This Marriage Must End in Tragedy (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
“Did you say… Orphe?”
“Yes! And a direct heir, no less?”
Though knowing there was no one around, Roma deliberately lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.
“The Duke’s son.”
Ansi sucked in a sharp, quiet breath. Her whole body tingled as if she’d leapt into fire. Her heart began pounding rapidly.
The Duke’s son. It couldn’t be Cardian de Orphe—he was already married. Then… was it that man’s younger brother? She’d heard he’d been discharged a few months ago and was now in the capital.
“Interested?”
Roma, quickly noticing Ansi’s shift in demeanor, asked again. Ansi swallowed hard and licked her lips.
“…I’ll do it.”
“Really? Good choice!”
Roma decided to set aside, for now, the question of why her mind had suddenly changed.
This girl knew her place all too well—frighteningly so. Whatever her reason, she wouldn’t recklessly throw herself at the Orphe young master and ruin everything just for a chance at climbing the social ladder.
If anything, it might be the young master himself who desired this girl… and that thought alone sounded rather amusing.
“You’re Lady Larwill today. Now, change your clothes.”
First things first—Roma handed Ansi a pale sky-blue silk dress.
Ansi, having made up her mind, changed swiftly and without fuss. Roma began deftly applying makeup to her face. As soft hues layered over her features, her fair skin glowed even more radiantly.
“See? Told you—you positively exude nobility.”
Roma smiled contentedly. Watching her reflection in the mirror, Ansi deliberately lifted the corners of her mouth to mask her nerves.
Then, she headed straight for the meeting place.
It was an upscale restaurant located in the central square. Arriving right on time, Ansi took a seat at the reserved terrace table.
Though the tables were spaced generously apart, the place wasn’t entirely empty—most patrons belonged to the upper class. Without even realizing it, Ansi tilted her head slightly down, careful not to let her face be clearly seen from inside.
“Shall we prepare your meal once your companion arrives?”
“Yes.”
Sitting alone, Ansi fixed her gaze on the square and tried to calm her mind. Repeating the name of the woman who had granted her this opportunity—Mackenda Larwill—proved strangely helpful.
Only much later did she realize there had been no need to rush calming her nerves.
Ansi checked her watch again. It was already 1:40—forty minutes past the appointed time. On the table sat nothing but a water glass and empty dishes.
Though no one had said anything to her, the staff member’s expression had grown noticeably anxious, aware that time was slipping by without an order.
And Ansi herself was beginning to feel uneasy.
‘Is he not coming?’
Now that she thought about it—if this was an unexpected encounter the woman wished to avoid, there was no guarantee the man would willingly show up either.
Ansi let out a bitter smile. Why did God keep giving her false hope, only to snatch it away again and again?
Remaining seated any longer seemed pointless. She called over a staff member to say she’d be leaving.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t prepare the meal…”
“Prepare it.”
Just then, a man’s voice cut through. Ansi turned toward the sound. She saw a figure approaching the terrace, guided by a server—a man in a perfectly tailored suit drawing closer.
“…!”
Ansi’s eyes wavered.
His pace was leisurely, yet his long strides made his approach swift.
Swept-back golden hair, unreadable violet eyes, and the faintest upward curve at the corners of his lips.
He bore a striking resemblance to that strange man she’d recently seen.
That man from the starry night.
[This is the timeline separator]〈Your mother arranged an appointment for you. You must attend.〉
It was Duke Orphe who had ordered his son to appear. Though he spoke as if securing a fine match for his heir, his true intent was obvious.
The daughter of House Larwill—a gentry family that had amassed great wealth early on through textile looms.
Marrying her would grant access to that fortune for the ducal house, yet she was a woman who, despite her riches, held no real influence among the proud and haughty nobility.
So the Duchess had lately taken up the hobby of charming gentry families… and was now using him as her instrument.
Most likely, this sudden arrangement stemmed from last week’s charity gala. Imagining the Duchess casually offering him up to the scheming Madam Larwill—whose tongue worked like a viper’s—Damion found the whole affair laughable.
He’d play along just enough to keep up appearances, but he had no intention of acting as she wished.
She was probably some naive girl—if he behaved just unpleasantly enough, she’d abandon the match herself.
First step: arrive late to the appointment.
Just enough to test her patience.
Around forty minutes past the scheduled time, Damion strolled into the restaurant at his leisure. If the woman showed anger, he’d consider it half a victory; if not, he’d prepare another slight.
But then—what was this?
Damion’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the woman seated on the terrace.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t prepare the meal…”
Hearing her soft but clear voice, he let out a dry chuckle.
Her dress resembled the sky that day—a spring blue, softer and gentler than winter. Unlike that night, she was now adorned like a proper noble lady.
“Prepare it.”
Damion sat down at the table.
This promised to be more interesting than he’d expected.
[This is the timeline separator]That man was Orphe?
Damion de Orphe. Younger brother of Cardian Orphe—the very man she despised beyond words. A man steeped in the vile blood of the Orphes.
And… the man she’d met under the name “Rain” at Viscount Jiden’s estate.
How would a servant from a southern manor explain her presence here?
Her mouth went dry.
Staring at him with a stiff expression, her entire body tensed. Beneath the table, her hands gripped the fabric of her skirt tightly.
In the meantime, the man sat directly across from Ansi.
“Sorry for the delay, Lady Mackenda.”
His casual use of her assumed name held not a trace of suspicion.
Yet Ansi felt as if her throat were being squeezed shut.
Was he feigning ignorance—or did he truly not know?
Or… had he known all along? That night, had he seen her intent to kill Cardian? Had he been watching her in that deserted garden? And now, here as well…?
“…I thought you weren’t coming.”
Ansi forced herself to speak, to halt the wild leaps of her thoughts. As the words left her lips, her mind grew somewhat clearer.
“Impossible.”
The man gazed at her with complete ease.
When the food arrived, he began eating calmly, as if nothing were amiss.
‘Right—he couldn’t possibly know.’
Not about the horrific deeds his brother had committed. Not that she’d tried to kill him. Not even that they’d met beneath the stars.
To him, it had probably been just another trivial, forgettable night.
After all, he’d shown up to this very appointment without the slightest hesitation or discomfort. How kind and warm the world must have always been to this precious, esteemed young master of House Orphe. She felt she could guess his entire past without even seeing it.
Yes… the man before her now was undeniably of the Orphes. She was facing her enemy’s brother.
In place of her earlier anxiety, pure hatred and a faint thrill now coiled tightly within her.
The fork and knife in her hands felt like weapons. If she plunged them into him—surely her enemy would grieve? Suffer? Such thoughts spread through her mind like ink on paper.
“Not to your taste?”
The man, eating with impeccable manners, finally spoke.
“…No.”
“I understand it’s overwhelming—an unexpected meeting like this.”
“It’s not.”
A faint smile flickered across his lips. Ansi stared at him, lips pressed tightly shut. He raised an eyebrow and said,
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“Am I?”
“That dress suits you well.”
“….”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Ansi couldn’t respond at all. Should she deny it? Thank him? Her mouth hung slightly open, frozen like a broken doll, until Damion spoke again.
“Shall we take a walk? The weather’s lovely.”
[This is the timeline separator]Her skirt, flowing down to her ankles, swayed gently with each step.
By the riverside, nameless wildflowers and white-blossomed trees were in full bloom. Sunlight shimmered brilliantly on the water’s surface. The scene looked peaceful—but beneath its calm surface, the water was surely deep and cold.
What if she pushed this man into the river?
After all, Madam Roma had told her to ruin the meeting anyway. Did murder fall within the bounds of “ruining”?
As she entertained the thought, a light breeze stirred. Amid falling petals, the man reached out and caught something in his closed fist. He then extended his hand toward Ansi and opened it.
A white petal lay in his palm.
“They say if you catch a falling petal with someone beside you, that person is your destined one.”
Reciting that meaningless superstition, the man smiled beautifully. It was almost laughable—the way he whispered those sweet, teasing words, despite clearly not even knowing the real name of the woman standing before him.
“Well… House Larwill prefers tangible benefits over fate.”
“What a pity. Then…”
The man lifted the corners of his mouth.
“What about you, Ansi?”
Ansi stopped walking.
Her heart dropped like a stone.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
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Damion is selfish to think Ansi should give up her life span for him. However, considering he saw her almost end herself, he probably thinks if she wants to end things she might as well help him in the process.
Trishi is terrible. I hope she gets put in her place. I also hope this viscount son isn’t a loser, but I don’t have high hopes.