Prologue

The new maid asked,

“So, what am I going to do from now on?”

The new maid was covering her mouth with a handkerchief, saying she had a bad cold.

The housekeeper then placed her feet on the wooden table with ease.

“What you’ll do?”

The table was not coated, and there were many scratches on it.

It seemed far past the time to change it, but the housekeeper didn’t care at all.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Oh, you can sit here, too.”

At a glance, the housekeeper began to arrogantly pick up and eat snacks from the kitchen.

A cherry tart, which was said to have been made by the cook, swayed in her hand.

The housekeeper, who picked up a book with one hand, started reading while eating the tart.

“Isn’t fruit tart only eaten by aristocrats? It’s a precious snack.”

For a moment, the housekeeper’s expression changed. She had a cool and elegant look, unlike a housekeeper.

When the housekeeper looked away, the strange atmosphere disappeared.

“Huh? Oh, well, it does, but it doesn’t matter at all here. We can do whatever we wish. You should try it, too.”

The housekeeper handed over the cherry tart as if she was trying to be generous.

When the maid did not answer, the housekeeper added so as for her to not be anxious.

“It’s okay. It’s supposed to be like this.”

“………..”

“It doesn’t matter. You can go home early. Oh, and tell me if you want anything.”

The housekeeper took a bite of the tart. She did it confidently as if she owned this house.

“It’s still a secret, but I’ll let you know later on. Even if you work halfheartedly, as long as you listen to me, you can make money while working in the most comfortable way in the world.”

“……I know what you’ve done.”

“What?”

“…..It’s nothing.”

The maid smiled politely. Her smiling eyes made the housekeeper wonder why.

It’s been a while.

The urgent sound of footsteps that did not fit in the relaxed mansion rang out.

A servant hurriedly opened the door and came in.

“Go!”

“To where?”

“Go to the main hall, Master!”

“Why are you making such a fuss though?”

“This hasn’t happened in a while.”

The servant scratched his head awkwardly at the overly calm attitude of the housekeeper.

The housekeeper rose from her seat saying, “I don’t think it’s that of a big deal”. She turned her eyes to call the new maid.

“Huh?”

The new maid was nowhere to be found at the place where she stood at earlier.

As though she was someone who didn’t exist in the first place.

***

It’s been a long time since the employees gathered in a large hall in front of the entrance. They lined up in a row with serious looks on their faces.

Then, the new maid walked down the stairs leading to the hall. Everyone had the expression she had earlier this day.

The first maid hired through Tyler after a woman married to the Marquis of Jean entered.

It is the duty of the housekeeper to hire a maid, but Tyler and the maid were together, so he wanted to especially hire her.

As for the maid, she was a newbie who was prying into every detail.

That’s what the employees knew.

“What are you doing there!”

“Come down! Come on! He’ll be here any minute.”

Some of the servants, who were a little nervous, smirked and laughed.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the maid didn’t answer. Soon, a smile appeared on her face out of the blue as if it was a warning.

Then, a maid, who became a little scared at the sight, asked.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Why? It’s just amusing.”

The maid replied and stopped halfway down the stairs when she heard a small noise.

A subtle silence fell.

The employees did not speak out as if they were possessed.

As though they had a hunch that told them not to say anything.

“Thank you for the explanation today.”

The maid lowered her handkerchief slowly. Then, she took off her white frilled hat with her long, thin fingers.

“It’s a mess.”

The employees, who saw her face that was fully exposed, were shocked. Their eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost.

The desire to escape surged.

Their pupils shook violently like an earthquake as if they were deprived of their positions.

That woman was not a maid, but the wife of Marquis Jean.

Daisy Colin. No, Daisy Jean.

“You’ll all be fired soon.”

Among the frightened and embarrassed people, she was the only one with a calm face.

Marquis Jean, who was by the front door, laughed in vain.

“This is where I had to enter from because I needed to look around.”

A definite change was coming to the Marquis of Jean.

***

After a while, Carlyx, who had to go to the battlefield, showed up with a broken arm.

“I’ll spend more time with you.”

…..Aren’t there only a few people in this empire who can hurt him?

Daisy was right. Carlyx broke his arm voluntarily.

Only to spend more time with her.

Chapter 1

She had a dream.

Not about her current life, but her previous life.

On a dark night, she got on the bus and glanced at the open window. The airy breeze mingled with her escaped sigh. Then, she lowered her head and looked at her phone.

[The Heroine Tamed the Cold Male Lead. A highly popular series!]

‘This novel is popular, you say? It’s a novel I read and dropped halfway before.’

I went to the novel’s site and clicked on the first chapter again.

I still had no intention to finish the novel, but I was curious.

“How can he be the male lead? At first, I wasn’t sure if he was a black curtain, but it was revealed as the story progressed!”

My next comment moved on to other characters.

“The little ones are so adorable when they smile and when they walk, their wits, taste, and heart are so pretty, and Tyler’s-”

I didn’t like the housekeeper and the chef. The Crown Prince’s first left arm injury, second right leg injury, and his third rescue as well.

Wasn’t the Crown Prince only an extra? Was this novel so good that I analyzed it deeply while I read it?

“Wow. I read it so diligently.”

As I came nearer to the end, I could see the latest comments filled with overwhelming emotions. I should’ve got off the bus, but I just read the comments.

Just then, I saw a comment with a lot of likes.

“I can’t believe there’s a novel like this. The writer is amazing in different means. The male lead should go on de-”

Death route? Are you going to tell him to walk on a death route? As soon as I thought about it, my body became relaxed.

I missed the bus handle I was holding on to and bang! I hit my head hard. When I opened my eyes, I was already lying on the ground.

Everything had become blurry.

That was the end of her past life.

***

Death from overwork! I lived diligently, but every day, I worked overtime until 12 am or even until dawn, but I didn’t expect to die that way.

‘On second thought, I think I’ve strained my body too much.’

Looking back on it, my sudden death was still unfair, but it wasn’t that bad.

‘At least I didn’t go to hell.’

She was rather realistic.

It has been six months since she adjusted to the life of the supporting character in the novel [The Heroine Tamed the Cold Male Lead]. Her life as an aristocratic lady was quite nice.

‘I’ve already avoided the death flag from marrying the male lead. “I’m never going to get married. I want to find my fated love” is what I said.’

My parents seemed surprised by my sudden declaration, but they eventually nodded.

They even supported me. Everything went smoothly.

I could just stay as a supporting character, no, as an extra, and live up the spirit of ‘Does a nice guy even exist?’

That was what I thought.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

“Daisy, not long ago, Duke Jean said he wanted to welcome you as the bride of his second son. He even wrote the letter personally.”

This was already expected.

However, my parents would reject them just as much as they pressured us.

‘They should refuse it. But what’s wrong with their response? Why are they nervous?’

My mother burst into tears and rubbed her nose. At her unusual behavior, Daisy instinctively leaned her upper body.

Excuse me, wait a minute.

“….I didn’t mean to disregard your wishes.”

The conversation flowed strangely.

They avoided her gaze. They bowed their head as if they had committed a great sin.

Now, a drop of cold sweat was about to fall.

“Truthfully, the business I recently invested in has been scammed. If you don’t marry into this family, you’ll have to marry Count Duster at this rate.”

Scammed? That part wasn’t explained in the novel!

In this sudden situation, I wanted to grab the writer in the collar and shook him.

Daisy’s mother held her hand and spoke in a sorrowful voice.

“Count Duster pressured us because we don’t have any property and we weren’t active in the social world either.”

I didn’t think their motive was nonsensical.

Rather, I found it absurd that Count Duster was an old man who was 30 years older than me.

My father smacked his lips with a gloomy face.

“You know, that second son, it’s true that he’s bad, cursed, and scary…but I think he’s better than Count Duster.”

“We actually thought a lot about it, too. Which one would be better, Count Duster or Marquis Jean? I met Duke Jean in person and made this decision.”

(T/N: Usually the first son of the duke becomes a young duke, and the second would be granted a title as a marquis, which is probably why Duke Jean’s second son is Marquis Jean.)

It seemed like Duke Jean was more courteous.

“Both of them are a divorcee, but there are many rumors that Count Duster’s ex-wife died after she fell out of favor with him. Meanwhile, Marquis Jean’s ex-wife is still alive.”

“Both of them have children, but at least Marquis Jean’s children are not older than you like Count Duster’s children.”

There was nothing wrong with that they said.

Count Duster actually had the worst personality, enough to kill a man. He clearly had two wives, but they weren’t in this world anymore.

‘Marquis Jean divorced his ex-wife because of a feud, and she also agreed to divorce.’

My parents, who said they had finalized their decision, did not have a comfortable expression either.

They seemed to be agonizing over whether their choice was right.

Count Duster and Marquis Jean. Both of them were bad in their own way.

However, when I imagined Count Duster with a sly smile, I hurriedly shook my head.

‘As expected, my life won’t be easy.’

Still, I could just live quietly and get divorced after some time, right?

By then, Count Duster would have a new wife.

I was about to relax the stiff corner of my mouth, but my mother added with tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Count Duster says that you are his destiny. He won’t marry anyone if it’s not you.”

What kind of nonsense…..?

At that moment, Daisy’s expression became puzzled. It was the moment when her composed poker face completely collapsed.

“No, he said he’ll wait for you until he dies, no matter what title the man you’re about to marry has. Hic, hic-.”

“We are sorry. Hic.” Not only my mother, but my father also shed tears.

He grabbed my hand tightly. Including my mother’s hand that was already placed on mine, their hands stacked up like children.

Both my father and mother spoke in a trembling voice.

“You should never divorce.”

“As much as you can, never divorce.”

Daisy tried to loosen up her stiff facial muscle and lift the corner of her mouth.

‘Even this life will not be easy.’

Now that this happened, I need to plot a new plan.

I should gain as much power and wealth by building my reputation as Marquis Jean’s wife.

‘So I won’t become an aristocrat who is inferior to Count Duster, I’ll have to do a great job in Jean Marquisate.’

Even though the male lead was trashy, he was rational and had the ability to compromise as far as she remembered. There would be a great price to pay to get a good result.

‘Until the wedding comes, I need to study and investigate like crazy.’

I must survive somehow.

* * *

Daisy looked completely different in her elegant dress. She was wearing a light blue frill dress.

“Hello, I’m Daisy Colin.”

“I’m Carlyx Jean.”

“Yes, I know.”

It was their first meeting before the marriage.

The strange atmosphere subsided, but both of them regarded that unfamiliarity as something natural. No one pushed themself to lead the conversation.

If anyone saw this, they would probably form an opinion as such;

‘Aren’t they just like a famous painting?’

A woman with wave-like blue eyes that harmonize well with her brilliant blonde hair. In front of her was a man with black hair and purple eyes.

It was a striking appearance. Especially in this empire, black hair was considered like that.

The male lead of the novel that Daisy read right before her death, Carlyx.

He looked at the watch he put on the table and said in a dry voice.

“I heard you have something to say.”

He sounded like he wouldn’t come out if it wasn’t for that.

Unfazed by his attitude, Daisy opened her mouth.

“I want to write a contract before our marriage.”

“What kind of contract are you talking about?”

“A divorce contract. Please divorce me later.”

“….I don’t think that’s what a person who’s about to get married soon would say.”

Carlyx glanced at her with a cold gaze. His eyes were full of doubts. Naturally avoiding his gaze, Daisy took a sip of tea.

She answered calmly.

“I think that’s exactly what a person who’s about to have a marriage of convenience can say.”

“You don’t seem very pleased with this marriage.”

“Yes.”

There was no lie behind her word.

‘Who would be pleased to be a wife of a man who would cheat on you later?’

It was getting uncomfortable to get such a look from a scary person.

Eventually, Daisy added an explanation to get out of his gaze.

“It’s not like I have someone I love. It’s just a marriage driven by my parents’ wishes that is not favorable.”

Did you need more reasons? With that in mind, Daisy decided to lie a little bit.

“I believe in fateful love.”

Of course, there were many other reasons, but this was the easiest way.

Whether it was in my past world or this world, ‘love’ had saved people from giving an explanation. I dare to say it would be the same even in the future.

Daisy folded her fingers one by one every time she spoke.

“Cinderella. Beauty and the Beast. Rapunzel. Snow White. I want to have this kind of love.”

I couldn’t dream of a future with a man who would cheat on me with the heroine later.

Although she didn’t finish the novel, Daisy’s death, which was driven by jealousy, was quite miserable.

‘She lost everything. If she hadn’t died, she would have been able to survive in the aristocracy by revealing her competence. But she couldn’t hold on.’

For Daisy, who was a supporting character in the novel, Carlyx was her whole world.

When he disappeared, her world collapsed. Her value was also reduced to nothing.

“Divorce me in two years.”

It was two years later when he went to war for the third time and returned with a victory.

“You even thought about the exact time.”

Carlyx took Daisy’s proposal lightly.

Rather than a proposal, the overall conversation itself was stringent. First impression: intense.

‘She’s out of her mind.’

He couldn’t believe that she babbled about love from fairy tales.

In many ways, she seemed like a peculiar and immature person, which he hated to get involved with.

‘Tyler won’t like her.’

Tyler, the butler who wanted a capable madam, won’t like her. However, it was enough for him who just needed the role of a ‘wife’.

Carlyx lowered his gaze to make eye contact with Daisy.

He fiddled with the watch and showed no emotion.

Soon, a short answer rang.

“Sure.”

They set up a big foundation for the contract with a short conversation. And they signed the contract right away.

Chapter 2

Rattle-! Rattle-!

The sound of a carriage’s wheel and horse grunting was heard simultaneously.

The carriage that carried Daisy was heading to the marquisate.

At first, she had to go right after the ceremony ended. But because the ceremony was rushed, several procedures were scrapped. So she packed her luggage and left right away.

Her lady-in-waiting named May constantly made a fuss, asking if she was tired or not.

“Lady, you’re really beautiful! You’re shining so brightly!”

“I guess I am.”

Daisy paid no mind to May’s words.

She didn’t want to hear about the wedding anymore.

She had expected how the guests viewed them, but she felt the wedding ceremony itself was extremely dry.

‘At the beginning of the ceremony, I gave him an expensive necklace and bracelet.’

Thereafter, Carlyx raised her veil with his firm hand, then he came close enough to be seen as if he kissed her and whispered.

–‘The contract, I look forward to working with you.’

His voice was incredibly cold.

Despite the lively applause from the guests, her heart did not flutter at all.

They didn’t even see each other as an ally.

‘Even I would show a little kindness in order to put on an act, but Carlyx would never do that.’

It wasn’t a wedding, it was hell.

If something went wrong, her life would be ruined.

She had to stay alert.

Hu. After taking a deep breath, May turned the hand mirror towards her.

“How can you be so pretty? Lady, no, I have to call you madam now. Madam! I don’t think anyone can outshine your appearance!”

“I’ve heard that more than a hundred times, so stop it now.”

Daisy looked at herself in the mirror.

She had already fully adapted to her appearance, which she found unfamiliar at first.

Blonde hair that hung down to her waist. Elongated eyes and lengthy straight eyelashes. Despite her icy impression, her lips were full of life.

I was living in Korea. I worked in a foreign company, died, and possessed the body of Daisy Colin.

‘Daisy Colin, she had a political marriage with the male lead, but she loved him with all her heart. Sadly, when he cheated on her, she died in a devastating state.’

I only knew of Daisy’s death because I read the spoiler, but I didn’t exactly know how Daisy died.

I recalled one memorable paragraph.

‘Daisy believed that a world without Carlyx was not a world. He was her world and universe.’

Maybe, it was a suicide.

When I thought of her gruesome end, my nerves were on edge.

“Madam, since you’re so beautiful, I’m sure the master will love you, too!”

Daisy, who lowered May’s hand mirror, leaned back comfortably.

“I don’t blame you for dreaming big.”

“It’s not a dream, I told you it’ll come true!”

“I’m not aware of how long you’ve had such a precognitive dream, but next time, you should dream of something possible.”

There was no way I wanted to face a tragic ending just because I love Carlyx.

‘I won’t love him. I will just maintain a business relationship with him as he wishes.’

To maintain my reputation, I would do my duty as the Marquis’ wife. When he returned from the third war, I would step down from my position graciously.

“Why do you think there’s no possibility!”

Daisy shrugged her shoulder.

How could I explain that I was able to know because I read it from a novel?

“Did you finish your investigation?”

That simple question made May’s face filled with complex emotions.

She hesitated for a while before handing over an envelope.

May asked carefully.

“Madam, what are you going to do?”

“What am I going to do?”

“You even came to spy in advance.”

Just as May said, Daisy came with her to the Marquis’ estate and looked around a week ago.

There was a gloomy and chilly wind blowing. It was such a place where darkness was rampant, and I didn’t want to walk there again.

The estate was terribly dreary.

That was the place where she had to change.

***

Daisy took a light step as she took the horseman’s hand. The eyes that followed her were sharp…

“Welcome, madam. I’m Tyler, the butler of Marquis Jean.”

…..and pleasantly plain.

I could see the shadows of two children through the window over there.

But then, Tyler took a step aside and blocked my vision.

Now I couldn’t see the children.

‘Did he do it on purpose?’

“It’s an honor to be here.”

Tyler, the butler who looked at least in his 60s, smiled profoundly.

Stroking his long, white beard, he looked so righteous that he didn’t leave any gap for me to probe into him.

“My master is waiting inside.”

Daisy took a quick look at Tyler. He was being polite to her, but that didn’t mean he liked her.

‘First of all, I’ll just have to observe.’

Daisy, who drew a small smile, nodded.

“Lead the way.”

As soon as I entered the dining room, a luxurious chandelier captured my eyes.

The table, which was enough for ten people to sit on, was covered with a tablecloth embroidered with sophisticated flowers.

The vintage wine-colored wallpaper and numerous candlelights were gracefully arranged around the table.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

Carlyx was nowhere to be seen.

At that sight, Daisy stopped her stride. Her smile deepened.

“Tyler, you said Carlyx was definitely here.”

“I’m sor-”

“Instead of an apology, shouldn’t you explain the situation first?”

Daisy’s expression was gentle, but her voice clearly showed displeasure.

Tyler answered politely without making eye contact with her.

“My lady and young master weren’t feeling well today, and their condition may be worsened. I think that’s why my master went to check.”

Carlyx had 2 children. One was nine years old and the other was four years old.

For the young kids, thorough monitoring was important if they weren’t feeling well.

“My master is punctual, so he’ll be right back if you wait here.”

“I suppose so.”

The children weren’t feeling well. Then it was understandable.

‘But this sounds like an excuse….’

Daisy recalled the two children’s figures reflected in the window earlier. She turned away after a short thought.

Tyler frowned as he watched her try to leave the dining room.

“Madam. If you wait a little longer, my master will be here soon.”

“I’ll be back soon, too. Both sides are equally waiting for each other, there should be no problem, right?”

I acted the same way as he did, so he got no complaints, right?

If he were to refute this, it would be a disgrace to the Marquis.

“It’s because I’m uncomfortable with my clothes. Since I’m about to meet my beloved husband, at least I should dress comfortably. I’ll be right back, so tell him that.”

Daisy slightly lifted up the hem of her dress that was layered with ruffles and put it down.

Tyler’s eyes touched her heavy-looking clothes.

“Then I’ll provide you a maid. Sally, say hello.”

A woman stepped out at Tyler’s call.

“Greetings, madam. The master has filled madam’s dress room with some clothes for this season. I’m sure there’ll be comfortable clothes for you.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t need you yet.”

Daisy turned her body calmly and glanced at May.

Come on. Why aren’t you coming out?

May, who coughed when she received my signal, approached me cheerfully.

“I’ll help you dress up, madam.”

“I’m usually shy and uncomfortable around strangers, so I need my people.”

Even though that wasn’t true at all.

“I see.”

I could feel Tyler was dumbfounded, unlike his calm tone and expression. Now, it wasn’t just a speculation, but conviction.

‘You don’t seem to like me.’

Although Carlyx was the Marquis and her original status was lower than him, they were married now.

He was more likely to leave for a war, and she would be the only one left in the mansion.

‘Everyone knows that the Parisian Empire is in a flourishing state.’

Even if she had nobody in this mansion, she needed to have the power to choose someone among them.

‘I can’t back down.’

Even if I was nervous or scared, I had to hide my feelings.

To change this place, I had to become someone who was equal to Carlyx.

‘No matter what comes your way, be bold.’

Daisy left first and May, who was notified of the dress room’s location, immediately followed.

Step-! Step-!

As I walked through the empty hallway, someone’s face came into my view.

Carlyx, who stumbled on her, calmly stopped in front of her.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the dressing room to change because my clothes are uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry for being late. But it would be better to change your clothes after the meal.”

“If you were me, would you be able to eat comfortably in these clothes?”

Daisy shook the hem of the dress roughly on purpose. The heavy frills swayed rigorously.

In that short moment, Carlyx frowned, but he quickly returned to his usual expression.

“I think it looks okay.”

“You mean this?”

Daisy’s gesture of shaking the frill became more aggressive. Now, it was not shaped like an ordinary wing, but a wing of a chicken chased by its owner.

And if he denied it again, I was ready to change clothes with him.

“…Do you know how long it will take then?”

“Yes. But why?”

Carlyx took out his watch and checked the time. He turned his head and looked at the shadow on the end of the hallway.

It seemed like he was estimating the time needed to change clothes.

Then Carlyx spoke in a dull voice.

“Then I thought I’d spend more time with my kids. I’ll be back at the appointed time.”

There was no emotion in his slow gaze directed towards her.

“Then let’s be punctual. I’ll be waiting for you before the appointed time.”

It wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t very cold either.

“Let’s do that, then.”

“Can I come back in about half an hour later?”

“No, five minutes earlier than that. Come back in 25 minutes.”

“It’s about two minutes to get to the dressing room. Since you said you want to change your clothes comfortably, it will take about 30 minutes. If you added another 2 minutes to reach the dining room, it’ll be 35 minutes in total.”

His articulation and voice were as straightforward as his appearance.

Dressed neatly, dull eyes, and overly polite manners.

Even though he was an illegitimate child mixed with blood from another empire, I seemed to know why the rumors about his appearance spread across families.

He wasn’t her taste, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t someone else’s taste.

‘He is not saying anything wrong. Damn, how unlucky.’

Daisy, with a smile, gently spoke.

“I don’t want to be stood up again. Who knows, right?”

“Yes, that’s my fault, so I’ll do what you want. Then, I’ll see you later.”

Step-!

He bowed his head and turned his back as if he had waited.

We went in the same direction, but he didn’t give me room to walk together.

That was how much he was like a knife.

(T/L: This novel uses different POVs at once. Sometimes it is told in third person, while sometimes it is told in daisy’s or carlyx’s perspective without any divider. So the inconsistency is intended.)