TCBUP 05

5. Broken Engagement

“Father, Mother. Did you call for me?”

I opened my mouth cautiously, but the Count and Countess didn’t even look at me.

The only relief was that the hot-tempered Count wasn’t screaming or throwing a tantrum. He was trying hard to suppress his anger.

If not, this drawing room would’ve already turned into a disaster zone with everything breakable smashed to pieces.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Like a criminal, I bowed my head low and sat down with silent steps before my parents.

As I kept my eyes lowered, my gaze landed on the disordered stack of documents on the table.

The crest of the Ortiz ducal family was stamped at the top. It was undoubtedly sent by Damian.

A letter of termination?

But there were several pages. Knowing his personality, there’s no way he’d write a lengthy explanation about why he wanted to call off the engagement.

Could it be… he’s even demanding emotional damages? A sudden wave of anxiety surged through me.

“A letter of dissolution came from the Ortiz family.”

“……”

The Count remained relatively calm, considering the situation.

But his tightly suppressed tone felt like the calm before a storm, making my nerves tighten and my shoulders tense.

“Siena. You know how this engagement came about, don’t you?”

“Yes. Damian’s grandfather was in debt and couldn’t repay it, so he pledged the engagement instead.”

“Right. Your marriage to the Duke was like collateral secured by the Hargreaves family.”

Collateral…

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I grabbed the stack of documents on the table.

It was a detailed report of fluctuating market interest rates from the time Damian’s grandfather borrowed money until now, including precise interest calculations.

“Damian repaid the debt. With interest too.”

“Exactly. So now, the collateral has lost its value. And conveniently, you caused a scandal, giving them an excuse.”

The Count pushed the dissolution letter toward me.

It didn’t even need a thorough read—it was short and clear.

It stated the engagement between Damian Ortiz and Siena Hargreaves was terminated, and unless there were legal objections, it would take effect immediately.

“It’s dated a week ago.”

“So you think we should just say, ‘Sure, okay,’ and accept it? We have to see if there’s room to contest it!”

The Count suddenly burst out in a shout, and I flinched involuntarily.

“Do you know how much money and time I’ve spent this past week without sleeping properly? I brought in all the top lawyers and accountants from the Empire and dug through everything from the past to now. All because of you! I tried to make a decent person out of a useless daughter by making you the Duchess!”

“……”

“What have you ever done? Just because your grandfather was rich, you got lucky and had the chance to become a Duchess. Instead of just accepting it, you should’ve at least tried to make it work!”

“……”

“You chased after him like a fool, and couldn’t even wrap him around your finger? What can you do, huh?”

Yelling with such fury had clearly drained him.

Breathing heavily, the Count inhaled and exhaled deeply several times, glaring at me with fierce eyes.

Even after everything, his anger hadn’t subsided. He clutched the back of his neck, breathing hard.

“God, who did you take after to be this useless?”

“I’m sorry…”

“You think this is something you can fix with a sorry?”

“……”

“Get out of my sight! Until I decide what to do with you, don’t even appear before me!”

“Yes.”

I stood up silently, lowering my head with a face full of shame.

As soon as I stepped outside, Mary ran up to me with teary eyes.

“Young Lady… Is it really over? Did the Duke really call off the engagement?”

I guess even Mary, my personal maid, hadn’t been told anything during the week I was holed up in my room.

Honestly, I was perfectly fine walking, but to Mary, I must have looked like I’d collapse at any moment.

She gently supported my arm as we slowly walked toward my room.

“It’s over.”

“Oh no, Young Lady…”

Big teardrops rolled down from Mary’s eyes.

Covering her face with her apron, Mary began to sob uncontrollably.

“Hueeeng, what are we going to do about you, Young Lady…”

“What do you mean what? It’s already over. There’s nothing to be done.”

I smiled as if it didn’t matter and patted Mary’s shaking shoulders.

The other servants were just gossiping behind my back like they expected this, but Mary’s tears felt sincere, and I was touched.

“Thank you for worrying, Mary. But I’m okay.”

“Hueh, huu, wha…at…”

Her words were so muffled through her sobs that they were nearly incomprehensible.

Still, her concern came through clearly, and I embraced her, patting her back to calm her down.

Now I was the one supporting the sobbing Mary as we returned to my room.

Just then—ding-dong—an annoying notification sound rang out.

Behind Mary’s back, a status window appeared that made me instantly irritated.

[SYSTEM]

Duke Damian Ortiz’s third romance scenario has been completed.

Please leave your honest review!

Your valuable feedback is crucial to improving the game.

Hm. This’ll probably be my final review, huh?

There’s no way a broken-off fiancée like Siena will appear again.

Now that my role is over, I’ll finally be able to return to being the real ‘me.’

So this time, I decided to write a brutally honest review.

“Mary. I want to be alone.”

“Yes, of course, Young Lady…”

Mary, looking incredibly pitiful, wiped her tears with her apron.

She tried her best to smile as she turned to leave, but kept glancing back at me in concern.

Even at the very last moment, as the door closed.

I waved her off insistently, saying I was fine, and finally locked the door.

Phew. I took a deep breath filled with resolve and turned to the status window.

▶ Since this is the last review, I’ll be honest.

Pros:

…Hah. Pros.

I should write at least one out of politeness, but nothing comes to mind.

I nearly pulled my hair out thinking about it and barely squeezed out something.

▶ Pros: Looks?

It might sound sarcastic, but it’s true.

When I first met Damian as Siena, I stared blankly at his face for a good three seconds.

Even the extras were ridiculously pretty or handsome, so I did get some eye candy.

Even that random passerby who called me crazy wasn’t bad-looking.

Suddenly, I remembered the jacket he left, neatly washed and hung in my dressing room.

How am I supposed to return that? I’d rather give it back before I disappear completely.

It would’ve been easier if he said to throw it away, send it somewhere, or bring it to him.

But he insisted on coming to get it himself, so now I’m stuck just waiting.

Well, once I’m out of here, it won’t be my problem anymore. Let’s keep writing.

▶ Cons: Overhaul everything. No—just don’t release this game at all.

The choices are full of cringey dialogue and shallow actions. Have you guys ever even dated?

You think love happens through cheesy lines and fake bashfulness?

The romance routes are so unrealistic and boring. I skipped half of it out of sheer boredom.

The episodes keep bouncing between cafes, restaurants, and balls—such cliché drama.

Every time Siena, the villainess, causes trouble, the male lead appears to save the day like magic. Really?

Next thing I know, I’ll be walking down the street and he’ll save me from gangsters or something.

And the biggest complaint of all:

Forcing people into a game without consent and making them play—how is that not a crime?

Once I get out of here, I’m definitely suing. I’ll demand compensation for emotional distress and all damages incurred while I was trapped here. You hear me, you crayon-colored freaks?

You think I won’t do it? I’m a woman of action. You think Korean law is a joke? Wait till you feel how scary it is. It’ll be like eating watermelon seeds in a Siberian blizzard, you bastards.

Haaah. Letting it all out like that… I feel a bit lighter now.

I closed the review window with a much lighter heart.

I just hoped that when I opened my eyes tomorrow, I’d be in my room—not here—on my bed.

They were truly peaceful days.

For everyone but me.

“Why am I still here? WHY am I still here?!”

No matter how much I screamed and pulled at my hair, nothing changed.

At first, I was terrified I might be stuck here forever. But now I was past that—just full of rage, frustration, and resentment.

Even the status window stopped showing up, so out of sheer desperation, I began praying to God, Buddha, or even some unknown deity of this world.

But no one answered.