“There’s no need to apologize. I made the final decision.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s no reason to thank me either.”

Claudia cut in.

Though not blatant, she did not hide her hostility.

It wasn’t hard to read her true feelings from her frosty, expressionless face.

‘I dislike you. I don’t even want to exchange words. But I have no choice.’

That was the kind of character Claudia was.

If she liked something, she liked it; if she disliked something, she disliked it.

Always a simple and clear person.

A person who doesn’t waver wondering what choice would be good, but walks steadily towards her goal.

A person free from others’ gazes, not minding being hated or cursed.

I was fascinated by such a Claudia.

I fell for her, reading the book over and over again.

I never dreamed I’d become the villain in the novel and be an object of contempt for my favorite character.

‘Don’t whine. To not lose this new life, to protect the people precious to me, I need to be calmer than ever.’

The fantasy of becoming close friends with my favorite character was over.

Only the determination to not die by her hands remained.

To do that, I first needed to figure out what Claudia was thinking now, why she had summoned me.

‘Is there anyone who knows Claudia better than me? Let’s use the advantage of being the original reader. I should be able to grasp Claudia’s actions!’

I recalled the original work in my mind.

Scenes and dialogues flowing by quickly, like rewinding a video.

I reminisced every detail, including Claudia’s monologues and psychological descriptions.

The trembling gradually subsided.

Not all fear was gone, but at least I could avoid averting her gaze.

Noticing my subtle change, a glint flashed in Claudia’s eyes.

Just for a moment.

“Douglas said you’re very different from before.”

“He spoke unnecessarily. Lady Claudia is someone who trusts her own judgment more than others’ evaluations.”

“Don’t pretend to know me.”

A slight crease appeared on Claudia’s smooth, white-jade-like brow.

Fear gripped my heart once again.

‘What if I say one wrong word and lose my head right here?’

Reflexively, I glanced at Claudia’s waist.

Fortunately, there was no sword.

Non-guard knights were not allowed to wear swords in the imperial palace.

Bravo, imperial palace!

‘Claudia carries daggers in her ankles and inner wrists. But with or without a blade, killing me would be simple for her.’

“Why did you seek me out using Douglas’s name?”

“Why did you designate me as your duel proxy? This isn’t some trivial dice game.”

“Isn’t it natural to choose the strongest?”

“Don’t you know I dislike you?”

“I’m well aware. There are more than enough reasons for you to dislike me.”

A deeper wrinkle formed between Claudia’s brows.

For a moment, forgetting my fear, I admired my favorite character’s beauty.

This might be my first and last chance, after all.

‘Even her frowning face is beautiful. What a waste that I can’t enjoy this jackpot I’ve hit. Becoming Claudia’s comrade was my wish…’

Claudia was taller than I had imagined.

Since I had to look up at her, she must be at least 178cm.

A slender waist without an ounce of fat, firm shoulders.

The white knight uniform suited her like a painting.

Wasn’t the word ‘handsome’ born for Claudia?

Would it be crazy to want to see Claudia in an imperial uniform?

I felt ridiculous for having such fantasies in a situation where I might die.

It did help ease the tension though.

Warmth returned to my cold hands and feet.

I felt I could finally have a proper conversation.

“The last time I saw you, you were raging about how I hated you without reason.”

“I insulted you while drunk, Lady Claudia. I’m truly ashamed. Though late, I apologize.”

“Shame and apologies. They don’t suit you.”

“Perhaps you’re right.”

“Though I’m no expert on women’s attire… something is definitely different from before.”

Unexpectedly, Claudia showed interest in my outfit.

It was a simple dress made of fine fabric.

I would have preferred a more comfortable one-piece, but my position as education officer required a certain level of formality.

I preferred a minimalist style with good mobility and minimal decorations.

My only accessory was a pair of pearl earrings that clung close to my ears.

It was completely different from the original Elizabeth who flaunted her wealth with dangling diamond jewelry.

‘Emphasizing that I’ve changed with my own words would only create antipathy. I’ll just show myself and let her judge.’

After observing me for a while, Claudia hesitated and turned her head to the side.

“I apologize for staring.”

“It’s alright. I don’t consider it rude.”

“I’m not well-versed in social etiquette.”

“I’m no expert in that field either.”

“That’s true.”

Claudia let out an involuntary chuckle.

Seeming to feel awkward, she quickly returned to her expressionless face.

Even that aspect struck my fancy.

“Even if you dislike me, I’m not worried. I won’t deliberately lose.”

“On what grounds are you so confident?”

“Because Lady Claudia is the most honorable knight of all.”

“…”

“A gladiator might decide victory or defeat based on personal gain. But a knight is different, isn’t that right?”

Claudia didn’t answer.

She seemed to want to hear more of what I had to say.

“The moment you accepted the duel with Sir Simon, your honor also entered the arena. Along with your noble pride.”

“You’ll do your best for honor and pride?”

“And you’ll be victorious. As always.”

I smiled, narrowing my eyes.

Just being able to smile naturally in front of Claudia felt like a great achievement.

Claudia spoke in a calm tone.

“Sometimes there’s anger that surpasses honor.”

“I agree.”

“My sword might be aimed at your neck.”

Her blue eyes showed not a hint of wavering.

Claudia didn’t emit even a speck of killing intent.

Yet instinctively, my hands and feet curled up and a faint tremor came over me.

“Do you want to cut me down?”

“Sometimes.”

“Is it because of Lord Douglas?”

“Not at all.”

“May I ask the reason once more?”

“Because you are of no use to anyone in this world.”

“Not everyone lives a beneficial life, I suppose.”

“You have caused pain to countless people. Now that you’re by His Majesty’s side, you’re even more dangerous. Your beauty could lead the empire to ruin.”

“So that’s why you came. To decide whether to kill me or let me live.”

The Claudia I loved was exactly the same as in the original work.

Despite having the killing intent and ability, she didn’t draw her sword recklessly.

Even if the opponent was the villain who had trampled her first love.

Meeting her in person, I felt I understood more clearly.

The fact that I had changed wasn’t important to Claudia.

A person who acts according to beliefs rather than emotions.

No matter how much I shed my villainous image or changed my environment, if she still perceived me as a social evil, death would be my only future.

The moment to take a gamble had come.

If people make contracts, games, and bets, why couldn’t I?

“If you’ve finished your judgment, please cut me down quickly.”

I relaxed my entire body and let my arms hang loose.

Claudia’s eyebrows curved upwards.

“What are you doing?”

“Even if I struggle, I can’t match Lady Claudia. Rather than living in fear of when I might die, I’d like to depart peacefully.”

“Is this… some kind of trap?”

“I have neither the thought, time, nor ability to set a trap. I’m not sure what kind of trap would be useful in front of the strongest knight anyway.”

“…”

“Please take me without pain.”

I closed my eyes.

The anxiety that had never left me slowly dissipated like fog clearing at sunrise.

A strangely cozy feeling enveloped me.

Claudia stepped briskly behind me.

A chilling sensation touched my nape.

It was a sword.

‘I wanted to protect Nikolai. I wanted to cure Susan’s illness too. I wanted to help Franz, restore Owen, and give Boritz a chance. I wanted to live a new life myself…’

A burning regret pounded my heart.

But I had done my best every moment.

So I could accept any outcome.

It was a different choice from my previous life when I had handed over the oxygen mask in despair.

All I could do was not waste the time given to me.

‘Anything beyond this is not my part. Those who are to die will die, those who are to live will live. It will be mostly difficult, but sometimes luck will follow. They might be able to smile leaning on the warmth of kind people. So I don’t regret it.’

The shell of fear clinging to me cracked.

Soon it started to split widely.

Regret, anxiety, and impatience crumbled and fell away in small pieces.

It felt like my true self was slowly emerging from within.

“You are not the Elizabeth I know. Where is the real Elizabeth?”

Claudia asked for the first time with killing intent.

As if bitterly resentful that the original Elizabeth had disappeared.

[This is the timeline separator]

The day before the duel.

Simon was summoned to the imperial chapel.

Massive statues carved from marble lined the long corridor.

She, with her face veiled, was waiting for Simon.

It had been a long time since they met.

He expected a kiss of victory.

But all that returned was a cold voice.

“When did you beg to become mine? You’re just like any other man after all, Simon.”

“What do you mean? You are my only one, Your Majesty.”

“Why did you disobey my order to just extort the compensation?”

“That, that is…!”

“Didn’t I tell you not to get caught up in that wench’s schemes? I even told you how to persuade your gold-blinded father. Yet you insist on having a duel?”

Simon prostrated himself at the sharp interrogation.

“I don’t understand what happened either.”

“What a flimsy excuse.”

“I tried to cancel the bet, but Elizabeth…”

“Are you saying that wench cast some spell on you?”

“I have no other way to explain it. I don’t understand why I did such a crazy thing.”

Simon gritted his teeth.

He was still confused when thinking about that day.

Everything was hazy and dreamy, as if trapped in an opaque glass bottle.

“Tell me in detail.”

“Elizabeth winked at me. After that, everything is vague. I remember what actions I took, but somehow it felt like it wasn’t me…”

“Stop spouting nonsense.”

The woman fluttered her sleeve as if annoyed.

Unable to contain his indignation, Simon pounded his chest with his fist.

“Even Father tried to drive me out! If I lose the duel, the position of the next family head will go to my younger brother.”

“Can you win? Your opponent is the strongest Claudia.”

“It’s just bluster. She’s just a weak woman who receives praise for wielding a sword a bit.”

“Is that really so?”

“I’ll crush those border rabble and erase Elizabeth before Your Majesty’s eyes.”

Simon vowed.

A sneer dispersed under the woman’s veil.

“You say you’ll kill Elizabeth?”

“I’m looking for an opportunity. I can’t go the same way as those incompetent kidnappers.”

“I’ll help you.”

“What?”

The woman threw a small leather pouch in front of Simon.

Simon carefully picked up the leather pouch.

“What is this?”

“It’s a secret weapon. With that, you will never lose.”

“Your Majesty…”

“If you fear death, if your life is most precious to you, burn it in secret. The choice is yours.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Simon versus Claudia.

The duel between the two knights began in the grand plaza used for equestrian events.

Who would win?

The son of Marquis Brenden?

Elizabeth’s proxy?

Not only the nobles but even the commoners were excited about the duel of the century.

Requests to watch the duel kept pouring in.

Nikolai did not allow it.

The reason was simple yet complex.