As soon as I uttered those words, goosebumps spread across my entire body.
“Given the chance to live again, how could I……”
Refuse it?
Come to think of it, the voice that reached me just before I died clearly said, ‘Do you also want to disappear like this?’
Every time I mulled over that day’s events, I was always puzzled by the term ‘also’, but if it’s as I saw and heard in my dream.
‘I have a proposal for you, would you like to live the life you’ve always wanted?’
If someone turned back time, and Rosebelia refused to regress, so they made the offer to me.
“If I accepted that offer and came here, it does make sense.”
Then who on earth made that offer to Rosebelia and me?
Is that person showing me something through dreams? No, is it even a person?
I had been questioning the scenes I encountered in my dreams all along. But if all of that is already Rosebelia’s past, and someone is trying to show me Rosebelia’s past, that is, her life before the regression…
“Why show that to me? Do they want me to act differently from Rosebelia?”
I exhaled a long, deep breath. The heaviness pressing down on my chest eased a little.
Amidst the confusion, a strange sense of relief washed over me at the fact that I had entered Rosebelia’s body, who had refused to regress.
The emotion that suddenly added to it was a sense of awe towards Rosebelia. As these two contradictory emotions enveloped me, I got goosebumps again.
“Um, if I speak like this, can you hear me? Who are you?”
I suddenly addressed the empty air and waited for a voice to reach me, but no voice came back.
I think Rosebelia also spoke to the air like this, is this not right?
I pulled the blanket up to the top of my head, feeling a creeping sense of embarrassment.
*
“Young lady, you look truly beautiful.”
“Everyone at the party today will fall for you, young lady.”
Those were the words of Anne and the maid who came to help with my grooming, in that order. The words to stop because it was embarrassing rose to the tip of my tongue, but the reflection in the mirror was undeniably beautiful beyond anyone’s dispute.
The light peach-colored dress complemented Rosebelia’s white skin well, and I also liked the dress style that fully revealed the shoulder line.
“But why did you choose such a dress this time?”
Rosebelia had insisted on modest dresses that came up to her neck for a while. Of course, she hadn’t worn such dresses from the beginning, and the background of her choosing dresses without exposure was simple.
She wanted to reduce the gazes poured on her even a little.
“Just… I felt like wearing this kind of dress after a long time.”
Even in my previous life, I had always been sincere when it came to dressing up. I didn’t want to deliberately choose a less pretty dress when there was one that would suit this body better for anyone to see.
“You thought well. Young lady, you look much prettier when your white skin is revealed like this.”
I was about to nod vigorously at Anne’s words, but I forcefully tensed my chin.
“Really?”
“I think this necklace would be good, what do you think?”
The necklace that Anne carefully held near my neck was the finishing touch. As I carefully looked down at the necklace with an unusually shining jewel set large in the center, I traced Rosebelia’s memories.
This seems to be the necklace Rosebelia received as a birthday gift…
Was it a gift from Liliana?
“It’s nice. I’ll go with this necklace.”
While Anne was fastening the necklace, I made a final check of the reflection in the mirror.
This seems perfect.
With each slight twist of my body to the left and right, a wave-like sparkle rippled. For a moment, it was as if light was bursting from my body.
“Really… I can’t take my eyes off you, young lady.”
Anne murmured in a dreamy voice.
“Thank you all. I should be going now.”
I left the room and headed straight for the banquet hall. The noise that seemed to grow louder as I approached the hall suddenly ceased the moment I entered.
“Oh my.”
“That lady is…”
I could feel the gazes of those gathered in small groups for conversation all converging on me.
“Look at the Winters young lady over there.”
“It’s no exaggeration that she’s said to be the spitting image of the late duchess.”
“I’ve seen her at parties before, but she’s especially beautiful today.”
Rosebelia used to leave parties soon after attending, but now I understood her behavior.
The gazes that gathered once clung persistently, as if they would scrutinize my every move.
“Oh my, Lady Rosebelia?”
I turned around at the voice full of delight, and saw Daisy wearing a pink dress.
“Lady Daisy?”
Why is Daisy here…
“You’re so beautiful. I thought I was going blind for a moment when I saw you, Lady Rosebelia.”
“Did you come to our Winters family’s party?”
“Yes. I received an invitation, is there a problem?”
It’s not that there’s a problem, but in the original work, surely…
I was about to recall the original work but quickly shook my head slightly.
“Of course not. Thank you for coming.”
Where on earth is Edwin?
If I had known this would happen, I should have asked Edwin to come to the party.
“Lady Rosebelia? Are you looking for someone?”
Daisy blinked and asked as I looked around the hall.
“Ah, that… Cayden.”
“Ah, you mean Sir Cayden, today’s party protagonist? I think I saw him near the central staircase earlier.”
“I see. Then I’ll be back in a moment.”
Leaving Daisy behind, I busily shifted my gaze around the main hall.
Why didn’t I think Daisy could come too? It would be good if Edwin could build a friendship with Daisy here…
The red hair that usually stood out was not easily visible.
Don’t tell me he didn’t come?
“Good evening, my lady.”
Someone approached me as I was looking around and held out their hand.
“Yes, good evening.”
As I casually extended my fingertips, the man deeply rubbed his lips against the back of my hand.
No, who would give such a dirty greeting…
As I twitched my eyebrows at the moist feeling, what came into my view was a man with brown hair and a fairly handsome face.
“I’m late with my introduction. I am David Colin, the eldest son of the Viscount Colin family.”
“Ah, yes. I’m Rosebelia Winters. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
As I was about to turn around after lightly shaking off David’s hand, a sticky palm wrapped around my wrist.
“Miss Winters?”
“What are you doing now…”
“Don’t you know me?”
The man asked in an urgent voice.
“You just introduced yourself as David Colin a moment ago.”
“Yes, I did.”
“That’s all I know.”
As I finished speaking and lightly shook off my wrist, David’s hand fell away powerlessly.
David tried to hide his flustered look by pulling up the corners of his mouth as much as possible.
“Haha, well. It seems you haven’t heard from the duchess.”
By duchess, does he mean Olivia?
Has Olivia finally plotted something?
“I don’t know what you talked about with my mother, but I haven’t heard anything from her.”
“I was asked to attend this event without fail and be Lady Rosebelia’s dance partner.”
You sure like dance partners.
Rosebelia had never danced with anyone at a party before.
If Rosebelia were to dance with someone, it would become an issue in high society just by itself. It was obvious that it would turn into a scandal regardless of who her dance partner was.
“I don’t need a dance partner. Because I’m not going to dance.”
“Pardon?”
It seems Olivia wants to match me with this man somehow.
I carefully scanned David Colin from head to toe. If he’s a man to Olivia’s liking, he’s probably not a good match.
Being the eldest son of a viscount family isn’t a bad choice, but he’s probably trying to match me with someone who has some flaw somewhere.
“It would be better for you to look for another young lady as your dance partner.”
“But I…”
I noticed something on the man’s sleeve and gave a slight smile.
“For instance, how about the person you were kissing just earlier?”
David jumped in surprise and vigorously wiped his lips. I casually mentioned it because something like lipstick seemed to be smeared on his sleeve, but judging by that reaction, my guess seemed to be correct.
“K-kissing? Who did I…”
“You would know that better than anyone, Sir David Colin. Since it seems your partner is already decided, I’ll take my leave.”
As I was about to turn away, David let out a bitter laugh as if upset.
“Huh, really. I heard you were a knight of the White Knights, but you’re indeed different from the chaste noble ladies.”
What is this dried persimmon saying now?
“What did you say?”
“Actually, I wasn’t too pleased that a beautiful lady had the occupation of a knight. Still, I gladly accepted being your partner because you’re so stunningly beautiful, but honestly, I’m quite taken aback.”
The Fonnes Empire I saw through Rosebelia’s memories had relatively low women’s rights.
Just a few decades ago, the occupation of knight was exclusively for men, so the perception and treatment of female knights had many points that needed improvement.
Even at banquets, many people approached with curious eyes and asked if she could properly wield a sword.
“What aspect makes you taken aback?”
“A lady should be gentle and soft-spoken, but like a real knight…”
I couldn’t hear the rest clearly. Whether David trailed off or my ears decided it wasn’t worth listening to wasn’t clear.
Like a real knight? Then is Rosebelia a fake knight or something?
I expected something like this could happen, but experiencing it directly was more than unpleasant.
How much pride did Rosebelia take in her job as a knight! And she’s even a Sword Master!
The thought of showing my aura right here and flattening his nose surged strongly, but I forced myself to calm down.
Right, there’s no need to stain the dress I’ve dressed up in with blood.
“That’s really fortunate.”
“Pardon?”
“You said you’re not pleased that I’m a knight. Actually, I’m not too pleased with you either, Sir David Colin. Since we’re mutually displeased with each other, I don’t think there could be a cleaner conclusion than this.”
David, who had been quietly listening to my words, let out a stupid groan. Seeing his gaping lips, it seemed he was having trouble accepting my words.
“Y-you’re not pleased with me? This David Colin?”
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here since you’ve already come.”
Not wanting to exchange any more words, I quickly turned around. At that moment, a palm drenched in sweat grabbed my wrist again.
“No, my lady. If you leave like this, it will be troublesome for me.”
“I suggest you let go while I’m still asking nicely. Otherwise, like earlier…”
David’s hand fell away before I could do anything. I took my eyes off David sprawled on the floor and looked up at the person who had stepped between me and David.
It seems this person just removed David for me, could it be someone I know?
Judging by the attire, it’s certainly a man, but I couldn’t tell who it was because he was wearing a mask.
There’s no need to wear a mask yet since the first part hasn’t even ended…
Just as I was about to ask who he was, a gentle sensation pulled my hand.
“I apologize for being late, my lady.”
Wait, this voice?
As I froze in surprise, a warm and soft touch landed on the back of my hand.
The Male Lead’s Obsessive (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Synopsis:
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Summary:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition