Chapter 3. Rejected at the First Meeting
I twisted the original story and ended up seeking refuge with the duke, but I needed to stay sharp.
Now that Viscount Nopert had caught on, he wouldn’t give up on me so easily.
After all, they needed me, the one who had inherited my mother’s magic, no matter what.
So, even though I was under the duke’s protection, I couldn’t just let my guard down.
Still, for now, I felt the tension ease, and my racing heart finally calmed.
Maybe it was the exhaustion from being on edge all day, but a wave of fatigue suddenly hit me.
“Lie down and get some rest. It’ll take a while.”
“N-no, I’m fine!”
I answered with military precision, forcing my eyes to stay open.
A soldier should never let their posture waver in front of a superior.
A war hero was sitting right in front of me—I had to show respect.
More importantly, I had to prove that I was already close to being a fully trained soldier since the age of five.
If I could do that, then even if I weren’t the duchy’s daughter-in-law, I would still have a role to play in the grand duchy.
I placed both hands on my thighs and straightened my posture.
But despite my resolve, my eyelids grew heavy.
I struggled to keep them open and met the duke’s gaze.
I had the faintest feeling that he was smiling.
Did he think I was dozing off? That wasn’t the case…
“I’m not… sleepy. I’m really fi-fine… My eyes are… open…”
I needed to stay upright and alert…
I, Captain Jung Yoon-seo, had to prove that I wouldn’t succumb to sleep so easily…
“Rea…lly, I’m… oka…y. My eyes… o…pen…”
I fought against my closing eyelids, but the sound of galloping hooves slowly faded into the distance.
***
The sensation against my back was nice. Soft and warm, somehow comforting.
Had I ever felt this kind of coziness since becoming a soldier?
No…even if I traced my memories back, this was something I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
It had to be a dream. A dream, surely.
But which part was the dream?
My death? Or my reincarnation?
If neither of them were dreams…
Jung Yoon-seo, you’ve officially lost it.
How could you fall asleep in front of a war hero?
I opened my eyes in a panic.
At the same time, I saw a canopy bed draped with white lace curtains.
The realization hit me again, I had truly been reincarnated into a novel.
Just then, I heard a woman’s voice.
“They say she’s Count Mares’s foster daughter, but I have no idea what’s going on. And suddenly, she’s the eldest young master’s fiancée…?”
“The Duke will handle it.”
“Of course. But even if she were the Count’s real daughter, she wouldn’t be enough. However she’s only a foster daughter? She’s hardly a match for the eldest young master.”
“Lower your voice, Casey. The young lady is still sleeping.”
The women fell silent, and I heard the clinking of tableware.
Wait! Did they just say I was Count Mares’s foster daughter?
Did the Duke introduce me that way?
I needed to get up and figure out what was going on.
Slowly, I sat up and looked around, catching sight of two women. Judging by their maid uniforms, they were probably servants.
“Oh? Young lady, you’re awake?”
“Where…?”
“First, please have something to eat.”
A short maid gestured toward a round table. A simple meal was set there.
“The Duke…?”
“The Duke is at the main estate. Last night, he brought you to this annex, saying you were the eldest young master’s fiancée. Oh, and I’m Lisa. From now on, Casey and I will be serving you.”
Last night? That meant it was already morning.
Wait…I had actually slept through the night with my legs stretched out, despite the crisis I was in?
Even after dying and being reincarnated?
According to the taller maid, the Duke had already announced me as Rikael’s fiancée.
Not only that, but he even disguised my identity, calling me Count Mares’s foster daughter.
It seemed like he was trying to completely block any information about me from reaching my uncle or the outside world.
I hadn’t thought that far ahead. But in the span of a single night, my entire existence had changed.
I slowly glanced around the room.
This was the annex, meaning it would be my new residence.
But for a child’s room, it was far too large and luxurious.
The bed and blankets were a blend of white and gold, exuding elegance.
And now I even had maids to serve me?
It felt too extravagant, was I really supposed to accept this treatment?
I turned toward the window. Sunlight streamed in at an angle.
So, it was already well past morning.
I was always up before dawn, so how had I managed to sleep this long?
I quickly pushed the blankets aside and climbed out of bed.
Lisa approached and reached for my arm.
“I’m fi-fine.”
“You should speak casually with us. The young lady shouldn’t use honorifics when addressing the maids.”
Lisa spoke matter-of-factly. She was taller and leaner than Casey.
Her tone was firm but not rude.
I gave a vague nod and stretched my arms to the sky, moving them side to side.
Wait…why did my body feel so soft and squishy?
And my arms—why did they feel like Vienna sausages?!
As I bent down and placed my hands on the floor, my palms touched the ground effortlessly. There was no strain on my muscles at all.
The maids looked at me strangely, but I paid no mind. After a quick stretch, I sat down at the dining table.
I took a spoonful of soup, then paired some bread with peas on my plate. Before I knew it, my meal was completely finished.
“…You eat really well.”
Casey, staring at my empty plate, looked slightly surprised.
I gave her a sheepish smile and nodded silently.
If she understood, then next time, she should serve me more.
How was I supposed to survive on this little food just because I was five years old?
After finishing my meal, I washed up and changed into a pink dress that looked like a gown. Then, standing in front of the mirror, I found myself genuinely admiring my own beauty.
I had briefly seen my reflection after possessing this body yesterday, but the mirror in Irene’s house had been too foggy to get a clear view of my face.
However, the mirror here was as clear as the ones I had seen in Seoul, making my beauty stand out even more.
Golden hair, blue eyes, a straight, delicate nose, and full lips—every feature was flawless.
“Young Lady, you’re so beautiful.”
“Exactly. Truly stunning.”
Even Lisa and Casey seemed to acknowledge my appearance.
I ran my fingers through my hair. The fine strands wrapped softly around my fingers, silky and smooth like flower petals.
Just as I marveled at the unfamiliar sensation, a middle-aged woman entered the room with a boy.
And once again, I found myself in awe.
The boy who walked toward me with steady steps was so breathtakingly handsome that he could only be described as a masterpiece crafted by God.
Black hair, violet eyes, and an aura as cold as the Duke himself—this boy had to be my fiancé, Rikael.
Despite being just a child, his gaze was firm and unwavering. His flawless skin contrasted with his rugged, untamed air, and his presence exuded a natural nobility.
He was, in every sense, the epitome of handsomeness.
The middle-aged woman, now standing close, introduced herself.
“Young Lady, greetings. I am Anete Peltro.”
According to the original story, the widowed Marchioness of Peltro, who had no children, was responsible for managing the Duke’s estate.
This must be her.
Proper etiquette dictated a polite hand-over-belly bow. It didn’t suit me as a former special forces soldier, but since I was now five years old, I folded my hands respectfully and bowed my head.
“Hello.”
“Please, greet this person here. This is His Lordship Rikael Arcades, your betrothed.”
She spoke as if the engagement had already been finalized.
I felt relieved that it was officially recognized without any hassle, but at the same time, I felt a bit sorry for Rikael.
For a nine-year-old boy, this must have been an absolute shock.
Especially since Rikael, according to the novel, was someone who had no interest in marriage and had vowed never to wed.
How was he feeling about all this?
Summoning my courage, I turned my gaze toward my fiancé.
His deep violet eyes met mine with an icy stare.
Even though he was only looking at me, I could feel a cold chill creeping in.
Clinging to my will to survive, I quickly lowered my head.
“Hello.”
“…”
He didn’t respond.
His indifferent eyes simply bore into my face without a single reaction.
Feeling awkward, Marchioness Peltro gently urged him.
“My Lord, you should acknowledge her greeting.”
Of course, her prompting was futile.
The boy, who had suddenly found himself with a fiancée, didn’t even sigh in frustration.
Instead, he simply turned around and walked out without another word.
The only sound left behind was the deep sigh of the Marchioness.
She placed a hand near her lips, coughed lightly, and addressed me.
“It seems he finds the situation unfamiliar.”
“So do I. But it’s fine.”
I smiled as if it didn’t bother me.
“Yes. Well, this will be your residence, Young Lady. Your clothes and necessary belongings are still being prepared, so please bear with us in the meantime. If you need anything, just let the maids know.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll take your breakfast alone here, but for dinner, you’ll dine in the grand hall with His Lordship and the other young masters…”
The Marchioness briefly explained how I would live here.
Her demeanor was polite but not particularly warm.
Just as Casey had mentioned, she probably thought I was far from worthy of being the Duke’s son’s fiancée.
Honestly, Rikael’s reaction was completely understandable.
It was already fortunate that he didn’t outright reject me and demand my removal.
This was something I had to understand and accept.
What truly mattered was how I conducted myself from here on out—how I proved my worth.
My first meeting with my fiancé had been intense but incredibly brief.
In modern terms, it was basically a case of being rejected at first sight.
Left alone, I took a deep breath and clenched my fists.
No matter where I was, I, Jung Yoon-seo, would survive with unwavering determination.
Sorry for making you wait. It took longer than expected because of my uni.
