“Anabelle, why aren’t you up now?”

A loud voice hit my eardrums.

“Is it time for you to do this? You have to wake up early in the morning and train!”

Reid screamed while flinging the door open.

“This is our last chance! If you don’t win first place in the swordsmanship competition again, you’re nothing but an illegitimate child abandoned forever!”

I sighed and turned my head in bed.

My light purple hair moved.

“Why the hell are you lying around without going to the training ground for a few days? Are you out of your mind?”

‘Of all things, I can’t believe I was born with this role…’

A few days ago, a big change occurred in my life, which I had lived to the fullest.

I suddenly remembered my previous life.

I even realized that the world I live in is in a book I’ve read.

Frustrated by the fact that I was born as a character in a book and the future that had already been set, I locked myself in my room for several days.

At first, I refused to admit it, but my memories gradually became clearer and my former self became completely fused.

If I had been born as a villainess who had a crush on a man, it would not have been this difficult, for I can just quit my unrequited love and live a different life.

Besides, if I had known that I was reincarnated, what would suddenly come to mind in the spring of 22 years old?

I have been faithful to the original work for twenty-two years and worked hard to build up all the karma.

“Are you going to lose to Ian Wade again?”

My reborn role, Annabelle Nadit, was Ian’s rival.

No, only Annabelle saw Ian as her rival. He didn’t care about her.

Because Ian is in the first place and Annabel is in second place.

The Imperial Swords Competition was a huge event held every four years.

A title was awarded to the person who wins first place.

But the problem was that the prize was only given to the first place.

‘The dirty world only remembers the first place and it’s the same here and there.’

There was even an age limit of under 24.

‘It’s the same. If you’re older, you don’t even have a chance later on.’

I’m now 22, so this swordsmanship tournament in a few minutes will be my last chance.

“You deserve a title at all costs!”

Reid screamed once again.

I’m an illegitimate child of Marquis Abedes, one of the highest nobles in the empire.

In order for illegitimate children to be recognized as part of the noble families, they had to earn their own titles.

With my mother’s death, my guardian became Reid, my brother from another father.

Ever since I showed a gift for swordsmanship since I was a child, Reid’s goal is to win the title and proudly become a member of the family.

“How long are you going to live like this?”

What mattered to Reid was the wealth of Marquis Abedes.

If I become a member of the Marquis, I’ll have the right to inherit, so I’ll get at least a few mines and a lot of lands.

Although my mother gave birth to me and was paid quite a lot by Marquis Abedes, Reid was not satisfied.

“If you call this pathetic, most people will kill you.”

Now I know the end of the swordsmanship competition anyways.

Ian Wade will be the man to win.

Literally, he’s the strongest in the worldview, and he’s a human being who can subdue 10 people like me at once.

I didn’t want to admit it, but I’ve been wasting my breath.

Even though I was confused, I have to accept it and live a different life.

‘From the beginning, I could never compare to him.’

Ian Wade, the heir to the Duke of Wade, the noblest family in the Empire, was just a perfect human being.

To think about the future, I have to have a plan.

‘Of course, if I earnestly desire it, the universe will grant my wish, and if I work hard with a bone-cutting heart, the possibility is as big as an ant’s claw…

‘

I ignored what Reid was talking about next to me, and looked in the mirror and quietly fell into my thoughts.

‘Honestly, I can’t risk my life on that possibility. Besides, it’s not that I haven’t put in any effort until now.’

Knowing all about the future, I have completely given up on living in awe as the heir of a high-ranking nobleman.

Even if I do receive property, I would be able to play and eat for the rest of my life.

And with my knowledge from my previous life, it became clearer.

The desire to be recognized as a member of the nobility was not mine, but of my family’s.

What I really wanted wasn’t the envy of others or the first place itself, but the truth is…

“I’m sure you can win this time. You’ve been working hard behind the scenes, but if you fall into a slump like this…”

Without a moment of deep thought, Reid continued to speak vigorously.

The future is that we all perish because of the work behind the scenes…

My head started pounding at the thought of the future.

“Reid, would you please shut up? It’s noisy.”

“What? Did you just say that I am noisy, who only wants you to do well?”

“Yes, exactly. So get out now.”

It was already noisy inside, but it was worse when Reid was screaming.

“How dare you!”

“Do you want to get your hair cut?”

I spoke grimly and pretended to hold my sword.

“Again, I don’t know. I’m afraid I’ll cut off your hair by mistake because I don’t train as you said.”

Reid stopped and walked out.

I was left alone so I fell back on the bed.

The first place in the swordsmanship competition, which can never happen for me, is quickly abandoned. I know the future, but it was foolish to continue.

But the problem remained.

At the tournament four years ago, I realized that I couldn’t compete fairly.

That’s why I’ve already conspired with Reid to beat Ian somehow.

‘At the end of the day, everyone gets caught, and I’m crazy!’

I sighed and buried my face in my hands.

The conspiracy that Reid had set up to harm Ian was eventually discovered.

When I read it in the book, I liked it because it was relentless, but I was reborn with that role!

‘Even if you have property, you must protect it.’

With shame, both of us were sued while receiving a true education through trial and ended up in prison.

‘No, the property isn’t the problem, and I should avoid going to jail first.’

However, it was unreasonable to overturn all the traps that had already been dug, because Reid had taken care of everything.

‘There is absolutely no way that Reid will stop.’

So there’s only one way.

I have to make sure that Ian didn’t get hurt before he was ruined

I sighed deeply while opening the closet to go out.

Two worn-out gray training suits…

After I stopped growing, I wasn’t given any more clothes. Other than that, there were only old leather hair ties and rough cotton indoor clothes.

I can’t believe these are the only clothes I have in such a nice mansion. I knew it, but anger rose in me again.

I originally accepted without much thought.

“You can’t focus on the sword if you’re obsessed with dressing up.”

Now that she has passed away, she is not in this mansion, but my mother, Caitlyn used to say that.

In the meantime, of course, I thought she was right.

Ian had also believed that he should not ask for anything other than a sword without winning.

However, when I remembered my previous life, I objectively realized how pitiful my situation was.

“Have a meal, lady.”

The meal brought by the maid was more irritating.

It was just a bunch of dry, tasteless meat and a few veggie leaves that were about to wither.

“Diet control is essential for the body.”

Reid and Caitlyn always ate upscale meals, and I ate only a few meals by myself in a room.

Very occasionally, they would give me part of the leftovers.

Up until now, food has been thought of only as fuel for the body to perform swordsmanship.

But, I know that this is not the only life I can live. So, I shouldn’t go by eating this kind of garbage.

“Is there anything else? I get tired of eating like this every day.”

As I grumbled, the maid responded kindly.

“But until the swordsmanship competition… Mr. Reid told me to take special care of you.”

Even after the swordsmanship contest was over, he still gave me meals like this with the words: ‘unfortunately, you finished second, so you should prepare for the next swordsmanship contest from today’.

But now, I don’t even have the strength to make a fuss, so I quietly picked up the fork.

‘Ugh, it doesn’t taste good.’

As far as I know, this is low-grade meat, and it was the worst meat in all of my memories from my previous life.

‘It’s really bad that the meat doesn’t taste good.’

However, since I was going to use my body today, I had no choice but to swallow it up and eat it all.

I picked up the best condition of the training clothes in the closet and brought my sword.

On the way out of the mansion, Reid was enjoying an afternoon tea set with some pretty girls who he had invited.

‘That scum…’

In the meantime, I wanted to get just one sandwich, but I didn’t have time.

I looked and went out to the side of the road. Even though it was the world I saw every day, the air felt somehow different.

Just remembering my past life made me realize that it was a world in a book.

Above all else, I looked around the street and saw a lot of handsome men.

Even the store clerk showed off the beauty of the world.

So, after I remembered my past life, my standards of appearance lowered significantly.

As a result, everyone looked like models as if they were on a movie set…

‘I can’t do anything about it, so I’m going to be the greatest flirt here. That’ll be my new strand of life.’

Even if I was born as a supporting role who didn’t get involved romantically in any way, it was something I could do if I were in a romance film.

What is this, people passing by on the street look like movie stars?

Well, even the people on the street look like movie stars.

‘Let’s live a life that has nothing to do with him.’

~*~

Ian Wade was a man with distinct features. Thanks to his small face and well-balanced body, he was an attractive man that stood out even from a distance.

As the only heir to the Duke of Wade, he was extremely aristocratic in his ascetic appearance, restrained attitude, and neat gestures.

Now, he was indifferently checking the escort procession for an upcoming mission.

It was a great honor to escort the High Priest. Therefore, even the knights of Wade led by him selected were only the elites.

Among them was his lieutenant, Aaron, who was talkative but his skills were acknowledged.

“Isn’t she quiet these days?”

Aaron followed Ian and said.

“Who?”

Aaron chuckled in response at Ian’s blunt question.

“Who else? The 2nd place in the last swordsmanship contest where she came to Ian every day to swear and get kicked out.”

Ian didn’t even respond, but Aaron kept talking.

“The only person who dared to criticize Ian was Annabelle, but I feel a bit sorry for her.”

“Don’t be silly and get ready to go.”

Without even giving Aaron a glance, Ian jumped on his black horse.

He responded bluntly to Aaron’s words, but he was also conscious that Anabelle had been very quiet these days.

Annabelle Nadit. An illegitimate child in her family who had been officially defeated by him twice, and unofficially defeated over 2,000 times.

Now, if he defeated her one more time in the upcoming swordsmanship contest, he would officially win three times.

Him and Annabelle were both 22 years old, but after this tournament, they won’t compete again, so it will be over.

It can be said that she’s quite beautiful when she rushes with her sword, but he was really fed up with her.

When she came to visit him from time to time and applied for a match and accepted it, she used all kinds of mean tricks.

She used very absurd acts, such as hitting him in the head when greeting him, or attacking his back when he turned around.

After getting defeated even more, she poured out all kinds of mean words and curses.

“XX, XX you XX XXX and XX, XX you XX it!”

The level of profanity and curses were absolutely vulgar.

No matter how much Annabelle has half of the blood of the marquis, she’s still a commoner.

However, there was no basic dignity in treating Ian so harshly since he was the only heir to the duke and commander of the Knights.

Ian simply ignored it because he thought she would be the same person if he sincerely refuted the ridiculous curses.

“She was, of course, very stubborn. It was ridiculous that she hated people so much after losing to them with her skills.”

“Then don’t wait.”

“Still, it was quite a spectacle in this desolate training ground. Watching the fight is the funniest thing ever. Haha. That’s not too far away.”

Everyone was now familiar with Annabelle, who always flew in while leaving the gatekeepers out of the way, shouting and raiding behind Ian’s back.

The knights who first ran wildly while saying it was rude had already adapted to it.

But anyways, if he completely beats her in this final swordsmanship competition, it would eventually be quiet.

Because she will no longer have a reason to beat Ian.

He knew she wanted to win the first prize in the swordsmanship competition and get a title to be recognized as a member of the Marquis.

Clearly, her desire for first place made her even more desperate, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t lose to an opponent she could easily win.

“In that sense, I haven’t seen her face for a few days, aren’t you feeling empty? It’s the first time we haven’t seen each other for so long since I was probably 14.”

“Not at all.”

He was far from being empty.

He couldn’t like Annabelle, who often insults him, as she’s not good enough for Ian, who believes in himself to be fair and virtuous.

He, who prides himself on being a very common-sense and normal person, could never understand Annabelle, who constantly causes trouble to others.

“I will never give up on beating you. Because swordsmanship is everything in my life. So accept me as your opponent! Don’t look at me with such disrespectful eyes!”

Perhaps if it wasn’t for what she said one day, Ian would have already put her in jail for insults.

There was only one thing, the attitude that swordsmanship was everything in life was pitiful and she was letting go.

No chivalry was found from her, but the earnestness of the sword touched somewhere in Ian.

It’s been like that since they first met, when they were 14 years old.

“I hope she’s not working on more strategies with the contest coming up. Or to poison Ian.”

When Aaron spoke up, Ian replied coldly.

“All I do is bear the sword. If she crosses the line without a sword, she’ll pay for it.”

Aaron immediately shut up at his gruesome words.

Annabelle, who had not been seen for several days, appeared when he entered the main road leading to the Imperial Palace while escorting the high priest.

As he watched the high priest’s procession, he saw her pale purple hair tied high among the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

“Oh.”

Aaron, who found Annabelle, murmured.

“It’s not like she’s rushing to fight here right now. Her eyes are already ready to catch someone.”

Ian, who never had a good time being entangled with her, sighed once in vain and didn’t respond.

Even Annabelle, who is a nobody, would not hurl curses in front of so many people.

However, it was because she had always kept the very basic line of breaking into Wade’s residence and requesting a fight.

That was then.

Annabelle, who was in the crowd, jumped.

Naturally, Ian was the first to notice the movement.

‘You’ve come a long way, Annabelle Nadit.’

She must have been crazy to try and attack him in front of so many people.

Ian reflexively drew out his sword towards her.

No matter how incomparable she is to him, she was second in the swordsmanship contest. No one in his knighthood was stronger than her, so he had to deal with her himself.

“Ah, Miss Annabelle!”

Then Aaron, Ian’s lieutenant, was astonished and called out her name.

It is also because the poisonous stinger that flew from somewhere went right in Annabelle’s back countless times, which blocked Ian’s right arm.

Chapter 3 – Desiring Lam (2)

“I-it’s an attack! What the hell is this!?”

The High Priest shouted and jumped.

When he saw the poisoned needles in my back, he was astonished.

“Who dares to do this to me, God’s highest servant?”

I sighed as I straightened my tingling back.

They weren’t aiming for him, who appeared to have misunderstood, but for Ian Weidross.

Indeed, that was a logical assumption given that the High Priest has more enemies than Ian.

“I’m sure it’s the work of atheists!”

Terrorism by atheists was also a frequent thing, therefore he suspected it was true. That’s why the heir of Weidross led the Knights and even escorted the convoy.

“God will not forgive you!”

I wasn’t expecting this misunderstanding, it was fine with me. The more people who believed it was terrorism against the Holy Father, the better.

‘The more they believe that’s the case, the more Reid and I go off the suspect list.’

While the High Priest was screaming his rage, I hurriedly scanned Ian’s body.

Fortunately, not a single poison needle touched him.

“Annabelle Nadit, what the hell is this?”

His red eyes were filled with disbelief as he stared at me.

“Well, it would have been a great issue if his Holiness had been injured, but for a swordsman, it’s nothing.”

I replied rashly, not even looking him in the eyes.

“There is nothing wrong with your body movement.”

It was normal because I had already consumed an antidote.

“Okay then, bye.”

I hoped that now that no one had been harmed, this matter would fade into oblivion.

“Aren’t you Annabelle Nadit?”

I was ready to leave when the High Priest grabbed my hand.

“I believe you came in second place in the past two swordsmanship tournaments. God bless you for jumping like that simply to save my life.”

His eyes were gleaming. With deadly needles in my back, I answered awkwardly.

“I just did what needed to be done.”

“No, still this kind of favor…”

The High Priest, who was about to retire due to his old age, was moved to tears and was unable to continue speaking.

“I even requested that the Knights of Weidross escort me, and you, who had no obligation to do so, came forward and sacrificed yourself…”

Because I was already lying, I spoke beautifully to bring it to a close.

“I couldn’t stand still since I respect His Holiness very much.”

As if moved by my words, he gripped my hand firmly.

“No matter what, the temple will certainly repay you!”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline, but thank you.”

I felt it would be good if he handed me some money, but I had to pretend I didn’t notice Ian’s gaze piercing my face.

“Then I need to go now…”

I was about to disappear into the crowd again when Ian jumped from the black horse and snatched me up.

“Something is wrong.”

Due to his chilling words, a cold sweat ran down my spine.

But I asked brazenly, my eyes wide open.

“What do you mean?”

“You, who had been quiet for days, suddenly showed up out of nowhere.”

‘Yeah, after remembering my past life, I stopped visiting him and acting aggressively.’

“Let go of me!”

I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I went ballistic and shook his arm.

“And the fact that you went out of your way to help me.”

In fact, it was not something I would typically do. So I pretended I didn’t know anything.

“I-I didn’t actually help you! Don’t get me wrong!”

But his gruesome words continued.

“More than anything else, the strangest thing is…”

His bloodshot eyes flared.

“You usually say harsh things when you look at me; there’s no way you would back down so quietly. What the hell are you up to? Tell me right now.”

I see! The most essential thing slipped my mind.

The original me would have already spewed plenty of obscenities. I must not draw his attention to my sudden shift in attitude!

It would be a disgrace if he discovered me due to my lack of attention to minor detail.

“I tried to hold it in because I was in front of others…”

But my attitude toward him has already changed. Ian did nothing wrong to me, and my desire to win vanished.

I felt bad for swearing and shouting nasty things for no reason like before.

Along with the memories of my previous life, I regained the sense of shame, dignity, and pride that I had lost, so I opted not to curse again.

That’s why I threw an appropriate level of insults in his face.

“I hope you find a cockroach in your sandwiches! And let ten doves shake their parasites on your head as you go down the street!!”

Ian’s face had suddenly become horribly distorted.

Aaron, the pink-haired deputy standing next to him, puffed air into his cheeks to keep from laughing.

He couldn’t keep me for long since he had to keep escorting the High Priest’s procession.

‘Now, one obstacle has been cleaned up.’ I turned around proudly and blended in with the crowd.

* * *

Ian, who had returned to the Duchy of Weidross after being the Holy Father’s escort, sat lost in contemplation.

Aaron, who came to give a report, grinned.

“Mr. Ian.”

“What?”

“Are you thinking about Annabelle?”

“Shut up.”

“Seeing you saying such harsh words, I think I’m right.”

His dark blue eyes were dubious. Ian refused to answer.

Aaron was right. During the escort assignment, he only thought about her.

There was another atheist attack on the way back from the imperial palace to the temple, so the poisoned needles were swiftly brushed aside.

But Ian couldn’t let the situation go.

It was odd. Given the angle and direction of the poisoned needle’s trajectory, it’s reasonable to believe it was aimed at him, rather than the High Priest. Which is even more strange when you think about it.

Why would Annabelle endure poisoned needles for him?

The poison wasn’t too strong for a swordsman, but she had so many needles in her back…

“There are two possibilities in this circumstance that we can think of.”

Aaron stood in front of him and spoke seriously.

“First, she wants to steal credit from you, who escorted His Holiness, and shine…”

“Rejected.”

Ian, who was listening carefully to his words, responded immediately.

“The High Priest is pleased with her, but not enough for Annabelle to rise to fame.”

Aaron lifted his brows and continued.

“Second: she’s concerned that Mr. Ian may be hurt and unable to play fairly.”

“No way.”

Ian shook his head.

“Annabelle and fair play don’t go together at all.”

“Anyway, don’t you appreciate it? Perhaps you should express your gratitude…”

“Even if it hadn’t been Annabelle, I could have avoided that much.”

Maybe, no matter how unlucky he was, he would have brushed one off.

He didn’t need to be grateful because it didn’t appear to be especially poisonous either.

“She hasn’t been here in a few days, hasn’t she? Perhaps she had a change of heart.”

There was a brief moment of silence after those words before Ian shook his hand angrily.

“That’s it. I don’t have to pay attention to her and just live my life as usual. Why would you be concerned about how she feels?”

“I’m just really curious.”

Aaron grinned and laughed.

“Unlike usual, the last swear words she uttered were cute and specific… You should avoid doves on the street and keep an eye on your sandwiches.”

“Get the hell out.”

“That’s such a harsh thing to say…”

“Why don’t you go and get lost right now?”

He went to bed later than usual after harshly kicking Aaron out. Suddenly, Ian realized that the entire amount of time he had spent thinking about Annabelle in the previous 22 years was less than the amount of time he had spent thinking about her today.

‘It’s probably just a passing whim.’

In bed, he tossed and turned. When he closed his eyes, all he could think of was Annabelle, who had deadly needles on her back. The visual impact was too strong to ignore.

‘Although she isn’t a hedgehog…’

Her back, which had been pierced by many poisonous needles… Her back, which had vanished into the crowd, lingered in his mind.

He eventually stood up and fetched a servant.

“Oh, Sir Ian. What happened to you, why are you up in the middle of the night…”

“I need to know if Annabelle Nadit’s body is in good condition. Particularly her back.”

“What? now?”

“As soon as possible.”

He sat upright, arms crossed, and pondered as he sent out the servant.

‘It was simply a strange incident. I’m not going to have to do this again, so once I’m certain she’s safe, I’m going to completely ignore her.’

* * *

“Are you really crazy? Why would you do such a thing…?”

“You should thank me.”

Reid came to see me after hearing the rumors, but I replied harshly.

I was totally fine since, in addition to swallowing the antidote beforehand, I had previously been treated secretly by a doctor.

“Ian didn’t take any blows. He avoided all strikes thanks to his quick reflexes. That’s why I got hit instead, just in case I didn’t get wounded and was caught.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m in second place. I’ve had a million fights with Ian. You might not be aware, but I am.”

It was rather comfortable to be the Empire’s second-best swordsman. Because it was far too simple to deceive someone other than Ian.

Reid, with his brown hair and brown eyes, looked nothing like me. He didn’t have the smallest aptitude for swordsmanship, so he couldn’t even wield swords.

So it was easy to make him shut up.

“Well, you won’t be able to succeed on your first try. There will be results next time.”

Reid didn’t seem to have any doubts about me because of my previous enthusiastic talks about hurting and destroying my long-life rival.

“This is our one and only chance to live a noble life. We must do everything possible to destroy Ian Weidross.”

‘Although we’ll be the only ones to end up ruined, how frustrating.’

But Reid planned everything, and to mess it up, I had to persuade him to reveal to me his plan in detail.

“So, what comes next?”

When I asked a subtle question, Reid proudly responded.

“The day after tomorrow, the hibiscus explosion we were discussing together, let’s blow it all up!”

I sighed inwardly.

If one of Ian’s nails were to fly away, we’d fly to jail.

In the end, I was the only one who could step up