* * *

The Count of Legentia residence was small and modest. The two-story mansion built on a narrow plot had only the essentials. Upon closer inspection, from the vines that had grown wildly and overtaken the fence to the lusterless exterior walls, it was evident that the house hadn’t been properly cared for.

The Count’s castle in their territory was better than this, but even that was merely past glory. The current Count of Legentia family lacked the wealth to maintain a large mansion.

‘Even maintaining this level of mansion is a struggle now.’

They say it was once a respectable family, but its former glory had long since faded.

A familiar figure greeted me as I got out of the carriage. The one guarding the main gate of the Count’s residence was a face I knew.

“Welcome, Miss.”

“It’s been a while, Jedril.”

Swain Jedril was the Count family’s guard knight. He was one of the personnel reluctantly maintained due to Father’s desire to keep up appearances despite the small household.

Because Father insisted on maintaining his noble pride, the already precarious family finances continued to decline.

It’s probably been about five years now? I tried to recall how long Swain had been staying with the Count family, sifting through Alisa’s memories.

In fact, Alisa once had a crush on this man. His name is deeply engraved in her girlhood. Brown hair that gave a warm feeling and blue eyes. When his kind gaze was directed at her, Alisa would shyly blush.

Unfortunately, she married Rashid without erasing her secret affection. She had too many fears to confess her love. The difference in status with him, a commoner, was also too burdensome for Alisa to overcome.

‘How unfortunate…’

To think Alisa had such a backstory. Recalling these past memories, I moved my steps.

Swain guided me into the mansion.

Although it was my first visit, this Count’s residence was a place where Alisa had once stayed for a considerable time. Perhaps because my body remembered, I could clearly see where everything was without having to consciously recall.

Following Swain, a servant of the mansion guided me to the reception room.

“Oh, Alisa. Have you been well? What brings you here without notice?”

Count Legentia greeted me warmly.

Verdin Legentia was a man with fine features. From his light brown hair to his blue eyes, he bore a resemblance to Alisa. They certainly looked like father and daughter.

Alisa’s mother died when she was young. Her father raised his only daughter alone without remarrying. With a strong sense of noble pride, he was naturally brusque and sometimes even oppressive. As a result, Alisa grew up always mindful of his mood.

He must have been truly happy when the daughter he raised alone found a good marriage. Would it feel like winning the lottery? I tried to gauge the father’s feelings but then gave up. I didn’t particularly want to know.

“I’ve been well. Have you been in good health too, Father?”

I behaved as respectfully as I could. Even if they weren’t on the best terms, he was still her father. It would be a big problem if he noticed I wasn’t his daughter.

“I’m always the same. Please tell His Grace the Duke that we should meet sometime.”

“Actually, I came because I have something to tell you.”

As soon as he sees Alisa, he asks about Rashid. He doesn’t hide that his son-in-law is more important than his daughter. Thanks to this, it became easier to bring up the topic.

Although he had no power in this marriage, Father was still one of the important stakeholders.

Above all, I thought that after I divorce… my parental home would be the only place to turn to. So I needed to get his understanding in advance.

I wondered if I was taking away the winning lottery ticket from Father, but I shook my head to dismiss the thought. I’m not some lottery ticket, but a living person.

“Actually, I’m thinking of getting a divorce.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I’ve already spoken to His Grace about it.”

“Why on earth? Did His Grace suggest it?”

Father’s voice instantly filled with anger. Still, I had to say what needed to be said.

“That’s not the case, but I don’t think I can maintain the marriage any longer.”

“But why!”

He started shouting at this point.

My heart pounded at the piercing yell. Alisa’s body, which was raised under him, was reacting automatically.

It’s okay. It’s nothing. I took a deep breath and spoke.

“I don’t have confidence anymore. I think I’m not qualified. People look at me with eyes that can’t believe I’m a duchess. Those gazes are painful.”

It was true.

Even without trying to make up words, there was an overflow of things to say. They were all words that had been inside Alisa.

“This position is too heavy for me. The work is excessive, and there are too many things to worry about. Not only that, I’m always concerned that His Grace the Duke might take a mistress. I fear that my status might become shabby because of it. The nights I spend crying due to numerous worries are getting longer. Even if such a thing happens, I won’t be able to say a word. You know better than anyone why, Father.”

“Alisa!”

“Of course, I know that a noble marriage isn’t just a matter for the parties involved. I would have tried to endure as much as possible. However, to this extent….”

What an ill-suited marriage.

Although I didn’t finish my words, Father seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

“Still, it can’t be. Are you in your right mind? How can you not endure even that much! No matter what anyone says, you just need to stay still, why can’t you do that?”

He was raging. His face, flushed red, looked like it might burst at any moment. He must have never experienced a daughter who doesn’t move according to his will.

“It was an absurd marriage from the start.”

Surprisingly, my heart really ached. I clutched at my chest.

It would have been better if he was coaxing and persuading because he wanted his daughter to live comfortably as a duchess. But that wasn’t what was important to Father.

“Don’t you know how great it is just for you to be in that position? What nonsense are you spouting about His Grace the Duke who accepted someone like you as his wife! Go right now and apologize!”

Bang!

As soon as Father finished speaking, I slammed the table hard.

They say when you’re too angry, instead of getting hot, your chest gets cold… That’s how it was now.

How could he see his daughter only as a tool to this extent? No matter how difficult and painful it was for his daughter, that suffering meant nothing to him. It was just an extremely trivial matter not worth caring about.

“Alisa!”

“What about my concerns?”

“What?”

“Don’t you worry about me?”

“Because I’m worried about you, as a duchess….”

“I said I don’t want it!”

I shouted as if screaming.

What followed was silence.

My head hurt. If only I could speak everything honestly, it would be nice.

Count Legentia, Alisa’s father, well, I’ll call him father for now. Because I’m Alisa right now.

In the near future, I’ll be driven out of the duchess position anyway. Because Rashid will find his true love. That very His Grace the Duke that you’re fawning over will meet someone he truly loves, and would he keep that precious woman as a mere mistress?

I can clearly see how much you’ll torment your daughter when she’s driven out later, and I don’t want to just sit and wait to suffer that. Moreover, knowing what will happen in that process, how could I stay still?

“No matter what you say, Father, I will do as I wish.”

“Alisa, my child.”

“I came here just to let you know, not to ask for permission.”

I glared at Count Legentia. He gritted his teeth at my sharp attitude.

“You can’t. Please, come to your senses!”

“You’re the one who needs to come to your senses. Excessive greed brings trouble. You know that without me, this marriage is nothing, right? Without me.”

“……”

“I’ve told you clearly. I’ve said all I needed to say, so I’ll be going now.”

I walked out of the reception room without looking back.

The future is obvious. I know the days to come. It was a fate that I couldn’t tell anyone in words. It’s called fate, and fate doesn’t change, and thus an unchanging future awaits me. The male protagonist meets the female protagonist and falls in love. Even if other minor things change a bit, that most important rule in this novel’s world won’t change.