'Alright...' I've spent two days trying to make sense of the contents of this book.

So basically, from what I've read... I was right, whatever is written in this book is the future in Sovine's POV.

And that odd sketchy lady in the alley way, I have no idea who she is but it's not like I can figure it out just by wrecking my brain so I'm going to forget that she ever existed.

Unless she comes back to me on her own. Then I have to either make a deal with her, take her to the church for execution but that'll probably also get me executed, so, no.

Or kill her! How? I have no idea. I've considered putting my position as the dukes "fake daughter" to use and attempt to learn swordsmanship before but after meeting that lady I've been thinking about it more.

I was considering it before since even though I wouldn't really die if someone else tried to kill me but the pain that came with dying was...Excruciating.

Definitely not something any normal human being would want to go through on a daily basis, even if they were a masochist.

Keeping that in mind I was willing to learn swordsmanship to avoid unnecessarily dying. However, I was more focused on growing my influence in society believing that currently held more value than learning swordsmanship.

After meeting that lady in the alleyway however, has proven otherwise.

This might seem unreasonable but once you consider the fact that this lady was in possession of this book and all this information along with how she was already in that alleyway like she knew I would get lost and end up there.

She's clearly not someone I can trust.

Well, in all honesty...

From the very beginning, that assumption had already been a grave misunderstanding which could've even caused me my life if I hadn't realized this.

I have experienced for myself before just how much these people despised Sovine. And just how easily they would be willing to kill her. The game had also briefly mentioned that if they could, the Divinus household would gladly hang Sovine themselves with no hesitation.

Yet I still made the mistake of believing I was safe. How foolish can I get? There isn't a single reason I have to believe I'm safe here. I'm the duke's daughter? No, I'm the duke's "Fake" daughter.

My existence could never hold as much importance as the duke's real daughter while being a fake...

"Oh, Avis." I noticed Avis walking through the corridors with his sword, he was probably on his way to the knight's training grounds to train.

"Oh! Avis!" I immediately perked up as I suddenly remembered my original plan.

To die! And since Avis already had his sword and was the least concerned of the Divinus duchy's reputation from all the brothers along with the one with the one with the shortest temper, he'd be the perfect person to annoy until he just sweee-d my head off.

"Avis!" I called out waving my hand in the air causing Avis to glare at me.

"What?" He questioned in a harsh tone glaring down at me but I still seemed as cheerful as ever as I ran up to him which clearly confused him.

"Remember that favor I asked last time?" I asked as Avis's brows immediately knitted together in irritation.

"Tsk. Aren't you tired of looking for attention yet?" Avis sighed looking down at me as if I was the most pathetic creature in this game.

"You can stop acting like the sad pitiful fake lady who's lost all will to live now, it's not going to help you get anymore attention than it already has." He continued as my mood immediately dropped at his words like it usually does whenever I'm around these parasites.

"Alright. Now are you going to do it or not?" I didn't bother denying it since doing so would only escalate this situation even more and eventually cause me to stray from my original goal.

"What?" His brows furrowed together in frustration once more hearing my response.

"I don't care what you think, I've already told you what I want and let's be honest." I responded in a nonchalant tone as if it was the most obvious thing in the world as I continued.

"You also want to kill me as much as I want you to." I added a moment later and by the way Avis's body immediately tensed up hearing my response, I'd say it's safe to say I was right.

"I'm not as naive as I act to be. I might've chased after you and those other three bastards in the past under the delusion that I'd one day be able to get you all to accept me, but that's all it was, the past." I stated as Avis immediately drew his sword swinging it at my neck before freezing just as the tip reached the center of my neck.

'Is he planning to stab it through? That was easier than I thought it'd be.' I glanced at the sword pointing at my neck before turning back to the raging man standing before me with his hands tightly clenched into fists.

"Watch what you say... You should be grateful we let you stay here for so many years even after all the trouble you've caused us." Avis warned clearly displaying his irritation and displeasure in his tone.

"What? Did it irritate you to have your family be referred to as bastards?" I scoffed wearing a mocking smile on my lips which only caused Avis's anger flare up even more as he struggled to control himself.

"Are trying to make me drill a hole through your neck?!" Avis exclaimed as his hands trembled from the strain of trying to control his anger.

"You already know the answer to that." I responded coldly as I took a step forward forcing the sword to meet the skin of my neck.

I attempted to take another step forward but was immediately shoved back by Avis before I could.

"...Stop acting like you're the one who's only been suffering since you arrived in this house..." Avis spoke up a moment later as I stumbled back from the force of the push but managed to soon regain balance and avoid falling on my butt.

"Eh? Oh, so you're still bitter over the duchess's death huh?" I rolled my eyes as I spoke in the most unamused tone I could muster.

It might've seem wrong from someone else's perspective, but for me. It was completely fine. If they insisted on blaming me for the death of that woman who I don't even know and paint me as the villain, I had no problem playing my part.

"What?" A low growl escaped his throat as he turned back to me, he was close to losing control.

'And when he does, that's when I die...' I couldn't help but sense an inkling of anticipation mixed with excitement bubbling in my chest despite how wrong it felt.

Or so I thought.

"My, this might be bad time to bring this up but I have a feeling that I should intervene." A voice called out as your eyes fell on a tall figure.

It was a man with a cloak draped over his shoulders. He had the same body build as Avis which naturally had you assume that he was also a soldier like Avis.

"Don't tell me you were planning on killing her just now, Avis." The cloaked man questioned as he tugged the hood off his head revealing his vibrant blue tinted hair put in a braid over his shoulder which brought more attention up to his bright golden hues.

'WHY ARE ALL THE MEN IN THIS GAME SO DAMN HOT?!' Were my immediate thoughts seeing what was hidden under the cape.

I immediately felt my heart drop to my stomach as I recognized just who this man was.

'ANARTIS FUCKING ROMANUS?!' My frustration only grew further as I noticed Avis body immediately relax upon seeing Luceus.

"Tsk... It can't be helped..." I grumbled under my breath as I grabbed Avis's arm and tossed him at Luceus.

"Go entertain your guest. We can finish this some other day." I immediately began walking away before he could say anything back to me.

'Should I try annoying Luden now? Or maybe I should try Vidoro since he's younger.' Was the only thought lingering in my brain as I continued on my way failing to notice the pair of golden eyes watching my every move even as I left.

'She's... Different...' Anartis noticed the increasing change in Sovine's behavior right away as I disappeared around the corner.

"Hey, Avis. Are the rumors of her going mad true?" Anartis questioned as he was getting up from the ground.

-----

"Vidoro-" "No." I was once more cut off as I attempted to request Vidoro to just make my heart explode with his magic or something for the 342nth time.

"Tsk. Why are you being so stubborn? It's not like it'd be difficult for you to kill me." I questioned as my brows furrowed together again at this brat in frustration as I rested my head on my palm.

"Why are you being so stubborn? If you're so desperate then go jump off the building." Vidoro responded expecting me to back off after that.

"I've already tried the balcony, didn't help."

"What-" "Oh, a cockroach."

"Where?!"

"Nevermind. It was just your reflection."

"... Get out."

"No."

"Get out of my room."

"Don't wanna."

"Why must you be so childish?" Vidoro sighed before activating his mana and lifting me up into the air with a flick of his wrist just to throw me out of his room after.

"So now you're willing to use your magic, huh?" I grumbled as I got back up to my feet.

'Well, I clearly wasn't very successful in annoying Egestas into killing me.' I brushed the dirt off my skirt.

"Now then, where might Fillius be residing at the moment?" I began wandering around the mansion aimlessly in search of Luden.

I haven't been annoying these three brothers into killing me enough so far despite that being my original plan...

And since invitations from the other ladies would soon start pour in, I had to spend as much time as I could in annoying these brothers so when they finally realize that the invitations have started to lessen and that I'll probably start annoying them again sooner or later they'll be more willing to decapitate me!

"Luden!" I barged into Luden's room, I was originally going to knock on the door until he got annoyed and let me in but realized that he would usually get more annoyed at my lack of manner than that.

"... Have you lost all your senses...?" Luden sent me a chilling death glare to which I simply smile in response.

'I'm dead... Well, that was the point.' The smile didn't leave my lips as I walked up him.

"It seems so, anyway! How much do you hate me?" I grabbed his arm and yanked him down just to infuriate and disgust him even further.

'-6%, huh?' I glanced over to the jet black percentage tattoo print on his neck which said more than he ever could.

"What?" His brows furrowed together at my actions as he began to feel some inkling of curiosity as to what could be my motive.

"You heard me." My smile remained as bright as ever as he yanked his arms back from me.

"... More than you could imagine." Luden looked down at me coldly as his eyes narrowed with his hatred for Sovine clearly displayed in them...

Despite his response, my smile didn't falter. Perhaps, it might've even grown wider which seemed to have greatly confused Luden. The room's atmosphere slowly grew darker as the tension began to rise by each passing second.

"Perfect! Then..." I grabbed his arm once more, this time my grip felt firmer as I brought his hand up to my neck.

"Kill me!" I tilted my head slightly as I forced his fingers to clasp around my neck the look in my eyes sending shivers down his spine.

'What's... With that manic look in her eyes...?' The longer he stared into my eyes, the more he felt his anxiety rise.

His breathing was slowly growing heavier by each passing second along with the heavy atmosphere in the room as his heart began racing for no apparent reason.

'Hm? Is he angry or scared...? I can't tell.' I decided to push my luck a little as I once more opened my mouth to speak was then suddenly cut off by the sound of the room's door swinging open.

"Hm? What's this?" I turned my head to see a weat with blonde fades haired male standing in the door way with his hands shoved in his pockets and leg stretched out.

'Like I said, all the men in this game are too damn handsome despite their horrid personalities. And it is not okay! How do you expect people to not fall for their looks?!'

'He kicked the door open huh?' I guessed as I looked up at his eyes instantly realizing who this strange man was though it should've been obvious enough from his fancy attire.

There were very few individuals who could have those orange tinted star patterned eyes. And those individuals were only found within the royal of this kingdom. Meaning...

This must've been Luceus De Netarus, the tyrant crown prince of the royal family. Also known for his cruel nature and torture methods which I would soon have the displeasure of personally experiencing if I didn't hurry and skedaddle.

'Luden was the crown prince's advisor in the game so it's obvious enough why he's here, however, this is my cue to leave!'

"It seems I've kept you too long. I should get going now." My smile immediately dropped to my usual blank expression as I excused myself and left the room feeling quite irritated of all these recent interruptions.

Knowing that wandering through the duchy's halls with those two sadistic males around was anything but safe. I was forced to return back to my room and lay in wait for when they finally leave.

Perhaps I might even be able to finish reading that book by the time they leave! I had honestly only gotten past half of the first page of the book and skimmed through the rest.

The first page started with the day she was found by the river.

So now I finally had the time to get more reading done.

-----

"Oh, the future isn't that bad." I muttered as I realized I had reached the end of the first page. 

-----

"WHAT THE FUCK?! DID I JINX IT?!" We're my thoughts as I reached the end of the third page.

-----

"HOW THE HELL CAN SOMEONE BE SO DUMB?!"

"HOW IS IT HER FAULT SHE WAS THERE?!"

"WHAT DO YOU EXPECT HER TO DO IF NOT EAT?! JUGGLE?!"

We're a few of the million questions I had in mind by the end of the first chapter.

-----

"Go burn in hell you liar!"

"What a bizarre future. Does shit like this actually exist? It feels so fake..."

"Sir. Luden. Disrespectfully, I hope the next time you open your mouth you swallow a spoon and it's get shoved so deep down your throat that you feel it poke your intestines."

Was reaction by the time I finished half of the second chapter.

-----

"..."

And by the end of the second chapter...

I had already thrown that damn book around my room sixteen times. And now I'm on the verge of throwing it in the fireplace.

"Haa..." I let out a sigh of defeat after a moment of debating on whether I should throw it in the fire place or not before plopping down on my bed carelessly tossing the book next to me.

"..." I gazed at the mysterious book next to me which seemed to hold the contents of my future in it in silence as a million thoughts raced through my mind.

"So you're my lifeline, huh?" I once more grabbed the book gazing at the pitiful lady on the cover next to the lovable female lead of this game.

"... What a frustrating lifeline." I couldn't help but let out a chuckle of frustration directed towards the future Sovine would've been forced to endure if she hadn't jumped off the balcony that night.

But now... This was the future I would have to live through in her place. It wasn't fair. For Sovine, or me.

She never chose life in the duchy. What she chose was a life where she could feel secure and protected, but instead. She was given this tragic fate all because of an accident which was never in her control.

She had barely even processed where she was and suddenly there were a bunch of knights standing before her along with a sobbing duke.

Out of empathy. She agreed to help him under the condition he would grant her protection. She was then rushed into a separate room to be dolled up before she could be presented to the duchess.

And just like that. Boom. Now there was also an unconscious lady sprawled on the floor before her and a bunch of staff members gathering around the lady as the knights immediately unsheathed their sword and pointed them at Sovine.

Sovine did her part of the deal while knowing nothing of what was going on. Yet the duke fully neglected his as he ran over to his unconscious wife while silently blaming Sovine for this.

This was never about anything logical. It was all just to help him feel better.

"... You really are such a pitiful lady..." I muttered passing my fingers through the figure of the lady chained by thorns on the cover of the book.

"Sovine."

To be continued...

This took way too long 🥲

Anyway,

Did you enjoy?? 🍪🍪