This Marriage Must End in Tragedy (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Trishi shyly blushed. The young ladies raised their eyebrows and exchanged glances. They decided to gently explain things, so the naive girl wouldn’t get hurt by the harsh reality.
“Um… many gentlemen will be attending today. It would be better to keep your options open and observe carefully.”
“Oh… yes.”
She replied like that, but Trishi honestly never doubted the time she’d spent with Damion.
After all, it was Damion himself who had gone out of his way to ensure she could attend this party.
It was a ball for which invitations had been sent out long ago. But three days prior, an unexpected call came from House Baylis.
They said a certain gentleman awaited her attendance—if she hadn’t forgotten their meeting by the seaside, she should come.
‘Lord Damion too.’
Trishi struggled to suppress the rising corners of her lips.
How delightful their conversation had been that day when Damion came to the south just to see her!
〈What do you like most about the south, my lord?〉
〈Chocolate.〉
〈Ah! So you enjoy sweets! I do too. The south isn’t just famous for chocolate but also for its exquisite chocolate cake. Especially since Viscount Jiden’s personal chef is a remarkably skilled pâtissier. Would you like to try some now?〉
〈No, I absolutely hate sweet things.〉
〈……〉
Their conversation drifted a bit, but perhaps he’d simply been tired?
Not long ago, that woman Rain had abruptly quit her job, and on top of that, her father had insisted she treat him kindly to let him leave peacefully—leaving her thoroughly annoyed. Yet right after that woman left, such good fortune appeared.
That woman must have been bad luck all along.
‘Lord Damion…’
Trishi, who had been losing sleep every night thinking of Damion, felt her cheeks flush just at the thought of him.
“Did you hear? Ansi de Rubelsa is on today’s guest list.”
At that moment, something caught Trishi’s ear.
‘Ansi de Rubelsa? The daughter of that ruined family?’
It wasn’t a topic she particularly cared about. She just wished people would talk more about him. Still, since the other young ladies were so excited, Trishi listened indifferently.
Lady Naize asked curiously, “Really? Where has she been hiding until now?”
“She’s got quite a nerve showing up again.”
“Exactly. Coming back once everyone’s forgotten her—how shameless…”
“But honestly, I felt sorry for Lady Rubelsa.”
Lady Henji suddenly changed her tone mid-conversation. The others widened their eyes in surprise, but Henji continued regardless.
“Even if her father was at fault, it must have been a complete disaster for Lady Rubelsa.”
The girl shook her head pityingly.
Her motive soon became clear.
“Thank you for coming.”
A woman resembling spring smiled and greeted them as she passed by. Her white dress was adorned with lavish pink lace.
It was Elise de Baylis, the party’s hostess.
“Isn’t Miss Ansi closest to Miss Elise?”
“Oh my, so that’s why she was invited today?”
They lowered their voices as they watched Elise’s retreating figure. Trishi, however, paid them no mind—she was simply waiting eagerly for Damion to arrive.
“How many men do you think will ask Lady Rubelsa to dance today?”
“Only foolish men who care only about looks. I heard even my cousin’s club was gossiping about her. They’re placing bets on whether anyone who asks that girl—who hasn’t shown her face at any ball for a whole year—to dance will get stepped on or not.”
“How cruel.”
They burst into laughter. Lady Naize added casually, “Surely she won’t catch the Major’s eye?”
“No matter what, she’s far beneath someone from a ducal house.”
“Huh? By ‘Major,’ do you mean Lord Damion?”
Trishi, who had stayed silent until then, blurted out in shock.
“Is that woman really that beautiful?”
“Well… she’s passable.”
“Right, right. But a year has passed—she might have changed a lot.”
“Oh my! Damn it all—she’s still stunningly beautiful.”
Henji peeked toward the entrance while hiding behind her fan. Trishi spun around abruptly to look and dropped her fan.
A woman was entering the hall.
Her shoulders, exposed above the dress, were slender and graceful.
Her skin was as white as jade, and her hair, in stark contrast, as black as onyx.
Her nose was straight, her lips full—especially those clear, blue, gem-like eyes…
Trishi’s expression grew serious.
Strangely, a certain woman came to mind.
But that couldn’t be. Rain’s hair was brown, after all. And that girl was just a servant. So logically, it was impossible—but still…
That calm face and composed gaze.
That steady, dignified walk.
“That woman…”
“Is Lady Rubelsa.”
Ansi de Rubelsa—she was unmistakably Rain, who had once worked at Viscount Jiden’s estate.
[This is the timeline separator]“The Count of Rubelsa’s daughter at a social event? She’s got some nerve.”
“After devouring her father and brother, is she now looking for a husband to devour next?”
The sharp stares and murmurs that poured over her the moment she entered made Ansi’s eyelashes tremble faintly.
Piano music filled the hall, and though the guests clearly tried to whisper quietly enough that she wouldn’t hear, their words somehow cut through as clearly as if spoken right beside her.
Ansi slowly surveyed the room.
Wherever her gaze landed, people turned their heads—as though by silent agreement. Or rather, that meant they had all been staring at her.
She’d expected as much: she was undoubtedly the most conspicuous outsider here. Everyone eyed her with curiosity but kept their distance.
Ansi unconsciously lowered her gaze.
In the past, such petty gossip had never truly harmed her. She knew how to distinguish constructive criticism from baseless slander, and understood that listening to nonsense served no purpose.
But a year ago, Ansi realized something.
That composure had only been possible because she’d possessed something worth holding onto.
Now, when she herself devalued her own worth, their words pierced her heart like sharper blades than before.
Devouring her father and brother? It was absurd—but despite knowing it made no sense, she still wondered: could it have been true after all?
Still, pretending not to hear a word, Ansi carefully composed her expression and walked on. Fortunately, with no outright interference, she reached a suitable corner.
She constantly checked her posture and expression.
She didn’t want to look unhappy. After reappearing under the name Rubelsa after a year, she couldn’t afford to seem miserable—not here, not today.
Just then, her eyes met Elise, the party’s hostess. Ansi took a step forward.
“Thank you for inviting me…”
“Forget it.”
Elise, who had been glaring at Ansi, turned away before she could finish. Watching Elise’s back, Ansi forced a bitter smile, lifting her stiffening lips.
At that moment, women by the window, their faces flushed, hurried toward the entrance. Men who had been gathered in conversation quickly scattered and began asking women to dance.
Ansi’s eyes turned toward the door.
The instant it opened, she felt her unconsciously tensed body relax.
“Damion.”
She softly murmured the man’s name.
Beneath the glittering chandelier, he stood out even more vividly. His flawlessly tailored navy suit accentuated his fair complexion and striking features.
Every eye in the hall turned to him. In that sense, he resembled her—he too had drawn immediate attention upon entering.
“Ansi.”
Following his gaze, the crowd parted.
There was only one path—and at its end stood Ansi de Rubelsa.
Without hesitation, he walked straight toward her, as though she were the only person in the vast hall.
Ironically, in a room where everyone regarded her as an unwelcome intruder, the only one approaching her was the younger brother of her enemy.
“If I’d known you’d be here, I would’ve come sooner.”
“You arrived at just the right time.”
“The dress suits you well too.”
“That’s thanks to your fine taste. Thank you for the gift.”
Damion bowed slightly and kissed the back of her hand, then looked up with a question in his eyes.
“Will you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
A tickling sensation brushed over her gloved hand as his gentle voice reached her. Since no one else would ask her to dance anyway, Ansi naturally nodded.
“The honor is mine.”
Damion gave a soft smile and offered his arm.
The guests watched the scene with a mix of shock and fascination.
Damion de Orphe—the Empire’s most sought-after bachelor—had just asked Ansi de Rubelsa, whose family had fallen into ruin long ago, to dance.
Wasn’t this a moment too captivating to look away from?
Moreover, someone barged right into the moment.
“Rain! What are you doing here?”
Trishi stormed toward them, her face burning red. She looked between Damion and Ansi, utterly bewildered.
“My lord, why Rain instead of me…?”
“Lady Jiden.”
Damion’s icy voice cut off Trishi’s words. He stepped forward slightly, as though shielding Ansi.
“What are you even trying to do?”
Trishi glared at Rain—or rather, at Ansi—with tears welling in her eyes. But Ansi merely tilted her head in confusion, her raven-black hair glinting with blue as it fell to the side.
“Who are you?”
“Who am I? I’m the mistress you served!”
“That can’t be. I’ve never seen you before, my lady.”
Ansi answered with her usual blank expression. Hic—Trishi began hiccupping, yet refused to stop speaking.
“Baah!” Trishi shrieked. “You—you’re h-hic—the ma-maid hic—who worked at our house!”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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Damion may be conniving and manipulative, but he’s at least protective of Ansi even while she is not around.