Chapter : 02
The Duke of Lissiansious, who didn’t shy away from embarrassing even a lady.
“…Very well.”
Fortunately, the Duke extended his left hand to meet mine, and we stepped onto the dance floor.
Among all the partners who came out for the first dance, the Duke and I were the most prominent in stature, so everyone instinctively avoided our space. It made us stand out.
Thanks to that, it was easy to converse, and the Duke did not hide his contempt for me.
“What was your intention in asking me to dance?”
“I wanted to dance with you, Duke. That’s all.”
Partners held one hand together; the gentleman’s free hand rested on the lady’s waist, and the lady’s free hand on the gentleman’s arm.
“Do you expect me to believe that?”
“Then why do you think I requested this dance?”
“That….”
The Duke of Lissiansious frowned.
This man was not the type to say things like, “Do you like me?” aloud. Even if he thought I liked him, he would know that, considering wealth and status, it would be more efficient for me—as the eldest daughter of the Levian Marquis family, comparable to most dukes—to send a marriage proposal myself.
If I truly liked the Duke, that would have been the more effective way to exert pressure.
“You have no proper reason, do you? Naturally. I truly just wanted to dance with you.”
“Why me, of all people?”
“Oh, do you intend to make me repeat the same answer three times to a lady?”
I smiled cheerfully.
“Because it’s you, Duke.”
And I meant it.
The rest of my life would be devoted entirely to my death, full of lies. The only moment I could act genuinely—just this once—was right now.
But since the Duke would know nothing, I gave him a smile praised as beautiful in high society. The expression on his face twisted strangely.
The song ended, and the Duke escorted me off the dance floor.
At the moment of parting, I smiled brightly and spoke loudly enough for those around us to hear.
“We’re planning to hold a tea party at the Levian Marquis residence soon. Would you come?”
The Duke’s expression betrayed that he had been caught off guard.
Refusing a public invitation would embarrass not just me, but the entire Levian Marquis family.
“Of course, it won’t just be you, Duke. We’ll invite many people. It’s that season, isn’t it?”
Glancing around as if seeking approval from those nearby, most nodded or said, “That’s right.”
Though cold, the Duke was precise in etiquette and could not refuse.
“Very well. I shall attend.”
“Yes. It will be held at the end of this month, so please make sure to come.”
I planted the suggestion firmly so he wouldn’t claim later that he couldn’t attend. A crease formed on the Duke’s otherwise smooth forehead.
“Understood.”
The Duke replied tersely and walked away without looking back.
I had asked a cold Duke to dance and openly begged him to attend a tea party. If this didn’t become the biggest gossip of the season, nothing would.
But I didn’t care. I had long abandoned shame in pursuit of my goal.
As on the way there, I returned with my parents.
“Roa. I didn’t know you were interested in the Duke of Lissiansious.”
In the carriage, my mother’s eyes sparkled as she sat beside me, while my father sighed across from me.
“But marrying the Duke would make it difficult to inherit the marquisate…”
“Calvin is there, Father.”
“That may be, but I had hoped you would inherit the marquisate. That boy is diligent, but he can’t match your flexible social skills or business acumen.”
My troublesome younger brother, Calvin Levian, who had even abandoned his sister for his heart being captured by the heroine, Merina.
Calvin, though talented and a member of the Royal Knights with the Duke of Lissiansious as the commander, was diligent but lacked savvy.
“Calvin is still young. Why not let him receive heir training, Father?”
I’m scheduled to die before inheriting the marquisate.
Father made no response, unwilling to answer, and Mother lightly waved her hand, signaling to leave such heavy topics aside.
“By the way, I heard people talking earlier that we’re hosting a tea party at our house?”
“Yes, I’m preparing it. I’m a bit worried because there isn’t much time.”
Not fond of socializing and often finding gatherings bothersome, I had never hosted a tea party myself. My mother usually took charge of family events.
“Oh, Roa. Since you’re hosting a party, of course, I’ll help!”
My mother seemed delighted that I was taking initiative.
“Alright, let’s make it flower-themed. What flowers should we use… you help me think!”
“Oh? Me too? Well, since it’s our daughter’s party, I’ll do my best.”
Watching my excited parents, I quietly smiled.
Having lived 48 lives, I had learned a few things.
First, my time is just over ten months, but if events deviate from the original story, the duration I can survive extends. The further the event strays from the original story, the longer the extension.
Hosting a trivial, previously unmentioned tea party six times could extend my life by half a day, but putting the heroine in a new, dangerous situation not in the novel could add about a week.
Second, there’s a reason twisted stories always reach their predetermined endings. It’s not just the ending; major episodes also “must” stay as they are, thanks to what I learned in a past life: the “center of the world.”
Perhaps if I go there, I’ll know what happens to me and the surest way to die.
Until I reach the “center of the world,” I must carefully twist the original story to secure my lifespan.
Inviting the Duke to the party wasn’t just for that reason, though…
“Already planning the party, Roa?”
I nodded and smiled at my mother’s question.
The next morning, my close friends Pony and Stella came rushing to the Marquis residence.
“I saw everything, Roa. You flirting with the Duke.”
Stella lounged on my private sitting room’s sofa as if it were her own room, eating grapes and laughing. Her golden curls spilled across the sofa.
“That’s right! I saw it too. But didn’t you say last week you weren’t interested in the Duke of Lissiansious?”
Pony’s round eyes grew even wider as she echoed Stella. Every nod sent her soft pink hair bouncing.
Did I?
I didn’t recall the trivial conversations before returning to this point, but I didn’t show it.
I quietly sipped my tea while Stella and Pony chatted back and forth.
“Are you doing it to bother Merina Eikel? You heard she’s interested in the Duke?”
“If it’s just to tease Merina Eikel, the Duke’s too high a wall, right? I hate that suffocating aura.”
Pony shivered, but Stella’s eyes sparkled.
“Some people actually like that, though. Anyway, Roa, if you wanted to attract all the attention this season, you’d definitely win.”
“I am interested in the Duke, but not in the way you think.”
“Aw, boring.”
Stella’s grape-eating sped up, leaving only the stems.
“But don’t lose to Merina Eikel. Watching what she does to you is unbearable.”
“Exactly. You stay calm, but she treats you like you’re the ultimate villainess.”
Pony clenched her fists indignantly.
I nearly admired my friends’ sharpness but pretended ignorance and changed the subject.
“Anyway, you two will come to the tea party, right?”
“Of course.”
“I hope the last day of this month comes quickly.”
Unlike me, Pony, who conquered every party, laughed while touching her cheek.
And just as she wished, the last day of the month quickly arrived.
