Chapter 4
It wasn’t just the two nobles from the collateral branch—everyone who had followed them in, including the knights, attendants, and maids, shared the same attitude.
“Oh! My apologies. If I’m wrong, do let me know. But unless there’s some unwritten law that allows a lowly collateral to barge into the proud Rubrillion duchess’s quarters without permission…”
“…”
“If not, then this is going to be a very amusing situation.”
“My Lady!”
With a sharp step forward, Rubrillion, who had been sweating nervously, instinctively stepped back.
“To think someone this disrespectful carries even a drop of Rubrillion blood…”
Our Rubrillion.
Using the name I once wanted to tear off myself now felt strangely ironic.
“How utterly disgraceful.”
As I looked at him pitifully on purpose, the man who had been standing quietly beside Rubrillion suddenly stepped forward.
“My Lady, you may not remember me, but I’m Chandler. We met often as children.”
Then, as if rehearsed in advance, he smoothly continued.
“It has been over two months since the Duke and Duchess went missing. In these uncertain times, who else could protect you? We merely came to offer our assistance…”
There was no need to hear more.
“Yes, yes. How noble of you. Restrain them. Unauthorized entry into the ducal estate—by law, they are to be imprisoned on the third underground floor.”
I don’t need anyone to protect me. I killed the missing Duke, after all.
“We came out of genuine concern for you, My Lady! And this is how you treat us?”
The servants of the duchy clearly had no intention of obeying me either, despite Chandler raising his voice. No one intervened.
‘They all need to be replaced.’
I lifted my shawl, glanced at the knights, and then turned to Chandler.
“This is the Libedro Empire. According to Imperial Law Article 16, Clause 7, when the head of a noble house is absent, the one who inherits the surname assumes authority over the estate.”
Their faces were blank.
“I am currently acting as head in the Duke’s absence. Your actions are in violation of his authority.”
My words were directed both at the collateral nobles and the others staring at me like I’d gone mad.
“Under the charge of unlawful trespassing and undermining the Duke’s authority, they are to be imprisoned on the third basement floor.”
After a brief glance, the knights began moving efficiently.
Even these obedient knights had dismissed me until now. I must have been truly pathetic for them to treat me like that.
‘Well, I was the abandoned daughter of an all-powerful Duke.’
A daughter unloved and cast aside, tormented with no one to speak for her. Watching me suffer must have brought them joy.
“Listen well. I will not allow any objections. As the Duke and Duchess have been absent for over two months, I, Inera Rubrillion, declare myself Acting Head of House.”
I softly patted Chandler’s shoulder, who was now gagged and restrained by the knights.
“Now then—any objections?”
✦ ✦ ✦
Since that day, the atmosphere in the ducal estate shifted in a strange way.
“M-My Lady, a letter from the Imperial Family has arrived. What would you like to do?”
It was only natural—an utterly useless daughter, once scorned by the Duke, was now the household’s power figure.
But there was a limit to how far that respect could go.
“Give it to me.”
The truth was, there were many reasons.
No one working for House Rubrillion could be ignorant of them.
With the Duke and Duchess gone, and even the ever-visitng collateral nobles distancing themselves from me—what support could I possibly have?
Besides, I had just come of age. How much of a threat could a young woman be?
But the most important reason was this—
“Also, My Lady… the collateral nobles sent this.”
“Hmm? A portrait?”
“Yes. They’re proposing a marriage alliance…”
Imperial Law Article 10, Clause 1:
A woman cannot inherit a noble title.
That law—unavoidable for someone born in the Empire—was my greatest obstacle.
Eventually, I’d have to marry and leave the duchy, which meant one of the collateral nobles would inherit the title.
To them, I was just someone they had to humor temporarily.
Seriously… As always, this Empire is impossible to love.
“Tell the undertaker to send over some coffin designs.”
“…Pardon?”
“Send those coffin designs to whoever sent this portrait.”
Marriage? A proposal?
I had no intention of fulfilling my father’s lifelong wish so easily.
“That will be all. You may leave.”
The truth is, my father was nearly infertile.
He consulted every doctor and sorcerer he could find. It took seven whole years for him to finally succeed.
Once my mother became pregnant, the Duke desperately hoped it would be a boy—his first and last child.
He hired multiple sorcerers and spent a fortune, insisting that the baby must be male, no matter the side effects.
But in the end… I was born.
The girl he never wanted.
After I was born, he was declared completely infertile.
“Bear a son. That is your only purpose.”
“You were a mistake from the start. Blame yourself for being born a failure.”
His twisted anger, hidden under a mask of nobility, was always aimed at me.
Just thinking about it made my stomach churn again.
‘By now, he must have reached the gates of hell.’
Ssshhk— I sliced open the Imperial letter with a paper knife.
The wax seal parted cleanly. Inside, the imperial crest stamped boldly across the top.
“You’re not leaving?”
“Ah—my apologies.”
I turned my eyes to read the letter.
“The Imperial Family is conducting an investigation…”
If the Emperor arbitrarily handed my title to a collateral noble, I’d be married off like property, wouldn’t I?
“I had a feeling… They’re sending someone.”
I slammed the letter shut.
So quick with their decisions.
My fate was approaching fast.
“Honestly, two months was longer than I expected.”
The search for the Duke and Duchess…
They won’t find anything.
Unlike my past life, I made no stupid mistakes. I disposed of everything perfectly.
“They won’t suspect me.”
In my past life, sure, they had forged evidence—but it looked convincing. No one now would accuse a girl who never left the house of murder.
At this point, I had two choices.
The first path: remain quiet and docile, give up my title, and marry some old noble or man of noble blood who wanted my name.
“Just thinking about it disgusts me.”
Anyone who’d marry a powerless duchess would be that kind of man.
“Without the title, I’m worthless.”
Then the second path is…
“To become someone useful.”
I took a step forward and threw open the door.
“Ugh!”
But my outstretched foot caught on someone’s leg, and I stumbled, losing balance.
I immediately felt arms catch me.
Startled, I looked up.
A man—presumably the one I tripped over—was groaning as he stood right in front of me.
His deep navy hair swayed slightly.
The strength in his arms eased as he held me.
Our eyes met in midair as he slowly lifted his face.
His crimson eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn’t help but widen my own.
“…Kisschel?”
The man smirked as he bowed dramatically.
“Kisschel Besen, reporting my return to my master.”
It was him—my childhood friend, and my loyal vassal—Kisschel Besen, standing right before me after so many years.
To be continued.
