1

Last night, I spent a perfect night with a man.

I met him at a charity banquet hosted by the imperial family. I was already drunk when I left the banquet hall. How was I supposed to know that last whiskey would be so strong?

My vision was blurry and my feet kept tangling.

As I was waiting for my family’s carriage outside the banquet hall…

〈Would you like to ride in my carriage?〉

That’s when I met him.

〈Why are you standing out here? It’s cold.〉

His voice seemed wonderful, but I couldn’t see his face clearly in the darkness. It was too cold outside, and somehow I felt like it, so I got into his carriage. I was also confident that no one in the Sellophel Empire would dare harm me.

〈I don’t want to go home today.〉

Perhaps because I was feeling good, I spilled all my inner thoughts. The truth is, I hated going home every single day.

〈No. Actually, I hate that house.〉

I never liked that house since my transmigration.

Hearing my words, the man chuckled deeply and said:

〈Then what would you like to do? Want to come with me?〉

I think I nodded. The next thing I remember is heading straight to this Royal Hotel. I recall getting the most expensive suite.

The man’s broad shoulders and thick arms were filled with firm muscles.

His soft, smooth eyes that I could feel even in the darkness.

The warm gaze he gave me.

Because it was dark, and because I was drunk, I don’t remember all his features, but that gaze remains vivid in my memory. It was the first time anyone had looked at Ires Liberk with such beautiful eyes.

I was completely satisfied with my impulsive decision.

And that low voice whispering in my ear.

〈Like this?〉

I remember desperately clinging to him. Even his s*xy moans and satisfied low gasps. I’m certain he was as satisfied and pleased as I was.

I don’t know who he is, but I had made up my mind to meet him again. I even thought about what I would say when I woke up.

‘I enjoyed last night. How about you? If you’re okay with it, would you like to meet again tonight?’

Such a proactive and romantic line.

But.

An empty bed greeted me. Only dust remained in this room.

He left without leaving anything behind?

“This can’t be happening.”

Was I the only one who enjoyed it? Was I the only one?!

I got out of bed, clutching the blanket. There wasn’t even a note left. I flipped over the bedding, thoroughly searched the table and floor.

I even checked the bathroom just in case.

“So you have no intention of seeing me again?”

Ha, fine. So that’s how it is. No, I didn’t like you either. I didn’t! I can meet other men. Are men so rare in this world?

“Fine, I don’t need any of this!”

I called the room maid and had her buy me new underwear. I went down to the hotel lobby looking perfectly normal as usual. And just as I was about to leave, I became a little…

A little curious.

Actually, I missed the way that man had looked at me. I wanted to see those eyes once more.

Those eyes that sparkled more brilliantly than anything else in the world.

So, as a last lingering attachment, I asked the staff at the hotel lobby desk.

“Do you know who I came with yesterday?”

“Ah, no. I remember you checked in alone yesterday.”

“…Really? Is there perhaps any letter or note left for me?”

“There was nothing. Are you looking for someone?”

“No.”

My pride was hurt.

I won’t look for you anymore. I’m done searching.

Whoever you are, just try to find me.

This is so annoying, seriously.

※※※

When I returned to the mansion, there was an event waiting for me that would make me forget everything about that man.

No, a person was waiting.

The same appearance as mine, but with more radiant silver hair and beautifully sparkling purple eyes. A beautiful woman who inherited everything from the Liberk ducal family. The female protagonist of this novel.

Rozenne Liberk.

So you’ve returned.

“Ires.”

Mother called me as I was distracted by the woman.

“…You didn’t come home yesterday.”

I turned my head toward Mother. Cold eyes devoid of any emotion were directed at me. When our eyes met, a faint contempt clouded her gaze.

Those eyes were all too familiar. They were the reason I hated coming home.

I knew what Mother was going to say to me.

Rozenne is the real daughter of the ducal family. The setting was that she had been missing since childhood but was finally found. True to her role as the female protagonist, she had been living at a temple, helping orphans.

That woman was the reason I had to live as a substitute for the ducal family.

With the appearance of the original female lead, this novel has finally begun.

I had transmigrated into the fake daughter in a novel called “The Real Lady Has Returned.” My position was to act as the real daughter until the missing real lady returned. In the novel, I get kicked out as soon as the real daughter returns. And now I seem to be facing that situation.

“This is Rozenne. The real Rozenne. The true bloodline of House Liberk. Unlike you who rolled around in the streets, she’s the genuine ducal blood. Look at her. Don’t you feel her dignity, unlike yourself?”

See?

At first, I was a bit surprised, but since I had been expecting this, my mind remained calm.

It’s been five years since I transmigrated here. During that time, I tried many things. I struggled to please those people even a little, tried to become part of the family.

But they hated me. Because my appearance was similar and reminded them of their real daughter.

In the original story, ‘Ires’ decides to take revenge. So when the real daughter returns and the ducal family tries to send her away, she resists and torments Rozenne to death.

Until this day came, I really hated the ducal family that hated me no matter what I did.

But I didn’t want to torment the female protagonist. What sin did she commit? Her face is barely visible in the sunlight. I can’t even see what expression she’s making.

In fact, if she hadn’t gone missing and had lived in the ducal family, she would have lived her life without any hardship.

The Duchess spoke with rehearsed lines.

“Leave, Ires.”

I knew this was coming.

Her voice was resolute, as if all discussions had already been concluded during the night I was absent.

“The Duke has already agreed. Your existence will only hinder Rozenne’s return to her rightful place. Go back to where you belong.”

The Duchess added coldly.

I felt rather relieved. So I answered comfortably.

“Yes.”

“No matter how much you hate it… What did you just say?”

The Duchess cut off her intended speech and asked in bewilderment.

“You told me to leave. I said I would.”

In the original story, Ires causes a scene, insisting on staying to reclaim her place. She torments Rozenne and attacks the ducal family. Eventually, she’s branded as a villainess and dragged to a convent. Dying of illness in the convent was her final fate.

Of course, nothing would work against Rozenne, the female protagonist.

But I hate that. It’s too unfair, isn’t it? Since I’ve transmigrated, I want to live spectacularly and stylishly.

And date a good man.

The only reason I stayed here until now, despite knowing things wouldn’t change, was simple: to ensure the original story began properly.

It would be troublesome if they disappeared and came looking for a substitute, right? It would be an unwanted vacancy for the ducal family. So I waited for Rozenne to arrive.

Perhaps because I had already given up, none of the Duchess’s words hurt me. The Duchess added in a cold voice:

“…I see. You’ve always known your place. I’ll give you a week.”

Why give me so long? I don’t need it. Actually, I’ve always been ready to leave.

Since I never knew when Rozenne would return, I kept my bags packed so I could leave at any time.

Though there’s not much I can take with me anyway.

“No. Today, I’ll leave today.”

I said with a bright smile. Seeing the Duchess’s face freeze at my words gave me a bit of satisfaction.

At that moment, my eyes met Rozenne’s.

What’s with her?

She’s smiling right now?

Rozenne moved her lips.

‘Live within your means.’

…I must have seen wrong. The female lead couldn’t be like that.

※※※