Chapter 1

As an only daughter and the heir, I, Cynthia Ludron, have a "pitiful fiancé."

My family is a viscount household. However, thanks to the steady growth of our estate management, we have received many marriage proposals from families with higher ranks, including the third son of a duke who had no title to inherit, who even sent a marriage proposal.

Out of the many proposals, the one chosen was the second son of an earl, Eddie Doris. I liked his easygoing nature and his greenish hair and eyes, so I told my father that he was the one I wanted, and our engagement was quickly decided.

I thought we were building a good relationship, but before I knew it, Eddie was being treated as a pitiful person.

This was because, as he grew, his face became more refined, and now even a slight smile can make him look like a fragile and beautiful young boy, which has made him extremely popular among noble young ladies. Combined with the fact that the Doris earl's family is in financial trouble and receiving aid from us, it is believed that I forced Eddie into an engagement with money.

If someone is close to the Ludron viscount family, they would understand that we are not a family that would do such a thing, but unfortunately, our main connections are with merchants. With the nobility, we only have superficial interactions at social parties and tea parties. Even then, if jealousy towards our successful management comes first, things that should go well won't.

The fact that I turned down many marriage proposals from noble families also had some influence.

If only Eddie hadn't grown into such a beautiful young man... No, that's not his fault, so I won't complain. However, if he had firmly denied the current situation where he is treated as a pitiful person, the ridiculous rumors might have calmed down a bit.

"Poor Master Eddie... Sacrificing himself for the family like this..."

"It's as if he's been bought with money. This is too cruel..."

"Thank you for your concern. I'm fine. It's an honor to be worried about by such cute girls."

No, that's not right! You should say, "This is a marriage proposal from the Doris earl's family, not something the Ludron viscount family forced upon me!"

In the garden where the roses of the noble academy bloom, my pitiful fiancé is surrounded by adorable noble young ladies.

Eddie, whose easygoing nature I once liked, has let it develop in a bad direction. He doesn't reject the young ladies who fawn over him, always shows a pleasant face, and says nice things. He never denies what others say and shows an attitude that seems to affirm them ambiguously. In short, he has become indecisive.

Even so, I loved him as a future husband and was jealous of the young ladies who flocked around him. My parents, who couldn't bear the current situation, suggested ending the engagement, but I insisted that I couldn't think of anyone else.

...Until yesterday.

"Was I in love with such a man because of some kind of compulsion?"

As I left the rose garden, I muttered to myself.

This morning, when I woke up, I suddenly remembered my past life. I also realized that this world is the world of a dating app game I played in my past life.

My role was one of the villainous young ladies. I appeared in Eddie Doris's route, hindering the heroine, who is the protagonist.

In the game, Cynthia, who is correct, buys Eddie as a fiancé and acts as a villainess, but that setting doesn't apply to me. I just accepted a marriage proposal and tried to love my fiancé sincerely. It's frustrating to be called a villainess. Maybe I was a bit too attached, but strangely, when I remember my past life, Eddie Doris doesn't seem attractive at all. Why should I irrationally try to keep a man who is indecisive and only good-looking? It would be much better for the Ludron viscount family to find a husband who is skilled in estate management.

Besides, it would be like a marriage of convenience if I were to marry a man who lets his fiancé be criticized and doesn't even try to protect her. No matter how you look at it, this engagement is a loss for our family.

"I have to proceed with the termination of the engagement... I feel bad about having to pay a penalty, but..."

I know that it's probably we who will have to pay the penalty. Eddie hasn't made any decisive mistakes. He has been escorting me as a fiancé, giving me cards and gifts on birthdays and special occasions, and hasn't neglected our interactions. Being popular with noble young ladies isn't a sin.

If it were a sin to not protect the honor of a fiancé, it would be different, but Eddie isn't the one spreading the rumors, nor has he affirmed them. He's just thanking the young ladies who are worried about him.

Even if we were to sue over the responsibility for the penalty, we would lose in this situation.

Knowing that it would only consume time, effort, and money, my parents would probably want to avoid a pointless dispute, pay the penalty, and quickly move on to finding me a new fiancé.

"If only I had remembered my past life a little earlier... If it were before the engagement, I definitely wouldn't have chosen Eddie."

If I had known I would be treated as a villainous young lady, I would have returned Eddie's proposal right away. It's very regrettable. Or maybe it's better to think that remembering at all is a good thing. Anyway, I need to get out of the position of a villainous young lady as soon as possible and choose a partner who will ensure a stable future.

As I walked towards the main gate of the academy, thinking about the faces of the young lords whose fiancées were still undecided, the principal, a few adults, and a lovely girl with pink hair passed by.

Here comes the heroine.

The dating game I played had a type where the heroine's face was depicted. The pink-haired and eyed girl with a face that evokes a desire to protect is definitely the heroine. She must have been adopted by a baron's family and is here to go through the transfer procedures to the noble academy, as in the game's setting.

I don't know which route the heroine will choose, but for me, it's impossible. All the targets have a rival fiancé, a villainous young lady. Even if the young lady is truly a villain, it's not right to take someone else's fiancé. It's against the principles as a person and a noble. In my past life, I didn't care about such things because it was just a game, but in this world, which is a real life, it's different.

Thinking about this, I realized something.

If I terminate my engagement with Eddie tomorrow, the heroine can enjoy a worry-free romance.

She might not choose the Eddie route, but at least I can make one of the routes a healthy one.

This morning, when I realized I had been reborn into the world of a game, I was almost in despair, but if I can do something to improve my situation and that of others, this world, where I know the future, doesn't seem so bad.

Still, I want the heroine to live her life as she pleases, so I won't try to guide her in any way. Just by terminating my engagement for my own happiness, I can make one of the paths the heroine can take a little better. Whether she chooses Eddie or another target, or chooses a proper partner or enjoys being a single noble, it's none of my business.

Farewell, heroine. I will aim for my own happiness.

As I mentally parted ways with the heroine, I ended up facing her the next day.

"Lady Cynthia, you should respect Master Eddie's will... It's cruel to treat him like a slave just because you're aiding his family..."

In the school corridor, the heroine, who I ran into, said with her hands clasped as if in prayer and her big eyes glistening.

Damn, she came here.

I managed to suppress the vulgar curse that almost slipped out and returned a ladylike smile.

"I don't understand what you mean. What do you mean by a slave?"

"You don't realize... Master Eddie can't go against you for the sake of the earl's family. He has things he wants to do and learn, but he has to give up his time to fulfill your whims. He can't even enjoy time with friends. Don't you think it's pitiful?"

"I don't recall restraining him to that extent. I'll check with him directly. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"Again, you're trying to threaten Master Eddie into obeying!"

I thought I had naturally included a line to leave the scene, but the heroine intercepted me. The heroine is formidable. I now understand why the game's villainous young lady, Cynthia, dislikes the heroine so much.

The heroine's exaggerated shouting is attracting more onlookers. The young ladies who have a crush on Eddie are watching me being accused with glee. A few of the young lords whose proposals I turned down are also grinning. I definitely won't consider them as candidates when choosing a new fiancé.

"Excuse me, but it seems you have something to say. I have an important matter to attend to after this. Would it be alright if you wrote to my family?"

I said this as calmly as possible with a smile, but it might be meaningless with the face of the villainous young lady, Cynthia. With her fiery red hair, red eyes, and a beautiful but sharp-looking face, it's difficult to play the role of a virtuous person. The presence this body gives off makes it easier to protect my position as a rare female head of the family, but...

"Are you trying to silence me with your family's power...! But I won't give up! Righteous actions will always be rewarded! I will definitely save Master Eddie!"

The important matter I have to attend to is the discussion to terminate my engagement with Eddie. If I could say that, it would be so much easier. But as the next female viscount, I can't talk about a contract that hasn't been finalized as if it's a done deal. If the termination of the engagement had been decided, I could have sent the heroine away, but the timing is the worst. I wish she had come tomorrow.

"I understand that you care for Master Eddie Doris. But I really don't have time now. So, I'm sorry..."

By deliberately calling my fiancé by his formal title, I caused a slight stir among the more perceptive onlookers. But most of them probably think I'm just putting on a brave face. I was clearly in love with Eddie before.

To erase the foolish me from the past, I want to proceed with the termination of the engagement as quickly as possible. This stupid girl...

"Wait, Cynthia. I want you to listen to what Elly has to say."

Another fool appeared. Pushing through the crowd, it was my pitiful fiancé, Eddie.

By the way, Elly is the heroine's name. In the game, you could freely choose the name, so I didn't know. Elly and Eddie have a nice ring to them. I'll leave it to them. I won't get involved.

Eddie's beautiful face twisted in a pained expression, and he began to speak like a tragic hero.

"Elly made me realize that I've been enduring all this time. As she said, I had things I wanted to do and learn. There were days when I wanted to play with friends. But I've been putting up with everything for you, living the way you wanted. I've realized how much I've been wasting my time."

What kind of self-awareness do you get from what the heroine says? I didn't recall restraining Eddie to that extent. If I had been so focused on Eddie, I wouldn't have been able to do the things I wanted to do. What was Eddie doing while I was learning estate management, going on inspections, and fulfilling necessary social obligations? He was probably just spacing out.

I used to like his easygoing nature, but now I realize that he was just an indecisive person who didn't know what he wanted. He might have been cute if he were harmless, but unfortunately, he has become a harmful indecisive man, and it seems to be getting worse.

"Is that so, Master Doris. We have time to talk later, so let's move on. I believe you've heard about today's discussion with my family from your father, and we can continue there..."

"Stop it! I'm sick of it! I don't know what kind of discussion it is, but it's probably another attempt to threaten the earl's family with money, right!? I'm not going! For the first time today, I'm going against you! This is my right as a human being!"

No way. You haven't heard the content? You haven't been told? There's no way. You probably just spaced out while listening, or maybe you were swayed by the heroine early on and refused to listen because of your rejection of me. Are you really not planning to attend today's discussion?

"Calling the earl's family to the viscount's family is quite presumptuous."

"Of course, you were oppressing Master Eddie with money! What a cruel woman..."

The female students surrounding Eddie are happy to say such things, confirming that I was the villainous young lady they imagined.

I didn't call them. Today's discussion is also taking place at the earl's family.

"Today's discussion is very important... Where are you going? Do you have something important to do?"

"Do I have to reveal all my private plans to you? I have my own schedule!"

For the first time, Eddie shows a rare moment of anger. He seems to be serious about not attending the discussion. Wait a minute. If that's the case, I might be able to proceed with the termination of the engagement more favorably. If the person who can deny my exaggerated claims is not present, I can use it to my advantage.

The penalty... It might be significantly reduced.

Moreover, if I bring up how he is speaking ill of me in front of so many witnesses, the penalty might be waived. There are so many witnesses.

"Did you feel threatened by the viscount's family's financial power?"

"Of course! Just because the earl's family is temporarily in financial trouble, you're using the aid as a threat to control the Doris earl's family and make me do as you say."

"I only hoped for a general interaction as a fiancé, but you felt threatened and treated like a slave, didn't you? You're saying you want to stop that here and now?"

"Yes! I was treated like a slave! I won't listen to you anymore. I won't be your toy from today on. I have the right to be free!"

Amazing. It's so easy to get him to admit it. If he had become my husband, he might have held me back when I was entrusted with the estate in the future. I'm really glad I came to my senses. I definitely don't want to marry Eddie now.

"Lady Cynthia! Admit your mistake! Set Master Eddie free! Don't make him suffer anymore!"

The heroine, with tears welling up in her eyes, sat down pitifully. Oh, this way, she won't be able to intercept me. Good.

"No, I didn't mean to threaten. The aid was a gesture of goodwill to the fiancé's family. However, I will bring up how Master Doris felt during today's discussion with the Doris earl's family. I will consider it thoroughly. I appreciate you sharing your feelings. It's unfortunate that you won't attend the discussion, but it's your decision, so please do as you wish. I won't force you."

As I smiled at Eddie, he suddenly looked happy and ran to the sitting heroine.

"Thank you, Elly! Thanks to you, I'm free! I'm free from now on!"

"Master Eddie, I'm so glad! I was worried about you..."

Sure, sure, you two look great together. I hope you have a long and happy life. Just don't come near me again.

"I'm going to be late for the discussion, so I'll take my leave."

Thanks to their world, my small voice wasn't interrupted.

After rushing home, I told my parents about today's events. Despite the unbelievable nature of the events, with many witnesses, they were pleased that the responsibility for the penalty could be avoided, and they showed a mix of anger and disappointment at the insults and ridicule directed at their beloved daughter and the Ludron viscount family.

The result of the discussion was that we successfully terminated the engagement by urgently calling a mediator from the government. Initially, we were prepared to pay the penalty and intended to keep the discussion internal, but thanks to Eddie's last-minute actions, we were able to proceed very favorably.

No penalty, and part of the aid we provided was canceled, with a partial refund.

Although there was some resistance until the witnesses were confirmed, within a few days, there were enough testimonies to make excuses impossible. The young ladies surrounding Eddie were even happy to speak about how terrible the Ludron viscount family was, which left a strong impression on the mediator.

In the end, it was the Doris earl's family who gave up on taking the matter to court. The situation had completely reversed.

We could have even demanded a penalty, but if we requested money from someone who couldn't pay, it would just drag on. We decided to end it cleanly, considering it a lesson. This way, the Ludron viscount family and the Doris earl's family can be complete strangers.

The Doris earl's family, who thought they could rely on us, will now face considerable difficulties, but since they were supposed to solve their financial troubles on their own, it's just a matter of facing them a bit later. Considering that they are getting a partial refund of the aid, they are actually benefiting, so I hope they accept it calmly.

Farewell, Eddie. Farewell, Doris earl's family. Let's live lives where we never have to interact again.