Chapter 3 3 DUKE OF SLENDLOCK

"How about sitting with me," I asked a bit hesitantly.

As I said earlier, my head was spinning. Well then after hearing the explanation, my brain cells feel exhausted.

Rules? Normal? Is this the thing that they call normal dining?

I know, this is a duke household to begin with, but for goodness sake, this kind of portion is all you can eat buffet ah!

"Pardon?"

" I said have a seat and dine with me." At once, they intake breath from each of them.

" Lady Maria, servants cannot dine with the Master's guests, and you are not even a simple guest but His Grace's future wife."

" I'm already a fallen noble and now merely sheltering in this household. So please, dine with me as I cannot eat all of this by myself." I am not a heavy eater when it comes to eating anyway.

Also, I don't want to become a wasteful person.

Out there, a lot of people are hungry every second, and here I am, served with portions enough for ten people.

Nickelsi slightly bowed again from his spot and spoke seriously.

"I wish you enjoy your meal, Lady Maria, and please don't mind us, the servants."

"But..." I glanced at each of them and their avoiding expressions talked about what they wanted to say, ' Don't drag us down and make us lose our jobs', as they looked down at the floor.

The dislike for me is crystal clear without any exceptions.

I didn't pursue them anymore, and once again my sight landed at the set of blank chairs within this long table.

Isn't it a bit lonely to eat all of this by yourself? I'm only used to eating alone but not in this kind of setup.

It saddened me deep inside, and to prevent myself from tearing up, I forcefully began eating the dishes presented to me.

It is delicious...

Even so, realizing you're all alone at this table while the servants bowed their heads down.

All of the foods become tasteless and bland.

As I started to ask myself mentally if I'm eating for the sake of filling this stomach or for the sake of not wanting to waste any food.

Afterward, I head back to my room to have a refreshing bath from feeling bad when I didn't eat all of them.

After lamenting the autumn and spring, my confidence comes back as well as clear possible ideas to avoid my bad ending.

Based on their reactions to me earlier, they dislike my existence here, which is a good thing.

Then I can leave the house without any pressure on my back.

The more they hate me, the more they will chase me out.

Good. Good. Very good!

Because of this, Auntie has decided to live her normal life in another country!

Exile? No problem. I'll travel the world of seven seas!

Ah. My previous lifelong dream is here.

My heart was fluttering in a fit of burst with excitement and aspiration. In this world, no need for a passport or any ID for traveling.

Isn't that a good opportunity?

For the matter of those people in the capital. Once I made myself a stronger individual, kicking out their faces to the ground someday would be a piece of cake.

For this moment, step one is important to avoid my death scenario!

"Lady Maria, His Grace has finally returned."

Oh. Perfect!

Just in time to meet the herald of my future death!

There was one thing I was entirely sure with that person standing near the entranceway is my future killer.

One and only, the Duke of Slendlock, Jafferi Solgrace, a dignified character who never shows his real feelings to anyone other than the female protagonist when he fell in love with her, which lead to my gruesome death.

In thinking about burning a living flesh under the clear sky, I cannot help but furrow my brows and frown.

The Duke noticed me at once as our eyes met.

As what was written in my description for him is not far from the reality as he has this long silken, fiery crimson hair and a pair of cold-blooded golden eyes with an apathetic expression on his transcendental face.

He could swoon anyone to their feet with one look.

I never expected to see this cannon fodder character in a real human version, but, honestly, he is one hell of a gorgeous Duke.

In his imposing, pristine, modern black and white theme clothes, you could feel the power and authority around him.

He is every inch of my favorite listed fictional crushes in my previous life, and every female's formidable husband's type.

But he was the character who would burn me alive someday, and I never dream of being killed by my characters in this fictional novel.

Such a way to die an author!

Do you think that's absurd and shameless!

Although they're alive here in this reality and breathing every day.

It is a matter of time to reach the end of this world, and maybe, perhaps my life would already be at someone else's mercy.

"Your Grace, welcome back." I bow my head only half in proper courtesy, but also to hide the faint smirked drawing on my lips.

If I am right, this Duke will ignore me as of the first meeting plot scenario.

Then, this Maria character is going to chase him, pestering him every day to marry her so that she could restore her nobility.

She is a struggling character just to keep her peers alive.

"Leave"

Surprising by hearing the unfamiliar cold tone, I found myself lifting my head to look at the Duke.

He was staring down, and at first look, his disinterested eyes filled with nothing, and yet if you observed closely, you can remark the dislike there for me.

I cannot deny that I trembled a little as he walked past my stunned figure.

Somehow, at sudden movements, fear overwhelmed me as the only thought that came to my mind was he was going to burn me on the spot.

"Lady Maria the Duke...."

Nickelsi comforting words seemed to disappear in the background, and I don't care what he was saying anymore.

I'm in the middle of backing up myself from such a dreadful moment.

No one ever scared the hell out of me, even my favorite creepypasta in my first life, and yet this Duke managed to get on my nerves.

What the heck!

Damn.

Is this because I am afraid to die!?