The dim pre-dawn sky greeted me as another day began, the sun yet to rise.
Whoosh.
Right at the center of the training grounds, I swung my wooden sword with precision, the weapon whistling as it cut through the air following my will.
This was my daily morning routine, a sword training session I religiously followed every single dawn. Of course, there were times when I was so busy that I didn’t even step outside my study, let alone handle a sword.
“Huff…”
I exhaled, a puff of white breath escaping into the chilly air. My muscles felt strained, as if the ache was slowly creeping in.
Stopping my practice, I rested the wooden sword on the ground.
Creak.
With a somewhat loud squeak of a hinge, Alan entered the training grounds.
“What is it?”
“Count Estelle’s young noblewoman will be visiting this morning.”
“Seems she’s arrived earlier than expected.”
I thought she would have been detained by Count Estelle longer. Given she mentioned she’d only come in three days, it appears they’ve realized detaining her would be futile and have chosen to let her go.
“Understood. I’ll prepare after bathing.”
“Understood.”
Alan gave me a nod before leaving the training grounds.
‘So, is this where the original story truly begins?’
I picked up the wooden sword lying on the floor and placed it back on its stand.
While I was making preparations, the door to the training grounds opened again.
This time, it was a group of sturdy men clad in leather armor entering.
These were the knights of the Black Raven Knights, the direct subordinate knights of the Hardenberg family.
They conversed with each other until noticing me, at which point they all bowed deeply in greeting.
“Good morning, Duke!”
“Ah.”
Apparently, they had arrived for their morning training, an occurrence I rarely shared with them due to my predawn practice routine.
“Very well, you may begin.”
“Yes!”
A forceful, spirited shout echoed as they began their exercises. I gave a slight nod and started to leave, though the noise levels were truly excessive.
Their intention, to display unwavering loyalty, was appreciated, but the volume of their voices left my ears buzzing uncomfortably.
‘…Still, it’s difficult to ask them to lower their voices.’
Continuing my walk, I eventually saw the door where maids dressed in maid uniforms stood waiting. Among them, I spotted Laura, my personal maid.
“Good morning, Duke.”
“Good morning. Is the water ready?”
“It’s all warmed up.”
“Thank you.”
Handing my garments to Laura, I entered the bath, where seven maids were prepared to assist me. Since my rebirth into this world, having such detailed assistance during baths was something I’d initially had difficulty adjusting to, but over time it had grown familiar.
Given the attendants weren’t entirely unclothed, enduring a slight sense of discomfort made the bath time pass more quickly.
Having bathed, I accepted the clothes handed to me by Laura and headed towards the reception room.
The austere hallway greeted me on the way.
The previous duke’s corridors had always been extravagant with expensive paintings and sculptures, flaunting unnecessary opulence.
‘All it did was look overly flashy.’
When I became the duke, I had those gaudy hallways replaced with stark simplicity, leaving them devoid of decoration.
Every time I passed those lavish artworks and sculptures, they reminded me of the former duke—my father—a person I despised deeply.
This disdain, it even spawned rumors.
Rumors that the household funds were depleted spread by the arrogant whispers of those who knew nothing.
‘Even now, when I think about it, I wonder what audacity they had to spread such nonsense.’
Seemingly, they underestimated me due to my youth back then.
Moreover, there were suspicions regarding the poisoning of the former duke, which once destabilized my standing.
Of course, those who spread those rumors later paid dearly for their actions.
These thoughts carried me to the reception room, where Alan awaited, watching my approach.
“Has she arrived?”
“Not yet, but she’ll be here shortly.”
“Understood. I will wait. Inform me when Miss Adelle arrives.”
“Understood.”
With that, Alan opened the door, allowing me access to the room, where I settled onto the sofa.
Waiting has never been to my liking, but this was for my fiancée-to-be, so waiting seemed appropriate.
*
The house of Hardenberg.
Once upon a time, a branch of the imperial family became nobility and founded this lineage.
As such, the Hardenbergs possess an influence comparable to the royal family itself.
Their direct subordinate knights, the Raven Knights, wield a power nearly equal to the Emperor’s elite knights, the Golden Lions.
Simply put, the Hardenbergs are one of the most influential families in the Aria Empire.
And I am to become the fiancée of this family’s head.
“Haa…”
My sigh prompted Lily, the personal maid sitting opposite me, to speak.
“Don’t worry too much. Duke Hardenberg wouldn’t dare mistreat you.”
“That’s probably true.”
Our public engagement means he’d naturally care for appearances.
The real question: Will this alliance prevent my bad ending in the original story?
“…Considering there’s no other option available to me.”
“Come on! I’m sure you’ll get along wonderfully with Duke Hardenberg, Miss Adelle!”
“Hm, I appreciate the optimism.”
I gave a small smile despite myself as I glanced at Lily.
Her cheerful personality and affectionate gaze reminded me of a darling puppy—everything about her was endearing and spirited.
She was given to me by Count Estelle when I took the role of Antagonist Adelle Este; she and my father became the only people who truly cared for me.
“…Back when I became close with Lily, everything seemed alright.”
I had believed that if I worked hard enough, like in the villainess tropes I’d encountered in novels from my past life, I could change the villainess label attached to me.
But what followed were over ten assassination attempts and more than five poisoning attempts.
“How utterly laughable.”
It’s foolish to think that the image of a villainess can be changed so easily.
My efforts, seemingly insufficient, left me unable to even set foot into society anymore.
“Here we are!”
Interrupting my thoughts, the coachman’s announcement prompted me to glance outside. There, in all its grandeur, loomed the Hardenberg estate, its sheer size dwarfing a typical museum.
Of course, being a Duke’s family, nothing less than this extravagant building was expected.
While I was lost in thought, Lily opened the carriage door to reveal a man with ashen hair and gray eyes, a prominent scar on his features.
“…Ah?”
Abel Hardenberg.
He stood, smiling slightly, his hand extended towards me. If my assumptions were correct, he intended to escort me. However, why now?
“What are you doing?”
Strangely, he addressed me with deference—respectful formalities instead of the familiar tone he’d used earlier.
Flustered, I extended my hand, feeling the calloused hands and hardened texture from what seemed like a lifetime of discipline.
“Hu…huff…”
Lily’s voice caught my attention. Turning to her, I saw her cheeks flushed as if she had misunderstood the situation, which I could do little to correct.
“Shall we go?”
Abel smiled faintly as he led me towards the estate. I couldn’t help but wonder what motive lurked behind his newfound courtesy.
Every time I found myself in an unfamiliar situation, it usually didn’t end well, so I couldn’t help but eye him warily.
“Is something the matter?”
“That is…”
Had he noticed my suspicion? His smile faded as he explained.
“We’ll discuss the details once we’re inside the reception room.”
With that response, I nodded.
From a distance, female staff quietly gossiped while watching us, their expressions cheerful.
Woom…
“…Ah?”
Attempting to use magic to eavesdrop, my spell fizzled out.
“Magic cannot be used within the confines of the house, so be cautious.”
“U-Understood…”
Of course, this is the mansion of the Duke; precautionary measures against magic use would naturally be expected here.
Continuing forward, we soon sighted the doors of the reception room.
Alan, the manservant, noticed us and promptly opened the door. Inside, we seated ourselves across the table.
“Lily.”
“Yes!”
“Would you excuse us for a moment?”
“Ye…Yes!”
Lily beamed, giving me a discreet thumbs-up before stepping out, apparently delighted by the scene.
“…She really is innocent, isn’t she?”
She was too pure to understand the exact nature of my relationship with Abel. Smiling wryly, I turned my attention back to him.
“Alan.”
“Yes.”
“Please leave us as well.”
“Understood.”
Without hesitation, Alan exited the room. Once he was gone, and after ensuring privacy, I addressed Abel.
“What’s the matter?”
“Hm?”
“You’re not usually this courteous.”
At my words, Abel eyed me with a look of mild interest before responding.
“Ho, so you’re already letting your guard down because of our engagement?”
Those words caused me to momentarily catch my breath.
I recalled hearing that Abel was one of the top characters described as an eccentric in the original story.
I had foolishly let my guard down, mistaking his politeness for friendliness.
Should I roll back time? But without knowing the exact save point, acting impulsively could lead to disaster.
“Kuk…”
I turned my gaze to him as a sudden laugh echoed.
“..Haha. Just a joke. It’s natural to question even an engaged partner’s politeness.”
“..I see.”
“So, why did I suddenly become so considerate? There isn’t much of a reason. It’s merely standard courtesy between fiancés.”
Such simple acts as escorting an engaged partner, indeed, are common courtesies. Yet, it felt unusual from him, known as the enigmatic mastermind Abel.
“Besides, the eyes of the public are ever-watchful.”
“Public eyes, do you mean..?”
“Even a duke can become the subject of gossip.”
He continued, gazing steadily at me.
“Moreover, I find such rumors distasteful. Is this explanation enough?”
“..Yes.”
With that, we sat quietly in each other’s presence.
