~Chapter 6~
Forte came at me with fire in his eyes, saying it was absolutely not allowed, but he couldn’t break my strong will. The aftermath of Sonod’s incident played a big part in that.
“I’m afraid I’ll end up with a man like Sonod, who’s different on the inside than he looks on the outside.”
My family clearly didn’t want me getting tangled with Sonod again. They all wore stiff expressions. So I firmly made a strong point.
“If I’m going to be with someone, I’d rather choose someone like Grand Duke Teabrither—who’s honest inside and out—than fall for some flashy guy with a fake smile.”
Of course, they had no way of knowing what Apollyon was really like. But to them, Sonod was like a landmine—dangerous, unpredictable, and ready to explode at any time.
So they seemed to agree it would be better for me to be with the Grand Duke than risk another disaster with Sonod.
He didn’t go out much and was known for bravely cutting down enemies and monsters alike. That gave my family great confidence that he’d protect me well.
So, marriage discussions began.
Since it was a noble’s political marriage, there was no need to get to know each other like in a romantic relationship. The families’ elders took care of everything quickly and efficiently.
And just like that, the wedding date was set…
“Why is this happening so fast?!”
I stared at the red circle on the calendar in shock.
Was it really okay to set a wedding date without even seeing his face or having a proper conversation?
I was speechless at how quickly both families pushed things forward. Didn’t weddings usually take at least six months to plan?
Even without photoshoots, venue bookings, or invitation card printing—which didn’t exist in this world—it should still take two or three months. In the original novel, even the two main characters spent four months preparing for their wedding.
My goal was to date the tall, rich, and handsome male lead rather than marry him right away!
Suddenly, my dreamy state faded, and reality hit me hard.
Even though I was in a book world, it didn’t mean it wasn’t real. And in both Korea and here, marriage is not something you decide lightly.
There’s a huge difference between dating and marriage—anyone thinking clearly could tell. But I’d been so caught up in the fantasy of romance with the male lead, I hadn’t thought things through.
So the arrow I had carelessly fired was now flying at full speed… straight toward marriage.
Before the actual story even began, I’d already flipped the plot upside down.
“How could I be this dumb…”
I banged my forehead against the pillar next to my vanity with a loud thud. Selena, who had been brushing my hair, gasped.
“M-Miss, are you okay?!”
“Huh? Oh… yeah…”
“Your forehead looks really red… Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, don’t worry.”
In the mirror, Selena’s face clearly said, “You don’t look okay at all.” My pale face with a bright red forehead did look kind of ridiculous.
Before she could say more, I asked quickly:
“Do other nobles also get married this fast?”
“Pardon?”
“It hasn’t even been a month since I got the marriage proposal. Isn’t this a bit… rushed?”
“The Grand Duke seems to be in a big hurry. I heard he asked to skip all the unnecessary steps and proceed quickly.”
“What’s the rush?”
At twenty, it wasn’t like I needed to be cautious about getting married. As I mumbled to myself, Selena looked hesitant.
“What? You know something?” I said.
“Well…”
“It’s okay. Just say it.”
Urged on by me, she stopped brushing and leaned in close.
“Y-you know… two previous brides… ran away.”
“So he’s rushing because he thinks I’ll run too?”
When I raised my voice, Selena clapped her hands over her mouth as if she had just revealed a state secret.
“Well, I mean… It’s understandable.”
“Huh?”
The first bride fainted, and the second one ran away. Anyone would have trauma after that.
“He doesn’t need to worry. I’m not going to run.”
I mumbled while looking at the wedding dress laid out for tomorrow.
When people rush, they tend to forget important details.
But Apollyon had made zero mistakes—everything had been prepared with great care.
With a title like “Grand Duke Teabrither,” he could’ve forced it all through—but he didn’t. He really was meticulous and thoughtful.
Just five minutes ago, I was banging my head on a pillar, but now I was smiling like a fool, thinking about him.
Selena, now quiet, quickly ironed the dress and scarf and left the room in a rush.
I must’ve looked crazy. I wasn’t sure whether to scold myself for being disrespectful to my future husband or apologize for being overly dramatic. So I just flopped down on the bed.
Tomorrow, I am going to the boutique to check if the dress has been properly altered.
As soon as I mentioned the Grand Duke’s name, everyone showed me the highest-quality dresses and accessories.
‘Being young, rich, and powerful really is the best…’
I learned after coming to this world that, in times of stress, it’s best to just run on pure positivity. So I shut down all my worries and focused on thinking happy thoughts.
***
The next morning
“Ew, what is this?”
Something heavy and slimy squished under my foot.
“Why is there… animal poop here?”
“We’ll get the garden manager to take responsibility immediately!”
It was still warm. Must be fresh morning poop.
“It’s okay.”
I calmed the panicking attendants and asked Selena to bring different shoes.
I took off the white ones covered in what looked like stray dog poop and changed into black ones with pearls. I didn’t really care about the old pair, but still, stepping in dog poop first thing in the morning really ruined my mood.
‘What bad luck…’
I glanced up at the sky. Clear blue, not a single cloud.
“Just in case, could you bring an umbrella? And rain boots too, if possible.”
“Yes, Miss.”
But my bad feeling wasn’t because of the weather. It came from somewhere else entirely.
They say your words shape your future—now I understand why grown-ups always told us to watch what we say.
Sure enough, just as we left the estate, another carriage suddenly blocked our path.
I was about to yell at the reckless driver when I spotted a familiar tulip emblem.
“Miss… I think you need to come out and see this.”
Clenching my teeth, I got out of the carriage.
“Petunia.”
“Sonod…”
Of course. The one blocking my carriage was none other than that annoying face—Sonod.
He stood leaning casually with his hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing? This is dangerous.”
“You never agree to see me. So I had no choice but to come myself.”
He shrugged, voice full of arrogance.
“I said I didn’t want anything to do with House Quinton. Didn’t my servant tell you?”
“Oh, you mean that tantrum? Yeah, I got the message.”
…Tantrum?
Did I hear that right?
What part of what I said sounded like a tantrum to him?
He clearly had serious communication issues.
“If you were trying to provoke me to get my attention, it worked. I admit it.”
“…Are you crazy?”
Seriously, this guy wouldn’t survive a day in Korea — he’d get rocks thrown at him.
He was worse than a dog — even dogs understand ‘no.’
“Sonod, have you been stressed lately? Or not sleeping well?”
“Why are you asking that out of the blue? Do I look like a weakling to you?”
“That’s weird… Then how are you this bad at understanding things?”
“What?!”
He yelled, but I was dead serious.
He was supposed to be one of the smarter villains in the original story.
So what happened? Did he just suddenly get stupid?
Or was he always this dumb?
If he’s this stupid, does that mean Apollyon—the male lead—is dumb too, just to match him?
“Petunia, I really don’t understand you.”
Funny, that’s what I wanted to say.
“Haven’t I done enough for you to accept me already?”
“What exactly have you done?”
“Letters, messengers, and now I’m even here in person.”
Wow. Truly heroic efforts.
“Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the tiniest bit of affection for you anymore. So please move.”
“You’re really stubborn.”
“Yup, super stubborn coming through~ Please move~”
“Petunia, you’re insane.”
“Then I should see a doctor before I go totally insane. Step aside for this emergency case, please.”
“Even if you hate me, how could you go as far as marrying Apollyon Theabrirte just to get back at me…?”
“Yes~ I’m going to marry and—wait, what?”
I stopped mid-sentence and stared at him with the weirdest expression I’d ever made.
No mirror, but I probably looked like I’d been bitten by a bug.
“W-What did you just say?”
“You’re marrying the Duke just to get revenge on me, right?”
“……?”
“I came to stop you from ruining your life just to get back at me.”
…What the hell is this lunatic talking about?!
