One day, with only two weeks left until the grand festival that would throw the capital into an uproar—
I strode forward, fuming.
In my hand was a crumpled sheet of parchment.
It was a kind of business agreement stating that the Pierre Merchant Guild would supply the goods needed for this year’s festival.
The festival, held every year, was enormous in scale. People flocked in from the provinces, and for an entire week, the capital never slept.
This year’s festival, in particular, was expected to be even more extravagant, as it coincided with the news of the imperial princess’s pregnancy following her marriage earlier in the year.
And to secure that opportunity, do you know how much effort I put in, running around nonstop?!
“We’re very sorry, Guild Master. However, the Alter Company has offered much more exceptional terms…”
“Ha, compensation? Do I look like I came all the way here just to collect a penalty fee?!”
“Please don’t be too upset. You know how it is—Alter Company. We’re in no position to ignore them… In any case, we apologize.”
Alter! Alter…!
How many times had that Alter Company gotten in my way up until now?
The Alter Company—my greatest enemy and rival—belonged to the Duke of Altemir’s household.
In other words, it was owned by Calix Altemir, the main male lead of this novel.
And that Alter Company interfered with me at every turn.
Every single business I tried to run—they sabotaged it!
Until now, I’d tried to avoid getting entangled with the original plot, but I couldn’t take it anymore.
People say you avoid filth because it’s dirty—but at this point, even if I had to get my hands dirty, I was going to clean it up myself.
“I demand an audience with the Duke of Altemir!”
I stormed into the ducal residence and shouted at the top of my lungs.
I wasn’t going to hold back anymore!
I didn’t even want to step into the reception room, so I stood right at the entrance, snorting in anger—yet the servants’ reactions were… strange.
“Gasp, she’s really here!”
“Hurry and inform His Grace! Quickly!”
“Miss Pierre is standing here! Bring her a chair at once!”
What on earth is all this commotion?
“My lady, please, have a seat here.”
“No thanks.”
I glared coldly at the servants who were bringing me a chair, a table, and even absurd refreshments.
Are we throwing a party at the front entrance or something?
Somehow, the maids had even brought out a massive three-tier cake.
“Forget this nonsense—just call the Duke already.”
“Lady Rosennia.”
“Duke Altemir!”
As if he couldn’t wait any longer, Calix Altemir finally appeared.
His usually slicked-back hair was completely down, and he was dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers.
It was nothing like the polished, flawless image he always maintained.
And why did his face look so worn out? Like he hadn’t slept in days.
Well, whatever state he was in had nothing to do with me.
That wasn’t why I was here today.
“Duke Altemir! What exactly do you think you’re doing?!”
Without so much as a greeting, I immediately stated my purpose.
That alone showed just how angry I was—and how much I had endured.
He slowly turned his head, and our eyes met.
…Wait, is he smiling?
The Duke descended the stairs at a leisurely pace.
He looked like someone who had just gotten out of bed, yet his bearing was elegant and noble.
Like a butterfly drifting toward me.
That must be what people mean by innate grace.
Standing before me, he gently took my hand.
Carefully—like he was handling something fragile and precious.
His fingers brushed subtly between mine.
Caught off guard by his unexpected behavior, I froze, and he let out a soft laugh.
“I’ve been waiting for you to come.”
“W-What… did you say?”
“You’re finally looking at me.”
Of course I’m looking at you—you’ve been sabotaging my business!
What the hell, is he insane?
“They say if you do enough good deeds, blessings will come your way.”
It seemed I had just received all the blessings I’d been owed—paid in full.
Standing before a room filled with expensive dresses and rare treasures, I covered the corners of my lips that kept trying to curl upward.
Sparkle, sparkle.
Wow… just how much is all of this worth?
“My lady, if there’s anything you need, I can fetch it for you.”
“Hm? No, I’m just looking around.”
That was enough exploring the mansion.
I didn’t need to see any more to understand—
That Rosennia Pierre, the person I had possessed, was unbelievably rich.
Rosennia Pierre was a typical villainess from the novel “The Secret Seduction of the Fake Lady.”
She was just a minor antagonist who envied the heroine—loved by all the male leads—and committed petty acts of malice.
And a few days ago, I became Rosennia Pierre.
I had only dozed off briefly after working overtime for a week straight, but when I woke up, I was her.
Most likely, I had died from overwork.
Damn it. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve at least cursed out that manager who made my life miserable.
“Let’s head back to my room. Bring me some tea.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After finishing my fruitful tour of the mansion, I returned to my room and sat at my mahogany desk.
A maid placed a cup of tea on the desk and quietly left.
Alone in the room, as I recalled the treasures I had just seen, a laugh escaped me again.
“Heh… hehehe.”
So all of this belongs to me?
This desk, this room, those jewels—everything!
What a jackpot.
Rosennia Pierre.
The second daughter of the Marquis Pierre family—she was born with everything.
A breathtaking appearance, a brilliant mind, and wealth that flowed endlessly.
But as they say, the gods are fair—so even someone as perfect as her had a flaw.
Smack—!
“Miss Pierre… did you just slap me?”
“Didn’t you dare covet what’s mine? A lowly thing like you can’t shake off your street habits… Don’t tell me a mere fake like you thinks you’re a real noble lady?”
Her personality was… just a little twisted. A bit unhinged, perhaps.
Because of that, Rosennia was the classic frustrating villainess in the story.
Of course, every time she caused trouble, the heroine and male leads would strike back immediately, delivering satisfying justice.
‘It was really fun to read…’
Unfortunately, now it was my reality.
At least one good thing—
The real villainy hadn’t properly started yet.
There was still a chance to change the future.
Leaning back in my chair, I fell into thought.
In “The Secret Seduction of the Fake Lady,” there are four male lead candidates, including the heroine’s main love interests.
And to me, they were people I absolutely had to avoid.
Though it wasn’t explicitly stated in the novel, the descriptions strongly implied that Rosennia eventually met her death at someone else’s hands.
And who would have killed her?
Obviously—one of the male leads.
“My future ends in a brutal death…?”
No thanks.
Frowning, I recalled the treasure vault I had just visited.
If I wanted to ensure my safety, one option would be to grab those jewels and leave this house entirely.
Selling them all would surely fetch a huge sum.
But the problem was…
‘It feels like such a waste to leave like this.’
That treasure room alone was already that impressive.
Then just how vast must the total wealth of the Marquis Pierre family be…?
It had to be beyond anything I could even imagine.
‘With this family’s money… I might be able to live comfortably for the rest of my life.’
