Chapter 13
Even though it wasn’t a party day, Frisia sighed as she looked at her awkward reflection in the mirror, dressed up in a gown for the first time in a while.
“If I had to be reincarnated into a novel, I wish I’d been born prettier.”
Her somewhat plain face didn’t look much different from her previous life. Having siblings who were particularly eye-catching only made her seem more ordinary. Frisia didn’t think she had any notable charm.
At least, that’s what she had always believed.
“Please, come this way, my lady.”
Perhaps the investor was really looking forward to dining with her sister, as he greeted her with noticeable politeness. After expressing his desire to have a meal, they rode in the carriage for about an hour until they arrived at Cromford’s villa.
The beautifully decorated garden and fountain were quite extravagant. It could easily be mistaken for a small palace. Beyond the scenery, she spotted him sitting at a table.
“Did you like my gift?”
Seeing the Duke sitting there so leisurely stirred an odd impulse to punch him. But she knew better. Provoking him recklessly could bring terrible consequences. So she held her tongue.
“My sister had no idea who the investor was.”
“Because I borrowed the name of Marquis Rosser. He’s famous for being a man of virtue, so she would have willingly sent her younger sister alone.”
“How thorough of you.”
It felt like he was sitting on top of everyone’s head. From fox to tiger, she hadn’t just escaped one villain only to fall into the clutches of an even worse one.
“I heard you invested a large sum in my sister.”
Although he seemed favorable now, she couldn’t trust him. Who knew when he’d suddenly turn and stab them in the back. But as she watched him calmly reveal his true feelings, she remained on high alert.
“You don’t need to pay me back. That amount may seem desperate for you, but to me, it’s trivial.”
“But still!”
“Unless… you’re thinking of breaking the previous agreement now that your task is done? That’s not what you’re implying, is it?”
Caught off guard by his sharp jab, she had no reply. Just then, the servants brought out the food.
The lavish spread was full of dishes Frisia usually liked, but knowing he’d prepared them after learning her tastes killed her appetite. After a few reluctant bites, she put down her fork.
“Is the food not to your liking?”
“I just don’t have much appetite…”
As soon as she finished speaking, with just one wave of his hand, more than a dozen chefs in uniform rushed in and bowed their heads low.
Even in front of the elderly head chef, the Duke didn’t hide his arrogance as he scolded him.
“I’ve repeatedly emphasized that we’re hosting an honored lady.”
“My deepest apologies. We’ll remake the dishes immediately.”
“Please don’t.”
Reaching out to stop them was too late. The servants cleared the remaining food, and soon an even more elaborate set of dishes appeared before her.
“Do you feel like eating now, Lady Deblanc?”
Watching all this, her appetite disappeared completely.
But if she said that, the Duke would just summon the kitchen staff again, criticize their incompetence, and order yet another new course.
Without an ounce of guilt.
How could someone act like this without hesitation? But that’s just how villains were born.
He was a tyrant who had ruled for over a thousand chapters, wielding his power without knowing any warmth.
She could only mourn the fact that if she fought back, she’d be utterly crushed.
“Fine, I’ll eat. That’s what you want, right?”
As she stuffed her mouth with food, he didn’t eat a single bite himself, instead watching her with a pleased smile.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Is it wrong to look at the woman who’ll become my wife?”
His shameless response left her speechless. Unable to read him at all, Frisia finally let her true feelings slip out.
“That’s too much of a joke.”
“Sounds like you don’t believe me.”
Thankfully, having eaten enough, the kitchen staff wasn’t summoned again.
Taking a sip of tea after the meal, Frisia made up her mind.
“I heard that the law the Marquis of Gonder drafted to pressure my sister actually put you in a difficult position.”
“It did. As you know, to push forward with the Emperor’s desired reforms, I need Cromford’s power.”
That much, she already knew from reading the original novel. Frisia summed up the situation bluntly.
“Now that you’ve achieved your goal, I assume my role is done?”
“Lady Deblanc… it seems you’re not very keen on this marriage, are you?”
How could she dare say, right to his face, that she hated his nasty personality and his disaster of a family?
She just hoped it could all pass quietly, as if nothing had happened.
“No choice then. I’ll just have to recover my investment.”
“What?”
Just a moment ago, he called the money trivial, yet now he began calculating the amount with a serious expression.
“I do look forward to Rose Deblanc’s business, but it’s problematic if you’re going to blatantly change your attitude like this.”
“No, wait, when did I—”
“I was planning to fully support crushing Marquis Gonder so he could never rise again. But… with a small adjustment to the bill, it could actually work in my favor.”
“Adjust the bill?”
“Perhaps… something like: ‘This law shall not apply to ducal houses and above.'”
The moment she heard his casual words, her heart sank.
If the Duke slipped through and the bill still passed, Rose would be the only one left bleeding. Even if the Emperor raged, if the Duke personally defended Gonder, everything would become a mess.
“Are you serious?”
“If you’re going to reject my proposal, you should’ve been ready to pay the price.”
The moment the possibility of the marriage falling apart became real, his tone grew noticeably cold.
The clear shift in attitude made her realize it.
To this man, Frisia was truly nothing.
“What a waste of time.”
“Wait! I haven’t finished talking!”
If she let him go like this, her sister’s business would really go bankrupt.
As she watched his broad back walking away without a glance back, the ending of those who made enemies of villains flashed before her eyes.
She could live without caring about her parents, but she couldn’t drag Rose or Lily into this.
“Please! Listen to me!”
Desperately, she lunged forward and grabbed his arm. At that very moment, something sparkled from the bushes.
Her body moved faster than her thoughts.
She shielded him, and an arrow flew straight into her back.
“Assassins!”
Guards rushed forward, surrounding them. As her body slumped, she collapsed into an unfamiliar man’s embrace.
The broad, strong shoulders holding her didn’t feel real as burning pain spread down her spine, tears filling her eyes.
“If I just pull it out, your body won’t handle it. Bite my arm.”
“Ugh…”
“Stay awake! Now!”
His urgent voice buzzed in her ears.
Without thinking, she bit into the stranger’s flesh as hard as she could. As the arrow was yanked out, she screamed at the unbearable pain.
“Aaagh…!”
It hurt. It hurt so much she thought she might die.
Her mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood as fresh tears welled up.
She’d bitten so hard that she left a wound on his arm.
“Pardon me.”
Her expensive dress, carefully chosen for this occasion, tore with a ripping sound.
There were so many things she wanted to say, but… what was the point now?
“It hurts…”
Why did she have to get involved with this man and suffer like this?
A sorrowful tear rolled down her cheek, and Frisia lost consciousness in the Duke’s arms.
* * *
“…What’s that you’re always looking at?”
A faint memory, now distant like a dream, flashed before her eyes.
Back when she was still talking with the scenario team about storyline problems, a coworker had suddenly asked that question. Flustered, she quickly covered the screen and brushed it off.
Even if the office wasn’t that conservative, she had no desire to reveal her personal tastes at work.
“Is that <Leveling Up Because of the Villain>? Is it really that fun?”
But that coworker always acted overly familiar, striking up conversations first.
It had always been her secret hobby—something she didn’t want her coworkers to know.
Even though she kept dodging the questions, the coworker would bring it up again, even at company dinners.
“Don’t tell me you’re still reading <Leveling Up Because of the Villain>?”
“…I am.”
“Really? What’s so good about it?”
Why did there have to be a reason for liking something?
Annoyed at the constant pestering, she’d finally snapped at the scenario team lead.
“I just like it a lot! I love Duke Cromford, and I really love our author who updates so faithfully every time!”
“You like it that much?”
“Yes! Is that so wrong? Why are you always picking on me about it?!”
“Oh dear… You’re drunk. Come here. Calm down.”
Why did people always have to butt in about what others liked?
After that one angry outburst, they finally stopped teasing her.
Thanks to the author who suddenly started releasing two chapters a day starting the next week, she’d quickly forgotten the whole thing.
Why was that old memory resurfacing now?
“Stupid jerk.”
For some reason, the overly chatty scenario lead’s face overlapped with Duke Cromford’s.
As if he heard her muttered words, the Duke frowned and glared at her.
“That comment… was that directed at me just now?”
