I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
In the original work that she read hundreds of times, the Devlanc family name appeared only twice. There was an admiring remark for Rose Devlanc, who rose to a noble position using a woman’s body to advance the family business, and Lily Devlanc was mentioned when listing the most beautiful women in the world within the context of the story.
Thus, nestled between those, there was the existence of a rather unfortunate Freesia Devlanc, who could be considered a misplaced pawn at best.
“I assumed Your Excellency had made separate marriage arrangements.”
“If there was such a person, I wouldn’t have to endure this troublesome situation.”
“Even if it wasn’t me.”
“Someone more splendid, like a princess, perhaps?”
Under his piercing gaze, Freesia bediently kept her mouth shut. Trying to add a few words haphazardly wouldn’t be easy to get away with; thus, she moved on to the main topic.
“I heard you were troubled by the marriage issue. How about pretending to be married…”
“You’re asking me to play that kind of trick on Crowford’s history?”
His severe gaze made Freesia roll her eyes repeatedly. Even if she thought about asking about a contract marriage where love was not involved, judging by his current attitude, it didn’t seem likely that it would go down well.
“Why did you propose such an offer to me of all people?”
“Didn’t your younger sister convey the reason?”
“You met Lily?”
Too beautiful to expose to the world, is her younger sister falling into the hands of the devil? Although her heart pounded as if she had fallen in love at first sight, fortunately, he didn’t seem particularly interested.
“We met. It’s better to hear from your sister’s mouth why I chose you.”
The more she mixed her words, the more confusion and fear became overwhelming, but one thing was certain: he didn’t seem to have any intention of giving up on this marriage.
With her throbbing head held back as best as she could, Freesia faced the harsh reality. Judging by the flow so far, there was still some time before the original work began.
“I want to save my sister, Rose.”
“A tearful sacrifice.”
Despite his mocking words that made her want to cry, she couldn’t express her anger right now. At the moment, it was an unfortunate situation, and there was nothing more she could say. Several times, while watching him intently, he threw a nonchalant question.
“Or do you already have a man in mind?”
“There’s no such thing…….”
She belatedly realized she had fallen into a trap. Before she could say anything, he stood up and went straight to the window.
“Gondair, as a father, made the most accurate judgment. If he wanted to pass on a stable position to his inadequate son, marriage is the easiest way.”
Stay calm. Don’t show panic or any vulnerability.
“That target doesn’t necessarily have to be my sister.”
“And the target doesn’t necessarily have to be you either.”
While deliberately poking at her nerves with sharp words, his gaze remained fixed on the dark side of the city beyond the window.
In the moment when anxiety made her throat dry, he laughed lightly, still looking at the dark side of the city, with a jittery Freesia before him.
“Well, this isn’t so bad either.”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
“I mean I’ll play along as you wish.”
Somewhere along the line, his tone had changed to a respectful one. It couldn’t be known why a respectful tone seemed more severe, but nevertheless, one mountain had been crossed.
“Since it’s late, I’ll have the guest’s bedroom prepared.”
“I appreciate the consideration, but I’d like to go back.”
If Rose knew that she had gone out secretly, there would surely be chaos. Anyway, at this point, Freesia needed this evil villain’s help now more than ever to sort out Marquis Gondair.
“I’ll take care of Viscount myself. However, to do that, a bit of cooperation seems necessary.”
“I’ll do whatever I can.”
In that exchanged glance, an agreement was silently formed between the two.
* * *
Returning to the mansion late at night, she ended up oversleeping. Rose, who was going to talk about the Viscount, had already left early for work.
“She skipped meals.”
“She must have a lot on her mind.”
Even if the Viscount helped, the urgent fire had to be put out first, so Freesia diligently examined the list of assets that could be disposed of immediately.
“Where the hell have you been!”
It was then. Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Despite the annoyance in her sister’s questioning, Freesia shrugged her shoulders casually, facing Lily’s agitation with calmness.
“Lily, did you secretly meet Duke Crowford?”
No matter how beautiful she was, Lily, as a sister, couldn’t surpass her sister. Unlike the confused Freesia, Lily faced her with a serious face and began listing the reasons one by one.
“I just!”
As she stroked her squirming sister’s hair, Freesia suddenly remembered the Duke’s words from yesterday.
“So why did the Duke propose to me?”
“He said he fell in love at first sight.”
If she had been drinking something, she would have definitely spat it out. Lily’s feeling of frustration was as palpable as Freesia’s own awkwardness.
“Unbelievable.”
“It’s not unreasonable.”
“What?”
While Freesia couldn’t hide her bewilderment, Lily began explaining the reasons with a very serious expression.
“What’s wrong with you, if I were a man, I would have asked you to marry me before the Duke.”
“Well, it’s not bad to feel flattered.”
Whether it was because of the fruitful upbringing or not, Lily had grown up wanting such an excellent sister. After hugging her grateful sister once, Freesia gently braided Lily’s wavy strawberry-blond hair like a ceramic doll.
“I can’t let Rose bear everything alone.”
Saying such things, Lily couldn’t utter any words. Fixing the neckline of the dress, Freesia carefully combed her sister’s cheek with a smooth touch.
“Even though I’m not as smart as Rose or as pretty as you, there are things I can do. It’s truly sad just watching without being able to do anything.”
How many times was she cursed the villain Crowford, wishing to kill the guy every time the protagonist suffered.
It was similar when she worked at the game company. The branch manager, who parachuted in as a friend of the CEO, messed up every project with strange actions, but the team leader, who managed to hold on despite the calamities, continued to work diligently.
Even as she watched, wondering how people endured so desperately, Freesia recalled the words the team leader had said.
‘If there’s something you want to protect, you can’t back down.’
Even though her dark past was now buried deep in the darkness, thanks to the wish that had been strangely fulfilled, the current her could understand the words the team leader had said.
“Miss, Viscount Gondair has come again.”
It seemed like he intentionally came to the mansion instead of going to the business place to cause a commotion.
Leaving Lily hidden, Freesia fixed her hair and tied it up tightly.
“Why did the Viscount come so early in the morning?”
“I have no business with you. Bring Lily. Someone has appeared willing to pay handsomely for that child.”
“I have no intention of taking on collective debt. Both Lily and I have already given up all inheritance rights.”
The advantage of having memories from a past life is not just knowing the original story’s flow. Even though the feudal system, like nobility, still exists, the legal system in this country, developed in commerce and law, is quite similar to the modern one, perhaps due to the author being a modern person.
Freesia knows that if Viscount Gondair is to be dealt with legally, the right lawyer must be chosen, as interpretations can vary. If she can get the help of that person, there is no guarantee that they will win.
“Are you in your right mind, giving up the title?”
“The title belongs to my sister anyway. All rights and obligations of Devlanc should be asked directly to Rose Devlanc, the inheritor.”
Facing Freesia’s detailed rebuttal, Viscount Gondair had no grounds to respond. He couldn’t use force, as it would be an opportunity for assault, even if the money was involved.
“So, if you want legal action, go ahead.”
Although there is a considerable amount of debt, it was used for gambling purposes. In this context, it might be worth trying a legal dispute.
“I see you have some believers. It couldn’t be Viscount Naphier, right?”
“Well, I wonder. I’ll have to open the lid to find out who my believers are.”
Although the name Devlanc alone might be easily trampled, if the backer is Duke Crowford , at least there is some guarantee that injustice won’t happen.
In front of Freesia, who doesn’t back down at all, Viscount Gondair tried to show off with forced arrogance.
“It seems like you have some tricks up your sleeve, but it’s too late. Once my bill is passed, Devlanc will lose its master, and there will be nowhere to go.”
“A bill? Seriously?”
“Until now, unqualified people have been meddling with the family under the name of acting head.”
By legally preventing nobles who are not married from inheriting, Viscount Gondair intended to make it practically impossible for anyone other than the rightful heir, Rose Devlanc.
The Marquis of Gondair laughed heartily at the extreme nature of the law.
“The Duke of Crowford alone is about to be dethroned, and you, a mere devil, dare to disobey me?”
As he smirked, she realized the whole story: why he’d chosen her, who he was really after, everything.
The man’s all-knowing smile sent chills down her spine.
“By the way…….”
“What?”
“No, it would have been better if you hadn’t done this.”
A moment ago, he was an opponent she wanted to punch, but if her guess is correct, this will not end quietly.
The malicious revenge of Crowford, who is ruthless towards men, women, the elderly, and children, what form will it take? He is not a finite man who can be satisfied with just strangling the neck.
“Viscount, Lord Gadair! Something terrible has happened!”
Despite his confident assertions, Lord Gadair was visibly shaken when his butler rushed in.
Huffing and puffing, he whispered something in the master’s ear.
“W-who would do such a thing!”
“Now is not the time for this. Please hurry!”
It seems that Lord Gadair’s retaliation has already begun.
“Smile Love”