DDPLG 3

Chapter 3

For a second, I thought my thoughts had slipped out of my mouth in a scream. Thankfully, I wasn’t the one who shouted.

The hall, lively only a moment ago, froze in an instant. Still, I was grateful.

I turned my head slightly, intending to give a subtle nod of thanks.

“…Huh?”

Why are you here?

The unrefined words tumbled out before I could stop them. Too many impossible things kept happening.

“I said, I object to this marriage!”

The original heroine, Sophia, was standing tall, declaring with confidence that this marriage was invalid.

I quickly stole a glance at the Duke’s face. His expression was as calm as the surface of a still lake. But I knew that was proof of how furious he really was.

He’s really angry.

The veins on the back of his gloved hand stood out sharply. If my hand were still in his, like earlier, the bones might have been crushed. That’s how much strength was behind his emotions.

Pretending to turn my head back, I stole another glance toward Sophia. She was being dragged away by knights at the Emperor’s signal, all the while screaming her lungs out.

“This marriage cannot happen! It mustn’t be allowed!”

I was shocked to see her bare her true temper in front of everyone. Sophia was supposed to be someone who hid every side of herself for the sake of revenge.

But I couldn’t help admiring something else—how skillfully she managed to point and gesture even with both arms restrained. She waved as though she’d practiced it a hundred times before, and looked entirely at ease doing it.

“…I’m sorry.”

“What?”

I was focused on Sophia, but the Duke murmured. I hadn’t caught it, so I asked back, and he quietly repeated his apology.

“It’s not your fault, my lord.”

The Duke had revealed, when he proposed, that he’d already prepared everything for the wedding. That’s how it was ready within just a week. He kept urging the servants, rushing everything along.

But for me, it was all too fast. To get married on such short notice was unbelievable. In truth, something unexpected like this disruption felt easier to accept.

I don’t know why Sophia suddenly threw a fit, but honestly, it’s a relief.

The absolute law of romance novels:

The male and female leads almost always start with a terrible first impression. Then, they gradually discover unexpected sides of one another, and—like raindrops soaking into a dress—they fall in love.

That law will hold no matter what.

Even if my sudden intrusion twisted things a bit, the main flow wouldn’t change. Extras never alter the core plot.

And if this encounter was a bit over the top? Then they’d never be able to forget each other. After crossing paths a few times, they’d unknowingly grow fond of one another. Then, before long, the Duke would be thinking of Sophia day and night, chasing after her alone.

And that means I’ll finally be free.

As the Duke’s former wife, I’d receive a hefty settlement. With money and wealth in hand, I’d buy a quiet estate and live my life as a carefree, wealthy recluse. The more I thought about it, the more satisfied I felt, and the corners of my lips curled upward.

Turn crisis into opportunity.

As I looked around, my eyes kept catching on the Emperor’s face. He happened to be standing between the Duke and me.

It was strange to see him startled; he was always solemn and expressionless. But just as quickly, he smoothed his features. Clearly, being Emperor wasn’t for the faint of heart.

“For someone whose once-in-a-lifetime wedding has just been ruined, you look rather pleased, my lady.”

Somehow, he caught my gaze, even though I hadn’t been openly staring. His teasing tone made me flustered.

“W-what? N-no, not at all.”

The Emperor had spoken to me. Me! I stammered so badly from shock that he didn’t press further, but instead, kept looking at me with a mischievous gaze.

Why are you interested in me, too?

Your lover-to-be just got dragged away! You’d better go after Sophia, before you regret it later.

Inwardly, I muttered a slew of irreverent remarks—words that, if spoken aloud, would’ve earned me a charge of lèse-majesty. Anything to distract myself and shake off the nerves. Yet his gaze never wavered, and my unease grew.

“Of course Lady Luen is in high spirits—today she becomes my wife.”

At that moment, the Duke smoothly stepped between me and the Emperor, dissolving the tension. His words exuded confidence while also displaying our supposed closeness.

All with a single sentence.

He drew a clear line that even the Emperor couldn’t cross. I couldn’t help but gape at his eloquence.

If not for becoming the villain later in the story, Duke Fiarre would’ve been remarkable—a prodigy who led his house from a young age. So clever, so capable… if only he wouldn’t lose himself to Sophia and rebel.

“My wife.”

Ignoring the Emperor, who fell silent with a stiff face, the Duke turned to me.

“M-me?!”

Suddenly, I found myself facing him directly. His Adam’s apple looked strangely sexy today, and the deep voice that came from it was unbearably sweet.

“Now that the nuisance is gone, shall we seal our vows with a kiss?”

No, she isn’t a nuisance—she’s the woman you’re destined to love!

Clearly, he didn’t understand my silent plea. His muscular arms wrapped around my shoulders and waist. The solid firmness of him wasn’t unpleasant. His face inched closer, and closer—

“Tch.”

I heard the Emperor click his tongue.

My eyes shut on their own. Something warm and soft enveloped me completely.

“Now then! Let us applaud these two, who overcame obstacles and are bound by true love!”

Sophia, an obstacle? That’s harsh.

But my thoughts didn’t last.

The applause and cheers of the guests seemed to fade into the distance.

“Ah…”

All my focus narrowed down to him.

The Duke, stealing my breath greedily, yet tenderly letting me breathe.

He didn’t let me go until I grew dizzy and weak in his arms. I leaned against his broad chest for a long while.

The Duke was even good at kissing.

I straightened my shoulders and sat upright. It felt as if the Duke, who had held me, was now a heavy weight clinging to my back. Unless I forced myself to correct my posture, his words clung to me too.

“Luen, tonight is our wedding night. Will you really leave me alone?”

Seeing him so dejected stirred a pang of guilt in me. But I couldn’t allow myself to be alone in a closed room with him.

Especially after giving him my first kiss by accident—it would be far too dangerous to go further.

“Am I abandoned already? Luen, are you really leaving me?”

No, stop. Think about something else, Luen.

Forget his broad back—so wide I could sprawl across it. Stop letting it haunt you.

Yes, Duke Fiar had a strong, solid back, but I needed to focus on the person I was about to meet. For me, she was nothing short of a savior who could end this nightmare.

“You’ve arrived.”

The maid waiting outside the reception room opened the door.

“Leave us. I wish to speak privately.”

I dismissed even the maid who’d followed me, and entered.

Inside, a single figure sat on the luxurious sofa. She hadn’t yet noticed me. I took the chance to observe her quietly.

Of course. She’s the true heroine—different from me.

Sophia was still beautiful. Unlike my dull brown hair, hers gleamed like silk. Though makeup hide it, freckles dotted my cheeks, whereas her complexion was fair and flawless. As a former princess, she exuded a natural nobility.

She was far more fitting for the Duke than I could ever be. She was the only one who had reached out to him, burdened so young with the weight of his family.

Yes. It’s right for Sophia and the Duke to fall in love.

Yet, for now, anger still smoldered within her; she sat fuming. I decided to wait until she calmed. After a while, her breaths steadied.

“Sophia.”

Slowly, she lifted her head, confusion clouding her eyes—wondering why she’d been summoned here again.

“Are you upset because of me?”

Sophia looked so deflated now, nothing like the bold figure who had disrupted the wedding. She didn’t need to feel so guilty, yet I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for her.

“No, I wasn’t upset.”

“Thank goodness. I don’t care what punishment I face, but I worried about troubling you, my lady.”

Even though her kingdom had fallen, Sophia—a princess—still addressed me, a mere viscount’s daughter, with deference.

That grace was born of years spent hiding her identity, surviving in this land under the guise of a commoner.

I recalled a line from the novel:

“For years, she sharpened her longsword each night, vowing revenge.”

Such resolve was beyond what any ordinary person could bear. Out of respect, I too maintained formality with her, even though she was now officially a maid.

“Why did you oppose the marriage?”

“My lady… couldn’t you just not marry that bastard? Please, don’t marry him.”

What on earth was she saying now?

The leads kept veering off-script, as though the genre itself were changing. Still, I chalked it up to my imagination, and gently reminded her of the truth.

“We already did.”

“…Oh. Right.”

Our talk fizzled out meaninglessly. Sophia gave a sheepish little laugh. Oh, what am I going to do with you? So when are you planning your revenge?

I asked the maid to bring more refreshments and rose from my seat.

She looked thin and worn from hardship. For someone who should’ve grown up pampered, never lifting a finger, life in a foreign land must’ve been unbearably harsh. A few lines in a novel could never capture it.

The least I could do was give her rest and some cookies.

Don’t worry. You’ll find happiness soon. This is just a fan’s silent encouragement.

But just as I was about to leave, Sophia’s words held me back.

“I keep having strange dreams.”

She had the power to make people listen.

“Dreams?”

In the story, Sophia often dreamed of the future. Rarely, but with uncanny accuracy. If anyone else had said it, it would’ve been nonsense. But from her, it carried weight.

“I keep dreaming of you crying, my lady.”

As if enchanted, I sank back into my seat across from her.