Chapter 4
…Would it be okay if I went home?
To that cozy house…
‘Just because he said he hadn’t seen Veloa, I totally lost it.’
What was I even thinking, not more than ten minutes ago?
Sitting stiffly in the center of the reception room—so big it looked like three rooms stitched together—I swallowed hard. Ugh, the atmosphere was so tense it felt like I’d get my head chopped off if I so much as twitched a finger.
“Ermia Tekins.”
Eek!
Just when I had barely calmed myself.
The mere sound of Duke Leandro calling my name shattered my composure into pieces.
“Arson in the streets.”
A sheet of paper fluttered to the floor from the stack he was reading.
“Fraud—gathering investors under the pretense of a non-existent mine.”
Flutter.
Another paper fell to the ground.
“Caught smuggling luxury goods.”
Flutter.
Wait, is that really—
“Disgraced and thrown out of a charity gala after slandering your stepmother and half-sister.”
Flutter.
“Attempted poisoning of a complainant.”
The enormous bundle of papers he held… were they all records of my crimes?
I blinked at the sheer volume of documents.
It hadn’t even been a few hours since I brought Veloa here.
And in that short time, he managed to dig all of this up?
“Loan sharking, kidnapping, blackmail, attempted murder, property seizure, possession and illegal trade of forbidden scrolls…”
Flutter, flutter, flutter!
The papers began raining down faster and faster. Before I knew it, the floor was covered in a mountain of documents.
“And let’s not forget, you blew up the Tekins estate and fled earlier this evening.”
Flutter!
Now, only one last paper remained in Duke Leandro’s hand.
His golden eyes narrowed as he read the final sheet.
“This one isn’t a crime, but it certainly is depraved.”
Flutter.
The final paper landed atop the pile. In large letters, it read:
[A Report on the Hidden Crimes of the Tekins Family]
“You are a criminal, Miss Ermia Tekins.”
The moment our eyes met, the suffocating pressure from earlier came crashing down again.
Even though the Duke had only listed my charges, I instinctively knew.
At this moment, I was someone he could execute on the spot.
In other words, this was the kind of situation where it wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly drew his sword and struck me down.
Just like that man I saw a few months ago—who died so suddenly—it wouldn’t be strange if I met the same fate.
“Aaaah!”
The scene of that man’s death flashed before my eyes. This time, it would be me getting slashed.
Terrifying.
“You said you brought my niece.”
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounded so hard I couldn’t hear Duke Leandro’s words clearly.
Maybe he smiled a little? Or maybe not?
“But I think she resembles you more than she does me.”
What’s happening?
I logically knew he wouldn’t kill me just yet. At the very least, he would hear me out about Veloa.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling he might rise from his seat and draw that sword on his waist to cut me down at any second.
My palms were sweaty. My vision kept fading in and out.
No, it’s okay.
He has no reason to kill me right now. It’s a misunderstanding that can be cleared up. I didn’t even do those things, and I brought Veloa here.
So calm down.
‘I need to say something…’
If I stayed silent, I really would end up looking like a swindler.
But my throat was so tight I couldn’t get a single word out.
“Especially the pink hair, the signature of the Tekins family—no need to even check the face.”
Through the loud pounding in my chest, the Duke’s voice cut through.
“At the very least, your casting choice should’ve been more convincing, Miss Tekins.”
“It’s not true!”
The words escaped before I could even think.
I shook my head, staring directly at Leandro, my breath ragged.
“No, Your Grace. It’s understandable that you’d suspect me. But Veloa—she’s not a fraud.”
That child really was your family.
Even though I had changed things a lot, in the original story, she was a girl who endured years of hardship, longing for her real family.
“…Veloa truly is your niece. Please believe me.”
I’m begging you, don’t call her a fake—even as a lie.
“This will serve as evidence to dispel your doubts.”
I pushed a small pouch I had been carrying close to my heart toward Duke Leandro.
I should’ve shown this from the beginning.
My cowardice made him say things I shouldn’t have had to hear.
‘Sorry, Veloa.’
I apologized to her quietly in my heart.
“What is this?”
Was it because the girl who had her face buried in the floor suddenly shouted?
Or maybe some part of my sincerity had reached him?
The Duke’s face, which had been expressionless, now had the faintest crack in it.
Even his voice—so full of pressure earlier—sounded just a tiny bit softer.
“It’s the keepsake of Lady Hilda Leandro.”
Taking the pouch from me, the Duke untied it with practiced, efficient hands.
What came out was an amulet.
Cracked, dirty, and worn—barely functional. The kind that holds a portrait inside.
“…”
He stared at it silently. The golden eyes that had seemed so terrifying just moments ago wavered slightly.
Click.
With a soft sound, the lid opened more easily than expected.
Seeing the portrait inside, the Duke ran a hand down his face silently.
That was all.
He returned to his calm demeanor and looked straight at me.
“Do you have a request, Miss Ermia Tekins?”
His expression was unreadable again, but his hand gripped the amulet tightly—like it was something precious.
That meant… not quite approval, but he was willing to listen.
Of course.
Because Veloa is real!
“Tell me what you want. I think it’s worth hearing you out.”
Finally—the main topic.
The moment I had been waiting for!
“What do you want from me?”
This is it. Don’t mess up.
I cleared my throat and declared:
“Your Grace!”
Bang!
I slammed my forehead down on the desk.
The Duke’s brow twitched with irritation.
“I acknowledge my sins!”
Ah, tears! Don’t forget to squeeze out a tear.
“Even if I brought Veloa here, my past sins won’t just vanish. That’s why I wish to accept my punishment.”
“Punishment?”
“Yes.”
I looked him in the eye and nodded solemnly.
“If Your Grace allows it, I’d like to renounce the Tekins name and spend the rest of my life in a convent.”
In this empire, being demoted to a commoner was considered a punishment equal to execution.
Stripped of their noble name and forced into a life of manual labor as the commoners they so despised—it was the worst fate imaginable to the aristocracy.
But for me?
‘Piece of cake!’
I had already lived like a slave in a company worse than a commoner’s life.
Being demoted would actually be a step up!
The convent part was a bit of a bluff, but I truly meant to throw away the Tekins name and live as a commoner.
And it was the safest route.
‘If I had only sent Veloa, those scumbags would’ve pinned all the blame on me.’
But by stepping up first and accepting some punishment, the Duke would have no reason to kill me later.
I bowed my head and shouted sincerely.
“Please grant me this, Your Grace!”
I expected an immediate nod, but instead—heavy silence loomed above my head.
‘What now?’
Wasn’t the mood just fine a second ago? Maybe he’s debating how best to frame the demotion?
“Miss Tekins.”
My modest hope shattered at those words.
“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”
I lifted my head instinctively, and my eyes met his golden gaze.
“The crimes you’ve committed are far too great to be wiped away by giving up your name and hiding in a convent.”
The Duke was passing a death sentence with eyes that didn’t even flinch.
“The most I can offer is a small courtesy in thanks for returning my sister’s keepsake.”
What is he saying?
My heart pounded louder and louder.
So in the end… I’m still going to die?
Even after all that?
‘I thought it would work…’
He kept talking, but I could no longer hear anything.
‘I really thought it would work…’
It was a small hope, but I thought—just like in a novel or movie—he’d take my side in the end.
But no.
‘No…’
I held my breath. If it were anyone else, maybe not. But I knew.
Duke Leandro would not hesitate to kill me.
I had read “Real Princess Walks the Flower Path” countless times before being reincarnated into this world.
No, no, please, I really—
“…don’t want to die.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said I don’t want to die!”
It burst out. The worst possible move, but I couldn’t stop.
“I— I finally escaped that place!”
I screamed.
“Was it because of the fire? I had no choice! If I didn’t do that, I would’ve stayed trapped there forever and died anyway!”
I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore—just vomiting everything I had buried inside.
“I want to live! I want to live!!”
“Miss Tekins.”
“I want to survive—so this time I can be happy!”
Was it so wrong to ask for a little peace? I just wanted to live quietly and peacefully.
To cut off my toxic family, and for once, live for myself—for my own happiness, my health, my peace.
Was that such a sin? A sin worth dying for?
“No, it’s not!”
“Miss Tekins!”
Suddenly, my vision brightened, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Calm yourself.”
Duke Leandro gently took my wrist and sat me down on the sofa.
Then he set a glass of cold water before me, like he was telling me to drink.
“I’m not going to kill you right now. Even if I were, I’d follow the proper legal procedures. You’re still a noble, after all.”
“…”
Was this supposed to calm me down?
I was so stunned that the emotions choking me actually subsided a little.
“However, I may offer you a chance.”
“A… hic… chance?”
“Yes.”
His golden eyes were calm as ever.
“A chance to live… and be happy.”
“What… hic… kind of chance?”
I clutched the cup tightly and stared at him.
No matter what he said, I had to accept it.
It was the only way to survive.
Even if it meant a slave contract or being dragged off for experiments…
Even if it was something completely unfair—
“You will become my fiancée.”
I must… Wait, what?
“For three years.”
I spat out the water I was drinking and blinked rapidly.
“I vow never to love you. I won’t touch you, either.”
Wait a second. Isn’t this…
“What do you say, Miss Ermia Tekins?”
I’m sorry, but… wasn’t this supposed to be a childcare story, not a contract marriage one?!?
