Yona, who broke my pessimistic thoughts that followed. 

It was Yona, who was in charge of me along with the head maid, Marge, the child who talks to me often despite being so afraid of Blair before.

“Yes, I tweaked it just as you ordered it last time.”

I thought of the things that were crammed into the dressing room. 

As Adrienne, I rarely ever wore clothes that were made for outside wear.

However, although I had received quite a few clothes from Novian in the name of maintaining dignity, Blair had an absurd amount of clothes for the size of this mansion.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to make your debut this season?”

Yona asked curiously when I furrowed my eyebrows and didn’t think to answer.

A debutante.

Originally, a debutante is not just held once, but throughout the season at parties.

Of course, the original me didn’t participate in many parties since I received a proposal letter from Novian right after my first debutante.

“I…haven’t even made my debut yet?”

“Didn’t I just say that?”

“Aren’t I already twenty two years old?”

“That’s right! You felt so mortified and depressed since you weren’t able to even hold a single debutante at the age of twenty two so you told the Count that you’d burn down the entire mansion if he didn’t prepare for it properly.”

My face turned red in an instant.

Although it wasn’t actually me who said it, the embarrassing thing was that I had actually possessed this sort of person.

What the hell was this Blair woman thinking to have said that? 

In any case, it’s clear that she’s not of noble origin anyways.

“So…where are my dresses now?”

[ / / / ]

Matias, who worked in Madame LeBlair’s boutique, swallowed his saliva dryly.

The reason was because Countess Acacia, who was called the pushover amongst pushovers, was furrowing her eyebrows while looking at the bill today for some reason.

Although she didn’t have an eye for products and was a pushover, she still had a formidable temper.

He felt dizzy just remembering when she had thrown a perfume bottle at his head after blaming him for the insufficient dress hemming.

‘But so what if you know?’

Although it was impossible to deceive the outstanding noble ladies, the humble families that tried to chase after the trends of the great nobles were perfect prey.

All it took for them to start nodding their heads was a short, ‘It’s because you don’t know what you’re talking about, if we’re talking about this part…’, and they were fooled, deceived by the fancy rhetoric since they felt inferior.

Countess Acacia was exactly one of these customers. 

It was because after placing an order for ‘the best thing’ or ‘the most impressive thing’, they still weren’t able to tell if the gem was real or not, since it didn’t fit their budget.

However… 

“Ha, this scam, I’m done with trying to do this legally.”

The cold voice of Countess Acacia, the pushover amongst pushovers, resounded through the main hall.

---

hmmmm how we feeling abt this chapter babes ???? not sure if our dear fl has gotten it through her THICK FUCKING SKULL YET that ml is a PIECE OF FUCKING SHIT ????? turns out our dear fucking novian, made blair marry old fart just so he could take her as a mistress according to the aristocratic traditions.

my blood still boils at the fact that novian still pretends to be a good fucking husband to adrienne but im happy that my boy roadnez got screentime YASSS GO GIVE US NOTHING SO FAR KING !!! will our fl and roadnez finally meet at the victory ceremony ???

also i’m looking forward to our girl schooling this small boutique worker matias for scamming her! im also excited to see how fl will develop as a character after she gets rid of her lingering feelings for shithead novian and the backstory of why roadnez is so intrigued with adrienne and HOW TF THIS MANS, GRAND DUKE NOVIAN, FOUND A LITERAL CLONE OF ADRIENNE ????? also what the fuck the promise is between them!!!

as always, i love ur comments bc they crack me up hALSKDJFFSDJ if you haven’t, join the discord server for update pings, link is on the homepage, plus buy me a coffee if you can! see u next time, hopefully our girlie adrienne will be woken the fuck up next chapter too !!! until next time !!!

#adriennewakethefuckupgirlie2021 PLSSSS

---

Ever since attending my own funeral, I behaved as if I was a crazy woman all day. 

I would wake up in the morning with a healthy body and feel happy, then cry myself to sleep at night… 

When I got out of bed, I would absentmindedly read the newspapers and gossip tabloids over and over again. 

News of me no longer appeared in the Empire Daily. 

Not only that, but whenever I had the time, I would take out the card that came with Novian’s handwriting and read it over and over again.

‘Just what in the world was the promise between Noah and Blair?’

Although the message didn’t contain a greeting or closing remark, it still made me feel oddly anxious.

Novian was a man who abided by courtesy, even if it was towards someone who didn’t possess an aristocratic title or came from a humble household.

According to what I knew, there weren’t any friends he disregarded courtesy with either. 

“Friends?”

Blair Acacia, whose name wasn’t even worth mentioning in gossip tabloids, was his friend?

Besides, the Novian who had a personality that didn’t allow him to get friendly with women, was friends with Blair?

“Relatives?”

He belonged to royalty.

If they were relatives, Blair would also have to be royalty.

Then, it wouldn’t have been possible for Count Acacia to marry a beautiful young woman whose value was equal to that of the royal family.

“Colleagues?”

Judging by the shocked reactions of the people in the mansion every time I read a newspaper or book, it seems that Blair wasn’t a very intelligent person.

The kind of people that Novian, who graduated as the Academy’s valedictorian, despised the most, was also people who lacked a brain.

Just judging from Marge’s attitude, that seemed to act too casually with me, wasn’t that the case?

Marge, the head maid, wasn’t a bad woman, but she wasn’t very courteous either.

It wasn’t to the extent where I found it offensive, since I had already experienced the shrewd and manipulative madis of the Grand Duchy, rather, although she was only a countess, I secretly looked down on the way Marge treated Blair as if she were only her niece.

I slowly approached the mirror and looked at my reflection. 

Even from my perspective, Blair was extremely beautiful.

It was due to the fact that she bore such a chilling resemblance to me.

After all, I hadn’t been called ‘the Grand Duchess whom Novian, the Iron Chancellor, fell in love with at first sight’ for nothing.

If it weren’t for my weak body that constantly seemed as if were going to crumble, I would’ve been overflowing with the energy that people my age would’ve had.

It wasn’t because my body had a flaw nor was it because my appearance was lacking.

‘You must have looked stupid.’

tl/n: she’s referring to blair

But that wasn’t the case anymore. 

Since albeit only for a short while, I had also attended the academy and had even been prided as the only woman in Ronta who could speak  on equal footing with Novian.

In fact, I could feel that the way the servants in the County looked at me was a bit different from before.

I hadn’t only been acting like a crazy woman over the past few days. 

I had instructed for the bedroom that was full of that terrifying pink and the drawing room to be changed slightly and distributed the butler’s work a bit as his workload seemed too heavy.

Marge became more cheerful as the colour pink gradually disappeared from the house whilst colour seemed to return to the old butler’s face.

Contrary to the Grand Duchy’s servants who never tried to interact with me properly, more and more people had gradually started asking me what to do with this that.

It was clear that they too, needed someone to properly manage the house. 

Although I wasn’t sure what I would do in the future, when I first started interacting with them, I wondered whether I could get attached to the servants of this mansion.

‘I need to find out, quickly.’

Just what sort of promise was between Blair and Novian?

Novian had personally extended an invite to his vassal’s wife, and even after delivering such a peculiar message, never came to find me. 

It bothered me that even after he did something that wasn’t like him, he didn’t show any other suspicious behaviours. 

Since he didn’t seem surprised to see this face at the funeral, he clearly must’ve known Blair.

‘If you saw me from up close, would you know that I’m Adrienne?’

I was thrilled with the odd expectation that he would recognize me if he just looked a little closer. 

tl/n: omg bruh girlie is so delusional pls #getittogetheradrienne2021

How many years had we spent together?

It was time that surpassed any limit. 

I couldn’t wait for Novian, who hadn’t even promised to meet me, to contact me first.

‘I have to go find Noah.’

But how? 

Without the seal of Count Acacia, it was impossible for a letter that was sent from me to get past the front door and into the Grand Duchy.

As I strolled through the Count’s simple garden, I paid close attention to whether there was anyone else coming to hand me another note.

Shortly thereafter, a loud noise sounded from nearby as Marge whose face was flushed ran into the garden.

“Gosh, I was wondering where you had gone off to again this time! You should’ve told me where you were going!”

“What is it?”

“The master has returned! He seemed to think that you’d be out instead of in the garden though?”

 “!”

“Since master has finally returned to the mansion after a few months, shouldn’t you hurry up and go see him?”

“…Did he ask to see me?”

“What do you mean? You should still go, even if he didn’t ask to see you. That’s what a married couple is normally like!”

Right, that’s the way it is. 

The things I had to do as someone’s wife were still unfamiliar to me.

Count Acacia, who had been away from the mansion, had finally returned after several months… 

After hesitating for a while, I nodded and followed Marge to the office on the 3rd floor. 

Although the sudden appearance of a new husband was had made me slightly flustered, it might not be such a bad thing.

After all, if you think about it differently, he’s the person who can give me the most information about Blair Acacia right now.

[ / / / ]

Knock knock-.

The door was already open wide enough for it to be embarrassing to knock.

The office was monotonous.

A desolate space with no paintings or vases. 

It greatly contrasted with Blair’s bedroom, which was filled with all kinds of beautiful things.

Leaving Marge outside, I cautiously stepped in and saw Count Acacia leaning against a large window next to the desk in the office. 

He was standing by the window and looking outside.

Since it was my first time facing Count Acacia ever since I had entered Blair’s body, I was slightly nervous.

“Count.”

“…Countess.”

“You’re back.”

I bowed my head slightly towards the Count who turned his head at the sound of my footsteps. 

The feeble Count Acacia bowed slightly to me with a hunched posture.

Then, he sat down naturally on the sofa and beckoned for me to sit down as well. 

It was then, when I had let down my guard and relaxed due to the friendly appearance he had shown me.

“Have you met the Grand Duke?”

In an instant, there was silence. 

My heart was pounding quickly and cold sweat was seeping out of my hands. 

I didn’t answer at once. 

Without neither affirming or denying it, I just stared at the Count. 

As I was trying to figure out what I should say, his amber eyes which seemed to be looking at a disobedient daughter, swept over me.

The fact that a vassal’s face could be so calm, despite it seeming as though his wife had gone out without even a single maid, and in addition, could even ask if she had gone to meet his master, was extremely bizarre.

“…No.”

I, who had been stiff with confusion and nerves, finally managed to open my mouth. 

Then, a short sigh of a voice came from the opposite side.

“Are you not going to keep your promise to the Grand Duke…?”

I felt my heart drop to the floor with a thud. 

My whole body stiffened as I sat with a straightened back.

There was no sign of contempt or anger on the face of the Count whom I had just met.

As expected, he asks me about Novian and whether I’ve met him or not.

Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump!

My heart that felt like it had dropped started beating faster. 

Blair, who was from a lowly family and may have been a commoner.

And Count Acacia who respects her like that. 

A conversation that doesn’t feel as if it were between a couple at all.

And if I’m not mistaken, his face is slightly pale and tired.

‘Like a man who’s scared to death.’

“…What promise?”

Just what was that promise? 

Did Novian, who was so careful he didn’t even leave behind his name on the note, tell this vassal know about the promise as well?

The Count looked startled at my words. 

And whilst clutching his heart, he stood up feebly and walked to stand in front of me. 

Although it was only a short distance, even that much seemed to make him out of breath for a while.

The old vassal whose body was weak, soon knelt in front of me.

“…Count!”

Startled, I tried to help him up, but he opened his mouth faster.

The Count grabbed my knee with his old hand and said desperately.

“Please. Please spare me, Countess!”

 “…!”

“Please, keep your promise. Countess. I don’t want to die a dog’s death when I’m already nearing the end of my life! Please…” 

“Please get up, Count!”

“Enough of your delaying, this is the limit already. At my age, other people play poker leisurely, while I’m still struggling to go back and forth between the Grand Duke’s estate and the capital!”

I fell into confusion once again.. 

A man who begs for his wife to spare his life. 

I was just asking what him what that promise was.

 It wasn’t that strange of a question.

“Aren’t you aware of the lack of mercy the Grand Duke has? With the Grand Duchess ending up like that, now even the Grand Duke is pressuring me with every passing day. It’s to the extent that even I, with this old body, can clearly see what he wants.”

“I…I’m just curious about what that promise is.”

“If I were to tell that to the Grand Duke, would my neck still remain intact?” 

He said as he wrapped his trembling hands around his neck.

Eyes that were filled with fear, as if his neck would be cut off at any moment. 

Pale lips that said that his neck was hanging on a single promise.

It wasn’t a light promise such as meeting once to have tea. 

I hid my trembling hands and stared at the Count that remained kneeling. 

The inside of my mouth was so dry that even saliva couldn’t pass.

“I don’t want to be involved in this anymore. I don’t want to be stuck like this between the two of you. Wasn’t the reason why we had that nonsensical wedding between you and I in the first place, just so you could legally become the Grand Duke’s mistress?”

“!”

My stiff body, as if wondering when it had stiffened up, suddenly relaxed.

At the same time, it felt as if someone had pushed me down a cliff! 

Within the chilling feeling that seemed as if the ground beneath my feet had suddenly caved in, the sound of the Count’s constant murmuring couldn’t reach me.

I didn’t have to find Novian in order to confirm what sort of promise we had made.

The figure of my husband, who was grieving in front of my body, passed by me swiftly like a kaleidoscope. 

My heart…it hurts. 

But then, then…

‘…Yes, that’s right. I, no, Blair is… This Blair is…’

To borrow the words of his vassal, Count Acacia… 

This Countess Blair Acacia, was my husband, Novian Trovica’s mistress.

---

FUCKING FINALLY FL FINALLY REALISES HER HUSBAND IS A PIECE OF SHIT AND WAS CHEATING ON HER THE WHOLE TIME PLS when miss maam was like ‘are they friends? relatives?’ pLS MISS GIRL GUESSED EVERYTHING IN THE BOOK SHE EVEN SAID THEY WERE MF COLLEAGUES BUT REFUSED TO BELIEVE THEY WERE LOVERS I— #killallmanipulativemen2021

will miss girl get a redemption arc and finally enter her gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss character development arc ??? will she stop being a doormat ??? will pos husband novian try to chase her back ??? aND WILL HOTTIE MCTHOTTIE ROADNEZ FINALLY MAKE ANOTHER MF APPEARANCE ??? find out in the next chapter, xoxo gossip girl 🙂

---

“Madam, madam!”

Although the shock had not left me yet, another maid urgently rushed into the drawing room.

“There’s someone outside that came to ask for the person who attended the Grand Duchess’ funeral ceremony!”

“What?”

“Madam! What else is going on outside?”

Marge’s eyes looked straight at me without any doubt, as if it was clear that this all stemmed from an accident I had made.

“How did you reply to them?”

“Pardon? Oh, they said that they weren’t just looking for madam but everyone who had attended the funeral so I told them that I’d go confirm it with you and came in right away!”

“I’ll go out myself.”

“Sorry? What…! Who would it be at this hour at night? You can check who it is with the butler and go to the guest room on the first floor to…”

Marge’s meddling just went in one ear and out the other.

“No, I think I should go out and confirm it for myself.”

I hurriedly rearranged my clothes.

It’s Noah.

It’s obviously Noah.

[ / / / ]

Vincento swallowed his saliva dryly as he looked at the sensual lips which had turned white in front of him.

It wasn’t simply just because his lips were beautiful, but rather the harsh words that would normally pour out of those lips and made him not even dare to move.

“Your Highness?”

“…”

A faint ray of light brushed the tip of the man’s arrogant nose as he stared silently out of the carriage.

However, his expression was always dark.

The nervousness that didn’t match the beautiful injured man’s face not only stiffened, but also turned deathly pale.

It was strange for his face to turn pale like a corpse, considering his track record of not even batting an eye to the corpses or evil things that he had seen, no matter how many there were.

Vincento also naturally turned his eyes to the place his eyes were facing.

A woman with black hair, so beautiful it was rare to see.

And in front of her was another lieutenant, Neil, who was saying something to her while scratching his head.

While the woman who had been wary of Neil went back into Count Acacia’s estate again, Neil returned to his master, who couldn’t take his eyes off the doorway to the Count’s estate.

“…her name, what is it?”

The man whose face was still deathly pale after checking the woman’s face, Roadnez, finally opened his mouth after a while.

Roadnez was so distracted that he didn’t even hear Neil come back to them and knock on the carriage door.

Vincento just sighed deeply and opened the carriage door instead of answering.

Neil, who had a flushed face, promptly came into the carriage and sat down, words pouring out in a mumble.

“The maid’s name is Marge. She just came back from the Grand Duke Trovica’s cemetery. The Countess Acacia suddenly disappeared without saying a word, so she stayed out until late to look for her. She doesn’t remember seeing Your Highness.

“…Your Highness!”

Vincento and Neil desperately blocked him as he tried to sprint out of the carriage door.

Even though he was seriously injured, he was so strong that their hands that were holding onto his broad shoulders and arms were trembling.

“What are you going to do after you go outside?”

“Please, I’d rather you just say you’re in love with her!”

As Neil, whose face was still red like before, said that, the carriage descended into a chilly atmosphere.

“…are you crazy?”

The craziest person in here right now is clearly you, Your Highness!

Neil barely managed to hold back what he was about to say and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“How scared would a young lady be if a man who was covered with bandages all over his body asked if you were the ghost he had met in the cemetery?”

“Young lady?”

“She was a beautiful and timid young lady! She’s not the ghost Your Highness is looking for.”

Neil answered in reply to Vincento’s question.

And as soon as Neil saw Roadnez’s cold expression on his face, he quickly sucked in a breath and hiccuped.

Before he could even protest, Neil was kicked out of the carriage.

“Ack!”

“You dare say it was a ghost?”

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

Although he had known that his master had always been a little bit crazy.

Roadnez’s eyes had been in a crazy state ever since hearing the news of the Grand Duchess’ passing at dawn today.

Although he would act as if his reasoning had completely collapsed if he wasn’t able to get what he wanted, if he asked with that face, anyone would run away and he wouldn’t even be able to stop them.

“Just who are you looking for?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Your Highness! I’m sorry, but…”

Vincento spoke in a low voice as he blocked Roadnez with his whole body.

“If she sees the state that Your Highness is in right now…”

He wasn’t just talking about the pathetic state of the man who had an injury that had pierced his abdomen.

The problem with Roadnez, who was wearing a cast that Vincento had hastily put on one arm and was only wearing a jacket on his bare body on top of the bandages that had been wrapped loosely by Neil on his abdomen, were his eyes.

“She would be really, extremely scared. It wouldn’t be good if your face isn’t presentable. Besides, she’s only a normal person, so she won’t be able to accept it even more.

“Yes, how scared was that young lady, even when she saw me! What should we do if her entire body stiffens the moment she sees your red eyes…”

“Neil!”

At Vincento’s low shout, Neil clutched his kicked shin and straightened his curled up body into a salute.

On the contrary, Roadnez, who he had thought would curse at him and kick him as usual, was quiet.

Neil sneaked out of the carriage and looked up at his master who was looking down at him.

‘Ah…’

The red eyes that were glistening beautifully were not looking in his direction.

Rather, he was merely staring at Count Acacia’s estate with a gaze full of regret.

With a face in a state that was so pale it would not have been odd for him to die soon.

“Let’s go for the time being, Your Highness.”

“My apologies. It was a slip of the tongue…”

“…you punks are right. ”

The burning emotions that were reflected in Roadnez’s eyes was not the anger that was directed at Neil.

Vincento hit Neil’s head as he watched Roadnez walk back into the carriage without saying a word.

The Second Prince, Roadnez, who had both brilliant blonde hair and ominous red eyes.

Although he was famous for his beauty and strength, he was merely an object of fear to the general public.

Seeing as if he had said too much out of a sense of duty to protect the lady, Neil raised Vincento’s hand and slapped it over his mouth this time.

Creak.

At that moment, like a lie, the window was opened.

Neil moved closer to that place in order to apologise properly and gave a disciplined salute.

“That woman who just went in, look into her properly.”

Damn it, can’t you just let it go?

Seeing Neil who had become frozen stiff, Vincento shook his head and opened the carriage door to examine the body of Roadnez, who had already been given first aid, again.

Then…

“Your Highness!”

The scene of his beautiful master tensing his chiseled jaw to endure the pain, then finally collapsing in the end, appeared before his eyes.

“Your Highness!”

“Neil! You carry out His Highness’ orders. I’ll bring him back to the palace.”

Vincento violently closed the carriage door and urgently pressed the coachman to leave.

Neil was so shocked that he stared blankly at them as they disappeared, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

Then, he remembered his master, who had been in distress since dawn.

[ / / / ]

Roadnez Cozma de Ronta had always been beautiful, and had always been crazy.

He fought like a man who was not interested in anything but stabbing, cutting, and killing, and despite knowing that no one could keep up with his physical strength, demanded his subordinates to surpass such abnormalities.

At the same time, it was no exaggeration to say that he was the Empire’s best looking man, who had the most delicate yet manly features, that seemed to have been carved out of jewels.

However, as the Lord God did not give humans everything, he was extremely ruthless and cold-hearted in contrast to his beautiful face, and was unable to say a single nice word.

They used to spitefully call him the crazy ‘Mad Dog Prince’ amongst themselves in secret.

The Empire’s prodigal son who would tell the women from every direction who lifted their skirts and stuck to him to ‘Do more’ with a calm expression.

Everyone said that he was so beautiful that countless famous beauties would approach him, yet he remained indifferent.

Furthermore, Roadnez was a prince who was still single, and was someone who could receive a high title in the future.

No matter what fief he went to defend, there were countless women who wanted to be in his bedroom.

It was the same today.

For the past two years or so, although his crazy master had been acting more and more insane, he was seriously injured while killing a monster that was the size of a house that had suddenly appeared at dawn.

Because his master was adept at living as if there was no tomorrow, he was worried about the barely sufficient medical treatment that had been administered on him, but when he entered the bedroom, he saw a trembling woman who was almost naked.

Upon looking closer, it was the daughter of the manor’s lord who had just greeted them.

“Y-Your Highness, the Prince…!”

The woman was trembling, but could not hide her blushing face and glanced at the prince.

However, Roadnez held a sword which still had blood that had not been wiped of it yet, and pointed it at her.

“Get lost.” he spat out from between his teeth, trying to endure.

No matter who saw, the manor lord’s daughter was obviously a beauty that was alluring enough to turn heads!

Neil, who swallowed his saliva in vain, looked at the woman who was not leaving and merely standing still.

“Are your ears blocked?”

“I-I’m just…trying to give the newspaper to Your Highness.”

Roadnez did not speak twice.

The atmosphere was as thin as ice until the woman’s hair was cut off in the blink of an eye, the woman letting out a scream before fleeing.

“…the newspaper is innocent. Your Highness.”

Wondering if he would be implicated in this to no avail, Neil picked up the Empire Daily that the manor lord’s daughter brought in as an excuse and handed it over to him.

Roadnez, who would have normally cut you down with his sword and make you disappear as well in his rage, remained rooted in place, frozen stiff.

“Your Highness?”

In an instant the newspaper was taken out of his own hands.

The prince, who exuded a chill as if he had been washed in ice water, suddenly distorted his handsome face.

“…what sort of bullshit is this?”

“What is it?”

Roadnez spat out a low profanity before he quickly scanned the crumpled newspaper and brought his uniform that had barely dried, giving up the idea of trying to leave without wearing proper clothes.

“!”

“Breaking! Grand Duchess Trovica dies of chronic illness at dawn!”

Did His Highness always have such a close relationship with Grand Duchess Trovica?

Whilst Neil was agonising over this, he suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes violently cutting through the air as he opened the window in confusion.

“This crazy…Your Highness! Your Highness?!”

Early in the morning, when dawn broke, he looked at the back of the mad prince who was already far away, his cape flapping in the wind as he rode his horse.

[ / / / ]

When the carriage that was carrying Roadnez was so far away he couldn’t even see the back of it anymore, only then did Neil finally relax his stiff body as his lips curled up.

He didn’t know if he was deluding himself or not, but tears seemed to have flowed down the cheek of his master who had just collapsed.

‘I must have seen wrong. The Mad Dog Prince crying?’

Neil got on the horse, overwhelmed with the feeling of needing to find out about this woman named Marge, even though he didn’t think his crazy master would cry just because someone had died.

[ / / / ]

It wasn’t Noah.

Noah didn’t come to find me.

At least it wasn’t his aide, Sir Jimsker.

“Madam, was that perhaps His Highness the Grand Duke…?”

“No.”

I turned my face away from Marge’s disappointed face.

The one who was more disappointed was me.

But I didn’t blame her.

‘I’m Marge, the maid who works in this house.’

“I’m sorry, Marge.”

“Pardon…? What for?”

Marge was staring intently at my lips that were apologising, her eyes wide open.

“Just because.”

Marge stiffened, as if she had seen a ghost.

I said that that with sincerity and cast my gaze outside the window.

The knight called ‘Neil’ who had come to find me had already disappeared.

My hands trembled slightly.

‘I had no other choice but to lie. So, don’t be scared.’

I didn’t want to contact anyone until I had met with Novian properly.

“Yona, bring me some medicine!”

“What for? What kind of medicine, Marge?”

“…clearly madam has made an extremely big mistake somewhere.”

And Marge, who was still dumbfounded, started to look for medicine to give me.

---

DID YAWL SEE MY MF ROADNEZ (i fucking hate his name though i hate the author for giving such a shit name to translate bc what else am i meant to translate it to???? loadnez ???? roadnez ?? both are shit) OTHER THAN HIS SHIT NAME MF IS SO MF FINE MMMHM YES CUT THAT BITCH’S HAIR OFF MMHM

the shit that pains me at night is knowing i will never have a mf as devoted to me as roadnez rip mio #restinpiecesmio

also his aides neil and vincento are so mf funny hELP (i wish roadnez’s name was vincento the fuck that is male lead worthy name what the fuck is roadnez pls i want to unalive)

also click here for the discord link, it expires in 7 days so on the 20/07! please make sure you verify yourself and read the rules as well!

see u all next week on monday! ♡

---

A cemetery full of silence and chaos.

The name that I had hoped for someone to call this body throughout the entire funeral had come out of the mouth of a man I had never even seen before.

I stiffened when I saw the man turn his head toward me.

It was a soaked face that was distorted and messed up enough for me to feel sorry for him.

Swollen eyelids that were sunk in, his deep red eyes glowed strangely under the light of the moon and gas light.

In an instant, the feeling of my heart pounding and free falling as well as goosebumps breaking out suddenly rushed through me.

It wasn’t just because of those unfamiliar red eyes.

Like a wild animal that was deprived of its prey, a beast who was robbed of its cub, the contorted face of the man made me confused.

The man who had cried so much that his entire face had been distorted shouldn’t have been a man that I had seen for the first time, but Novian.

The one who should’ve called my name should have been my husband, not a stranger.

As expected, the person I should face right now…

‘I should go and meat Novian first.’

Although I didn’t even know who this was, I couldn’t afford to meet anyone else who knew my face.

It was like an animal’s instinct.

“Adrienne…!”

The man stopped moving, as if he was frozen, then suddenly got up.

At the same time, his broad shoulders shook greatly.

Looking at him in a slightly brighter place, he looked like a person whose body was suffering from serious injuries.

The front part of his jacket which was full of badges and medals of honour had been stained red by the blood.

The man staggered, blocking his injury with his large hand.

I managed to move my stiff body and ran back the way I came, as if this was my last chance.

Fortunately or unfortunately, my newly acquired body of Blair was so healthy that I was able to run with ease.

“Adrienne, Adrienne…!”

A pathetic voice that I never would have thought to have heard unless someone knew me immediately pierced the back of my head.

I ran desperately like a madman.

After that, I no longer remembered how I got out of that place.

Perhaps the voice that was calling me was the voice of that stranger with red eyes, or the guard who was standing at the entrance.

Panting and grabbing at my thundering heart, I got into the Count’s carriage which was waiting for me on the side of the road.

Ignoring the bewilderment of the coachman’s shouting, I frantically knocked on the carriage door, as if I was crazy.

The coachman who had hesitated yelled out a ‘Giddy up!’ before immediately setting out with the carriage.

Outside the window of the fast carriage, the dimly lit lights flashed past.

Once the lights that illuminated the darkness outside started to form a line and my rough breathing had calmed down.

“Huh?”

I double checked my feet that were somehow bare.

My torn white silk stockings were a mess of dirt and grass, with my two toes sticking out of it.

The black shoes I had been wearing to match my clothes had simultaneously come off while I was running.

“Ha…”

I curled up, resting my elbows on my knees and wrapping my hands that were still trembling around my head.

I vaguely remembered nearly falling over and maintaining my balance with much difficulty whilst I was running.

At that time, it seems as if the heel of my shoe had sunk slightly into a small pile of mud.

The eyes of the man I had met in front of my tombstone were half round.

Sort of like a lunatic.

So I had desperately run away.

The red eyes that had gleamed under the moonlight were definitely like that of a lunatic.

He had tried to catch up to me whilst blocking the blood that was flowing out from his injury, staggering as if he was about to fall right then and there.

I let out a deep breath, brushing aside the small pebbles from my feet that had become muddy.

“Just who…the hell are you…”

I looked back again over the situation that I had not been able to reflect on due to my desperate fleeing.

At the same time, I grabbed my suddenly aching head, and tried to recall the man’s face in more detail.

Who could that man be?

After my debutante, I had only attended two parties.

The man who appeared in the empty graveyard was a handsome man who had flashed past like the sun on a winter night, beautiful enough to even for a moment, enrapture one in enlightenment.

Even though there was no way I wouldn’t have remembered a man that was that good looking, I still had no clue who he was.

[ / / / ]

Even after I had arrived, I remained sitting in the carriage for a long time, lost in thought before finally coming to my senses after much difficulty and entered the Count’s mansion.

“Madam! You’ve come back?”

“Madam, your feet…!”

Marge and Yona who were worried about me, who had set out without the accompaniment of a single servant, quickly followed to catch up to me.

I took off my hat before laying myself on the sofa in the living room, as if I was collapsing.

Both my body and heart were tired and confused.

Situations that were too daunting to handle in one day seemed to burst open in my head.

My death.

A newly acquired body.

The people who had said that I was my husband’s mistress.

My funeral.

And a man who I didn’t even know, sobbing in front of my tombstone.

Taking off the solemn black hat that was worn at funerals, Yona rubbed my legs diligently, and carefully removed the torn stockings before washing my feet.

The water that was brought in to wash my hands quickly turned into water used for a foot bath.

My feet started to sting in pain as soon as the hot water touched my wound.

Marge who was at her wit’s end, stood in front of me frantically, knowing exactly what had occurred for me to end up like this once she had seen my condition.

“D-Did you end up trying to meet the Grand Duke, madam?”

Ah.

Right, Novian.

When I heard his name, I came back to reality as I was reminded of something I had forgotten whilst running away.

I wasn’t able to wait for Novian until the end due to the sudden appearance of the man who had the roguish beauty of a beast.

Upon realising that fact, an unfamiliar apprehension surged over me.

The twisted face of the man I had seen for the first time today, which was all I could think of, was quickly erased from my mind in an instant.

‘What…am I supposed to do now?’

Then I remembered Novian’s face at the funeral.

Until the last moment I had seen Novian, he had quietly endured the first day of my funeral without even sparing me a single glance.

“Madam?”

“…”

I nodded quietly without answering.

Because I had seen Novian.

After examining my face again, Marge looked at me with tears in her eyes, and for a moment, lost her words and stopped her clutter.

“And the corpse of the Grand Duchess?”

“…Mm.”

I barely answered in a hoarse voice.

I saw it.

I saw it clearly.

I, who was decorated even more beautifully than the days when I was staying in bed as a sick person in the Grand Duke’s estate.

The reality was that now, even the body to return to was gone.

Novian would have to display my corpse and welcome the guests who came to pay their respects, like an owner who brings out their precious antiques whenever an important guest was coming.

It was ridiculous.

Novian, had found it hard to even stay for more than two days in the capital and was treated like a dog by the imperial family during our last two years of marriage.

Now he inevitably had to stay in the capital for 100 days without leaving.

Only after I died.

That was also one of the duties of the imperial family.

“…I thought you would swoon in joy because you liked it, so how come you’re crying instead?”

I just kept crying.

Even though Marge had spoke harshly, she still handed me a handkerchief.

I buried my face in the handkerchief and swallowed my tears quietly on the sofa.

‘You are still young.’

The voice of Novian, who had always hugged and comforted me, buzzed in my head.

That’s right, I was still young and ignorant, even this morning, when I had instantly become happy with the healthy body that I was given.

Because it was the body that I had been wishing for my whole life.

It was so shameful.

My body was healthy.

But on the other hand, I had lost everything else.

My husband was no longer the beautiful Novian, and my name was no longer Adrienne Trovica nor Adrienne Piretta.

How great would it have been if this situation had been something straight out of a fairytale or a novel?

Then I wouldn’t have been the wife of Count Acacia.

As soon as our eyes met, as if it were fated, Novian would have immediately known that Adrienne had possessed this body.

Then, I would have run up to Novian and kissed him, ecstatic that I had shaken off my weak and sickly body and had been reborn.

As I screamed happily that God had finally granted my wish.

However, I clearly remembered the gazes of some of the ladies and young women who were expressing their condolences at the funeral and the looks they had thrown toward Novian.

They had all looked healthy and beautiful.

That wasn’t a scene from a fairytale. It was the reality I had to live with.

If my soul had actually left this world, I would have smiled vaguely whilst watching his figure from heaven and said, ‘Find happiness without me, Noah’, but when I had seen his state in front of me, my stomach had been turned inside out.

‘Ha—. How ridiculous.’

Contrary to the burning emotions, amazing laughter continued to burst forth with my tears.

I was dead and had even entered someone else’s body.

It couldn’t get worse than that.

Marge, who was restless as she watched me sob continuously with my face buried in her handkerchief, finally took a deep breath before sending Yona out to ask for a cup of soothing tea.

‘It was the first time Noah had cried.’

It was a huge shock to me, who had never even once seen him look so weak.

I wanted to hit myself hard on the head, me, who had even doubted him for a moment.

‘How could I have been so stupid?’

The person who would be having the most difficult time would have been Novian, who was still struggling with a sense of loss after losing me, and would have to greet the guests who came to express their condolences with my corpse by his side.

My shallow suspicions of Novian, who had sent someone to invite a vassal’s wife to the funeral, had been swept away without a trace.

An expression that could not have appeared if he didn’t love me. I had seen it clearly with my own two eyes

“Madam! Madam!”

And then my emotions, which had been engulfed in sadness, changed in an instant due to one mysterious card.

“Madam, this thing was left at the front of the house!”

That’s right, Yona, who had gone to prepare chamomile tea, had run in, panting, once she had seen the handwriting on the card and brought it in.

[ Keep your promise, B. ]

The handwriting of the person who calls for B, which was clearly the initials for Blair, and asks for her to keep her promise…

…was clearly the exact same handwriting as that of my husband, Novian.

---

AHHHHH THIS BITCH i hope fl well and truly wakes up to novian’s shitty behaviour this time bc i’m getting really fucking frustrated by her sdflkjfsd did you guys see how she nearly caved there ?? suspicions swept away THE FAWK

also novian can go get his grammy and leave,,,mans a whole ass ACTOR the fawk im still not over how he was crying that shit pissed me OFF

ALSO WHITE HAIR MMMM novel artist rlly did him justice there we love to see it !!

PLUS SOME MORE EXCITING NEWS! I’VE CREATED A DISCORD SERVER! idk how many of u guys there are but in case any of u guys wanted to be notified on chapter releases, you asked and i delivered hehehe click the link here, it’ll expire after 7 days bc im still scared of translation hunters SDLFKJDFS

see u guys next week! ♡

---

Just who in the world had the chance to attend their own funeral?

My body was really right in front of me right now.

My body, which would be adorned and displayed for 100 days for all to see.

Most of the royal family performed funerals that way, even for their spouses.

The sons and daughters of God.

I didn’t know whether it was to create an illusion to others or if it was just that the imperial family were proud as the chosen ones and couldn’t hold the same funerals as the other nobility.

I still remembered the funeral of Her Majesty, the Empress Lettina, who had died when I was just a child.

At that time, that person was also beautifully adorned.

Then, as she was surrounded by flowers and placed in a glass coffin, her funeral was then held for 100 days.

The scene that was both sorrowful and beautiful was still vividly fresh in my mind, however, the body that was enclosed in the coffin was now my own body.

As the glass coffin got closer, I unwittingly lowered the mesh that was attached to my hat down to the tip of my nose.

In the first place, my face was not known to many nobles, unless it was someone that I had already been close to before.

It was my husband, Novian, who after my debutante, had quickly rushed to get married.

Although it was nice to have Blair’s refreshingly healthy body, it wasn’t until this solemn and gigantic funeral that I started to realise and feel that this was my reality.

‘Is God playing a prank on me?’

However, this reality that seemed as if it was just a dream was not a situation one had to like.

This was God’s own prank.

It was also an extremely spiteful prank.

‘Ah—!’

Amongst the people who sang hymns and prayed, I saw ‘me’ with my eyes closed in a glass coffin, surrounded by all kinds of flowers.

A pale corpse that was covered with beautiful things, with only her face exposed and eyes that were closed.

It was exactly like the funeral of Her Majesty, the late Empress Lettina.

‘I’m dead, I’m really dead. I’ve really died.’

The black dress and black hat that I was wearing. The black mesh in front of my face too.

However, at most, it wasn’t just those things that were pitch black, but my heart too.

It literally felt like my heart was burning black.

“By the laws of Ronta, the 100 day funeral procession will be held by the royal family and their spouses.”

“Glory be to God.”

“Glory be to the deceased.”

The people prayed whilst wishing for glory that would mean nothing to the dead.

I frantically searched for my husband with blurry eyes.

Novian was standing tall in front of the glass coffin, just staring blankly at it.

“No…!”

I instinctively tried to call out his name, my eyes meeting his when he suddenly raised his head.

His name no longer came out of my mouth.

He must have clearly seen the face of this ‘Blair’, but Novian immediately turned his eyes back to ‘me’ who was in the glass coffin.

‘I’m so stupid.’

What exactly did I want to confirm with him for me to call out his name?

Although I thought it could have just been the ignorant maid’s pathetic misunderstanding, I still couldn’t let go of that thin strand of doubt that remained in my heart.

When my eyes had met that cold gaze I had not even received once when I was in Adrienne’s body, my face turned white with fright.

Then suddenly.

“Urk…”

Novian began to cry.

As it was the first time I had seen him express his emotions so clearly like that, I merely stared at him blankly from where I was, squeezed amongst the other noble ladies.

Until the priest’s long prayers had finished.

Until the other people had opened the eyes that they had tightly closed.

The nobles bowed their heads in condolence at Novian’s face which was full of sorrow.

I couldn’t help but stare, dumbfounded at the people behind him who came to my funeral.

It was difficult to estimate how many people had visited this grave before getting onto their carriage and riding off again.

‘Was I such an incredible person?’

As soon as I debuted into the social world, I caught the eye of Novian and had an early wedding, suffering from an illness the entire time, and whilst living in a mansion, died in vain as soon as I turned 22.

Most of the weeping people were all those who had no relation to me at all.

Perhaps amongst this many people, not even one person would truly grieve for my death.

What was even more funny was that because of this mistress’ body, which seemed to resemble my exact face and body shape, I couldn’t even believe it when I saw my original body in a glass coffin.

Although I thought I had already accepted my death as a reality, it still took me a long time to get used to it.

Novian was right in front of me. Right here, I was still alive and breathing.

For me, this was also a reality.

As long as someone would just call me Adrienne, not that corpse…

I could’ve even accepted it if someone had insisted that Novian and I were just the Grand Duke and Duchess, here to attend someone else’s funeral.

But there was still no one that called me Adrienne.

[ / / / ]

By the time the Prince and Princess of the Piretta Duchy arrived at the Trovica’s graveyard, half of the guests had already left a while ago. ¹

The deceased Duchess’ older brother, Prince Gregory, immediately felt his legs lose their strength as he almost sank to the ground while his wife, Bianca, held onto him tightly.

However, she too, behind the black mesh in front of her, had a face that was soaked wet with tears.

“Rienne…! Ah—! Ah—!”

“Honey!”

In the end, Gregory collapsed as soon as he had arrived in front of the glass coffin.

Bianca screamed lowly whilst also covering her mouth with a hand.

Pale, young and beautiful.

Tears couldn’t help but fill his eyes, threatening to burst as soon as the sad looking corpse entered his line of sight.

“You, you son of a bitch!”

“Honey! Heok…honey, stop it!”

“Save my little sister! Save my Rienne!”

“Honey! We of all people should know that he tried his best!”

Gregory Piretta, who was crying and weeping loudly, was as boisterous as the rumours said.

The remaining guests merely stayed silent, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

At least since it was a funeral, this sort of indecent behaviour could be forgiven.

Whether it be nobles or imperial families, in front of the dead, all kinds of people would laugh, cry, and make various reactions.

Novian Trovica, who was also known as the Emperor’s aide, already had a face soaked with tears, and as expected, the Grand Duchess’ older brother, Gregory, was also in the exact same position as him.

After a long and meaningless fight, Gregory finally embraced the Duke, who was still standing and weeping, swallowing his tears.

As the hymns continued to resound softly, the prayers of the elderly women grew louder.

“Lord God—. Please bring glory to the dead!”

In unison, they all let their black mesh veils drop down in front of their eyes as they all started praying for the Grand Duchess Adrienne, whose face they had never even seen before.

Soon, guests and condolence wreaths sent by the imperial family had arrived.

They placed the splendid flowers in front of the coffin of the deceased and proceeded to engrave the Lord’s cross.

One way or another, the Grand Duchess was still a grand duchess.

Other than that, although the funeral was nothing special, Adrienne, who was amongst the elderly women, was struggling to control her weeping.

Tears were already dripping down her face due to Novian’s sobbing, so when Gregory and Bianca also joined him in weeping, she couldn’t bear it any longer.

[ / / / ]

She had died in early winter.

A few days had passed since her death and now the night wind was sharp enough to cut flesh.

The air in the graveyard felt colder than any other place.

The people disappeared one by one, as Novian was gone all night in order to supervise the people moving the glass coffin which contained my body, the Grand Duchess.

But he would come any time now.

He was a person who once assigned with a task, would take responsibility for it until it was finished. Therefore, there was no way he could go back to his dukedom without checking the barely finished cleanup of my grave.

My stupidly confident face was already numb. My cheek also hurt, as if someone had scratched it.

My face, which had been wet from crying had long been frozen by the night wind.

‘Come quickly, Noah…’

I moved far away from my shining white grave stone.

Although no one could easily spot me, I was still in a position where I could clearly see the entrance of the graveyard.

It seemed as if the guard who was guarding the entrance of the cemetery, was ready to kick me out at any time, so I stood, hiding behind the well-pruned bushes in the garden.

In an empty cemetery, with only the company of the person who was guarding the entrance, I continued to wait for my husband like that.

I wonder how long I waited for.

As I kneaded my hands which had already become white due to the cold and continued to get colder, like a miracle, the violent sound of galloping horse hooves suddenly cut through the heavy silence.

I stood up immediately with a frozen body and poked my face out of the bush.

The cemetery guard saluted someone in a disciplined manner.

The person, who wasn’t even sitting up straight on their horse, jumped down and entered the cemetery, his figure casting a large shadow, as if he was a giant phantom from hell.

Is it Noah?

My expectations, which had risen, gradually faded away.

The man, who looked like a military commander, was large enough to be overwhelming, even from this distance as he got closer and closer to the gas lamp illuminating the area around the tombstone.

It wasn’t Novian,

It wasn’t his calm gait, but a gait that looked violent and urgent.

The stranger, who had driven their horses wildly enough to break the silence, stood motionlessly in front of the tombstone in silence.

It was a silence that hung heavier than when I was alone.

As the clouds covering the moon drifted away, light spilled onto the back of the man.

I wasn’t in the mood to admire anything, but his blonde hair that shone violently in the night pricked my eyes.

At first glance, his hair looked silver.

Who could it be?

Although he was not shivering in the cold like me, the man stood there for a long time, staring blankly at the tombstone that was missing a corpse, as if he was also frozen.

Even though I could only see his back profile, the feeling of despair seemed to flow down his broad back.

And then he stumbled.

“!”

Unconsciously, I immediately stretched out a hand, as if to stop him.

The man, who had a strong physique and was so tall that I would have to look up at him if I got closer, immediately slumped to the bare ground on his knees and managed to sit upright.

I felt the blood rush through my body quickly as I watched carefully.

The man, who had been tracing the tombstone that didn’t have anything but my name engraved on it, sat down as if he was delirious, his shoulders instantly beginning to shake.

Was he crying or laughing?

‘Or was it both?’

As time went by, the man whose shoulders had shook strangely, looked more and more like someone who was angry.

His hair shone like stars as his body shook.

I approached him little by little, as if I was bewitched.

Aside from Novian and my family, no one else had shown any emotion in front of this useless tombstone.

‘Who are you?’

I wanted to ask him.

In the dead of night, whilst there was no one around, urging his horse so urgently, his shoulders trembling…

Walking toward him as if I was bewitched, I stopped abruptly in the middle.

‘What are you going to do if I walk closer?’

This person was someone who knew ‘me’.

If he didn’t know me, he couldn’t have possibly been so sad.

But how was I possibly meant to explain my current situation?

Rather than a sudden surge of curiosity, I was afraid of how other people would react to the current me if they happened to see me, my heart leaping in fright.

I took a step back naturally onto the path I had taken to come in.

And it was when the sound of the sobbing man’s breathing suddenly stopped and cut off, his low voice that pierced the silence making my footsteps stop once again.

“…Adrienne?”

---

[1] 소공작: the heir to a duchy/the son of a duke. the only english equivalent i could for this was a ‘hereditary duke’ but even that i feel couldn’t properly convey the meaning so i’m sticking to ‘prince’ or ‘princess’ for the heirs as it was a commonly used title for the duke’s children as well.

---

AHHHHH WE MEET ANOTHER GUY AND HE’S NOT TRASH I AM CELEBRATING doesn’t he just look immaculate mmmmhm

like just reading this chapter you can just tell how much he loved her AHHHHH RIDING TO HER TOMBSTONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SLDKFJSDF what an unexpectedly romantic gesture that none of us will ever get to experience SDFLKJSDF adrienne’s probably the only one that can attend her own funeral HALDSKFJFDS

also props to adrienne’s older brother for saying what everyone wanted to say here ROUND OF FOCKING APPLAUSE FOR THE PRINCE OF PIRETTA YOU SAID WHAT ALL OF US WERE THINKING

anyone else wanna beat novian when they read that he was crying YOU FAKE ASS BITCH

ne ways, that’s all from me for now, until next week hehhee ! ♡♡

---

Marge, a maid and longtime servant of the Count Acacia’s residence, narrowed her eyes as she watched the mansion’s hostess.

Watching Blair, who was reading an issue of the ‘Empire Daily‘ that the butler had hastily rescued.

Exactly. That ‘Empire Daily’.

The newspaper that you had tossed away, mockingly saying that it was full of crap while laughing.

When the Count wasn’t home, you had asked why they still kept leaving them at the front of our house and to just use it as firewood; that newspaper.

‘You’re definitely crazy.’

Walking on both legs with no problem, then suddenly stopping and rejoicing.

Asking for a glass of water and saying ‘thank you’ with thrilled eyes once its handed over.

Besides, normally the Countess Acacia sits in the parlour sipping tea and has sudden mood swings, so since when did she start reading proper newspapers and not gossip…

As expected, when she turned her eyes to the entrance of the drawing room, the other maids all came rushing in and started whispering.

Just the combination of Blair and the newspaper was enough for the maids to start talking.

“Didn’t someone deliver a shopping catalogue?”

“I’m pretty sure there’s a news article of a big fire or a flood somewhere.”

“There could be. If you’re the madam, there’s a chance she’d like that.”

The whispers were barely audible but Marge hastily pursued them.

Whether it was hatred or affection, either way, bad rumours about the hostess of the mansion shouldn’t be spreading anyways.

There was also unexpectedly, another reason for her to be worried again.

Contrary to the fact that she had only been worried about the ‘obviously unlearned’ Countess, she now also worried about Blair, who had been sitting in her room for several days, and suddenly began to ask strange questions.

‘W-What exactly is my name?’

‘Where is Count Acacia?’

‘Are you, are you perhaps my nanny?’

Et cetera, she asked very silly questions such as these.

But it was also asked very cautiously.

It was a good thing that she had asked Marge when she was alone, otherwise, if the young and loose lipped maids had heard her question, the rumour might have already been spread throughout the capital, that the ‘Countess Acacia is crazy’.

“Marge.”

Hence why Marge was now very nervous when she heard the voice that was calling for her.

She made sure that the drawing room’s door was closed properly, then walked over to Blair with her mouth tightly shut.

After reading the Empire Daily, Blair was silent for a while before calling her.

‘What kind of nonsense will she say this time…’

“Am I…am I the mistress of Novian Trovica?”

“!”

Oh my god, oh my god.

Marge quickly glanced around the empty drawing room before lowering her voice to reply.

“Are you finally going to tell me the truth?”

“…the truth?”

Blair’s beautiful pale green eyes stared at her intently.

Marge nodded and whispered next to her.

“Are you in that sort of relationship with the grand duke or something?”

“…w-why did you think so?”

Blair’s tone of speech, which was usually no different from that of a commoner’s, had somehow changed into an aristocratic one.

Like Count Acacia.

Marge felt a strange sense of dissonance, but was afraid that Blair, who had suddenly become cautious, would keep her mouth shut even tighter.

“I mean, if you weren’t his mistress, there’s no way you would be so interested in the grand duchess’ personal affairs, right?”

“…I did?”

“Of course, and the grand duke would also frequently send over pendants or dresses even…”

“He…he did.”

Blair’s voice drifted off and cooled a notch lower.

Marge pondered for a long time, wondering if she had said something wrong.

In fact, Marge had already long established her theory as a fact.

In the morning, she had even sneakily wanted to see how the grand duke’s mistress would react to the death of the grand duchess and whether she thought it was good or not.

“Even now, you still affectionately call the Grand Duke ‘he’^[1]…oh right, madam. Isn’t that right? Would the Grand Duke invite the madam to the funeral and take care of you like this simply because his vassal, your husband was absent?”

Count Acacia was busy with the affairs of the estate, so the most difficult thing for him to do was coming back to the mansion in the capital.

When a vassal was absent, their spouse would then naturally be under the protection of the lord, the Grand Duke.

No wonder he could personally invite that woman to the Grand Duchess’ funeral. However…

“Well, seeing as how the Count turns a blind eye to any outings I go on, it doesn’t seem like you are in a normal relationship either. Now, stop hiding it from me and just tell me the truth.”

After thinking about it for a moment, I sent the shocking reply that I would attend the funeral to the servant.

Grand Duke, you dare?

If the reason Blair can do that isn’t because she’s his mistress, then what the heck is it?

However, as a long time servant that has served in this house, Marge was both uneasy and unfamiliar with the Grand Duke’s character.

Because it was not likely for the Grand Duke to display very much patience toward his mistress.

‘I need to dress her up quickly and get the carriage ready…’

She was suddenly worried about the possibility of getting fired by the Grand Duke!

However, there was no sign of urgency or haste found in Blair, who was the party involved.

“It seems as if you don’t know either.”

‘I mean, this isn’t something that directly involves me anyways, so how is a mere maid like me supposed to know?!’

There is a limit to how much strangeness people are able to find acceptable in a certain situation.

Marge clenched her teeth and gathered her patience, nodding.

“That’s right, no one can tell me the right answer in this mansion. But for now, I have no choice but to accept his invitation and go to the funeral.”

No, so just what kind of relationship do the two of you have?

Furthermore, although the Grand Duke himself had personally contacted her to tell her that the Grand Duchess was dead, you’re giving a vassal’s wife the right to attend her funeral?

All sort of words clambered around through her chest, but Marge held them all back.

Because she had been quiet for the past few days, it was possible that she had forgotten what Blair’s temper was like before.

Before she could throw even a single object, Marge quietly chose to help with her makeup.

Then, she paid close attention to the unfamiliar behaviour of Blair, who was constantly fiddling with her fingers in anxiety and feeling very sluggish.

[ / / / ]

I was comfortable with my maid, Marge, as well as the other maids who all folded themselves in half and bowed 90 degrees.

Even if someone had accidentally made eye contact with me, our eyes would meet and the immediately dart away.

Not only that, but every time I was about to say something, they all had a very tense look on their faces.

‘Blair Acacia was a very scary person.’

And with good reason.

My whole body was full of energy and strength. Even if I ran around and yelled energetically.

It had been a long time since I had worn anything other than slippers, however, when I wore the shoes, my body did not stumble or falter at all.

My hair, which had been falling out, one by one, strand by strand, did not fall out, no matter how many times I combed it.

“It’s all done, my lady.”

A young maid named Yona said with a bright and blushing red face.

I stood in front of the full length mirror, a familiar face, but an unfamiliar body had appeared in its reflection.

It was strange to see such a good looking face with a decent amount of fat on it.

There was never a single cough, nor a single seizure that interrupted me whilst waking up, eating or dressing.

“…I look well.”

“Sorry?”

Thinking those words as a reproach, Yona’s face turned turned deathly pale.

But instead, I just laughed happily.

How much had I prayed and prayed for a body like this?

After alternating between confused and dazed states all morning, I finally accepted that this wasn’t a ‘dream’, no a ‘fantasy’.

All the newspapers had the sad news of Adrienne Trovica’s death on their front cover, a situation which had been the last thing I had I remembered.

Serious seizures due to chronic illness and then finally arriving at a sudden death.

I was confused as to whether my dead soul had entered Blair Acacia’s body or if I was originally Blair Acacia, but had a mental illness.

But no matter what I thought, I was still Adrienne.

I took a step closer to the mirror.

The rosy cheeks were lovely.

There was only one reason why I didn’t go crazy, even after going through such an absurd situation.

It was because this woman’s face looked awfully similar to my original face, it was enough to give me goosebumps.

It was just like the appearance I had always dreamed of. It was as if I was still dreaming.

‘Did God happen to give me another chance?’

I couldn’t erase the feeling, as if I had been reborn, leaving behind my sick and diseased body and gaining an identical, but healthy body.

It was a phenomenon that was unheard of, but I was experiencing it now.

But what if my soul in this body wanted to return to my dead body?

‘No way.’

Rather, it was the very feeling that I wanted to block.

I felt a little sorry for the owner of this body, Blair.

Now I ate alone, walked alone. Every time I did something without any assistance, the feeling of independence I felt was thrilling.

At first, I couldn’t believe that my husband and the owner of this body had a strange relationship.

Novian, who always thinks of and puts his own reputation first, could never have done this. And what was it that about me, who possessed such a weak body, that he loved so much, that despite knowing about my situation, still made me the Grand Duchess? Was it pity?

I laughed out loud when I imagined a man who was too busy to even stop by the capital even once, let alone accompanying his mistress on a leisurely date.

The person I knew would never be a person like that.

What about dating? He was a person who was half crazy about work.

At first, I had heard that during the social gatherings, there were many women who secretly talked about Novian’s attractive and charming mistress.

However, it was a rumour that Novian was unaware of due to how busy he was trying to solve incidents and wandering around under the orders of the Imperial Family, so I had put it to the back of my mind.

[ / / / ]

I got into the carriage with a strange mixture of emotions, I felt both happiness and sadness.

It has been a long time since I had last dressed up and come out of the mansion.

Arriving at the Trovica cemetery, I calmed my pounding heart and got out of the carriage.

The closer I got to the entrance of the cemetery, the more my spine tingled.

The strange excitement did not last very long.

My happy thoughts because of my health was gradually fading away.

As I stepped closer, one step at a time, I finally saw ‘myself’, who was lying down like an undying person in the coffin.

---

[1]: pronouns are not commonly used in korean and the ‘he’ pronoun that adrienne uses here [ 그이가 ] is commonly used by women to refer to their husbands, so it shows a more formal married relationship which makes marge think the duke has established their relationship as something that might head towards marriage.

YAWL GET READY FOR A RANT BECAUSE HOLY SHIT IM READY

1) holy shit was i the only one that wanted to pummel the fl because she’s so damn stupid ??? bye the way she couldn’t even bother to adapt to the situation ?? like idk if she’s just dense or what but she basically made it really obvious that she was not who she was,,,there haven’t been any religious themes yet but if there was a church i know this bij would’ve been sent off for an exorcism already with the way she’s acting hASDLFKJDF

2) also getting tired of the way she constantly defends her husband like now we get even more insight on how MF TRASH THIS MF IS like he’s been sending pendants and dresses to this mf and he even had the audacity to
a) contact her mansion personally to let her know that his wife died ??? is that not mf trash behaviour ???
b) it’s implied that he’s literally been going out on DATES when he’s told his wife he’s so busy AND THE FACT THAT SHE THINKS HE COULD NEVER BC HES SO OBSSESSED WITH WORK,,,HONEY HE’S LYING TO YOU (also makes me see sir jimsker in a whole new light from ch 1 bc as his aide he HAS to know something and the fact that they’ve all been playing her is DISGUSTING)
c) this mf had rumoRS THERE WERE MF RUMORS OF HIS MISTRESS wtFFFFF
d) still not over the fact that he is literally inviting HIS MISTRESS TO HIS WIFE’S WEDDING ?? THE AUDACITY ?? BYE

lemme just say ml is a born manipulator and gaslighter aHHHH MF IF THIS TITLE WASN’T ‘REINCARNATING AS MY HUSBAND’S MISTRESS I WOULD’VE THOUGHT THIS MF WAS A GREAT HUSBAND ARHGLSDKFJ

well,,,that’s all from me now,,,,thankful that the art is hot bc the only thing fuelling me to tl this is pure rage and the hot novel art SDLFKJFSDJSDF