•?••? ? ?••?•

“I also know that the noble daughters are waiting for the noble sons to take them away, marrying with no knowledge.”

“……”

“But I have no desire to live like that, not even a bit. It’s somewhat distasteful of you to propose to me based on a fleeting encounter on the balcony. I won’t marry the Duke, so please just go back.”

It was a firm and resolute rejection. Ray couldn’t say anything more and stood up. However, despite being the one rejected, he wore an expression filled with even more apologies.

“I understand Young Lady’s feelings. I also understand that I offended Miss.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Ray knew very well that he should turn around and leave now.

However, when he was in front of Iva, his thoughts and actions seemed to be disconnected. Even now, with the intention of somehow holding onto her, his words came out recklessly.

“Do you remember saying that my appearance on the balcony was very… favorable?”

He never thought he would say something like this in his lifetime.

Ray was so embarrassed that his throat felt tight, but he wanted to knock on the door of Iva’s heart for once.

“That means I’m somewhat suitable for Young Lady’s taste, right?”

What is he trying to say? The longer the conversation went on, the more uneasy Iva became.

“Please give me a chance to seduce Young Lady with my face.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean, let’s go on a date.”

“What?”

“I want to get to know you, Miss. Just give me one chance to get to know you.”

“Why would I…?”

“And Miss, please get to know me too.”

Ray locked eyes with Iva directly.

“Just once, after getting to know each other, if Young Lady’s feelings are still the same, I’ll turn around, even if it means wagering the name of the Commander of the Palace Knights.”

‘Meet me three times. You’ll definitely fall for me.’

What is this…?

It’s similar to what I said in my past life, isn’t it?

With a sense of repetition, Iva recalled how she had clung to him in her first life.

Ray had persistently rejected Iva’s three date proposals. However, she didn’t give up and sent gifts to his mansion and the Commander’s office at the palace every day.

Only women’s jewelry and dresses.

It was a strategy to make him meet again to return the items.

Under the prolonged onslaught of gifts, Ray eventually allowed the meeting and, after the three dates, she obtained the engagement.

She had never been so happy in her life.

She begged and pleaded for a different ending than the original. However, as expected, as soon as Julian appeared, their engagement was broken off.

He always left me behind on my own.

“I don’t want to.”

“…”

“I have no intention of dating the Duke either. I have nothing more to say, so please just go back.”

Ray, who no longer had any cards to play, had to turn around.

“I apologize for coming so suddenly.”

“…”

“But please reconsider my proposal once again.”

With a curt farewell, Ray turned away. Iva felt relieved that it was finally over between her and Ray.

* * *

“Duke Ray Castello has sent a gift.”

“Duke Castello sent a dress.”

“Today, it’s ornaments…”

“Ugh! Stop, stop!!”

Ray, just like Iva had done before, also sent gifts. Overwhelmed by the pouring onslaught of gifts, she grabbed her head.

“Send them back! Tell him I don’t need them!”

“If I return them, even bigger gifts will come back, what do I do?”

“Ugh. Seriously! Returning what I did? What is this?”

Why is everything the same even when our positions are reversed? Why does it flow in exactly the same way?

“So this is how it felt when he received gifts.”

Being on the receiving end, Iva truly felt helpless. When the warehouse was filled to the brim, even her parents and servants were at a loss. Moreover, her parents turned on the false charm and tried to please her.

If things continued like this, Iva felt like she wouldn’t be able to live up to her name due to stress.

In the end, Iva wrote a letter to Ray, asking him to stop sending gifts because she would agree to the date.

As soon as she sent the letter, she received a reply from him.

“Thank you for accepting the date proposal. I will be waiting at Hilton Street next weekend.”

Once again, the reply was similar to the previous timeline, which made Iva even more anxious. If things continued like this, with only the roles reversed, the ending would be not me, but Ray…

“What nonsense. I have no intention of getting engaged or married, so who’s going to die?”

While I naturally didn’t want to die, it didn’t mean I wished for Ray to die in my place either. I just wanted for us to live peacefully, each in our own way.

If I couldn’t avoid it, then I’ll just have to create the worst date imaginable.

“Make him run away first by making him feel disgusted during the date. Hehehe.”

Iva equipped herself with a faint gleam of madness in her eyes as she planned for the worst date in imperial history.

•?••? ? ?••?•