Lillian Taillard saw her future at the age of twenty.
Or more precisely, she realized that the events of her life were merely the content of a book she had read in her “previous life.”
The heroine of this world was her cousin, Iris.
The lovable Iris who brings warmth to everyone, and the S-class dominatrix who calms the agitation of those with abilities.
In contrast, Lillian was the direct descendant of the family but powerless.
Lillian was ridiculed for being depressed and mired in inferiority complexes.
And in the year I turned twenty-four —
'You die at the beginning of the end'
During the “War of the Princes,” the roof of the concert hall collapsed and the debris would fall on Iris.
But why did Lillian die?
Because Lillian died instead of her trying to protect her.
That was the only 'use' for the villainess who was a burden due to her inferiority complex.
It happened for the sake of this dramatic scene.
At that time, it was her brother, her cousin, her grandfather, and her fiancé...
And Iris too.
'My sister is already done! We have to get out of here quickly!'
In the end, Lillian died alone in the dark from bleeding.
Lillian, who had a hot temper in her “previous life,” realized the truth.
'If I keep living like this, I'll definitely kill someone.'
So I decided —
'I will ideally make a plan to get away from these humans.'
Thus, after going back in time, she spent an entire month meticulously devising the plan.
And it's time to start the next step —
"Lillian! Broken engagement, what the hell does that mean!"
This came with her grandfather's rebuke.
White hair, a white beard that grew along his square jaw, and a warrior-like physique.
Her grandfather, Duke Élic Tillard, had a strong dislike for Liliane.
'Che, since she caused the death of her parents, she should have at least had a smart mind!'
He was a man adept at getting on people's nerves with the sound of his tongue dripping with sarcasm.
But now, are there any nerves left to be aroused? There is nothing left.
“How did you behave so that the young duke threw the engagement document in your face!”
“It seems that his love for Iris was more important than anything else, grandfather.”
“What did you say? You insolent...!”
Next to Grandpa, Iris was sobbing heartily.
“Grandpa, this is all a lie. A, a, I have never done anything like this to the Little Duke…!”
“Tch, stop crying, Iris. You are the one who will become the Crown Prince’s wife!”
“Yes...!”
Iris smiled, still fighting back tears.
“Sister, you should also forgive the Little Duke with a compassionate heart....Who else but the Little Duke would agree to marry you?”
“Do you have the luxury to worry about me?”
“Why shouldn’t I worry about my sister-”
“An embezzlement problem has arisen in your project. It is said that the losses amounted to about a thousand gold.”
“…Huh?”
Iris winced slightly.
Ability holders who do not have a controller of their own must purchase Artifact Control Stones.
Since Iris was an S-class dominatrix, what she made was sold at the price she asked for.
'But you dumped all the work on me, didn't you?'
So, how did she know there was embezzlement?
“Sister, what are you talking about? In front of the family-”
“It was said that your nanny deceived you for a long time, right? Even the maids who passed by my room knew about it.”
“W-what!”
While Iris was confused by Lillian's attack, the sub-family members started whispering.
“Was there really embezzlement?”
“That nanny has been working in this house for many years-”
“So, is it possible that Miss Iris didn’t know what the nanny was doing?”
Iris's lips twitched.
But at that moment, a voice scolding Lillian rose up.
“Lillian. How could you embarrass Iris like this?”
“Here, brother Quirin.”
The young duke was Quirn Tillard.
Lillian's older brother, which meant he was useless.
With his platinum blond hair, glasses, and delicate face, he might be considered a “delicate beauty.” But his essence was like a bat.
"Don't cry, Iris. Come on, Lillian, I told you to apologize right away," Quirn said, patting the crying Iris on the shoulder.
“...Young Duke”
“Oh…?”
“Even if this embezzlement is dealt with internally, the tax returns must be resubmitted. Then the Empress will know about it.”
“This-”
“And the Empress knowing means her political opponents will know too, right?”
“……!”
“I was just afraid for our family to be in danger.”
Second Empress, Rubelia Tarandia Vernice de Pavel.
She was the aunt of Pavel Karkin, the scumbag orator.
She is also the mother of Second Prince Cale, the "protagonist of the original novel."
"But it seems that Iris's dignity is more important than everyone's safety. Isn't that what you mean, brother?"
Quirn's face flushed intensely.
Because everyone's safety also includes his grandfather.
The sub-family members began to whisper in confusion as they observed the atmosphere: “The projects that bring us together with the Pavel family are not one or two projects.”
“Wow, I didn't expect you to think about all that.”
Lillian's looks changed slightly.
Since they had always treated her like a servile insect, they must have been a little surprised.
Tak—!
Grandfather slammed his hand on the table.
"Ah, that's enough! Get rid of Iris's nanny. And you, Lillian!"
“Yes, Duke.”
“Go immediately and ask the Little Duke for forgiveness. Go to him and cancel the engagement!”
“Yes, but I will do it a month from now.”
“What did you say...?”
“Because according to the law of the empire, once the annulment of engagement is signed, it can only be canceled after a month has passed.”
Grandpa's eyebrow moved slightly.
Was this girl ever this clever and confident?
“Since the engagement was broken due to the Little Duke’s mistake, I will not go after him immediately to preserve the family’s honor.”
“Cough!”
“So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go take a break in the North Villa.”
The Duke fell silent.
Normally, Lillian would be begging and crying for him not to send her away if something like this happened.
His incapable and pathetic granddaughter.
But for the first time he sees her this calm.
As for Iris, who was their pride, she panicked and made a noise.
"No, it can't be! My sister has to stay here-!"
"Shh. Iris, keep quiet!"
“Oh...!”
Iris started moving her eyes anxiously, confused.
Lillian pretended not to notice.
While you were smiling brightly and elegantly, I was the one doing all your work.
Won't you feel internally burning in my absence?
'I'd like to see that view for a bit, but it's not worth risking my future.'
Lillian, in her “previous life,” died alone in the hospital room.
Life was shorter than she thought, and death was closer than she imagined.
So, she no longer had time to wait for these humans to fix themselves.
“Then I'll excuse myself now. Goodbye everyone.”
* * *
Lillian's trip to the villa was quickly prepared.
Liliane was "the princess in the direct line of the Duchy of Taillard".
But, surprisingly, there was not a single close maid accompanying her.
For a powerless person, even that was considered a luxury.
Instead, her cousin accompanied her.
"Ah, that's annoying. Do I really have to protect someone like you?"
“…….”
“It hasn't been long since I joined the Imperial Palace Knights! And I had to take a leave of absence as well!”
Ramio Taillard, with bright platinum blonde hair and cat-like green eyes.
He was the younger brother of Iris, and the youngest knight in the palace knights.
And also —
'Lillian doesn't matter! 'Protect Miss Iris!'
He was one of those left behind in the “original novel.”
Ramio greatly despised his incapable cousin.
Even now, while they were drinking tea at the rest stop, he didn't stop insulting her.
Although it is a rule that one should not even disturb the dog while it is eating.
Lillian felt sad.
“Since you are so imperfect, Pavel would naturally betray you, why should I be dragged here as well?”
“…….”
"Hey, Lillian. Aren't you going to answer-?"
"Tell me. How does the tea taste, Ramyo?"
“Oh, the tea tastes…oh?”
“Oh my god, it tastes delicious.”
Were you very surprised?
Where can you pay money to drink tea mixed with a sleeping pill?
“I put a lot more into it than that.”
“Cough, cough!”
“The touch of your sister’s hand is really good, isn’t it? It reminds me of our childhood.”
“You, you...!”
“When I baked you cakes, you ate them with great pleasure...”
Lillian put her hands on her cheeks and watched this scene with satisfaction.
Ramio wasn't the only one who fell while holding his face.
“Wack, cough”
“Oh...”
“Oh, my eyes...”
All the guards who drank the tea sat on the ground or fell unconscious.
She wasn't worried about anything bad happening to them, they had what they deserved.
“But thanks to you, I was able to reach the border free and safely.”
You tried too hard, you scum~
Lillian whispered those words as she got up.
Why would you go to that villa that you hate so much?
‘Because I must take refuge in the Tenberen Kingdom, where even the powerless are not discriminated against.’