‘Why is it my fault that I am abandoned here? It’s your fault for sending me here and doing this! Damn bastards.’
Edith in the original story would have grown up receiving this kind of brainwashing throughout her life. What she was thankful for from her parents in her past life was that they were rather indifferent to her. She had to hold on and take care of her brother. She had to help the family too. If she didn’t, she was an ungrateful person. If they had brainwashed her, she would have lived a much more miserable life.
‘In that case, even after possessing Edith, I would have lived under the influence of Count Rigelhof.’
Just imagining it gave her goosebumps. She walked up to the fireplace with the letter and picked at the ashes with the poker. There were still some embers, so she placed a letter on top of it and used it as firewood.
‘It was a letter that would have been better used as firewood.’
Not only did she check that the letter was completely burned, she knocked it several times with a poker and reduced it to ashes. She yawned long and went back to bed and lay down. She was wondering how to avoid raising suspicion when she said that the mansion’s window defenses should be strengthened. However, the next day, while she was not in a very good mood because of the letter from the Rigelhof family, an unwelcome guest also announced that he would visit the Ludwig family.
“The Count Sinclair family said they would visit this Friday.”
Killian, who delivered the news, also frowned as if displeased.
“Why the Count Sinclair?”
“He said he wanted to meet his father and talk about next year’s business. I think it’s because of the iron ore distribution rights. But you never know. Maybe that’s because Lise received attention at the National Foundation.”
Well, she thought it was like this in the original as well. Lise, who attended the National Foundation Festival as Cliff’s partner wearing the Duke’s treasure around her neck, emerged as a hot potato in the social world thanks to Catherine’s support. And when Count Sinclair realized that the value of Lise, whom he thought he had sold well, was much greater than they thought, he secretly approached Duke Ludwig to claim parental rights.
‘Of course, it was an unthinkable thing to say.’
When he handed over Lise to the Ludwig family in lieu of a debt of 30 million senna, it was Count Sinclair, who had already signed that he would give up all rights to Lise. Duke Ludwig was not an easy person, so there was no way he would be fooled by people saying, ‘The relationship between his parents and children is heavenly.’
“What are you doing, Lise?”
Even during her last visit, Lise must have been shivering in her room. This time, she must have been even more afraid since she had encountered them at the Imperial Bal.
“They say it’s okay, but is there any way it’s okay? Her complexion wasn’t very good. Cliff is by her side now, comforting her.”
In the original, it seemed that Killian also became Lise’s protector and stopped the Count Sinclair family’s bullshit, but now Killian was by her side, not Lise’s. Although he was glad that this reality has changed from the original, she still couldn’t let go of the thought that her life was like a light in the wind.
‘I shouldn’t undermine Killian’s favor until the last minute.’
She prayed earnestly that she would be able to get through the coming winter and welcome next spring.
* * *
“It’s been a while, Your Excellency, Duke.”
Count Sinclair visited Duke Ludwig’s house and greeted Duke Ludwig warmly. Although the man with brown hair and a thin build looked younger than his age, he still looked somewhat servile.
‘Just by looking at him, it’s hard to believe that he is Lise’s biological father.’
Duke Axel Ludwig cleared his throat, thinking of Rize, who died like an angel.
“It’s been a while since the Count didn’t come to this founding festival.”
“Yes, I had to attend the founding international festival because I had some business to do with my territory. Did our kids say hello at the Konkuk Festival?”
“Of course, hehe.”
The Duke glanced at the children that Count Sinclair had brought. It was understandable that he brought his eldest son, Damien, but it was strange that he brought his daughter, Layla. To be honest, the ones who bullied Lise were Countess Sinclair and her children, and among them, Layla was especially harsh, so Duke Ludwig was not happy about Layla coming. But Layla was smiling brightly as she looked at Duke Ludwig. Anyone who looked at it could have mistakenly thought that the Duke and Layla were already close friends.
“However… What brought you here today?”
Duke Ludwig cut his long greeting short and got to the point. Then Count Sinclair smiled brightly and drank tea.
“I’m worried about what I should say first to avoid misunderstanding. First of all, um… Should we start by talking about Count Rigelhof?”
“Yes? Why are you suddenly talking about Count Rigelhof?”
“I know why the Duke married Mr. Killian to the Rigelhof’s daughter. It’s because of the iron ore distribution rights, right?”
There were many minor reasons attached to it, but the most important reason was the right to distribute iron ore. This was because Count Rigelhof, who held the largest distribution rights for the raw materials used to make cutlery, would be in trouble if they joined Archduke Langston. However, because the external reason was simply ‘strengthening the alliance,’ Duke Ludwig could not nod his head carelessly.
“It’s not just that…”
“I didn’t come here to question the reason. Rather, I came to relieve the Duke of his burden.”
Count Sinclair’s face was overflowing with confidence.
“The last time we visited, we just said that we would likely obtain iron ore distribution rights, but now it is almost confirmed.”
“Where is the iron ore from?”
“This is Latis of the North. You probably know that iron ore was discovered there, right?”
“I know. But it looks like it will take quite some time for the mine to be developed.”
“No. Count Morento, Lord of Latis, lied. I’m afraid that Latis will become a battlefield.”
Duke Ludwig stopped drinking his tea and looked at Count Sinclair with a surprised face.
“Then…!”
“Although the conditions imposed by Count Morento were strict, we, the Count Sinclair family, have the right to distribute Latis iron ore for 10 years starting next year.”
Latis’ iron ore was already known to be of good quality, so the fact that the Sinclair family acquired the distribution rights for the Latis iron ore was a major event that changed the status of the Sinclair family. In particular, it was better for the Count family, which was affiliated with the almost military family of Ludwig, to have interests related to iron ore rather than gem mining or distribution rights, and the Count Sinclair family finally gained power comparable to the Count Rigelhof family.
‘But where does the Count Sinclair’s money come from…?’
As far as Duke Ludwig knew, the financial situation of the Count Sinclair family had not improved much compared to before. Count Sinclair must have noticed Duke Ludwig’s suspicious expression and let out an embarrassed laugh.
“Of course, I received some help from the imperial treasury, but I am not defrauding the Duke. This is the distribution right that we were able to obtain because we agreed to hand over 30% of the distribution profits to Count Morento.”
30% of distribution profits was a huge price. For Count Morento, it was like sitting still and making money.
“Congratulations on securing the iron ore distribution rights from Latis rather than anywhere else. But why are you telling me that?”
Duke Ludwig asked again in a calm manner. However, it was obvious why Count Sinclair mentioned the Count Rigelhoff and said that he had obtained the rights to distribute iron ore.
No, now he thought he knew why Layla Sinclair was here.
“Your Excellency the Duke. The Rigelhof Counts can no longer be called the Imperialists. He is not even an ally of Duke Ludwig.”
“Hmm…”
Duke Ludwig also agreed to that. Probably all the nobles who attended the founding ceremony knew that fact.
“Count Rigelhof, only the Duke and Killian suffered great damage due to that man’s trick. If you didn’t talk about alliance and trust, how dare you set up Rigelhof’s daughter with Killian?”
“Ha, that’s…”
Duke Ludwig couldn’t say anything from earlier. Because everything was just as Count Sinclair said.
“My foolish judgment caused Killian a lot of trouble.”
“The Duke probably knew that Count Rigelhof was cunning, but who would have guessed that he would betray you who has his daughter hostage? Besides, he acted like he cared for his daughter very much on the outside.”
“That’s right.”
Duke Ludwig shook his head and drank his tea again. He felt like his stomach was burning.
“So that’s what you’re saying.”
Count Sinclair leaned forward and lowered his voice a little.
“How long do you plan on keeping her useless hostage?”
He thought that was the story after all.
“The children are already married and living together, so what can we do?”
“This is not the time for you to insist on such kind thoughts, Your Excellency. Wouldn’t that make you a victim of Count Rigelhof’s trick?”
Count Sinclair was only poking Duke Ludwig where it hurt.
“Isn’t Count Rigelhof the power that we will have to defeat along with Archduke Langston one day? And he left Edith Rigelhoff at the duchy? Would that be a proper way to eradicate him?”
When Count Sinclair hit the part that was already bothering him, a deep furrow appeared between Duke Ludwig’s eyebrows. Then Layla intervened.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
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His father still thinks its not a marriage but a hotage ….so mean
His father still thinks its not a marriage but a hotage
Whaaaaaaat? Those bastards, really?! No shame !
So maybe now will be the part in the story that Killian will have to confess he in love with Edith? Cause it seems his father will consider to put divorce on them
Same thought…
B*tch…I don’t know if I hate Layla or the original author more…
Duke it’s a real marriage now! Don’t upset your son any further, please!
Edith hang in there!!!
I think the third condition is Killian confessing his love
Nope.. 3rd condition is for Edith accept death
what?? no. do you know something? could u confirm if Cliff is the one behind the attacked on Edith? im dying to know. i think Lise is just a doll and it is really Cliff that is K. Lise has no control on the guards and it was Cliff that was on the yatch
I never considered the possibility that K could be an “active” role in the novel, but it is quite possible that he is Cliff. The primary ML seems cruel and calculating to me, even to his own brother, and if he is the Author it makes sense that he will put himself in a position where he reaps all benefits from the plot line.
The 3rd condition should be something that K feels will be absolutely impossible at this point, and Edith agreeing to her death seems to fit that more than Killian confessing his feelings for her openly.
Ok so, SPOILER ALERT, please don’t read if you don’t want to get spoiled because this gets revealed much later in the story
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Lise is actually K, the author died and reincarnated as Lise; Cliff knows that Lise isn’t the innocent person everyone thinks she is and did know that something would happen to Edith after looking for that earring on the yacht (Cliff and Lise went together, but only Cliff was in his own yacht while Lise went to Killian’s yacht), but he doesn’t care because he’s madly obsessed with Lise
NO WAY!!! These two deserve each other. THEY’RE CRAZY!!!
Just a correction, Lise wasn’t the one who personally tampered Killian’s yacht. She asked Cliff to look for her earring which she probably lost on Cliff’s yatch and knowing the yatch manageer will accompany Cliff, she asked or hired another person to steal the keys and tamper Killian’s yatch. However, Cliff was already suspecting something will happen when Lise asked this favor.
Welp. There goes my only reason not to hate lize. How fun it would be for her to love everyone’s love. Even Cliff’s. I am hoping Cliff is just obsessed with her because of the setting
oh okay. so K is really Lizard. I was kinda hoping there’s a plot twist to the twist we already know about Lizard. But that’s okay too. She’s really a good actor being able to cry like that.
See this is where Cliff and Killian are different. Even if Killian loved Lise, he wouldn’t just stand by when he knows something is up. I’m glad Edith married him and not the obsessive guy who just follows Lise around. I cant believe that person would be a Duke. He doesnt even have the basic logic, Cliff is like Edith’s stalker but to Lise haha
All the attacks where made by Lise. Even the death of the maid Sabina. And because she can only use the characters she invented for the main story like Cliff, Killian, Layla or the Princess to help her in her plots in eradicating Edith , she cannot interfere with the movements and thoughts of the other extras which helped Edith survived from her attacks. And now with her zero-influence on Killian, Killian will be Lize’s most hindrance and Edith’s staunch savior.
Thank you for the spoilers!!!
when u say “use” do you mean like overwrite/possess the body of the main characters K wrote? coz if so then what about the duke?
This plot would be brilliant.. I also think Cliff would be a better villain… but from the spoilers I’ve picked up, it seems like it won’t be like that.. it will be the OFL cliché which is actually evil
Makes sense. After all the 3rd condition should be something that this version of edith will have difficulty achieving and there’s nothing stronger than her will to live
Another spoiler.
When we hit chapters 110- prepare your handkerchiefs.
Oh no! What is going to happen? (Sorry my english) hehe
I want to knowww aaa
Omg omg I’m so ready hopefully it’s a confession 😭😭😳
There must be some readers confused on the movements of the characters. This is one tip. Anna, Renon, and Samuel, Leonard and other small extras were not part of the orignal flow of story. They were characters introduced during the 13th Edith flow. That’s why these peole were not influenced by author K or Lize. Renon was introduced by the Duchess after the document incident. Samuel was introduced during the drowning incident which was not an episode in the original flow. Anna was not Edith’s maid in the original flow. It was Sophia at the start. So, really, the first glitch in the original flow was the moment Edith declined the offer to bring her personal maid with her when she starts her married life in the Ludwig Mansion.