~Chapter 1~

I blinked my eyes. No matter how many times I blinked, the man’s face standing before me did not change.

‘Oh my, whose son is this? He’s so handsome.’

His sharp nose and perfect jawline looked sharp enough to cut paper. His blue eyes, like a moist lake, were partly hidden by light golden lashes, and his shining blond hair glittered like a jewel.

Even I, who had grown used to him, sometimes found myself staring blankly at such beauty.

“Riena.”

His peach-colored lips released a deep voice that made my ears tremble.

I instinctively tried to run away, but his strong arms completely trapped me. Escaping was impossible. In the end, I swallowed dryly and forced an awkward smile.

“…Wh-What?”

Normally, I was not this timid. In fact, when it came to this man, I had always been the one in control.

But today, the wavering blue in his eyes and his serious expression created an atmosphere I could not carelessly dismiss.

It felt like the sound of my pounding heart was spilling from my lips. I covered my mouth with both hands.

No way, is this a love confession? No way…

“Go out with me—on the premise of marriage.”

“Whaaat? Cough, cough!”

It really was a love confession!

Shocked beyond belief, I burst into coughs. Well, of course I would. After all, this man was just a guest who had stolen a house in my village, while constantly coveting the hoe I had found by chance.

‘We’ve only ever fought! When did you start having those kinds of feelings for me?’

There was absolutely no chance romance could grow between us!

“Cough, cough!”

But the coughing wouldn’t stop. As my body shook, a rough palm touched my lips. Then a lazy whisper brushed my ear.

“Slowly.”

“……!!”

I was so startled I almost hiccupped. Biting my lips, I looked up, only to see his blue eyes gently curve.

“Cute.”

This time, goosebumps ran all over me for a different reason. I quickly pushed at his chest that was far too close.

“W-Wait, Carmine.”

But I regretted it. Through just one thin shirt, his body heat was so warm.

“Ugh.”

It felt like being seduced by an incubus with his whole body. My lips trembled, wanting to mutter nonsense—His chest muscles are so firm! He’s way too handsome!—but I desperately sealed them shut.

Carmine’s eyes sharpened, misunderstanding my silence.

“…You still can’t forget your ex-fiancé?”

Huh? No, I forgot him already. I wouldn’t have even remembered his face until you brought him up.

But before I could answer, Carmine’s eyes sparked with fire.

Like a beast growling, he whispered:

“If you want, I’ll cut off that bastard’s head and bring it to you.”

Oh no, what dangerous words! Did he even know who my ex-fiancé was? His personality was trash, sure, but his bloodline was dazzling.

‘Honestly, that guy deserves to die, but what if Carmine gets hurt because of him?!’

Fearing Carmine might really do something reckless, I quickly waved both hands.

“N-No, that’s not necessary. It’s not like I’d hang it up anywhere.”

…What on earth did I just say.

‘It’s not some hunting trophy, for goodness’ sake!’

As I babbled nonsense, shame filled me. But Carmine’s eyes curved again.

“You’re right. There’s no need to look at something filthy like that. Riena only needs to look at me.”

‘Ugh, why is he being so seductive!’

Is this really the same aloof man who used to say he’d leave peacefully once I handed over the hoe?

Tearing up, I recalled the day I first met him.

That day when I, the daughter of Duke Pond, began farming in this small rural estate…

“Good grief, you went to college for farming? Who goes to college just to farm!”

That was what my mom shouted while smacking my back the day I came home holding my acceptance letter from Seoul National Agricultural University.

“Ah, why?! What’s wrong with farming? Don’t you know the future of the nation is in the soil?”

“I don’t care! I don’t know! Why should you, of all people, worry about the nation’s future!”

“You’re so harsh, Mom!”

I wonder if my mother, Park Ok-hee, is doing well these days.

Anyway.

‘See, Mom? Studying farming wasn’t useless after all.’

I smiled faintly as I planted seeds and carefully covered them with soil.

She could never have imagined that her daughter—scolded for going to an agricultural university—would one day bring about an agricultural revolution in another world.

My name is Riena.

A perfectly ordinary reincarnator.

I came to my senses in the worst possible situation.

A glittering chandelier, beautiful flowers in every color, men and women dressed in fine gowns and suits.

In the middle of them, a man glared at me.

“Our engagement is over, Riena.”

‘Engagement… annulled?’

I blinked stupidly. Just a moment ago, I had been pouring coffee in the office pantry.

‘Something suddenly went boom… then what?’

How had I gone from the pantry to a grand ballroom? Clutching my head, I groaned.

“Ugh!”

My memories were twisting together—the daughter of Park Ok-hee, and the noble young lady Riena Pond, who had lived twenty years in this world.

‘W-What is this?’

My name was Riena Pond. Today was my twentieth birthday, the day I was supposed to be proposed to by my fiancé, Crown Prince David.

‘But instead of a proposal… annulment?!’

I raised my eyes. David, with jet-black hair, sneered at me while holding another girl in his arms.

The frail girl with black hair was clinging to him as though I was the villain.

“Pretending to be sick again to escape, aren’t you? That cheap trick won’t work.”

“That’s not…”

Pretending? Can you fake cold sweats like this?

Pointing at the black-haired man, I murmured blankly:

“…Crown Prince David?”

“So now you pretend not to recognize me? Enough with the fake act. I only got engaged because of my father’s will, but you disgusted me from the start.”

“Sigh…”

The humiliation of annulment, the merging of Riena’s and my memories—at last, I realized.

This world I had lived in for twenty years… was the very romance fantasy novel I had read in my previous life!

The title was “I Became a Saintess in Another World.” And of course, the heroine was not me.

It was the very girl David held now—Kang Sena, the black-haired girl from another world.

As in all such novels, she had quirky, lovable charms and would gather many admirers.

And the one who constantly scolded her for manners, who served as the petty villainess—was me.

‘Why me?! Why did I have to be her?!’

And worse, the annulment. I was thrown unprepared into Riena Pond’s most dreadful downfall episode.

The villainess crown princess-to-be, Riena Pond, cast out as a commoner.

But wait. I hadn’t even done anything bad yet!

Yes, the original Riena did terrible things. But not me.

‘The story’s different! I didn’t insult her etiquette, I didn’t wear the same dress as her!’

And the proof? David wasn’t listing my crimes, only calling me unpleasant.

‘How can he just annul it on a whim like this? It’s a pact between families!’

Looking around, I saw David glaring coldly, while Sena sniffled as though she were the victim.

I knew instinctively—I was completely at a disadvantage.

‘What good are these returned memories if I can’t change anything!’

And so, dishonored, I was cast aside.

In the carriage home, I tore at my hair.

“Ughhh! Why did my memories have to come back now?!”

There was nothing I could do but cry.

And it was the same at the Pond ducal house.

At the door, my strict father waited.

“Shameful, my daughter.”

“Father…”

“I will erase your name from the family. Speak your last words if you have any.”

I rolled my brown eyes. In the original story, Riena would argue stiffly here, incurring more wrath and getting thrown out immediately.

‘But without money, being on the streets is suicide.’

In this world, commoners couldn’t afford doctors. I remembered seeing a servant with fever taken to a shaman, who “treated” her by…

“Ptooi!”

…spitting on her face.

‘That’s when I learned—without money, you’d better not get sick.’

Anyway.

‘There’s no way I, raised delicately, could survive like that!’

So I cried shamelessly. Unlike the proud Riena, I was just an office worker who used to brew late-night coffee. Kneeling was easy.

“Please don’t throw me out, Father! I’ll be good, I’ll stay quiet!”

“Heh.”

The duke let out a surprised laugh. Then, with a tilt of his chin, he pointed outside.

“Throw her out at once.”

Damn it!!

My tears had no effect. Servants bowed their heads.

“Yes, master.”

“Father!”

And so, with only a small bag of belongings, I was expelled.

With no real money on me, I let out a deep sigh.

‘I’m ruined. Totally ruined. You can’t get more ruined than this.’