Previously
Evgenia meets her eldest brother Sionel and her father, Duke Basilian, shocking them by using affectionate titles like 'Brother' and 'Father'. She tearfully announces her decision to give up on the Crown Prince and demands an immediate marriage to escape the capital.
I avoided his piercing gaze and bowed my head slightly.
As I hesitated, feeling somewhat intimidated, the Duke suddenly called my name.
When I looked up at the Duke in response to his obvious remark, he shifted slightly and continued.
It seemed my intention had come across loud and clear—that if I couldn't be the Crown Princess, I would at least become a duchess.
I said this to solidify my position even further, and perhaps squeeze out a bit more money if possible.
Even though I hadn't reincarnated as an ordinary young noble lady or a maid, but as the daughter of the wealthiest duke in the empire, it seemed fortune favored me in this world too—yet it never hurt to be certain.
Overwhelmed by my sparkling, determined gaze, the Duke nodded and stammered, “Yes, of course.”
Though I already knew from the novel just how magnificent Evgenia’s dowry and wedding gifts were, it was still deeply satisfying to hear the confirmation again.
On the surface, however, I maintained a wistful smile. Now that I’d said everything I had prepared and gotten the answer I wanted, I was ready to turn around and leave the office.
“…”
Yet my feet refused to move.
For some reason, I felt compelled to say more.
As the Duke’s curious gaze fell upon me, my mouth moved on its own.
“…”
Seeing the Duke looking at me with an unreadable expression, a heavy, stifled sense of guilt that had been weighing on my chest began to rise.
No matter the wrongs she had committed, the Evgenia who had caused him so much anguish was no longer here.
I could apologize, but I lacked the courage to tell the truth.
Feeling like a coward, I turned around quickly to leave the office.
At that moment—
Suddenly, my head spun, and my body tilted to the side.
After Evgenia collapsed.
The servants who flung open the office door to find the Duke frantically calling for a physician felt a strange sense of déjà vu, even though it was an uncommon sight.
It couldn't be helped. A similar scene had unfolded less than a week ago.
The difference this time was that Evgenia had lost consciousness quietly.
Unlike before, new faces were present, surrounding the flustered Duke.
Sionel swiftly carried Evgenia to her bedroom, with Alexis following closely behind.
Both Anne and Alexis, who were aware of Evgenia’s brief outing, flinched at his words.
Sionel, who had been staring at his pale, sweating sister, shook his head.
Anne’s lips parted slightly at the physician’s words.
A slight bruise, honestly! That incident had caused her to lose part of her memory—a terrifying turn of events!
Though it seemed unlikely, she couldn’t help wondering if the ducal physician was incompetent.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only one harboring doubts, as the Duke’s voice thundered.
As the physician hesitated uncertainly, the Duke’s brow furrowed, ready to launch into a lecture.
Alexis yelled angrily at the Duke.
At that moment, just as Sionel was about to say something, a soft “Ah” broke out.
Noticing the small sound, Sionel turned toward the maid.
Anne spoke hesitantly under the combined gazes of the Duke, Alexis, and the Young Duke.
“…!”
“…!”
Startled, the Duke and Sionel looked toward Evgenia’s face in unison.
A heavy silence filled the office when Duke Basilian and Sionel returned. The Duke finally broke it.
He meant it sincerely. His heart still hammered remembering how Evgenia, enraged upon learning of the Crown Prince’s proposal to Melissa, had slammed her head against the wall in fury, bleeding from her forehead as she collapsed.
Even while away from the capital, he had constantly received reports concerning his daughter. Though reassured by word that Evgenia was staying quiet, it had felt like the calm before the storm.
And upon his return, when she came running to him, he had thought that moment had arrived.
As always, he had expected her to throw a tantrum.
So, knowing she would hate it, he had summoned Sionel, unwilling to watch her hurt herself again.
Yet instead…
Sionel did not mock the Duke’s astonishment, which resembled a parent hearing “Papa” from his child for the first time.
In truth, he felt much the same.
Evgenia had resented her family since childhood, keeping both her father and brothers at arm's length and treating them almost like mortal enemies.
Sionel, outwardly as calm as ever, wrestled with the complicated emotions stirred by his sister’s tears.
The Duke ground his teeth in fury at the Crown Prince who had humiliated his daughter.
Evgenia was full of pride! Yet look at how much effort she had poured into winning the prince’s favor!
He certainly knew Evgenia’s attachment to the prince had been excessive. Still, she was the noble daughter of a founding ducal house, after all.
And yet he had proposed to her cousin Melissa instead!
The Duke nodded in agreement.
Though he had worried about convincing her to marry, she now seemed receptive to the idea. Nothing could be better.
Even though he had already made up his mind and fully intended to arrange her marriage, he found himself hesitating now that the time had come to act.
The Duke recalled the tall, refined young man with gentle manners. There wasn’t a single flaw in his eldest son’s logic.
Before Evgenia could change her mind.
With a man of his standing, someone who would not turn her away despite her reputation and the rumors surrounding her.