It was a morning when the chirping of birds didn’t feel noisy.

I got up stretching refreshingly.

“Ah. The weather is so nice today.”

As I smiled brightly looking at the sunlight seeping through the window peacefully, someone entered the bedroom.

“Lady Julieta, it’s time for you to get up now.”

“Nanny. Good morning.”

“Yes, good mor… Oh my, are you already awake?”

She seemed to have thought I would be sleeping in as usual.

“Well, my eyes just happened to open early today.”

“You usually sleep in late. What’s the occasion for getting up early? Do you have something important today?”

Important. Yes, if we’re talking about important things, there was one. And it was important enough to decide Julieta’s life!

“Nanny. Of course there’s something important. Today is the day His Imperial Majesty welcomes Her Imperial Majesty as his empress.”

“That’s true, but our young lady has never been interested in such things and is quite insensitive to them. You’ve always said you don’t care what happens in the imperial family as long as our family isn’t involved, haven’t you?”

It was quite a stinging remark. True, it wasn’t really my business who the emperor chose as his empress.

Normally, I would have grumbled about the emperor’s inflexibility in making all the nobles attend such events.

“That may be true, but the emperor and empress make such a well-matched pair. I’m curious to see them together.”

“That’s true. They are a well-matched pair indeed.”

The conversation flowed smoothly. I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with joy.

‘It really was a long wait.’

The truth is, I had been counting down the days to this moment for a long time. Today is the day when the story in the original work comes to an end.

[This is the timeline separator]

Julieta Orbetian. She is the youngest daughter of the Orbetian Count family and a villainous supporting character who gets eliminated after saying something to the female lead who seemed close to the male lead in a novel whose title I can’t even remember now.

‘Why! I was just trying to stop a lady from an insignificant family from approaching Your Highness…’

‘When did I ever ask you, Lady Orbetian, to do such a thing? You should know your place and not meddle beyond your limits.’

Julieta felt her body freeze at the icy cold voice that chilled her to the bone. She tried to open her trembling lips to beg for forgiveness, but.

‘How convenient would it be if everything could be resolved by asking for forgiveness? Be careful on your way. What if you break that pretty neck of yours in a carriage accident?’

After that, Julieta runs away, pale as a sheet. And a few days later, she gets seriously injured in a real carriage accident. It was obvious who caused the accident that could have broken her neck if things had gone slightly wrong.

‘It’s the male lead of this novel. Who else could it be?’

On the first day of possessing this body, I went through intense denial of reality, and then I cut myself off from the world to avoid getting involved with that madman as much as possible.

Without even thinking of trying to befriend the female lead, I almost completely cut ties with the ladies that the original Julieta used to be close with and started living as a shut-in.

‘Well, I’m sure there are plenty of people to take the place of villainous supporting character number 1 anyway.’

I had such thoughts to some extent, and I diligently ran my hope circuit thinking that as long as I didn’t step up unnecessarily, I could live happily in the wealthy count’s family.

But one problem arose. There was nothing to do inside the house.

‘Smartphone! You*ube! Various OTT services! Give them back to me!’

With the disappearance of the things that used to fill my daily life, I was so bored. Was it because of the side effects of being forcibly separated from modern conveniences? My hands were trembling like withdrawal symptoms, and I was flailing in the air looking for a smartphone.

When I was young, I used to think with sparkling eyes that I wanted to be possessed. But as a modern society-addicted working adult, I just wanted to go back.

But they say out of sight, out of mind. Although the smartphone still flickered before my eyes, I wasn’t desperate enough to wave my hands in the air. I had also found alternative entertainment.

‘Everything is good. I’ve adapted to life here, the original work has ended. Now all that’s left is to enjoy the life of a wealthy noble lady.’

It really felt like a dream. Having a lot of money was the best thing in the world.

‘Your Imperial Majesties, may you be happy! And may the villainous supporting character 1 who suffered in my place be possessed in a happy place in their next life!’

I thought everything was over now. Surely, it was.

But why on earth.

Right now, in front of my eyes…

“I’ve been waiting, Lady Orbetian.”

“…Huh?”

“You seem surprised. Take your time, I’ll wait.”

A sweet voice that would make you turn around even if you were just passing by. Looking infinitely kind and gentle, but with features too handsome, wavy blonde hair, and blue eyes full of devotion.

The sub-male lead with the definite puppy look. Yezar Perhaem. Why is the sub-male lead from the original work standing in front of me?

And…

“Are you perhaps not interested in a contract marriage?”

Waving a contract with such a gentle face.

What on earth is going on? Why is the sub-male lead, who I never got involved with during the original story, waving a contract like this?

Before this unbelievable situation occurred two weeks ago.

That is, when I was comfortably sprawled out, relieved that the original work had ended.

I certainly…

[This is the timeline separator]

“Nanny, shall we go on a trip this time?”

Since I no longer had to stay cooped up in the mansion. I was excited at the thought of traveling. My nanny, who was brushing my hair, smiled.

“What wind has blown for our young lady who’s been stuck in the mansion all this time?”

“Is that so? Does it seem strange to you, nanny?”

It wasn’t unreasonable for the nanny to find it odd, since I had hardly ever gone outside the mansion to avoid the characters from the original work.

Then the nanny patted my head.

“It’s not strange at all. Rather, I’ve been worried because you’ve always stayed inside the mansion. Lady Julieta is also at a marriageable age now. You should do what you want to do now.”

“Then, I want to go to the desert in the neighboring country…”

Just as I was about to continue speaking excitedly, the door was roughly opened.

Bang! The loud noise that seemed to tear my eardrums made my heart pound involuntarily.

“What trip are you talking about? You, talking about a trip at this time?”

It was clearly my annoying younger brother Wizlet with his hateful voice. His bright red hair and sharp green eyes glaring at me seemed to reveal his fiery temper.

Really, if you’re possessed in a novel world, shouldn’t you have only unicorn-like brothers? Instead, there’s this mama’s boy acting like a brother who’s as annoying as in real life.

“You used to nag me all the time for always staying at home. Now you’re telling me not to go on a trip?”

“Think about what you’ve done. Do you know how much Father has been sighing?”

“Why Father?”

I haven’t done anything wrong. Why is he sighing deeply again?

“Are you asking because you don’t know? Father told me to stop turning down proposals.”

“What proposals are you talking about?”

As I frowned while answering like that. Suddenly, past events flashed through my mind.

“Ah. Is it because of the marriage candidates?”

“Yeah. We’ve only presented perfectly suitable candidates, but you’ve turned down every single one. Do you know what you’re being called these days?”

“What am I being called?”

When I asked out of curiosity, Wizlet sighed deeply and answered.

“The Thorn Flower of Orbetian.”

“What’s that? How cheesy.”

The naming sense of people in this era is really terrible. Seeing me calmly listening to that nickname, Wizlet twisted his face as if he was even more frustrated.

“You really… Let’s at least know the reason. Why do you keep turning down proposals? They say there are no more suitable candidates left.”

Since he asked for a reason, I felt like I should answer and opened my mouth.

“Well, they grab my hand on our first meeting saying we’re clearly destined and that they’ll love only me forever.”

Even recalling it made me feel unpleasant.

“They sneakily try to touch my hand. They secretly glance at my chest. Sigh. How can I marry men whose minds are elsewhere? And on top of that, on our first meeting. How can they say they’ll love me forever when they don’t even know me… There’s no trust. It’s obvious that most of them probably have several mistresses behind their backs.”

“If they were such bastards, you should have told me earlier. I would have beaten them up good.”

“Forget it. It’s not even worth wasting time on such men.”

As I waved my hand dismissively, Wizlet thought for a moment and said.

“Alright, I understand what you’re saying, Julieta. But there was one decent guy, wasn’t there?”

“Ah, the second son of the Theorian Marquis family?”

“Yeah. His family background was good, and his appearance was decent enough too.”

“No. He was the worst. He was really full of himself. Do you know what he said to me? He said all he wants is a wife who will faithfully support him and just smile prettily by his side.”

“Kuk. Would that work with your personality?”

I glared at Wizlet for the immediate jab.

“Watch your mouth.”

“Oops. But I’m still your brother, aren’t I?”

“Would you please watch your language, dear younger brother?”

“I will. Our Julieta.”

When he called my name, imitating the kind and affectionate voice of our eldest brother, I felt a wave of revulsion.

As I pretended to vomit, Wizlet chuckled. After laughing for a while, Wizlet asked me.

“Anyway, I understand that you didn’t like them, but what exactly do you want?”

When Wizlet suddenly asked what I wanted, I had to think for a moment. As for looks, since this was a romance fantasy world, everyone met a basic standard so I didn’t need to worry about that.

As for personality, well… it was a political marriage. We probably wouldn’t see each other much due to being busy, so as long as they weren’t complete trash, it would be fine.

After pondering like that, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Hmm. Someone who doesn’t spout nonsense about eternal love at first sight, who adequately plays the role of a husband while not interfering with me too much?”

“Julieta. I’ve always thought this, but you’re too cold.”

He was looking at me as if I was cold-blooded. I felt offended, but I understood.

‘He’s reacting like that because he has a fiancée he’s passionately in love with right now. Anyway, he’s more romantic than he looks.’

“You’re just too romantic, brother. It’s a political marriage anyway. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if we just fulfill our ideal roles and keep our promises to each other instead of talking about love?”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll tell Father about it. But Julieta, I hope you marry someone good that you can love.”

Saying that, Wizlet disappeared outside. Then the nanny, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, took my hand.

“The young master seems to be very worried about you too. To come and speak to you like that in person.”

“I know. How could I not?”

How could I not know? It was Wizlet who looked after Julieta instead of our busy father and eldest brother. From Julieta’s memories that flowed in when I was possessed, he wasn’t a bad brother.

Of course, Julieta disliked Wizlet who seemed to pick fights with her by speaking harshly, and she resented her father and eldest brother who were too busy to play with her. Her mother, who passed away early, wasn’t enough to fill Julieta’s heart, so Julieta went around looking for someone to love her.

That’s why she mistook the superficial kindness of the male lead as love and fell for him, messing up her life badly.

“Marriage…”

I wasn’t too keen on it, but if it was a duty that came with my food and lodging, I was willing to follow through. But for the sake of the original Julieta as well, I had no intention of meeting any weird guys.

“Nanny, do you think there isn’t a man out there who meets my conditions?”

A man who doesn’t talk about love and such, and who will play the ideal role of a husband without interfering with me more than necessary.

“Well, I’m not sure. But our young lady is a kind and gentle person, so I’m sure you’ll be able to meet a good person.”

My heart swelled when such a warm person said that. I hugged the nanny tightly.

“Should I just marry you, nanny?”

“Don’t say such things. People will be shocked if they hear you.”

“But I feel like the other men Father will bring will be similar anyway.”

Both my younger brother and nanny are so concerned about me, but I know that Father’s eyes are all the same.

‘Hmm. Should I spread a rumor instead?’

There must be at least one oddball out there who’s aiming for the conditions I want.

[This is the timeline separator]

And, now.

That oddball has appeared.

“I heard the rumor.”

“Ah…”

The rumor I spread hoping to catch someone actually reached the sub-male lead’s ears.

“I heard you want a man who doesn’t talk about fateful love and who will play the ideal role of a husband without interfering with you more than necessary?”

He was reciting the conditions I had spread in the rumor without missing a single detail.

“Yes… that’s right.”

“Would a contract marriage be acceptable?”

Yezar’s eyes were quite serious as he said this. Honestly, I was surprised to see the sub-male lead come looking for me, making my efforts to avoid getting involved with the original characters seem futile, but…

“When you say contract marriage, do you mean a marriage that’s not meant to last forever?”

For me, it was an opportunity that had rolled in.

“Yes… I’m not confident in loving someone yet.”

His calm blue eyes sank. I felt a lump in my throat at his trembling hands and voice filled with longing.

I know, I know. That tearful love of yours. That pain that inevitably comes to those who buy stock in the sub-male lead. How could I not know? I once held your stock before it turned into scraps of paper.

“But I can be the ideal husband you want.”

He must also be under pressure from his family to get married. It would be strange to keep the seat next to a duke empty for too long. But given his innate nature, he must have been worried about bringing in a partner he didn’t have feelings for, as it would make that person suffer.

‘How can a duke be so kind and tender-hearted?’

Thanks to that, a very good opportunity had rolled in for me.

His personality that I had seen in the novel was kindness itself, and I didn’t think I would be disrespected during the married life with him.

There was no love, but I wasn’t at an age to believe in fateful love anymore.

“Alright.”

“Did you say alright?”

“Yes. You said it’s a contract marriage. How about maintaining the marriage for about 2 years? As you know, I’ve been under pressure from my family to get married, so I needed a suitable partner. Oh, of course, the grounds for divorce should be on your side, Duke, and you should divide the property appropriately, you know?”

I winked, and he nodded.

“Yes, I will be an ideal husband to you for 2 years, my lady.”

It was the beginning of a contract marriage with the sub-male lead from the novel.

Little did I know I would be scammed later!