I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 3 - guavaread

‘So a man who was worse off than you is now better off and you’re pissed off, isn’t that right?’

The current Duke of Ludwig and Count Riegelhoff had been rivals since childhood.

However, Count Ludwig, who was less powerful than Count Riegelhoff at the time, was awarded the dukedom after his great exploits in the war.

Count Riegelhoff believed that the dukedom was stolen from the Riegelhoffs.

“It was supposed to be mine because of my grandfather’s great achievements. But he stole it, and the Emperor is a fool to give a dukedom to that
bastard!”

Okay, well, that’s a mental victory. I get it.

But why do I have to be the scapegoat for this revenge?

According to my newly formed memories, I was going to marry Duke Ludwig’s son as bait to hide Count Riegelhoff’s dark intentions, and he
knew very well that if anything went wrong, I would be the first to lose my head.

‘Why is my family like this in my past and present life? What did I do wrong?’

I felt like I was about to burst into tears, but I held it together. This wasn’t a family where a daughter could cry and be comforted.

Still, it wasn’t all hopeless.

In a week’s time, I’ll be out of this house, and I’ll find a way to live in the Duchy of Ludwig, the main setting of the original story.

‘Yes, there’s a crisis at the beginning of every villainess possession story, and as long as I don’t do things like Edit did in the original, I’ll survive!’

I made up my mind and prepared myself for the dinner between the two families.

***

Despite my best intentions, I was overwhelmed by the majesty of the Ludwig Mansion. Riegelhoff Mansion was enough to dazzle me, but a duke
is on another level.

Apparently, winning a war against a neighboring country was a big deal, so the mansion is incredibly large and luxurious.

‘If the Ludwigs, who were less well off than him, were given a mansion like this, is it any wonder Count Riegelhoff was so jealous……?’

The difference was big enough to make me think so.

And I’m sure it wasn’t just a mansion. I don’t know, but I’m sure he got more, like estates and coffers of gold.

Anyway, it didn’t matter to me.

‘It’s more important that I don’t get beaten up for interrupting the negotiations today.’

Count Riegelhoff will try to negotiate to send some maids to Ludwig’s mansion.

Of course, it’s not because he’s worried about my safety or livelihood.

The maids he wanted to send with me were all mercenaries, trained in assassination and theft.

‘How can you even call them maids in the first place?’

Especially Sophia, the maid who brought in my washing water, who was quite a favored one, and who had been assigned to guard and watch over
me at the Riegelhoff Mansion.

She is deferential to me, but in terms of power within the mansion, she is above me.

‘And she is the one who helped Edith do most of her evil deeds in the original story.’

In other words, my life would be considerably safer if I don’t take Sophia with me.

I took a slow, deep breath, trying not to show my nervousness, and followed behind Count Riegelhoff and my brother, Shane Riegelhoff.

“Count Riegelhoff, Sir Shane Riegelhoff, and Miss Edith Riegelhoff have arrived.”

After a polite introduction by the butler, we were ushered into a large dining room.

At one side of a large, elongated table are the members of the Ludwig family.

‘What a surprise to see characters I’ve only read about or imagined from the writer’s description!’

I didn’t think much of it when I saw Count Riegelhoff, but when I saw the main characters of the original story, I was excited.
‘That person is Duke Axel Ludwig, and next to him is Duchess Jocelyn Ludwig, and…… and…… that’s Cliff the male lead!’

As expected, the male lead is so handsome.

With black hair and golden eyes, he looks cold when he shows no expression, but when he smiles, his beauty is inhuman.

His muscular body made me drool just by looking at his clothes.

‘He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. My heart is aching.’

But Cliff is only for Lizé, the female lead.

The one I’m going to marry is the one next to Cliff…… Oh, my God!

Cliff has just been demoted to the second most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

‘I can see now…… why Edith is so crazy about him.’

He’s an enemy, but whatever, if he’s got that visual, you have no choice but to be crazy about him.

Killian Ludwig is a handsome man with black hair and mysterious gray eyes that give him a somewhat rebellious aura.

He has furrowed brows, a cold gaze that shows his discomfort, a straight, sharp nose and jawline…… and an overall more sensual face than Cliff’s.

His physique is similar to Cliff’s, with a broad chest and a slim waist, and then again, thick thighs– Oops, I guess I’m sexualizing them too
much……

Anyway, let’s just say that my unjust death in my last life has been compensated by today’s eye candy.

And the final visual shock came from the female lead, Lizé Sinclair.

Despite not being a member of the Ludwig family, Lizé, who also attends the dinner, is so beautiful that the novel describes her as “the goddess of
spring”.

Light blond hair that seems to flow on its own, eyes that look like the blue waters of Jeju Island—I feel ashamed that my expression is so poor—
smooth and soft-looking fair skin, and a delicate body that I want to protect even though I’m also a woman……

‘Such is the majesty of a Rofan novel’s female lead!’

I gasped at her beauty.

I had to force myself to keep my mouth shut as I felt the word “wow” coming out of my mouth.

But as if I were the only one mesmerized by Lizé’s beauty, Count Riegelhoff’s brow furrowed in displeasure.

“You have taken the trouble to come. I have prepared some veal for you, as Miss Edith says she likes it, but I hope you find it to your liking.”

“It is a great relief to me, as a father sending his daughter away, to know that you care so much, but……” Count Riegelhoff’s voice trailed off at the
Duke of Ludwig’s polite greeting.

Then he continued, “Weren’t we supposed to have only members of both families present at this dinner?”

Cliff and Killian turned cold at Count Riegelhoff’s question, clearly uncomfortable with Lizé’s presence.

Ugh, they are doing what male leads always do.

“Lizé is already part of our family. I asked her to come down because I thought it would be a good idea to say hello, as they will see each other
often in the future.”

The Duke of Ludwig explained, but he didn’t look too pleased either. It was clear that if the Count said one more word, he wouldn’t let it go.

‘Why are you doing this already?!’

I tried to defuse the situation before it got out of hand, but Lizé spoke first, “I’m sorry, it’s not a place for me……”

Killian grabbed Lizé’s wrist as she turned to leave. “Lizé, there’s no reason for you to be sorry. You’re part of our family. Those who don’t
understand that don’t deserve to be in our family.”

In the original story, it’s written that Edith’s eyebrows rose sharply at this moment, and it’s understandable.

But I have no intention of doing so.

My life depended on looking good to Lizé, and when I see a pretty girl, I want to get to know her.

“The Duke and Killian are right, Father. She’s someone I’ll be seeing all the time when I get married, so what’s the harm in saying hello to her
now?”

I can’t tell if I smiled properly because I was nervous, but I did my best anyway.

Count Riegelhoff nodded and smiled humanely. “Well, Miss Lizé is kind of like a little sister to Lord Killian, isn’t she?”
Wow, this is a thing to say the least.

Count Riegelhoff had noticed that both of the Ludwig sons were smitten with Lizé.

I fidgeted inwardly, but Killian didn’t say anything and looked away.

Lizé could only stare at him in bewilderment as he dodged the question without answering.

“Now, then, let us begin the dinner.”

Duke Ludwig quieted the uncomfortable atmosphere, as if to say that he would not allow any further disturbances, and the waiting servants
began to serve the food.

Hooray for the world of aristocracy in a Rofan novel, where all you have to do is sit still. A sumptuous menu prepared by the best chefs is placed
right in front of you!

I was worried that Count Riegelhoff was going to go off on a rant again, but he’s very civilized and polite in front of everyone, probably because
he’s the kind of person who stabs in the back with a smile.

But it was all a facade.

After our second glass of wine, Count Riegelhoff cut to the chase. “By the way, I have no doubt that the Duke and Duchess will care for Edith, it’s
not easy for parents to send their daughter off to marry.”

Count Riegelhoff looked at me wistfully before turning his attention back to the Duke and Duchess of Ludwig.

The Duke of Ludwig nodded with a look that said, ‘It’s finally happening.’

“I completely understand your feelings. But don’t worry too much. I will personally take care of her so that she doesn’t lack for anything.”

“Oh, who am I to ask such a favor of the Duke, I just want to send along some of my daughter’s maids. Perhaps the maids we’ve had for a long
time will be more in tune with Edith’s tastes.”

The crisis has finally arrived.

But Duke Ludwig, being the perceptive man that he was, did not answer immediately, but paused.

After all, even Edith could be seen as a spy for the Riegelhoffs, and it would not be out of place for Count Riegelhoff to bring in more of his own
handpicked people.