<strong>Chapter 3</strong>


    However, I didn’t know much about Riddell’s situation in the family.


    “It’s already a fact that everyone knows that she’s shallow, stupid, and… Ahhh!!” Suddenly, Vestia screamed.


    “Riddell Spencer! What are you doing? My dress is wet because of you!”


    <em>‘What’s the matter with her? I just nudge her cup a little.’</em>


    I replied with a rxed smile, “I’m sorry sister. I didn’t know there was a ss of water beside me.”


    “Don’t talk nonsense and wipe my dress right away!”


    “Why should I?”


    There were many maids around her. Why should I be the one who wipes it?


    Vestia looked quite speechless for a moment.


    <em>‘You must be surprised.’</em>


    This was the first act of retaliation by Riddell, who was always obedient, against her.


    “Riddell Spencer. Watch your mouth! Why are you speaking like that to your sister?”


    There’s a certain proverb that said that people with simr traits and background would often side with each other. This time, the stepmother spoke.


    “You seem to have be vulgar after you went to the vi. Who do you think you’re taking after?” The stepmother’s voice was filled with rage.


    <em>‘I’m not afraid of you.’</em>


    I calmly answered back, “Who do I take after? Why, it’s you, mother.”


    The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly became chilly.


    She blinked while speechless, as if she doubted what she just heard.


    I repeated once more to let her know that she heard me correctly.


    “You’re the one that raised me. Do you think that I have a bad personality? Or do you want to tell me that I took after my father?”


    “Riddell!”


    She looked quite furious when she saw me smile, I already said what I wanted to say after all.


    “How dare you talk back to your mother!”


    “What do you mean talk back? I’m just simply answering mother’s question.”


    “What?”


    “Then, does this mean I can ignore your question too? Can I?”


    ‘Bang.’


    The Viscount abruptly hit the table, it seemed that he couldn’t stand my attitude anymore. Then, he red at me with fierce eyes.


    <em>‘It’s really obvious what you’re going to do.’</em>


    The moment he raised his hands, I quickly spoke up, “Father, you should think carefully before you hit me. What if I get scars on my body?”


    “What?”


    “Remember the Archduke, do you think he wants to marry a woman with scars all over her body?”


    “…”


    “Does this mean you’re going to marry off Viesta instead of me?”


    When I nced at Viesta, she trembled as she opened her mouth, realizing the situation.


    “Calm down Dad. What if she gets hurt?” Her trembling voice could be clearly heard.


    “Riddell! Don’t let your careless behavior get you divorced!” The Viscount said with anger.


    <em>‘Divorce? I can’t let that happen.’</em>


    My ns could only be achieved if I stand next to the Archduke, I don’t think that I’ll evere back here anyway.


    “Don’t worry about that thing, Father! It won’t happen unless he acts like you.”


    “You… son of a bitch…”


    With these words, the Viscount left his seat.


    I waved my hands as a goodbye to him.


    <em>‘Well, I’ll let him do whatever he wants for now.’</em>


    My stepmother looked quite shocked, however, I just simply ignored her and beckoned to the maid behind Viesta.


    “Bring me a new meal that’s the same as my father’s.”


    ****


    Ten days have passed since then.


    During these past ten days, the Viscount has treated me rather coldly, it wasn’t really a problem, after all, it was the same with my other family members. It was actually quite easy to ignore minor disputes like these.


    Dawn came and I was forced to wear a luxurious bridal gown that wasn’t a fit for me. I had to endure it all this time because I could leave this house once and for all.


    Before I left, I heard sarcasticments from my stepmother and Vestia.


    “Remember not to get divorced.”


    “That’s right. Like my mother said, don’t get divorced. There’s no room here for you anyways.”


    I replied with a grin to the both of them who were trying to undermine me, “Don’t worry. It won’t happen. However… why aren’t you two worrying about it?”


    “What?”


    “I’m the one that’s going to be a duchess. If you keep annoying me like this, I wouldn’t know what to do with you in the future.”


    After I said these words, both of them shut their mouth.


    ****


    My mind wandered about as I listened to the sound of the carriage.


    <em>‘The Archduke of the North, Kyle Romani. The man without blood nor tears.’</em>


    They say that he’s a ruthless man who kills whoever disobeys him without any hesitation.


    <em>‘The problem still remains… I’m going to be the wife of such a person.’</em>


    As the original author of this story, there were a bit of information that I knew. The original Kyle Romani and Riddell didn’t have a close rtionship throughout their marriage.


    There was only one time when Kyle Romani interfered with her life.


    [Why don’t you stop saying bullshit like that?] This was when he talked about my fiance. However, it only backfired. She didn’t heed his advice and still sought out for her fiance.


    This only made their rtionship deteriorate, they were like water and oil.


    In the future, when Riddell faced her death, Kyle’s face popped up in her mind.


    [If only I listened to Kyle a little more…]


    I wouldn’t have been betrayed by my scumbag fiancee.


    [If only I tried to save his life…]


    Upon looking back, it was quite understandable. After all, that was the first time that Kyle talked to her.


    However, I knew how to lift his curse. I would be able to change my fate.


    <span> Only


    If I couldn’t, then there was no reason for me, the original author, to have entered Riddell’s body, right?


    I concluded that the reason I came here was to fulfill Riddell’s wishes.


    Of course, this was just mere spection. But, it was better to do something rather than nothing…


    I will surely lift his curse.


    Even with these thoughts, there was still the possibility that the method to lift his curse changed, this would mean that I would fail to lift his curse. However, I want to survive… I’ll make sure to save his life.


    <em>‘I need to get close to Kyle first.’</em>


    It seems that I’ve already entered the northern territories. Maybe because I was finally in the north, it was quite cold even though it was still fall.


    After a while, the carriage stopped atst.