Silky, beautiful black hair and intense red eyes, as if rubies had been embedded in them. Her features were sharp, yet still striking enough to be considered a beauty.
‘…I’m speechless.’
Is it because I’m in a romance fantasy novel? How could a woman possess such an appearance? Not that I’m in a position to talk.
Of course, beauty wasn’t her only feature. The dark circles under her eyes and her half-dead, lifeless gaze like a frozen fish gave off her signature air of decadence.
You could tell how much she had suffered just by looking at her. Though, I had no reason to concern myself with that right now.
While I was thinking that, she still hadn’t said a word.
What’s this? What on earth could she be thinking, standing in front of a Duke without even greeting him? I began to feel a little irritated and finally spoke.
“…What are you doing?”
“I-I’m sorry for being rude. It’s an honor to et you for the first ti, Duke Hardenberg.”
As she bowed respectfully, the irritation in subsided a little.
Co to think of it, was I really upset because I hadn’t received a greeting from the young lady of a Count’s household?
It seems that living in this world has made accustod to the class system. Feeling a bit bitter, I sighed and spoke.
“Well, it’s fine. I didn’t say it to scold you. Don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“So, what’s your business?”
At the sa ti, her crimson eyes narrowed. Adele Este took a mont to catch her breath before looking at .
‘…Has she regressed?’
It was exactly as described in the novel. The slight pain she felt as her pupils contracted.
I couldn’t know how many tis she had regressed, but judging by the weariness on her face, it wasn’t a small number.
“I’ve co to propose a deal.”
“…A deal, you say.”
I tapped my fingers on the chair as I slowly continued.
“Does Miss Adele understand the nature of a deal?”
“…Yes, I do.”
She couldn’t possibly not know. From her perspective, this isn’t the first ti she’s hearing these words from .
“What is it?”
“It is an exchange of things of equal value.”
Exactly the words I was about to say. It’s fascinating to experience her regression ability firsthand.
“We seem to be of the sa mind.”
After a brief pause, I continued.
“So, what is it that the young lady of the Este family desires?”
“A marriage contract for one year.”
“Hm?”
It was exactly how the original plot unfolded.
Originally, she would use information related to the imperial family to win over Duke Hardenberg to her side. However, to , who has read the original story, that information is practically useless.
Adele likely knows this after experiencing countless regressions as well.
“I see. Do you wish to re-enter high society?”
“That’s correct.”
According to the original story, Adele is currently in no position to attend any social gatherings. Unlike typical romance fantasy novels, this grimdark story’s high society is one where you cannot attend without an invitation.
It was a novel with a lot of unnecessary realism.
“So, what is it that Miss Adele wishes to trade in return?”
“The Este family’s trading company.”
She took a deep breath before continuing.
“To be precise, the exclusive rights to the Este family’s trading company.”
…Correct.
The decisive reason why Duke Hardenberg agreed to a marriage contract with the young lady of the Este family in the original story was because of the Este family’s trading company.
The Este trading company controls nearly half of the empire’s market. Of course, if that were all, the original Abel wouldn’t have gone so far as to endure a marriage contract just to secure the monopoly.
After all, even from an outsider’s perspective, he was a Duke on par with the imperial family.
The reason Abel accepted the marriage contract with her was simple.
‘Because Count Este is an arms dealer.’
Only the imperial family and Count Este know this information. The fact that the Este family’s trading company deals in military supplies.
Even the Adele in front of doesn’t know, which shows just how critical a secret it is.
The original Abel knew this, which is why he accepted the contract marriage with her.
Of course, even in my current position, where I despise the imperial family, it’s valuable enough to be worth the trouble.
“Interesting. A child who doesn’t even know they hold a jewel in their hands.”
“…What do you an by that?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I called out to Allen, who was waiting outside.
“Allen.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Bring it.”
I spoke to him as he stepped through the door.
Allen quickly realized what I was referring to and pulled out a piece of paper from the air, using a simple spatial magic technique to retrieve it.
It was the contract.
After rising from my seat, I sat on the sofa across from Adele.
Allen placed the contract on the wooden table between the sofas, turning it so she could read it.
“…Impressive.”
“Well, it’s just a little trick.”
“Is that so.”
Adele closed her eyes briefly, seemingly tired, then began reading through the contract carefully.
“For your reference, there’s a geas on that contract. If you break the terms, there will be consequences.”
“Thorough, I see.”
“I’ll take that as a complint.”
With that, Adele focused entirely on reading the contract. Feeling a bit bored, I found myself gazing at her face.
If decadence could be expressed in a face, it would look like hers. One thing I’ve realized since entering this romance fantasy world is that there are far too many beautiful people here.
What’s funny is that anyone with unrealistically beautiful features always plays an important role in the original story. Not just , but Adele, and even the original male lead.
Every ti I face soone with such beauty, I can’t help but feel out of place. That’s probably why her beautiful face doesn’t stir anything in —it’s that sense of disconnect.
Lost in thought, I didn’t notice when Adele spoke to .
“Can the terms of the contract be anded?”
“Of course. But it would require mutual agreent.”
“…I see.”
After that, Adele returned to reading the contract. It seems she didn’t find anything she needed to change.
Of course, she wouldn’t.
The contract I prepared contains the exact sa terms as the one Abel and Adele agreed upon in the original story.
Co to think of it, our nas are quite similar. Just one different initial. Was that sothing the author did on purpose?
“I’ll proceed as is.”
“Very well. Then imbue your mana into the contract.”
“Understood.”
Soon, a red mist rose from Adele’s hand, seeping into the contract. I, too, summoned my mana and infused it into the docunt.
The contract trembled slightly from the mana clash before settling down. A sign that the contract had been sealed.
“Now that I think of it, I haven’t seen Count Este in quite so ti.”
“Is that so.”
“Could you deliver a ssage for ?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him not to act recklessly.”
“…Understood.”
Adele let out a quiet sigh, lowering her head slightly.
“The engagent ceremony will be in a month. So, starting tomorrow, co to the Duke’s estate.”
“What?”
Was my statent too sudden for her?
“If you’re going to be the Duke’s wife, you’ll need proper training, won’t you?”
“What do you an…”
“I’m talking about bridal lessons.”
At my words, Adele looked at , flustered. Her pure expression, which didn’t suit her otherwise sharp features, almost made laugh. But I managed to hold it back.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason I said it. My real intention in bringing her to the Duke’s estate was to hold her as leverage against Count Este.
Count Este, who cherishes his daughter deeply, wouldn’t dare give information about to the imperial family with her as a hostage.
“Well then, off you go. I need to rest now.”
“…Understood.”
She quickly composed her expression and followed Allen’s guidance out of the office.
‘This is going according to the original plot.’
By securing a marriage contract, I’ve obtained Count Este as a key piece in this ga. Plus, Adele Este is the perfect key for achieving my goals.
And what I must focus on is my objective.
My purpose is to destroy the imperial family, the root of all the grimdark developnts to co. The original Abel didn’t have enough information about the imperial family and had no choice but to suffer, but I am different.
‘Though it won’t be easy, even with all of that in mind…’
What choice do I have? If I don’t want to suffer, I’ll have to try.
***
‘He is a dangerous man.’
He really is dangerous.
When my friend explained the original story to , they said Abel was quite the mastermind behind the scenes. Now that I’ve dealt with him firsthand, I couldn’t agree more.
‘The problem isn’t that I’m regressing.’
I was prepared for the fact that I’d be regressing. In fact, I’ve been kicked out by him several tis already.
At least my save point is right before talking with the Duke. If not, I might have gone mad by now.
Originally, I was planning to form a marriage contract by offering him information about the imperial family, which he wants to destroy. But he showed no interest in that information at all.
After five regressions, I ca to the conclusion that he already knew everything I was going to tell him. It’s likely that one of my previous actions caused a butterfly effect, leading Abel to acquire that information.
Of course, if that were the only issue, I wouldn’t be so wary.
‘That man… he already knew what I intended to offer in exchange for the marriage contract…’
He even predicted the cards I was planning to play. The contract had every detail laid out. He had researched everything about , a re villainess, to that extent.
Considering he had already prepared the contract, it’s clear he was testing —whether I would offer the deal exactly as written.
If I hadn’t, he would have discarded without hesitation. He’s done so before, after all.
‘…I think I’ve gotten myself involved with the wrong person.’
I closed my eyes tightly and leaned against the wall of the carriage. The rumbling vibrations reached , but they didn’t bother as they usually would.
Because there was sothing far more concerning on my mind.
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