NLBWM 01

Chapter – 01

“Investigate the Selrdian Ducal Family.”

A secret order was issued: uncover any signs of rebellion.

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Casian knelt on one knee, showing proper respect.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s loyal sword immediately sprang into action.

It just so happened that this day was the day the Selrdian princess was to marry Viscount Hetus. Casian suspected that someone might be using the wedding as a silent signal, so he hurriedly drove his horse forward.

But then…

“Ugh!”

As soon as they arrived at the western forest, Casian and the other knights frowned in shock.

Blood was everywhere.

Both people and horses were drenched in blood. There were no intact corpses to be found—the scene was horrifying.

“Are they all dead?”

Casian murmured in despair, overwhelmed by the unexpected sight.

“Sir, there’s a survivor here!”

A knight had discovered a collapsed woman.

“This person is…”

Her face looked familiar.

He recognized her, though they weren’t particularly close.

Evelyn Selrdian.

She was the younger sister of the current Selrdian Duke and a jewel of the social scene. Having grown up in wealth, she was called the Queen of the North.

Her emerald-green hair glistened like morning dew, flowing down her back. Her fair, sugar-white skin looked even paler than usual.

Despite her exhaustion and injuries, her beauty was undeniable. The sight of a bride in a pristine white dress struck by such tragedy—on her way to meet her groom—was heart-wrenching.

Did she have many enemies, Casian wondered, lost in thought.

Evelyn stirred, and with a faint groan, Casian hurried to support her upper body with his arms.

The scent of flowers briefly brushed his nose. Casian’s expression stiffened—but he quickly composed himself, checking her condition.

She grimaced as if reliving a nightmare, exhaled weakly, and forced her eyes open. Then she said:

“You bastard.”

And then she passed out.

Silence fell. Casian’s face tensed, and the knights didn’t know how to respond.

A term from the North mocking Casian came to mind: the emperor’s dog.

But to hear “bastard” from her?

“Should I just drop her?”

Casian tightened his hold, ready to let her fall to the ground.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

“Impossible! No matter what, she is a lady!”

A brown-haired man who had arrived on the scene intervened. He was Casian’s aide, Hans.

“You want me to show chivalry to a lady who just called me a bastard?”

“Well, you never know… it might help with the investigation.”

Casian frowned as Hans’s words reminded him of the emperor’s command: Investigate the Selrdian Ducal Family.

With no argument to offer, Casian clicked his tongue and reluctantly carried Evelyn.

“What a troublesome woman.”

I had… been transmigrated. Into a romance fantasy.

The problem was, I had no idea which fantasy.

Don’t call me stupid. It hurts my pride.

To explain: I had been an intern at a company, and after being scolded by my boss, I got into a car accident with a speeding truck. It was a straight path to the afterlife.

“Wait…”

I thought I was dead, but when I opened my eyes, I had been transmigrated into a beautiful lady in a white dress.

“Which earrings will you wear, my lady? Since it’s the wedding, should we bring diamonds?”

“Since the ceremony is at the temple, I think a sapphire accent would be nice!”

The woman in the mirror was stunning. Like a summer spirit had taken human form. She could easily be the protagonist of the story.

As I admired my reflection endlessly, suddenly:

“They’re coming soon!”

“There’s no time, my lady!”

The maids helping me suddenly grabbed my hands and rushed me out.

I followed them, dazed, but the surroundings were strangely deserted.

“Where is everyone?”

“You told us to go separately!”

“I… told them to go separately?”

“Yes! There’s no time! Quickly, get in!”

The maids roughly pushed me into the carriage.

Before I could even ask why, the coachman drove off, and armored knights escorted the carriage. I overheard fragments of cryptic conversation.

After twenty minutes, the carriage slowed.

‘What on earth is happening?’

Wasn’t I supposed to be going to meet my groom? Why did it feel like someone was chasing me? What should be a happy moment felt strangely ominous.

The maids kept glancing out the windows.

“I think we lost them?”

“I think so. There’s a rest stop not far ahead.”

“Lost who?”

“Of course, them! Something’s really strange today, my lady.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

I gave them a vague smile and avoided their gaze.

“…I’m probably just tired.”

I sighed, disappointed that I couldn’t remember anything about the woman whose body I now occupied.

“My lady! Are you feeling ill?”

“Shall we rest for a moment?”

“It’s okay. How far to the temple?”

“Another couple of hours.”

“Should we stop the carriage?”

“No. But what about my groom…?”

“Ah, He—”

Bang!

“Ugh!”

“My lady, are you alright?”

“What’s happening?!”

The carriage shook violently.

I slammed into the wall and groaned.

“Assassins!”

“Protect the princess!”

Outside, masked assassins attacked the knights. They tried to defend the carriage but were cut down one by one.

The maids grabbed my hands and jumped out of the carriage.

We tried to flee, but:

“Found you! The princess is here!”

A blade pressed against my neck.

‘Am I really going to die?’

I hadn’t even known the novel’s story, and now, within three hours of transmigrating, I was about to die?

“Wait! Let go! I said let go!”

I tried to resist, but the assassins overpowered the maids, shackled my hands, and pressed a blade to me.

“This is the end.”

At that moment, an unknown light surrounded my body, followed by a massive explosion.