Chapter : 3
What is this? Why is he looking at me with those cheesy melodramatic eyes?
Why doesn’t he move away?
I forced a friendly smile on my lips while pouring every curse imaginable into my eyes toward Duke Cassiar.
But of course, I couldn’t show anything to my parents.
If his plans were to be disrupted, no one knew what this strongest villain of the world might do inside our mansion, so for now, I had no choice but to go along with his tune.
“May I ask what brings Your Grace all the way here?”
I clenched my teeth, forcing a smile, when my mother secretly smacked me on the back.
The pain reverberated down to my bones, and my eyes watered instantly.
“It hurts!”
How does that delicate-looking hand manage to strike hard enough to make me clutch my back and stomp my feet? It’s still a mystery.
“Oh, come now. I barely brushed you, stop exaggerating! Isn’t it natural for your future husband to come pay his respects? How could you prepare for marriage without telling me?”
“What? Who’s preparing what?”
Just imagining such a thing made my brows furrow.
I don’t even want to exchange words with Cassiar, let alone marry him.
But an engagement?
That had to be a mistake—either I’d misheard, or Mother had misunderstood something.
Since the unmarried Duke Cassiar suddenly visited our home asking to see me, she might have misunderstood us as lovers. That could happen.
“Mother, you’re misunderstanding—”
“There’s no need to hide it anymore, Riel. I’ve already reassured the Marquis and Marchioness so they won’t worry.”
As I tried to explain that Cassiar had come here for a completely different reason, he cut me off.
No need to hide it?
The only thing we’re hiding is that he’s threatening me!
Not knowing my turmoil, Mother beamed with joy, more radiant than ever.
“You don’t need to worry about preparing your belongings. When the day comes for you to move into the duke’s residence, I’ll send people to fetch everything.”
Cassiar’s eyes swept over the luggage in my hands. To others, he looked unfailingly polite and considerate, but to me, he was nothing short of malicious.
Does he think I’ll just keep letting this slide forever?
I didn’t know why he suddenly brought up marriage, but this was something I could not tolerate.
Strongest villain of the world or not, springing an engagement on me out of nowhere? Absolutely not.
If he wants to marry so badly, he can marry himself!
I was just about to blurt out that all of this was entirely Cassiar’s doing when—
“Surely you haven’t forgotten? The vow you made, even staking your life on it.”
At his quiet whisper, the promises I’d made to him flashed before me.
That if I failed to keep them, I would fulfill one of his demands.
“I will bring her back. I stake my life on it.”
Even staking my life in his hands.
By the time I regained my senses from half-fainting, I was already seated beside Duke Cassiar, facing my parents.
“Riel, I understand you didn’t want to pressure us with talk of marriage. But as your parents, we naturally wish to give you a wedding with nothing lacking.”
But this is a marriage I don’t even want.
It was painful that I couldn’t confess my feelings honestly to them.
Unfair though it was, this was the safest path. If I spoke recklessly, I could drag my innocent parents into danger.
“Riel is thoughtful, just like the Marquis and Marchioness.”
“Oh my, yes. She certainly takes after me in that regard.”
Wait a second… Cassiar actually knows how to win people over?
I’d thought he had zero social skills, given his cold and aloof reputation.
But Mother was already completely taken in. She looked happier than I’d seen her in ages.
Meanwhile, her daughter was about to be dragged away by this man!
I screamed silently inside, when at last my father, who had remained quiet, spoke.
“Your Grace, I understand you wish to marry my daughter.”
Unlike Mother, Father’s expression was clouded with worry.
“But before I send her away, there’s something I must confirm.”
“Please, ask anything freely.”
“I know this is a sensitive issue, but since it concerns my daughter, I cannot ignore it. It’s about your… bouts of madness.”
Father held a sheaf of documents—likely those Cassiar himself had provided.
Cassiar’s gaze grew suddenly sharp and chilling.
“For our family, this engagement is a fortune dropped from the heavens. If my daughter becomes duchess, our trade routes will expand, honor will follow, and with Your Grace’s promised support, there is nothing more we could ask. But—”
Without hesitation, Father pushed the documents back toward him.
“My daughter’s safety matters more than our family’s gains. If marriage to you puts her in danger, I cannot accept this proposal.”
My heart swelled at Father’s firm words.
Even in this novel’s world, these were the parents who had raised me with love.
I vowed then: no matter what, I would never let them get hurt because of me.
“I fully understand your concern, Marquis. Since my affliction could harm your daughter, your worry is natural. And since you know of it, you also know it stems from insomnia, yes?”
“That’s right. I heard recently even strong sleeping draughts no longer work on you.”
“Then I must show you the truth.”
Cassiar’s expression darkened. He suddenly seized my wrist.
Was he planning to take me away by force since persuasion failed?
If so, my parents could be in danger!
I had to stop him no matter what.
But just as I tried to pull back, Cassiar tugged my hand and placed it against his cheek.
And in the next moment—he collapsed backward.
“Your Grace! What is this? Please, wake up!”
Startled, Father rushed to the fallen duke’s side.
This scene felt oddly familiar… Don’t tell me… did he fall asleep?
Seeing him sprawled motionless, my suspicion was confirmed.
“Father, may I speak with you outside for a moment? I’ll handle this.”
I stood, blocking my parents’ view of Cassiar.
As expected, he was fast asleep, utterly unaware of the world.
“Really? Sleeping here of all places, Your Grace? You need to wake up.”
If he didn’t wake, I’d have to give him something sharp enough to jolt him awake.
Feigning a gentle, soothing tone, I tried to wake him—as though singing a lullaby.
Meanwhile, with my other hand hidden, I mercilessly slapped his cheek.
He jolted awake, eyes flying open.
“Ah… I must have fallen asleep after staying up again last night. Forgive my shameful display.”
He straightened himself, sitting upright, though his cheeks were now bright red.
He probably hadn’t realized the sting on his face yet.
Shame. If he’d slept longer, I could’ve slapped him a couple more times.
At least my frustration eased a little.
“As you saw, even strong medicines cannot put me to sleep. Yet with a single touch from Riel, I fall into slumber. This proves she is my destined love, the one who must never leave me. Though I am flawed, please entrust your daughter to me just this once.”
Cassiar looked at Father with eyes so soft and moist it was hard to believe it was all an act.
Why is he so good with words?
And those soulful eyes… total schemer!
“Oh my… it’s like something out of a romance novel. A destined love indeed.”
Mother was deeply moved.
Yes, it is like a novel. The kind where everyone meets their ruin!
This was bad—Father looked like he might give in too.
“Your Grace, why don’t we step outside for a bit? There are things we should discuss privately.”
Before Father could answer, I cut in and stood.
“Excuse us for a moment.”
Though he seemed regretful at not having secured Father’s reply, Cassiar obediently followed me out.
“What do you think you’re doing, announcing a marriage without even a word to me?”
Once we were alone, I let my pent-up anger spill out.
“Wasn’t it already decided? If you failed your promise, you’d grant me one demand.”
“That didn’t mean marriage! Who decides such a life-altering matter all on their own and then just announces it?”
“Then are you offering your life instead?”
His eyes turned cold as ice, as if he’d cut me down on the spot if I said yes.
Why, oh why, did I ever stake my life?!
No matter what I do now, I’m stuck on an express train to the afterlife.
“You only need me to help you sleep. If we both despise each other, what’s the point of marriage?”
Seeing no one else around, I showed my true feelings openly.
He needs my ability—he wouldn’t kill me.
“I never knew you were so desperate to kill me. Interesting.”
“Well, now you do. So let’s just cancel this marriage. I’ll explain everything to my parents.”
I was dead set against it, but Cassiar looked like he couldn’t care less.
“Do as you please. Frankly, I’m tired of pretending to be amiable. But if rumors spread that an unmarried noble lady has been visiting a man’s bedroom… it won’t be me who suffers, will it?”
Infuriatingly, he was right.
If word spread that I was entering the duke’s residence, it would tarnish not only my reputation but the Marquisate’s as well.
It might even harm our merchant operations.
And besides, the support Cassiar promised my family was unprecedented—no noble family would have refused such an offer.
For most nobles, this marriage was a blessing, love or not.
“Isn’t it better to gain more than you lose? Unless… is there some special reason you can’t marry?”
He asked seriously.
For a brief second, I wavered. But my answer didn’t change.
What use are wealth and honor if he loses control and drags us all to ruin?
You can’t take riches to the afterlife.
No matter what, I had to avoid marrying him.
“There is a reason. I don’t believe in marriage. I’m a non-marriage type. I never plan to wed, ever.”
“Since when?”
Since right this moment, you jerk.
“Since birth.”
I firmly declared I had no wish to marry him.
I expected him to be shocked, but instead he smiled with relief.
“How fortunate. If you had wished for marriage, I would have felt guilty for blocking that path. But since you’re against it altogether, there’s no need for concern. Then there’s no other issue, is there?”
He brushed off his hands as though unburdened.
…This wasn’t the reaction I wanted!
Even so, his calm response didn’t quell my desperate wish for a normal, happy life.
“There is!”
“What now?”
I shouted at his perfectly impassive poker face.
“You’re not my type! Duke Cassiar!”
