Chapter 6
I blinked without realizing it, speechless at the headline shining with a brilliant light.
I thought I had seen it wrong, but the light was clearly coming from the newspaper.
“Secret… of birth?”
A chill ran down my spine instinctively.
The golden letters, shining brightly, moved as if they were alive, separating and forming a new sentence.
[Would you like to begin a transaction to find the secret of your birth for your happy ending?]
My heart dropped.
In the status window floating before my eyes, there were only two choices: Yes and No.
As I stood there blankly for a long time, the mysterious message flickered repeatedly, as if urging me.
“……”
Was there something like this in the original story?
No matter how hard I tried to remember, I couldn’t recall anything like this.
“Is this… some kind of transmigration benefit?”
That could be possible.
For now, it felt like I should try it no matter what, so like someone possessed, I reached out and placed my hand on the newspaper.
Choosing No would be no different from declaring that I would follow the same fate as the original Lea.
Bang!
The moment my hand touched the glowing word “Yes”, a burst of sparkling light shot into the air.
[Unable to find assets or abilities to trade at this time.]
“What?”
[First, find a way to survive.]
What kind of ridiculous answer is that?
The glowing letters on the paper formed the final message, then suddenly gathered at my fingertips.
“Ah…!”
As I let out a breath, the light disappeared annoyingly.
For a moment, I wondered if I had imagined it after being beaten so badly, but the sensation and thrill of the message touching my fingertips remained vivid.
Well… the message clearly asked if I wanted to trade.
That means I need something to trade with—but right now, I have nothing.
Still, telling me to find a way to survive first… what kind of advice is that?
Feeling uneasy, I tried to put the newspaper down when something suddenly caught my eye—the printed image of the building.
“Saint Verte Castle of the Grand Duke of Hedeigen… attacked?!”
The title of the article showed a grand castle.
So this isn’t a mansion—it’s a castle?
“Who attacked the War God, the Grand Duke of Hedeigen?!”
The subtitle below the headline caught my attention.
The article openly expressed anger about the attack on the Grand Duke, the empire’s hero.
At the end of the article, the Grand Duchess was mentioned, forcing me to read more carefully.
The Grand Duchess has been placed under suspicion, drawing great attention.
(omitted)
Finally, rumors about the Grand Duchess continue to spread—such as her complete absence from major social activities, her failure to inspect the Strachel Bridge construction, and her lack of interest in charity work. In light of this incident, many are cautiously expressing regret.
According to those close to her, the cause of her rude behavior is said to be her troubled marriage.
However, if the stress of failing to win the Grand Duke’s heart led her to neglect her duties, can that truly be considered acceptable behavior for a Grand Duchess?
“So this woman was only thinking about attacking the Grand Duke and didn’t do any of her duties at all.”
But this is supposed to be a newspaper… is it okay to write like this?
If even an article that should be objective is written this way, I can already imagine how terrible her reputation is here.
But who put this newspaper in the bathroom?
Most likely the servants.
Since I said I lost my memory, maybe they wanted me to realize things on my own.
“…Sigh.”
Even her reputation is a mess.
Not knowing where to even begin, I put on the robe that had been prepared and turned another page of the newspaper.
Maybe there was another article about the castle attack.
“Countess… Broy?”
“Countess Broy—Will She Receive the Largest Divorce Settlement in Serjan History?”
The article basically said this:
Countess Broy filed for divorce because she could no longer endure her husband’s affair, gambling, and irresponsible behavior.
After a long legal battle, she proved that the fault was entirely his—and she would receive compensation.
The Supreme Court ruled in her favor, recognizing her dedication to her husband and her charity work, as well as the severe emotional and physical damage she suffered.
It also mentioned that many locals and servants testified in her favor, and her past good deeds played a big role.
Compensation!
At that moment, it felt like a light turned on in my head.
Even if I leave this castle, the Azanie family would try to kill me to keep me quiet, and everyone in the empire hates me.
There’s no one who would help me.
The only safe place right now… is here.
The Grand Duke clearly despises me, but judging by his actions, he plans to keep me alive until he finds out who is behind me.
Of course, he probably wants to divorce me as soon as possible!
“Right… right…”
I just need to stay here, buy some time, make the Azanie family think the Grand Duke is protecting me—
And in that time, I’ll get a divorce and find a way to escape.
Even if I have to sneak onto a ship and leave the empire, I can earn money later and uncover the secret of my birth.
So…
“…I do have a conscience. I won’t ask for much.”
Your Grace, I’ll only ask for enough money to escape.
If I even use the compensation to fund the birth secret transaction, that would make me a bad person.
I’ll really just take enough to run away.
“The problem is… how do I get that money?”
According to the article, Countess Broy succeeded because she was devoted, respected by servants and locals, and her husband was clearly at fault.
So now, I need to—
“Fulfill my duties as the Grand Duchess perfectly, become the ideal supportive wife, and fix my reputation first.”
Only then can I make it seem like the divorce is entirely his fault.
But to do that, I need a clear reason.
“That’s hard…”
Making him gamble is out of the question—he could lose everything.
Getting beaten by him…
“…He does look like the type who could hit a woman.”
No way. One hit from him would probably kill me.
“Then there’s only one option left.”
A scandal!
Yes. It would be much better for him to be with a beautiful, wonderful woman than live with someone who tried to kill him.
Helping him find his true love could also be my way of apologizing.
Honestly, even taking compensation from him feels wrong, so at least I can wish for his happiness.
“Alright. I’ll become a beautiful and admirable woman no matter what—”
“Are you done talking to yourself?”
“…!”
A sharp voice suddenly came from behind me.
“Ah!”
Startled, I turned around—and there he was.
The Grand Duke, tall enough to tower over others, was looking down at me with his head slightly tilted.
Without realizing it, I pulled my robe tighter.
I couldn’t even tell if he was looking at me like a criminal—or if he was just naturally like this.
“A beautiful and admirable woman no matter what. And then?”
Where did he hear from?!
I quickly shut my mouth and tried to recall what I had said.
Come on, brain! Say something!
“Um, so…”
“So?”
“So I’ll become a beautiful and admirable woman… and grow!?”
“What?”
“Yes! I’ll become a woman worthy of Your Highness. Definitely!”
I clenched my fists and shouted with determination.
The Grand Duke’s face darkened instantly, as if he had just heard a declaration of war.
He clearly didn’t like it at all.
“Fix your clothes.”
“Huh?”
His gaze dropped below my neck.
Ah! My robe was loose around my chest.
I quickly tied it, while he spoke in a low voice as if he didn’t care at all.
“When I call you, come immediately. Don’t think too much.”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
He stopped as he was about to leave and looked back at me.
His expression was complicated—whether because I talked back or because he wasn’t used to talking to me.
But soon, he returned to his calm expression.
“Sure you weren’t.”
“I’m serious. When did you call me?”
“The maids said they called you many times, but you didn’t come.”
“Ah… that’s strange.”
There’s no way I wouldn’t hear them in such a quiet bathroom.
As I tilted my head, I noticed his gaze briefly linger on the bathtub.
“….”
Maybe I imagined it, but his eyes looked sharp for a moment, as if he was thinking about something.
Then he looked back at me.
“Come out.”
“Yes, yes!”
For now, staying here is the safest option, so I should stay on the castle owner’s good side.
I quickly followed him.
But then—
“Ah…?”
My head suddenly spun, and my vision went black.
* * *
“Ah…”
My head…
When I opened my eyes, bright morning sunlight was shining through the bed canopy.
It seemed I had fainted last night.
I had barely survived for four days on minimal nutrients, and after waking up, I only drank one glass of water.
No wonder I collapsed.
“I’m thirsty…”
“Drink.”
“Okay, thank you—ah!”
As I sat up and drank the water, I suddenly met a pair of cold blue eyes and screamed in shock.
