Chapter 02
Whether they knew how crazy-making their expressions were or not, Gawain and Russell looked absolutely ridiculous.
‘What’s with those heartbreakingly wistful faces?’
Could something so sentimental exist between Erina and those two? Especially right after the Duchess’ funeral?
Erina’s family—the Marvas Duke household men—had become even more indifferent toward her after the Duchess’ death. Or rather, it was closer to intentional neglect.
In the novel, there was a note that Erina wondered if people treated her differently because she resembled her mother, but who knew if that was true.
‘Leaving that aside, why are they acting completely differently from the original story?’
It was utterly absurd. And it didn’t seem like I was the only one who felt it. Gawain, Russell, and the Duke all looked unsettled as they exchanged glances.
I decided I had to get these three men out of the room first. I had just realized I’d possessed Erina’s body, and my confusion hadn’t even settled yet—adding her family into the mix was the last thing I needed.
“Why are you all acting like this?”
At my words, their heads snapped toward me as if slapped. The intensity of their reaction added to my sense of pressure, and I stiffened my expression.
“Did I make some mistake? This is the first time you’ve come here like this.”
The three flinched at that. I looked at their reactions, which trembled even more, and ended in a calm, firm tone:
“…I know the Duchess’ funeral ended yesterday. I also know I must conduct myself properly. So don’t worry. I will behave quietly, like a mouse, and not disgrace the Duke household’s honor.”
“Erina, it’s not that…”
“Brother Gawain, weren’t you worried and came to check on me?”
I tilted my head innocently as I asked. Gawain’s face faltered. Slowly, he lowered the hand he had reached toward me, clenching his fist, but I pretended not to see and looked away.
Gawain Marvas, eldest son of the Marvas Duke household. One of the empire’s top swordsmen and captain of the Royal Guard, he had extraordinary abilities after awakening his power over the air, like a tiger with wings.
But what did that matter? In the mansion, he had only acted strictly to compensate for the busy Duke couple’s absence.
He had never indulged Erina’s whims, never paid her attention.
Most likely, he had come to lecture her again about proper behavior.
“I haven’t finished my morning routine… so please, everyone, leave.”
That was my dismissal order. I mean, is it normal to barge into a room of someone just waking up? Even if they’re family? No.
I let them feel the weight of that meaning, and they fell silent.
“…Yes. We acted too hastily this morning,” the Duke said, motioning to Gawain and Russell, who then began to step back.
Their strangely slouched posture made me shrug, taking my place at the vanity.
‘In the novel, after the Duchess died, the men grew even more indifferent toward Erina, but it wasn’t described like this…’
Why were they acting this way? Were they half-asleep? Even though I was already in chaos, why are the characters behaving so differently?
I sighed heavily. At least the maids had vacated the room thanks to the Duke family’s intrusion.
“Before I forget, let’s organize the information I remember…”
Even so, with Gawain, Russell, and the Duke acting completely differently from the novel, it was uncertain how effective my planning would be.
My chest tightened as I muttered curses under my breath.
Usually, in possession stories, the surrounding characters change after the possessor acts—but why is it happening to me like this?!
I needed time to regain my composure. But these family members didn’t seem cooperative at all.
“Lady, the Duke wishes you to join him for breakfast.”
I unconsciously gripped my hands. I smiled to hide my agitation, but even I could feel the awkwardness of the smile.
“…Now?”
“Both young masters are also in the dining room.”
This was basically a “no means no” situation.
Just when I had finally regained some calm, the situation felt designed to shatter my mental state again, and I pressed down a rising curse.
‘Think positively.’
The Marvas household being indifferent to Erina meant that small mistakes might go unnoticed.
So maybe I could slip up a little without anyone realizing.
‘Even just thinking this way shows how dire Erina’s situation was…’
Suddenly, I felt tears well up. Erina really had a harsh life…
And now it had become my life. Very inconvenient. I resolved to escape this house as soon as possible.
Since the Duke had called me, I couldn’t refuse.
So, I decided: endure this time, stay quiet like I’m not even there, wait for the opportunity, and escape. And prepare some funds for a comfortable future.
As the maid guided me to the dining room, the absurdity of the situation hit me.
I was just a normal web novel fan. Why had I woken up as the villainess?
Sometimes, I had read novels thinking, “The heroine is amazing!” or “I love the hero!” while commuting to work, and now it came back like this?
‘And of all things! Into the villainess’s body!’
Isn’t the joy of being a fan supposed to be from afar? Cheering silently? Not living it in real-time!
I never wished for “live the villainess’s disastrous life in real-time,” so why had this happened?!
Besides, <I Did Not Wish to Be Loved> was just one of many novels I happened to pick up—so why?!
No matter how I tried, I couldn’t understand why I’d possessed Erina and ended up here.
I hadn’t overdrunk, hadn’t been in a car accident, hadn’t dozed off while reading.
‘That doesn’t matter now.’
What mattered now were the three men sitting beyond the dining room door, looking like a monster’s maw.
‘Just get through this moment.’
I took a short, deep breath. This could be a crisis, or maybe even an opportunity.
Maybe I could figure out why they were acting so strangely, unlike their original characterization.
Yes, think positively. Maybe it’s not entirely bad.
I entered the dining room. From the moment the door opened, their gazes pierced me. I braced my toes to prevent my shoulders from shrinking.
‘So overwhelming.’
Nothing could compare. My appetite vanished under the pressure. I sat at the assigned seat.
As if waiting for me, the food began to appear.
The dishes looked exquisite, their aromas shouting, “I’m delicious!”—yet I couldn’t bring myself to eat. Any attempt to swallow might fail entirely.
‘Please, look away!’
If their gaze had physical force, my cheek would already have been pierced. I glanced sideways at the three.
‘Not hostile, just…’
The characters’ behavior and traits were exploding in midair.
In novels, there are stories where “the described traits were true, even if not mentioned,” but this was a different issue.
‘The gap between setting and behavior is insane.’
I felt like I might snap. As I nervously nibbled my food, a voice shattered the suffocating silence.
“Is the meal not to your liking?”
I almost choked. Swallowing hard, I replied:
“Ah, no… I just don’t have much appetite…”
It was true. How could I eat with their gazes drilling into me?
But it was the wrong thing to say. The Duke, Gawain, and Russell all stiffened.
“You have no appetite? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I will call a healer, Father.”
“I will immediately check Lady Erina’s condition.”
Russell even got up to approach. I froze.
“N-No, it’s nothing serious.”
“Even if not serious, a check won’t hurt. Start with healing magic.”
What? Russell had always been the one to scowl whenever Erina approached!
Now he was approaching with a panicked expression as if she were dying! Return to your original character, you idiot!
‘Is this a hidden setting? Or a discarded one by the author? What is this character break?!’
Come back to the character I know, you crazy fools! Why do you all behave differently the moment I possess Erina and make me feel this gap?!
