Work Introduction
Before I died, I had read a romance fantasy novel and somehow found myself possessed by the character Liette—the childhood friend of the male lead, Evan.
The problem? When the original female lead appears, Liette is dumped by Evan like an old shoe and discarded after a pitiful “transfer breakup.”
“Evan, you bastard.”
Knowing that falling in love with the male lead only led to misery, Liette naturally turned into Evan’s rival and adversary.
Eventually, just as expected, the female lead appeared—and Liette thought this irritating relationship would finally end…
…but while caught up in a political conspiracy and living in exile, she ran into Evan again.
“Our fate is persistent, huh? Right, Evan?”
“It sure is.”
“You must be sick of our constant bickering, too.”
“Yeah, tired of it.”
“Then let’s just end it here, this twisted bond.”
“No.”
Evan, who she expected to agree with a simple “yeah,” answered with a straight face. Strangely, his eyes looked more sorrowful than usual.
“Do you really…”
“…”
“Do you really think this meeting today was a coincidence?”
It was something she never expected him to say.
Prologue
Inside the spacious meeting hall of the imperial palace.
All the brightest minds of the Truto Empire had gathered around a massive table—nobles, representatives, and even the emperor himself.
Yet among all these people, only two voices echoed loudly.
“We must import grain immediately. At this rate, the lower class will starve to death!”
Liette stood up and glared fiercely around the room.
Everyone else looked around nervously, hesitant to counter her words—except, as always, Evan was the one to challenge her.
“I believe everyone here wants to avoid that outcome. But the Haren Empire is demanding an unreasonably high price.”
“So we’re just going to stand by and watch people starve?”
Unlike Liette’s rising voice, Evan responded in a calm and steady tone.
“We need a swift solution, yes. But if we agree to their price now, we’ll only face worse demands in the future.”
“You know that’s not the point! It’s about priorities! Saving lives comes first!”
As the argument intensified, the other nobles watched the two with familiar expressions.
Even the emperor.
Looking between them with a resigned expression, the emperor was suddenly put on the spot.
“What are your thoughts, Your Majesty?” Liette demanded.
Caught off guard, the emperor gave a vague response.
“Ahem… Well, of course, the people’s well-being is important…”
“They’ve asked for three times the usual grain price. Next time, they’ll demand five. We must tread carefully.”
Evan cut in, and sweat began to form on the emperor’s brow.
“Y-yes, Duke Croyt makes a valid point…”
Clearly stuck between two clashing forces, the emperor turned to the assembly like tossing away a hot potato.
“What do the rest of you think?”
But no one dared meet his eyes.
‘Cowards…’
Suppressing his frustration, the emperor decided to stick to the usual way.
“Let’s put this to a vote. Anyone object?”
Everyone nodded quickly, as if they had been waiting for this moment.
“As expected of Your Majesty’s wisdom!”
“There’s nothing more fair than a majority vote!”
‘Spineless fools…’ The emperor sighed inwardly.
“Write your vote: do you agree with Duke Meren’s proposal or Duke Croyt’s? Submit it.”
“Objection!”
Liette suddenly raised her hand again.
“…What is it, Duke Meren?”
“Why do we always end with a vote? There’s room for more diverse opinions!”
The emperor wanted to ask if she was truly this naïve, but knew better. If he encouraged her, the meeting might never end.
Evan looked at Liette and said with a smirk:
“Probably because Duke Meren bites anyone who disagrees with her until they die.”
“How shocking. I’ve never once—”
Just when it seemed like the meeting would finally end, another intense verbal rally began—and the emperor clutched his head.
‘Please, just stop already…!’
Eventually, the vote ended with Evan’s proposal winning by a narrow margin.
“You only won today because the moderates were in attendance,” Liette said, crossing her arms and glaring.
But Evan, no longer wearing the stern expression from earlier, smiled gently.
“Even when the hardliners dominated the last session, I still got more votes. Forget already?”
“What did you just say?”
Irritated, Liette scowled.
“You heartless jerk. People are starving, and all you care about is money?”
“We both know every choice comes with sacrifice. It’s our job to minimize that.”
Ugh. He always had the last word. That annoying jerk.
Today, Evan’s handsome face looked even more aggravating than usual.
“Whatever. I’m going to eat.”
Liette turned to leave, clearly done with the conversation—but footsteps followed behind her.
She stopped, turned around, and found Evan standing right behind her.
“…Why are you following me?”
“You said you were going to eat.”
“What’s that got to do with you?”
Irritated, she glared at him. Evan, with a completely innocent look, replied:
“Didn’t you just invite me?”
“Are you crazy?”
Even as Liette shouted, Evan smiled sweetly.
“Ah, I thought you were asking me to come with you.”
“Me? Eat with you? I’d rather get indigestion!”
“Yeah, we can’t have that. You need your strength to fight me later.”
“…Not that you stand a chance,” Evan added under his breath.
Liette’s hands trembled with frustration—but she didn’t have time to argue.
“I have plans. Bye.”
“Plans? With who?”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he asked.
But Liette didn’t notice and replied nonchalantly.
“None of your business.”
“Count Kael?”
The correct answer made Liette frown.
“How’d you know?”
“Heard a marriage proposal came in for you.”
Count Kael wasn’t the talkative type—so Evan must’ve had fast sources, as usual.
“So you’re going to dinner with him now?”
“Yes.”
Liette blinked as she answered.
Evan looked at her with a dark expression, then sighed.
“I didn’t want to say anything, but… you need to know.”
“Know what?”
“The truth about him.”
Liette tensed. Evan always had something negative to say about anyone around her.
“Don’t start again. Count Kael is well-known in high society as a kind and diligent man!”
“Ah, my innocent Liette.”
He came closer and brushed her cheek, like she was a clueless child.
“Everyone knows he’s a notorious playboy—everyone but you.”
“…”
“He even has a secret child, they say.”
“That’s not true!”
She denied it, but Evan laughed, covering his mouth.
His eyes curled beautifully.
“Feel free to check for yourself later.”
“Still, I want to have dinner and talk first…”
“You know, no one likes eating with him. I hear he chews really loudly.”
Liette’s face darkened.
Every time she tried to meet a man, Evan somehow found out and sabotaged it. At this rate, she might end up alone forever.
Meanwhile, this guy would probably meet the female lead soon and have a happy ending.
‘He throws me into the pit and climbs out for his fairytale…’
Evan, sparkling as ever today, looked especially hateful.
You bastard.
“Seriously…”
Then she shouted:
“I hate you more than anyone in the world!”
