CH 1

〈 Three Duke Families 〉

As the title suggested, it was an adult novel in which three duke families were at odds. This novel uses an observer point of view of the female lead’s perspective, who possesses a maid’s body. And as a maid, she had to survive the secret feud between the three dukes.

Not only that it wasn’t a romance novel at all, but it was interesting to read from an observer’s point of view—those were just some intriguing aspects of the novel.

Another interesting thing was how the three dukes’ unique abilities were inherited.

Even if they weren’t the child of the duke, as long as they had a family member’s blood, the mark of the next duke would appear on those who have the strongest power.

However, they were given the requirements to inherit their unique ability completely. They must marry their soulmate, ‘Ferro,’ with their name engraved on the Ferro’s body. In addition, they would also need to spend three nights together with all their hearts.

…Only then would the Mark of Lilies that blocked their ability, be erased one by one.

“Oh, it’s new and interesting!”

Those were the words she, who was a reader of the novel, said when she first saw the premise of it. And now, she has come into this ‘new and interesting’ novel.

Yet, she only felt one thing…

“Did they really have to put me in this setting?”

‘Why, author? Won’t you talk to me?’

Among the three families, she possessed the Alors family’s daughter, a villainous family who did all kinds of bad things. Her father, the Duke of Alors, inherited the family’s unique ability fast because his Ferro appeared early.

He was famous in the novel for using his ability to do evil deeds and his hot affairs.

Since he fulfilled the requirement with his Ferro, he should’ve set his eyes on her. However, he had an affair right away. In other words, since his Ferro already became his wife and he awakened his ability, he completely changed.

‘He should’ve met his Ferro in his 50s…!’

But then again, if his current Ferro acted out, he would bury her alive and find the next Ferro.

Regardless, that carefree bastard and a commoner woman had a relationship. Their love child was the girl she possessed, Krua Alors.

However, the Duke of Alors killed Krua Alors’ commoner mother as soon as she gave birth. It was because he was blood-related to Krua, yet he couldn’t accept her because she had commoner blood inside her.

…That was how Krua grew up without a mother.

In addition, Krua had little to no ability to handle water, the Alors family’s unique ability.

“Useless thing!”

The Duke of Alors judged that Krua was no longer useful to himm, after all, that was merely what Krua was to him.

However, soon after, she became useful.

It happened just before she transmigrated. It began with the Argenta family, who were looking for their Duke’s Ferro earnestly. The Argenta was one of the families who were at odds with the Alors.

“Duke Diello Argenta is looking for his soulmate, right?”

Upon hearing the news, the Duke of Alors immediately called Krua as if there was an opportunity.

“You need to be his soulmate.”

“What?”

After that, a name was engraved on her body using magic. The name ‘Diello Argenta’ was suddenly engraved on her body, meaning she became his soulmate. So, even though people could say whatever they want, it wouldn’t change anything.

The Duke of Alors engraved Dielo Argenta’s name on her back to create a fake Ferro.

Smart and cunning as he was, the name was engraved meticulously.

And with Alors ability to handle water, Krua’s blood was manipulated and congested to make that name appear.

Soon after, the Duke of Alors then notified Diello Argenta.

[ I found your Ferro.

I didn’t expect that our family would have a relationship with each other. Your name has appeared on my daughter’s back, Krua. ]

…In other words, if he wanted his Ferro, he should be good to the Alors.

“Don’t forget to shut your mouth when you go there.”

The key to inheriting the ability is awakening through Ferro.

If a woman who wasn’t the Duke of Argenta’s soulmate took away his first night, he could never properly inherit his ability. By that time, it was likely too late to do something since if the ability weren’t inherited, then Argenta would weaken and be pushed out from the ranks of three dukes.

And that was what the Duke of Alors aimed for.

“If you fail, you won’t have your two legs to return and your life. You must be the Ferro of Argenta.”

* * *

Rattle!

And now she, who possessed Krua Alors, was inside the swaying carriage. It took just an hour for her to get a grip on the situation.

“No, of all worlds I could reincarnate into…”

…Why did she become the daughter of Alors family, who would lie to Diello?

Even if she lamented about her life, Krua Alors’ reflection on the hand mirror did not disappear. A gorgeous villainess with dark purple hair and eyes was still reflected there.

Even so, she liked this appearance.

But as an extra, she would die soon anyway. In the original story, Diello Argenta’s real Ferro suddenly appeared, and Krua Alors, who was found to be a fake, was disposed of. Not by the hands of Argenta, but by her father’s hand, the Duke of Alors.

In other words, the Duke would kill her before she could open her mouth.

“…It can’t be like that.”

Let’s change the original and survive somehow!

What was strange was that there was no maid, who would be the female lead’s maid, in the carriage to assist her like the original as she departed to Argenta… No, she didn’t exist at all.

Was it because she possessed a body?

At first, she thought of building friendships and getting information from her, but then again, she could turn into a threat.

“Diello Argenta…”

He was so pure and friendly that it was questionable for a person like him to exist in a novel full of villains.

Even though Krua Alors came from a family that was against him…

“It’s not something you wanted, Krua.”

…A sweet, well-mannered man enveloped her with such warm words.

He was also the only man alive at the end of the novel.

She couldn’t possibly ruin the future of such a man with her own hands. In addition, the Duke of Alors was going to kill her if something went wrong anyway, and the ending wouldn’t be good if she acted out.

Then, should she seduce Diello…?

“No way.”

If the plan failed, she would die at the hands of Alors, and if she succeeded, she would die at the hands of the angry Argenta as it was natural because she ruined his future… So, what if the result was only to succeed or fail?

Then, there was only one action she needed to take.

* * *

“My name is Diello Argenta, Lady Krua Alors.”

There was only Diello in Argenta’s reception room.

His black hair and pale blue eyes seemed pure and clean. Moreover, his eyes were calm and reminded her of a sun’s reflection on water… Was it because she was a descendant of the Alors family, who dealt with water?

Even though she was weak, somehow, she couldn’t take her eyes off those eyes.

He was dressed in neat clothes and greeted her politely even though she was the daughter of a family who were at odds with his family for hundreds of years.

“Your Excellency, the Duke of Argenta.”

She opened her mouth when she heard Diello greet her.

…She needed to gamble.

No matter how pure and friendly Diello seemed in the original, he would be angry to know that Alors tried to take away his future and destroy his family using a fake Ferro. He would heat up with anger like flames, the Argenta family’s ability.

And, she was the one who would be impacted by the anger directly.

“Yes, Lady Alors.”

As a soft voice answered her, she closed her mouth in a straight line.

The moment she entered the carriage, she couldn’t back down anymore… so, if she couldn’t back down, then she had to face it head-on!

‘…I won’t die like the original, would I?’

Her voice rang with determination.

“I’m not here to be your bride.”

As she bowed down to Diello Argenta, the necklace that was sent to Krua as a ‘bride’s keepsake’ was hanging down her neck.

“….”

Diello Argenta’s expression, who was looking at the necklace, changed subtly. Perhaps he was about to treat her politely like a guest, so his hand, which was holding a teapot, hesitated for a moment.

“You’re not going to get married?”

His blue eyes, that were filled with wonder, turned to her.

She shook her head at his words.

“No, I’m here to do business.”

She risked his ability and her life.

“I’ll act as a shield and contract wife until your real Ferro appears.”

She didn’t intend to have his first.

“…Until the real one appears?”

Diello Argenta opened his eyes wide.

“Yes, until the real one appears.”

In the original, Diello was deceived by the fake Ferro Krua Alors. His three Mark of Lilies hadn’t been completely erased, only two had disappeared and his ability didn’t fully awaken. Because of that, he naturally struggled in battles with other families.

However, what if she twisted the original story, so he’d be with the real Ferro instead of her?

Diello Argenta would be reborn as a person with the strongest ability of all time with the real Ferro by his side, in addition to his naturally powerful ability.

That was enough to deal with the Duke of Alors, who discarded her here.

“I’ll help you become the strongest Duke.”

‘So if you want revenge, direct it to the Alors instead.’

She gazed at his eyes directly without wavering.

“Are you claiming to be a fake Ferro?”

Diello Argenta’s voice was soft and sweet throughout the conversation. Though the moment he said ‘fake,’ his mood seemed to change strangely in a cold way.

It was that way even though Argenta family’s ability was fire.

“Yes.”

She replied as calmly as she could. Nonetheless, the change she felt for a moment was like an illusion as he suddenly smiled so brightly again.

“I don’t know why you claim to be a fake even though I confirmed it with the Argenta. But if what you said is true,” he tilted his head slightly before finishing his words. “It makes sense for Alors to deceive me. Then, we can’t be talking peacefully like this.”

Unlike his gentle voice, the atmosphere was freezing.

She was in Argenta’s territory. Like what he said, if she turned out to be a fake, there was nothing to say even if the marriage was immediately called off and Argenta declared war on the Alors. Of course, she could be taken as a hostage in the meantime.

Trying to calm him down, she opened her mouth slowly.

“If I wanted to trick you, I wouldn’t have said this.”

Diello immediately stopped.

“I have no intention of deceiving you anymore.”

Her heart began to thump violently as she lowered her head as low as she could. This transaction would begin now… If she couldn’t convince Diello Argenta here, she would die a little sooner.

“First, your name on my back. Would you believe me if I can prove this is a lie?”

Diello narrowed his brows at her words.

She would never know when his blue eyes, which resembled the calm sea, would be engulfed by the storm.

Staring at him, she then turned around and slowly showed her back.

“If you want to, you can unbutton this dress.”