CHAPTER 01
Gleaming chandeliers, bustling servants, and slow-tempo music played by the court musicians overlapped.
Amid the echoing music, nobles dressed in glamorous outfits carried on their conversations.
“Presenting Lady Clea Rino, proxy to the Count!”
A voice announcing an entrance cut through the noise.
The court musicians continued their slow music, and the servants busily moved about.
But the nobles, who had been talking, paused and turned their gaze toward the entrance of the banquet hall.
With the click of heels against marble floors, a beautiful woman entered the hall.
Long, wavy red hair contrasted by striking emerald-green eyes.
Slightly sharp, upturned eyes that exuded intensity.
Her defined features, seductive red lips, porcelain-white skin, and unwavering, graceful strides—
Dressed in a stunning navy-blue gown, she walked steadily down the red carpet toward the terrace.
‘Please…’
Clea prayed inwardly, staring at the glowing stamina bar before her eyes.
Please let this stamina last until I get there.
【HP 809/1210】
The flickering stamina bar indicated only three steps remained.
Step by step, with a sigh, Clea finally stopped and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket.
“Khrrgh—!”
Blood stained the black handkerchief.
【HP 806/1210】
【A third of your stamina has dropped. ‘Hemoptysis’ has been triggered.】
Clea clamped the handkerchief tightly over her mouth and coughed relentlessly, barely making it to the terrace.
She opened the door and leaned against the railing, looking completely drained.
As soon as the door closed behind her, the other nobles shook their heads behind their fans.
“My goodness, she’s trying to get attention again.”
“Indeed. It’s shocking how she always carries that dye around. Honestly, maybe we should pity her just for the effort.”
The young ladies and gentlemen giggled among themselves, mocking her.
Saying she fakes being sick in front of men with her ever-present handkerchief, that she’s sly like a fox.
Or questioning how many men she must have sold herself to.
Society was abuzz with gossip about Clea Rino these days.
“Well, she did get rejected quite harshly by His Grace Ditoire…”
“What gave her the nerve to even think about confessing to him?”
“I just hope His Grace’s reputation doesn’t get tainted because of her.”
Everyone clucked their tongues and shook their heads in unison.
“Do you think she’s here to pull the same stunt again today?”
“At this point, it’s not even shameless—it’s borderline antisocial behavior.”
They continued laughing and chatting, full of amusement.
Humans, after all, could gossip endlessly for months or years if they had someone to pick on.
Hearing all of it, Clea let out a deeper sigh.
‘I can hear everything, you jerks.’
She scowled in irritation. What use was it to slam the terrace door shut?
【Active skill: ‘Enhanced Hearing’ in use】
Thanks to this utterly useless ability, she could hear every insult echoing through the ballroom.
Why on earth enhance her hearing of all things?
With so many better enhancements—physical strength, stamina—why amplify her fragile, bean sprout-like body’s hearing?
“Cough—!”
She reflexively covered her mouth with the handkerchief again. More blood.
If she just stood here for a while, her stamina would slowly regenerate.
‘I have to succeed today.’
Clea exhaled deeply.
After failing miserably on her first confession, she had thoroughly researched for the second attempt. This time, she brought a “bait” he wouldn’t be able to resist and planned to dangle it right in front of his eyes.
She had no other choice.
She needed to survive—and to do that, she needed the war-crazed Grand Duke Isaac Ditoire.
Six months to live.
During that time, she had to fulfill the wish of the original owner of this body.
Why anyone would trade their soul to the Demon King just to get married, she didn’t know.
But thanks to that, she had gotten dragged into all this.
‘At least I’ll get my life back in six months.’
She had been doomed to die, and this was her one chance at salvation.
If she could marry Isaac Ditoire and live a happy married life worthy of the real Clea Rino’s soul’s approval…
“There’s no time, and yet he still won’t accept the damn proposal.”
She only had six months. Having a child was out of the question, but living a normal honeymoon life post-marriage was still doable.
Even if the schedule was tight.
“Grand Duke Isaac Ditoire is entering!”
At the announcement, Clea straightened instinctively from where she had been leaning on the railing.
She quickly checked her stamina bar.
【HP 922/1210】
Exactly 115 steps.
After resting for a little over an hour at the terrace, she now had 115 steps of freedom.
One step used up 1 HP. At 806 HP or lower, hemoptysis symptoms kicked in.
All lessons she had painfully learned after coming here.
Clea calmed her nerves and calculated the distance between the terrace and Grand Duke Ditoire.
‘About 50 steps.’
With large strides, maybe she could shorten it to 35.
Taking a deep breath, Clea stepped out from the terrace with clicking heels.
She headed straight toward the Grand Duke standing near the Emperor’s table, not sparing a glance at anyone else.
One misstep would cost her one precious step of freedom.
Though she steeled herself inside, her expression remained composed and elegant.
Even if her insides were turning to ash.
Grand Duke Ditoire frowned slightly when he noticed Clea.
“You never get tired, do you, Lady.”
“Persistence is one of my strong points.”
Despite his cold reception, Clea replied with a smile.
She didn’t need love. She clasped her hands and looked him straight in the eyes.
“I have a proposal.”
“I decline.”
A stifled laugh came from somewhere nearby.
Thanks to her enhanced hearing, Clea heard it too, but she forced a smile and ignored it.
As she tilted her head, Ditoire crossed his arms.
“I don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with me.”
“…Because it has to be you.”
“I don’t recall doing anything for you.”
“Does love need a reason?”
Of course, she was merely acting on behalf of the real Clea Rino’s feelings.
She had been given a second chance at life. If she could have a truly happy married life with him for six months, she could return to her original body.
“Let’s go somewhere quieter. Just for a drink.”
Really, just one drink would be enough.
Clea Rino’s body—the one she now inhabited—was in terminal condition. Even walking caused her to cough blood.
Drinking would make things worse.
“A drink, you say…”
“Yes. I’ve brought something special.”
She had raided the Rino family wine cellar.
Fortunately, the late Count Rino had a hobby of collecting rare alcohols.
And according to her intel, Grand Duke Ditoire liked fine liquor.
“After one drink, I’ll even give you the rest as a gift.”
At her gesture, her attendant stepped forward, bowing and presenting the drink on a silver tray.
Grand Duke Ditoire’s eyes sparkled.
“Ah, blood wine from the Kaldaff region.”
“Indeed. A vintage—year 752.”
“If you have time, how about coming to my estate?”
Hooked!
Clea suppressed her excitement and gave a composed smile.
Soon after entering, the two of them exited together.
The Emperor hadn’t even arrived yet, but Grand Duke Ditoire had only come to the ball because the Emperor had promised him fine liquor in exchange.
Now that he had gotten something even better, there was no reason for him to stay in the noisy banquet hall.
The two left the ballroom.
【HP 882/1210】
It would take about 100 steps to reach the Imperial carriage stop from the ballroom.
Clea slowly pulled out another handkerchief and covered her mouth.
Following the Grand Duke’s brisk strides, she grimaced.
“Cough, cough.”
Every step made her cough blood. Each bout cost 10 HP, so she had to stop as soon as possible.
“You’re clearly unwell. Why do you keep showing up like this?”
“…What?”
“Those fools talk about dyes and whatnot, but it’s real blood, right? I can tell by the smell.”
What are you, a bloodhound?
She wanted to snap, but even talking would drain her stamina.
Instead, Clea steeled herself and took the largest steps she could toward the distant carriage.
“At this rate, we’ll be walking all day.”
With a sigh, the Grand Duke handed her the bottle to hold—then bent down and scooped her up into his arms.
