<The Three Ducal Houses>. As the title suggests, it’s an R-rated angst novel where three ducal houses are in constant conflict.
The story is told from the perspective of a maid who has possessed a character within the novel, making it a survival tale where she must endure the endless schemes.
And not a single ounce of romance for herself.
The observer perspective was intriguing, but the most unique aspect of the novel was this:
Each ducal house possessed a special power, and the way the power was inherited was… unusual.
The heir didn’t necessarily have to be a direct child of the current duke—as long as the person carried the blood of the house and possessed the strongest ability, a symbol marking them as the next heir would appear.
But to fully inherit the ability, there was a special requirement.
One had to marry their destined partner—their Phero, whose name would be magically inscribed on their body—and share three nights together, joined by heart.
With each night, a magical lily marking the power’s seal would fade away one by one.
“Oh wow, that’s so fresh and interesting!”
That’s what I said just yesterday as a reader of the novel.
But now that I’ve possessed a character in that same fresh and fascinating novel?
“Did the author really have to add that kind of setting?”
Excuse me? Author? Can we talk for a second?
I’ve possessed the illegitimate daughter of the villainous House of Allozé—one of the three ducal houses known for their underhanded tactics.
My father, the Duke of Allozé, had already awakened his powers after meeting his Phero and succeeded the family line.
A villain to the core, he was ruthless in pursuing power for his house and infamously immoral, engaging in scandalous affairs even after finding his destined partner.
Which means even though he once shared hearts with his Phero, his feelings completely disappeared after his awakening.
If only that scum had met his Phero at age fifty or something!
Honestly, if his Phero had resisted his will, he’d have buried her alive to find the next one.
Anyway, I’m Croa Allozé, the illegitimate daughter born from one of the duke’s affairs with a commoner.
The duke killed Croa’s mother the moment she gave birth.
He said he could accept a child with his blood, but not a commoner woman who had none.
So Croa Allozé grew up motherless.
She did inherit Allozé’s water powers—but so weak that she couldn’t even stir spilled water. Practically useless.
“Useless thing.”
Declared so by Duke Allozé, Croa had no value to him.
Even Croa herself believed she would stay that way forever.
Until… she became useful.
Unfortunately, it happened right before I possessed her.
The turning point was when the head of House Argentta, Allozé’s rival, began earnestly searching for his Phero.
“The Duke of Argentta, Dielo, is looking for his partner?”
Duke Allozé saw this as an opportunity and ordered Croa:
“You will become that partner.”
“…What?”
The Phero mark appears magically.
In other words, if “Dielo Argentta” suddenly appears on someone’s body, that person is his destined one.
It’s not something you can just decide on your own.
But Duke Allozé forcibly engraved “Dielo Argentta” on Croa’s back with his powers—using her blood to create bruising beneath the skin.
Then he sent a message to Duke Argentta:
[I’ve found your Phero.
Surprisingly, it turns out to be my daughter, Croa Allozé. Her body bears your name.
Let’s talk.]
In short: if you want your Phero, bow down to House Allozé.
“Remember to keep your mouth shut when you go.”
The core of a duke’s powers lies in awakening through their Phero.
If someone other than the destined partner takes the duke’s first nights, his powers will be permanently sealed.
Even if he meets his real Phero later, it’s too late—like locking a vault with the wrong code and losing access forever.
Why did the author design it so any woman can erase the lilies even if she isn’t the true Phero?
Anyway, if Argentta loses its power, it’ll fall behind Allozé and Cartiel in the tri-ducal balance.
Which is exactly what Duke Allozé aimed for:
“If you fail, not only will you lose your life, but I’ll break both your legs.
You must secure the role of Argentta’s Phero.”
—Clunk!
In the rattling carriage sat Croa Allozé—me, now possessed in her body.
It took me just one hour to grasp the situation.
“Of all the stories with possession and reincarnation…”
Why did I have to land in the body of the girl who loses her limbs trying to deceive Dielo?
Even as I cursed fate, the mirror in my hand reflected the same face.
Gorgeous villainess—rich purple hair and wine-colored eyes.
At least the looks were nice.
But this Croa is an extra doomed to die soon.
In the original novel, the real Phero appears, and Croa’s deception is exposed.
Then she’s “disposed of”—not even by Argentta, but by her own father.
He kills her before she can say a word.
“No way I’m going out like that.”
If it’s come to this, then I’ll rewrite the plot and survive in Argentta!
One unfortunate thing: the novel’s heroine—originally supposed to be Croa’s maid and ally—was nowhere in sight.
She probably vanished because I possessed Croa.
So much for bonding and gathering intel with another transmigrator.
“Dielo Argentta…”
A pure and kind man so out of place in a novel filled with villains.
Even when Croa Allozé came from a rival house, he treated her with warmth:
“This probably wasn’t the destiny you wanted, was it, Croa?”
Such a gentle, well-mannered man.
The only character with a working conscience.
There’s no way I can destroy his future with my lies.
Besides, Duke Allozé is planning to kill me anyway.
Whether I follow his orders or not, it won’t end well.
So what should I do—seduce Dielo?
“No, no.”
If I succeed, I die at Argentta’s hands.
If I fail, I die at Allozé’s hands.
Either way—I die.
Then the only move left is…
“Dielo Argentta. It’s a pleasure, Lady Croa Allozé.”
Only Dielo stood in the Argentta receiving room.
Jet-black hair. Eyes the color of clear, pale blue water—like the shimmering sea under sunlight.
Was it because Croa, too, had water affinity?
I couldn’t take my eyes off his gaze.
Despite the long history of enmity between our houses, he welcomed me politely.
“—Duke Argentta.”
I finally spoke.
This was a gamble.
No matter how gentle and pure Dielo was in the novel, if he found out that Allozé sent a fake Phero to steal his future…
He’d burn with rage—like the fire Argentta is known for.
And I would be the one to face that fire.
“Yes, Lady Allozé.”
He responded gently.
I pursed my lips tightly.
No turning back now. I’d already come this far.
If I can’t run, then I’ll confront him head-on.
I won’t die like in the original.
I poured my resolve into my voice.
“I haven’t come here to be Your Grace’s bride.”
As I bowed, the necklace Dielo had sent as a bridal token swung forward.
“…”
Dielo’s eyes flickered as he looked at the necklace.
He paused mid-motion, still holding a teapot.
“You’re saying you’re refusing the engagement?”
His soft blue eyes looked puzzled.
I shook my head.
“No. I’m here as a negotiator.”
A trade—between his future and my life.
“To become your shield and contract wife until your real Phero appears.”
I won’t take your first time.
“Until your real one arrives?”
He blinked wide-eyed.
“Yes. Until then.”
In the original, Croa fooled Dielo.
Although he never fully opened his heart, two out of the three lilies were erased—crippling his power awakening.
Naturally, this led to defeat in battle.
But if I twist the plot here—if I let him awaken with his true Phero—Dielo Argentta could become the strongest duke in history.
And Allozé? He’d be crushed.
“I’ll help you become the strongest duke.”
In exchange—for revenge against House Allozé.
Our eyes met, unwavering.
“So, you’re claiming you’re not my Phero?”
Dielo’s voice remained calm.
Usually so gentle, but the moment I said “fake,” the air around him shifted.
Colder—despite him being a wielder of fire.
“Yes.”
I kept my voice steady.
Then Dielo smiled softly.
So gently it made me think maybe I imagined the change.
“I don’t understand why Lady Allozé would suddenly claim she’s not my Phero, when we’ve already verified it.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“If your words are true, then Allozé deceived me.
And in that case, this conversation can’t remain civil.”
Though his voice was pleasant, the atmosphere turned glacial.
I was deep in enemy territory.
If I’m truly a fake?
The engagement breaks. Argentta might declare war on Allozé.
And I could be taken hostage in the middle.
Still, I began this gamble knowing all that.
I took a deep breath and spoke.
“If I had intended to deceive Your Grace further, that might be so.”
Dielo paused.
“I no longer wish to lie to you.”
My heart pounded hard in my chest.
I forced my mind to stay cool.
This was the beginning of the negotiation.
If I couldn’t convince Dielo now, the downfall scheduled two months later would arrive today.
“If I can prove that the name ‘Dielo Argentta’ inscribed on my back is a fake, will you believe me?”
At my words, his brow furrowed.
His composed blue eyes looked like a calm sea—ready to storm at any moment.
I held his gaze, then slowly turned around and exposed my back.
“If you’d like… you may undo the buttons on the back of this dress.”
