Once she became a royal relative, the social circles would revolve around her. She had grown tired of humoring the uninteresting conversations of some duchess. She had been worn out by attending the charity bazaars of some countess against her will.

But what if she became the mother-in-law to the emperor?

Then all those people would bow before her, and the front of her mansion would become crowded with people offering local products from their territories.

Should she repurpose this reception room? Should she demolish the wall to expand it?

No. What is expansion? She would have to build a separate annex for social events.

Would she need to buy more land? That much would be supported by the royal family under the pretense of maintaining dignity, right?

Lady Berium’s fantasy was shattered in an instant.

“I’m not getting married.”

The lady looked at Liz as if doubting her own ears.

“What… are you saying?”

Although Liz had always spoken her mind, breaking her mother’s expectations for the first time was not easy.

“I mean… exactly what I said. I won’t go through with this marriage.”

“No, why?”

“The age difference is too much…”

“My child, you’re saying nonsense.”

With a sigh, her mother spoke, clicking her tongue in disdain.

“Men truly become men only after their forties. Men in that age group are also incredibly active and skilled sexually. Your peers are just kids. Inexperienced fools. Isn’t that right, Lilia?”

Her mother sent a look seeking agreement to Lilia, who did not disappoint her.

“Yes, I’ve heard that often.”

“But I still don’t like it!”

Liz began to assert herself more firmly.

Duchess Berium sighed, crossed her arms, and leaned back in her chair.

“There’s nothing we can do. It seems His Grace the Duke is quite taken with you. It’s the first time he has ever handpicked someone to propose to. Do you know how many women have thrown themselves at him over the last twenty years and have been rejected? You should consider it an honor.”

“That honorable position…”

Liz tried to say what she wanted, but her mother cut her off.

“We’ll go to the temple soon to receive the oracle. You should quietly attend your bridal classes.”

“…”

“I’ll have to change your lady-in-waiting starting today. Mirabel has spoiled you too much. Monica will be in charge from now on. Any objections, Lilia?”

“No, none at all. It’s for my sister’s sake.”
Lilia folded her eyes beautifully like a deer and replied with a smile.

Liz felt suffocated.

She felt like livestock being forcibly dragged to the slaughterhouse.

She couldn’t breathe well.

She wanted to leave this place. Right now.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll get up.”

Liz rose from her seat and turned away without even a greeting.

Her mother muttering ‘ill-mannered child’ and clicking her tongue, Lilia comforting such a mother with sweet words, Monica, who had just been assigned as her new maid, hastily following her—none of these caught Liz’s interest.

Liz wanted to get out of here.

No, to be more precise, she wanted to escape from the original work. She wanted to live peacefully without getting involved with anyone in the original story. She didn’t even hope to have a family now. At least let her live well on her own.

Why do they keep pushing her into the whirlpool of fate? Why!

Liz roughly pushed the door open and left her mother’s quarters. Mirabel, who had been restlessly waiting, tried to follow Liz but was stopped by Monica.

Liz walked down the hallway as if challenging fate.

The sound of her footsteps on the marble sped up, like rhythmic beats on a drum.

She heard Monica gasp and stumble behind her with a choked cry, but Liz did not stop.

What stopped Liz was the presence of Kain appearing as she turned the corner of the hallway.

He was walking towards her from the opposite end of the hall.

‘Does he know? About the proposal I received.’

Liz suddenly became curious.

It was the talk of the maids, so it was unlikely he didn’t know. However, no sign of disturbance showed in his demeanor.

‘Does he not care whether I am entangled with his uncle?’

It might be so. No, it probably was.

All he cared about was the humiliation he received from his uncle; the arranged marriage between him and the Duke likely did not concern him.

Ha!

She suddenly felt like laughing.

What did she want from him, anyway?

Did she hope he would think a little about her situation? Or save her from the Duke?

‘Stupid. He has his own problems. He can’t afford to worry about me.’

Just then, Monica appeared behind her, limping.

“Thank you, miss. For waiting.”

She felt no need to say that she hadn’t waited for her.
Liz resumed her steps. As calmly and nonchalantly as possible, as if her uncle’s proposal had no impact on her daily life.

Kain briefly paused, offered a light bow, and then moved on. The two passed each other, their clothes almost brushing, yet maintaining a certain distance.

In that moment, Liz suddenly felt something clenched in her hand.

It was a note. Monica hadn’t noticed.

Liz curled her fist to prevent the note from slipping out.

And the moment she entered her room, she sent Monica away and unfolded it.

“I will come at midnight.”

The message was short and dry, but a strange sense of relief washed over her.